12 Jun 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again, a positive outlook on life, a strong will, abundance, abuse, against the dwelling of the righteous, against the workers of iniquity, all kinds of imaginary evil, all that do wickedly, all that's left behind on the moon is garbage, all the proud, as in a moment, behold the day cometh, bless them that curse you, brought into desolation, but as for me, cannot stand the constant buffeting, cast them down into destruction, climate change, courage, curse, disrupting God's amazing cycles and systems, do good to them which hate you, don't fall into the evil trap of envying the wicked, don't gloat over the destruction of your enemies, faith, favour, fret not thyself because of evildoers, God's a just and righteous God, God's justice shall prevail, God's promises about the wicked, God's supernatural wisdom, he turn away his wrath from him, holy spirit, I had almost stumbled, I saw the prosperity of the wicked, I was envious of the foolish, in the arduous process, it shall leave them neither root not brakch, Jesus Christ, lay not wait O wicked man, lest the Lord see it and it displease him, let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth, losing weak branches, LOVE, Love your enemies, man's cast off, mercy, my feet were almost gone, negative word, neither be thou envious, our greedy and avaricious selves, pollute God's great earth, pray for them which spitefully use you, prosper, ready to destroy and pollute wherever he goes, received a divine perspective, rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, salvation, says the Lord of hosts, self-control, self-discipline, set them in slippery places, shall be as stubble, spoil not his resting place, succeed, success, suppression, talent, that shall burn as an oven, that's man for you, the day that cometh shall burn them up, the righteous shall enjoy eternal life, the trees dancing to the wild tempo of the wind, the wicked shall fall into mischief, the wicked shall stumble into calamity, the wicked shall suffer eternal death, the workers of iniquity do flourish, the workers of iniquity shall be scattered, then understood I their end, they shall be destroyed for ever, they shall soon be cut down like grass, thine enemies shall perish, to eventually destroy the wicked and all they stand for, to sweeten the mix, truth, unrelentingly plunder, until I went into the sanctuary of God, utterly consumed with terrors, wait on God's promises and timing, when the wicked spring as the grass, who's to blame, who's to blame for climate change, windstorms, wisdom, wither as the green herb
Psalm 92:7. When the wicked spring (spring up or sprout) as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
And it’s a bright and sunshiny, beautiful Thursday morning in my neck of the woods. Thankfully the wind is not as strong and persistent as it was all day yesterday. As I keep saying, these numerous windstorms that we’re now experiencing, only begun happening about three or four years ago, and this year seems to be the worst it’s ever been; at least a couple of days every week. I feel sorry for the poor trees, constantly dancing to the wild tempo of the wind, and in the arduous process, losing weak branches that cannot stand the constant buffeting.
And who’s to blame for that? We pour all the blame on our good friend, climate change! But who’s to blame for climate change? None but our very greedy and avaricious selves, as we ceaselessly and unrelentingly plunder and pollute God’s great earth, thus disrupting the amazing cycles and systems He’s set up to coordinate the earth’s weather system. But that’s man for you; ready to destroy and pollute wherever he goes. Take a look at the moon and any other planets where man has unfortunately touched, all that’s left behind there is garbage, man’s cast off.
We so desperately want to go to all those places, but we’re not in the least concerned about destroying and polluting them, like we’ve so sadly done to Mother Earth. We’re only interested in adding to our laurels; we’ve reached this planet and that star and whatever outer space projects we’ve planned. As we’ve seen down through the ages, man is simply an abusive and destructive force, always quicker to destroy than to build, and what it’s taken centuries to build, we destroy in mere minutes, if not seconds.
So what else can we expect eh, especially when the evil one is currently running rampant throughout the earth? Nothing less than destruction, abuse, suppression and all imaginary kinds of evil! But let’s not forget the many promises in the Word of the One who created the universe and all therein, to eventually destroy the wicked and all they stand for, because he is a just and righteous God and His justice will prevail! And Bruh David proclaims it very vociferously in the opening verses of Psalm 37: ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.’ (Ps; 37:1-2)
It could not be said any clearer than that my people. And remember what Asaph said in his most heart rending psalm? ‘But as for me, my feet were almost gone (I had almost stumbled). For I was envious at the foolish (boastful), when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.’ (Ps. 73:2-3) And, unfortunately, in these current times the wicked and boastful are flourishing as never before. But please remember what Asaph learned later on about the destiny of the wicked. ‘Until I went into the sanctuary of God: then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.’ (Ps. 73:17-19)
Yes friends, it’s only when Asaph went into the house of the Lord and communed with Him, did he understand the end of the wicked. He received a divine perspective on the wicked’s prosperity and finally found the answer to his problem. So please, let’s not fall into the evil trap of envying the wicked for their earthly prosperity. And yes, it’s hard to see them prospering, when you the supposed righteous are suffering, but we must learn to wait upon God’s promises and timing.
