04 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good understanding, a man of understanding, a sinful world, a wealth of truth, autumn, before honour is humility, charles stanley, Christ-like nature, comfort, Cousin Sol, destitute of wisdom, discernment, do for others, do the right thing, Ecclesiastes, fear God, folly is joy, foraging, glory to God, God shall bring every work into judgement, God's LOVING-kindness, God's praise endureth for ever, God's Spirit, I am halfway home, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, leave all the consequences to Him, lost sheep, LOVE, Love your neighbour as yourself, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, no desire of returned favours, obey God, P.S. I Love You, plant trees we'll never sit under, run its race, security, selfish attitude of the world, selfishness, steady and steadfast, thank God, the beginning of wisdom, the breath of life, the conclusion of the whole matter, the fear of the Lord, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the Holy Spirit, the instruction of wisdom, the judgement day, the knowledge of the holy one is understanding, the Preacher, the pressure of the enemy, the second great commandment, the secret thing, the whole duty of man, to a glorious future with Jesus, to him it is sin, to him that knows to do good, truth, Uncle Charles, understanding, unrighteous paths, walk a path of righteousness, walketh uprightly, walking with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, wisdom and knowledge of God
Proverbs 9:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.
Well Friends, the clock has run its race, gone around its course and brought us to another glorious autumn day called Wednesday! (smile) Just wish that we could all be as faithful in running our courses as clocks are; always steady and steadfast.
Nonetheless, we are working on it with the help of God’s Spirit which dwells within us. And since it’s Wednesday, it means that it’s wailing time. So let’s wail out our Wednesday Wail with much sincerity and truth nuh!
Altogether now: ‘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!’
Oh my people what a joy it is when one is walking sincerely with Jesus Christ…Glory Hallelujah! It brings us such warmth, such security and comfort just knowing that He is not only dwelling in us, but is also walking, beside, behind and in front of us…Oh glory to God for the undeserved LOVING-kindness He’s shown us!
Now here is an interesting quote from my ‘P.S. I LOVE YOU’ Poster, which brings out our Christ –like nature of caring for and thinking about others. And it simply says: ‘Do for others with no desire of returned favours. We should all plant some trees that we’ll never sit under.’
And isn’t that indisputable truth? It surely is! It highlights the second great commandment that Jesus gave us: ‘LOVE your neighbours as yourself.’ In this case we are being very unselfish, planting something, either physically or metaphorically that we know we’ll never enjoy.
If I remember rightly, somewhere in his Hour of Power Devotional, Gramps Schuller mentions that his father or someone else planted a tree when they were eighty years of age, knowing that they would never sit below it and enjoy it’s refreshing shade.
Oh my people, that’s the unselfish, caring attitude that ought to run through all aspects of a believer’s life!
Unfortunately though, we will never attain to such lofty heights until we have sincerely embraced the ideas contained in our Bit. ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.’
Yes Friends, then and only then, will the innate selfishness that permeates our natural selves be brought under control, and allow us to think about others more than ourselves, which is a foundation stone of our Christian heritage, as espoused by Christ through the ‘LOVE your neighbour as yourself,’ commandment.
Oh what a truly wonderful world we’d have if we only practiced that commandment to the best of our ability! Sadly though, our natural selfishness, encouraged by the selfish attitude that is currently in ascendance in our world, is preventing us from doing so.
Instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us along paths of unselfishness, we are allowing the pressure of the enemy to take us down unrighteous paths. However, as we said earlier, to change that ‘undesirous’ pattern, we need to come to the true wisdom and knowledge of our great God.
Now let’s hear some scripture that corroborate our Bit, beginning with the awesome words of Psalm 111 – Praise the Lord for His care. The psalmist ends his song thus: ‘The fear of the Lord (reverential awe), is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.’ (Ps.111:10)
Yes my brethren, words of glorious truth! If only we could take them to heart.
Meanwhile Cousin Sol offers us these two verses in Proverbs 15. ‘Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom (of discernment): but a man of understanding walketh uprightly…. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom: and before honour is humility.’ (Prov.15:21, 33)
Oh Friends, the Good Book contains such a wealth of truth, and it has all been placed there for our benefit, for our enlightenment, so that we can walk a path of righteousness in this ungodly world. But until we read and study those truths and put them into practice in our lives, we’ll remain like lost sheep, foraging unsuccessfully in a sinful world.
And we’ll end rather appropriately with words from Cousin Sol in his role as the Preacher. ‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ (Eccl.12:13-14)
Yes my fellow believers, those last two verses of Ecclesiastes puts it all into the proper perspective. Our duty is to LOVE and reverence God, and faithfully do His bidding, because at the judgement day, all our works will be brought to light, and we’ll be judged on them.
So let’s be wise and do the right thing nuh, for as the Good Book says: ‘Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.’ (James 4:17)
Let’s all take that to heart today Friends and do right nuh. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley) is wont to say…the best way to live this life…is simply to obey God…and leave all the consequences to him…gospel truth that…
03 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adoration, blessed is the Lamb that was slain, blessing, children of God, death is always the prelude to resurrection, dr robert h schuller, eternity, every time of ending is always a new beginning, fools despise widom and instruction, glory hallelujah, glory to God, gospel truth, Gramps Schuller, honour god, hope, hope ahead of me, human shortcomings, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, inherit eternity, like sheep lost in the wilderness, LOVE, love around me, nursing regrets, pride, pride behind me, recalling great accomplishments, reverential awe, share His love with the world, submission to the Lord, terrific Tuesday, the annals of mankind, the beginning of knowledge, the BIBLE, the end of the road, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the fear of the Lord that is wisdom, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Holy Book, the knowledge of the holy one is understanding, the One and Only Living God, the vantage point, the whole world is your oyster, to depart from evil is understanding, truth, Tuesday Mantra, understanding, when one door closes another opens, When the Road ahead is short, wisdom, worship, write it indelibly in our hearts
Proverbs 9:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.
