25 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a better perspective, a son is given, an everlasting kingdom, at the end of the day, Counsellor, Daniel in the lion's den, Darius, down at the pub with lads, examples work more forcibly than precepts, fellowship, For unto us a child is born, Friday chant, friends, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, He must increase, Henry Fielding, I must decrease, in Jesus' name, Isaiah, Jesus, John the Baptist, little Johnny, LOVE, Nebuchadnezzar, no more work, pagan kings, relaxation, rest, School's over, see you when I see you, Son of the Most High, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks for getting me through another week of work, the everlasting Father, the example we set, the government shall be upon his shoulder, the King of heaven, the mighty God, the Prince of Peace, the zeal of the Lord of hosts, those that walk with pride he abases, time for some cold ones, tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, washing away the soot and grime, wisdom, with a few pints, Wonderful
John 3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
Ah mih people, it’s Friday again! That reminds me of a story I recently heard. This primary school teacher asked her first grade class what day it was? And they all shouted Friday!’ ‘And what happens on a Friday’ the teacher continued? ‘School’s over for the week!’ many of them declared.
But little Johnny had his hand up, looking eager to say something. ‘Yes Johnny,’ the teacher says. ‘Tell us your story.’
And this is what Johnny said. ‘Well Miss, at my house on a Friday morning, as my dad is leaving for work, he tells my mom: “Well Mavis, TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! No more nasty work for a couple days!
And as usual, you know where to find me at the end of the day…down at the pub with the lads, washing away the soot and the grime from me insides with a few pints.
Be good now, and take care me darling. See you when I see you.” Then he sighs and declares as he is going through the door: “TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday yes, and it’ll soon be time for some cold ones!”
Ah mih people, it’s a good story, but it’s definitely not the way to finish the workweek or begin the weekend. And what of poor little Johnny eh? What’s he going to do when he grows up?
Most likely the same thing as his father. That’s why we have to be ever so careful about the example we set for our children, because remember they usually do more of what we do than what we say.
‘Examples work more forcibly on the mind than precepts,’ I believe is the way the author of ‘Joseph Andrews,’ Henry Fielding (1707-1754) the English novelist, also the author of ‘Tom Jones’ puts it.
Anyway, let’s delve into a better way to end the workweek and begin the weekend by chanting our Friday Chant. 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.’
Now my brethren, that presents a much better perspective on the situation than the story above! So let’s pay some serious attention to it, rather than to the drinking parties nuh. (smile)
That brings us to our Bit; the same as yesterday: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ The faithful and fateful words of John the Baptist, when his disciples told him that everybody was going to Jesus to be baptized, accepting that his role was gradually being diminished to make way for Jesus’ to increase, as declared by the Scriptures.
And what I want to do today is quote a couple of meaningful scripture passages, re the rise of Jesus’ role. And we’ll begin with one of the most monumental of scripture passages; this from Isaiah on the birth of the Prince of Peace. ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ (Is.9:6-7)
Yes my people, that’s how great the kingdom of Jesus will be! And if you don’t believe Isaiah, then listen to these pagan kings. After Daniel interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and it came true, where he went mad for seven years because he figured that he was such a hot shot, (Dan.4) then was healed and resumed his rule.
Here’s what he says when he decides to tell the story to the people. ‘I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! And how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.’ (Dan.4:2-3)
And at the end of the story, he solemnly declares: ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.’ (Dan.4:37)
Yes Friends, our God does move in mysterious ways when He’s ready to showcase His awesome powers!
Then after Daniel was placed in the lion’s den and came out unscathed, Darius, another pagan king was filled with wonder and acknowledged. ‘Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men (must) tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in the earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power (hand) of the lions.’ (Dan.6:25-27)
Ah mih people, even the kings of olden times recognized God’s awesome power, but we in these foolish times refuse to even consider, much less accept it. Chuh! How foolish eh! But please remember there are serious consequences for not accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
And we’ll end with the story of Mary being confronted and comforted by the angel who revealed her upcoming pregnancy with Jesus. ‘And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest (Most High): and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’ (Luke 1:30-33)
Yes Friends, the kingdom of Jesus shall have NO END! So please let us get our houses in order NOW, and bow down and sincerely worship Him before it’s too late, for that is everlasting wisdom. Much LOVE!
…in the beginning there was Jesus…and till eternity…there will be Jesus…He will reign for always and always…
P.S. Friends, the Bit is late today because I got wise and went to bed late (early) this morning. (smile) Much LOVE!
24 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a voice crying in the wilderness, a way of escape, another glorious summer's day, as sheep having no shepherd, chilly days, cold winds, compassion, dreams, escape-door, faithful words, fellowship with God, forgiveness, glory to God, God desires all of us, God is the source of all our hopes, God is your Source, God wants all of you, God-given weather, hardheaded children, He must increase, I must decrease, Jesus is the way, John the Baptist, longings, Lord and Saviour, Lord remind me often today, lost sheep, LOVE, mercy, my joy therefore is fulfilled, name of Jesus, no sorrow, no tears, One Year Book of Bible promises, peace, possessions, praise and glory to God, reminders, role, Ruth Harms Calkin, stubborn, surrendered to God, temptation, tender-hearted love, testifies of Jesus, the bridegroom, the coming of the Messiah, the friend of the bridegroom, the Life, the Light, the light of love, the Messiah, the obits, the sick, the suffering, the Truth, this is the day the Lord has made, tossed and turned, truths, turbulent world, turn to Almighty god, voice of the bridegroom, we will rejoice and be glad in it
John 3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, another glorious summer’s day is in the offing in my area on this Thursday in late September! Oh Glory to God! Usually, by now we’ve had some chilly days and cold winds, but this past week has been perfect summer weather; not hot and sticky, but just right, at least in my opinion.
So let’s all enjoy it to the fullest nuh, because we know it’s not going to last for much longer. Therefore, let’s declare, and mean it: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’
Now we ought to say and do that for any day that our name doesn’t’ appear in the obits, (smile) but more so for these unexpected and unusual days of such wonderful, God-given weather.
And would you believe I went to bed early again last night, woke up a couple times, found it too early to get up, tossed and turned then woke up late… Ah Lord eh!
