20 Mar 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a disciplined mind, a holy calling, a means of restoring faith, a partaker of the afflictions, a sound mind, according to God's purpose, back to your fold, backsliders, be not ashamed of, breaking mih back with work, church at Ephesus, compassion, Coronavirus, faith, find a cure soon, forgivenss, Friday chant, God hath not given us, God's great universe, grace, Holy ghost power, inclement weather, Jesus running our show, leader extraordinaire, LOVE, mercy, of power, pandemic, rise up, Scrip-Bit friends and family, seriousness of our predicament, social distancing, stand strong and steadfast, stir up our passion, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the ordinary workingman, the slave master, the spirit of fear, the testimony of Christ, this sinful world, Timothy, Top o' the morn, tough faithful lead the way, tough times, trust, wake up and smell the coffee, washing of hands, wet and windy, with God's help
2 Timothy 1:7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.
Well top o’ the morn to all you wonderful Scrip-Bit friends and family! And I mean that in a general sense because it’s already a tad late, due to my early morning bed time and consequently late rising. (smile) But all that’s a part of life, and we just have to take it and accept it with God’s good grace. Hn, hn, hn! It sounds like I’m making an excuse for something eh? Who knows? But the long and short of it is that in my area of the world it’s a wet and windy Friday morning. The rain has currently stopped, but the wind is certainly picking up, and according to the weather people, we’re going to have thunderstorms and all other kinds of inclement weather this exciting day in God’s great universe!
Yeh, as Job says, you can’t expect to get good stuff all the time and never experience some negative affairs. But the good thing about it all is that we have Jesus running our show, and He’s a Leader extraordinaire, so we don’t need to be worried about whatever happens if we’re walking under His awesome command. That’s why this Coronavirus, or whatever it’s called, that’s running rings around our world doesn’t trouble Christ’s believers as much as those who don’t believe!
We know that it’s dangerous, and we’re to take good and safe precautions, but we also know that our great God has faithfully promised to work everything out for our eventual good, so we don’t panic and get all wired and wound up, but show the world the true faith of Christ’s believers. And the ordinary workingman is pushing me aside so that he can have his say. (smile)
And as usual, he enthusiastically declares: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! But this is a different kind of Friday – I haven’t worked since Tuesday, because the government said the slave master should shut down the slave shop just in case we spread the virus further. And we going to get pay too… Hn! The government must be helping the slave master pay we for not working because He wouldn’t do that on his own. And as I sit here by mih window looking out on the grey and wet morning, glad that ah not in the slave master shop breaking mih back with work, I have to shake mih head and sadly chuckle.
Well, well, well! Look what we great world come to eh! Hn! Ah li’l stupid looking virus finally bring we to we knees! Who’d ever have thunked it eh? Brother! The whole world just shut down just so! I wouldn’t believe such a thing could happen if I didn’t see it with mih own two eyes. Leh we just hope that all this social distancing and washing hands and staying home together brings families back together instead of driving them further apart yes, because the family situation was really getting bad there before all this happen.
Ah Lord eh! What we going to do eh? Just hope that they find a cure soon and too many people doh die from it first, and the economy doh get so bad that it take a long long time to recover! And we keep on thanking God for Fridays and weekends, even though some of us not working and not getting pay!’
Yeh friends, even the ordinary workingman has realized the seriousness of our predicament and the urgency for prayer! So what shall we believers do eh? First off, we shall chant our Friday Chant…and I’ve rejigged it somewhat to serve this unusual situation. So let’s chant up a serious and sincere storm nuh, for the safety and survival of our world depends on it. All together in strong voice, with sincere hearts:
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. As usual, it’s been kinda rough, but a different kind of roughness than normal. All this confusion with the Covid -19 virus and the monumental storm and the seemingly unending havoc it bringing…we not accustomed to that Lord. But with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat this virus.
So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible, but even more importantly, bringing a lot of backsliders back to your fold, and also a whole new flock who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Ah mih people, let’s hope that when the Lord hears our prayer and looks at our hearts to see our motivation, that He will see sincerity written all over them, and thus will unleash His awesome LOVE, compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness, to help us resolve this situation in the best way possible, that will bring glory and honour and exaltation to his name. Oh friends, I can’t stress enough the importance of prayer and our salt and light leadership of faith in this panic stricken situation.
