15 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: admit our wrongs, all things are possible, be not afraid only believe, be right with Jesus, belief in Jesus, believe, believe and you're halfway there, bounden duty, Chinese Proverb, early to bed early to rise, exhibiting belief and faith, expectant faith, faith, fall on our knees, fearful, glorifying Jesus, go in peace, hungry hope, issue of blood, Jairus, Jesus Christ, Jewish law, late to bed late to rise, LOVE, rebuke, Red Letter Day, riddim of the falling rain, strong belief, the longest journey begins with the first step, Theodore Roosevelt, thy faith hath made thee whole, tools in man's arsenal, truth
Mark 5:36b. Be not afraid, only believe.
Oh Friends, it was one of those nights when the early to bed, early to rise situation was replaced by the late to bed, therefore late to rise tactic. And believe me, the rising wasn’t made any easier by the gentle riddim of the falling rain. (smile) But we all know that once there’s hungry hope and expectant faith, all things are possible.
And that’s worthily enhanced by our word from my almanac for today: ‘BELIEVE!’
Now that’s one of the strongest tools in man’s arsenal, my people! So much so that Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), the 26th U.S. President, is reputed to have declared: ‘Believe and you’re halfway there.’
And there’s certainly a lot of truth in that statement, my brethren. The first action in any thing is usually one of belief; believing you can do it, or that the action is possible. As the Chinese Proverb also declares: ‘The longest journey begins with the first step.’
But Friends, we cannot take that first step until we believe that the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is worth journeying for, is worth sacrificing whatever is necessary to achieve it. And believe me Friends – yes it’s a day of belief – anything that’s worthwhile striving for, will include a fair amount of sacrifice.
But the elementary position in it all must first be belief. As we said earlier, belief that the thing is possible, and also belief that you can carry it out to a successful ending. That’s why our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ placed so much emphasis in His teaching on belief.
Our Bit says it quite clearly: ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’
And a very important aspect of any situation is that once we believe, we need to keep on believing, for belief is not a one time, one and done thing, but a continuous process, especially where Jesus Christ is concerned!
Now let’s look at the situation under which Jesus spoke the words of our Bit. And it was indeed a red-letter day, one of the many in Jesus’ earthly sojourn. For on that day, as He was on His way to heal a ruler of the synagogue’s (Jairus) daughter, a woman in the huge crowd who had suffered from an unusual blood flow for 12 years, BELIEVED!
She had spent all her money on medical treatment, but instead of getting better, she just got worse. But that day, when she heard that Jesus was in town, she hurried down to see him. ‘For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.’ (Mark 5:28)
What belief, what faith my people! So she surged through the crowd and touched His clothing. ‘And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (affliction).’ (Mark 5:29)
Yes Friends, the power of belief is a helluva thing, especially if that belief is in Jesus Christ!
And the scholars explain the woman’s possible reasoning. ‘5:28. Popular belief had it that a person’s dignity and power extend to what he wears.’
And in that light, her actions make complete sense. But what’s also interesting is that with all the crowd milling around Him, and everybody pushing and shoving to get a better position, Jesus knew immediately that something was amiss; ‘knowing in himself that virtue (power) had gone out of him, turned him about in the press (crowd), and said, Who touched my clothes?’ (Mark 5:30)
The disciples were obviously astounded by His question, as there were so many people around Him. ‘And he (Jesus) looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague (affliction).’ (Mark 5:32-34).
Yes my people, faith can only come from belief! In fact, simply put, faith is strong belief!
And the scholars give us this interesting explanation of the woman’s behaviour. ‘5:33. The woman would be fearful of a rebuke, since her bleeding rendered her “unclean” according to Jewish law. She ought not to have been mixing in the crowd, nor reaching out purposely to touch a man. That she owned up indicates that her interest lay not only in physical health: she wanted to be right with Jesus Himself. Her faith, not the grasp of her hand, brought restoration to her.’
That brings up an interesting and oh so important question my brethren; how many of us sincerely want to be right with Jesus eh? So right that we fall on our knees and admit our wrongs?
Hopefully all believers, since it’s a rite of our faith, of our belief in Jesus! For now though, we’ll just leave that question and its answer to circulate in our souls, (smile) and continue with the story of that red-letter day.
The Good Book describes it thus: ‘While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master (Teacher) any further?’ (Mark 5:35)
And to that statement, the scholars declare: ‘5:35. Obviously, Jesus has intentionally let the time pass in which He might have preserved the girl’s life.’
And the Good Book continues: ‘As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.’ (Mark 5:36)
Yes Friends, all we have to do is BELIEVE!
So today, let’s get the ball rolling on belief nuh; particularly in strong belief in Jesus! And for those of us who already have that strong belief in Him, let’s go out and teach and show others by our words and actions how that belief plays such a great and wonderful part in our lives. For that’s what Jesus expects of His followers, of His true believers. In fact it’s our bounden duty as a true believer!
So let’s go out and do our duty, make Jesus proud of us by exhibiting belief and faith as strong as, if not stronger than the woman in the story with the issue of blood, thereby glorifying Him to all with whom we come into contact. Much LOVE!
…one can’t truly believe in Jesus…without it being showed in one’s actions and words…
P.S. Oh my people, the lateness of the Bit was even further aggravated by my security company wanting to do an important update in the middle of my writing, then needing me to shut down the computer so that the update could take effect. It certainly was aggravating. But I guess that’s a part of the whole computer scene, and we just have to grin and bear it. Again, my humblest apologies. (smile) Much LOVE!
14 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool despises instruction, a relationship with God, almighty god, aura of love, bashing, chains, considerate, criticism, differences of opinions, enthusiasm, fear, fear of the Lord, folly, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, grace, harlots, hating, he that accepts reproof is sensible, holy spirit, honour, humble servants, humility, instruction, Jesus Christ, judgemental society, living abd working for Jesus, LOVE, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, positive attitude, Praise the Lord, prodigal son, Proverbs, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, reproof, rest, reverence, righteousness., sensitive, serve a useful purpose, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, TGIM, Thank God it's Monday, thumbs up, trust, truth, understanding, ungodly world, wealth, wisdom
Proverbs 15:5. A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).
Well, well, well! If it isn’t Monday, the day the workers like to hate! (smile) But Friends, we shouldn’t hate Mondays nuh, because it’s the opening of a new work week, which also means that there can be improvement opportunities galore for many of us.
