04 Apr 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: action, afraid, all things work together for good, beloved of God, beneficial, benefit the earth, called according to His purpose, Christian walk, confident, devour, enemies, failures, faith, fight the giants, foes, frined of jesus, frowns, god, God is my strength and power, God makes my way perfect, God-given, harmless way, hockey game, indisputable, investment of energy, lure, mercy, misery, my heart shall not fear, my salvation, natural, of the utmost importance, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., overcome the world, Philistine, priorities, psalm 27, put out power, quench, sense of purpose, share His love, sincerity, smiles, Song of Deliverance, song of thanksgiving, strength, take stock, the joy of life, the light of Israel, the Lord is my light, the most powerful Being, the winter days, then that love god, tribulation, truth, Tuesday Mantra, victories, war, wasting resources, whom shall I fear
2 Samuel 22:33. God is my strength and power; and he maketh my way perfect.
Oh friends, blame it all on the game; the lure of the good ole hockey game! (smile) I began watching it late and just had to watch the whole thing. And then my beautiful body called for some decent sleep. So I couldn’t win any which way I turned. (smile)
And it looks like this rainy Tuesday morning is going to be a smiley type of morning, but nothing’s wrong with that, for smiles are way more useful and beneficial than frowns
Anyway, today I want to share one of the many famous quotes of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (1841-1935), an American judge and member of the Supreme Court. This one wisely declares: ‘The joy of life is to put out one’s power in some natural and useful or harmless way. There is no other, and the real misery is not to do this.’
Oh my people, are we doing this; putting out our power in a natural and useful or harmless way? I surely do hope so, otherwise we’re just wasting the resources that God, our Creator, gave to us to benefit the earth in some form and fashion.
I know we all have problems, be they physical, emotional or financial, but it is of the utmost importance that we learn how to use our resources, our energy in the most productive ways. We absolutely need to get our priorities straight so that we can live a good life with proper investment of whatever energy we have.
Wasting our precious, God-given energy on unproductive stuff is the worst mistake we can make, especially when we are in the winter days of our lives, and energy is not as plentiful as it used to be. (smile)
So let’s take stock of our lives today nuh, and see if and where we’re wasting our valuable energy, and ask the Lord to help us improve in that area. And that’s where our Bit comes in. ‘God is my strength and power; and he maketh my way perfect.’
Indisputable, gospel truth that, my brethren! And Bruh David knew it, that’s why he based his life on the strength and power of God. And so should we too my people…if we are wise.
The words of our Bit come from Bruh David’s Song of Deliverance after a battle where he was less than his usual powerful self, unable to put away a Philistine giant, and Abishai, one of his men had to do the dirty work for him.
And the end of the verse says: ‘Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.’ (2. Sam.22:17)
Now isn’t that touching! Bruh David’s men realized that he had reached the end of his battle days and wanted no physical harm to come to their beloved king.
Oh friends, hopefully when we reach that stage of our own lives, there’ll be someone to fight the giants for us and keep us safe from harm.
Now the scholars tell us that Psalm 18 is almost identical, in fact an edited version of the psalm from which our Bit is taken. They call it ‘a royal song of thanksgiving that rehearses God’s deliverance of David from all his enemies.’
And that’s no lie, for Bruh David went through a whole lot of unfair and troubling events, and it’s only because of the Lord’s great mercy and immense strength that he made it through.
So when he declares in the opening verses of Psalm 27: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up (devour) my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.’ (Ps.27:1-3)
Oh precious people of God, that is how we feel when we walk seriously and consistently with God! We don’t fear what man can do to us, because we know that our God is the most powerful Being in the entire universe!
But to come to that point, it is necessary for us to go through the many failures as well as victories that are a part of this life. What did Jesus say? ‘In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33b)
And Bruh David understood that principle; through the power and strength of God, everything would eventually be made right. As Bruh Paul told the Romans: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom.8:28)
And that’s a pertinent verse we all know, but don’t place sufficient faith in it, and thus are not as confident as we should be in our Christian walk.
Anyway friends, as of today all that is going to change, we are going to sincerely believe and walk confidently in the Lord’s strength and power. And we will begin doing so by declaring our Tuesday Mantra with sincerity and a true sense of purpose.
All together 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!’
And if we truly believe those words we just spoke, then let’s go out and put them into action as Jesus desires! Much LOVE!
…faith is not true faith…until it’s been put into action…
03 Apr 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heartbeat, adversity, antidote, aura of love, battlefield, Beelzebub, believers, Boaz, choirmaster, Christ's Church, complaining, confidence, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faithfulness, fight the good fight, friends, Gentile, glorious kingdom, hate day, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Israelites, Jesse, Jesus Christ, Jew, jobs, joy, licentious weekend, lies, LOVE, Moab, Monday, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Naomi, Obed, Orpah, prince of darkness, prince of peace, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, Ruth, salvation, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, trust, truth, ungodly world, union of Jew and Gentile, wisdom
Joshua 24:15(a). …choose you this day whom ye will serve…
Oh friends, it’s Monday, our favourite hate day! (smile) And we only hate it because it means we have to get up and go out and labour, after spending a soft, cushy, licentious weekend. But them’s the breaks my people. You either go and work or be homeless and starve.
And yuh better believe you’re darm lucky and blessed if you have a job, because there are millions of people out there who don’t have one and will gladly take yours in a heartbeat. So let’s start living right over the weekend nuh, so that on Monday we don’t have the set of steupsing and complaining we currently have.