As the psalmist says so well in Psalm 92. ‘When the wicked spring (spring up or sprout) as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.’ (Ps. 92: 7-10) There again, we have strong evidence of the wicked being eventually destroyed. And we’re not going to forget Cousin Sol’s wisdom, as he always has something to add to sweeten the mix. (smile)
Listen to these wise words from his pen. ‘Lay not wait (do not lie in wait), O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not (assault not) his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief (stumble into calamity). Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.’ (Prov. 24:16-18) Oh friends, no wonder Cousin Sol, was called the wisest man ever! And we can see why, for in just those 4 verses, he warns the wicked, assures the righteous and also warns the righteous about being glad when the wicked falls or stumbles.
Why, because it might just displease the Lord, and make Him turn His wrath away from the wicked. Remember Jesus said we should not gloat over the destruction of our enemies, but rather to pray for them. And in His teaching on the treatments of others, He specifically notes: ‘But I say unto you which hear, LOVE your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you.’ (Luke 6:27-28) That’s the gist of Jesus’ teaching, and in this current evil world it’s oh so difficult to do, but we must do it as best we can, if we want to be truly His followers.
Now here’s the last word on the destruction of the wicked from the prophet Micah. ‘For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.’ (Mic. 4:1) Yes my fellow believers, in His Word, the Lord’s promised to destroy the wicked and evil too often for it not to be true. So please let’s listen to Him and not follow Beelzebub and his evil cronies. And tomorrow, if God spares life, we’ll look at the promises of God for the righteous.
So, let’s now declare our Thursday Blessings, so generously bestowed on us to do the Lord’s earthly work. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘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 every day! Amen!’
And having activated those blessings, we’re now duty bound to go out and use them for the benefit of others, just as generously as the Lord shared then with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…the wicked shall suffer eternal death…but the righteous shall enjoy everlasting life…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
18 Apr 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a man of sorrows, a profound effect, a significant turning point, a turning point in our lives, a watershed day in our lives, abuse, afflicted, all we like sheep have gone astray, as sheep before her shearers is dumb, be set free from the bondage of sin, break our hearts, bruised for our iniquities, buried in a wealthy man's tomb, can't be an Easter Sunday without a Good Friday, Christ crucified between two thieves, cut off, death of a Good Friday, Easter Sunday, even unto death, every one has turned to their own way, faith, feeling the pressure, for the transgression of my people, give us his righteousness, glorious undertones, Good Friday, he had done no violence, he made his grave with the wicked, he opened not his mouth, he was oppressed, he was stricken, he was wounded for our transgressions, holy spirit, if it be possible, immense physical suffering of jesus, improve our sinful and disobedient ways, Jesus Christ, Jesus sacrificed himself for our salvation, Jesus was in such agony, Jesus' illegitimate trials, Joseph of Arimathea, led like a lamb to the slaughter, let this cup pass from me, LOVE, mercy, my soul is exceeding sorrowful, neither was any deceit found in his mouth, not as I will but as thou wilt, oppression, out of the land of the living, pierced through, potential life, resurrection from the dead, sacrificial death, salvation, severe pain, suffering of christ, take our sins, taken from prison, tarry ye here and watch with me, the chastisement of our peace, the cross of Calvary, the crown of thorns, the desperate condition of mankind, the Father's great love for us, the Garden of Gethsemane, the iniquity of us all, the javelin in his side, the Lord has laid on him, the only sinless one Jesus, the prophecy of Isaiah, the purpose for which He was born, the saddest day of the year, the scourging, the Servant of the Lord, the severity of Christ's suffering, the sweat from His brow resembled blood, to die in our place, to pay for our sins, torture, truth, who shall declare his generation, wisdom, with his stripes we are healed, with the rich in his death, without a shepherd to guide us
Isaiah 53:6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Then it was Friday…not our regular Friday, but Good Friday; the saddest day in the world, but one with glorious undertones. For Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross of Calvary on Good Friday to pay for our sins, so that we could be set free from the bondage of sin, when He gloriously arose on Easter Sunday. So, as we’re wont to say, there can’t be an amazing resurrection on Easter Sunday without the pain and tears and death of a Good Friday!