Oh Friends, welcome to another wonderful day in the annals of mankind! Brother! It’s promising to be a terrific Tuesday in my neighbourhood, with the temperature around 17 Celsius and the sun shining brightly.
In fact the weather is supposed to be in the mid to high teens for most of this week, accompanied by mostly sunshine. Glory Hallelujah! That’s certainly somewhat unusual weather for this time of year, but we’re not complaining and will gladly take it, even giving off a most thankful ‘Glory to God!’ (smile)
Anyway, let’s get right to our Tuesday Mantra, for there are lots of things to share today.
As one voice now: ‘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 the world. Amen.’
Yes my brethren, that’s who we are; children of God! That’s our main identifier in this world – beloved children of God to boot! That means we’re not supposed to fret or worry over anything, just take it all to our trusted Friend, our Brother, our Lord and Saviour, our God, Jesus Christ.
Wow! Is He many things to us or what! That just goes to show how great and noble He is, and why we should put our complete trust in Him, surrender our entire lives to His will. Oh glory to the Most High God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
Now here are some inspiring words from Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H Schuller) – gone but not forgotten – from his Hour of Power Devotional. It’s titled ‘When the Road Ahead Is Short.’
Please pray with me: ‘O God, from the vantage point of today the road ahead looks very short. I sense that I am about to reach the end. Remind me that every time of ending is always a time of new beginning. Every time one door closes, another door opens.
Every sunset is a move closer to a new sunrise. Death is always the prelude to resurrection. Help me to forgive myself for my imperfections and faults. I dishonour you when I disgrace myself by nursing regrets over my human shortcomings.
Help me to honour you by recalling great accomplishments you made possible through my life. So let me come to the end of the road with pride behind me, LOVE around me, and hope ahead of me – only to discover that what I thought was the end of the road is a bend in the road leading me into an exciting new world of opportunity or eternity.’
Yes my fellow believers, there are lots of truths in that prayer. Every time one door closes, another one opens; the ending of one thing or aspect of our lives is always the beginning of another. And above all when we do reach the end of the earthly road, there is the glory of eternity with God to behold and look forward to!
And all God’s people declared a loud and thankful ‘Glory Hallelujah! Blessed is the Lamb that was slain, so that we could inherit eternity!’
Yes Friends, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is indeed most worthy and deserving of all glory and blessing, adoration and worship!
Now let’s turn to our Bit which encapsulates all that we’ve said so far, and takes us even further into the real of wisdom and truth.
Hear now my people, these divine words of Cousin Sol: from the Book of Proverbs. ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.’
Gospel truth that in spades my brethren! For until we come to reverence the Lord God our Creator and to know His ways and means, we’re like sheep lost in the wilderness. And the only way we can achieve those things is by reading and studying His Word written in His Holy Book, the Bible.
Now that to some, is like cursing them. But the actual fact of the matter is that when you don’t read God’s Word, that is when you are really cursed and left hanging out to dry, to live by your own wits, which don’t really add up to much, and won’t get you very far.
But when you know the One and Only True Living God, then the whole world opens up to you; the whole world is your oyster, so to speak. (smile)
Now let’s check some other scriptures that also give the great advice found in our Bit. First up is Job’s declaration, as he speaks of wisdom being God’s gift. He ends the chapter thus: ‘And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’ (Job 28:28) No doubt about that my people!
Meanwhile in the first chapter of Proverbs, Cousin Sol issues this immense warning. ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov.1:7) What glorious words of truth those are Friends!
And I think we’ll end today with some very useful explanations on that verse from the scholars. ‘1:7. The fear of the Lord means submission to the Lord and His revelation. When one is afraid of something, he either runs from it or submits to it. The latter idea is in view here. It is a healthy fear, like the fear of electricity or the fear of one’s parents, which causes one to act in an appropriate manner.
The beginning does not mean that “the fear of the Lord” is left behind in the course of acquiring wisdom, but that it is the controlling principle of wisdom.’
Okay my fellow believers, let’s write all of that indelibly in our hearts, souls, minds and bodies today, then get to wisely practicing it. Much LOVE!
…true wisdom is ONLY available from and through Almighty God…
02 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, according to the revelation of the mystery, adrenalin, almighty god, as it is written, aura of love, Bruh Paul, children of the Most High God, confidence, conquerors, do love, entered into the heart of man, enthusiasm, eye hath not seen, faith, fire in Jesus' eyes, friends, generous help, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God's promises, God's Word, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, keeping lives and families together, lies, LOVE, Lucifer, minions, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, nor ear heard, our God-given task, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, rest, sincere heart, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Good Book, the obedience of faith, the saga of mankind, the Son's beaming His light, the sun's a rising, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him, the truth of the matter, the truth will set you free, to do exceedingly abundantly, to him that is able to establish you, trust, truth, ungodly world, unto him that is able, up to the challenge, walking obediently with Christ, wicked taunts, wiles, wisdom
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.
Aye mateys, it’s time to roll outa your bunks and hit the decks…running! The sun’s a rising, and the Son’s a beaming His most brilliant Light all over His Father’s great universe! Glory to God!
Ah Friends, I’m trying to be as diplomatic as I can, (smile) to let you know that it’s Monday morning and it’s time to get up and go to work. But you know it’s always better to face reality straight in the face than try to slant it, or tone it down. As the Good Book tells us, the truth will set us free.
And the truth of the matter is that we have to rise and shine, let our saltiness flavour our world and our light lead it in a godly manner, for that is our God-given task.
Oh, I know that many of us are still tired, lazy, depressed, whatever, and don’t really feel like getting up and getting a move on, but we have to if we want to make a living. And as usual, to help us do that, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with as much enthusiasm and energy as we can muster.