In any case, let’s take the antidote for that there illness right now; the glorious singing of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. In full voice and perfect harmony, let’s belt it out: ‘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 friends, not bad, but not good enough to get a big rise out of our choirmaster Jesus. Anyway, with that adrenaline antidote taking effect, as it courses through our bodies, raising both our physical and spiritual capacity, let’s get a move on, for Jesus is waiting for us out on the battlefield, so we can fight the good fight with Him. Time to move out mih people!
That brings us to our Bit: ‘…choose you this day whom ye will serve…’
Yes friends, we can either serve the prince of this evil world, Beelzebub, or the Prince of Peace, of Light and Eternal Life, Jesus Christ. The decision is totally yours. But let me give you a li’l bit of wise advice. It will be better for you, if you serve Jesus Christ, for He is the mighty conqueror of hell, death and the grave, Beelzebub’s territory! That’s why Beelzebub now has no power over true believers, unless we fall for his lies and deceits.
Now we all know the numerous times the Israelites turned away from God and suffered adversity, then caught themselves, repented and were welcomed back into the fold of God. Anybody with a bit of common sense can do that, but let’s check out an individual circumstance, where the reward of a Gentile for choosing the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was immeasurable.
We’re talking about the story of Ruth, the Moabitess, who immigrated to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi from her own land of Moab, after her husband, brother and father in-law had died, leaving three widows behind. Now Naomi, having heard that the ‘Lord had visited (attended to) his people in giving them bread,’ (Ruth 1:6) she decided to return to her people in Bethlehem, where it might be possible for a Jewish widow to scrape together a half-decent living.
So she kissed and blessed her two daughters’ –in- law and told them to go back to their own people. But they wept and refused. However, eventually the one named Orpah did leave Naomi, ‘but Ruth clave (clung) unto her. (Ruth 1:7-15)
‘And Ruth said, Entreat me not (urge me not) to leave thee, or return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.’ (Ruth 1:16-17)
And the scholars tell us thus: ‘1:16-17. Ruth’s faith and faithfulness are in evidence throughout the book, as expressed here in her commitment to Naomi’s God as her own. Ruth’s own concern for Naomi is bound by a strong oath made before the Lord Himself.’
And how did the Lord repay Ruth’s faithfulness? By causing her to marry the richest man in the city and having a baby boy whom Naomi the grandmother nursed. ‘And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.’ (Ruth 4:17)
Ah friends, you never know what our great and wonderful God will do nuh! For from that union of Jew, Boaz, and Gentile, Ruth, came Bruh David and later his descendant Jesus! So one more mysterious but wise working of our great God!
And as the scholars declare: ‘from the union of Jew and Gentile would ultimately come the Saviour of all men. (Acts 4:12). The marriage of Boaz and Ruth may thus serve as a picture of Christ and His church through whom all believers become one (Eph.2:11-22).’
No better way to end today my brethren! Much LOVE!
…as for me and mine…we WILL serve the Lord…
02 Apr 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Amorites, carnal, choose you this day, comeuppance, damnation, dear Lord, destruction, Egypt, el numero uno, end of the rainbow, eternal life, eternal separation, exalt Him in song, eye candy, falter, fear the Lord, fellowship, guide me, hitched to Jesus, I am weak, intercessor, Jesus, Jesus defeated him, Jesus' Second Coming, Just a closer walk, keep me from all wrong, King of Kings, let it be, light, Lord of Lords, LOVE, Lucifer, lustful, Mighty Counsellor, mighty god, my burden, my feeble life, my plea, none but thee, our Lord and Saviour, overthrow Jehovah, possessions, pot of gold, praise, praise his holy name, prince of darkness, prince of peace, second in command, serve him, shares, sincere feeling, sincerity, sing, snares, Sunday, the other side of the flood, thou art strong, thy kingdom shore, time, top dog, truth, walk close to thee, walking to and fro the earth, wealth, who cares, whom you will serve, wisdom, world of toil, worship
Joshua 24:15(a). …choose you this day whom ye will serve…
Awright friends, it’s that great day, Sunday, when we get together to fellowship, praise, sing, worship and hear the awesome words of our most wonderful and Mighty God! Glory to Him in the highest! Praise His Holy Name! Let the people exalt Him in song!
And that’s exactly what we’ll do now; exalt and glorify our heavenly Father by offering up sacrificial praise from our lips by singing the old, but ever so encouraging and assuring hymn, ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee.’
So with great gusto, and sincere feeling, let’s sing: ‘I am weak, but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. (Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.)
Through this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. (Refrain) When my feeble life is o’er, Time for me will be no more; Guide me gently, safely o’er To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. (Refrain: Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.)’
Oh my fellow believers, there’s nothing greater in this world, this earthly journey, than a close walk with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, Faithful Intercessor, etc. etc.! Yes friends, there are many more authoritative names we can mention, but we’ll let those few suffice for now.
But the long and short of the story is that Christ is the most powerful Being in the universe, and as such, it only makes sense to attach our frail human cart to His powerful spiritual horse. (smile) And it’s very disappointing that so many of us are refusing to do it, because that’s a fool’s wisdom.