We, the believers in Christ are the ones now required to stand strong and show the unbelievers why we have such faith and trust in our Lord and Saviour. We can’t afford to be weak, wishy-washy and insincere in this abnormal time, for this is the time we were born for; the time to show the world the true and powerful attributes of our faith. And this puts me in mind of Bruh Paul’s second letter to Timothy, when the problems in the church at Ephesus were discouraging him.
‘Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting (laying) on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of (share with me) the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.’ (2 Tim.1:6-9)
Yes friends, our God has not given us the spirit of fear, but that of power; the Holy Ghost power; His awesome power of LOVE, and of a sound and disciplined mind. Let us not be therefore weak and ashamed of His gospel, but this is the time to stir up our passion, rise up from our discouragement and do God’s work! We all know what we ought to do, so with God’s help, let’s rise up and do it nuh! Much LOVE!
…in tough times like these… it’s the tough faithful who lead the way…
27 Nov 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a helping hand, a holy calling, A Prayer for Hope, adversity, all things work together for good, appearing of our Saviour, beloved of God, called according to His purpose, Christ-like, dr robert h schuller, dramatist, dreary, easy row to hoe, faint, faith, friend, friend of Jesus, give up, gloomy, going to happen through me, going to happen to me, good times, grace, Hour of Power Devotional, hurry, I will trust in him, immeasurable, immortality, incessant drizzle, innumerable, Jesus Christ, Job, Joyce Meyer, joys, life, long-suffering, lose heart, loving Jesus, made manifest, more than we can handle, never leave his fold, pain, patient, persevering, purpose, rainy, sad, saved us, serving Jesus, share His love, something good, spinning wheel spins, the called, the elect, the flood, those who LOVE God, Though he slay me, through the fire, through the gospel, to light, trials, truth, Tuesday Mantra, undying fervour, unquenchable faith, wait on God's timing, worry
Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
And the spinning wheel spins…but no one knows where it’s going to stop! And isn’t that the awesome truth friends! But thankfully our spinning wheel has stopped on Tuesday…and hooray! The rain seems like it’s finally stopped too! Praise be!
Brother! Yesterday this area was as dreary and gloomy and rainy as I’ve seen it in some time! I went out in the morning in rain…came back in rain. Went out in the evening in rain…came back at midnight in rain!
Chuh! And it wasn’t even like it was good showers but a puerile, incessant drizzle, which is more annoying than a big shower, which just comes down and stops.
Today has opened dark and cold, let’s hope it’s not more SAD weather. (smile) Anyhow, to conquer all of that negativity, here is an interesting prayer from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional. He calls it, ‘A Prayer for Hope.’ And do we ever need hope in these trying times!
Please pray with me: ‘I have a strong, serene feeling that God is planning something good for me today. I cannot explain it, but I have a deep feeling that wonderful things are in store for me. I am expecting God to surprise me with His tender mercy. He will turn my hurts into halos. He is guiding my life in such a way that whatever happens to me will prove to be a beautiful blessing. Thank You, Lord. Amen!’
And that’s what hope is friends, a positive expectancy that God is working on our behalf! Bless His Holy name. As Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) likes to say: ‘Something good is going to happen TO ME today…Something good is going to happen THROUGH ME today!
That’s how we need to feel each and every day my fellow believers. I know it’s not always easy to be upbeat and positive, but the more we are, the better our lives will be.
And please remember that great promise of the Lord’s that gives us eternal hope. Bruh Paul reminded the Romans of it: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’
Yeah friends! What a mighty promise that! And if it’s one thing we’re very sure of is that our wonderful God keeps ALL of His promises! Glory be! So let’s ride on that sure wave nuh, like a surfer seeing a big one coming and just dying to ride it. Once we LOVE the Lord and are called to do His work, He will eventually work out everything for our benefit. The catch there is that oftimes backbreaking word ‘eventually.’