Now, as one harmonious choir, with Jesus as our choirmaster, let’s sing. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; 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 last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
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 let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, 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, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Not bad, not bad at all mih people! I guess we saw the stern look on Jesus’ face and the fire in His eyes, and realized that He was not in a fooling mood, He meant business this morning. (smile)
So now that the adrenalin is pumping, providing much needed fuel for our somewhat less than warmed up motors, let’s get out there on the firing line and just do LOVE nuh, do LOVE like Jesus did, and still does. Once we’re doing LOVE with a sincere heart, then we know that we are walking obediently in His footsteps, with absolutely nothing to worry about.
So what about it eh Friends? Are we up to the challenge this Monday morning? I’m sure we are. And why am I so sure of that? Because of our Bit, which is a promise from the Word of God, and all God’s promises are faithful and true.
So if Bruh Paul, God’s mouthpiece and messenger says this in his missive to the church at Ephesus: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,’ then it must be true. No ifs ands or buts about it!
Yes my brethren, we are children of the Most High God, we belong to the family of a mighty Deity, whose power can do infinitely more than our finite minds can even imagine! And please don’t ever forget that! Your heavenly Father is the most omnipotent force in the universe that He created and still controls!
Don’t bother with Lucifer and his li’l fool fool minions. They can’t do anything to stop or harm a child of the Most High God Jehovah! They only have plenty mouth – like some of us Christians – but the Father can destroy them with a simple word. Glory Hallelujah!
Now let’s check out a few scripture passages which corroborate our Bit. In 1 Corinthians, when talking about wisdom being God’s gift, Bruh Paul reminds his readers: ‘But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.’ (1Cor.2:9)
Yeh Friends, none of us really know the wonderful things that God has prepared for those of us who truly LOVE and reverence Him! They are too high and wonderful for our small minds to comprehend.
Then, in his letter to the Colossians, Bruh Paul in talking about his service for Christ, ends the chapter with these powerful words. ‘Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.’ (Col.1:29)
Oh my fellow believers, when we LOVE God and aspire to do His bidding, He will also work mightily in us! Oh glory to God!
Then in his concluding doxology to the church at Rome, Bruh Paul assures them: ‘Now to him that is of power (is able) to stablish (establish) you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.’ (Rom.16:25-27)
Yes Friends, the whole saga of mankind (the mystery) was prepared even before the world began, but only made known through the prophets and the coming of Jesus in God’s right timing!
So please, let’s go out today and do what we need to do nuh, without fear or worry, because the most powerful force in the universe, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is looking out for us. Much LOVE!
…there’s no one better to have your back…than Almighty God…
01 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according to the power that worketh in us, benefits, Christ may dwell in your hearts, compromise, confusion, Creator, Daylight Savings Time, depression, disappointment, do not lose heart, drawbacks, edification, Enormous Rewards, Ephesians, fear, filled with all the fullness of God, forgiveness, freedom, friendship, fulfillment, glory to God, God the Good, godless world, guilt, Halloween, holy spirit, I bow my knees, inner growth, joy, lead and guide us, live the Christian life, lose an hour's sleep, One Year Book of Bible promises, penance, provider, purpose, rewards, rooted and grounded in love, Ruth Harms Calkin, saints, satisfaction, sordidness, spiritual life, strengthened with might, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the inner man, the moneyed class, the riches of his glory, the serfs, the whole family is named, to do all that we ask or think, to know the Love of Christ, tribulations, unto him that is able, walking obediently with Christ, ye faint not
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.
Well Friends, it’s Sunday the 1st of November! That means Halloween is over, October is done and Daylight Savings Time is also over. Now on that last one, the benefits or drawbacks are still being argued over.
What we do know is that some people lose an hour’s sleep while others gain an hour, and now some people will be going to work in the dark and also coming home in the dark.
No wonder there is so much depression and its cohorts come the winter time where people don’t see the sun enough. But that’s the decision of the ruling, the moneyed class, so we poor serfs just have to grin and bear it. (smile) But I’m here to tell us my fellow believers that all of that doesn’t truly matter once we are walking obediently with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
And having read this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises yesterday, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, it struck such a powerful chord in my thinking, that I just had to share it. It’s titled ‘Enormous Rewards.’
And it says: ‘O dear God Thank You for teaching me The enormous rewards Of walking obediently with You. There is joy without guilt Freedom without fear Satisfaction without sordidness Purpose without confusion Friendship without compromise Forgiveness without penance Fulfillment without disappointment.’
Yes my brethren, that is indeed the description of what a true believer enjoys when He walks in close relationship with Almighty God, his Creator and Provider! And consequently, he does not have to worry about all the nonsense that is happening in our wicked, godless world. Oh glory to God!
How wonderful it is to be able to ignore so much of the world’s foolishness because of a strong faith and eternal trust in Jesus! There is no need to worry, hurry or fear anything, because our Saviour has faithfully promised that He will be always with us through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, which will lead and guide us successfully through this hellish world.
And our Bit today comes from Bruh Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. ‘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.’
But before we delve into it, I think it’s best that we know what comes before, so we can better understand the context of what he’s talking about. But that puts me in a bit of a quandary, because almost every verse has some useful information from the scholars, and I’m not sure whether I should do the explanation after each verse, or lump them all together. I’m not sure which method will bring easier and greater understanding. But let’s mosey along (smile) and see where the Holy Spirit leads us.
Now in this section of his letter, Bruh Paul is offering a prayer for the inner growth of the Ephesians. And he tells them: ‘Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 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.3:13-15)
And the scholars offer these explanations on those verses. ‘3:13. Which is your glory: 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.’
‘3:14. For this cause: This expression resumes the apostle’s prayer begun in verse 1 but delayed by the discussion of verses 2-13.’