And we all know about the actual torture, abuse and suffering that Christ went through on Good Friday from the Gospels, so we won’t go into that, instead, let’s contemplate the prophecy of Isaiah on the topic, several hundred years earlier, which tells it all so clearly but succinctly. Having called the Servant of the Lord (Jesus) a man of sorrows or severe pain, Isaiah goes on to say: ‘But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised (pierced through) for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.’ (Is. 53:5)
Now, that simple sentence encompasses a lot of what happened to Jesus on that long ago Good Friday. And the gospels do tell of the severity of Christ’s suffering; both emotionally and physically. We see the former in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before the crucifixion, where He shares His problem with the disciples. ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here (stay here), and watch with me.’ (Matt. 26:38)
And three times He went forward by Himself and prayed for the Father to remove the calamity, saying: ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matt. 26:39) But three times, He received the same answer; silence. But deep down Jesus knew that this was the major purpose for which He was born, but His human side was feeling the pressure. And according to Luke, He was so agonized that the sweat falling from His brow, resembled drops of blood. Luke also says that during His prayer time, an angel came from heaven and strengthened Him. (Luke 22:43-44)
And we know of the immense physical suffering, from the scourging, the crown of thorns, the javelin in His side, the nails in His hands and feet…all of that just fulfills the words of Isaiah; ‘wounded for our transgressions (sins), bruised (pierced through) for our iniquities (moral evils), the chastisement (discipline) of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.’ Yes friends, Jesus paid the terribly high price for the absolution of our sins with the sacrifice of His sinless life, and by the very wounds that were inflicted on His sinless body, those are the very ones by which we are today spiritually healed and forgiven.
And why were the sins of the whole world placed on Jesus’ sinless shoulders? Isaiah tells us: ‘All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.’ (Is. 53:6) And if we are truthful, we will acknowledge the desperate condition of mankind back then, where we were so lost and suffering without a Sheperd to guide us. However, the Father, in His great LOVE for us, sent the Son, the only sinless one to die in our place, to take our sins on His shoulders and give us His righteousness.
But yuh know what? Today we’re even more lawless and sinful than ever! Satan and his evil cronies are ruling the roost, and it seems that Jesus is running a far second. That’s not right my people. Not after all that Jesus suffered for us. Hear Isaiah tell it nuh. ‘He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought (was led) like a lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.’ (Is. 53:7) And that is exactly how Jesus played the scene! He didn’t complain, nor get angry and fight back, just went willingly with very few words to His sacrificial death, which was His destiny.
And Isaiah continues: ‘He was taken from prison (out of oppression) and from judgement (justice): and who shall declare his generation (consider it among His generation)? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit (guile) in his mouth.’ (Is. 53:8-9) Oh my people, you can find all that prophecy fulfilled in the New Testament, with the same words being used all through it.
And the scholars offer these explanations on those last two verses. ‘He was taken from prison and from judgement (justice) refers to the illegitimate trials to which Jesus was subjected. Who shall declare reads better “who has considered.” His generation refers to His potential life. The verb was cut off refers here to a violent death. The reference to the Servant making his grave with the wicked was certainly fulfilled in Christ’s crucifixion between two thieves. (Matt. 27:38) The additional phrase and with the rich in his death refers to Jesus’ burial in the tomb of the wealthy Joseph of Arimathea. (Matt. 27:57).’
And my fellow saints, having read all of that, and possibly having joined others in worship earlier on, I do hope that today, this Good Friday of 2025, will be a watershed day in our lives; one that marks a significant turning point, where all the suffering of Jesus has this profound effect on us and causes us to improve our sinful and disobedient ways, for that’s the only way our currently evil and ungodly world will ever become more obedient and godly! Much LOVE!
…if Jesus’ suffering on our behalf…doesn’t break our hearts and incline us to His way of life…then we have no hearts…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 Apr 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a holocaust, a miscalculation, a new earth, abuse, accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, according to his promise, all tears from their eyes, as a bride adorned for her husband, At last, at long last, be diligent, be their God, Behold, behooves us, Bible, blameless, born with a sinful nature, catastrophe, centuries of war, chaos, christianity, Christians, climate change, come as a thief in the night, coming down from God out of heaven, criem, cruelty, curses, despair, devilish, diabolical, endorse that plead, every man did that which was right in his own eyes, faith, for God's goodness to hurry up, glorious words of wonder, God himself shall be with them, God shall wipe away all tears, God's immense wisdom, God's incalculable love, grace, greed, hatred, he that sat upon the throne, he will dwell with them, holy conduct, holy spirit, hostility, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I heard a great voice out of heaven, I saw a new