17 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a magnificent day, a perishable crown, acceptable unto God, achieve glory, always abounding in the work of the Lord, an awesome greeting, an imperishable crown, an incorruptible crown, an indisputable fact, be a castaway, be disqualified, be not conformed to this world, be of good cheer, be rewarded with glorious victory, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, be ye steadfast, bondaged to Satan, bought with a price, bring it into subjection, but one receiveth the prize, by the mercies of God, children of the Most High God, Christ's sacrificial death, Christians, clothed by freedom in Christ, competes for the prize, conquering power, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, disciplining our minds and bodies, divine aid, does man have access to God, don't allow the world to contaminate you, enter thou into the joy of the Lord, even our faith, every man that striveth for mastery, expect to come out victorious, face the music of the working world, faith, faithful over a few things, fill us with steadfast faith, find favour with God, finished my course, finished my race, fought a good fight, furthering your glorious kingdom, getting serious about living for Jesus, give me at that day, glorify God in your body and spirit, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is sovereign over the world, God's presence within us, he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God, holy, holy spirit, honour God with how we live our lives, humble servants, humbly ask, I beseech you therefore brethren, I discipline my body, i have overcome the world, I have preached to others, I keep under my body, I therefore so run, in a practical manner, in me ye might have peace, in our endeavours for Christ, in the world ye shall have tribulation, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, irrevocable presentation, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, kept the faith, know ye not, lest that by any means, LOVE, make thee a ruler over many things, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, my beloved brethren, not as one that beateth the air, not to me only, on Christ's behalf, one more Monday, one more time unto the breach, only through the Son, present your bodies a living sacrifice, prove what is that good and acceptable perfect will of God, put on the new man, rejuvenation of spirit, rewarded with a crown of righteousness, run not as uncertainly, run that ye may obtain, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-control, so fight I, sure conquerors, take off the old man, temperate in all things, thankful for jobs, thanks be to God who gives us the victory, the BIBLE, the christian life begins with total commitment, the indwelling of the Holy spirit, the joy of the Lord, the judgement day, the parable of the five talents, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the righteous judge, the righteousness of God is manifested, the throne of grace, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, these things I have spoken unto you, they which run in a race run all, this is the victory that overcometh the world, through him that loved us, through our Lord Jesus christ, to lead and guide all your servants, to obtain a corruptible crown, trials and tribulations, truth, unmoveable, unto all them that love his appearing, we surrender our all to you, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, well done thou good and faithful servant, whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, who is he that overcometh the world, wisdom, ye are not your own, you've wrought in our weary souls, your body is the temple of the holy Ghost, your incredible aura of love, your labour is not in vain, your reasonable service
Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 August 2026 1 John 5:5.
1 John 5:5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.
One more Monday, one more time unto the breach dear friends, one more time to face the music of the working world! And though we may experience numerous trials and tribulations in our endeavours for Christ, we fully expect to come out victorious because we are the children of Most High God, and thus sure conquerors through him that LOVED us. And that’s an indisputable fact! If we diligently pursue God’s will for our lives, then we will eventually be rewarded with glorious victory!
As John so rightly states in his first epistle: ‘For whatsoever is born of God (every believer born of God) overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.’ (1 John 5:4-5) And I like the scholars’ explanation of that last verse. ‘There is conquering power through this confession because God is sovereign over the world, and only through the Son does man have access to and find favour with God.’
Jesus Himself also spoke about overcoming the world when He said to the disciples, and consequently to us. ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) So John’s words are gospel truth.
And Bruh Paul corroborates John’s words with his own testimony to the Corinthians: ‘But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain (futile) in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 15:57-58)
And that’s for sure! The Lord will never give us work to do, then not reward us if we do it diligently and excellently. It’s like Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy in his last letter. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (my race), I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim. 4:7-8)
Yes, my brethren, all who LOVE the Lord and faithfully do His bidding will be rewarded with a crown of righteousness come the judgement day. It will be just like the Jesus describes it in the parable of the five talents, where one of the servants did a good job with the duties given to him, and the Master rewards him thus: ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee a ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.’ (Matt. 25:21)
Wow! What an awesome greeting, and what a magnificent day that will be when we receive it from Jesus! And how do we achieve that glory in a practical manner? Listen to some practical advice from Bruh Paul contained in his first letter to the Corinthians, which ties in very nicely with his comment to Timothy about running his race. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate in all things (has self-control).
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown; but we an incorruptible (imperishable crown). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (be disqualified).’ (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
Yes friends, it all begins with disciplining our minds and bodies, getting serious about living for Jesus. As Bruh Paul further advocates: ‘I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (rational) service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom. 12:1-2)
Now that’s not easy to do, but if we are to truly serve Christ, then we must do our best and don’t allow the world to contaminate us, neither in soul, body or mind. And according to the scholars, ‘This means that the Christian life begins with total commitment and irrevocable presentation. And our bodies are now to be presented to God as a channel through which the righteousness of God is manifested.’
For as Bruh Paul spells out in 1 Corinthians. ‘What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.’ (1 Cor. 6:19-20) Yes mih bredrin, we no longer belong to ourselves, but to God who paid a rather high price for us, through Christ’s sacrificial death, and with the indwelling Holy Spirit, or God’s presence within us, we are now called to honor God with how we live and treat ourselves.
And for divine aid to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having our prayers answered, let’s now go out and do sincere battle with the enemy on Christ’s behalf! Much LOVE!
…take off the old man…bondaged to Satan…and put on the new one…clothed by freedom in Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a frightening sea storm, a mixture of reverential awe and real fright, a raging tempest, a wake up call, all my heart to him I give, an integral part of church going, an invitation to church, attend church regularly, be not afraid, be of good cheer it is I, be saved today, bid me come unto thee on the water, billows his will obey, carest thou not that we perish, chillingly eerie to witness, church bells are ringing, confidence, cried out for fear, cry out to Jesus for help, enjoy the company of other believers, even the wind and the sea obey him, ever his praises sing, ever to him i'll cling, faith, faithful loving service too, far from the peaceful shore, fellowship, five loaves of bread, focusing on our circumstances, from the waters lifted me, guilty of the same thing, he your saviour wants to be, heard my despairing cry, holy spirit, how is it that ye have no faith, imagines sinking in water to sinking in sin, Immediately, In his blessed presence live, in the fourth watch of the night, into the well being of his grace, it is a spirit, it's all for our benefit, James Rowe, Jesus asleep in the stern of the boat, Jesus Christ, Jesus completely saves, Jesus fed five thousand men, Jesus lifts us up, Jesus rebuked the wind, Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him, Jesus went unto them, Jesus went up into a mountain to pray, lift you by his love, likely to go under, Lord if it be thou, lose all sense of courage and faith, LOVE, love lifted me, love so mighty and so true, master of the sea, mercy, merits my soul's best songs, negative situations, never take your eyes off Jesus, no shame to cry out to Jesus, nothing is impossible to Jesus, now safe am I, o thou of little faith, of a truth, out of the angry waves, peace be still, Peter answered him, Peter walked on the water, receiving God's grace and mercy, refocused his attention, required in the Lord's sanctuary, said unto the sea, salvation, sinking deep in sin, sinking to rise no more, sould in danger, souls in danger look above, straightway Jesus spake unto them, sweet sacrifices of praise, take courage, the BIBLE, the Crown Prince of heaven, the disciples were troubled, the disciples worshipped Jesus, the instantaneous dissipation of a violent storm, the Master of the sea, the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes, the one who created the wind and the sea, the wind ceased and there was a great calm, they feared exceedingly, thou art the Son of God, to him belongs, to praise worship and fellowship, took his eyes off Jesus, trusting faith, truth, twelve baskets of leftovers, two small fishes, very deeply stained within, walking on the sea, what manner of man is this, when nothing else could help, wherefore didst thou doubt, why are ye so fearful, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 August 2026 Matthew 14:31.