But this time I woke up feeling fairly refreshed and the back pains were not too bad. Oh much praise and glory to our most wonderful God, who looks down on His stubborn, hardheaded children with such tender-hearted LOVE and compassion! (smile)
Now here is something from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that we all should wisely heed. It’s titled ‘Lord Remind Me Often Today.’
And it says: ‘Lord, remind me often today… That if there is some area in my life Not fully surrendered to You That is always the area In which I will be most severely tried. Lord, remind me often today… That You’ve already done Your part: You’ve provided a way of escape Against every temptation I shall face. I must choose Your escape-door.
Lord, remind me often today… That You want more than first place In my heart and life. You want all of me, always. Surrender means every detail of my life Under Your careful scrutiny. Lord, remind me often today… That You alone are my Source. Only God Always God Totally God You alone are my Source.’
Oh my people, what glorious truths are ensconced in those most timely reminders! Our God desires ALL of us, ALL the time! And furthermore, He IS the Source of ALL our longings, hopes, dreams, possessions… whatever happens or doesn’t happen to us in this life!
Remember He made us for Himself; to have fellowship with Him! That means EVERY aspect of our lives ought to flow through and revolve around Him. And the Bible Promise attached to that poem is also our Bit for today. ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’
Oh Friends, those are faithful words of John the Baptist as he testified of Jesus. Some of John’s disciples had seen Jesus baptizing, ‘And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.’ (John 3:26)
And John just nodded his head in acknowledgement, because he knew that he was just the messenger; the lonely voice crying in the wilderness of unbelief, the one sent to awaken the people to the coming of their Messiah.
Thus ‘John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.’ (John 3:27-29)
Yes Friends, John knew his role, and played it perfectly. The question today is do we know ours? Do we know what part God has destined for us to play in His kingdom? And if so, are we playing it as best we can? Remember we all have a part to play, but we have to turn to God to enlighten us on it.
Oh Friends, have you done that? Or are you still wandering in this evil, confused and turbulent world like lost sheep; sheep with out a shepherd? If so, then please turn to Jesus without delay, for He is the wonderful shepherd of ALL sheep; both lost and found!
He came to earth especially to save the lost, the sick, the suffering, those going through hard and excruciating times. So if you fall into any one of those categories today, then I beg and plead with you to call on the wonderful, caring, compassionate and ever-LOVING name of Jesus right now, so that your life can be made aright through His tender, LOVING care!
For HE IS THE ANSWER my people! The ONE and ONLY ANSWER to ALL of our problems! And until we truly realize that and consequently bring ALL our fears and cares to Him, we will continue to be lost sheep in this ungodly world, anxious and afraid, plagued by all its evil and ungodliness.
So Friends, in godly wisdom, let’s now turn to Almighty God in confession and repentance, accepting His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as the ultimate power, our very best friend, the one who died that we might be saved, and who will someday soon return to earth to rule His kingdom with peace, LOVE, compassion, mercy and forgiveness, where there will be no tears, no sorrow or anything dark and evil to cause us fear or anxiety; when we’ll bask in the amazing and wonderful light of LOVE that’s Jesus! Much LOVE!
…Jesus is indeed…the Way…the Truth…the Life…and the Light…no man can have joyful fellowship with God…unless they go through…first accept Him as their Lord and Saviour…
23 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a hell of a thing, abominable sinners, Almighty God created the world, another glorious day on God's great earth, bring all things to your remembrance, cast Him out of our society, consequences for disobedience, disobedience, draw closer to Jehovah God, even unto you old age I am he, facade, friends, glory hallelujah, God is our God, gospel truth, hardheaded, He shall teach you all things, he will be our guide even unto death, I am halfway home, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, indisputable truth, Jesus is ever-faithful, let not your heart be troubled, like a spring of water, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, my peace I give unto you, neither let it be afraid, not as the world giveth, obstinacy, pay a substantial price, Peace i leave with you, reluctant to embrace Jesus, stupidity, the breath of life, the Comforter, the end of our mortal lives, the Holy Spirit, the lake of fire, the Lord shall guide thee continually, the Lord shall make fat thy bones, the Lord shall satisfy thy soul in drought, the sons of Korah, this God is our God for ever and ever, this is the day the Lord has made, thou shalt be like a watered garden, to a glorious future with Jesus, trust, unwise decision, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday Wail, willing to revile Jesus, wisdom, words of comfort, you can lead a horse to water, you can lead a human to Jesus, you can't make him believe, you can't make it drink
Psalm 48:14. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death.
Oh Friends, welcome to another glorious day on God’s great earth! Wow! These days are so filled with sunshine and cool breezes that it’s not funny.
But apparently the ole fella’s head is filled with stupidity, because I did the same thing I did two nights ago; I went to bed even earlier than before with the same unhappy results. I awoke at an hour that didn’t thrill me, so I turned and tossed until I finally fell asleep again, then got up late with the usual back pains. Chuh!
How hardheaded can one body be eh? Anyway, I sincerely hope that I’ve learned my lesson now. And the strange part is that the first time I awaken, I usually feel fresh and alive, but I just find that it’s too early to get up, since I’ve only had a few hours sleep. Then when I do get up, I feel lousy.
So the solution seems to be either to go to bed late, or simply get up when the good Lord awakens me the first time. Obstinacy is a hell of a thing yes! (smile)
In any case it’s still a wonderful day, so let’s all declare: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it, come what may!’
And today is Wednesday, so that means it’s wailing time. So let’s wail nuh mih breddren, with sincerity and godly feeling. ‘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!’
Yes Friends, if we stay focused on Jesus our future will indeed be glorious! Down here on earth, as well as in heaven above at the end of our mortal lives. That is what He’s promised and He is ever-faithful to fulfill His promises. He hasn’t reneged on not even one as yet, and He never will!
So I don’t know or understand why so many people today are so reluctant to embrace Jesus and His most worthwhile cause. Why they are so willing to revile Him and cast Him out of our society when He gave up His holy and sinless life to save a bunch of abominable sinners?
But my brethren please remember that Almighty God created the world and still controls it, regardless of what you might think or see, and there are consequences to disobedience and evil working against His heavenly realm.
