27 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: another week of work, at the presence of the God of Jacob, at the presence of the Lord, be thankful, Black Friday, commercialism, cut costs, Cyber Monday, debauchery, debt, deliverance, door crashers, Egypt, fellowship, foreign language, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, God's power, going their own way, in Jesus' name, Israel, Israel his dominion, Jordan was driven back, Judah was his sanctuary, laid off, licentiousness, LOVE, nothing to fear, one true God, perspective, profit, refreshed, relaxation, remember the Lord, renewed, rest, sale hounds, sales, saved you from your troubles, signs and wonders, strange language, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the bottom line, the Exodus, the flint into a fountain of waters, The God of Israel, the Lord God Jehovah, the moneyed class, the mountains skipped like rams, the sea saw it and fled, the world must take notice, tremble thou earth, turned the rock into a pool of water, wisdom
Psalm 114:7. Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.
Well Friends, it’s Friday…Black Friday! And the voices sing out loud and clear: ’TGIF! Thank God is Friday, Black Friday, and we going down to the sales and buy to our hearts delight. Oh thank God for the weekend and Black Friday. Mama Yo! What a time it will be!’
Ah mih people, how sad that sounds. Another contrived day of commercialism; the Friday after the U.S thanksgiving is now widely known as Black Friday. It has nothing whatsoever to do with a Friday that falls on the 13th of the month, but all to do with an avalanche of supposed sales that have people rushing to the stores to buy stuff that they mostly don’t need or cannot afford.
I’ve been receiving flyers for this most inauspicious occasion all week long. Steups! And the behaviour of these sale hounds is oftimes very disgusting, especially over the door crashers. People have been trampled in the mad rush to get into the stores first, so they can have a chance at the door crasher. It has finally become true to its name
Ah Lord eh! What’s next eh? Don’t you know? Cyber Monday! Monday coming! That’s the online version of Black Friday. Chuh! And yuh know what, these arranged sales usually hook the people who can least afford them, and they get into a set of debt and further problems.
And sometimes I wonder how these business people expect the populace to buy their expensive stuff when so many are not working, when everyday you hear more people are being laid off to cut costs.
Yes Friends, it’s all about the bottom line; the moneyed class doesn’t care about the workers and how they fare, they are just interested in profit, at whose demise doesn’t really matter.
Anyway, enough of my griping. I’m sure some of you reading this are all caught up in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday scenario too. (smile)
It’s Friday, so let’s chant out Friday Chant as though we truly mean it. As one chanter 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 is the kind of perspective we ought to have on Fridays and the weekend, not sales madness or other debauchery and licentiousness. (smile)
Now let’s turn to our Bit. ‘Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.’
Oh my brethren, that sentiment comes from an obscure psalm, Psalm114, superscripted; ‘God’s power demonstrated in the Exodus.’
Sad to say, but I’ve never noticed it before this morning while looking for a suitable Bit, and I’m sure many of you are the same. That’s because it’s not a well-known psalm, nobody talks about it. But precious people, the Lord God Jehovah obviously wanted to bring it to our attention this Black Friday morning. (smile)
So, since we don’t know it, let’s hear what it says nuh. ‘When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language (having a foreign language): Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven (turned) back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest (fled)? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back (turneth back)? Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; Which turned the rock into a standing (pool of) water, the flint into a fountain of waters.’
And that’s all there is to Psalm 114. It doesn’t sound as majestic and moving as some of the others that we’re accustomed to, but it is still important, in that it reminds us of the Exodus of the Jewish people out of Egypt and the mighty deeds that the Lord our God did to get them out.
Now listen to the scholars take on it. ‘Psalm 114. A highly poetic description of the Exodus, this psalm emphasizes both God’s power displayed (vv.3-6) and His provision supplied (v.8). The God of Israel’s deliverance (vv.1-2) is still their God (v.7), the implication being that He can still unfurl His power. The world must therefore take notice.’
Oh Friends, the sentiments contained in those last two sentences are of immense importance to us today. The Lord God Jehovah is still our God today, have no doubt about it! And His awesome power is still available and still being put to good use, and the world ought to take suitable notice.
Unfortunately though, the world is not taking notice of God’s might and power and are simply going their own way. Foolishly, they are not noticing the signs and wonders that are happening all around them, indicating that the Lord still reigns and still has the power to move mountains, seas, and whatever have you.
Thankfully though my fellow believers, we know better than that. We recognize the One True God; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who created the world and still controls it, contrary to the thinking of the heathen.
So please, as we go about out business this Black Friday, let’s remember that the Lord of Hosts is still on His throne and still in control, and is still LOVING and caring for us, so we have nothing to fear. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…remember the Lord…when He saved you out of your troubles…and be thankful…
26 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: attitude of gratefulness, be thankful everyday, challenging times, chrysanthemums, Come ye blessed of my Father, corn souffle, drink the sweet, drunk or sober mind your business, eat the fat, ethereal, family, for He is good, friends, give plenty thanks, give thanks unto the Lord, good relations, Granny's advice, guests, his mercy endureth for ever, homelessness, homemade bread, hustle and bustle, I was a stranger, I was hungry, I was in prison, I was sick, I was thirsty, in every thing give thanks, incarcerated, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, lack of family, last minute preparations, LOVE, LOVED ONES, loving kindness, make known his deeds, mercy, one of the loneliest days of the year, One Year Book of Bible promises, poverty, praise the Lord of hosts, psalm of thanksgiving, pumpkin pies, relaxation, Ruth Harms Calkin, salad, selfish, send portions, sick, sing psalms unto him, sing unto him, talk of his wondrous works, thankless, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Day Dream, the breath of God, the foundation of the world, the joy of the Lord is your strength, the sacrifice of praise, the voice of gladness, the voice of joy, this day is holy unto our Lord, this is the will of God, to those who have nothing, truth of the matter, Turkey, ungrateful, yams, ye came unto me, ye gave me drink, ye gave me food, ye took me in, ye visited me
Psalm 118:1. Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; because his mercy (LOVING-kindness) endureth for ever.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING U.S. OF A !