Matthew 14:31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Come on friends, the church bells are ringing, letting us know that it’s Sunday and we’re therefore required in the Lord’s sanctuary to praise, worship, fellowship, encourage and enjoy the company of other believers, while receiving God’s grace and mercy to enable us to go out into the new week of work with confidence and trusting faith. And this past week when I was in Toronto, I heard church bells ringing, and was I ever surprised and delighted because I hadn’t heard church bells ringing in a long while.
I remember church bells being such an integral part of church going. They would ring every Sunday morning, inviting you to come to church. Oftentimes too it was a wakeup call, after a late night out on Saturday. But for whatever reason, the practice was abandoned. I don’t even remember when that happened, possibly during a period when I stopped going to church. (smile) But with or without bells ringing an invitation or a wakeup call, we’re still required to attend church regularly and on this Sunday morning we’re going to open the celebrations with a wonderful hymn we all know, simply titled, ‘LOVE LIFTED ME.’
It was written in 1912 by Irish immigrant to the U.S James Rowe (1865-1933). He was a railroad worker for ten years in New York before becoming an inspector for the Hudson River Humane Society. The lyrics draw from the gospel stories of Jesus and His disciples at sea. Rowe imagines sinking in water to sinking in sin and that Jesus can lift us out of despair to salvation. And is that ever a wonderful notion to consider! So, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, heartfelt, mid-tempo version that truly reflects our sentiments.
Singing: ‘I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, now safe am I. (Refrain: LOVE lifted me! LOVE lifted me! When nothing else could help, LOVE lifted me. LOVE lifted me! LOVE lifted me! When nothing else could help, LOVE lifted me.) All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling, In his blessed presence live, ever his praises sing. LOVE so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs; Faithful LOVING service, too, to Him belongs.
[Refrain] Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves; He will lift you by His LOVE out of the angry waves; He’s the master of the sea, billows His will obey; He your Savior wants to be, be saved today. [Refrain: LOVE lifted me! LOVE lifted me! When nothing else could help, LOVE lifted me. LOVE lifted me! LOVE lifted me! When nothing else could help, LOVE lifted me…. Yes, When nothing else could help, LOVE lifted me….’ Oh, that was beautiful my brethren! And as so often happens, we had heaven singing along with us, because it’s such a sweet, truthful hymn about their Crown Prince! (smile)
Now, although most of us know the stories behind the song, it’s always helpful to review them for whatever information and inspiration they might provide. The first incident occurred after Jesus fed the five thousand men, beside women and children with five loaves of bread and two small fishes, and they collected twelve baskets of leftovers afterwards. Then right after the feeding, Jesus compelled the disciples to get into a boat and sail to the other side, while He sent the crowd away, then went up into a mountain by Himself to pray, where evening found Him up there alone. (Matt. 14:14-23)
However, the boat with the disciples was then in the middle of the sea in a frightening storm. The Bible recounts: ‘And in the fourth watch of the night (between 3 and 6 a.m.) Jesus went unto them walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit (ghost); and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer (take courage); it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous (violent), he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?’ (Matt. 14:25-31)
Ah mih people, that’s the same question Jesus asks many of us today, when we allow fear to overcome our Christ-inspired faith and courage. Now Peter had the parts to at least come down and begin walking on the water, but in the midst of it, He unwisely refocused His attention from Jesus to the violent wind blowing around Him. But we are also guilty of the same thing; taking our eyes off of Jesus and focusing them on our circumstances, when we quickly lose all sense of courage and faith. It’s therefore essential to never take our eyes off Jesus when confronted with any disadvantageous situations, because then we’re likely to go under.
But, as with Peter, it’s necessary to cry out to Jesus for help in negative situations, so that His LOVE can lift us up. And when it was all over, the disciples worshipped Jesus saying, ‘Of a truth thou art the Son of God.’ (Matt. 14:33) And though it seems sort of late for them to be doing that, I’m sure Jesus understood their fragility, just like He understands ours today.
And the second story is another incident where Jesus and the disciples are crossing the sea and a raging tempest blows up, with the waves washing over the sides of the boat filling it with water. Meanwhile Jesus is asleep on a pillow in the stern of the boat, and the disciples wake him, saying, ‘Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he (Jesus) said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this (who can this be), that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ (Mark 4:38-41)
That man was only the One who created the wind and the sea, so they obviously obeyed Him. And I like how the scholars put it about the disciples’ fear, saying that ‘it must have been a mixture of reverential awe and real fright – it would be chillingly eerie to witness the instantaneous dissipation of a violent storm.’ And so it would be, but we still need to remember that it’s Jesus we’re dealing with, to whom nothing is impossible. And as one commentary puts it: ‘Rowe’s hymn masterfully incorporates both stories, using sinking or being swamped into the sea as an illustration for “sinking deep in sin…sinking to rise no more.” Jesus, “Master of the sea,” hears our pleas for help, reaches out to us in LOVE, and lifts us up into the well-being of grace.’
And that is exactly what He does! But we must have the faith and the courage to call out to Him for help, when we find ourselves in negative situations. Remember, it’s all for our benefit! Much LOVE!
…it’s no shame…to cry out to Jesus for help…any time at all…under whatever circumstances…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
15 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a desire to know God better, a groundbreaking action, a mirculous situation, a more intimate relationship with God, accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, Adam and Eve, all we have to do is believe in Jesus, be able to separate us from the love of God, children of God, christianity, come to earth to suffer on our behalf, compassion, consider how good we have it, deepen my breath, disobedience of our forefathers, doing good to followers despite their disobedience, don't expect to suffer any hardship, entitled children, eternally sealed by the Holy Spirit, faith, gave his only begotten Son, glorify the Father through Jesus, God commendeth his own love toward us, God never stopped loving us despite our disobedience, God sent Jesus to die on the cross, God sent not his son into thte world to condemn the world, God so loved the world, God's initial goal for creating man, God's nature is one of love, grace, hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, have everlasting life, he that believeth not is condemned already, he that believeth on him is not condemned, hell bound, holy spirit, I am persuaded, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, in all sincerity and truth, in Christ Jesus our Lord, increase my awareness of you today, instead of complaining, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus endured without batting an eyelash, King of Kings, know you all the more, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, leave the glory of heaven, looking forward to our glorious future with Jesus, LOVE, marvel to think, mercy, moaning and groaning, moaning and groaning about god doesn't love us, neither death nor life, nor any other creature, nor things present nor things to come, nothing whatsoever can separate us from god's love, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, salvation, sealed until the day of redemption, seeking greater intimacy with God, slow my thoughts, stand a few hard times for Jesus, suffer a little here on earth for Jesus, sufferation, thank you for this tenderness, that neither death nor life nor angels, the annals of history, the BIBLE, the bondage of Satan, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the One True God, the relationship soured, the rough times, the whining of spoiled children, the world through him might be saved, to give us a better option for life, to pay our sin debt in full, truth, we see the glory of heaven, while we were yet sinners christ died for us, whosoever believeth in him should not perish, wisdom, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 August 2026 Romans 5:8.