heaven and a new earth, implode our world, importuning prayer, in all holy conversation and godliness, in god's eyes, in the new world, in those days, indulgences shamelessly practiced, inhumanity, jealousy, Jesus Christ, lawlessness, lock stock and barrel, lonliness, look for new heavens and a new earth, looking forward to God's promise of new heavens, Lord your promise is your guarantee, LOVE, lust, man doesn't care about his mortal self, man no longer cares about the things of God, man's enlightenment, martyrdom, mercy, murder, neither shall there be any more pain, neither sorrow, New Jerusalem, no more death, no more sea, nor crying, nor of himself, One Year Book of Bible promises, Only Goodness, only the goodness of God, please hurry a little, prohibit injustice and inhumanity, rebellion, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, shall be burned up, share His love with my neighbours, starving children, sunshine worshippers, that ye may be found of him in peace, the ;lawless time in Israel, the Apostle Peter, the bad to override the good, the day of the Lord, the earth and the works therein, the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, the former things are passed away, the heavens shall pass away, the height of his supposed intelligence, the holy city, the tabernacle of god is with men, the world is in shambles, there was no king in Israel, thoughtlessness, tired of snow, to share Christ's amazing love, to whom we belong, tragedy, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, what manner of persons ought ye to be, where there will be only goodness, wherein dwelleth righteousness, whimpering cries, wisdom, with a great noise, without spot, worry, write for these words are true and faithful
2 Peter 3:13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
And Tuesday’s opened nice and sunny, though cold and windy, while earlier on there were a few splotches of that white stuff on the ground. Not much, but just enough to remind us that they had forecasted 8 cm. of the stuff for today. But let’s hope that was a miscalculation and the reality won’t make itself felt, because we’re really tired with snow and all it’s cold, icy family. (smile) Yes, we’ve had more snow and ice this year than we’ve had for several years, so it’s time climate change gives us a break. And all the sunshine worshippers said a prayer, importuning climate change to leave us alone. (smile)
Now, today we want to share another importuning prayer, but a more serious and very appropriate one, and this one to God Almighty. It comes from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. And this one I don’t think I’ve ever shared before, because it seems oh so new and strange to me. But believe me, it’s very right for these chaotic times. It has a weird but simple title of ‘Only Goodness.’ And once we read it, you’ll understand why I called it weird. (smile)
So please read with me: ‘What glorious words of wonder Come from the Apostle Peter. He wrote, “But we are looking forward To God’s promise of new heavens And a new earth afterwards Where there will be only goodness.” O dear God “Where there will be only goodness.” After centuries of war, greed, and lust After indulgences shamelessly practiced After hatred, hostility Jealousy and abuse. Murder and martyrdom Crime and cruelty Curses and rebellion. After whimpering cries from starving children After tragedy and catastrophe Loneliness and despair At last…at long last “There will be only goodness.” O dear Lord Your promise is Your guarantee But please hurry a little!’
And I’m sure most of us will endorse that plea for God’s goodness to hurry up and come because our world is in such a state of shambles and disbelief, that it’s ever so difficult to comprehend! I don’t know if there’s ever been a time like this, when in man’s enlightenment, in his most knowledgeable and progressive time, has he ever treated his fellow man with such inhumanity, greed and thoughtlessness. And the sad thing is that he’s doing it at the height of his supposed intelligence and understanding. That’s what makes it even more disgusting and downright ungodly!
Unfortunately, it hearkens back to that lawless time in Israel when as the Good Book says: ‘In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.’ (Judg. 21:25) I can understand that; no rulers or judges meant chaos and lawlessness, but in an era when there are so many judges and so many laws that supposedly prohibit injustice and inhumanity, those two devilish and diabolical things are flourishing. Why is that eh? Has mankind gotten so far away from God and the things of God that he no longer cares about anything or anyone, including his mortal self?
Because, if we continue along the inhumane, lawless line we’re currently following, we will eventually implode our world and ourselves. We just need a li’l more time along that track to accomplish it. Let’s hope that the Lord’s timing for all those new things occurs before we reach to that stage, because there will be such a holocaust, nuclear or otherwise, that will make all the other wars and arguments miniscule by comparison. That’s why Peter could write these memorable words: ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness. Looking for and hasting (hastening) unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.’ (2 Pet. 3:10-14)
Yes friends, that’s how we ought to be waiting for the coming of God’s day, not the way we currently are. Oh, it’s so sad, that in mankind’s most glorious evolutionary moment, where things like education, technology, health care and lifestyle are at their highest, he’s at his worst behaviour! But I guess that’s what comes from being born with a sinful nature; the possibility for the bad to override the good. But thankfully that won’t be forever, for God in His immense wisdom and incalculable LOVE, has made other much better arrangements for those who sincerely LOVE and reverence Him.