And we have no better example than that of Lucifer, who was like second in command, but through greed and innate stupidity was not satisfied. He wanted to be the top dog, El Numero Uno, and thus tried to overthrow the Most High God Jehovah. Obviously he was unsuccessful, for how can you defeat the Creator of the universe eh? And now he’s set to walking to and fro the earth, until the Lord’s ready to deal with him.
Technically speaking, he is the prince of darkness, trying to get God’s people to turn away from Him. But he has no real power, for Jesus has defeated him, left, right and centre! He can only operate on the strength of lies, deceit and subtle trickery. Consequently, he tries to capture us through worldly and fleshly things, what they call eye candy, things that have no lasting value, but do appeal to our lustful and carnal side.
Sadly though, a lot of us are choosing to go over to Lucifer’s side, enamoured by the promise of earth’s wealth and pretty possessions. But what’s going to happen when we give up the ghost eh? Will we be carrying any of that with us? No! Not one iota!
And if your cart isn’t hitched to Jesus’ horse, what’s going to happen to you then eh? Nothing but eternal separation from the One who died to save you, who paid your sin debt in full! Eternal darkness with Lucifer will be your comeuppance, instead of eternal life, light and LOVE with Jesus.
That’s why Joshua in his farewell address asked the Israelites our Bit: ‘…choose you this day whom ye will serve…’
After reminding them of all the wonderful things the Lord had done for them, he admonished them. ‘Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood (Euphrates river), and in Egypt; and serve the Lord.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ (Josh.24:14-15)
Yes my brethren, it’s a decision, a conscious and serious one that all of us have to make at some time or another, and the sooner the better! Why? Because there are two important time related points that can cause eternal separation from Jesus; His Second Coming, without you accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour, and your dying without doing the same.
Now if any of those things happen without you walking sincerely with Jesus, then there are no other options, but eternal separation. And the truth of the matter is that either of those two things can happen at ANY time without ANY notice! That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that you make a decision RIGHT NOW, so that you won’t get left in the lurch when the end time comes.
Please don’t do like so many have done, put it off until it’s too late. The wisdom of God dictates that we act on the matter ASAP…and that means RIGHT NOW! Please don’t put your eternal life with Jesus in jeopardy through the lies and deceits of Lucifer, who has nothing good whatsoever to offer you, but is just looking for company in his eternal damnation and destruction. Much LOVE!
…Only in Jesus…will you find light, life, LOVE and the pot of gold…at the end of the rainbow…
01 Apr 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sincere heart, All Fool's Day, allwviate our problems, April Fool's day, as you think so you become, be wise, confidence, cut down on TV, deceit, evil spell, failures, find me, holy vessels of God, how to motivate yourself, humility, joyful, learn from failures, live your own life, make believe, negative thoughts, negative threads of thought, power of Christ's gospel, productive, real life, reality shows, relationship with god, remember your successes successes, rich people, scriptural advice, seek me, set your heart and soul, sincerity, soaps, strife, the ark of the covenant, the battle is in the mind, the name of the Lord, think positively, turn away your captivity, turning to god, wisdom, with all your heart
Jeremiah 29:13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall seek me with all your heart.
And would you believe friends, that that rain I spoke about yesterday morning, fell all day, until early this morning. Good thing it didn’t come down in torrents, but mostly drizzles, otherwise there would have been much flooding. Thank the Lord for that!
And though today is All Fool’s or April Fools Day, we won’t play any tricks or tell any falsehoods. (smile) But since it’s also Saturday, we’ll get right to some of our friend Anselm’s quotes this week, as he aspires to inspire us to have a better tomorrow. And this week he was still talking about ‘How to Motivate Yourself.’
And our first quote declares: ‘Take The Positivity Challenge! Learn to think more positively most of the time. Learn to let to go of negative threads of thought before they have a chance to take hold of you. You might not be able to be positive all the time no matter what happens. But I think most of us can improve on our positive thinking and the results it can lead us to. Perhaps more than you realize right now.’
No doubt about that my people! Too many of us nowadays focus on the negative rather than the positive. And even though you can’t be positive all the time, as Anselm states, the more positive you are, the more productive and joyful you’ll be. When the enemy comes at you with all the negative thoughts, just run him out. For remember the battle is fought in the mind, and as you think, so you become.
The second quote advises us to ‘Remember your successes. And let them flow through your mind instead of your failures. Write down your successes. Consider using a journal of some kind since it’s easy to forget your successes.’
Now that just segues well with the scriptural advice that when God seems to be not answering your heartfelt pleas, to remember all the earlier times He did, and the good things He provided. It’s always better to remember successes, though you must also endeavour to learn from failures. The important thing is not to dwell too much on the latter.
And this last quote is my favourite of the week. ‘Cut down on TV. Do you watch it too much? Watch less of what they are doing in TV-land and do more of what you want to do in life.’
Oh friends, there are too many of us who don’t know that what’s shown on T.V is a lot of make believe! Very little of what’s shown there is actually true. And we waste too much time watching the stuff, either foolishly believing it, or using it as an excuse or way to run from real life.
And believe you me, if you are a fan of things like the foolish soaps and reality shows, that only feature rich people in strife and deceit all the time, then you will eventually gravitate to that kind of thinking and it will have a negative effect on your own life. So please choose carefully what you watch on the tube, because there is much more nonsense there than sense. Leave the TV alone, and go live your own life! (smile)
And the best way to do that my people, is by seeking out our heavenly Father and letting Him lead and guide our lives, for He will never lead us astray. He will help us to do all the things we’ve just spoken about above. But we need to genuinely go looking for Him. As our Bit declares: ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall seek me with all your heart.’