Romans 5:8. ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’
And then it was our lazy-day Saturday, where some of us have the option and/or opportunity to laze around and do nothing much, or nothing at all! And that’s always nice, especially after a hard week’s work, fighting through the traffic and all the other stuff that comes with a job; a lot of it unpleasant and negative. But thankfully we’re children of God; followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the great Lord of Lords and King of Kings, who has most generously imbued us with His Holy Spirit that leads and guides us through all the rough times of this earthly life…that is if we listen to His guidance. (smile)
Now, before we get too far into that lazy-day Saturday mode, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer in all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And what does that prayer mean? Basically that we’re seeking greater intimacy with our heavenly Father. We desire to get closer to Him, to know Him better, and thus arrive at a more intimate relationship than we currently have. And believe me, that’s also the Lord’s greatest desire. Yes, having a close, intimate relationship with us was His initial goal for creating human beings. However, through the disobedience of our forefathers, Adam and Eve, the relationship soured and we were set adrift on our own. And we all know the great mess we’ve made of our lives without the proper guidance and direction of our Creator.
But although He allowed us to do our own thing, doesn’t mean that He forgot about us, or stopped LOVING us, No way! His LOVE continued as strong as ever, and it hurt His heart to see the awful problems we were facing on our own and the bondage that Satan had us tied up in. Thus, when the time was right, when He could not take the ‘sufferation’ we were experiencing through the guidance of Satan, making us automatically hell bound, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross of Calvary to pay for our sins, thereby giving us another and better option for life, both this one and the next.
And if you don’t believe that it was indeed God’s great LOVE for mankind that fuelled His actions, then please listen to this seminal, highly influential verse of scripture, as penned by Bruh Paul in his letter to the church at Rome. ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8) Now, has any other supposed god throughout the annals of history ever down such a groundbreaking action; doing good for their followers, while they were still intent on being disobedient ?
Absolutely not! That’s because the other supposed gods have no real LOVE for those who worship them; they’re just greedy and selfish and want more than they ever deign to offer. But the Creator of the universe; the One True God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has an entirely different perspective on the subject; that’s because His very nature is one of LOVE, compassion, mercy and grace, and not one of greed and hate, bondage and cruelty like the other supposed gods that have filled history.
And if you don’t believe Bruh Paul, then listen to Jesus as He explains the situation to the Jewish Leader Nicodemus. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth 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 believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:16-18)
Look at that miraculous situation nuh mih bredrin! Jesus came to save the world, and all we have to do is believe in Him! What could be simpler than that eh? Believe and you’re saved! That’s why it’s ever so wise to turn to Christ and accept Him as Lord and Saviour! And once you do that, according to Bruh Paul, you become sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. (Eph. 4:30b) Meaning that when you believe in Jesus, you are sealed as His forever by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Consequently, Bruh Paul could further write to the church at Rome: ‘For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:38-39)
Wow! What an awesome statement! Nothing in this world can separate us from God’s LOVE! What could be more important than that eh? Nothing! Once we pledge our allegiance to Christ nothing can ever separate us from the LOVE of the Father! Now that should make some of us sit up and take notice, and stop complaining about all the stuff we have to go through in this sinful world, moaning and groaning about God doesn’t LOVE us, otherwise He wouldn’t allow us to go through them! That’s just the whining of spoiled and entitled children, who don’t expect to suffer any hardship at all.
And if Jesus endured the ‘sufferation’ He did for us, without batting an eyelash, the least we can do is stand a few hard times, while looking forward to the glorious future we will eventually have with Him, when He comes into His glory. And I believe this glorious, summer, lazy-day Saturday is the right time to consider how good we have it, and instead of complaining, glorify the Father through Jesus Christ! Much LOVE!
…if Jesus could leave the glory of heaven and come to earth to suffer on our behalf…why can’t we suffer a little here on earth for Him…until we see the glory of heaven…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christ-like manner, a trip to Toronto, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, according to the riches of his glory, be able to comprehend with all the saints, be filled with all the fullness of God, being rooted and grounded in Love, bring about glory on their part, by Christ Jesus, Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, christianity, developed more courage to fearlessly speak the word, divinely enabled to live the Christian life, don't lose heart, edification, endure to the end, eyes fixed staight ahead, faint not at my tribulations for you, faith, faithfulness, for this cause I bow my knees, gentleness, glad to be alive, God is omnipotent omniscient and omni-present, God would grant you, goodness, halfway home, hands on the plough, high stress levels, holy spirit, in the inner man, Jesus Christ, joy, kindness, LOVE, many of the brethren in the Lord, mercy, much bolder to speak the word, not looking back at the past, not turning back, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, patience, Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, Paul's tribulations will spiritually benefit his recipients, peace, praise and honour God, reap the full benefits of the partnership, road rage, salvation, seeing Paul standing strong despite his imprisonment, slef-control, somewhat overcast day, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Christian family derives their spiritual life from God, the enormous love of Christ, the fruit of the spirit, the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, throughout all ages, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit, to do exceeding abundantly, to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, truth, unto Him be glory in the church, unto him that is able, unto the Father of our Lord Jesus christ, Wednesday Wail, which is your glory, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 August 2026 Ephesians 3:20.
Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
And then it was Wednesday; our second wind day. And brother, do I ever need to catch my second wind, having just returned at mid-day from taking the Duchess to an early morning doctor’s appointment in Toronto. And it’s not something I can do very often. No sir! The traffic’s disgusting, the roads are full of potholes and cracks, with lanes blocked off everywhere for construction or some such thing. I don’t know how some people traverse those rough, traffic filled roads, twice a day, five days a week. No wonder stress levels are so high, and road rage is prevalent.
But as a certain friend would tell me; ‘that’s progress.’ Well you can keep that kind of progress yes. I certainly don’t want to live, or even visit a city that looks uglier and dirtier than it did fifty years ago. But that’s only my opinion…and who cares about that? Nobody! So let’s see what kind of scriptural message the Lord wants to bless us with this warm, sunshiny August day that’s slightly overcast. And today, it seems He wants us to look at Bruh Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.