And what’s that better arrangement? Oh friends, just listen to it!It’s the Bible Promise on which our poem today was based. It comes from the Revelation of John. Or as one pastor likes to call him, John the Revelator. (smile) But regardless of what you call him, you must be mightily enthused about his revelation, which reads as follows. ‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne (Jesus) said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me (John), Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:1-6)
Yes my fellow saints, that’s the goodness of God we have to look forward to. But we must have accepted His Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, if we want to be included in that bright New World! And for those of us who have already done that, let’s go home now declaring (chuh!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And having said all of that, it now behooves us to go out and share Christ’s amazing LOVE and friendship with those we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…thankfully…in the new world…there will only be the goodness of God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 Apr 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sunless garden, abuse, awesome spirit, awesome truth, can't give what you don't have, Christ's redeeming presence, Covid-19, dead flowers, don't brood, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, eternal life, fear, fighting the devil in hell, Friend Anselm, God is light, God is spirit, Good Friday, good or evil, hang all the law, he that loves not, injustice, keep God first place, keep love in your heart, knoweth not God, laziness, live and love, LOVE is of God, Love makes the world go round, LOVE one another, love or hate, Love the Lord thy God, Love your neighbour as yourself, lower echelons, mere human love, negative behaviour, no tomorrow, on these two commandments, pandemic, problems not insurmountable, procrastination, ramp up our efforts, resurrection, sufferation, the greatest is love, thinking of Jesus, top echelons, with all thy heart mind and soul, you reap what you sow
1 John 4:8. He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE.
Come Easter Saturday morning, me and my friends, will be heart-broken, thinking of Jesus, His beaten and battered body buried in the tomb, but whose awesome spirit is fighting the devil in hell, so that He can return triumphant on Easter Sunday! Oh glory to God my faithful brethren! He’s such a wonderful God, and LOVES us much that He gave His only Son to die to atone for our sins on that horrible but blessed day called Good Friday!
And it is always worth noting, that though we’re sorrowful for the abuse, injustice and terrible ‘sufferation’ Jesus experienced on our behalf yesterday, without Good Friday, we would never be able to have the joyous resurrection of Easter Sunday, and thus the amazing promise of eternal life! And all God’s people gave a loud and grateful cheer of ‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy and LOVING-kindness to the children of men!’
And having said all of that, let’s turn now to the quotes our friend Anselm sent us this week, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. And the first one says it in spades: ‘The future depends on what you do today.’ And is that ever so true my fellow believers! The seeds of our today doing will be the ones we reap henceforth. As we all know, we reap whatever we sow, and as Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley) likes to say: ‘We reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow.’
And ain’t that the gospel truth! Have you ever noticed how much harvest we receive even though we only sow a few seed? Well that’s exactly what will happen to us, with whatever we sow today, good or evil, LOVE or hate. It will be multiplied and measured back to us several fold. So please, lets pay close attention to what we sow today, for it will certainly boomerang on us tomorrow.
And here’s another nugget of truth: ‘Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than trying to solve them.’ That’s for certain sure! We like to give it a fancy name like procrastination, but it’s usually an act of laziness, or fear, as we just don’t want to face the problems that have come against us. I can testify to the laziness aspect. (smile) And the truth is, if we just ramp up our efforts and deal with the problems in a timely and effective manner, most of them will quickly go away, for most problems are never as insurmountable as they seem when we shy away from them.
Therefore, this next quote is rather timely. ‘Don’t brood. Get on with living and LOVING. You don’t have forever.’ And isn’t that what many of us are finally finding out with the Covid-19 pandemic that’s clutching tenaciously at our throats? We can’t allow life to pass us by without making significant efforts to throttle it and keep it in line. We must LIVE and LOVE as though there was no tomorrow! And who knows if there will be eh?
But still so many of us refuse to do what is necessary to survive, or at least have a reasonable chance of surviving. There is still too much doubt, denial, confusion and totally different messages prevailing amongst the top echelons in our society, so what can we expect from the lower rungs eh, but the same negative behaviour.
Then there’s this: ‘LOVE yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to LOVE yourself to get anything done in this world.’ I don’t know how much truth there is that statement nuh, although I suspect there is some. The long and short of the story though is that Jesus said: ‘Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (Matt. 22:37-40)
Yuh see friends, LOVE for God ought ALWAYS to be first place! And you’ll notice that LOVE for self runs a distant third, because we need to LOVE our neighbours after we LOVE the Lord. The only mention of LOVE for self there is in the context of LOVING our neighbours. How much we LOVE others, will be in direct proportion to how much we LOVE ourselves! The truth being that we can’t LOVE anyone, or can only LOVE them as much as there is LOVE in our own hearts. As Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) likes to say on the subject: ‘You can’t give away what you don’t have.’
And isn’t that the awesome truth! If you don’t have LOVE in your heart, you obviously can’t give it away! That brings us to this amazing quote: ‘Keep LOVE in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.’ And don’t I ever know that! Oh friends, LOVE is the most important thing in the world, as Jesus reminded us above. LOVE for God, our neighbours and ourselves! For LOVE is truly what makes the world go around!
As John so clearly tells us in his epistle. ‘BELOVED, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God.’ (1 John 4:7)
But the scholars clarify that by stating: ‘In context, John is not saying that everyone who LOVES is somehow a Christian, whether they trust in Christ or not. He makes it clear elsewhere that true knowledge of God entails right belief about Christ, as well as right response to God, including LOVE of others. Mere human LOVE apart from Christ’s redeeming presence and motivation falls short of LOVE in its fullest dimension as a human response to God’s perfect and infinite compassion (cf. 1 Cor. 13).’