We should be treating Mondays like we do Fridays – celebrating it with a ‘TGIM! Thank God it’s Monday! The new work week is here, and I’m going to go out and take advantage of it, just living and working for Jesus!’
Don’t laugh mih brethren, it is possible to build such a relationship with Mondays, but it’s just going to take time, possibly a long while to build that positive attitude, especially since we’re already mired in the negative Monday hating and bashing.
But until we do get our act together in that respect, we’ll stick with our tried and true Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Now let’s sing it like we really mean it; in loud voice and perfect harmony.
‘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!’
Mama Mia! That certainly was a boisterous and harmonious rendition my people! Jesus even gave us a thumbs up sign! I guess we’re more prepared than we realized, to go out and do battle with the enemy in Jesus’ name.
And today we’ll wrap up this series of messages on this Bit. ‘A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).’ And we’ll all agree that that’s a rather truthful statement.
So what other Proverbs can we find to corroborate it eh? Try these: ‘The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth (disdains or ignores) instruction despieth his own soul: but he that heareth (heeds, accepts) reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.’ (Prov.15:31-33)
Yes my people, the ability to both give and receive constructive criticism is a rather important aspect of our daily lives. And it all begins with the reverence of Almighty God, from whom the much desired attribute of wisdom flows. Unfortunately though, only a small portion of our society can handle constructive criticism.
And in this rather judgemental society of ours, we’re all quick to criticize, but then we rise up in supposedly godly anger, when we are criticized. As the old people would say: ‘do so, ent like so.’ (smile) And that’s gospel truth Friends, for we don’t like done to us, what we gladly do to others.
Anyway my fellow believers, none of us is perfect – that appellation can only be applied to Jesus – neither do we all think alike, so there will inevitably be differences of opinions, but we have to be very careful, sensitive and considerate in when and how we criticize, because strife is far too often caused by unwanted and unwarranted criticism.
Now hear these words of wisdom from Cousin Sol. ‘Whoso LOVETH wisdom rejoiceth his father (makes his father rejoice): but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance (wastes his wealth). (Prov.29:3) And we have a very good example of that in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son.
And this Proverb is like unto the last one: ‘My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.’ (Prov.27:11)
Ah Friends, as we said, it all comes down to our relationship with Almighty God, whether or not we have the wisdom and common sense to do life in a decent, constructive and LOVING manner.
And these last verses nicely wrap it all up. ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.’ (Prov.1:7-9)
That’s it in a nutshell right there my people! The parents ought to embrace and pass on God’s law and consequently wisdom, while the children ought to hear and put it into practice in their own lives. That’s the only way wisdom and understanding will continue to grace our planet.
So please, let’s try and adhere to it nuh; make it the basis of our daily lives, so that we can learn to give and receive wise counsel, and thus greatly enhance our earthly pilgrimage. Much LOVE!
…to choose wisdom over folly is a blessed thing…but it doesn’t just spring up from nowhere…it has to be taught and learned…preferably starting in the home…
13 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool despises instruction, a God of mercy, authority, comfort, compassion, counsel, Cousin Sol, cross at Calvary, deliver his soul from hell, despise, dictates of God, disdains instruction, disobedience, disobedient children, disobedient parents, disobey, emotional, encouraging, eternal life, exhorting, faith, faithfulness, fellowship of spirit, forgiveness, give thanks for god's goodness, glory hallelujah, hear counsel, heavenly Father, hogwash, holy relationship, instruction, latter days, laud, LOVE, loving kindness, magnify, mental, mercy, mortal standards, my heart shall rejoice, obeying the Word of God, penalties, physical punishment, pomp, poverty, praise God's holy name, precedence, price to pay, proper balance, Proverbs, prudent, punish, rearing children, receive instruction, reconciled, rejoice, reproof, sacrificed his only son Jesus, salvation, sanctuary, self-control, sensible, shame, sinners, speak right things, splendour, take for granted, the breath of life, the Lord's Day, the right way, the wrong way, thine heart be wise, undeserving children of men, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, words of knowledge, worship God, wrath
Proverbs 15:5. A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).
Oh mih Friends, one more day has just been added to our illustrious lives! Glory Hallelujah! What a wonderful God we serve and worship! A God of mercy, of LOVING-kindness, of forgiveness, of compassion, of comfort, and above all, of LOVE!
Wow! How could we not LOVE Him in return and bless and praise His Holy name and thank Him for the myriad of blessings He showers down on us each and every day eh, even if we don’t deserve them?
And all God’s people declared a loud and thankful: ‘All praise and glory be to God the Father, who in His never-ending stream of LOVING-kindness, sacrificed his only Son Jesus Christ on the rugged cross at Calvary so that we abominable sinners could be reconciled to Him, brought back into a holy and glorious relationship with Him, featuring salvation and eternal life!’
Yes my people, it is of the utmost importance that EVERYDAY we recognize and appreciate and give thanks for God’s goodness to us, the undeserving children of sinful men! A lot of us just take it for granted. But that is oh so wrong my brethren.
Remember too, that one of the reasons God created us from the dust of the earth, then blew the breath of life into our nostrils is so that we could laud and magnify Him, worship Him in all faithfulness, with pomp and splendour!
And since today is Sunday, the day that most of us recognize as the Lord’s Day – no divisive arguments over that now – it’s only fitting that we should gather at His sanctuary and fellowship with other believers, exhorting and encouraging each other in our faith, while giving the Lord the thanks and praise He so richly deserves!
And having said all of that, let’s turn to our Bit which encapsulates it all. ‘A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible)’
And since those words are truth-bearing my brethren, it means that the majority of us on this planet earth are fools, because we very much despise and disobey our heavenly Father’s instructions, laid out for us in His Word. There’s no getting around that, if our Bit is true. And it certainly is, even by our mortal standards, as we saw from the several Proverbs we quoted yesterday, and will see from some more that we’ll quote today.
Yes Friends, we consider disobeying our earthly parents to be unwise, but hypocritically, we set up a different standard for our disobeying God. But disobedience is disobedience: in reality it’s the same; not abiding by the rules and regulations of a higher authority.
And Cousin Sol in his Proverbs, so wisely warns us that: ‘Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth (disdains, ignores) instruction: but he that regardeth (accepts) reproof shall be honoured.’ (Prov.13:18) And that my people goes for both the children of earthly men, and the children of our heavenly God!