That brings us to our sterling Bit from Psalm 48; a song from the sons of Korah, titled, ‘God is our God.’ And the psalmist ends it with these beautiful and indisputably true words.‘For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death.’
Yes my people, that’s the gospel truth! As we said above, the Lord made us and controls us. He has a plan for every life that He’s made, and if we choose not to follow it, that’s our decision. But be sure that we will pay a substantial price for that unwise decision come the judgement day.
And it’s not like the Lord hasn’t promised elsewhere to be our guide and defender. In our Bit from yesterday He plainly stated it thus: ‘And even unto your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs (gray hairs) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.’ (Is.46:4)
That’s an awesome promise Friends! So why do we hesitate to accept it eh and consequently draw closer to Jehovah God? I truly don’t know. I guess the flash and dash of the things of the world hold us in such thrall that it’s difficult to let go and turn to God.
But please remember Friends, the things of the world are like beautiful vessels on the outside, merely an inviting façade, but inside they are either empty or filled with evil and darkness, and none of them will last longer than this lifetime.
Remember too that Beelzebub is the master of deceit, so please don’t fall for His wiles and lies. He can do nothing for us besides get us thrown into the lake of fire, come the end times. So if that is what you want, then go right ahead and bow down, kow-tow to Him and His evil rapscallions. Just be warned that it will all come back to hurt you in the end.
Meanwhile listen to this wonderful promise from Jehovah God. ‘And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought (dry places), and make fat (strengthen) thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.’ (Is.58:11)
Oh Friends, the Lord did exactly that for His people Israel when they were obedient to His commands, and He will do the same for us if we heed His will. And furthermore, after Jesus sacrificed His life to pay for our sins, making us worthy to come to God in His name, the Lord was still so gracious and merciful to send His Spirit to live in us to lead and guide us.
Listen to Jesus tell it like it is. ‘But the Comforter (Helper), which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.’ (John 14:26) And we all know the big splash the Holy Spirit made when it finally fell on the apostles on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2)
And my people that same Spirit dwells within each and every believer today, to lead and guide and comfort us down here on this earthly pilgrimage. So how can we in all truth deny that God is our guide, our leader and protector eh? That’s utter nonsense!
And we’ll end with the immortal words of comfort that Jesus spoke to His disciples after promising that the Holy Ghost would come to them and ultimately to us. ‘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 15:27)
Now that my brethren, is the ultimate in wisdom and trust! Please embrace it. Much LOVE!
…you can lead a horse to water…but you can’t make it drink…likewise you can lead a human to Jesus…but you can’t make him believe…
22 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: A Prayer for later years, a sinful nature, a sour old person, a terrific Tuesday, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, accept with graciousness, aches and pains, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you, and I will bear, brow beat, complain about my aches and pains, enchilada of roadwork, encourages, endure the boredom with patience, eternal life, even I will carry and deliver you, even to your old age, expressing an opinion on every subject, favours, from creation in our mother's womb, generous, get to the point, God's mysterious workings, going to bed early is strictly for the birds, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, grace to listen to others, graceful, gracious, helpful, I am he, I have made, immortal spirits soar to heaven, independent, jack hammering, loving, make me thoughtful, Mary's Musings, merciful, mortal bodies return to dust, one true and living God, our Lord and Saviour, Praise the Lord, promises, push and keep us down, pushy, recital of endless destails, salvation, talkative, talkative society, the annals of life, the pleasure of discussing my aches and pains, the sounds of heavy machinery, the wisdom to keep my mouth shut, the work of the devil, tiresome habit, understanding, undeserving children, uplifts, walk the path of peace, wisdom
Isaiah 46:4. And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs (gray hairs) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Aye mih people, welcome to another wonderful day in the annals of life! (smile) It looks to be a terrific Tuesday, although a tad chilly and noisy in my area. Oh Lord eh! It’s never amusing, inviting or interesting to awaken to the sounds of heavy machinery rumbling along the roadway and jack hammering pounding away at the road.
Unfortunately that’s what I awakened to today. I thought they had finished working in the neighbourhood, and all that was left to do was pave the main road. But when I looked out it seems they were digging up around the manholes, after having smoothened out the road for paving last week. Steups!
Now couldn’t they have dug up around the manholes then, instead of doing it now? To my small mind that would have made much more sense. But the whole enchilada of roadwork and construction this summer has made little sense whatsoever. Anyway it seems as though they have moved on further down the road, so I’m not hearing the noise like before.
And here’s an interesting prayer that seems to cover all bases. It comes on a single sheet of paper. Somebody gave it to the duchess and she gave it to me, and now I’m going to share it with you…. Another of God’s mysterious movements! (smile) It seems to be taken from a Blog called ‘Mary’s Musings – Life and times of a small town Nana…’ And the prayer is titled ‘A Prayer for Later Years.’
Please pray with me Friends. ‘Lord, thou knowest that I am growing older. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and particularly keep me from falling into the tiresome habit of expressing an opinion on every subject. Release me from the craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details.
Give me wings to get to the point. Give me the grace, dear Lord, to listen to others describe their aches and pains. Help me to endure the boredom with patience and keep my lips sealed, for my own aches and pains are increasing in number and intensity, and the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that, occasionally, I might be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not wish to be a saint (saints are so hard to live with), but a sour old person is the work of the devil. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not pushy; independent; yet able to accept with graciousness favours that others wish to bestow on me.
Free me of the notion that simply because I have lived a long time, I am wiser than those who have not lived so long. If I do not approve of some of the changes that have taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut. Lord knows that when the end comes, I would like to have a friend or two left.’
And all God’s people let out a loud shout of ‘Amen! Praise the Lord!’
The paper went on to say: ‘The author is unknown but I wish I had written it. I think it is appropriate for those of us of a “certain age.”
Now I agree with that to a certain extent, but with the kind of talkative society we now have, I believe people of all ages should embrace that prayer, for it does cover a lot of useful ground.