After explaining how he came to be an apostle, (Eph. 3:1-12) he says: ‘Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.’ (Eph. 3:13) And the scholars explain that verse by saying: ‘God will use Paul’s tribulations and sufferings in the ministry to spiritually benefit his recipients. Such edification will then bring about glory on their part in that they praise and honour God.’ It corresponds to what he says in Philippians: ‘And many (most) of the brethren in the Lord, waxing (becoming) confident by my bonds (chains) are much bolder to speak the word.’ (Phil. 1:14) Meaning that the majority of the Roman believers, seeing Burh Paul standing strong despite his imprisonment, depending on God, developed much more courage to speak the Word fearlessly
Then Bruh Paul continues: ‘For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’ (Eph. 3:14-15) That means the whole Christian family, those saints now departed and in heaven, and those saints still living derive their spiritual life from God. And furthermore; ‘That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints, what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph. 3:16-19)
And per the scholars in verses 16-19, Paul makes three prayer requests for the Ephesians.: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his Spirit (vs. 16), that is, they be divinely enabled to successfully live the Christian life. (2) That the readers be able to comprehend … the LOVE of Christ, that is, to better understand the enormous LOVE Christ has for them. And (3) that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, that is, that the life, character and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in them.’
Ah friends, it’s the same sort of prayer that I pray for us in these critical times. For do we ever need our inner man to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, so that we can successfully handle, in a Christ-like manner, all the ungodly and evil stuff that’s happening around us every day, as well as the personal temptations that Satan are constantly bombarding us with, to make us turn away from God. And one of the aids to doing that is our understanding the great LOVE that Christ has for us, so that our faith can be rooted and grounded in that LOVE, for if out faith isn’t solidly rooted and grounded, then we can be very easily led astray by all the seemingly wonderful temptations of the evil one.
And when we understand and have that overwhelming LOVE of Christ buried and rooted deep in our souls, then we will begin to see the virtues and characteristics of God blooming forth in us. In other words the fruit of the Spirit; LOVE, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness and self-control, will begin to flourish in our lives. Then Bruh Paul ends the prayer thus: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amne.’ (Eph. 3:20-21)
And according to the scholars, Bruh Paul ‘In making the three above petitions (vs. 16-19) (strengthened with might, understanding the LOVE of Christ, and filled with the fullness of God), he’s not asking too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that he can ask or think.’ Meaning that our God is so great that those things He’s asked for are not too difficult for Him to accomplish. And we all know that nothing is impossible for our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God! That’s why He’s the Creator and Sovereign Ruler of the Universe!
Above all though friends, let’s remember that all the good things that Bruh Paul prayed for are within God’s reach, but individually, we all have a part to play by living obediently to God’s Word and Will, else none of it will happen. And with those words of wisdom (smile) let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we’re serious, then for all of those who endure to the end with Jesus, a more than glorious future lies ahead. So let’s be wise and endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…God’s already done His part of our partnership…it’s now up to us to do ours…so we can reap the full benefits of the partnership…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: an abomination unto God, be not far from me, Be not thou far from me O Lord, Bell Network, blinded the eyes of our hearts to the truth, by understanding he established the heavens, Christians, clinging to a rough swinging rope, desperately cling to God, duty bound, egotistic leaders, faith, fall into the bottomless abyss, falling into nothingness, feel as though, foolish pride, Forsake me not Lord, frightened child, go out and share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, greedy, hands are bruised and bleeding, hang on, haste thee to help me, holy spirit, hurry, I'll catch you, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, just let go, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel, lost my cool, LOVE, make haste to help me, mercy, my anger doesn't last long, no possible way, not a wise way to live, O dear God, O God please help me, O Lord of my salvation, O my strength, on a late bus, One Year Book of Bible promises, paying lip service to God, power hungry, pride is causing a lot of disaster, pride is rampant in our world, reached the end of our rope, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, sins are a heavy burden, the beloved of God, the benefits of wisdom, the BIBLE, The end of the rope, the living truth, the Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, the Lord is always there to catch us, these trying and troubled times, they too can come to know and love Christ like do, tie a knot at the end of the rope, too proud to cry out to God, trust my friend Jesus, truth, trying to do our own thing, Tuesday Mantra, turn to God, wisdom, wisdom is the principal thing, with all thy getting get understanding, without very much success, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 August 2026 Psalm 38:22.
Psalm 38:22. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Ah friends, we’re on a somewhat late bus this loverly Tuesday morning, because I’ve been forced to spend time on the phone with representatives of my phone and internet company, the mighty Bell Network, trying to fix a relatively simple problem. It’s been three days now since the problem arose and the Duchess began talking to them. And she is still talking to them. She is indeed a better woman than me, for I interacted with them twice and lost my cool each time. That’s why I don’t deal with those kinds of problems, but I got involved because the service is in my name. But the good part of it all, is that though I can get angry when faced with unnecessary bureaucracy, my anger doesn’t last for long. Praise the Lord! (smile)
And today we’ll check out a rather interesting and relevant poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, titled ‘The End of the Rope.’ As always, I don’t know if I’ve shared it before, but it’s certainly worth sharing again, especially in these trying and troubled times. So please read with me. ‘O dear God I feel as though I’m clinging To a rough, swinging rope. Beneath me there is only emptiness. My hands are bruised and bleeding. There is no possible way For me to tie a knot At the end of the rope And hang on. O God, please help me. (And God’s response is:) Frightened child Just let go. I’ll catch you.’
Oh my people, isn’t that the living truth? It certainly is, for whenever we’ve reached the end of our rope, the Lord is always there to catch us! And He allows us to get there because then we realize that there’s no other place to turn than to Him. We either fall into the bottomless abyss or turn to God and desperately cling to Him. It’s a lesson than many of us today need to learn, for we are fighting the idea of turning to God, trying to do our own thing without very much success, and it’s only when we cannot do anymore in our own strength that we finally turn to Him.
But that’s not a very wise way to live my brethren. We ought to turn to God as soon as possible, so that we don’t ever feel like we’re swinging from a rope, with bruised and bleeding hands, staring at only emptiness below us. And then we end up doing like the Bible verses for our poem, crying out: ‘Do not abandon me, O Lord. do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my saviour.’ (Ps. 38:21-22) That’s the New Living translation. Here’s how the King James version says it as Bruh David writes about sins being a heavy burden. ‘Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.’
Anyway we say it though, it’s still a cry for help from the Only One who can help us when things get real bad and it looks like we’re sinking into the mire of death and despair. And Bruh David for one is not afraid or too proud to call on the Lord for help in his tough situations, as He does again in Psalm 22 – a Plea for God’s Presence – where he cries out: ‘But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.’ (Ps. 22:19) And we all know that Lord helped him numerous times as he went through a lot of trials and tribulations, but many of us are too proud to ask or cry out for help.
And thus foolish pride eventually has us swinging from the end of a rope, headed nowhere but down to destruction. Let’s remember too that pride is possibly the sin that the Lord dislikes most, because it tells Him that we don’t need Him, and according to Cousin Sol, is listed among the seven things that are an abomination to God. (Prov. 6:16-19) Consequently, that’s why our world is also in such a chaotic state, for foolish pride is rampant all over it. And you only have to look at the leaders of today’s nations to see how pride is causing more disaster than anything else, because they all feel they know best, are greedy, power hungry and egotistic, and most have no use or time for God.
And the few who spout some sort of godly rhetoric are mainly paying lip service, because their actions show no godly intent or purpose whatsoever. No wonder the Lord apparently refuses to intervene in our troubles, allowing us the freedom that we so greatly desire to do it ourselves, and create the chaos that’s currently enveloping our world. The big picture of our world certainly looks like many of us dangling from that proverbial swinging rope, hands bruised and bleeding, with only emptiness below us. But our foolish pride still prevents us from crying out for help to the Only One who can help us in that disastrous situation; Almighty God.