Well a Happy Thanksgiving Thursday to all you fine folks in the U.S. of A! Let’s hope that it will indeed be a happy one, with lot’s of thanks and giving and LOVING, as there ought to be.
We are indeed blessed in these challenging times and should truly pay homage to the One who has brought us such prosperity. I know things aren’t all hunky dory, but believe me, we in the West are having it much better than many others in the rest of the world, and that is enough to be thankful for.
Now here is an interesting and appropriate poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, entitled ‘Thanksgiving Day Dream.’
And it says: ‘On this fragrant, frosty Thanksgiving Day The huge turkey browns beautifully In our king-size oven. The tender yams are evenly candied; The corn soufflé is beginning to bubble; The congealed salad is ready to unmold.
The homemade bread with its crunchy texture Is wrapped in foil for reheating. The ice cubes are bagged in plastic; The relishes are artistically arranged On a round crystal plate. The pumpkin pies are still slightly warm. Fresh yellow chrysanthemums Grace the long, colourful table. The house glistens and shines. My makeup is evenly applied…
So dear family How about settling down In our favourite chairs For an hour of relaxation Before our guests arrive! Lord I dream of this happening Some ethereal Thanksgiving Day!’
Yes Friends, I know that most of you dream that a Thanksgiving Day could play out as simply and efficiently as that. But the truth of the matter is that that seldom happens, because there are always last minute preparations and hustle and bustle to complete before the guests arrive.
I guess though, that is a part of all that makes the Thanksgiving Day special, especially since this is probably the biggest and most widely celebrated holiday in the U.S. with everybody heading home, or to some where, to meet and greet long lost or long unseen friends and family and enjoy turkey and pumpkin pie, and good relations.
Oh, it’s never all sugar and spice when families get together, but it doesn’t have to be nasty and ungodly. Now please be careful. Enjoy it, but don’t over do it! Remember to give plenty thanks, because that’s what the holiday is all about.
Oh, and don’t forget Granny’s words of heavenly wisdom: ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober please mind your business!’ (smile)
Unfortunately though, many residents of the U.S will not be enjoying such a Thanksgiving Day because of a lack of family or LOVED ones, because of poverty and homelessness, or being sick in the hospital, or incarcerated. So please, as much as is within your means do help those who don’t have as much as you do.
Remember Nehemiah’s admonition when the Jews returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon and first heard the Word of God read to them. ‘Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Neh.8:10)
And it is indeed my brethren. So in your joy today, please don’t forget those who have no joy, or anything to celebrate with.
That brings us very appropriately to the promise to which our earlier poem was linked. ‘Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered (hungry), and ye gave me meat (food):
I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.’ (Matt.25:34-36)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s what Jesus wants to see from us, especially on such an important, but also one of the loneliest days of the year. So please help whomever and wherever you can, so that the light of Jesus can shine brightly in this too dark world.
And finally, we come to our Bit. ‘Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; because his mercy (LOVING-kindness) endureth for ever.’
Oh what a wonderful scripture my precious people! And it shouldn’t only be followed on Thanksgiving Day, but EVERYDAY, because we have so much to be thankful for EVERYDAY!
And sadly, somehow or the other we’ve lost that attitude of gratefulness, of thankfulness that our fathers had. I don’t know if that’s because they had to depend so much on Almighty God for their livelihood, or we have just become such an ungrateful, selfish and thankless bunch.
Now we are just going to end with a couple of scriptures that wisely advise the giving of continual thanks. Listen to Bruh David from his psalm of thanksgiving. ‘Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.’ (1 Chr.16:8-9)
And Jeremiah reminds us of what will happen when Judah is revived; all the desolation will be removed, and this will occur. ‘The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say,
Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land (cause the captives of the land to return), as at the first saith the Lord.’ (Jer.33:11)
So Friends, on this glorious day, with the wonderful breath of Jehovah God flowing through our bodies, let’s all offer the sacrifice of praise to Him nuh, because we all have so much to be thankful for. Much LOVE!
…in every thing give thanks…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus…concerning you… (1 Thess.5:18)
25 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: agony, Babylon, bounden duty, cell phones, concrete jungle, cried out for solace, declare his glory among the heathen, discomfort, drought, eye candy, fleshly nature, give me the beans, glory hallelujah, glory to God, graven images, great is the Lord, greatly to be praised, grin and bear it, hanging out with Jesus, I am halfway home, I'm glad to be alive, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not looking back, idolatrous society, idolatry, idols, Jeremiah, keep yourselves from idols, little children, LOVE, meditating on god's word, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, our heavenly Father, pain, prosperity, reverential awe, show forth his salvation, sinful stuff, sing unto the Lord, success, technological toys, that too would pass, the breath of life, the gods of the people are idols, the land of graven images, the long and short of the story, the Lord won't give you more than you can bear, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, worship the Lord, worthless things
1 John 5:21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Oh Friends, I don’t know how I’m going to do this nuh, most likely very slowly, but the Bit has to go out come rain, sleet or snow. (smile)
The long and short of the story is that I went into the concrete jungle (Toronto) yesterday, on my birthday, no less, to have a procedure done on my ‘arthritically’ challenged right shoulder.
Now everything went okay, I took the bus and the train like the last time I ventured into the city.There was some pain in the shoulder, but nothing to worry about.
However later on in the night when the local anesthetic had worn off… oh brother, did that shoulder ever give me beans! The good-looking, young, white female doctor that did the procedure did say that I might have some discomfort.
Hn! But this was certainly much more than discomfort. I couldn’t move it to do anything without an agonizing pain coursing through my body. Even at rest the shoulder was still pulsing and throbbing. And when I did go to bed, sometime after 2 a.m….Hn!…it was pure agony.