When our children disobey us, we punish them; likewise, when we disobey God, we shouldn’t be surprised if He punishes us, because He states it quite clearly in His word. And if you don’t believe me, then just read Leviticus 26, where blessings for obedience are listed from verses 3-13, but penalties for disobedience run from verses 14-46. What does that intimate eh Friends? That there’s a very heavy price to pay for disobedience!
And in that vein, Cousin Sol tells us:’ A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end (days).’ (Prov.19:19-20)
And we come back to why there are so many disobedient children; because there are too many disobedient parents. Parents who are not rearing their children in the dictates of God, with a proper balance of LOVE and discipline! Oh my people, if we don’t teach them, the right way, someone else will teach them the wrong one, as is happening so much nowadays.
Hear these wise words from Cousin Sol. ‘Apply thine heart unto instruction; and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. My son, if thine heart be wise, my (own) heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yes, my reins (my innermost being) shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.’ (Prov.23:12-16)
Now Friends, that doesn’t mean we have to beat our children senseless or abuse them, but by the same token if we don’t apply some measure of physical correction they’ll just turn out as they are today; spoiled rotten, undisciplined, ungrateful, believing that the world owes them a living, and all because the goody two shoes folks in their false wisdom declared that physical punishment tends to child abuse.
Hogwash! Most of us who received some sort of physical punishment for disobedience have turned out pretty good. Like everything else, if it’s overdone, it’s bad; just like mental and emotional punishment, or no punishment at all, can be abusive.
The only way our innermost beings can rejoice over our children’s behaviour, my brethren, is if we teach them discipline in the proper manner – just like God is trying to teach us, so that His heart can rejoice. (smile)
Anyway Friends, enough for today, let’s ponder all that we’ve read and heard, but in the end, let’s ensure that we are all following the Word of God, which is the only true wisdom that exists. Much LOVE!
…our world will only improve when discipline and self-control…based on God’s Word…take precedence over all else…
12 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crying shame, a fool despises instruction, a fool's father has no joy, balance of dicipline and love, bashful suitor, bated breath, bitterness, blood red petals, burden, calamity, caress, claim of love, contentions, Cousin Sol, disappointment, discipline, fixation, foolish son, foolishness, gentle breezes, glad father, glorious summer, God inspired words, god moves in mysterious ways, God's Word, gospel truth, grief, grief of mother, he that accpets reproof is sensible, honey bee, indisputable truth, indulgence, invisible partner, irresistible charm, irritation, joy, LOVE, lustful, obedient to God's will, of life and love, parenting, poetic mood, prinicples of the Good Book, Proverbs, prudent, rearing children, ruin, Saturday, shame, skies of heavenly blue, songs of praise, stubborn, summer, the rod and reproof give wisdom, the rod of correction, train up a child, truth, undisciplined, ungodly, vibrant riddim, virgin-like, warm skin, wayward, wisdom, wise son, you can't plant peas and expect to reap corn
Proverbs 15:5. A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).
‘Saturday, oh glorious summer Saturday! Wherefore hast thou taken so long to come? I have been waiting with bated breath to see your bright sunshine, bathed in skies of heavenly blue;
To feel your cool and gentle breezes caress my warm skin, as they blow through the trees, and like an invisible partner, cause the leaves to dance to their vibrant riddim. Breezes that come from whence – no one knows; and whither they go – no one knows.
I’ve been longing to hear the birds sing their beautiful songs of praise to their Creator, as they sense your presence in the light that’s washing o’er the distant eastern horizon. Meanwhile, my soul is joyfully anticipating the tender and sensuous sight of the blood red petals of a rose opening up, virgin-like, to your irresistible charm, as the busy honey bee flitters around her, like a bashful suitor afraid to press his claim of LOVE!’
Oh Friends, even if I do say so myself, I like it! But they were God inspired words. I just didn’t have anything to write about and that’s where He led me. I guess He saw that my heart was in a poetic mood this morning and allowed me that small indulgence. Because I haven’t written anything like that, in that vein, for … for so long, that only the Lord alone knows.
Since He drafted me into writing the Bit, it seems like I’ve given up all other kinds of writing. Ah mih people, our great and wonderful God does move in mysterious ways yes! Now I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a writer, but definitely never envisioned myself writing the kind of scriptural stuff that the Lord has called me to do.
I’m trying my best to be obedient to His will, but I haven’t given up hope of writing other stuff, for as far as I’m concerned they can all co-exist. Let’s hope that is also a part of His plan, because I have so much other interesting – for want of a better word – worldly stuff of life and LOVE, just waiting to be published. It would be a crying shame to let all that go to waste.
However, the Lord is running the show, and I’m here valiantly trying to follow our Bit, not despising our heavenly Father’s instruction. (smile) ‘A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).
Oh my people, those words are filled with so much truth, it’s not funny! And the writer of most of Proverbs, Cousin Sol, who was reputed to be the wisest man ever, considered them so important that he reiterated them in different ways. Today we’re going to look at several scriptures, all within Proverbs, that deal with those sentiments.
Cousin Sol seems to have had a fixation on wisdom and foolishness because he devoted most of his writings in Proverbs to a comparison and contrast between the two. Listen up to these scriptures that corroborate our Bit.
He opens Proverbs 10 – the wise and foolish contrasted – with these words. ‘The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness (grief) of his mother.’ (Prov.10:1) No parent will doubt those words! Oh, and by the way, they don’t only pertain to sons, but also to daughters. (smile) I guess the correct word would be ‘child’ instead of ‘son.’
And later on in Proverbs 15, Cousin Sol declares: ‘A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.’ (Prov.15:20) But isn’t it strange how Sol keeps turning the negative aspect of the situation towards the mother? Doesn’t a wise son make a mother glad too? I would hate to think that I didn’t make my mother glad. (smile)
Anyway, in chapter 17 – Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts (cont’d) – Cousin Sol tells us that: ‘He that begetteth a fool (scoffer) doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool hath no joy.’ (Prov.17:21) That’s indisputable truth my fellow parents!
And a few verses later, he pipes up: ‘A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.’ (Prov.17:25) At last Sol seems to be including the father in the negative aspect of the situation. (smile)
But he doesn’t stop there. In chapter 19, more moral, ethical and spiritual precepts, he solemnly declares: ‘A foolish son is the calamity (ruin) of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping (an unending irritation).’ (Prov.19:13)
Oh, oh, I’ll leave that last statement alone, (smile), but remember Cousin Sol was a wise man, and he had oodles of wives, so he must know what he’s talking about ladies.