That’s why Cousin Sol wrote so much about the benefits of wisdom in Proverbs. ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’ (Prov. 4:7) Wisdom; the knowledge of something, and understanding; knowing how to use that knowledge properly are the foundation of a successful life. And the great importance of wisdom and understanding is shown earlier on in Proverbs, where Cousin Sol declares: ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.’ (Prov. 3:19)
That means, if our great God used wisdom and understanding to create the universe, then we ought also to be very much interested in them and use them constantly in our lives. Unfortunately though, Satan has blinded the eyes of our hearts to the truth, and thus we keep on falling into nothingness. But for those of us who know the truth, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That then makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…don’t wait until you’re at end of your rope…to cry out to God for help…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a built-in barrier, after ye have suffered a while, all will face temptation, allow your incredible aura of love, ambassadors of Christ, as a roaring lion, be able to bear it, be sober be vigilant, be tempted above that ye are able, begin a new week of work, buffeted by the enemy's wicked taunts, called us unto his eternal glory, cast into the lake of fire, casting all your care upon him, christianity, destructive schemes, disobedient to God's will, embrace Jesus and His salvation, eternal separation from God, exalt you in due time, experienced by your brethren, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is faithful, god the father, God the Holy Ghost, God the son, God will make a way of escape, greater is he that is in you than he that's in the world, have it more abundantly, have overcome them, he careth for you, hell fire and damnation, holy spirit, humble servants, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, I am come that they might have life, if god be for us who can be against us, in bondage to sin, Jesus Christ, Jesus has the keys to hell death and the grave, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, live under the heavy yoke of Satan, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, make you perfect, mercy, negative consequences, no temptation has overtaken you, our weary souls, out and about on Monday, penchant for the lustful things of the world, rejuvenation of spirit, resist Satan, resuscitation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan's looking for company, scriptures to strengthen us in temptation, sealed until the day of redemption, secured by God through the Holy Spirit, spread our salt and light, stablish strengthen settle you, such as is common to man, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the BIBLE, the crucifixion death and resurrection of Christ, the evil one, the God of all grace, the lake of fire, the options of salvation and eternal life, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the same afflictions are accomplished by your brethren, the strongest trio in our corner, the thief cometh not but to steal, the throne of grace, the way to spend eternity, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, to kill and destroy, to lead and guide all your servants, tormented day and night for ever, truth, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, we know we're invincible, we're not afraid, wearing your protective spiritual armour, whom resist steadfast in the faith, wisdom, with the temptation, work diligently for Christ, ye are of God little children, your adversary the devil
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2026 1 John 4:4b.
1 John 4:4b. greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And we’re out and about again on a sunshiny but somewhat cloud-covered Monday, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, anxious to spread our salt and light before the unbelievers of this evil and ungodly world, so that they can come to know and understand the valuable options of salvation and eternal life that the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus made available to all mankind.
That they would no longer have to live under the heavy yoke of Satan, the evil one, whose only desire is to turn us away from Jehovah God, to keep us in bondage to sin and darkness, to be rebellious and disobedient to God’s holy will, thus destroying our souls and ending up in eternal separation from our Creator, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul.
That’s why Jesus in His talk about being the good shepherd warns us: ‘The thief cometh not but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) The long and short of the story friends is that Satan is looking for company to face all the negative consequences that He will eventually face, like hell fire and damnation for a thousand years, then after being released for a short while to continue his destructive behaviour, finally being tossed into the great lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night for ever. (Rev. 20: 1-10)
Oh my people, is that the way we desire to spend eternity? Obviously not, that’s why we must embrace Jesus and His salvation while resisting Satan and all his destructive schemes, or as Peter puts it: ‘Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world. (1 Pet. 5:6-9)
Yes mih bredrin, all of us will face temptation, but when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we receive a built-in barrier, the Holy Spirit, that helps us to resist said temptation. But it doesn’t occur automatically; we also need to talk to and listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide us. Please note that the devil has no real power against us unless we give it to him, for the Holy Spirit has sealed us until the day of redemption, (Eph. 4:30) which means that believers are marked, owned, and secured by God through the Holy Spirit until their final salvation. (Eph. 1:13-14)
And the wonderful thing about all of that is as John says in his first epistle: ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (false prophets): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4) And that’s one thing we must never forget; Jesus, in the form of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, is greater than Satan or any of his evil cohorts in this dark world. And Satan knows that too, since He’s been defeated by Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection, and now possesses the keys to hell death and the grave.
But the evil one is optimistic if nothing else, plus he knows our penchant for the lustful things of the world and thus keeps coming back to us every so often to try to inveigle us to fall for his temptations. But here are a couple of scriptures that ought to strengthen us in the face of Satan’s attacks. Bruh Paul writes thus in his first letter to the Corinthians: ‘There has no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13)
In other words, the Lord might not allow us to escape the temptation, for whatever reason(s) He has, like testing our faith, but He will certainly give us the strength to endure said temptation. And Peter ends his talk about resisting the devil thus: ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet. 5:10-11)
So you see once we’ve accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are never alone, so there’s no reason to fear the evil doers and evil schemes of this evil world, because we have the strongest trio in the universe in our corner; that’s God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And they are so wonderful that they have invited us to come to the throne of grace at any time to find help. So, let’s do that right now through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn nuh.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having had that resuscitation of spirit and confidence, (smile) let’s go out and work diligently for Christ, like we ought to! Much LOVE!
…if God be for us…who can be against us eh… (Rom. 8:31)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a name written, according to the riches of his grace, at the name of Jesus, be made the righteousness of God in Christ, become the righteousness of God in him, beside me there is no God, bestowed grace on us, carry them in his bosom, celebrates Jesus as our blessed redeemer, Chester G Allen, Christ is coming, crown him, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, faith, Fanny Crosby, feed his flock like a shepherd, for our sins he suffered and bled and died, gather the lambs with his arm, Gentiles brought into God's fold, gently lead those that are with young, give thanks and praise, given him a name above every other name, God also highly exalted him, God made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, God's worthy to be praised, gospel truth, hail him, he hath made him to be sin for us, he hath on his vesture and on his thigh, he our rock, he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, heard the voice of many angelsround about the throne, heavenly portals, highest archangels in glory, his redeemer, His wonderful love proclaim, holy spirit, I am the first and I am the last, I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and are known of mine, I know that my Redeemer lives, I will call upon the Lord, in his arms he carries them all day long, in whom I will trust, in whom we have redemption through his blood, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, Jesus Christ sacrificed, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer., Jesus reigneth for ever and ever, Jesus Saviour, Jesus the crucified, Jesus who bore our sorrows, Jesus will guard his children, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, like a shepherd, loud with hosannas ring, LOVE, love unbounded, made us accepted in the beloved, mercy, my buckler, my deliverer, my high tower, our hope of eternal salvation, over the world victorious, power and glory unto the Lord belong, Praise Him Praise Him, praises Jesus' amazing gifts of salvation and redemption, Prophet and priest and king, recognize the goodness and greatness of jesus, reconcile us back to Himself, salvation, saved from mine enemies, set us free from the bondage of sin, sing O earth, sound his praises, strength and honour give to his name, sweet sacrifices of praise, the forgiveness of sins, the four and twenty elders, the God of the whole earth, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, the greatest gift ever to mankind, the Holy One of Israel, the horn of my salvation, the Lord is my rock and my fortress, the Lord of hosts, the Lord's Day, the redeemer of all men, the righteous judge, thy Redeemer, to receive power and riches, to the praise of the glory of his grace, truth, unto him that sitteth on the throne, unto the Lamb for ever and ever, wisdom, worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever, worthy is the lamb that was slain
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 August 2026 Ephesians 1:7.
Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
A new day has dawned bright and sunshiny my people! It’s also the first day of the week, Sunday, the Lord’s Day, and thankfully we’re still alive to enjoy it. So, it’s our bounden duty then to attend the Lord’s sanctuary so we can give thanks and praise for all the good things He’s done for us, especially the offering of His Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice to pay for our abominable sins! It’s the greatest gift ever given to mankind! And today’s song of worship is one that addresses that very fact. It’s most appropriately titled ‘Praise Him, Praise Him,’ one of the many hymns of the blind American hymn writer Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), written in 1869, with the musical tune composed by Chester G. Allen.
The hymn celebrates Jesus as our “blessed Redeemer” and praises his amazing gifts of salvation and redemption. Let’s therefore offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a heartfelt, mid-tempo version of the song, ensuring that all who hear us know that we’re truly sincere in our praise! Singing: ‘Praise him! Praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth – his wonderful LOVE proclaim! Hail him! hail him! highest archangels in glory, Strength and honor give to his holy name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children – In his arms he carries them all day long:
(Refrain: Praise him! Praise him! tell of his excellent greatness! Praise him! Praise him! ever in joyful song!) Praise him! Praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins he suffered and bled and died; He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail him! hail him! Jesus the Crucified! Sound his praises – Jesus who bore our sorrows – LOVE unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong: [Refrain] Praise him! Praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth for ever and for ever, Crown him! crown him! Prophet and Priest and King! Christ is coming, over the world victorious – Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong: [Refrain]’
Oh my brethren, all of heaven sang along with us, because they too recognize the goodness and greatness of Jesus and also wanted to offer their own sacrifices of praise. And truthfully, there’s no praise that we can ever offer that can truly capture the awesome sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, offering up His sinless life, taking our sins, so that we could become the righteousness of God. As Bruh Paul says in 2 Corinthians: ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ.’ (2 Cor.5:21)
Yes friends, we’re declared righteous in God’s eyes based on the merits of Christ’s work. As the song so rightly says: ‘Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins he suffered and bled and died;’ Job said it long ago: ‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day (at last) upon the earth.’ (Job 19:25) Meanwhile Isaiah writes: ‘Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.’ (Is. 44:6) And again: ‘For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.’ (Is. 54:5)
And Isaiah is there prophesying about the Lord becoming both the Maker and husband of the Gentiles, the Redeemer of all men, while also being the Holy One of Israel. Therefore, He is the God of the whole earth. And after Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, the Gentiles were indeed brought into the fold of Almighty God, starting with the amazing zeal and hard work of Bruh Paul, whom the Christ sent to preach especially to the Gentiles. That’s why in the letter to the Ephesians, he could say of God: ‘To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (bestowed grace or favour on us). In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ (Eph. 1:6-7)
Yes mih bredrin, it was all the Lord’s doing through His wonderful LOVE for His human creation. He sent Jesus to die on the cross so that His blood could redeem us, set us free from the bondage of sin, and reconcile us back to himself. That’s why He’s so worthy of our praise and LOVE, and the psalmist could rightly declare: ‘Praise ye the Lord (shout hallelujah). Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power (mighty firmament). Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness…. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (shout hallelujah).’ (Ps. 150:1-2,6)
Then we have that beautiful imagery in the song: ‘Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children – In his arms he carries them all day long:’ Jesus indeed referred to Himself as a shepherd: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:11) Which is exactly what He did on the cross of Calvary. Then later he also declared: ‘I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.’ (John 10:14) More gospel truth again, for Jesus does indeed know all those who truly know Him as Lord and Saviour. And way back when Isaiah also referred to the Lord as a shepherd. ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 40:11)Yes, the Lord takes good care of His people like a shepherd takes good care of his sheep.
And there’s absolutely no doubt that ‘Jesus is our Rock, and our hope of eternal salvation.’ Bruh David says it so eloquently in Psalm 18: ‘I will LOVE thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler (shield), and the horn (strength) of my salvation, and my high tower (stronghold). I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ (Ps. 18:1-3) And that’s what he did, and the Lord saved him from His enemies. And since the Lord doesn’t change, if He did it for Bruh David, then He will also do it for all who sincerely call upon His Holy Name for help!
Meanwhile because of Jesus’ sacrifice, the Lord ‘Hath also highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phill. 2:9-11) And then, when Jesus comes as the righteous Judge, the Bible says: ‘And he hath on his vesture (robe) and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’ (Rev. 19:16)
And there’s also joy and singing in heaven, ‘Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!’ when ‘ John says in Revelation: ‘And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts (living creatures) and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessings, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts (living creatures) said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. ’ (Rev. 5:11-14)
Yes my people, that’s only a foretaste of how it will really be. Much LOVE!
…our great Godhead…Father, Son and Holy Ghost…are indeed worthy of all our praise…and even more…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cloudy and dreary day, a heavenly peace, a peace that sets you free in the midst of trouble, a physical home, a promise of rain, a rest to the people of God, a topsy-turvy life, as God did from his, assured that God will work it out, be diligent to enter God's rest, be of good cheer, believers must actively trust God through faith, ceasing from one's own spiritual and physical striving, Christ conquered the world through His death and resurrection, christianity, come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, deepen my breath, don't copy the rebellious unbelieving mistakes of the Israelites, endless wandering in the wilderness, eternal rest, faith, find rest for your souls, foreshadowing of a deeper security, frolicking in the sunshine, gentle and humble in heart, he also hath ceased from his own works, he that entered into his rest, holy spirit, I am meek and lowly in heart, i have overcome the world, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, I will give you rest, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, increase my awareness of you today, Jesus Christ, know you all the more, labour to enter into God's rest, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, learn of me, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief, let not your heart be troubled, LOVE, marvel to think, mercy, my peace I give unto you, my yoke is easy and my burden light, negative circumstances, neither let it be afraid, not as the world giveth give I unto you, Peace i leave with you, placing active faith in Jesus, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, relax under th covers, relief from slavery, rest from work like God did on the seventh day, salvation, slow my thoughts, surrendering your need to earn your salvation through good works, take my yoke upon you, thank you for this tenderness, the BIBLE, the disobedience of the Israelites in the wilderness, the final spiritual rest available to believers, the Giver of Rest, the great invitation, the keys of hell death and the grave, the Lord's greatest desire, the peace and rest of God, the peace of God that passes all human understanding, the Prince of Peace, the Promised Land Rest, the rest of God, the ultimate spiritual rest, the weekly Sabbath Rest, these things I have spoken unto you, to have deep intimacy with His children, trusting God's daily grace instead of your own control, truth, wisdom, with all sincerity and truth, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 August 2026 John 14:27.