I just couldn’t find a comfortable place to rest my arm. Every time I thought I’d found one, a couple seconds later, the pain flared up. And believe me Friends, I have a decent pain threshold, but this pain is something else.
I’m chuckling here now, because when I make a mistake, I just back up and type over again, because going up to the mouse to correct it is not a treat. Surprisingly though, I can move my fingers over the keyboard okay, but moving my arm away from my body is another story.
Anyway, when I finally realized the enormity of the situation, I took a pain killer, but it obviously wasn’t enough, because a couple hours later I had to come downstairs and get a couple more, and shortly after five the constant throbbing and pulsing eventually eased up.
But moving my hand was still painful. And believe me, I knew that that too would pass, and that the Lord wouldn’t give me more than I could bare, but it was so agonizing and temperamental that I eventually cried our for solace from our heavenly Father. I guess between Him and the painkillers they finally worked. I couldn’t even walk and allow my arm to swing, I had to keep it anchored to my leg.
Thankfully, the worse seems to be over now, though I still have a hard time moving the old arm. Glory to God! Ohhh! I just went to the mouse and the pain shook me up. But I can only grin and bear it.So you can see the kind of birthday I had. (smile)
Anyway, enough about my problems. It’s Wednesday, that means it’s time for our Wednesday Wail. So let’s wail nuh, enthusiastically and convincingly. All together 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!’
Yeh mih people, in spite of the excruciating pain, I am glad to be alive this Wednesday morning, just looking forward to a glorious future with Jesus. I do hope that you are too, because there’s nothing as rewarding as hanging out with Jesus in this earthly life.
But to do that successfully, we have to do what our Bit says. ‘Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.’ Now that in general is an enormous task, but even more so in our society of plenty eye candy and sinful stuff, that calls out to our fleshly nature.
Here’s how Jeremiah said it in his prophecy against Babylon. ‘A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up; for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon (insane with) their idols.’ (Jer.50:38)
Oh Friends, Jeremiah could have been talking about us, because we are indeed a land of graven images and very insane with our idols. A good example of that is the pedestal on which we’ve put our cell-phones and other new technological toys.
Too many people just can’t operate without them. They have to be constantly checking this and checking that, from one social media site to another. I doubt the Lord is taking very kindly to this explosion of technological idolatry in which we’re currently engaging.
Oh yes, they do have a very useful purpose, but when you can’t do or live without them for even a few minutes, then you are crossing the line.
And we’ll end with some wise words from Bruh David in his psalm of thanksgiving: ‘Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared (held in reverential awe) above all gods.
For all the gods of the people are idols (worthless things): but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.’ (1 Chr.16:23-29)
Yes Friends, that is exactly what we need to do in this godless, extremely sinful and idolatrous society we’re currently living in. And unfortunately, until we return to genuinely worshipping Almighty God, the Creator and Controller of the universe, the society will just keep going downhill.
So my fellow believers, let’s ramp up our efforts to stop the idolatry and sinfulness in whatever way we can nuh, for it is our bounden duty to do so, and we haven’t been doing such a good job, that’s partly why it’s as bad as it is. Much LOVE!
…only by seriously meditating on God’s word…and obeying His commandments…can our society return to prosperity and success…
24 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new day, a call to faith, a friend of Jesus, allegiance to God, and again I say rejoice, be thankful for all things, benefits, Christian, Creator, giving thanks always, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God is so sweet, God's promise, graven images, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I the Lord am a jealous god, I'm not waht I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, keep yourselves from idols, let your spirits be lifted high, little children, LOVE, loved by God, mentally challenged, Most High God Jehovah, new mercies and blessings, no one can become between God and us, provider, Rejoice in the Lord always, rightousness, seek ye first the kingdom of God, share His love with the world, showing mercy unto them that love me, stress, strife, thanks and praise, thanksgiving, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Ten Commandments, the things of the world, Thou shalt have no other Gods before me, thou shalt not bow down to them, truth, Tuesday Mantra, visiting the iniquity of the fathers, walk obediently in God's will, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, wisdom
1 John 5:21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Oh Friends, it’s Tuesday…a brand new day! That means new mercies and blessings soon come! Glory to God! Now that is God’s sincere promise, and if you truly believe in Him then you will believe His word and be waiting expectantly and patiently for the new mercies and blessings to rain down upon you.
Mama Mia! Oh what a wonderful Lord and Saviour we serve and worship my brethren! Let your spirits be lifted high, because our God is still on the throne and still in control of this great universe that He created, and has promised that nothing, or no one can or will ever come between Him and us. Give Him some thanks and praise my people!
Yuh know, recently I’ve been thinking that our God is so sweet and we are so stupid, or I believe the politically correct term is mentally challenged, (smile) because we’re not bright and smart enough to walk obediently in His will, even though we’ve seen the huge benefits that come from doing so.
We know that our God LOVES nothing better than to receive our sincere and heartfelt thanks and praise, because that’s what He made us to do; to glorify Him with thanks and praise. But yet we refuse to give Him His just desserts.
I don’t know about you all nuh Friends, but I just LOVE to give Him thanks and praise, for there’s nothing sweeter than listening to good music with worshipful lyrics and sending up declarations of sincere LOVE and thanksgiving to the Most High God Jehovah! Oh glory to our wonderful Creator and great Provider!
If we were really smart, we’d be giving Him constant thanks and praise. As Bruh Paul says to the Ephesians: ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph.5:20)
And again to the Philippians, where he confidently declares: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice.’ (Phil.4:4)
And the scholars offer this bit of sage advice and explanation. ‘This command to rejoice at all times and in all circumstances is nothing less than a call to faith. For if the Christian believes that his life and all its circumstances are in the hands of a sovereign, wise, and LOVING God who is always working to accomplish good for him, then he can indeed “rejoice always.”