Thus the LOVE we’re talking about here is that which is securely entwined with true belief in Jesus Christ. And thus John could continue: ‘He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE.’ And all God’s people declared a loud and proud ‘AMEN!’
And we’ll close with this reminder from the scholars, re that verse. ‘John has also recorded that “God is light” (1:5) and “Spirit” (John 4:24). LOVE is one of many attributes of God and is to be understood in relation to the others, such as holiness and justice.’
And that’s why sin had to be justly paid for, before forgiveness could be bestowed. Much LOVE!
…but the greatest of God’s attributes is…LOVE…
11 Mar 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sinful and fallen world, abuse, adversity, as many as I love, backbone and belly, bastards, be discouraged, be zealous therefore, church at Laodicea, compassionate, corporal punishment, despise not, even as a father, eyes fixed straight ahead, glad to be alive, God is faithful, God Jehovah, goes gaga over us, halfway home, hands on the plough, he chasteneth, he that spereth the rod, holy, humble apologies, I rebuke and chasten, illegitmate, irresponsibility, just, living for Jesus, looking forward, LOVE, loves us with undying love, merciful, nor faint, not turning back, repent, responsible for wrongdoing, righteous Deity, rude, scourgeth every son, sensible punishment, sent His only son Jesus, spoileth the child, the breath of life, the chastening of the Lord, the muse sleep, the son in whom he delighteth, to a glorious future with Jesus, to save us, too much leeway, train up the children right, unconditional LOVE, unmannerly, Wednesday Wail, when thou art rebuked of Him, whom he receiveth, whom the Lord loveth, Wisdom 101
Hebrews 12:6. For whom the Lord LOVETH He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, (even as a father the son in whom he delighteth).
My most humble apologies friends as we’re a bit late this bright and sunshiny Wednesday Morning. That’s because I had one of those late nights, or early mornings, your choice, and then the muse called sleep was pretty good to me, kept me under for a decent spell. (smile) But welcome nonetheless to a new day of mercies and compassions from our most merciful and compassionate God Jehovah! Give Him thanks for His amazing, awesome and unconditional LOVE for us, who don’t deserve even one iota of His goodness.
But His heart of LOVE couldn’t help itself way back when He sent His only son Jesus to save us, and even now, despite our abominable sinfulness and disobedience and desire to rid our society of His overall presence, He still LOVES us with the undying LOVE of a heavenly Father! Wow! I know it’s hard to believe that with all the ungodly stuff we do and the low esteem in which so many of us hold Him, that He still goes gaga over us. (smile) But we’re His greatest creation, so just like how we hold important people in our lives to our hearts, He holds us to His.
Now isn’t it simply wonderful to know that we have a God, a Creator, who LOVES us dearly, despite our many shortcomings? It certainly is! But that doesn’t mean He won’t punish or discipline or chasten us for our disobedience, but even then it’s because He LOVES us that He chastens us. Hear the Good Book tell it nuh, as the author of Hebrews quotes Cousin Sol from Proverbs 3:11-12.
‘My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord LOVETH He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth (even as a father the son in whom he delighteth). If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then ye are bastards (illegitimate), and not sons.’ (Heb. 12:5-8)
Oh friends, a lot of us believe that if God is so good, He should not punish us, but that’s not right, He punishes us because He LOVES us, the same way our earthly fathers punish us for wrongdoing because they are interested in our well being! Remember Hs is not only a LOVING God, but also a holy, righteous and just Deity, which means wrongs have to be righted and justice done. Jesus, in his message to the church at Laodicea, says it thus to John in Revelation: ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.’ (Rev. 3:19) That’s also wonderful advice for us today friends.
And the scholars offer this insightful explanation. ‘12:6. Whom the Lord LOVETH, he chasteneth: God’s principle of disciplining His own people is completely congruous (in line) with human practices. This quotation from Proverbs 3:12, stating God’s practice, corresponds to the commands God gave to fathers. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him chasteneth him betimes (promptly).” (Prov. 13:24: cf. 22:15; 23:13). LOVE and corporal punishment are not incongruous; they are two complimentary and necessary aspects of training.’
Now my people, please look at those reference scriptures because they are rather important in parenting. And it’s exactly why this generation is so unruly, undisciplined, ungrateful, irresponsible and figure the world owes them a living; we parents have not administered the necessary punishment for their wrongdoings. And don’t get me wrong, corporal punishment is not the only way to discipline children, but it is a necessary and useful method. Oh, we parents get so soft-hearted and foolish nowadays believing that if we hit our children it’s child abuse…Steups!