‘3:15. Is named means “is derived.” The whole Christian family, including those saints now departed and in heaven, and those saints still living on earth – all of them “derive” their spiritual life from God.’
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘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 the 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.3:16-9)
And yuh know what my people? That prayer is still completely viable to our situation today, for we are suffering the same doubt, frustration and lack of confidence that the Ephesians suffered back then, and we need desperately to grow in Christ if we intend to make a positive and meaningful difference in this strife filled world.
And the scholars’ offer these explanations. ‘3:16-19. In these verses Paul makes three prayer requests for the addressees: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his Spirit (v.16), that is, that 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.’
And finally, we’ll turn to the scholars’ explanation of our Bit. ‘3:20. In making the three above petitions (vv.16-19), Paul has not asked for too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that he can ask or think.’
And that’s it in a nutshell my people! Our God is so great, so powerful, so omnipotent, that He can do way way more than our finite minds can even begin to think, imagine, ask for, or comprehend. That’s why He is GOD! And I do hope that the way I structured the verses and explanations enabled you to better understand the Word.
Now remember today is Sunday and we need to go to the sanctuary and fellowship with other believers; to sing, pray, give thanks and glorify our heavenly Father and receive His strength, confidence, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, so that we can truly live the Christian life. Much LOVE!
…there is only ONE Power…and ONE Presence here…God the Good…God the Omnipotent…
31 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heavenly Guidebook, All Hallows Evening, anger is an acid, bitter, blessed for ever, candy, comeuppance, common sense, costumes, delight thyself in the Lord, don't be envious of iniquity workers, earthly pilgrimage, emotionally unstable, exceeding glad, Fret not thyself over evildoers, ghouls, glory hallelujah, goblins, God's Word, gospel truth, Halloween Day, he shall give thee the desires of thine heart, in thy salvation greatly rejoice, joyful with gladness, Junior Walker, killjoy, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, physically sick, Psalm 37, resentful, Teach them to Pray, the Good Book, the king shall joy in thy strength, the king trusteth in the Lord, the loving-kindness of God, the mercy of the Most High, the true state of the wicked, trick or treat, trust in the Lord and do good, truth, wisdom, witches
Psalm 37:4. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Well Friends it’s Saturday October 31, that makes it Halloween Day! Chuh! Call me a killjoy or whatever, but I consider it a waste of time and nowadays a rather insecure activity.
The festival that was all about ghouls, goblins, witches and other negative subjects and paraphernalia has now turned into just another commercial advancement day, where all sorts of foolish costumes proliferate and candy and other sweet treats are bought in great numbers.
And isn’t it just like our society where with one side of our mouths we say that too much candy is bad for your teeth, especially young children, then on the other side we have this big candy celebration every October 31 for our children! Steups! The dentist and the candy makers must surely like it.
And it’s also sad to see that the name of this negative practice seems to stem from the Christian celebration of “All Hallows Evening,” the eve of All Hallows or All Saints Day.
Anyway, in this world that’s going from bad to worse, calling for an end to it would raise a great hue and cry, notwithstanding that having young children out in the dark, murky hours of the evening has become very dangerous and the candy and stuff are laced with all sorts of evil stuff, and fruits with razor blades, needles etc.
And it’s been a long time since the ole sax-man, Junior Walker sang the song, ‘Teach them (the children) to Pray,’ in which there was a line that said we ought to stop the trick and treating because the candy wasn’t safe to eat. But that just fell on deaf ears, and years later we’re still doing the same nonsense, putting children’s lives and health in jeopardy, but making money for the businessmen and the dentists. However that’s my gripe for the day! You can either like it or lump it. (smile)
Now I want to share a recent quote from our Friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us. This one says: ‘Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.’ And that is the gospel truth Friends!
It resonated with me because I grew up hearing the ole people talk about anger being like acid poured into a plastic bottle. It obviously eats away the bottle. That’s why we are so strenuously advised to not keep anger or any of its associates bottled up inside of us. In the long run it will just eat away at us, causing us to get bitter, resentful, emotionally unstable, and even physically sick.
Now I can talk about that last one, about anger getting you physically sick, because any time I retain my anger, that’s what happens to me. Hn, hn! My family can attest to that, because anytime I had anything on my chest, I would go and wake them up at whatever time and let them know my displeasure. And believe me, thereafter I would be fine, though they might not be. (smile) Thankfully that very seldom happens now! So there is much truth to the quote.
That’s why Bruh David wisely recommends at the very beginning of Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked. ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness). Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.’ (Ps.37:1-4)
Oh Friends, it’s all so simple and straightforward! What’s there so difficult to understand in not worrying about being envious of the wicked, since we know that they will soon receive their comeuppance? However, when we trust in the Lord God Jehovah, and do good, we’ll live safely and prosperously on the land. And as our Bit says, He’ll grant us the desires of our hearts.
Now that to me is simple common sense – I won’t even call it wisdom – if you believe in what the Good Book says. Sadly though, the Good Book to too many of us is utter nonsense, while others pick and choose what to believe. But my fellow believers, there are no halfway measures; you either believe it all, or you believe none of it.
And thankfully, for those of us who truly believe and try to live by it, it is indeed a wealth of information, guidelines and promises from our wonderful omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present Creator! Glory Hallelujah!
Now listen again to a man, Bruh David, who knew a lot about the Good Book because he was inspired to write a lot of it. In Psalm 21 – Praise for victory, he writes: ‘The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden (withheld) the request of his lips. Selah… For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad (joyful with gladness) with thy countenance (presence). For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved (shaken).’ (Ps.21: 1-2, 6-7)
Oh my people, if Bruh David, Israel’s mightiest king, could trust in the Lord and acknowledge His mercy and LOVING-kindness, who are we to doubt eh? So please let common sense and wisdom guide us this Halloween Saturday, and thus lead us to trust in the Lord and consequently rejoice in His mercy and goodness. That’s my sincere prayer for us today. Much LOVE!