That is gospel truth Friends! It’s a win-win situation, because God would be enjoying our grateful glorification, and so would we. Glory Hallelujah my people! And that’s the end of my rambling for today. (smile)
Now let’s turn to our Tuesday Mantra and declare it like we really believe it. As one 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.’
Glory to God my brethren for there’s nothing better in this world, especially in these challenging times than to be LOVED by God, be His child, and be a Friend of Jesus!
Ah mih people, the ole fella is so worked up that he doesn’t know what to do with himself. (smile) I guess then we’ll finally turn to our Bit. ‘Little children, keep yourselves from idols.’
And what part of that don’t we understand eh mih people? For right from the very beginning, in the Ten Commandments, our God warned us about it. If you don’t remember, let me refresh our minds.
The very first commandment is ‘Thou shalt have no other God’s before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them (worship them), nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that LOVE me, and keep my commandments.’ (Ex.20:3-6)
Now where does He change that commandment eh Friends? Where does He say that we can put all sorts of other supposed gods, be they graven images or material things before Him eh? Nowhere? So why do we think it’s okay to put all the things we put in our everyday lives before Him eh?
That’s not wisdom Friends. And the sad part is that Jesus promised, ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)
Yes, precious people, all the earthly things that we are running down and placing before Almighty God are available to us if we seek Him and His kingdom FIRST!
Now doesn’t it seem somewhat foolish to be killing ourselves over stuff when we can have them without any fuss and bother, if we’d just make the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob our first priority? It certainly does my fellow believers!
So please let’s ‘wisen’ up nuh Friends, and stop running down the things of the world, the very things that are causing us so much stress and strife, that are ruining our lives in our driving and never-ending pursuit of them! That is certainly not the wisdom of heaven…or really any kind of wisdom at all! Much LOVE!
…true allegiance to God… ought to be the believer’s first and main priority…
P.S. Sadly my people, like LOVE and hate, late nights and early mornings just don’t agree. (smile)
23 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin, aura of love, be not conformed to this world, be ye transformed, Bruh Paul, complain, conceptions of God, confidence, confusion, conquerors, deceptions, enthusiasm, evil, fellowship, friends, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, graven images, holy spirit, humble servants, idolatry, idols, immorality, in the world but not of it, inroads into the enemy's ranks, invincible, Jesus Christ, keep our focus on Jesus, keep yourselves from idols, lead and guide us, lies, little children, LOVE, material things, moan and groan, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, moth and rust destroy, Oh Lord God Almighty, put a smile on Jesus' face, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, spiritual armour, spunk, steadfast faith, the Battlefield of the mind, the nature of the human animal, the renewing of your mind, the things of the world, the wisdom of Jesus, the work week, treasures in heaven, treasures on earth, trust, ungodly world, vim and vigour, walk in the Spirit, where our minds lead, where your treasure is there is your heart, wiles, wisdom, you cannot serve two masters at the same time
1 John 5:21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Oh boy, oh boy, it’s Monday; the day that causes so much topsy-turvy and confusion in our lives! It never ceases to amaze me nuh. We know that Monday is coming and that we have to get out to work, but yet every week so many of us are still unprepared for it, and we moan and groan and complain and say all sorts of bad things about such a lovely day. (smile)
And I guess unless our society stops operating the way it does – with work Monday to Friday – we’ll continue to be late and miserable on Mondays until Jesus comes back. Oh, I just realized something; Monday itself is not the problem nuh, it just happens to be the first day of the work week. If we made any other day the first day, the same thing would happen.
Hn, hn! It’s just the nature of the human animal. That means we’ll need our Monday Morning Battle Hymn for a while yet. So let’s sing it out with plenty spunk and vim and vigour. (smile) Remember that Jesus, our choirmaster, requires excellence from us in all our endeavours.
All together in harmony 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!’
Good job my people, good job! Halfway through you could see the smile slowly appearing on Jesus’ face as He realized that we were going to put down an excellent rendition. Glory Hallelujah!
There’s no better thing we believers can do than put a smile on Jesus’ face! Now let’s go into the evil world and see if we can walk in a manner that does the same thing nuh. And we should be able to continue lighting up Jesus’ spirit since our motors are now up and running, fuelled by the adrenalin that’s pumping through our system.
But while we journey through the world my brethren, please remember the wise words of John in our Bit. ‘Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.’
Yes Friends, we need to not allow the things of the world, be they graven images or simply material stuff to take our eyes and hearts off of Christ. And that’s so easy to do with all the wiles and lies and deceptions that the enemy sends against us. It is imperative that at ALL TIMES our focus be on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour! For though we are in the world, we should not be a part of it; meaning taking part in all the idolatry, immorality, etc. that the world presently glorifies.
Now here are some scholarly comments on our Bit. ‘5:21. Idols here may well have the sense of erroneous conceptions of God. John addressed such false notions throughout the letter. However fervent our LOVE for others and our adherence to God’s commands, such human efforts will come to nothing apart from true understanding of God as revealed in Christ. To know Him as He is causes LOVE and obedience to be the redeeming worshipful responses to God that He intends them to be.’
Yeh Friends, I know that’s somewhat cerebral, (smile) and it is true, but our main concern today is simply about not making the things of the world more important than God. And to do that successfully, the first step is to initiate what Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Rome. ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’ (Rom.12:2)
Yes my people, it all begins and ends with the mind. As Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) talks about the book she wrote, ‘The Battlefield of the Mind.’ That’s where the battle first rages for supremacy, for where our mind leads, there shall we go.
And the scholars define that verse thus. ’12:2. Be not conformed (lit. “stop conforming yourselves”): They are to resist being poured into the mould of the present thinking, value, and conduct of his world. This term is used only here and in 1 Peter 1:14.’
Oh we all know that is difficult to do, but if we walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh, as we are commanded to do, we can do it. And we’ll end most appropriately, with the wisdom of Jesus.
‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt.6:19-21)
And if Jesus says it’s so, then obviously it is so! So my fellow believers, please let’s go out today and not hunger for the things of the world, but for the things of heaven, for that is the ultimate in wisdom. Much LOVE!
…you cannot faithfully serve two masters at the same time…
22 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a natural reaction, all for our own good, Almighty God is our hope and our help, an inward resolution, be sober, Blessed is the Lord God, Christians, come together, constant repetition, faith cometh by hearing, faith hope love, faith is the substance of things hoped for, for the help of his countenance, gather in the Lord's sanctuary, gird up the loins of your mind, glory hallelujah, God works in mysterious ways, God's Word, Gramps Schuller, he is at my right hand, hear the Word, hearing by the word of God, hope, hope is what keeps your faith alive, hope thou in God, hope to the end for grace, Hour of Power Devotional, I have set the Lord always before me, I shall not be moved, I shall yet praise him, I will have respect unto thy statutes, intoxication, let me not be ashamed of my hope, LOVE, my flesh shall rest in hope, my glory rejoiceth, my heart is glad, oral communication, our faith is strengthened, our walk with Jesus, outward conduct, personal discipline, praise and worship God, put our trust in God, rejuvenate our spirits, Second Advent of Christ, Sunday, the evidence of things not seen, the holy trinity of emotions, the revelation of Jesus Christ, uphold me according to thy word, walking in Jesus' name, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me, written indelibly into our souls, you need hope
Psalm 42:5. Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).
And then it was Sunday… the day Christians pray for, so that they can gather in the Lord’s sanctuary and praise and worship Him in all sincerity and truth. Yes Friends, it’s time to get ourselves hither to church.
The Lord’s waiting for His children to come together to give Him thanks and praise, hear His Word and rejuvenate their spirits, so that they can have the wherewithal to continue walking in His Son’s name on this disgusting and wicked earth.
So please don’t make any feeble excuses. And if you’re genuinely not able to go, then turn on your television or radio so that you can at least hear the Word.
What did Bruh Paul write to the church at Rome? ‘So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Rom.10:17) Yes my people, faith comes by hearing the word of God; its oral communication. When we hear God’s Word then our faith is raised up, it is strengthened. And we all need to raise our faith this Sunday morning, that’s a fact!
And we’ll get right into our Bit, because we have a lot of scriptures to share today. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’
Oh my fellow believers, I know some of you are tired of the same Bit for the last few days, you want to hear something new every day. (smile) But that HOPE it talks about is such an important part of our walk with Jesus that we need to have it written indelibly in our souls, so that we can call upon it at a moment’s notice.
It needs to come as a natural reaction, not something we have to stop and think about. And the only way that can happen is by constant repetition. So please bear with me, for it’s all for our own good.
And the first bit of scripture comes from Psalm 16, where Bruh David is seeking preservation and blessing. With his usual self-effacing but confident style, he declares: ‘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 in hope.’ (Ps.16:8-9)
Oh what encouraging words of scripture my brethren! When we put our trust in God, we feel safe and strong, and our hearts become glad, which leads us to have oodles of hope, which eventually turns into strong faith!
And all of God’s people declared a loud and proud: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Blessed is the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!’
Now listen to these verses from Psalm 119, from the section SAMECH – I hate vain thoughts. ‘Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up (uphold me), and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto (will observe) thy statutes continually.’ (Ps.119:116-117)
More of the same sentiments Friends! When we put out hope and trust in God, He upholds us. And yuh better believe one thing our God will not do is let us be ashamed of our hope in Him. Definitely not! He takes too much pride in His faithfulness to allow that to happen.
Meanwhile Peter tells us in his call to Christian dedication: ‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind (prepare your mind for action), be sober, and hope to the end for grace (rest your hope fully upon the grace) that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet.1:13)
And the scholars offer these explanations of that verse. ‘1:13. The exhortation to set one’s hope involves an inward resolution. Gird up the loins of your mind: The imagery is that of personal discipline and outward conduct. Be sober (Gr. nephontes): Be free of every sort of mental and spiritual intoxication. The revelation of Jesus Christ is the Second Advent when Jesus returns to earth to set up His kingdom.’
Ah Friends, we all need hope, all the time! And I had this passage from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional to share from yesterday, never did though. I guess it was meant for today. (smile) And our God works in such mysterious ways that on the days that I chose to focus on hope, so did Gramps Schuller.
The day’s devotion was titled You Need Hope. And it ended thus: ‘You need hope…when you’re dying. And you need hope in all your living. There will be no LOVE without it. Hope is what will keep your faith alive. That’s why hope is in the middle of the holy trinity of emotions, “Faith, Hope and LOVE.’
Now that’s indisputable truth my people! We need hope from birth until death!
And we’ll close the same way the psalmist closed Psalm 42, from which our Bit is taken. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health (help, lit. salvation) of my countenance, and my God.’ (Ps.42:11)
Yes Friends, he words it a little differently, but it still means the same thing; in Almighty God is our hope and our help; now and forever! Please never forget that. Much LOVE!
…now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for…the evidence (conviction) of things not seen… (Heb.11:1)
21 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christian's lot, a great day to be alive, a hard row to hoe, a sound mind, Abraham, against hope believed in hope, anxiety, at the end it shall speak, Baruch Spinoza, being not weak in faith, blessings, doubt, eternal life, for the help of his countenance, God has not given us a spirit of fear, God's promises are faithful and true, he will save us, he will swallow up death in victory, hope, hope thou in God, I shall yet praise him, in the Lord's time, it will not tarry, let Israel hope in the Lord, LOVE, loving kindness, mercies, power, Praise the Lord, reconciled to God, redemption, righteousness., salvation, song of praise, strong in faith, the breath of life, the Lord God will wipe away tears, the redeemed, the vision is yet for an appointed time, there is no fear unmingled with hope, there is no hope unmingled with fear, this is our god, to hope and yet to hope, truth, unbelief, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me, with the Lord there is mercy
Psalm 42:5. Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).