I also disagree with the point about ‘the pleasure of discussing my aches and pains is becoming sweeter as the years go by.’ Definitely not! They are certainly increasing, and discussing them only makes me remember them and dread their persistence in my life! (smile)
Overall though, it’s a blessed good prayer for ALL of us to pray, since we ALL are guilty of a lot of it. And now I’m going to do exactly what the prayer warns about; complain about my aches and pains. (smile) But it serves a useful purpose, explaining why the Bit is so late.
I went to bed earlier than normal, and woke up at some God-forsaken hour, but refused to get up so early. But as the Lord would have it, after much turning and tossing, I got up late, with a terrible back pain, which I seem to get anytime I lie down too long in bed. So I’m finally convinced that going to bed early is strictly for the birds! End of excuse! (smile)
Now there’s not a lot of time or space left for our Bit, but it is a very interesting promise of God, especially to us old fogeys. ‘And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs (gray hairs) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.’
Yes Friends, the same God who made us, has also faithfully promised to carry us all the way through this earthly life; right down to our old age with our gray hairs prominently proclaiming our age and our wisdom. Now isn’t that something to be excited about? It certainly is!
No other supposed deity makes that kind of promise. Instead, they all try their best to brow beat us, push and keep us down, with all sorts of disadvantageous rules and regulations.
Only the ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, encourages, uplifts and promises to look after us from creation in our mother’s womb till the time our mortal bodies return to the dust from which it was taken, and our immortal spirits soar to meet Him in the high heavens!
And all God’s people gave out a loud and grateful shout: ‘Oh thank You heavenly Father for being so wonderful, so generous, LOVING, merciful and gracious to us undeserving children of a sinful nature. We LOVE You, praise and adore Your Holy Name, now and forever more. Amen!’
Now Friends, may we all walk the path of peace and LOVE, wisdom and understanding, blessed by the wonderful grace and mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Much LOVE my brethren!
…blessed is the man or woman…who follows after Christ… from birth until death…to whom a wonderful earthly life is granted…along with salvation and eternal life…
21 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all ye that hope in the Lord, almighty god, aura of love, battle armour, battle formation, be of good courage, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, come to save that which was lost, compassion, condemn the world, confidence, enthusiasm, expectant faith, expectations of victory, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, glorious kingdom, glory to God, good news, grace, he shall strengthen thine heart, helmet of salvation, holy spirit, humble servants, hungry hope, I came not to judge the world, in the land of the living, invincible, Jesus came to save the world, Jesus Christ, joy, lies, LOVE, Love the Lord all his saints, mercy, our fearless Leader, peace, people of god, prayer, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, righteousness., salvation, shield of faith, shoes, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strife-filled world, sword of the Spirit, taunts, the call to arms, the goodness of the Lord, the halls of heaven, the Lord is my light and salvation, the Lord preserves the faithful, the Lord rewards the proud doer, the Lord's power, the Son of man, the trumpet's sounding, trust, truth, ungodly world, wait on the Lord, wiles, wisdom
Psalm 31:24. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Arise O people of God and put on your battle armour! Don’t you hear the trumpet sounding the call to arms? It’s Monday morning and there’s no time to waste, for the enemy is already lined up in battle formation and our fearless Leader, Jesus Christ is also out at the front surveying and reconnoitring the situation.
So get thee up and about, arm thyself with helmet, breastplate, belt, shoes, shield and sword, and having asked protection of heaven, join in the fray with enthusiasm, strength, wisdom and expectations of victory!
Yes Friends, it’s our favourite day Monday; the one we LOVE to hate, but one that we need to put to good use, if we want the rest of the week to go smoothly. That’s because Monday takes its cue from Sunday, and the remainder of the week from Monday.
Have you ever noticed that when you have a rough Monday, the rest of the week usually goes the same way? That’s why I keep on encouraging us to come out strong and vibrant, just rearing to go on Mondays.
Now let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with zest, urgency and sense of purpose. As one harmonious choir 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!’
Oh Friends, that rendition wasn’t bad at all! You could see traces of a smile forming on Jesus, our choirmaster’s face, but nowhere good enough for a standing ‘O’ from the halls of heaven. (smile) Anyway we’ve gotten the message, our adrenalin is running, so let’s get out in the evil, deceitful and strife-filled world and spread some LOVE and cheer, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and good news, Jesus style nuh.
And to help us do that with strong faith and sincere trust, listen to the encouraging and uplifting words of our Bit from the pen of Bruh David. ‘Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.’
Yes my fellow believers, when we come to the Lord with hungry hope and expectant faith, He will strengthen us and give us the wherewithal to do His will. So be not afraid to get out there and face the heathen, once you are dressed in your spiritual armour, backed up by prayer and the Lord’s power is running through your veins.
Now let’s back that up with earlier testimony from Bruh David in Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation. ‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:13-14)
Yes my brethren, if we don’t expect to see and receive God’s goodness and blessings down here on Mother Earth, then we might as well be dead. But when we expect the Lord’s grace and mercy to flow down on us, then in faith and with patience, we wait for it. He has promised to bless us if we are obedient to His Word, and we all know that He is faithful to keep his promises. So there’s no need to worry once we’re doing our best to follow His leading and guiding.
And this can all be reinforced by the words of Isaiah in the song of praise by the redeemed. ‘And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:9) And yuh know Friends, that is exactly what happened. The Father sent the Son, Jesus Christ to save us, to be our salvation… Oh glory to God!
Listen to Jesus talk about His role. ‘For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.’ (Matt.18:11) And again: ‘For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.’ (Luke 9:56) Then: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:17) And finally: ‘And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.’ (John 12:47)
Oh my people, Jesus couldn’t be any clearer about His main purpose in coming to earth…to save its inhabitants. He laid it all on the line for us, including His sinless life, so I don’t know what else we expect from Him. He threw down the gauntlet to us, now it only remains to see if we have the parts and the wisdom to accept the challenge. Only time and time alone will tell! Much LOVE!