…God’s Word is indeed a heavenly guidebook…to our earthly pilgrimage…
30 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a better perspective, a modicum of circumspection, another week of work, blessings, call upon him in truth, common sense, consequences, consume it in your pleasures, delight thyself in the Lord, earthly things, Eliphaz, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, generous help, getting me through, getting up before daybreak, God will also hear their cry, God will fulfill the desire of them that fear him, he shall give thee the desires of thine heart, he shall hear thee, humble hearts, I am not my brother's keeper, in compliance with God's Word, Job, LOVE, lustlful manner, mercies, number one criteria, open the portals of heaven, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, repent, rest, reverence to God, rewards, sincerity, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, thank the Lord for Fridays, the desires of the world, the desires of your heart, the end of the workweek, The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him, the things of God, the weekend, thou shalt have thy delight in the Almighty, thou shalt lift up thy face unto God, thou shalt pay thy vows, truth, worldly desires, ye ask amiss, ye have not because ye ask not
Psalm 37:4. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
So it’s Friday Friends… so big deal…
And I am immediately shot down by a barrage of ‘How yuh mean what is the big deal? Yuh crazy or what? Friday marks the end of the workweek, no more slaving for two whole big days, no more getting up before daybreak and sitting down in a setta traffic morning and evening! And how yuh mean that is not a big thing eh? Steups!
Look boy, when Friday comes around, I joyfully shout “TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! No more work, and I can lie down in my bed till a decent hour, and do whatever, whenever I want, not when the slave driver wants. Thank the Lord for Fridays and the weekend oui!’
Awright, I get the message, I do get the message. But the trouble is that some people abuse the weekend and overdo the partying aspect, which often leads to big problems and trouble.
‘So that is their business!’ comes the quick reply. ‘If they want to mess up their lives, that is their problem.’
So don’t you feel sorry for those who mess up?
‘Sometimes, yes. But I am not my brother’s keeper,’ is the surly answer.
But I soldier on. Now that is why we need to use the weekend wisely, with a li’l bit, a modicum of circumspection, as Jeeves would say. (smile)
So let’s get a better perspective on the weekend by chanting our Friday Chant nuh. As one now: ‘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.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh Friends the weekend is indeed valuable to our lives, but the way we use it can make or break us. Please, let’s try and not overdo the freedom to do whatever we want aspect, and keep everything nicely in balance and display the wisdom that we believers are famous for. (smile)
Now let’s look at our Bit, taken from the wise and wonderful words of Bruh David in Psalm 37. Oh, but before we do that, let me ask, how many of us noticed that yesterday when I introduced some verses from Psalm 37, I wrote it as Psalm 327?
Not too many of us, I bet. I never saw it myself until I read it over this morning. Please forgive the ole fella, he’s only human yuh know, thus not perfect. (smile)
And our Bit for today confidently states: ‘Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.’
Oh what a beautiful promise my brethren! And it’s no lie either! The problem here though is that the desires of our hearts must not just be lustful, greedy, worldly desires for things and their accumulation. Those desires must be for things we truly need and are in compliance with the Word of God.
Now that’s the number one criteria; does it line up with God’s Word? If it does, then fine. If not, then we’re wasting our time praying or asking for it.
As Bruh David says later on in Psalm 145: ‘The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he will also hear their cry, and will save them.’ (Ps.145:18-19)
Yuh see Friends, we have to truly reverence God, to come to Him in sincerity and truth, not in a wishy-washy, lustful manner, only desirous of worldly stuff. That’s why, when Job’s buddy Eliphaz implores him to repent, he also assures him.
‘For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shall lift up thy face unto God. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.’ (Job 22:26-27)
Ah mih people, our wonderful God longs for us to repent and come to Him with humble hearts and minds. Then and only then will He open the portals of heaven and shower down His blessings and mercies on us.
And we’ll end today with some appropriate words of James, as he talks about worldliness and pride. ‘Ye lust, and have not: ye kill (murder), and desire to have (covet), and can not obtain: ye fight and war (battle), yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (pleasures).’ (James 4:2-3)
Now that’s the exact point we’ve been trying to drive home my fellow believers. We’re still too caught up in the affairs and desires of the world, and thus ask for the wrong things. We’re more concerned with earthly things and pleasures than those of God and heaven. How then can the Father give us the desires of our hearts when they don’t line up with His Word eh? Not at all!
So today, let’s ponder on those desires that proliferate in our hearts and minds, and see if they line up with the reality of God’s Word. And if they don’t, then with His help, let’s try to bring them into line, so that we can be granted the desires of our hearts. That’s basic common sense! (smile) Much LOVE!
…in any forum whatsoever…keeping the law brings rewards…while disobedience brings negative consequences…
29 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: . the fountain of wisdom, a faithful Creator, according to the will of God, against that day, and am persuaded, bounden duty, Bruh Paul, cease from anger, children of the Most High God, Christians, commit thy way unto the Lord, divine destiny, do no evil, eternal life, evildoers shall be cut off, for I know whom I have believed, for the which cause, forgiveness, forsake wrath, fret not thyself, God has chosen me, God has inscribed me in the palms of His hands, God's grace is sufficient, God's thoughts towards me, grin and bear it, Hurricane Patricia, I also suffer these things, I am forever linked to divine destiny, I am not ashamed, I belong to the God of the universe, I do know, kindness, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, my life has purpose and dignity, nail scarred palms of Jesus, One Year Book of Bible promises, praising my saviour all the day long, Rest in the Lord, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, sing and shout, that he is able, the assurance of salvation, the judgement seat of christ, the keeping of their souls, the life of the Son, the love of the Father, the magnitude of God, the object of His lavish love, the power of the Holy spirit, the very essence of our beings, them that suffer, this is my song, this is my story, those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, Timothy, to keep that which I have committed to him, wait patiently for him, wisdom
2 Timothy 1:12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.
Well Friends, it’s a crazy Thursday morning in my neck of the woods. Yesterday we had the tail ends of the rain from Hurricane Patricia, and we might still get some more later, but right now we’re getting some of the tail end winds.