And then it was Saturday Friends! Wow! Another great day to be alive, because we don’t know what wonderful blessings and mercies the Lord has planned for us today. But be sure of this one thing; He does have stuff planned for us, otherwise His fabulous breath of life would not be flowing through our physical bodies right now.
And all God’s people declared a loud and hearty ‘Praise the Lord for His LOVING-kindness to the undeserving children of men!’ We surely are thankful my people.
And since we’re continuing our series of messages on HOPE, I thought this quote from Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) a Jewish Dutch philosopher of some renown, would fit right into our plans. Baruch is reputed to have said that ‘There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope.’
Yes Friends, we all feel some sort of fear, anxiety and/or doubt, when we’re in a hoping frame of mind. And even when we’re truly fearful, there is always a smattering of hope lurking somewhere in the background, telling us that everything will be all right. So it’s just a normal human reaction to have a touch of fear in hope and hope in fear.
But my precious people, let’s never forget those memorable words of encouragement that Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.1:7)
So though it’s only natural for a little fear to sometimes creep into our lives, that is not our basic human nature, it is of the enemy. We have been empowered, filled with LOVE and a sound mind by Almighty God to pursue His purposes!
That brings us to our Bit. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’
Oh my fellow believers, in this dangerous and difficult world it is normal for us to sometimes feel less than strong and powerful, and thus have our spirits sink to a fraction of their natural buoyancy. But the important thing to remember when those times befall us is that we must turn to our great God for help. He is the only one who can provide the necessary comfort we seek.
As the psalmist says in Psalm 130 – My soul waiteth for the Lord: ‘Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING-kindness), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Ps.130:7-8) Words of indisputable truth my people!
Now listen to how Isaiah puts it in chapter 25 – The song of praise by the redeemed. ‘He will swallow up death (forever) in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. 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.26:9)
Oh Friends, now why wouldn’t we hope for that eh? It’s such a wonderful promise! And we know that all of our God’s promises are faithful and true, though they make take a while longer to come than we would like. But as Habakkuk so wisely advises: ‘For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’ (Hab.2:3)
Yes Friends, ALL of God’s promises will eventually come true, but in HIS OWN TIME. That means we have to hope and pray and wait. What better example can we find that our father Abraham eh?
Here’s what Bruh Paul wrote to the Roman church about him. ‘Who against (contrary to) hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations. According to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
He staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded (convinced) that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.’ (Rom.4:18-21)
My people are we as convinced that our God can perform His promises? I certainly hope so, otherwise we’re fighting a losing battle and we’re not true Christians. How many of us would have packed up all our belongings and moved far away from our families, not having a clue as to where we were going, just because some obscure and so-called God told us to do it? Not many.
And how many of us would have believed that a woman could bear children at almost a hundred years old? Not many! And how many of us would have believed that we would become the father of many nations when the Lord told us to sacrifice our one and only son, from whom all the mighty lineage was supposed to flow? Again, not many! But Abraham did. That’s why it was ascribed to him as righteousness.
Ah mih people, sometimes it’s a hard row we have to hoe, but with God’s help we can certainly do it. So please, regardless of the difficult circumstances we might now be undergoing, please don’t ever give up on our God. Abraham did not have to sacrifice his only son, but our heavenly Father did it so that we could be saved, be reconciled to Him, have salvation and eternal life.
And remember He did not have to do it, but He did it for our sakes. Now if that isn’t LOVE, I don’t know what is. So just hang in there my people and all will be well in the Lord’s time. Much LOVE!
…to hope…to hope…and yet to hope…that is a Christian’s lot…
20 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new start every day, broken my teeth, choose to be hopeful, covered me wirh ashes, debauchery, don't drop the curtain on tomorrow, drunken with wormwood, energy, enthusiasm, eternal life, fellowship, for the help of his countenance, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, glory to God, God's faithful promises, gospel truth, Gramps Schuller, great is thy faithfulness, great people, his compassions fail not, hold on in hope, Holding on, hope, hope that is seen is not hope, hope thou in God, Hour of Power Devotional, I shall yet praise him, Jeremiah, Lamentations, lamented to God, LOVE, loving kindness, malaise in my soul, never give up on hope, new every morning, off kilter, ordinary people, partying, personal testimony, Praying Expectantly, praying expectantly and eagerly, proper perspective, relaxation, removed my soul from peace, rest, right balance, salvation, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks for getting me through another week of work, the Lord's mercies, the weekend's here at last, therefore I have hope, we are save by hope, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me, with patience wait for it
Psalm 42:5. Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).
So it’s Friday my people… ‘Yes! That’s why we’re loudly declaring: TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend’s here at last. Oh glory to God for a couple days off from harsh labour! We going to party, and party…and then party some more!’
Oh Friends, nothing’s wrong with partying, but like most things too much of it is bad for both our bodies and souls. We need to find a right balance in our weekend activities if we want to be successful in this life. Now our Friday Chant gives us a much better perspective on how to use the weekend, so let’s chant it nuh.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now isn’t that a much better way to spend the weekend? It surely is! So hopefully some of us who had the serious party scene and much debauchery envisaged will tone it down to a more righteous state. (smile)
And without further ado, we’ll introduce our Bit, because we have plenty scriptures to look at today. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’
That’s gospel truth Friends! And I believe a little personal testimony is appropriate here. Yesterday evening during my time of personal devotions, my spirit was somewhat off kilter, it just was not right and I couldn’t focus on my devotions as I wanted to.
Now nothing was really wrong, there was no cause for the apparent malaise in my soul that I could put my finger on. So I asked the Lord for some direction and understanding. And would you believe that when I came to Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional, the daily devotion was titled ‘Choose to Be Hopeful.’