Yes, some parents overdo it, to the point where it does become abuse. But when there is no sensible punishment and the children turn back and are rude and unmannerly and even hit and kill us, as we’re seeing so much these days, we wonder why it’s happening. But it’s basically our fault; we did not train up the children right and the society is giving them too much leeway for irresponsibility, not holding them sufficiently responsible for their wrongs. And I’m sure that many of us parents, in our youth, were punished for our wrongs, and if it was within reason, I’m sure we’re much better off today because of it.
It taught us obedience, and responsibility. And sometimes just the threat of punishment is sufficient to keep us from doing wrong. I know in my case, my mother was LOVING and kind, but if she said do something, or don’t do something, and I stubbornly or foolishly refused to comply, I could get the strap. I didn’t always get it, sometimes she was indeed merciful, (smile) but I had no doubts whatsoever that it could be very quickly forthcoming if I didn’t obey. So friends this idea we have that because the Lord is so good and LOVING, bad things shouldn’t happen to us, and we shouldn’t be punished for our wrongs is totally unjustified.
We live in a sinful and fallen world, with sinful and fallen humans, so sin and wrongdoing and disasters will happen. The Lord never said that He would prevent us from going through all the rough times, but that He would be right there beside us in them. That’s because we need to go through the flood, the fire and the storm if we want our faith to grow, for it’s only in adversity do we see the real us come out and our backbone and belly grow. So today let’s concentrate on doing the best we can, with what we have nuh, and leave the rest to our wonderful heavenly Father, for He has promised to provide all our needs if we seek Him first. And He IS faithful to keep all His promises.
So let’s go home now declaring (yeeahh!) our Wednesday Wail letting all and sundry know of our enviable position in Christ! All together now, in strong voice with sincere hearts. ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Ah mih people, that is certainly Wisdom 101! Living for, and with, and through, and in Jesus… Oh that’s the wisest action we can ever take in this sinful world. So let’s take it and stay with it till the end nuh, for if we do, the future will indeed be mucho mucho glorious! Much LOVE!
…come to Jesus…stick with Him…and everything will be made right…eventually…
06 Mar 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crying shame, a true believer, abuse, abusive, before men, born for this time, call it a day, common sense, common task, content to rest on our laurels, daily grind, darkness, do it for Jesus, each step I take, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, further the gospel, furthering your glorious kingdom, glorify your father in heaven, good for nothing, greed, heart and soul truly are, heartless, home, let your light so shine, light, light a candle, lost our passion, LOVE, makes countless thousands mourn, man's inhimanity to man, meet our maker, on a roll, one day one day congotay, oppressive, pitiful platitudes, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, rest, salt of the earth, sense of purpose, sit and mourn, slave labour, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the best place in the world, the light of the world, the party's over, the poor get poorer, the rich get richer, the weekend, the workingman's song, they may see, tread underfoot, week of work, what a sad world we live in, willing to put in the time and effort, your good works
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.
Well the party’s over my friends. It sure was nice while it lasted. But unfortunately I had to call it a day! Yes I’m back in my ordinary surroundings called HOME! The best place in the world! Wow! Yuh know, whether it’s a palace or a hovel, home is where you feel most comfortable because home is where your heart and soul truly are. Yes, Jamaica was nice, but there’s something about home that get’s the heartstrings playing ever so sweetly. (smile) And now it’s back to the daily grind and common task – or which ever way they say it – back to the cold and snow and bleak vegetation.
And since it’s Friday – didn’t even realize that until just now, people must be clamouring for the workingman’s song. Well never let it be said that I kept you all from hearing what you want to hear. (smile) So here he is, in all his riotous colour and workingman’s common sense. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday…and time for that much needed break from slave labour, called the weekend! Don’t know what I would do without it nuh. Gosh! It hard enough working five days straight, and I’m really sorry for those who have to work six and seven days straight without a break.
Steups! Mankind really is something else yes. Like greed and abuse of his fellow man seem to be his middle name! No wonder the sad truth found in the saying: ‘Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!’ Chuh! What a crying shame! And we now have to change that to countless millions…and soon to countless billions, since mankind is getting ever more greedy and oppressive as the rich get ever richer and the poor get ever poorer. What a sad world we live in eh Dr. Jack!
And the sad part is that there’s enough in the world for everybody to get sufficient to fill their needs, but the few with plenty, more preoccupied with greedily hoarding rather than generously sharing it. That’s why there’s so much poverty and homelessness and all the other ailments that the disenfranchised suffer. But yuh know this saying is also true…One day, one day congotay … Yes the longest rope have an end…And one day all ah we, have to meet we maker and answer for we wrongs. Till then, all I can say is thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Brother, the workingman was sure on a roll today! But what he says makes sense yes! Mankind getting more heartless, oppressive and abusive, even as we seem to be getting more enlightened. But that seems to be only in the mind, not in the heart, where it really matters. Anyway, as true believers in Jesus Christ, we have the responsibility to try and change that disgusting image of mankind. And no, it’s not easy, but with the help of our Leader we can do it, if we are willing to put in the required amount of time, energy, belief and faith it requires.