The wind’s a howling out there! I opened my front door just now to pick up the newspaper and the wind fought me to close it back. (smile) I surely am sorry for those who experienced Patricia’s wrath a few days ago. Please, let’s keep them in our prayers.
On a point of interest, my ole right knee is still acting up. Steups! I really don’t understand it nuh. They don’t usually ache for so long. I’ve taken painkillers, rubbed it with stuff, talked with the Lord about it, but still no relief. I guess I just have to grin and bear it and limp along, knowing that God’s grace is indeed sufficient for me to do whatever He desires.
And though I might not like it, I am comfortable with it, especially when added to these facts from the following excerpt from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one is titled ‘I Do Know.’
Listen up my people: ‘There is much I cannot begin to fathom concerning the vast, indescribable universe created by our majestic God. There is much I will never comprehend. I want to sing and shout, (I was doing that the other night, (smile), so utterly overwhelmed I am with the magnitude of God.
But I do know with confident certainty that I belong to the God of the universe – the Creator of all that exists. I know that I, a mere mortal, am forever linked to divine destiny. I know that my life has purpose and dignity.
I know that God has chosen me as the object of his lavish LOVE; that his thoughts toward me are thoughts of kindness and mercy; that he has inscribed me in the palms of his hands. I know that all the LOVE of the Father, and the life of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit are freely, inseparably mine – now and throughout all eternity. This I do know!
Wow mih breddren! Do we know all of that? I surely hope so, for if we are truly children of the Most High God, it is imperative that we know those things!
How can we not know that we are linked to a divine destiny; that our lives have purpose and dignity; that Almighty God has chosen us to lavish His unconditional and everlasting LOVE on us; and all His thoughts towards us are of LOVING-kindness, forgiveness and mercy; and most surely we must know that He has inscribed us in the nail scarred palms of His wonderful Son, Jesus; and all that they have, the power, the life and the glory are ours from now until forever?
All of that is the very essence of our beings as Christians! Oh what a mighty, generous and wonderful Deity we worship my people! Give Him some well-deserved thanks and praise!
And the promise of scripture to which that message is attached is also our Bit for today. ‘For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.’ Those are the words of Bruh Paul to Timothy, as he exhorts the young pastor to endurance.
And the scholars offer these explanations. ‘1:12. Persuaded (Gr. peitho): The perfect tense indicates that “I was persuaded in the past and remain so now.” That he is able to keep refers to the assurance of salvation which is committed…against that day, when we will stand before the judgement seat of Christ.’
Oh Friends, do we know whom we have believed? And is it the gracious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? And if we do, I hope we are not ashamed of Him, and are willing to testify loudly on His grace and mercy from the rooftops of every building.
And not only that, but also we are persuaded, confident, assured that He can do what He says; that is grant salvation and eternal life! To be true Christians we need to believe all these things and have them written indelibly in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls.
And Peter admonishes, as well as encourages us thus: ‘Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.’ (1 Pet.4:19)
And believe me Friends, if there is nothing else I can vouch for, I can vouch for the faithfulness of our creator, because I have experienced it throughout my life! Oh Glory to Him!
And we’ll end with these well-known, superb words of advice and confidence from Bruh David from Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked.
‘Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm). For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps.37:5-9)
Oh my fellow believers, as a Christian, that is the best advice you can ever get! So please, today, let’s take it all to heart and run with it nuh, putting it all into action in our lives, so that we can truthfully testify to God’s greatness and glorify Him in all that we do. For that is our bounden duty and the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…this is my story…this is my song…praising my saviour…all the day long…
28 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 131 persons received Jesus, American Gospel Music, an altar call, and having done all, cleansed of our abominable sins, Donnie McClurkin, Festival of Praise Concert, Fred Hammond, friends, glorification, glory hallelujah, glory to God, Hezekiah Walker, I'm halfway home, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, in the might of Jesus Christ, Kim Burrell, living for Jesus, lose our christian flavour, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, new relationship with Jesus, our light diminished, our salt is dead, praise, praise his holy name, put on the armour of god, reconciled to God, ringing in the ears, salt and light of the earth, stand strong and steadfast, substantial harvest, take unto you the whole armour of God, thanks, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, the bane of Christianity, the battle is not ours, the best gift to man, the breath of life, the evil attacks of the enemy, they left their egos at home, tinnitus, to a glorious future with Jesus, to stand, truly walked Christianity, walk our talk, Wednesday Wail, wisdom
Ephesians 6:13. Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Well my brethren, it’s Wednesday, and unfortunately my ole right knee is still acting up. Chuh! But it did not stop me from going down to the Hershey Centre last night and enjoying the proceedings…and actively partying too, I would have you know, ably supported by my African Rosewood cane, though not as energetically as I would have liked.
The Festival of Praise Concert was put on by a group of American Gospel Artistes. They included recognized gospel singers like Fred Hammond, who was the main man in putting the show together; Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell, and Donnie McClurkin.
Oh Friends the joint was hopping from the time the M.C. a Christian comedian, who was pretty good himself, stopped and the first notes of the music rang out. Hn! You couldn’t sit if you wanted to because everybody was standing.
And what amazed and pleased me a whole lot is that there were no openers and no headline artists. I’ve never seen this done before, but they all came out onto the stage from the very beginning and stayed there till the end, taking turns singing and backing up each other. Oh glory to God, they left their egos at home!