And the scholars, in their wisdom, tell us: ’19:13. The foolish son or the contentious wife ruins a man’s life and home.’
Truer words were never spoken Friends. Now don’t hunger for my head ladies, because that statement is gospel truth!
So Friends, I guess we’ll all agree that a wayward, stubborn child is a burden and a disappointment to their parents. But how do most of them get to be that way eh? They’re not all born that way, but a lot of it has to do with our parenting.
And Cousin Sol advises us on that topic: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6)
That means rearing a child on the principles of the Good Book with a proper balance of LOVE and discipline. But unfortunately most of the children today are not brought up that way, therefore we cannot expect anything other than the undisciplined, ungodly, lustful behaviour from them.
And we’ll close with one more verse that proves the point. ‘The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.’ (Prov.29:15)
Oh Friends, that’s why so many children are the way they are today; they’ve been left to their own devices too much, plus the rod of correction and reproof has not been used on them enough! End of story! Much LOVE!
…we can’t expect to raise wise, obedient children…when we’re not leading them along wise paths based on God’s Word…you can’t plant peas and expect to reap corn…
11 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, another week of work, awesome, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, breathed into his nostrils, cesspool, counsel of the heathen, Cousin Sol, creation, Creator, dust of the ground, failed societies, fear the Lord, fellow believers, fellowship, focus on Almighty God, fool's wisdom, foolish question, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, futility, generous help, God commanded and it stood fast, God created man in his own image, god created the heaven and earth, God directs his steps, God spake and it was done, God's thoughts and ways are higher than man's, godly living, going against god's will, if the Lord commands it not, in the beginning, indisputable truth, Jeremiah, Jesus Christ, jesus name, Lamentations, living soul, LOVE, magnanimous god, make man in our image, man plan's his way, man's power cannot rival God's, mortal man, nobody, omnipotent, Praise the Lord, refreshed, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, sing Hallelujah, sink into the mire, stand in awe of God, state of confusion, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the breath of life, the cesspool of ungodliness, the counsel fo the Lord shall stand, the Good Book, the Lord is sovereign, the Word of god, unequivocal answer, ungodliness, waste of time, weekend, who says and it comes to pass, wisdom, worldly invitations
Lamentations 3:37. Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
And then it was Friday… And all the working people joyfully shouted: ‘Yeahhh Friday! Friday at last! Oh how we LOVE you Friday! TGIF! Thank God it is Friday yes!’
Oh Friends, it sure is good to welcome Friday into our lives, but please remember it is just another day, one that the Lord laboured on to create, and we need to put the same energy and godly living into it, like any other day.
So to help us keep our focus on Almighty God, despite the fascinating worldly invitations of the upcoming weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my brethren, we need to keep in mind that the weekend is not merely for fun and frolic, but also for fellowship and rejuvenation, which will enable us to do a good job for the Lord in the upcoming week.
And today we have a most interesting Bit… Sorry, all of them are indeed interesting (smile) because they are taken from the Good Book; the Word of God.
Nonetheless, in his soulful Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah poses this most important question: ‘Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commanded it not?’
And the unequivocal answer to that foolish question is ‘NOBODY!’
Yes Friends, no mortal man can make anything come to pass if the Lord declares otherwise!
And we just have to look at the awesome Creation, to discover how awesome, how omnipotent is the power of our amazing and magnanimous God. And He’s very forthright in telling us that His thoughts and His ways are way way higher than ours (Is.55:8-9) So how can we expect to out do Him eh?
Now listen to the opening statement of the Good Book: ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen.1:1)
Oh my fellow believers, how could a mortal man ever top that eh, especially when it’s that same omnipotent Creator who created him?
‘And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.’ (Gen.1:26a, 27)
‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen.2:7)
So Friends, from those simple bits of scripture, it’s obvious, or ought to be obvious, that man’s power CANNOT ever rival God’s, and whatever God says, that’s the way it will be!
Hear how Cousin Sol in his God-given wisdom describes it. ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov.16:9)
As the scholars so refreshingly declare: ’16:9. The Lord is sovereign over man’s scheming and planning.’
And isn’t that the indisputable truth? It surely is!
Now listen to Cousin Sol again: ‘There are many devices (plans, schemes) in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.’ (Prov.19:21)
Yes my fellow believers, it’s a complete waste of time trying to put plans into place which God does not authenticate or desire to have come to pass. And I can testify to that from hard experience, like most of you also can.
And looking back through history, we can see all the failed societies and great pronouncements and plans of men that have not been successful because God was simply not in favour of them.
And our world is in its current state of confusion because we have not adhered to God’s plan, as outlined in the Good Book, but are foolishly trying to implement our own. And the more we try to do that, the further down we sink into the mire, the cesspool of ungodliness.
The psalmists’ of old wisely recognized the futility of going against God’s will. Hear how the author of Psalm 148 – All creation to praise the Lord – puts it. ‘Praise ye the Lord; (sing hallelujah): Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.’ (Ps.148:105)
And the writer of Psalm 33 – Praise to the Lord for His creation – declares it thus. ‘Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen (nations, gentiles) to nought: he maketh the devices (plans, schemes) of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.’ (Ps.33:8-12)
Ah Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, what more do we need to convince us that if God does not desire something to come to pass, for whatever reason, it will not do so, regardless of all our puny mortal efforts?
So today, let’s be wise nuh, let’s try and bring all our plans into agreement with those of Almighty God nuh, for it is His dictates that will prevail anyway. Much LOVE!