The Lord does His work in His time, and nothing is really going to change that. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts, wisdom and knowledge are greater than ours, so we just have to be patient, persevering and long-suffering and wait for Him to work His work. It’s not an easy row to hoe, but in the end it will work out magnificently, if we don’t lose heart and faint or give up.
And the only way to overcome all the heartache, trials and pain my people, is to have the attitude that it’s all for our benefit, to grow and mature us, to make us more Christ-like. Remember we can’t grow unless we face some adversity, since we don’t truly grow in the good times.
But the Lord NEVER gives us more than we can handle, and even when it seems so, He’s ALWAYS there with a helping hand to take us through the flood and the fire! Oh my brethren, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! Give Him some much deserved praise and thanks nuh!
Ah friends, when we are the called, the elect, the saints of God, we LOVE Him with such a fierce and undying fervour, that no matter what happens we’ll NEVER leave His fold! As Job said so magnificently so long ago: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways (defend my ways) before him.’ (Job 13:15)
What a powerful statement my people! Like the scholars declare, those first words of that verse ‘express the unquenchable faith of one who lives by faith, not by sight. Even when it appears that God Himself has turned against Job, he will still trust God.’ Oh my faithful brethren, can we say those words and mean them? We ought to be able to as true believers in Christ.
And as Bruh Paul explains to Timothy: ‘(God) Who hath saved us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world (time) began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:’ (2 Tim.1:9-10)
Yuh see friends, our omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God has it all planned out: from day one to the last day, it’s only a matter of waiting on His timing. And believe me, there’s no better dramatist than our God! If you haven’t observed that in your own life, then you’re not truly involved with Him, you’re not paying proper attention. End of sermon! (smile)
Now let’s go home declaring (Yay, spelled it right!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are. In powerful unison now and strong sense of purpose:
‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
And if we truly mean it, then let’s go out and do it nuh! Much LOVE!
…oh…the innumerable and immeasurable joys…of LOVING and serving Jesus…they can’t ever be quantified or qualified…
20 Nov 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a holy calling, Abide in me, abide in my love, according to our works, ashamed of, ask what ye will, be a partaker, be my disiciples, be salty, bear much fruit, before men, beloved of God, beyond measure, born, bounden duty, brilliant, cowering in fear, darkness, enlightened, enthused, evil world, excellent standards, fabulous, feel insecure, friend of Jesus, friends, friendship of Jesus, frightens us, from fear, gives light, glorify your Father, glory to God, gorgeous, grace, heathen, hold back our lights, hurry, in god's eyes, in heaven, inadequate, insecure, let our light shine, let your light shine, liberated, liberates others, light, light a candle, LOVE, love you, loved me, make manifest, my words abide in you, negative disposition, Our Deepest Fear, playing small, power, powerful, purpose, raise up the world, relevant, Scrip-Bit family, see your good works, Sermon on the Mount, serve the world, set on a hill, share jesus' love, shrinking, sound mind, talented, the afflictions, the glory of God, the gospel, the light of the world, the spirit of fear, the testimony of Jesus, the world began, truth, Tuesday Mantra, under a bushel, wisdom, worry
Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Awright mih friends and Scrip-Bit family, it’s a brand new day in the life, so please give the Lord some thanks for allowing us to open our eyes to it and enabling us to do His work down here on earth!
And some of you must be wondering how come the Bit’s so early? Well it’s a simple answer. I went to bed early last night, slept through most of the night, then my back wouldn’t allow me to lie down any longer. It’s not that I was so enthused, that I just had to get up and write the Bit. (smile)
Anyway, here’s a poem I recently saw hanging on the wall of my young daughter’s room. I don’t know it’s author or true title, but I’ll call it ‘Our Deepest Fear,’ and it’s ever so relevant to us in these trying times.
Please read with me: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone, and as we let our light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’
Mama Mia! What words of truth and wisdom my believing brethren! Too many of us shy away from being all that we really are for fear of making others feel less than their true selves. But the truth is, we have to shine so that others can see it’s okay to shine too. If all of us hold back our lights, hide them under a bushel, then the great light of Jesus that’s hidden within all of us won’t be fully exposed to this heathen and evil world.