I didn’t know most of the songs because I don’t follow American Gospel music that much, but believe you me, the crowd of between three and four thousand knew them, including a chubby white boy who was right up at the stage singing and dancing all night long, holding up a banner that read ‘Polaski.’
And then in the ending round of celebrations he and his group of white females found themselves on the stage singing and dancing and hugging the performers. It was indeed a good night my people.
Oh, there was also an altar call, and some one hundred and thirty one (131) persons came down to the front and received Jesus! Oh glory to God! Praise His Holy Name!
The lighting was good and so was the music, just a little too loud though for my liking, and that’s because I was down on the floor, about ten rows from the stage because my young daughter bought the tickets and she figured I’d like to be close to the stage.
But at those kinds of events I like to be up in the back seats, where the music isn’t as loud. But thank the Lord, this morning I don’t have tinnitus (ringing in the ears); my ears seem perfectly all right!
Anyway Friends, it was a good night. I just hope that those who were saved woke up this morning feeling different and that they will continue their new relationship with Jesus. Let’s pray that they will indeed do so.
Now there was so much praise and thanks and glorification given to God there last night, that it makes me wonder where all of that is during our normal everyday lives eh? If we would only expend a half of that godly energy in our normal lives, this world would be truly a wonderful place.
But sadly, outside of the church and these kinds of gatherings we seem to lose our Christian flavour; our salt is dead and our light diminished. In real life, we just don’t seem to walk our talk.
But though that’s been the bane of Christianity for a long time now, it’s time we change it, especially in these difficult and crucial times that we’re facing. Only truly walked Christianity will make a significant difference in this wicked and ungodly world.
Anyway, to day is Wednesday, that means it’s wailing time! So please let’s wail together: ‘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 am I ever glad to be alive Friends, despite my numerous aches and pains. (smile) And yuh better believe I am looking forward to a glorious future with Jesus! And if you are not, I will strongly advise you to get your act together and get to know Him, for He is the BEST thing, the BEST gift ever given to man!
Praise our heavenly Father for sacrificing His only Son so that we could be cleansed of our abominable sins and be reconciled to Him! What an awesome show of LOVE!
And with all my enthusiasm and writing about the gospel concert last night, (smile) I guess we only have time and space now for our Bit. ‘Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s what every believer needs to do: put on God’s armour so that we can withstand the evil attacks of the enemy, because that’s the only way we can withstand them.
And what I truly like about that verse is the last part; ‘…and having done all, to stand.’ That means my people, once we’ve done all that we can about the situation, we just need to stand; stand up strong and steadfast, unmovable in our beliefs and actions, and let God do His part, because the battle is not ours but His. We can’t defeat the enemy without His awesome help.
So today, please, I implore us to put on the armour of God, we all know what that is (Eph.6:14-18), then let us just stand strong in the might of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! That is indeed heavenly wisdom, and if we do it, we will eventually reap a substantial harvest, be the salt and light of the earth. Glory Hallelujah! Much, much LOVE, my people!
…oh living for Jesus…is such a wonderful and interesting way to live this earthly life…
27 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abide in me and I in you, all our sins and griefs to bear, all things are possible, doing God's work, Donnie McClurkin, earthly pilgrimage, everything to God in prayer, evidence of Jesus' power, faith, Gospel Concert, grace, happens in the best of families, He giveth power to the faint, Hezekiah Walker, I am the beloved of god, I am the vine, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, joy, life just gives us time and space, LOVE Jesus, meaning, mercy, No one is guaranteed happiness, our God-given responsibility., share His love with the world, spiritual superman, surrender to Jesus, the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, the same bringeth forth much fruit, to them that no might he increaseth strength, truth, Tuesday Mantra, under the weather, we must fill it with joy and meaning, what a beautiful way to live, what a friend we have in Jesus, what a privilege to carry, without me ye can do nothing, ye are the branches
Isaiah 40:29. He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Aye Friends, it’s Tuesday and unfortunately the ole fella is late and somewhat under the weather. But I guess that happens in the best of families eh? (smile)
My ole right knee’s been acting up and doing some serious aching for the last couple days… Steups! It might even force me to cancel an appointment with a medic in the fair city of Toronto later on today to talk about my shoulder. Chuh!
But yuh know what? It isn’t going to stop me from going down the street later to see a big American Gospel concert featuring the likes of Hezekiah Walker and Donny McClurkin and a host of others. (smile)
Isn’t life great? It surely is my people. The aches and pains of old age and otherwise might slow us down, but we must not allow them to stop us from doing God’s work to the best of our limited ability.
And here is a most appropriate quote from my ‘P.S. I LOVE YOU’ Poster. It says: ‘No one is guaranteed happiness. Life just gives us time and space. It’s up to us to fill it with joy and meaning.’
Indisputable truth that my brethren! Regardless of how blessed or ‘unblessed’ we are, it is still and always will be our responsibility to put joy and meaning into our lives. So let’s stop looking to other things and people to make us happy and meaningful. It is our God-given responsibility to do that for ourselves.
And having made that point clear, let’s turn to our Tuesday Mantra and declare it with absolute faith, joy and meaning. (smile)
Altogether now: ‘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 the world. Amen.’
More indisputable truth my people! And as the old hymn so rightly corroborates and reminds us: ‘What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!’
Yes Friends, whatever it is, good, bad or ugly, we need to take it all to Jesus and let Him help us sort it out, for without Him we cannot do much, but with Him…oh my people, ALL things are possible!
That’s why we can believe our Bit. ‘He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’ What an awesome promise!
Then when we add the seminal, the seed bearing scripture of Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘I can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth me,’ (Phil.4:13) ohhh, we get a most powerful and faithful promise that just lifts us up and takes us to a whole new level!
Now I’d be rather amiss if I didn’t include the scholars’ explanation on that quote of Bruh Paul. ‘4:13. The apostle’s ability of knowing how to live skillfully on little or in prosperity does not mean that he is a spiritual superman. The reason he can live in such extremes is not owing to his own ability.