…how can the created ever be greater than the Creator eh…that’s nothing but a fool’s wisdom…
10 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crown of righteousness, affairs of this life, allergies, any and every thing, Argentina, as a good soldier, be patient, blessed, Bruh Paul, buckling down, caffeine, close association with Jesus christ, coming of the Lord, compassionate, condemned, death is at hand, don't grumble against each other, early and latter rain, early to bed early to rise, endurance, endure afflictions, endure hardship, enduring times, establish your hearts, evangelist, everlasting food, everlasting life, food, for Jesus' sake, fought a good fight, George Gershwin, Glory Halleujah, God the Father hath sealed, hang in until the end, happy, hard row to hoe, have finished my course, he shall be saved, he who endures to the end, help to endure, here today gone tomorrow, imperative, in all truth, intentions of the Lord, James, Jesus Christ, Jesus' generous help, Job, kept the faith, LOVE, Love his appearing, mercy, miracles, netherlands, night owl, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, patience in affliction, perseverance, physical food, practice what you preach, precious fruit of the earth, righteous judge, soccer, soldiers in Christ's army, Son of man, spiritual food, suffering affliction, summer magic, summertime, tests, the farmer waits, the judge stands at the door, the living is easy, there's nothing to worry about, Timothy, to go to be late is to be up early, watch thou, we've done our best, William Shakespeare, wisdom
Matthew 24:13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
O Friends, you all have to excuse the ole fella yes, because it’s ‘Summertime, And the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumping, And the cotton is high. Your daddy’s rich, and your mama’s good lookin’, So hush little baby, Don’t you cry.’
Yes my people, those memorable lyrics of the George Gershwin song, ‘Summertime,’ were particularly apt last night. Oh, and just so you know, my daddy wasn’t rich, but my Mama Molly was sure good lookin’! (smile)
And it’s not like I did anything special last night. I just hung out some with the duchess, then when she went to bed, I listened to some music and watched the first half of the Argentina – Netherlands soccer game. But it certainly kept me up until the wee hours of the morning – two o’clock, I believe.
And though I know that Willie Shakespeare said something in one of his plays about going to bed late means being up early, I didn’t arise until six o’clock this glorious summer’s morn!
Let me warn us right now, I’ve never been an early to bed, early to rise kind of guy, more of a night owl, so if the summer weather stays as beautiful as it is, don’t expect to see the Bit early every day. For when the summer magic and craziness hits me, I am liable to get involved in stuff that doesn’t include, or rather, precludes going to bed early. (smile)
And there, now that I’ve warned us, let’s see what else I have to say for myself? Nothing really nuh, for the sleep is still enveloping my mind, the caffeine hasn’t taken effect as yet, the allergies are acting up, and I’m simply asking the good Lord to help me endure. What a way to practice what you preach! (smile)
And my brethren, asking the Lord to help you endure is never a bad thing; in fact it’s always a wonderful way to go, especially since in our Bit, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ so seriously warns us: ‘But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’
So as true believers, we are ALL expected to hang in until the very end! And you don’t need to tell me that that’s not always easy, because I’m experiencing one of those hang in there, enduring times right now. (smile)
But Friends, please remember that with our serious buckling down, and with Jesus’ generous help, we can endure any and every thing! And it’s so important that we do, since almost everything in this wide world calls for some kind of endurance or another.
So, like the last couple of days, let’s continue looking at some interesting and important scripture passages on endurance and enduring. Listen to Bruh Paul natter at poor Timothy. ‘Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.’ (2 Tim.2:3-4)
Yeh mih breddren, a good soldier endures all that comes against him! And like Bruh Paul and Timothy, we’ve been chosen to be soldiers by Jesus Christ in His wonderful army. That means we need to endure hardship, with a smile, if possible. Hn!
Meanwhile, James, in talking of patience in affliction, says: ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (has come near).
Grudge (grumble) not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Behold, we count them happy (blessed) which endure. Ye have heard of the patience (perseverance) of Job, and have seen the end of (intended by) the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful (compassionate), and of tender mercy.’ (James 5:7-11)
What a hard row to hoe my people, but vitally necessary amongst believers!
Now hear Jesus to those who had followed Him after He miraculously fed them. They weren’t really interested in the miracles, just looking for more physical food. ‘Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat (food) which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.’ (John 6:27)
Yes Friends, in real life we throw away lots of physical food because it cannot endure, but as believers, we need to seek spiritual food that lasts, that’s not here today and gone tomorrow. And only through close association with Jesus Christ can we find that kind of everlasting food.
And we’ll end as we began, with memorable words from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race),
I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim.4:5-8)
Oh my people, my people, it is imperative that when our last days on earth are drawing nigh, that we are able to say words similar to those of Bruh Paul, because we have, obviously with God’s help, endured everything that’s been thrown at us!
If we can say that in all truth, then we’ve done our best, and there’s nothing to worry about, because that’s all our wonderful God expects of us; our very best.
So today, and every day hence, let’s ensure that even if we do nothing else, we endure for Jesus’ sake. That’s wisdom from above! Much LOVE!
…I have fought a good fight…I have finished my course (race)…I have kept the faith…oh how beautiful those words sound at the end of every believer’s life…
P.S. And who says I’m not truly enduring this morning eh, since the ole computer decided to freeze on me just as I was about to send out the Bit. Ah Lord eh! The Lord surely tests us on what we preach! And I’m not even done yet! (smile) But with the Lord’s help, the ole fella is enduring! Glory Hallelujah! Much LOVE!
09 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a present from God, a way to escape, almighty god, avenues of escape, blessed, cast not away your confidence, common to man, do thee good, doing good, done the will of god, drawing breath, earthly life, earthly sojourn, endurance, endure, enduring, focus, for my name's sake, friends, fulfilling goals, generous help, glory hallelujah, God is faithful, God's blessings, God's LOVE, got up early, grace, hated, he that shall endure to the end, healing, Hebrews, humble thee, in accordance with god's wishes, Jesus, Job, LOVE, mapped out his day, mature, meaningful communication, meditiate, modus operandi, more than you can bear, Mosaic Law, obey God's will, one day at a time, opportunity, patience, persecution, perspective, pressures of life, priority, privilege, prove thee, receive the crown of life, receive the promise, recompense, reward, righteousness., running race, seek ye first the kingdom of God, Sermon on the Mount, shall be saved, special, spur on growth, steadfast, strong, suffer you to be tempted, sufficient unto the day, take no thought for the morrow, temptation, testing, the curse of god, the desires of yesterday, the evil thereof, the gift of life, the present time, the race is not for the swift, the sure of foot, the work of Christ, thy latter end, to serve Almighty God, today, tomorrow, tomorrow never comes, tragedy, trait of endurance, trials, tried, trouble, troubled times, unbearable, victory, warns the disciples, wisdom, wonder of wonders, worked his plan, yesterday
Matthew 24:13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Oh Friends, wonder of wonders, we’ve been granted another wonderful opportunity to serve Almighty God with the gift of life today! Glory Hallelujah!