And that’s not what Jesus wants. That’s why He so forcefully declared in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lamp stand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.’ (Matt.5:14-15)
Oh friends, that’s what Jesus is expecting of us; being cities set on hills and shining our bright lights forth into all the world! Why do you think He made us all brilliant and fabulous, and gorgeous and all those other wonderful things eh? It’s not for us to cover them up, but to share it with the world, and by so doing, raise up the world to His excellent standards.
And thus He continues with this admonishment of our Bit: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ Matter fix, my people! Our job down here on earth is to shine and be salty and everything else that will glorify our wonderful Father in heaven! Glory to God!
Just like Jesus came to earth and glorified Him, we are to do likewise. But we can’t do that if we’re cowering in fear, or insecure, or any other negative disposition. That’s what the enemy wants us to do, but please remember these most potent verses from Bruh Paul to Timothy: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of (share with me) the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world (time) began.’ (2 Tim.1:7-9)
Yes my fellow believers, we are not to be ashamed of Christ’s gospel, like so many of us are, but to take up our holy calling and spread it in whatever way the Lord proscribed for us, manfully bearing whatever afflictions might ensue from our actions. Remember, the Lord doesn’t ask us to do what we can’t do, and then He always assists us in doing it.
And please note what Jesus said to the disciples later on. ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto (for) you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath LOVED me, so have I LOVED you: continue (abide) ye in my LOVE.’ (John 15:7-9)
Ah friends, it all boils down to one word, LOVE: LOVE the Father, LOVE Jesus, and LOVE each other! And if we do those simple things, all will be well with our world and us. Now it’s time to go home declaring – (Chuh! Spelled it wrong again!) – our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know who and whose we are.
In loud and proud voice, with sincere hearts: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
And the corollary, as always, is to now go out and share that LOVE and friendship of Jesus with others! Much LOVE!
…as followers of Jesus…it’s our bounden duty…to show our light and power…to a dark and dismal world…
23 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a holy calling, Acclamation Day, according to our works, all things work together for good, as for me and my house, assurance, before the world began, called according to His purpose, Christ-like, compassionate heart, confidence, courage, curse, divine perspective, eternal glory in Christ, faith, flaming colour, friends show their love, God will supply all my needs, his own purpose and grace, his riches in glory, human perspective, I can do all things through Christ, I will live a balanced life, I will not tolerate strife, if God be for me, implicityly trusted, in times of trouble, Job, life changing power, LOVE, make me strong, make things happen, negative word, passion, power in the Word, promise, restore me, self-control, self-discipline, sincerity, success, suffered a while, sufficient rest every day, the God of all grace, the good of all, this is the day the Lord has made, those that Love God, Though he slay me, Thursday Blessings, true disciples of Christ, we will be glad and rejoice in it, we will follow the Lord, who can be against me, words of truth and power, yet will I trust in him
Romans 8:28. And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Well friends, this is Acclamation Day! I’ve listed a few acclamations for us to speak out loud, because we all know that there is power in the Word of the Lord. The universe was created by the Lord speaking words of truth and power, and when we speak His words, we also project truth and power and make things happen. Some of you might want to copy this list, possibly adding some personalized ones and speak them out loud everyday.
So let’s begin with this all important one for starting our day on the right foot. ‘This the day the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps.118:24) ‘God WILL supply ALL of my needs through His riches in glory through Christ our Lord and Saviour.’ (Phil.4:19) ‘I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!’ (Phil.4:13) ‘I WILL NOT tolerate strife in my life!’
‘As for me and my house, we WILL follow the Lord; that’s for sure!’ (Josh.24:15) ‘If God be for me, who can be against me eh? NOBODY! (Rom.8:31) ‘I WILL live a balanced life and I WILL get sufficient rest each and every day!’
‘Friends show their LOVE in times of trouble, not in happiness.’ (Euripides) ‘And the God of all grace, who has called me to His eternal glory in Christ after I HAVE suffered a little while, WILL Himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast.’ (1 Pet.5:10)
Oh me oh my! What beautiful words of promise, courage, confidence and assurance my people! It’s God’s Word; the Truth! And if we speak them with passion, sincerity and strong faith, then they will eventually come through.