Yes friends, if we seek the Lord, we will find Him, but the most important, the truly operative words in that sentence are ‘with all your heart.’ You can’t just go seeking Him in a selfish manner, to simply accommodate your selfish wants and demands. You have to go with a genuine, humble heart, sincerely wanting to be in a right relationship with Him.
And Jeremiah continues after our Bit. ‘And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away (bring you back from) your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.’ (Jer.29:14)
And none of that has changed my brethren! We might not be talking about actual captivity now, but metaphorical captivity by the enemy. When the enemy has our thoughts and actions under his evil, negative spell, the ONLY WAY to escape is by turning to God and seeking Him with a sincere heart.
Listen to Bruh David’s command to Cousin Sol when he turned over the building of the Lord’s temple to him. ‘Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.’ (1 Chr.22:19)
Now that was wise and godly advice on Bruh David’s part, for if Cousin Sol wasn’t in wonderful relationship with the Lord, the temple would either not have been built, or would not have been so magnificent. It’s the close relationship with the Lord that gave Cousin Sol the wherewithal, both of materials and wisdom to put up such a beautiful sanctuary to Him.
Likewise my people, it’s our close relationship with the Lord that both inspires us, and helps us to do His work in an excellent manner. So whatever is troubling us today, please let’s be wise and seek our heavenly Father in humility and sincerity nuh, but also with a confidence that He will hear us and help to alleviate our problems. That’s the wisdom and power of Christ’s gospel! Much LOVE!
…sincerely and diligently seek…and you shall find…
31 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversities, anger, authority, balanced weekend, beauty, bread, causes the grass to grow, cold and rainy, commit my spirit, confusion, darkness, depression, fellowship, focused on Jesus, Friday chant, fun, generous help, gladness, glorious kingdom, God's LOVE, good for nothing, herb, Jesus Christ, Jesus dwells withn us, joy, Lent, LOVE, loving-kindness, maketh glad the heart, man's heart, manhandling, mercy, oil, our Lord and Saviour, party to the max, power, Praise the Lord, precipitation, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, sincerity, snow, surety of Almighty God, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the enemy, the fruit of his works, the service of man, the weather, the workingman, this is the day the Lord has made, too much of anything, Top o' the morn, troubles, true belief, trust, vain idols, vegetation, waters the hills, we will rejoice and be glad in it, week of work, weekends, wine, wisdom
Psalm 118:24. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Aye mih Scrip-Bit friends and family! Top O’ the morn to you! Despite it being a cold and rainy one. (smile) But the weather in these current times is really something else yes!
Yesterday afternoon I went to have a nap, and though it wasn’t bright and sunny, there wasn’t any hint of precipitation in the air. So you can imagine my surprise and consternation when I got up a couple of hours later and found the place all white with snow!
‘Snow!’ I righteously exclaimed. Snow was the furthest thing from my mind, and I was even less thrilled because I had to go out and run a few errands.
And by the time I was ready to go out, the precipitation had become a mixture of wet snow and rain, which can be more dangerous than either pure snow or pure rain. But them’s the breaks, we just have to live with whatever we receive.
And it’s certainly not bothering the ordinary workingman today, because he’s still out there singing: ‘Ole! Ole! Thank God is Friday! Thank God is the weekend! The time for partying is here! We going to party to the max! No stopping us…even though is Lent! Thank God for Fridays and the weekends oui!’
And as I keep saying, the sentiments are understandable, but they are not wise, for as the ole people would say: too much of anything is good for nothing. And that’s no lie. But our Friday Chant provides a much better way to celebrate the weekend.
So let’s chant it now with sincerity and true belief nuh. ‘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, we have to have a balanced weekend, if we’re to come up over the new week with authority and power, instead of it manhandling us. But while balancing our act, it’s also necessary to do as our Bit says: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’
Yes my people, we’re back to that Bit. It just didn’t fit yesterday’s sermon (smile). Oh, is it ever necessary to enjoy, or appreciate every day that the Lord has granted us on this planet earth. That was His intention behind making the earth and making us to populate it.
Why yuh think He made the world so beautiful eh? So that His people could admire and enjoy it, and consequently praise Him for His LOVING-kindness. Our eyes need to see beautiful things and our hearts need LOVE to warm them.
And though beauty and LOVE are not prominent in our world, they are prominent in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Praise the Lord!
And that’s where we must keep our minds and hearts focused – EVERYDAY – if we’re to truly rejoice and be glad in it. For the world in its sad and rotten current state will only give us darkness and anger, depression and confusion, if we rely on it.
ONLY Jesus can give us joy and peace in the midst of our worldly storms! And until we realize that, we’ll always be lacking something important in our lives.
Now let’s hear a couple of scripture passages that back up our theory, beginning with the immortal words of Bruh David, from Psalm 31 – In thee O Lord, do I put my trust. ‘Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities (vain idols): but I trust in thee Lord.
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities (troubles). And hast not shut me up into the hand of (given me over to) the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.’ (Ps.31:5-8)
Yuh see friends, when your trust is centred in the unwavering surety of Almighty God, it is possible to rejoice and be glad even in the rough times. And we’ll close with these words from Psalm 104 –God’s preservation of nature.