John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
And then it was Saturday, our lazy-day Saturday. But unfortunately this second Saturday in August did not open as bright and sunshiny as the first one last week, which we spent frolicking in the sunshine in Caribana. This one’s somewhat cloudy and dreary, with a promise of afternoon rain. But as always we’ll handle it with the grace and style of Jesus that indwells us. And furthermore, what better kind of lazy-day Saturday is there than a cloudy, rainy one where you can just relax under the covers or on the couch and let the world pass by? None!
However, before we get on with the lazing around, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer with all sincerity and truth. As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And as we keep saying, the Lord’s greatest desire is to have deep intimacy with His children, and if our hearts were sincere when we offered up that prayer, then we’ll soon find our souls and spirits filled with the peace of God that passes all understanding. A peace that we can in no way truly comprehend or understand, because it’s a heavenly peace not a worldly one. It’s like when Jesus was informing the disciples of His going away and the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He said to them: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27)
Yes friends, the peace of Jesus, the peace that we get when we interact with Him is of much higher quality than what the world calls peace. It’s truly peace; peace which can set you free from all worries and fears and negative circumstances, even in the midst of your topsy-turvy life. How awesome is that eh! Being able to go though difficult times and circumstances with the assurance that God will work it all out for your good in the end.
Then Jesus went on to later tell the disciples: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) There again Jesus is specifying that in Him we can find a different kind of peace than what the world offers, and in any case we don’t need to be afraid, because He’s already conquered the world through His death and resurrection; having taken aways the keys of hell, death and the grave from Satan. (Rev. 1:18)
And another valuable aspect of our faith, like the peace of God, is what we call the rest of God. It’s like this Overview explains. ‘Entering God’s rest means ceasing from your own spiritual and physical striving. You enter it by placing active faith in Jesus Christ, surrendering the need to earn your salvation through good works, and trusting God’s daily grace instead of your own control.’
And it follows from the scripture in Hebrews. ‘There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour (be diligent) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (disobedience).’ (Heb. 4:9-11)
The scripture is referring to the disobedience of the Israelites in the wilderness who were troubled all through their wilderness stay and died there, while the second generation who went into the Promised Land, led by Joshua, enjoyed a rest in God. Believers must therefore actively trust God through faith rather than copying the rebellious, unbelieving mistakes of the ancient Israelites in the wilderness.
And there are three basic kinds of rest in the Bible. The weekly Sabbath Rest, where we rest from work like God did in the Creation. (Gen. 2:1-3) Then there is the Promised Land Rest that we spoke of above, which the Israelites who came out of Egypt did not enjoy, because of their disobedience in the wilderness, but which their children born in the wilderness enjoyed. They found a physical home and relief from slavery and endless wandering in the wilderness; a sort of foreshadowing of a deeper security. Then there’s the Eternal Rest, the ultimate spiritual rest. The final spiritual rest available to believers. That’s being at rest with Jesus at the end of it all.
And that rest of God is nowhere highlighted better than in Jesus’ Great Invitation, where He declares to all and sundry: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt. 11:28-30)
Oh my people, whatever kind of peace or rest you desire, you can find it all in one source; that’s in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour; the Prince of Peace and the Giver of Rest! So there’s no need to go searching anywhere else for either peace or rest. And this lazy-day Saturday is as good a day as any to ponder what we’ve spoken about and to consider our own situations as per the peace and rest of God. Much LOVE!
…there’s nothing more important or valuable in this world…than the peace and rest of God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a boost to our spirits, a cloudy rainy day, a man's heart deviseth his way, a modicum of circumspection, a prevalent habit, a vapour that apeeareth for a little time, all good things will come to an end, all such boasting is evil, all such rejoicing is evil, always seek God's opinion, and doeth it not to him it is sin, anxiety and confusion, be responsible, boast in your arrogance, boast not thyself of tomorrow, buy and sell and get gain, Christians, continue there a year, doing our own thing, eat drink and be merry, faith, fleshly lusts and desires, following the world, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship and relaxation, God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives, God's omnipotent help, God's generous help, help in troubled times, holy spirit, if the Lord will, invoke God's mercy and will for our lives, is not rich toward God, Jesus Christ, life is full of surprises, LOVE, make a profit, man made idols, man plans and God laughs, mercy, no concern for what God expects of us, no room to bestow my fruits, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, our witness for Christ is unacceptable, plans of the heart belong to man, problems are escalating, pull down my barns and build bigger, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, salvation, say to my soul, so is he that layeth up treasure for himself, Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the asnwer of the tongue is from the Lord, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, the BIBLE, the example we faithful believers set, the Lord can ditch all of our best laid plans, the Lord directeth his steps, the Lord is a jealous God, the Lord is sovereign over man's scheming and planning, the Lord is sovereign over our thoughts and words, the preparations of the heart in man, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, then vanisheth away, these ungodly times, this night thy soul shall be required of thee, thou fool, thou knowest not what a day may bring forth, to him that knoweth to do good, today or tomorrow, truth, we don't come up to scratch, we shall live and do this or that, we will go into such a city, wealth driven society, what is your life, whose shall those things be which thou hast provided, wisdom, ye know not what shall be on the morrow, ye ought to say, ye rejoice in your boasting
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 August 2026 Proverbs 27:1.
Proverbs 27:1. Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
And finally the streak of bright, sunshiny summer days has ended, corroborating the saying that all good things will come to an end sometime, leaving us all hoping that it will happen later rather than sooner. (smile) Anyway, this first Friday in August is a cloudy, rainy one, but that didn’t stop us from sending up a boisterous Friday Mantra: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at last!’ Regardless of what’s happening or what the weather is like on a Friday, we always seem to get a boost to our spirits simply because the weekend is at hand.
And some of us want this weekend even more than normal, so we can catch up on our rest, after the great amount of partying we did last weekend and from which we have not yet recovered. But going to work tired is the price we pay for overdoing it, for that lack of the modicum of circumspection. (smile) And that is a fitting start to the situation we’re going to address today, conveyed by these wise words of Cousin Sol from Proverbs. ‘Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.’ (Prov. 27:1)
But unfortunately, in today’s busy and ungodly world, that’s a very normal situation. We all talk about and plan for what we’ll do tomorrow, not knowing whether we’ll even be around to put those plans into action. For who knows when the Grim Reaper will show up and announce our time has come? No one. And many of us have made future plans but never woken up to action them. It’s like the parable Jesus told of the rich man, whose land was very productive.
‘And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits (store my crops)? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow (store) all my fruits (crops) and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, but is not rich toward God.’ (Luke 12:17-21)
And in this current wealth and power driven society, that’s a very prevalent habit. We’re all seeking our individual treasure, with scant, if any concern for God and what He expects of us. That’s why so many of our supposed well-laid plans fall by the wayside, and have thus led to sayings like, ‘man plans and God laughs,’ or ‘the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry,’ meaning that life is full of surprises. Or as Cousin Sol wisely puts it in Proverbs: ‘The preparations (plans) of the heart in man (belong to man), and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.’ (Prov. 16:1) And the scholars tell us, that means the Lord is sovereign, even over a man’s thoughts and words.