And my people, please realize that today is today; not yesterday or tomorrow, but simply TODAY; the present time; a present from our heavenly Father! So let’s concentrate on it and no other nuh.
Let’s try to do our very best on this one special day, for every day that we’ve been granted the awesome privilege of drawing breath is indeed special, and ought to be treated as such. And if we just do that, treat each day as being very special and important, then it will surely satisfy the desires of yesterday, and spur on the growth for tomorrow.
Please note that that was what Jesus did during His earthly sojourn. He got up early, had meaningful communication with the Father, mapped out His day in accordance with the Father’s wishes and will, then He went out and worked that plan; healing and doing good.
He wasn’t overly concerned with what had happened yesterday, or was going to happen tomorrow, but kept His focus on, concentrated the vast majority of His energy and time on fulfilling His goals for that particular day, which is always, TODAY.
Therefore, in accordance with Jesus’ modus operandi, I’m asking us to please put the same perspective in our own lives; simply concentrate on what we can and have to do today.
As Jesus warned His listeners in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow (therefore do not worry about tomorrow): for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:33-34)
Yes Friends, once we’re seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness today, tomorrow will look after itself. And remember that tomorrow never really comes, it simply becomes today, so we just have to keep on doing the same thing, seeking God and His righteousness every today.
And that’s possibly the easiest way for us to adhere to our Bit: ‘But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’
Oh mih people, as we said yesterday, the trait of endurance is a must in the believer’s life! And it’s possibly the hardest thing to do with all the pressures of life, of living, and of the world, being heaped upon us in these very sad and troubled times.
That’s why concentrating on just one day at a time, the day ahead of us, is so important. It frees us from all the other concerns that yesterday and tomorrow would have us pay unnecessary attention to. And just like yesterday, we’re going to look at some more of the many scripture passages that have to do with enduring.
And we’re going to begin with the words of Jesus, when He warns the disciples of serious persecution in their future. ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt.19:22)
Yes my brethren, as the saying goes, ‘the race is not for the swift, but for the sure of foot;’ the one who takes his time to see where he is going and spells himself, so that he can endure; last the entire race.
Then we have the author of Hebrews warning us: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36)
Again, my people, it is all about staying strong and steadfast in the work of Christ, which we know isn’t always easy, but we’re certain of His generous help when we obey His will.
Meanwhile, James says this on the very real and tangible subject of temptation. ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE him.’ (James 1:12)
And I think Friends, that it will be an excellent idea to close with some wise, interesting and important observations from the scholars on that verse.
‘1:12. Mankind understandably may look on tragedy as the curse of God, as Job’s friends did. Trials are, however, the means through which God’s blessings can come. One’s endurance in and victory over trials brings God’s blessings. Christians, therefore, are not instructed to seek avenues of escape.
God desires that they mature in the situation rather than move from it (cf. Rom.5:3-5; 1 Pet.1:6-7). He does, however, promise to provide an escape if the testing becomes unbearable (1 Cor.10:13).’
And I’ll break the scholars words here to show us that scripture, since I know that many of us won’t look it up if I just say to do so, and it’s very important for us to know and understand that scripture verse.
‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor.10:13)
Yeh Friends, we all run to that verse as soon as trouble shows up, expecting God to quickly deliver us. But that’s not the purpose it serves.
For, as the scholars continue: ‘God’s people need to meditate more on James 1:12 than 1 Corinthians 10:13. The reason for this, and why God allows trials in the lives of His people, is revealed in the Mosaic Law: ‘That he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end.’ (Deut.8:16).’
Yeh mih breddren, running this race of earthly life is all about ENDURANCE; about standing strong and steadfast in God’s LOVE and plan for each and every one of us.
So today, let’s make it our number one priority nuh, for that is indeed the wisdom of Almighty God, and we certainly can’t get any better than that! Much LOVE!
…when we make up our minds to endure…rather than simply escape…our heavenly Father is pleased…and gives us even more grace to endure…
08 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affliction, anything is possible, appreciation, bail out, bears all things, beautiful summer, behave like leggo-beasts, believes all things, Bruh Paul, Christian faith, Christian walk, christianity, Church of Christ, complain, conquer, cooped up, cross, discouraged, do good, dreadful winter months, dreary nights, endurance, endurance is a must, endure, endure to conquer, endure to the end, endures all things, ensnares us, enthusiasm, expectant faith, express need, faint not, faith, fear of winter, Galatians, gladness, go crazy, hallmark, Hebrews, hopes in all things, hostility, household of faith, hungry hope, in due season, indisputable truth, Jesus, joy, laughter, lay aside every weight, light, lightheartedness, long-suffering, looking unto Jesus, lose heart, LOVE, LOVE is of God, muggy, no root, offended, opportunity, optimism, parable of the sower, paramount, passion, patience, persecution, perseverance, persist, pilgrimage, power, practice what you preach, praise and honour God's glorious name, prevailing circumstances, reap, run with patience, shall be saved, shame, sin, souls, sprout forth, steadfast, steadfastness, stir crazy, stony ground, stumble, summer, summer weather, Thank You Lord, the race, the word's sake, thrilling rays of the sun, trials, tribulation, true believer, truth, venerable emotion, weary, welldoing, Winston Churchill, wisdom, witnesses, year round treat
Matthew 24:13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Summer, oh beautiful summer! What would we do without you eh? Hn! Possibly go more than stir crazy from being cooped up inside for so long. And I hear a lot of laughter coming from down south.
Yes you southerners, you can laugh because summer is a year round treat for you all. But we northerners do appreciate our summer, after those long, cold, winter days and nights cosseted in close quarters.
That’s why we go crazy, behave like leggo-beasts, when the summer time comes around and we experience the thrilling rays of a sun that shines not only bright, but also hot and heavy, and we can get outside in the heat, half naked – sometimes totally naked – (smile) and let loose all the passion and enthusiasm we’ve stored up during the dreadful winter months.
And so far we’ve had beautiful summer weather; not too hot, but hot enough, with decent winds to keep us comfortable, so that the days and nights aren’t too muggy and sweaty.
And all God’s people declared a loud and hearty cheer of ‘Thank you Lord for this delightful summer weather! We hope that it continues like this all summer long! And in grateful appreciation, we praise and honour your glorious name! Amen!’
But Friends, please remember that the summer has just begun, so everything and anything is still possible. But we’ve just got to hold on to our optimism with hungry hope and expectant faith, without thinking about what lies ahead after summer – winter, with its cold, lonely days and dark, dreary nights.