‘He watereth the hills from his (upper) chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of his works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb (vegetation) for the service of man: that he may bring forth fruit out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man; and oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.’ (Ps.104:13-15)
Ah mih breddren, yuh see I wasn’t lying when I said that God made the earth and all therein for us to enjoy! (smile)
So let’s seriously contemplate those words nuh, and allow them to fill our hearts, minds, souls and bodies, with God’s LOVE and joy, for that is wisdom to the nth degree! Much LOVE!
…oh what joy and gladness fills our souls…when Jesus dwells intimately within us…
30 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beacon, a candle in every soul, a candlestick, a Spirit, a waste of time, abundance, and glorify your Father in heaven, blessings, brightly burning, brings fire, cannot be hid, clear direction, confused, courage, creativity, curse, dark and cold, darkest times, darkness, deceived, diligent, downtrodden, enthusiastic, family, forthcoming, friends, gives light, Go light your world, godly light, good works, heartfelt plea, hearts ablazing, helpless, holy spirit, ignites a candle, in the name of Jesus, Let your light so shine before men, lied to, light of jesus, lights in the world, lonely, LOVE Revolution, Lucifer, negative word, oppressed, out of kilter, poor, powers of darkness, praying to our Father, prosper, robbed, run to the darkness, seek out the hopeless, self-control, self-discipline, set on a hill, sick, succeed, the light of the world, Thursday Blessings, torn, under a bushel, unproductive, wisdom, without a flame, ying and yang
Matthew 5:14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Ah mih breddren, my ying and yang are completely out of kilter yes! When I should be sleepy, I’m wide awake, and when I should be wide awake, I’m sleepy. Steups!
The medication I’m currently on, plus my normal, abnormal lifestyle (smile) is making it difficult to do things the way I want. And I do apologize for the lateness of the Bit this morning. But that’s my problem, so I’ll have to deal with it the best I can.
Now here is something we all can, should, and ought to do. The story is told in the words of a song called ‘Go Light Your World.’
Some years ago, and I do mean several years ago, I heard this young girl sing this song on the Hour of Power, with Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert Schuller) and I was quite taken by it and tried to copy some of the words, but I never got them all.
After that, I tried to find them, but couldn’t, and then, the other night while cleaning up my desk, I found the piece of paper with those unfinished words right at the bottom of a pile of paper I was about to throw out.
Excitedly I enlisted my young daughter’s help to find them on the computer. And she did, but this time, sung by a different young lady, but just as sweet and meaningful.
Now listen to these amazing and awe-inspiring words. ‘There is a candle in every soul. Some brightly burning, some dark and cold. There is a Spirit who brings fire, Ignites a candle and makes His home.
(Chorus: Carry your candle, run to the darkness. Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn. Hold out your candle for all to see it. Take your candle, and go light your world. Take your candle, and go light your world.)
Frustrated brother, see how he’s tried to Light his own candle some other way. See now your sister, she’s been robbed and lied to Still holds the candle without a flame. (Chorus: Carry your candle…go light your world)
We are a family whose hearts are a blazing. So let’s raise our candles and light up the sky. Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus. Make us a beacon in darkest times. (Chorus: Carry your candle…go light up your world.)
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor. Hold out your candle for all to see it. Take your candle and go light your world. Carry your candle, run to the darkness. Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn. Hold out your candle for all to see it. Take your candle, and go light your world. Take your candle, and go light your world.’
Ah friends, don’t those words just resonate so powerfully in your heart? Well they ought to, since they are the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, admonishing us to be lights in this world of overwhelming darkness!
Hear our Bit: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.’
Yes friends, as believers, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, igniting a flame to the candle that our Maker has placed there at our creation. And we’re supposed to take that lighted candle around to all the world; the oppressed, the downtrodden, poor, sick and lonely, and brighten their darkness with the LOVE and compassion of Jesus.
But the problem seems to be that our candles are either not lit, or we are hiding their light. But Jesus strongly informs us after our Bit. ‘Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lamp stand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.’ (Matt.5:15)
Yes people, if our candles are not lit, then we need to light them ASAP! And if they are lit, we need to stop hiding their light immediately! Otherwise the candle and the light are unproductive and a waste of time.
Oh my precious people of Christ, our world is filled with so much destructive darkness these days that we need to truly rise up and spread the wonderful light of Jesus so that some of the immense ‘sufferation’ happening under its hidden canopy can be eased. If we don’t do it, no one else will.
Now hear Jesus to us again, with a humble, heartfelt plea in His voice. ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.5:16)
Oh my people, my people, Jesus is pleading with us to get up and get a move on. His LOVE Revolution is not progressing as it ought to. The powers of darkness are increasing while God is decreasing, because His people are not being as enthusiastic and forthcoming and diligent as they ought to be in the fight against our carnal and worldly enemy, Lucifer.
All I can do is to encourage us to do better, so that our world can be better, and our heavenly Father can truly be glorified. And that should not be a problem for us after all the blessings that He’s bestowed upon us.
Let’s jog our memory then, and declare our Thursday Blessings, while remembering that a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken over someone or something.
In unison and true sincerity now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!
I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Now friends, if we believe all that, then let’s go out and let our lit candles shine gloriously and brightly in this our darkened world nuh. With all those blessings, that should be quite easy to do! Much LOVE!