…O LOVE the Lord…all ye his saints…for the Lord preserveth the faithful…and plentifully rewardeth (fully repays) the proud doer… (Ps.31:23)
20 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a man lay down his life for his friends, a new perspective on life, all things are become new, ambassadors of Christ, be renewed in the spirit of your mind, be ye angry and sin not, become more like Jesus, butterfly, caterpillar, celebration, Christ walked His talk, compassionate, deceitful lusts, disobedient, encouragement, every tongue declare that Christ is Lord indeed, except a man be born again, forgiving, freedom of choice, friends, godly character, grab the bull by the horns, greater love hath no man, he cannot see the kingdom of God, he is a new creature, if any man be in Christ, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, let not the sun go down on your wrath, Lord of Lords, loving, madness, merciful, old things are passed away, Pharisees, praise, put away lying, rebellious nature, refusing to believe, renounce our sins, reviling, righteousness., saviour jesus christ, seeking the things of God, sinful, speak every man truth, stupidity, Sunday, thanksgiving, the be all and end all, the ungodly things of the world, to whom every knee must bow, truth, ungodly traits, upliftment, we are members one of another, worship, you are my friends if you obey my commands
2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.
Well Friends, that wonderful day called Sunday has rolled around once more. And we all know what that means; joyful praise and worship, thanksgiving and celebration, encouragement and upliftment in God’s sanctuary, for all those who believe in His glorious Son Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to whom every knee must bow and every tongue declare that He is the Sovereign Lord indeed!
Oh Glory to God my people, for such a wonderful champion! There’s none else as mighty, as LOVING, as forgiving, merciful and compassionate as Him!
Those who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ need to have their heads, hearts and souls thoroughly examined for stupidity and/or madness because He is the be all and end all to every human being. There’s nothing we can ever want that won’t be found in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Unfortunately though, the Father gave human beings the freedom of choice; the freedom to believe or not to believe in His Son, and with our naturally sinful, disobedient, prideful and rebellious nature, a whole host of humans are foolishly reviling and refusing to believe and put their trust in Him.
Thank God we are not amongst that ignorant lot my brethren! We believe…and will keep on believing until the very end, because He walked His talk: ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.’ (John 15:13-14)
Then He went out and showed His great LOVE for us by sacrificing His holy and sinless life on the cross at Calvary, so that we could have salvation and eternal life. Now to prove that we are indeed His friends, we need to do what He’s commanded, otherwise we’re no friends of His. As simple as that.
Now here’s an interesting quote from our friend Anselm, who aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. It says: ‘How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.’
When I read that a few days ago, it brought a chuckle to my soul and I knew that at some time I’d have to share it. But it does make a whole lot of sense. To become a butterfly you must stop being a caterpillar, and if you want to fly so badly, the only way to do that is to stop being a caterpillar.
And the good thing about that statement my people, is that it applies to almost everything in our lives. If we want to be one thing, we need to stop being something else. We simply cannot be two things at once. And becoming something else is very seldom easy as the lowly caterpillar and many of us can attest to.
And it’s very applicable to our becoming believers in Christ, as our Bit informs us. ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.’
That’s indisputable truth my people! To be a true believer in Christ, we must stop crawling through the ungodly things of this world, shed that old caterpillar skin and soar like a brand newborn butterfly into things of heaven!
Please note what Jesus told Nicodemus when he inquired about salvation. ‘Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again (from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:3)
So like the caterpillar that goes through a metamorphosis, a significant change to become a butterfly, so too we humans have to go through a significant change to become a true believer in Christ.
Now it’s not an easy task, especially with all the evil and ungodly bombardments we experience in this world. But with God’s help it can be accomplished, and believe me friends, it’s very worthwhile and rewarding. When we are born again, we develop an entirely new perspective about life, about living for Christ.
Listen to how Bruh Paul talked about the new life in Christ to the Ephesians. ‘That ye put off concerning the former conversation (conduct) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.’ (Eph.4:22-24)
Yes my brethren, as new born believers in Christ we need to renounce our old worldly ways and sins, constantly being changed to become more like Christ every day, seeking the things that are God, and seeing the world from His viewpoint. All of that helps us to develop a new and godly character, so that we can walk in righteousness and truth.
As Bruh Paul continues to the Ephesian’s. ‘Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place (an opportunity) to the devil.’ (Eph.4:25-27)
Yes Friends, those are just a few of the things that we need to cut out from our old behaviour, and replace them with their opposite and godly behaviour. And there are many more characteristics of daily living that Bruh Paul advises us to change, which I won’t go through in detail, but you can read for yourself in Ephesians 4:28-32.
So my brethren, now that we are new creatures, new creations in Christ, let’s act and look the part nuh. We can’t afford to be exhibiting the same ungodly traits and characteristics we showed before we were born again, otherwise we’d be considered hypocritical, like the Pharisees of old, and give Christ a bad name and a less than stellar reputation.
And we surely don’t want to do that, so let’s grab the bull by the horns, get ourselves together, so that we can be good ambassadors for Christ. That’s everlasting wisdom! Much LOVE!
…to truly live for Christ…means throwing out the old ways of the world…and bringing in the new ways of heaven…
19 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bombardment of prayer, a prayer revolution, and not faint, ask for forgiveness, confess your faults to one another, evil machinations, feeling of discouragement, God is faithful, God will not allow more temptation than we can bear, God will not forsake you, gospel truth, grace be unto you, grow in God's righteousness, healing, life is a bully -boy, lose heart, LOVE, making mention of you in our prayers, men ought always to pray, patience, peace, peace from God our Father, perseverance, pray for one another, prayer is indispensable, prayer is the greatest power on earth, prayer power, praying always, put on the whole armour of God, return to worshipping God, righteousness., spiritual growth, steadfastness, strengthened in your faith, supplication for all saints, temptation, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, the flesh is weak, the Lord jesus christ, the spirit is willing, walking in obedience to God's word, watch and pray, we give thanks to God always for you, with all perseverance, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Greetings my Scrip-Bit family! ‘Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.’ (1 Thess.1:1b-2)
Yes Friends, we do bring you grace and peace from on high, and it’s true that we always remember you in our prayers. Praying that you might be strengthened in your faith and grow in God’s righteousness each and every day. Do not forget that prayer is the greatest power on the earth, and Jesus recommended ‘that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1)
Meanwhile James wisely advises: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16)
That’s gospel truth my people! And what we need in these turbulent times is a prayer revolution around the world, where people of every creed and race, denomination and faith are praying for each other. With such a bombardment of prayer up to heaven, God would find it difficult to refuse our requests for peace and LOVE, healing and forgiveness.