And we certainly can choose to be hopeful my people. It’s a choice that’s open to us all. So though today might be somewhat rough, tomorrow is on its way, it’s inevitable and does hold the promise of better times.
And as I read Gramps Schuller’s words, I began to chuckle: ‘The only thing between today and tomorrow is tonight. And that’s when the stars come out! So never give up on hope! Don’t drop the curtain on tomorrow. Great people are ordinary people who just will not give up hope. And what is hope? It is Holding On, Praying Expectantly.’
That’s oh so true my fellow believers! And thereafter my spirit was enthused! Glory to God! After my devotions I even got up and did some of the things I wanted to do, but previously had no energy or enthusiasm to do them.
So you see our heavenly Father responds to our pleas in so many unexpected ways that we should never really lose hope or faith or give up on Him, regardless of how long His answer might be taking to come.
That reminds me of Jeremiah when he lamented to God. ‘He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with (bent me down in) ashes.
And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness).
My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled (bowed down) in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam.3:15-23)
Oh my brethren, you see that though Jeremiah underwent all sorts of hardship, even in his remembrance of them, he knew, or was hopeful enough to realize that it was only the Lord’s LOVING-kindness and compassion that keeps us from destruction. His faithfulness is unbreakable and His mercies are new every morning, thus giving us a brand new start every day.
So if Jeremiah could figure that our after all his misfortune, why can’t we eh, especially when few of us have undergone his woes and troubles? We have to hold on to hope Friends, because that’s the only thing that will see us through.
What did Bruh Paul say to the church at Rome? ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance) (eagerly) wait for it.’ (Rom.8:24-25) Gospel truth that my brethren!
So it’s imperative that we all get out there today into the topsy turvy world filled with hope, bubbling with it until it overflows, (smile) remembering God’s faithful promises never to leave or forsake us, to bring us safely through each and every trial so that we can enjoy salvation and eternal life with Him at some future date. Now that is the HOPE of every believer! Much LOVE!
…let’s all hold on in hope…praying expectantly and eagerly…
19 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a believer in Jesus Christ, a marvellous mysterious mood, a scientific experience of the presence of God, colour returns to your skin, difficult and dangerous times, don't give up, expectant faith, for the help of his countenance, glory to God, God believes in you, God is not going to cast you off without offering hope, Gramps Schuller, hope, hope and wait quietly for the Lord, Hope is a mystery, hope is the seed from which faith blossoms, hope thou in God, Hour of Power Devotional, hungry hope, I shall yet praise him, I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I will hope continually, I will look unto the Lord, I will remember thee, I will wait for the God of my salvation, it's great to be alive, Jeremiah, joy, learn from our mistakes, like a young buck, LOVE, my God will hear me, my mouth shall show forth thy righteousness, rejoice not against me, remember the times when God rescued us, righteousness., salvation, sincerity, thanks and praise, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Lord is my portion, the Lord shall be a light unto me, therefore will I hope in him, truth, while there is life there is hope, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me, wisdom, you can't have faith without hope, you can't teach old dogs new tricks, your eyes get their sparkle back, your load is lifted
Psalm 42:5. Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).
Aye mih Scrip-Bit Family, welcome to a wet and windy Thursday in my neck of the woods! It’s great to be alive! Glory to God!
And who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks eh? I went to bed late last night, or early this morning, and got up late. Wow!
And I’m certainly feeling much better than I did yesterday morning. Instead of the doddering, dawdling old man I was yesterday, I’m hustling around today like a young buck in his prime. (smile) Just goes to show we have the ability to learn from our mistakes and circumstances.
And this morning I want to share a few words on the ever so important word called HOPE, which all of us so desperately need in these difficult and dangerous times. It comes from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional. The title asks the tantalizing and titillating question ‘What is this thing called Hope?’
And in his usual enthusiastic and inimitable style Gramps Schuller declares: ‘Hope. It is a marvelous, mysterious mood that comes into your personality. Suddenly your load is lifted, colour returns to your skin, and your eyes get their sparkle back. What is it? It is a scientific experience of the presence of God operating in your personality….
You may not believe in Him, but God believes in you, even if you’re an atheist. He is not going to cast you out without offering you hope. Hope is a mystery. When it happens in the personality, it can only be scientifically described as the presence of a God of LOVE coming into your mind, your spirit, your body, your personality! This is God. This is hope!’
Yes Friends, hope is God coming into our spirits and declaring that it’s not over, that there is a future, a better time and place to come. Who or what else can it be eh? That’s why we hold on to the simple but ever so true cliché, that while there is life, there is always hope!
And that’s no lie, if we’re worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because He is all-powerful and can do anything, at anytime, for anyone, in any circumstance. Give Him some thanks and praise my people!
So if your life or your circumstances are in a tangled mess today, please don’t give up, especially if you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, because there is no giving up in Jesus vocabulary.
Please note how the psalmist puts it in our Bit. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’
And that’s how we ought to react my fellow believers anytime our souls are cast down or disquieted within us. We need only to turn to our ever-faithful Creator and Provider in sincerity and truth!
As the psalmist continues: ‘O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill (Mount) Mizar.’ (Ps.42:6).
Yes Friends, one of the best ways to increase our hope and faith is to remember all the times when God rescued us from similar situations. For if He’s done it back then, there is no reason for Him not to do it again.
That’s why, in Psalm 71 – A prayer for help in old age – the psalmist joyfully declares: ‘But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall show forth (proclaim) thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers (limits) thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.’ (Ps.71:14-16)
Ah mih people, those are words for us to emulate! When our spirits are low, then the best thing for us to do is to praise God, give Him the thanks that He so rightfully deserves. So in rough times, we remember His faithfulness in the past and give him endless thanks and praise for all He’s done. There’s no better way to come up over our sorrow and sadness.