…our darkened world is desperate for our godly light…let’s not unwisely deprive it…
29 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bad Father, a cry of distress, a glorious future with Jesus, best friend, boost our spirits, breath of life, by your side, confide, Covenant House, do good, eat and drink, Ecclesiastes, enjoy the good of his labour, faith, faithful to God, focusing ahead, friend, glad to be alive, God-given breath, God-inspired, grace, gracious help of God, halfway home, hands on the plough, heartfelt prayer, heaven and earth, Herculean best, homeless teenagers, human beings, humble, I'll be your friend, immortal words, inconveniences, inherit, inspired Word, Jesus, Judah, love his name, loving-kindness, magnifiy the Lord, mercy, my door is open, need to cry, not looking back, orphans, pilgrim's journey, pitfalls, poor, praise the name of god, prisoners, put it into action, rejoice, relationship, salvation, servants, sorrowful, thanksgiving, the fullness of God, the gift of God, the Preacher, this is the day the Lord has made, to be loved, tooth and nail, trust, uplift our lives, value, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday Wail, with a song, worthy of your attention, Zion
Psalm 118:24. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Oh friends, it was indeed a late beddy-byes time this morning, and the ole body fought me tooth and nail to get up at a half-decent hour, so I’m not necessarily at my Herculean best this Wednesday morning. (smile)
However, with the gracious help of the Lord God Jehovah, we WILL write something that is worthy of your attention. Hn, hn! And we’ll begin with this interesting and heartfelt prayer from Antoinette, a former resident of Covenant House.
Covenant House is an institution in Toronto that takes in, cares for and teaches homeless teenagers how to build strong lives. The prayer is titled ‘I’ll be There.’
Please pray with me. ‘When you need to talk, I’ll be your friend. When you need to cry, I’ll be by your side. When you need a hand, mine I will lend. When you need to trust in me, you can confide. When you need to be LOVED, I’ll be there. I’ll be there when you need someone. My door is open when you want to come in. Amen.’
Oh my people, so sweet, simple and to the point! And I do hope that there is at least one somebody in our lives that we can say those touching and God-inspired words to, and one somebody who can say them to us. Otherwise, our lives are sadly missing one of the most important things in God’s great universe; a true friend.
Now Jesus will ALWAYS be our BEST FRIEND, but we do need some other human being to sufficiently value us, and be of sufficient value to us, that we will ALWAYS be there for one another, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the pitfalls and inconveniences. There is no greater relationship between human beings.
And it always amuses me at how I come upon these prayers, most of the time hidden under some forgotten paperwork on my desk, like this one I discovered last night, or in some other obscure place. Our wonderful Lord knows just when to bring them to the light of day, so we can share them and boost our spirits and uplift our lives.
That’s why it’s ever so important to respond to each day that we breathe a God-given breath and see the rising sun in the manner our Bit describes. ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’
Yeh mih people, that’s why the Lord made us to see it, so that we can be glad and rejoice in His mercy, grace and LOVING-kindness, while fulfilling the wonderful plan He has for our lives!
It doesn’t make sense to just go through this earthly life all sad and dreary, lacking the fullness of God, specially designed to be an integral part of our pilgrim’s journey. So let’s stop behaving as though we are orphans nuh, with no heavenly Father to care for and look after us, for that makes Him look like a bad Father, and that He certainly isn’t!
Now let’s turn to His holy and inspired Word to see just how much He desires us to be glad and rejoice, even in these rough earthly times. Listen to Bruh David from Psalm 69 – A cry of distress. ‘But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed (descendants) also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that LOVE his name shall dwell therein.’ (Ps.69:30-36)
Yuh see friends, even in Bruh David’s cry of distress, he realizes that raising his voice in song and thanksgiving and being faithful to the God of his fathers is the wise and sensible thing to do.
Now hear these immortal words from Cousin Sol, writing as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes. ‘I know that there is no good in them (nothing better for them), but for a man to rejoice, and do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.’ (Eccl.3:12-13)
Oh my brethren, those are words that many of us know, yet we refuse to follow them! Why eh? Is it that we don’t believe them? As true believers we ought to, and thus live by them.
Being glad and rejoicing is truly a gift of God, and when we don’t do it, He feels disappointed. And since we don’t want to disappoint our heavenly Father, let’s perk up and live the way He desires nuh.
Now it’s time to declare our Wednesday Wail with all sincerity and truth. ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday!
I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if you truly believe that, then let’s go out and put it into action! Much LOVE!
…faith without action is of no use whatsoever…
28 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a loving god, Abraham Maslow, alive, appreciate, beautiful, beloved of God, confrontation with death, corruption, dead, enliven, finite life, first fruits, found, friend of Jesus, gladness, grace, here today gone tomorrow, Hierarchy of Needs Theory, human perversity, I shall not be moved, Jesus Christ, lost, LOVE, make merry, motivated, my heart is glad, nautral understanding, our Lord and Saviour, overwhelming, persistence, precious, precious gift, problems, rejoicing, sacred, share His love, show appreciation, sincerity of heart, spirit, the fatted calf, the Holy One, this is the day the Lord has made, vapour, walking faithfully with Jesus, we will be glad and rejoice in it
Psalm 118:24. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Aye mih people, it seems we’ve been granted life on God’s great earth, for at least one more day so we can enjoy the new blessings and mercies prepared especially for this day!