Then later on in that same chapter, Cousin Sol writes another wise saying on the subject. ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov. 16:9) And per the scholars, the Lord is sovereign over man’s scheming and planning. So if the Lord can ditch all of our best laid plans, how are we to approach the situation eh?
I guess it’s like James describes it. He writes: ‘Go to now (come now), ye that say, To day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain (make a profit): Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is you life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boasting (boast in your arrogance): all such rejoicing (boasting) is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.’ (James 4:13-17)
Yes friends, the answer to the question is ever so simple; invoke God’s mercy and will for our lives! What will it take for us to understand that God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives, and since He is our Creator and Controller, He is able to do exactly as He desires if, in His opinion, we don’t come up to scratch. But no, we insist on following the path of the ungodly world and doing our own thing without any thought of or consultation with our Maker. And remember, He is indeed a jealous God and does not want us bowing to any other gods, be they man-made idols or our own fleshly lusts and desires.
So the only wise way to live this earthly life is by talking to Him about our desires and plans, and then listening for His replies. So let’s do that right now nuh, by confidently but humbly, approaching the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, so we can find grace and mercy to help in these very troubled times. Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work. It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them.
Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And before our egos get too puffed up, let’s note that we believers need to also wake up and smell the coffee, because our witness for Christ is totally unacceptable! And it’s high time we improve it! Much LOVE!
…God’s opinion should be sought…in every plan or decision we make…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
06 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blessing, a compassionate heart, a grat family, a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, a righteous man falls seven times but gets back up again, a strong will, a touch of haze, a world of entitlement, Abel's heart was right with the Lord, abundance, be strong and of a good courage, but of power love and a sound mind, by faith Enoch was translated, by faith the elders obtained a good report, Cain kills Abel in a fit of jealousy, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, commands to be courageous, conviction, conviction is faith relating to the present, courage, courage from faith, creativity, curse, divine promotion, do not be afraid nor be dismayed, Dr. Robert H Schuller, examples of faith Abrahm, faith, faith is the force that sets you free to succeed, faith is the substance of things hoped for, faith like a grain of mustard seed, faith provides assurance, faith provides evidence, favour, fear nots, future hope, God has not given us a spirit of fear, God is omnipotent omniscient and omni-present, God's promised never to leave not forsake us, God's promised to work everything out for our good, good friends, he that cometh to God must believe that He is, holy spirit, hope is faith relating to the future, Hour of Power Daily Book of Motivation and Inspiration, I am the Lord your God, I will be with you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mercy, move from here to there, negative word, nothing will be impossible for you, O ye of little faith, obtained witness that he was righteous, omni-present, omnipotent, omnisicent, overshadowing cloud, present realities that are unseen, proof that results in conviction, realization, rooting for you, salvation, say to this mointain, self-control, supernatural wisdom, talent, that he should not see death, the BIBLE, the constant presence of Almighty God, the Creator and Controller of the universe, the crux of the situation, the evidence of things not seen, the forgiveness of sins through Christ's sacrifice, the glorification of the saints, the heroes of faith, the hope of the resurrection, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go, the mountain will move, the penultimate day of our work week, the present intercession of Christ in heaven, the return of Christ, the wonder working quality that keeps us keeping on, they shall not overflow you, truth, unseen realities, when you pass through the water, when you walk through the fire, wisdom, with Jesus in your corner, without faith it is impossible to please God, you shall not be burned, your faith has made thee whole
Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 August 2026 Hebrews 11:6a.
Hebrews 11:6a. But without faith it is impossible to please him (God):
And this first Thursday in August, our penultimate working day, has opened into another beautiful summer’s day, with a cool breeze, although there’s a touch of haze, a slight bit of cloud overshadowing it. But we’ll handle that with the help of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, just like we handle everything else with His help. (smile)
And on today’s agenda, we have an interesting discourse from the Hour of Power Daily Book of Motivation and Inspiration, written by the late Dr. Robert H. Schuller. It’s titled, ‘Courage from Faith.’ So please read with me: ‘The Bible is filled with commands to be courageous. Someone counted the “fear nots” in the Bible and discovered that there are 365 verses with this divine command – one for every day of the year! Verses such as: ‘Fear not…When you pass through the waters … they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned … For I am the Lord your God, I will be with you.’ (Isa. 43:1-3).
‘Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ (Josh. 1:9). ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of LOVE and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7). ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ (Matt. 17:20). …Observe now how faith is the force that sets you free to succeed.’
Yes friends, that’s oh so true! Faith is the wonder working quality that keeps us keeping on until we succeed. As Cousin Sol says, it’s the quality that allows us to fall seven times, but rise up again, (Prov. 24:7) because we know that we have the constant presence of Almighty God surrounding us at all times, and He’s faithfully promised never to leave nor forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) as well as to work everything out for our good. (Rom. 8:28) And when you have the omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present Creator and Controller of the universe in your corner, actively rooting for you, then you can go through this life in this evil and ungodly world without fear or dread.
And we can plainly see how the Heroes of Faith in Hebrews Chapter 11 stood their ground because of their faith. It opens by saying: ‘Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds (ages) were framed (prepared) by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (are visible).’ (Heb. 11:1-3)
And the scholars offer some explanations. They say: ‘Faith provides substance or assurance, as well as evidence, in the sense of proof that results in conviction. We’re looking at future hope and also present realities that are unseen. The first includes the hope of the resurrection, the return of Christ, and the glorification of the saints. The second involves unseen realities, such as the forgiveness of sin through Christ’s sacrifice and the present intercession of Christ in heaven. Hope is faith relating to the future; conviction is faith relating to the present.’
Thus the author of Hebrews could write: ‘By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous. God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.’ (Heb.11:4) The thing is that both brothers offered gifts as sacrifices to the Lord, and the kind of gifts did not matter, but Abel’s was apparently done in faith, his heart was right with the Lord, but Cain’s possibly was not that’s why the Lord rejected his offering. Thus Cain kills his brother in a fit of jealousy, and is subsequently cursed by God. (Gen 4.)
Then the author of Hebrews continues; ‘By faith Enoch was translated (so) that he should not see death; and was not found, because God hath translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb. 11:5-6)
And that’s the crux of the whole situation my brethren; we cannot please God unless we believe, unless we have faith that He is who He says He is, and will and can do what He says He can and will do! That’s why people like Noah, Abraham, Sara are held up to us as examples, because they journey on in faith although they didn’t see what God promised them, but they believed that He could and would keep His promises.
And that’s what sadly lacking in today’s turbulent and evil world; true faith in Almighty God. We’ve been spoilt by a world of wealth and entitlement, thus expecting to have whatever we want right away, but God works by His own timetable, not ours, therefore a lot of us turn away in anger and disbelief when our needs are not met right away, or how we want them. But that’s a fool’s wisdom my people, for the Lord requires deep seated faith from those who sincerely call on His Holy Name! He’s even shown His amazing generosity by bestowing on us undeserved favour, we call our Thursday Blessings, to do His earthly work.
So let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh, for a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment!
I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
We’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, sot that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…O ye of little faith…your faith has made thee whole…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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