But then too my brethren, the other side of the coin is that we would have to return to worshipping God the way our forefathers did, walking in sincerity and obedience to His Word. For remember it takes two to tango, two hands to clap, and one hand has to wash the other. So we can’t expect a whole lot of blessings from heaven without doing our part of walking in righteousness.
Now here is some more true and interesting advice from our Friend Anselm, aspiring to inspire us for a better tomorrow. He simply says: ‘Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed.’
That my Friends is indeed wise counsel! Why? Because discouragement only brings us down, makes us lose hope and faith and eventually give up on all our dreams and whatever desires the Lord has put in our hearts.
Now it’s not always easy to avoid discouragement, especially when our whole world seems to be falling down around us. But through patience, perseverance, steadfastness and stick-to-itiveness, we can succeed.
Life is in reality a bully-boy and will beat you down if you allow it to. But stand up strong to it and never give in to its bullying and false advice, and you will be surprised how it will step away from you…for a time that is. (smile)
And if we follow Bruh Paul’s advice to the Ephesians, re putting on the whole armour of God, in conjunction with our Bit, life and its cohorts like discouragement will never defeat us. ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’
Yes Friends, not too long ago we delved into the subject of the armour of God and discovered it was not enough to protect us from the evil one, but it needed prayer; that prayer was indispensable for the armour to work. But praying is not a one-time thing either. One must be constantly at it, as the first two words of our Bit declare: ‘praying always…’ and then ‘with all perseverance…’
That means not giving up, but keeping on regardless of the circumstances, knowing deep down in your heart of faith, that your ever-faithful heavenly Father will not abandon nor forsake you.
We also need to remember these words of Jesus to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion, when His soul was exceedingly heavy and they couldn’t watch with Him while He prayed to the Father for a possible stay of execution. ‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but flesh is weak.’ (Matt.26:41)
Yes my people, we certainly need prayer power to keep us from falling into temptation, especially in these advanced days when there is so much temptation around. Note though, that prayer won’t stop us from being tempted, because that’s a normal fact of life, but it will help us from falling prey to temptation.
And on the point of temptation, hear these encouraging words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians. ‘There hath 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 to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.’ (1 Cor.10:13)
Now there are a few points we need to note in that passage my brethren. The first is that we’re not alone in temptation; all men suffer temptation during their lifetime. The second noteworthy point is that our faithful God will not allow more temptation to come upon us than we can bear.
And the third and most important point in that scripture is that the Lord will not necessarily make a way for us to escape the temptation completely, but on most occasions He will allow us to endure it and come out safely and stronger on the other side.
So please don’t go thinking that that means we’ll always escape or get away from temptation, because we won’t. Instead we’ll have the Lord’s help to handle it successfully. And that’s about all we can really ask.
So Friends, on this Saturday morning in mid-September, regardless of what activity we might be engaged in, let’s never forget the importance, the necessity and the power of prayer in a believer’s life, for without it, we will be severely stunted in our spiritual growth and easily fall prey to Lucifer’s evil machinations. Much LOVE!
…have a constant attitude of prayer…pray any and everywhere…pray about everything…pray for everyone…
18 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a believer in Christ, a no-brainer, another week of work, appear with Christ in glory, Christ comes first, Colossians, covetousness, death, disobedience, do it all over again, el numero uno, eternal damnation, eternal life, evil concupiscence, evil desire, eye candy, fellowship, fornication, Friday chant, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gazing heavenward, get with the programme, glory hallelujah, heavenly realm, heretical philosophies, I made it through, idolatry, if ye then be risen with Christ, in soul body and mind, inordinate affection, intimate relation with God, knowledge, legalistic practices, Lucifer, more important than Christ, mortify, mortify your members, number one, priorities, put to death, relaxation, renewed and refeshed, residing in your bodily members, rest, right perspective, salvation, seek those things which are above, Set your affections on things above, sins, sipping a bottle of ale, spiritual realm, susceptible to the wickedness of the world, Thank God it's Friday, the children of disobedience, the Christian life, the higher things of God, the lake of fire, the last days are in the offing, the lower things of Lucifer, the ungodly things of this world, the weekend's here, the wisdom of God, the wrath of God, uncleanness, ungodly world, vices, watch the chicks, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, wisdom, wisdom and knowledge reside in Christ, with your generous help, your life is hid with Christ in god
Colossians 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, as I opened my door this morning, I heard a group of workers singing: ‘Friday, oh Friday! Thank God it’s Friday! I’m starting my weekend early. Taking the afternoon off work, going down to the outdoor café and watch the chicks and chicklets come and go, while sipping a bottle of ale or two…or even three. Thank God it’s Friday yes, and the weekend’s here! Glory Hallelujah!’
Oh my people, that’s often the preferable way for mankind to spend their weekend, but it’s obviously influenced by Lucifer and the ungodly things of this world. And it’s definitely not the right one for a believer in Christ. So let’s chant our Friday Chant that gives us a better and brighter perspective on how to use our weekends.
All together 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.’
Now that’s a much better way to spend our weekends my brethren, and it makes a whole lot more sense than spending it idly in a pub watching chicks go by, feasting on eye candy. (smile)
And that all segues quite nicely into our Bit. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.’ Yes Friends, believers in Jesus Christ ought to be seeking the higher things of God, rather than the lower things of Lucifer and this ungodly world.
And Bruh Paul continues his admonition to the Colossians. ‘Set your affections (mind) on things above, not on the things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.
Mortify (put to death) therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection (passion), evil concupiscence (evil desire), and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.’ (Col.3:2-6)
Now let’s get some explanations on those verses from the scholars. ‘3:2. Set your affections on things above: The Greek word literally says, “Set your mind on things above.”
The readers are not to be preoccupied with things on the earth, such as current heretical philosophies (2:8), legalistic practices (2:16, 21-23), and vices (v.5ff); nor are they to dwell on things that are not wrong in themselves (houses, jobs, careers, ambitions, etc), but can be wrong should they become priorities above Christ.’