And now that I’ve put the fear of winter into us, (smile) let’s turn to the word from our almanac today that shouts at us: ‘ENDURE!’
Yes Friends, we need to endure those long, dark, lonely days and nights of winter, be they physical or emotional, so that we can eventually come into the light and lightheartedness of summer. Whatever we’re going through my people, whenever we go though it, ENDURANCE is a MUST!
For as the ensuing quote from the war days British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill (1874-1965) declares: ‘Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer.’
And that’s indisputable truth my brethren! You may not always conquer when you endure, but you’ll NEVER CONQUER, UNLESS YOU ENDURE!
And that goes for our Christian faith more than anything else in this whole wide world! Jesus clearly states the need for endurance in our Bit: ‘But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.’
Oh Friends, there are so many Scripture passages that call for the express need of endurance on our earthly pilgrimage, that I’m just going to quote a few of them. Let’s begin with something from the gospel of Mark, where Jesus is relating the parable of the sower.
‘And these (seeds) are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in them selves; and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction (tribulation) or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (caused to stumble).’ (Mark 4:16-17)
Yes my people, in God’s great universe, even seeds need to endure in the darkness of the earth for a time, until they are ready to sprout forth. And unfortunately, too many of us today are like those seeds that are sown on stony ground. As soon as any difficulties arise, we are quick to complain and bail out.
But my brethren, the hallmark of a true believer in Christ is in our strong power of endurance, our perseverance and steadfastness, regardless of our prevailing circumstances! That’s why Jesus also told the disciples: ‘In your patience (perseverance, long-suffering) possess ye your souls.’ (Luke 21:19)
Patience and perseverance are paramount in Christianity my people!
Meanwhile, in Bruh Paul’s famous chapter on LOVE, he boldly declares of that most venerable emotion: ‘(LOVE) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ (1 Cor.13:7)
Yeh Friends, true LOVE is of God, and it endures everything that’s thrown against it, and in doing so, also lasts forever!
We also know Bruh Paul’s memorable words to the Galatians on the subject: ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart). As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal.6:9-10)
And we’ll end with some more memorable words from Hebrews, re running our earthly race. ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (endurance, perseverance) the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb.12:1-3)
Ah mih people, standing strong and steadfast in faith, with patience, perseverance and endurance is of the utmost importance in our Christian walk!
So let’s take all we’ve heard this morning to heart and let it re-energize us nuh, help us to stand strong, bear all things, in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and thus persist, endure, and see our race of life through to the very end. That’s wisdom of and for the ages! Much LOVE!
…only as believers steadfastly endure their trials and tribulations…will the church of Christ grow…and more importantly…endure…
P.S. Oh Friends, the ole fella’s shaking it somewhat rough this morning, due to a pretty late night and the untimely acting up of my allergies. But I’m practicing what I preach…I’m enduring. (smile) Much LOVE!
07 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 4th of July, Africa, appreciation, aura of love, California, Canadian Maritime Provinces, carnal lusts, chosen generation, complaining, confidence, conquerors, darkness, dissension, drought, economic fallout, enthusiasm, Europe, famine, flooding, greed, holy spirit, homage, homelessness, humble servants, Hurricane Arthur, invincible, Jesus Christ, light, LOVE Revolution, lust for power, Manitoba, maturity, Melchizedek, Middle East, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, need of milk, negative influences, newborn babes, North America, poverty, racial religious and ethnic tension, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rich are getting richer, righteousness., royal priesthood, Saskatchewan, sickness, soccer, solid food, sorry state, Southern Ontario, spiritual armour, spiritual immaturity, spirituality, state of our world, steadfast faith, strife, surrender, terrorism, Texas, the body of Christ, the Word of god, things of God, tornados, trust, U.S. Midwest, ungodly world, violent acts, wars, whining, white elephant stadiums, wisdom, World cup
1 Peter 2:2, As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day – Monday – the first day of the new work week. And for whatever reason, I’ve been guided to take a brief inventory of the state of our world.
And it’s in a real sorry state at the present time – what with a variety of strife, wars, terrorism and other violent acts dominating the landscape of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, spawned mainly by greed, lust for power, racial, religious and ethnic and economic tension. And in many of those same places where the violence is taking place, there is famine, drought, flooding, sickness and extreme poverty.
Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, in North America, the confrontations are not as violent, though racial, religious and ethnic tensions are also on increase. There is plenty dissension and the continuing economic fallout is causing poverty, homelessness and sickness to be more rampant than ever, especially in such an affluent society. But that’s because the greed and non-social conscience of the rich are causing them to get richer, while the rest are certainly getting poorer.
And besides that we’re simply having floods in the Western Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, while several violent tornados have recently ripped through the U.S Midwest and Southern Ontario, and this past weekend Hurricane Arthur deluged the U.S North East Coast and the Canadian Maritime Provinces with tons of rain. But then states like Texas and California are enduring extended periods of drought.
But down in South America, where poverty and strife are always present in large amounts, the supposedly ‘beautiful game,’ soccer is having its World Cup expose in Brazil amidst large demonstrations and unhappiness at the amount of money spent to build new, white elephant stadiums to host the games. But the games are being doted on and bet on by billions around the globe.
What’s going to happen after the finals this week eh? The already wealthy clique that controls the game will walk away even wealthier, leaving the poor and downtrodden in Brazil possibly even worse off than before. And before long we’ll certainly hear about some unnecessary violence committed in the name of the football gods.
Ah Lord eh! And that Friends is only a brief overview. So what sort of picture does it paint of our world eh? Certainly not a pretty one! And though there’s serious unrest and tension all over, there’s not much any of us individuals can do, except to try and keep our immediate families and friends as safe and secure as possible, and free of those negative influences.
However as a group, a group of true believers in Jesus Christ, we can do something to lessen those negative influences. And we can begin by being thankful and responsible this Monday morning; by getting up and going to work without whining and complaining, especially after the 4th of July long weekend, for we are living better than three quarters of our world.
So in appreciation of that, and homage to our wonderful God, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto. As one powerful army cum choir of God, let’s sing. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that might suffice for today my people, but what happens tomorrow eh? We have to turn to the wisdom of our Bit: ‘As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.’