But we have to keep on speaking them and believing them even when we don’t see anything happening in the natural. Just believe that the Lord is working out ALL things for our good in the background, and in His time and fashion we will see them come to pass!
And how do we know all of that eh? Because our Bit, God’s truthful Word assures us of it. ‘And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ What an awesome and wonderful God we serve my brethren!
And the scholars offer this explanation of that verse. ‘8:28. To them that LOVE God is the human perspective. God is working all things together for good, but those who LOVE God are best able to appreciate this fact because they LOVE Him no matter what. (c.f. Job 13:15). To them who are called is the divine perspective. Scripture often refers to believers as “the called” or “the elect.”
Yeh people, God’s overall purpose is to work out everything for good in the universe He created, but those of us who LOVE Him with pure hearts and are thrilled to do His will, can appreciate His doings more than those who aren’t familiar with Him. And as the scholars suggest above, Job puts it in flaming colour. ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain (defend) my own ways before him.’ (Job 13:15)
What powerful words of faith and trust my brethren. As the scholars declare: ‘13:15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him expresses the unquenchable faith of one who lives by faith, not by sight. Even when it appears that God Himself has turned against Job, he will still trust God.’
Oh my believing brethren, do we believe that strong, that even when God seems distant or turned away from us, we still trust in Him? For all our sakes I do hope so, because that’s the level of faith we need to become truly Christ-like.
Remember, even when Jesus Christ cried out on the cross about being forsaken by the Father, although it was the roughest moment of His existence, He still trusted Him implicitly because He knew that the Father would never really turn against Him, that what He was doing, was for the good of ALL.
And we too have to come to that level of faith friends, so that whatever happens in our lives, even though it seems at odds with God’s Word, and we don’t understand it, we don’t doubt His overall purpose of goodness.
Now hear these words of Bruh Paul to Timothy as he warns him to stay true to His purpose in Christ. ‘Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (time).’ (2 Tim.1:9).
Yes faithful followers of Christ, we’ve been called long before everything was set in motion, so let’s stand strong now and do what we’ve been called to do nuh, as true disciples of Christ. And today being Thursday, let’s shout out our Thursday Blessings, to let the whole world know how truly blessed we are, as followers of the one and only Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.
In full voice now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment!
I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Mama Mia! What a day of acclamations and declarations of God’s Word! Now let’s go out and share those wonderful blessings with others who are not so fortunate, for that’s why Jesus blessed us with them. Much LOVE!
…there is power in the Word…power in the Word…life changing power…in the Word of the Lord…
01 Nov 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a holy calling, a mere mortal, a sound mind, abolished death, afflictions, apostle, ashamed, baptizing, before the world began, bounden duty, bountiful blessing, christ jesus, Christians, climate confusion, comprehend, confident certainty, divine destiny, enjoy the day, eternal life, eternity, fathom, for the which cause, forever linked, Gentiles, glorious day, God has chosen me, God has not given us a spirit of fear, grace, he is able to keep, I also suffer these things, I am not ashamed, I am persuaded, I am with you always, I belong to the God of the universe, I do know, in the name of the Father, in the palms of his hands, indescribable universe, inscribed me, Jesus Christ, lavish love, LOVE, loving family of God, made manifest, mercy, mine, neck of the woods, One Year Book of Bible promises, overwhelmed, partaker of the afflictions, power, prisoner, purpose, realtionship with God, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, share His love, spread the good news, sure confidence, talk the talk, teach all the nations, teacher, testimony, Thanks be to God, that which I have committed, the beloved of God, the end of the world, the friend of Jesus, the gospel, the Great Commission, the Holy Ghost, the life of the Son, the love of the Father, the magnitude of God, the power of God, the power of the Holy spirit, the SON, thoughts of kindness, Timothy, trust, Tuesday Mantra, until that day, vast, walk the walk, whom I have believed, works
2 Timothy 1:12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.
Oh my people, another glorious day is blossoming in our earthly lives! Thanks be to God!
And would you believe that in my neck of the woods, on the first day of November the temperature is supposed to rise up into the high teens? Wow! Talk about climate confusion!
Anyway, whatever the state of the weather in our particular area, please, lets enjoy the day, because that’s why the Lord made us to see and experience it.