What a privilege! Glory to God! Bless His holy name! He’s so wonderful to us that we don’t have words of sufficient strength and gratitude to truly thank Him. The words, ‘Thank You Lord,’ seem so measly and insufficient, but He will accept them if they come sincerely from our hearts.
And today we’ll share a quote from one Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), an American psychologist famous for his ‘Hierarchy of Needs Theory,’ where people are motivated to achieve certain needs. When one need is fulfilled, they proceed to fulfill the next. And
Abraham’s quote says: ‘The confrontation with death… makes everything look so precious, so sacred so beautiful, that I feel more strongly than ever the impulse to live it, and to let myself be overwhelmed by it.’
Ah friends, that’s so true, it’s not funny. Most of us who have had a brush with possible death, seem to come to appreciate this finite life more than those who have not.
As my One Day Devotional for People with Chronic Illness writes: ‘Problems which once seemed overwhelming, diminish in size. The trees are greener; the sky is bluer. People are kinder and more sharing than before.’
The stuff we’ve previously taken for granted, now becomes so much more important as we endeavour to enjoy as much as possible, this precious gift called ‘LIFE,’ which can disappear so quickly and unexpectedly, like a vapour of smoke or breath that’s simply consumed by the atmosphere.
As we say: ‘here today, gone tomorrow.’ But it can also be ‘here today, gone today!’ That’s how quickly our breath of life can expire, and why we need to enjoy today as much as possible under God’s canopy of LOVE, compassion, understanding and mercy.
That’s why our Bit is also so important in our everyday lives. ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’
Oh friends, it’s ever so important to enjoy each day of our lives. It’s not always possible to laugh and shout and jump for joy, but we can certainly appreciate the things and people around us who make our lives better by their presence, whether physically, spiritually or emotionally.
Life is too short for us to waste it in complaining and moaning and groaning and finding fault. It’s not going to ever run smoothly for long, but even in the rough times we need to find things and people who enliven us and bring gladness to our hearts.
And we all know the Number ONE person in that regard is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! For even when no mortal or inanimate object can bring gladness to out hearts, Jesus can. And He will, if we turn to him with sincerity of heart and spirit.
Now let’s look at a few scriptures which encourage gladness and rejoicing. Hear Moses as he tells the people what to do after bringing their first fruits to the Lord. ‘And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.’ (Deut.26:11)
Yeh friends, rejoicing is necessary to show appreciation for the good things the Lord has both granted us and done for us. Now listen to Bruh David as he seeks preservation and blessing from Psalm 16.
‘I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer (allow) thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore.’ (Ps.16:8-11)
Ah my fellow believers, walking faithfully with the Most High God Jehovah brings joy and gladness that we can find nowhere else in this universe!
And what better way to end than with words of Jesus Himself from the parable of ‘the Prodigal Son.’ When the elder son complains about the joyful welcome home of his licentious younger brother, and the killing of the fatted calf, while he’s been ever-faithful, and never had even a young goat to share with his friends, the father affectionately replies.
‘Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet (right) that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.’ (Luke 15:31-32)
And the scholars offer this interesting explanation. ‘15:32. The whole story is a moving portrayal of a LOVING God’s persistence in seeking out the lost – and of human perversity in resisting such grace, which exceeds our natural understanding.’
Oh friends, let’s not be foolish and ignorant, but rejoice and be glad whenever a sinner comes home. Now let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra with the enthusiasm, sincerity and assurance that it brings to our spirits.
‘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!’
Now let’s go out in God’s strength and power and share Jesus’ LOVE with the rest of the world. Much LOVE!
…to live faithfully for Jesus…that is incomparable…heavenly wisdom…
P.S. Ah Lord eh! The enemy always tries to interrupt God’s work. Just as I was about to send out the Bit, there was a complete blackout for a couple of seconds, and I had to wait for the computer to reboot and all that good stuff. Much LOVE!
27 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenaline, anointed, antidote, aura of love, be weary, blues, book off sick, Christians, complaints, confidence, conquerors, do god's work, doom and gloom, enthusiasm, evil, faint, followers of Jesus, friends, glorious kingdom, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, lies, like eagles, LOVE, LOVE to hate, Messaih, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, peace, promises, pumped, recalcitrance, refuse to acknowledge, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renege, renewed vitality, righteousness., run, salvation, shield, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strangling ourselves, strength, stubbornness, swagger, taunts, the bit and bridle, the lord will bless his people, the Lord will give strength, trust, truth, ungodly world, vacation, walk, wiles, wisdom, youths
Psalm 29:11. The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
So our LOVE-to-hate friend, Monday, has rolled around again. And as we’re won’t to do every week, come this time, we’re strangling ourselves, refusing to acknowledge, not accepting the urging of the bit and bridle that wants us to get a move on, to get out into the world and do God’s work with enthusiasm and confidence.
Ah friends, our stubbornness and recalcitrance are legendary on a Monday morning, even though we know that there’s not much of a choice. You can only book off sick so often and take so much vacation. After that, you can only quit, and we all know what such a rash and ofttimes foolish move entails; no food, no roof over your head.
So why we allow these Monday blues and complaints to be such a large part of our lives, I truly don’t know. What I do know though, is that we have the sure antidote for whatever is ailing you this Monday morning: it’s called the Monday Morning Battle Hymn, and when you sing it with exuberance and sincerity it just displaces all the doom and gloom in your soul, raises your adrenaline level and has you just chomping at the bit, ever eager to get out onto the battle field beside Jesus.