Rather, he can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him, thus enabling him to adapt to his various, ever-changing circumstances. God orders Paul’s various situations, and God gives him the strength to be content in them all, trying and perplexing though they may be.’
Yes Friends, the same thing applies to us all; the Lord orders or allows whatever circumstances we experience, then He, in His wondrous grace and mercy gives us the wherewithal to handle them. Now isn’t our God a wonderful Deity? He surely is! No other supposed deity does that for His followers.
And then to cap it all, we have Jesus’ take on the subject. ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him; the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)
Oh Friends, that’s what I LOVE about Jesus; He doesn’t hold anything back, He says it as it is: without Him, we can do nothing. And that’s the living truth!
Now here is a short explanation on that verse from the scholars’. ‘15:1-9. Jesus explains the divine human relationship by the analogy of a grapevine. Jesus is like the main vine. The disciples are compared with branches. The Father tends the branches like a gardener. At that time of year (when Jesus spoke those words), branches of grapevines would be budding in Jerusalem.’
So my people, with all that evidence of Jesus’ power and LOVE and care and compassion, why do we find it so difficult to surrender our lives to Him eh? Why are we so reluctant to put our entire trust and faith in Him?
I personally can’t see any good reason for that reluctance. But as we said earlier on, ‘life just gives us time and space. It’s up to us to fill it with joy and meaning.’ And believe me, the most joy and meaning to be found in this earthly pilgrimage is in concert with Jesus!
That’s wisdom in spades my brethren! So please accept it, and put it into action. You will never regret it. Much LOVE!
…to know Jesus…ohhh…is just to LOVE Him…to LOVE and worship Him…with all our hearts mind, bodies and souls…what a beautiful way to live…
26 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin pumping, almighty god, anxious, aura of love, Bruh Paul, choir director, confidence, conquerors, controversies, Creator of the universe, cry out to God, economic downturn, enthusiasm, eternal life, even the youths shall faint and be weary, faith, fearful, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, glory hallelujah, good hands like All State, gospel truth, grace, hast thou not heard, He gives power to the faint, holy spirit, humble servants, I will exalt him, if any would not work, inconsistencies, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, lies, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my father's God, neither should he eat, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, put our trust in Jesus, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, salvation, serve a useful purpose, shall mount up with wings like eagles, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the day of sorrows, the good news of the gospel, the long and short of the story, the Lord fainteth not, the Lord is my strength and song, the Thessalonians, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, they that wait upon he Lord, to the foot of Christ's cross, to them that no might he increaseth strength, trust, truth, ungodly world, wiles, wisdom, wonder of wonders
Isaiah 40:29. He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Well, well, well… if it isn’t Monday, the day of sorrows for so many people! Yes Friends, a lot of the workforce rather dislike Monday mornings because they have to get up and go to work and they are not properly prepared for it. On the other hand, some are glad to see Monday, either because they are prepared for it, or they just want to get away from home for whatever reason. (smile)
The long and the short of the story though is that we need to work so that we can live as best we can amidst the worldwide economic downturn that is now in progress. And as Bruh Paul told the Thessalonians, ‘if any would not work, neither should he eat.’ (2 Thess.3:4)
And that’s by no means an unreasonable command. But man being what he is, there will always be inconsistencies and controversies in our daily lives. So to help us over the hump, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty of hungry hope and expectant faith, paying close attention to our choir director, Jesus as He leads us in song. (smile)
As one harmonious whole now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; 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 last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
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 let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, 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, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that wasn’t a bad rendition at all my brethren, but nowhere as good as the one last week, when we had the Father up and dancing and singing with us. I guess we can’t be that good every week. But at least hopefully our adrenalin is now running and we are getting in the groove to go out and do good, serve Jesus faithfully in a wicked and ungodly world.
And even though we might not be up to scratch, there is no need to be fearful or anxious because as our Bit so faithfully promises: ‘He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’
And that’s the gospel truth Friends! I can personally testify to that, because there are many days when my aches and pains get the better of me, both physically and emotionally and I have to cry out to the Lord for the strength and wherewithal to continue.
And wonder of wonders, His awesome and never ending supply of grace soon lifts me up and enables me to carry on. Oh glory to God my brethren! So please don’t despair if you’re under the weather and things are difficult. Just cry out to God in sincere faith and He will strengthen you.
Now listen to the wonderful scripture that precedes our Bit. ‘Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.’( Is.40:28)
More indisputable truth my people! Our God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, which means He is always on the go, never tired or weak, seeing everything and being everywhere! That’s the magnificent God we serve and worship! So I don’t see why so many of us refuse to put our entire trust in Him, to surrender our lives to His amazing action plans.
And if you weren’t impressed or overwhelmed by what went before our Bit, (smile) then listen to what comes after it. ‘Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is.40:30-31)
Mama Mia! What an awesome promise! And it’s not an empty one either, because many of us believers can testify to it. So Friends, what shall it be this autumn Monday morn eh? Shall we put our trust in Jesus and cry out to Him for help to get ourselves together and to get going, so that we can spread the good news of His gospel by our words and actions, and thus bring the unbeliever to the foot of His cross for forgiveness, salvation and eternal life?
Now that would be an unbelievably wise decision; possibly the best one we’ve ever made! Yeh mih people, both wisdom and common sense dictate that we look to Almighty God for succour.
Hear how Moses puts it in his song. ‘The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation (praise Him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex.15:2)
Oh glory Hallelujah! Now if Moses says that the Lord was his strength etc. etc. who are we to doubt him eh, especially in light of all the marvellous things he did? So today, please let’s stand strong, faithful and true in Jesus, for that’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…if you think man-made All State has such great hands…hn…can you then imagine the hands of our Creator…the most magnificent of course…
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