We need to grow in the Word of God if we hope to make a positive difference in this world. And you can see from our overview that our world is in bad shape, which means we have to get a move on sooner, rather than later if we want to stop its slide into total destruction. And this section of Scripture from Hebrews, where the author wants to talk about Jesus the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, brings home that point.
‘Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered (explain), seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time (though by this time) ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles (sayings) of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat (solid food)
For every one that useth (partakes of) milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat (solid food) belongeth to them that are of full age (mature), even those who by reason of use (practice) have their senses exercised (trained) to discern both good and evil.’ (Heb.5:11-14)
Yes Friends spiritual immaturity is holding back the body of Christ. Many of us, who should be teachers by now, are still immature in the faith. We can’t cause a LOVE Revolution through immaturity. We need to be versed in the Word and then put it into practice.
Now listen to how Peter describes us: ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (God’s special people); that ye should show forth (proclaim) the praise of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.’ (1 Pet.2:9)
Yes my brethren, that’s what we’re supposed to be, chosen of God, special! That also means we have to be behave like royalty! So please let’s get with the programme nuh, let’s seriously study the Word and thus not be fooled by the wiles of the enemy. It’s only through maturity we can do that, and also be able to teach others. That’s what Jesus desires of us.
Much LOVE!…it’s high time believers stop allowing the carnal lusts of the world to rule their lives…and turn to the things of the Spirit and of God instead…
06 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: actions, Bachelor of Arts degree, Bible, blind, Bruh Paul, carnal minds, Christian instruction, concentric circles, Corinthians, Creator, deaf, deeds, dereliction of duties, divisions, doctrine, envying, evil speaking, fellowshipping, friends, glory hallelujah, gospel truth, growth, guile, heart brimming with Love, Helen Keller, humanitarian, infighting, kind, knowledge is power, LOVE, malice, maturity, mental, milk of the word, miracle, never ending course of study, newborn babes, non-christian manner, personal growth, pettiness, practice, praise his holy name, precautions, responsible, rudimentary understanding, saviour jesus christ, Saviour Jesus Crhist, scriptures, selfishness, solid food, spiritual growth, strife, thanks, the body of Christ, treacherous, troubled times, walk according to man, walk in the flesh, walking in the Spirit, wisdom
1 Peter 2:2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Oh Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, it’s a beautiful morning, so let’s get up and get fellowshipping with others of like ilk! Time to give thanks and praise to our great and wonderful Creator and Saviour Jesus Christ for all they’ve done, are doing and have promised to do for us.
And all God’s people declared a loud, hearty and grateful; ‘Glory Hallelujah! Praise His Holy Name!’
Yes my people that’s what we need to get out and do this Sunday morning, without any reservations, resentment or being forced to go, but just having a heart brimming with so much LOVE and thanks, that we’re automatically propelled to the sanctuary. (smile)
Now here’s an interesting quote from an interesting and inspirational person; Helen Keller (1880-1968), the deaf/blind American author, activist, lecturer and humanitarian, reputed to be the first deaf/blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Wow! Now isn’t that something else! Nowadays I’m sure it’s much easier than back then.
However, Miss Keller is reputed to have said that, ‘When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.’
And that’s gospel truth my people! For often we don’t know what ripple effects our actions may cause, somewhere down the line. Like throwing a stone in the water and seeing it form concentric circles; one circle after another. That’s how our actions, both good and bad can affect the lives of those we don’t, or may ever know. Therefore it behoves us to be generally kind and responsible in all our deeds and actions.
And the best part of that kind of responsible behaviour is that often we also see and feel the growth within our own selves. And that my Friends, is what we all desperately need in these vey treacherous and troubled times; personal growth! Not only physical and mental, but even more importantly spiritual growth and maturity, so that we can truly understand what’s happening and thus take the necessary precautions.
As Peter warns us: ‘Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.’ (1 Pet.2:1-3)
Yes my brethren, we all begin as new born babes in Christ, where like infants, we can’t handle the heavy stuff, the heavy food, the heavy doctrine and such. Therefore we need to ingest simpler, lighter stuff, like milk for new-borns. That means first getting a basic, rudimentary understanding of the Scriptures, of Jesus and all that He stands for.
But then Friends, we just can’t stop there, like the mental and physical aspects of our bodies, our spirits also have to grow in the understanding of Jesus, and then we need to put those things into practice in our everyday lives. That’s when we begin to attain maturity. We never really are completely mature, because spiritual growth is a never ending course of study.
That’s why Bruh Paul warned the Corinthians about carnal minds hindering, inhibiting the growth of the spirit. ‘And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat (solid food): for hitherto (until now) ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions (dissensions); are ye not carnal (fleshly), and walk as (according to) man?’ (1 Cor.3:1-3)
Oh my people, you know those statements sadly brand a lot of us in Christ’s church today as spiritual babes, because there is still so much infighting amongst believers, with strife, envy and general pettiness and selfishness causing unnecessary and unwholesome divisions in the body of Christ.
And the scholars explain those verses thus: ‘3:1-3) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: In the case of newborn babes this would be natural and to be expected (1 Pet.2:2). But it is embarrassing at this stage in their development. ‘Milk’ figuratively stands for elementary Christian instruction, and ‘meat’ refers to advanced doctrine.
Carnal (lit.“fleshly”). The warfare between the flesh and the spirit receives continual emphasis in Paul’s writings (cf. Rom.7:14-8:13; Gal.5:17). The factions that have destroyed the unity in Corinth indicate that these believers were not walking by the Spirit, but were allowing the flesh to direct their behaviour.’
And doesn’t that ever still apply to the church today my people! A lot of us who are supposed to have Bible knowledge, but behave in a non-Christian manner, according to Bruh Paul’s logic, are still spiritual babes in arms. Because it’s not necessarily what we know that’s important, but often what we do with that knowledge, how it causes us to behave. And if we claim to know what the Bible teaches, but don’t practice it, then all that knowledge is wasted. They say knowledge is power – but only if it’s used wisely.
So Friends, as we go out to worship today, let’s seriously consider if we are behaving like newborn babes; that’s walking carnally, in the flesh, or rather like the mature people we’re supposed to be, walking in the Spirit. How we walk in Jesus’ name, my brethren, does cast a serious reflection on His church, therefore let’s do what we know to be right nuh, and walk maturely – in the Spirit, like we ought to. That’s heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…to walk in the flesh…when we should be walking in the Spirit…is a serious dereliction of our duties as believers in Christ…
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