Unfortunately though my people, a lot of us mistakenly spend way too much time concentrating on just such things, making them of more importance than Christ, and thus having them become idols we worship. That is obviously not right, for Christ should always be NUMBER ONE, EL NUMERO UNO, in our thoughts and actions!
That means we have to clean up our acts and get with the programme, for you see what the last verse we quoted above declares: ‘the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.’ And that’s no lie my people!
‘3:3. Your life is hid with Christ in God (or, “Your life is deposited with Christ, who is in intimate relation with God”). As all wisdom and knowledge reside in Christ (2:3), so the believer’s new life is stored up in Him. This means that the Christian life belongs to the spiritual or heavenly realm.
Jesus is in intimate relation with God; so are His followers. Since the Colossians now belong to the heavenly realm and are intimate with God, they should seek those matters and interests pertaining to heaven and not to earth.’
Oh my brethren the same warning and message applies to us today! Our eyes are expected to be gazing heavenward, rather than towards the evil earth.
‘3:5. Mortify means to “put to death.” By a figure of speech members is put in place of the various sins that exist in, and seek to express themselves through different “members” of the human body. Paul urges his readers to “put to death all sins residing in your bodily members.”
Therefore looks back to verse 3: inasmuch as they “are dead” to sin, they are to make this death to the old life a reality in daily living.’
Oh Friends, those words are ever so applicable to our situation today! Believers need to die to self possibly more than at any other time in history, for the amount of evil and sinful things that abound today are way more than at any other time.
And to make matters worse, mankind has been, and is still being skillfully weaned off of God, so we are therefore more susceptible to the wickedness that the world puts forth as being okay.
So please realize that now is a very important time in our lives, the last days are in the offing, and we need to make serious choices, whether we are going to follow Lucifer and the things of the world, or Christ and the things of heaven.
To me it’s a no-brainer; Christ obviously comes FIRST! But everybody has to make his or her own decision. And please remember that where we spend eternity, depends upon that decision. Therefore, please let the wisdom of God guide us. Much LOVE!
…obedience to God’s Word brings salvation and eternal life with Him in heaven…disobedience brings death and eternal damnation with Lucifer in the lake of fire…
17 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new life, all good people go to pray, almighty god, another glorious summer's day, Christian, Christian maturity, Colossian believers, commune with nature, communion with Jesus, confusion, contentment, Crying in the Chapel, debauchery, deeper knowledge of Christ, effective prayer life, Elvis Presley, evil, feeling free and easy, find peace of mind, freed from sin, friends, fruitfulness in witnessing, get down on your kness and pray, glory to God, godly virtues, gospel truth, habits, hand of God, harmony with Christ, I am happy with the Lord, I know the meaning of contentment, I'm happy in the chapel, if ye then be risen with Christ, interests, Jesus Christ, just, leaving behind old ways, LOVE, lovely, meditate, noble, northern climes, of a good report, people are of one accord, praiseworthy, quiet and peaceful times, responsibilities, resurrection power, seek those things which are above, sincere fellowship, sing and praise the Lord, sins, spiritual benefits, stress, take your troubles to the chapel, tears of joy, the Lord in His goodness, think on these things, ungodly world, values, vices, victory over sin, virtue, whatsoever things are true, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, wisdom, wonderful weather, you'll surely find a way, your burdens will be lighter
Colossians 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
And then it was Thursday… shaping up to be another glorious summer’s day too! Oh glory to God! Yes Friends, we folks in the northern climes are ever so grateful for every warm day this late in the year.
I even thought that my sitting out on my porch in the early morning hours had ended at the end of last week when the weather had gotten a bit chilly. But the Lord in His goodness gave us this week of warm and wonderful weather, so I can still go out and commune with Him and nature in those quiet and peaceful times.
And am I ever so grateful, because it just relaxes me, gets rid of all the confusion and stress that the busy day has put into my spirit, and allows me to go to bed feeling free and easy. No, not that kind of free and easy. (smile)
And you know what Friends, this morning as I was sitting on the porch enjoying the peace and silence, I found myself humming a familiar sounding tune, but I just couldn’t figure out what it was. Then a minute or so later, it hit me. It was Elvis Presley’s wonderful ballad, ‘Crying in the Chapel.’
You know I always thought that Elvis was a better balladeer than a rock and roller. (smile) And strangely enough, I found myself singing most of the words to the tune, although I hadn’t heard it for ages, and I thought about sharing it in the Bit today.
Then, as the Lord would have it, when I got up this morning, that’s the tune I began singing, so I guess, I am supposed to share it with you. Please pay careful attention to these words my people, because they can be very important in a believer’s life.
‘You saw me crying in the chapel. The tears I shed were tears of joy. I know the meaning of contentment, I am happy with the Lord. Just a plain and simple chapel, Where all good people go to pray. I prayed the Lord that I’ll grow stronger, As I live from day to day.
I searched and I searched but I couldn’t find, No way on earth to find peace of mind. Now I’m happy in the chapel, Where people are of one accord. Yes, we gather in the chapel, Just to sing and praise the Lord.
You’ll search and you’ll search but you’ll never find, No way on earth to find peace of mind. Take your troubles to the chapel, Get down on your knees and pray. Then your burdens will be lighter, and you’ll surely find a way.’
And that’s all gospel truth my brethren! For the only way to find true peace of mind on this turbulent planet Earth, is through Almighty God. Yes Friends, whenever we sincerely turn to our Creator with our problems, He always shows us a way.
That brings us to our Bit, which talks about our new life in Christ. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.’
That’s just sound logic my brethren. If we are risen with Christ, and are in sincere fellowship with Him, then we ought to think about the things that are above, where He is seated at God’s right hand.
And the scholars explain our Bit thus: ‘3:1. If ye then be risen (or, therefore, since you were raised”): The word ‘therefore’ infers a corollary truth from 2:20 (“you died with Christ”) – not only have the Colossian believers been freed from sin, they have also turned to a new life, leaving behind old ways, habits, values, vices, interests, and sins.