Now here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled ‘I Do Know’. When I read it recently it reminded me so much of our Tuesday Mantra that I had to share it with you.
It says: ‘There is much I cannot begin to fathom concerning the vast, indescribable universe created by our majestic God. There is much I will never comprehend. I want to sing and shout, so utterly overwhelmed I am with the magnitude of God.
But I do know with confident certainty that I belong to the God of the universe – the Creator of all that exists. I know that I am a mere mortal, am forever linked to divine destiny.
I know that God has chosen me as the object of His lavish LOVE; that his thoughts toward me are thoughts of kindness and mercy; that he has inscribed me in the palms of his hands.
I know that all the LOVE of the Father, and the life of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit are freely, inseparably mine – now and throughout all eternity. This I do know!’
Ah friends, isn’t that a beautiful description of our relationship with Jehovah God? It certainly is!
And if you don’t believe it reminds you of our Tuesday Mantra, then, let’s declare it right now with all the enthusiasm and sure belief that it deserves.
As one beautiful voice now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Mama Mia! Oh what a bountiful blessing to be the beloved of God and the friend of Jesus! It definitely couldn’t get any better than that!
And the writing above just expands on our Mantra; giving more detail of the awesome relationship we have with the Creator and Controller of the universe. Between them both, we ought surely to confidently know and understand who and whose we are – the blessed and LOVING family of Almighty God!
Now here is the promise of scripture for that writing above, it is also our Bit for today. ‘For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.’
Oh glory be my precious people! Bruh Paul is confidently proclaiming his trust and sure confidence in the Lord his God to his protégé Timothy. And we should also be able to proclaim it, if we truly believe what we say we believe.
In the verses before our Bit, Bruh Paul lays out his reasoning for his certainty in Christ. ‘For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.
Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions (share with me in the sufferings) of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world (time) began.
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light though the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.’ (2 Tim.1:7-11)
What a moving passage of scripture friends! Bruh Paul lays out why he believes what he believes. And the same should apply to all who consider themselves Christians!
Jesus was victorious over hell, death and the grave so that we could have eternal life and light, and it’s our bounden duty as His followers to spread that good news to all and sundry, in each and every part of the world.
So my brethren, if we are assured of salvation through Christ Jesus, then we need to behave like it, and speak it boldly, not be ashamed of our faith, as so many of us tend to be when in the company of unbelievers.
Remember Jesus’ last directive to His disciples: ‘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, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
Yes precious people of God, that is our Great Commission, which we are able to do because our wonderful God hasn’t ‘given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’
So please let’s manifest those things in our walk of faith today, let’s boldly and gladly, share the LOVE of Jesus with the rest of the world, because only then, can we be considered true believers. Much LOVE!
…true Christians not only talk the talk…but also walk the walk…
P.S. Just one of those late nights and thus late mornings. (smile) Much LOVE!
28 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a holy calling, afraid, all things work together for good, altar call, Anglican church services, before the world began, blessings, brunch, building block, but to his own purpose, called according to His purpose, capabilities, carpenter, conch souse, dasheen bush soup, eagerness, evangelical outreach, evil, ferry, fiasco, friends, given us in christ, giving thanks, grace, holy spirit, humble, imprint it on your heart, Jesus Christ, jump to it, kudos, LOVE, mighty deeds, missing, not according to our works, praise and worship, predetermined, pride, purpose, Queen's Park Savannah, refresh the mind, renege, Restorers of the Breach, right heart, scripture, sermon, spiritual refreshment, steadfast spirit, testify, the Good Book, the help of God, them that love God, trust, truth, West Indian victuals, who hath saved us, wisdom
2 Timothy 1:9. Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Aye mih people, it’s certainly been an interesting Sunday! First of all, it seems like there were no Anglican church services in T&T today, because of a big rally they have in the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, so my regular place of worship was closed.
However, I had not gone to church last week due to the ferry fiasco of the night before. Apparently I was too tired and frustrated to get up in time, that means I would have missed church on two consecutive Sundays, which was obviously not a welcome thought.