And Jeremiah in his Lamentations tells us: ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam. 3:24-26)
Oh my people, my people, what wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement. And remember, if anybody should know about sorrow and a despairing soul is the prophet Jeremiah, who went though so much hurt and low times because he dared to tell his people the truth about their sinfulness and lack of sincere worship to the God of their fathers.
And we’ll conclude with some hope-filled and faithful words from the prophet Micah, when he talked about the moral sins of Israel. ‘Therefore will I look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.
I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause (case) and execute judgement (justice) for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I will behold his righteousness.’ (Mic.7:7-9)
O Friends, truer words were never spoken! The Lord our God has promised to bring us out of darkness into the light and to destroy our enemies, and we know He is ALWAYS faithful in keeping His promises.
So please, let’s go about our business today with a hungry hope and expectant faith in our hearts, and a joy in our souls that comes from a right and real relationship with Almighty God. Now that is indeed wisdom of the highest order. Much LOVE!
…one can’t have faith without hope…for hope is the seed… from which the fruit of faith blossoms and blooms…
18 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a silver lining, all things I have commanded you, anger, back in bad shape, baptizing them, Beelzebub, believe on Jesus, betrayals, called by His name, Christian persecution, communication technology, decadent society, eternal life, false prophets, for a witness, glory hallelujah, going to bed early is for the birds, good news of Christ, hatred, I am halfway home, I am with you always, I'm looking straight ahead, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, in the name of the Father, Jesus is the best thing going, lack of love, LOVE, moaning and groaning, my gripe, my hands are on the plough, natural disasters, no laughing matter, norm of 8 hours sleep, persecution, preached to all the world, rest, rumours of wars, salvation, signs of the world's demise, sleep, spreading of the gospel of Christ, stand strong and steadfast, strife, teach all nations, teaching them to observe, thank God, the breath of life, the disciples came unto Him privately, the end of the world, the gospel of the kingdom, the Holy Ghost, the long and short of the story, the Mount of Olives, the SON, then shall the end come, to a glorious future with Jesus, turmoil, unto the end of the world, wars, Wednesday Wail, what shall be the sign of thy coming, when shall these things be, wisdom
Matthew 24:3. And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)?
Aye Friends and neighbours, if I never truly believed it before, I certainly do now! And I guess you’re wondering what the ole fogey is talking about eh? (smile) Well I’m talking about going to bed early is really for the birds.
I had a long and busy day yesterday, so last night I decided to go to bed early, early my time, that’s about 12.30, so I could get some of the much vaunted and valuable rest and sleep. Hn!
Unfortunately, though normally one would think fortunately, I got up at 8 o’clock this morning.And would you believe, I could hardly get out of the bed because my back was in such bad shape.
Ah Lord eh! Obviously I’m not meant to lie in bed for even a measly 7 hours. And its not like I never got up at all. I got up at least twice to go to the bathroom. So what does this supposed norm of 8 hours of sleep per night do for me eh? Absolutely nothing!
And it’s not like I don’t know that I cannot lie in bed for so long, but I never intended to get up so late either. But I guess the ole body needed the rest. And there I was gingerly putting one foot in front of the other, moaning and groaning with every step. Hn, hn, hn!
Ah friends, I can laugh now because I’m sitting down writing, but an hour ago, it was definitely no laughing matter. But let me stop joking about it yes, because when I get up from here, it might not be a laughing matter either. (smile)
The long and the short of the story though is that I just have to stick to my short times of rest, and do it more often. Now that’s my gripe for the day, and I’m sticking to it! (smile)
And since today is Wednesday, it means we have to declare our Wednesday Wail. So altogether now, let’s wail: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home.
My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Oh my people, though my back is in a sad state I truly am glad to be alive, and am looking straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus, because NO ONE else has such a glorious future to offer!
And I do hope that you feel and believe like me, because Jesus is undoubtedly the BEST thing going, the BEST show available in this evil and disturbed world! Obviously He is not a thing or a show, but that is just the language that some of us best understand. (smile)
And finally we come to our Bit: ‘And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)?’
Ah mih breddren, it does seem as though all the signs of the world’s demise point to a time in the not too distant future. As we recently saw, the numerous wars and rumours of war are on the increase. So too are the natural disasters; earthquakes, floods, disease, volcanoes, famines. They are happening all over the world, in some of the least expected places.
Persecution of Christians is also on the rise as Jesus foretold, just because we are called by His name. Then there’s serious hatred and anger, with strife and betrayals on the rise in our decadent and decaying society. False prophets abound like Jesus said, and the lack of LOVE is certainly noticeable.
But in spite of all of these negative happenings, Jesus reminds us to stand strong and steadfast in His name, because if we endure to the end we will be saved. Now isn’t that wonderful news my brethren? It surely is! With Jesus there’s always a silver lining to the dark clouds. Glory Hallelujah!
But while we’re waiting for the end to come, we ought to be doing ONE more thing. Listen to Jesus. ‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’ (Matt.24:14)
Yes friends, the good news of Christ MUST be shared with ALL the nations of the world, before the end comes! And whose job is that eh? Ours of course! It’s all a part of the Great Commission that Jesus gave to the disciples, and consequently every following generation, which now includes us.
‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt,28:19-20)
So there it is my fellow believers, despite all the turmoil and uncertainty in our world, we are expected to stand strong and steadfast in Jesus’ name, as well as to spread His Word to all parts of the earth. And strangely enough, we are the first generation who actually have the wherewithal to do that, through our modern communication technology.
So please, let’s get up and do that nuh. Let’s seriously engage ourselves in the spreading of the gospel of Christ, so that many others might hear it and believe on Jesus, and thus not get lost with the infidel Beelzebub, but instead attain to salvation and eternal life, as our heavenly Father so greatly desires. Now that is indeed the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…the Lord doesn’t want to lose even one of His human creation…so what we doing to prevent that eh…
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