Seek those things which are above: These “things” include deeper knowledge of Christ, closer fellowship with Him, experience of His resurrection power, victory over sin (vs.5-11); the development of godly virtues (vs.12-17); the fulfillment of domestic and social responsibilities (3:18-4:1); an effective prayer life (4:2); fruitfulness in witnessing (4:3-6) – in a word, the attainment of Christian maturity, and all the spiritual benefits God has for His people during their days on earth. To have been raised with Christ and not to seek these blessings would be a contradiction’
I couldn’t have put it any better Friends. The epistle to the Colossians is just filled with the ways and means that believers ought to live their lives so that they can be in true harmony with Christ. We need to be growing daily in His Word, and we can only do that by seriously concentrating on the things that draw us closer to Him.
And we’ll end with some other things that believers should concentrate on, as Bruh Paul told the Philippians. ‘Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest (noble), whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (anything praise worthy), think (meditate) on these things.’ (Phil.4:8)
Yes my people, those are the kinds of things followers of Christ should be contemplating and meditating upon, not the nonsense; the evil and debauchery of this ungodly world.
So as true believers, let’s buckle down and begin thinking these kinds of thoughts nuh, that we might mature and grow in Christ, as He desires of us. That’s simply Christian wisdom. Much LOVE!
…one cannot walk sincerely…or grow in Christ…unless one knows what He’s all about…and that only comes from meditating on His word…and being in constant communion with Him…
16 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new day, a breath of summer, a glorious future with Jesus, a shower of grace, abounding with thanksgiving, absent in the flesh, another glorious day on God's great earth, as for me and mine, awesome truth, Beauty for Ashes, beware lest any man spoil you, blessings, boggles my mind, Bruh Paul, cherishing Jesus, Colossians, deceived by the lies of Lucifer, died for sinners, enthusiasm, enticing words, eradicate Jesus from our society, false teachers, fat fannies, focusing on Jesus, forgiveness, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God took away my sorrow, grace of Jesus Christ, gullible, hope for tomorrow, I am halfway home, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, Im not looking back at the past, Jesus went to the cross, lest any man should beguile you, Lord and Saviour, Love for Jesus, loving Jesus, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are fixed securely on the plough, my neck of the woods, philosophy, present in the spirit, principles of the world, promises, put a smile upon my face, put our complete trust in Jesus, sit on our laurels, stand strong and steadfast in faith, surrender our all, thank God, the breath of life, the fullness of the Godhead, the Godhead, the tradition of men, till our dying day, until eternity, vain deceit, walk in him rooted and built up in Jesus, walk obedient to Jesus' word, we are complete in Jesus, we will follow Jesus, Wednesday Wail, work God's plan for our lives
Colossians 2:4. And this I say, lest any man should beguile (deceive) you with enticing (persuasive) words.
Ah Friends, welcome to another glorious day on God’s great earth! Glory Hallelujah! That means God still has work for us to do down here, so let’s not merely sit on our laurels, rather our fat fannies, (smile) but instead sincerely work the plan God has for our earthly lives.
And it does promise to be a bright and sunshiny day in my neck of the woods. A breath of summer is still gloriously in the air… Oh glory to God! You people with summer like weather all year round won’t truly appreciate the reality of true summer temps in the middle of September.
But enough talk. It’s Wednesday, which means it’s wailing time. So let’s wail nuh. As one harmonious wailer 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!’
And I do hope that’s the awesome truth in our lives my people! I do hope that we all are steadfastly concentrating on, consistently focusing on Jesus and all that He so wonderfully stands for. He is wonderful, isn’t He? Oh my, my!
When I think about all that He’s done for us, when there was absolutely no reason to do it, I simply cannot imagine not LOVING and cherishing Him as my Lord and Saviour.
And just to show how wonderful Jesus is, listen to the chorus of one of my favourite songs that I heard last night, and just had to share with you again.
The song’s called ‘Beauty for Ashes,’ by Jermaine Cowan, and the chorus says: ‘Beauty for ashes…In a shower of Grace. Hope for tomorrow…It’s a bright, brand new day. Took away my sorrow…Put a smile upon my face. Beauty for ashes…In a shower of grace.’
Oh my people isn’t that truly wonderful? Of course it is! And it’s exactly what Jesus does for us when we surrender our all, put our complete trust in Him and try to walk obedient to His Word. That’s why it boggles my small, finite mind when people refuse to acknowledge His Lordship and LOVE Him, especially when there’s no one else around to do the things He does.
Is mankind crazy, or just stupid, plus gullible, to be deceived by the lies of Lucifer and his evil cronies, and thus try to eradicate Jesus from our society? I don’t know nuh Friends, but all I can say is, that as for me and mine, we will follow Jesus until our dying day, in fact until eternity! Oh Glory to God!
Yes my people, it’s true enthusiasm. And every day that I live and grow a little more in His Word, and experience more of His wonderful blessings, my enthusiasm and LOVE for Him increases! And that’s exactly how it ought to be my brethren.
That brings us to our Bit, which is ever so relevant to what we’ve said above. They are words of warning against false teachers and teachings from Bruh Paul to the Colossians. ‘And this I say, lest any man should beguile (deceive) you with enticing (persuasive) words.’
Ah Friends, we do need to be very careful of whom and what we read and/or listen to, because there are a lot of glib and persuasive false teachers and teachings circulating in our distressed and turbulent world, and it’s very easy to fall under their spell, unless one has the teachings of and LOVE for Jesus sincerely wrapped around your hearts and minds.
Now listen to Bruh Paul as he continues after our Bit. ‘For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your (good) order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you (plunder, take you captive) through philosophy and vain (empty, futile) deceit, after (according to) the tradition of men, after (according to) the rudiments (basic principles) of the world, and not after (according to) Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (rule and authority).’ (Col.2:5-10)
Ah Friends, that warning is still in effect today, so let’s pay serious attention to it nuh. Christ is the end all and be all! He controls the universe and all therein! His words are faithful promises and will not be diluted or diminished! And above all, we have been given ALL that we need to handle this world; we are complete in Him, therefore it’s not necessary to look to anyone or anywhere else for anything that we need.
Please remember that my people, and let’s stand strong and steadfast in the faith and in the LOVE, mercy, forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ! For that is indeed the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…only Jesus went to the cross and died for us sinners…so how can we put our trust in…or believe in anybody else eh…
Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
SCRIP-BITS 