Gramps Schuller (Robert H Schuller) declares that we need weekly spiritual refreshment, and if we miss a week, we will feel the difference, but if we miss two, others will tell the difference. And there is some truth to his assertions.
I didn’t want anybody to tell the difference with me, (smile) so I decided to attend the church service of the group whose Bible Study I’ve been going to on a Thursday evening; the Restorers of the Breach, a small but obviously growing church on the island, holding their services in the Calder Hall Community Centre.
And was it ever an eye opening experience. I got there a few minutes to nine and they had already begun their praise and worship session, and for the next hour we stood there singing and praising and giving thanks.
You can imagine the ole fella’s physical state, my back and knees aching, but as always, with the help of our wonderful God I stood tall in the trying situation. Then there was testimony time; another interesting experience.
And finally my new favourite female pastor got up and after promising not to be long winded, preached an extended fiery sermon on ‘Purpose.’ She reminded me of myself, when I try to be short on the Bit, but get carried away by the Holy Spirit. (smile)
Ah friends, it’s a helluva thing when the Holy Spirit has you in grasp. And it obviously had Pastor Josanne in its grasp this morning. Then when she was finally through, there was an altar call, which glory to God, was well received. And then there were announcements and some more praise and worship to end the service. Hn! I didn’t get out of there until minutes to one.
And would you believe they are planning to go and walk about the community at four o’clock in an evangelical outreach? I do wish them the best of luck in their evangelical endeavours. And by the time I got home I had to refresh my physical self, having satiated my spiritual being. (smile)
And brunch consisted of some long not tasted conch souse and some excellent tasting dasheen bush soup of Brother Kirby. No wonder I LOVE my West Indian victuals. And that was followed by the ever necessary nap, to refresh the mind.
So that’s why I’m so late getting to my purpose of writing the Bit, and it’s not that I was slacking or lazing off somewhere. (smile) And having the topic of purpose already embedded in my mind, I decided to stay on that topic, hence our Bit.
‘Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.’
Yes friends, our God had a purpose for Christ and also one for all our lives which He predetermined before He created us. Christ knew His purpose and came and fulfilled it with flying colours. Now it’s time for us to find out God’s purpose for our lives, then with His awesome help fulfill them to the best of our abilities.
But for many of us that’s a big problem, because we either can’t figure out what God wants us to do, or if we have figured it out, it doesn’t sit well with our thinking. It’s either too simple and as a result won’t bring us many kudos from the evil world, or too tough and thus we’re afraid to get into it.
But my brethren, please remember that whatever task God gives us is important in His eyes, and He won’t give us something to do that He knows is outside our capabilities. I can personally testify to that, because some eight or nine years ago when the Lord first brought up my writing of the Bit, I laughed and said I was unable to do it because my knowledge of His Word was not good enough.
But He persisted and I finally gave in…and look at me now nuh. My knowledge of the Good Book is still not exemplary, but it’s much better than it was, and it allows me to write the Bit, with His precious help obviously.
So friends, whatever God has put in your heart as your earthly purpose, be it lowly or prominent in your eyes and/or that of the world, please accept it with pride and eagerness, because it is an important building block in His kingdom.
Not all of us can do mighty deeds, some have to settle for the humble and simple ones. Remember too that Jesus first came as a lowly carpenter, though His next coming will be as a mighty King. And please don’t forget either this seminal scripture of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome.
‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom.8:28) Yes my fellow believers when we are called to God’s purpose, He works everything out for our good!
Now don’t think that everything will be wine, roses and song, in fact, it’s often the exact opposite, rough times, but our great God has NEVER and will NEVER renege on His promise, so although life doesn’t seem too rosy at times, be assured that once you’re doing His will with a right heart and steadfast spirit, then He WILL look after you.
And that’s no hearsay, I am telling you that from personal experience. Now in closing, please take this heartfelt advice: if you know God’s purpose for your life, then diligently pursue it, the sooner the better.
And if you don’t yet know it, then also diligently pursue it by talking to God and asking him to show you what His earthly plan is for your life. Now He might not show it to you right away, but in His own time He will imprint it on your heart. Then jump to it! Much LOVE!
…until we know God’s purpose for our lives…we will not be fulfilled…something will always seem missing…
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