So let’s sing it out loud and proud nuh, raising up a storm of praise and thanks in heaven. As one harmonic 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 mih people, mih people, that was most excellent! We even added a bit of a swagger to it, which lit up the eyes of our choirmaster Jesus and produced a big, encouraging smile on His handsome face! Wow! I haven’t seen Jesus so pumped in a long while! (smile)
So now, with the adrenaline just rushing through our bodies, let’s give it the big push this Monday morning nuh, and get up and get out there and let the evil world see what we Christians, we believers, we followers of Jesus are made of; that we’re the salt and the light of this earth!
Consequently, our Bit declares the everlasting truth. ‘The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.’
Ah friends, those are promises of our God which will never fail, because He is not the kind of God who reneges on His promises. Of the many thousands found in His word, not a single one has He ever reneged on, and He will never renege on ANY! That’s because His word is sure and strong!
Listen to some corroborating scriptures. From Psalm 28 – A prayer for God’s help, Bruh David proudly and confidently proclaims: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed (Messiah, commissioned one). (Ps.28:8-9)
Yeh mih breddren, the Lord God Jehovah is the strength of everyone; even down to our Messiah, Jesus Christ!
Now listen to Bruh David again, this time from Psalm 68 – God has gone before his people. ‘Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord. Selah. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible (awesome) out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.’ (Ps.68:32-35)
And if that still doesn’t convince you, then listen to these awesome words of Isaiah. ‘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. He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
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 as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is.40.28:31)
Yes friends, that is what happens when people place their trust in the Lord God of Israel! Now the choice is yours, please choose wisely. Much LOVE!
…who else can give you strength…but your Creator…
26 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adore, assured, be glad in the Lord, blessed Trinity, cherubim, cleanse us, compassion, confess our sins, confident, darkness hide thee, deliverance, divine instruction, enthusiasm, evil world, exalt, exaltation, faithful and just, floods, forgive us our sins, forgiveness, glorify, God in three persons, Hades, heavenly Father, holy, human nature, humble ourselves, humility, iniquity, inspiring word, joy, LOVE, merciful, mighty, mind boggling option, my hiding place, perfect in power, personal witness, praise and worship, purity, reform ourselves, refreshed, rejoice, renewed, righteous, saints, Selah, seraphim, shout for joy, sincerity, sins, songs of deliverance, sorrows, Sunday, thanks, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the greatest, the Lord's sanctuary, the wicked, transgressions, truth, unconfessed sin, unrighteousness, upright in heart
1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And then friends, it was the glorious day of praise and worship; Sunday! The day when we go into the Lord’s sanctuary and exalt and glorify Him as one body, His church, listen to His awesome and inspiring word and leave renewed and refreshed, assured and confident to face another week in this crazy and evil world.
And as always, we’ll begin with a wonderful rendition of one of our wonderful hymns, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’ So let’s offer up the sacrifice of our lips to our heavenly Father with enthusiasm, sincerity and truth.
‘Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, who wert and art and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in LOVE, and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!’
Yeh mih people, there’s no other God like ours; merciful and mighty; perfect in power and LOVE, one God in three persons, blessed Trinity! That’s why He is the GREATEST! No wonder we need to offer up our praise and worship, our thanks and exaltation, for He rightly deserves it.
We also need to humble ourselves before Him because He is holy and does not like or overlook sin.
But in His awesome grace has provided us with an option to be cleansed of the natural evil of our human nature, as our Bit so joyfully tells us. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
We can’t ask much more than that nuh my fellow believers. He didn’t have to do it, but in His wonderful LOVE and compassion for us, He just couldn’t let us go down to the pit of Hades without giving us a chance to reform ourselves. So here we are with this amazing choice of being able to praise and worship Him and come to Him in humility and ask for forgiveness.
Wow! No other supposed god gives their worshippers such a mind boggling option! That’s why we’re foolish if we don’t accept it and live up to it. Now hear the words of Bruh David as he talks about the blessed of forgiveness from Psalm 32.
‘Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not (does not charge his account with) iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile (deceit). When I kept silence, my bones waxed (grew) old through my roaring (groaning) all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture (my vitality) is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about (surround me) with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must he held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about (surround him). Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.’ (Ps. 32:1-11)
Oh friends, how wonderful it is to be touched by the power of the Lord’s forgiveness! And here is what the scholars have to say about that psalm.
‘Psalm 32. The psalm describes the blessedness of forgiveness as no other does. This is the theme of especially the first five verses, which include the happiness of the forgiven man (vs.1-2); the physical and psychological effects of unconfessed sin (vs.3-4); and the simple remedy of confession to obtain God’s forgiveness (v.5). On this basis David can experience prayer (vs.6-7); divine instruction (vs.8-9); and personal witness (vs.10-11).’
Yeh friends, what a great way to end this series of messages on confession of sin and the Lord’s faithfulness to forgive and cleanse us! So please, let’s not forget the wonderful avenues that are open to us when we sincerely serve and worship the Lord God Almighty, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
Let’s not be foolish and ignore all that He’s provided for us in His grace and tender mercies. Then we can rejoice and shout with joy! So let’s be wise and acknowledge Him nuh, lean on Him and make our way through Him, for that’s the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!
…to forgive is wonderful…but to receive forgiveness is even better…
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