And that’s the billion dollar question – are we willing to do what it takes to bring Jesus’ dream for the world to fruition? Apparently not, because right now we’re allowing Beelzebub and his evil cohorts to run away with the race while we sit and mourn and murmur pitiful platitudes. Oh friends, the attitude of those involved in Christ’s organization has got to improve tremendously if we expect to see any real change in our world and leave our descendants a safe and reasonable place to live and sincerely worship Jehovah God.
That’s our calling; this is our time to further the gospel and all that it entails. They say we were born for a time such as this, but the reality is that we were born for this particular time. If the Lord wanted us in any other time, He would have put us there. But since He put us in the here and now, that means this is when and where He expects us to make our mark, to obediently and diligently do His will. Jesus said it as clearly and plainly as possible. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour (flavour), wherewith (by what means) shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.’ (Matt. 5:13)
Oh my people, we all know the great benefits that salt provides to our lives, and without it, everything is bland and tasteless and often rendered useless. And sadly too many of us believers have become that way… good for nothing, because we’ve lost our passion, our sense of purpose and are just content to rest on our laurels. But that’s not what Jesus desires of us. Hear Him again nuh: ‘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 (lampstand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.’ (Matt. 5:14-15)
Oh my fellow believers, that’s what Jesus expects of us; to be bright and shining and good direction lights in this dark and evil world! But we definitely are not being bright and shining and encouraging enough, since the darkness seems to be growing stronger and wider. Oh my people, my people, come on nuh, let’s do as Jesus so greatly desires of us nuh! Remember we are His ears, eyes and hands, His ambassadors on this dark and evil earth. So let’s take His words to heart and sincerely, diligently and excellently do as He asks nuh. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’
Oh friends, that is definitely not too much for Jesus to ask of us, after all that He’s done for us. So let’s get shipshape and become both the salt and light of the world as He desires nuh, so that we can reclaim the world from it’s dark covering with the wonderful and awesome light of Jesus! And no, I did not forget our Friday Chant, the other stuff just seemed to flow and follow more smoothly. (smile) So let’s chant our chant, in strong voice with sincere hearts, like we’re truly salt and light.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen!’
Let’s do it nuh friends, let’s do it for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…you can’t be a true believer…unless and until…you do what your Leader asks of you…
24 Nov 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abide in me, abuse, all fear is gone, bear fruit, because He lives, blasphemes, boggles my imagination, cross the river, exalt His holy name, flawless reasoning, for God so loved the world, forgive, glory, he gave his only begotten son, heal, his righteousness, I am the vine, in living colour, life's final war, LOVE, reassuring presence of Jesus, sacrificial lamb, seek ye first, should not perish, sufferation, the kingdom of God, thou good and faithful servant, uncertain days, victory, welcome home, whosoever believeth in him, without me, worship Almighty God, ye can do nothing
John 3:16. For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Ah friends, yesterday was beautiful; bright and sunshiny…and as always, also filled with the illuminating and reassuring presence of Jesus! Wow! That surely made it an extraordinary autumn day. (smile) The good thing though is that we’ve been promised another one like that today… Glory be my people! Let’s hope the weather forecasters are not wrong nuh, because Sunday is the worst day for any kind of precipitation, because we then conveniently use it as an excuse not to join other believers in the Lord’s sanctuary to praise, worship, give thanks and exalt His holy name.
And it is indeed a very handy and common excuse, so please don’t deny it. But yuh know what; rain, sleet or snow doesn’t stop us from going out to party. That just shows how high the Lord is on our list of priorities. He should be at the head of the list; as Jesus wisely advised: ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…’ (Matt. 6:33) And if He’s not, then we will eventually have to answer, why not? Let’s stay in the moment though, we’ve come to praise and worship Almighty God and hear His Word, so lets commence in our usual fashion with a song.
But first, listen to how it became today’s song nuh. A couple of days ago, as I laid me down to have an evening nap, the thought of what song to use this Sunday suddenly flitted through my mind, and just as suddenly the answer came: ‘Because He Lives!’ That wasn’t even on my radar of possibilities, but it seems like the Lord wanted to hear that one today, and who am I to say Him nay eh? (smile) So let’s get it all together nuh and sing those wonderful words, penned by Bill and Gloria Gaither, outlining and praising Jesus amazing work on our behalf.
Now, in soulful, heartfelt and grateful harmony, let’s raise our voices to heaven on high, where Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand, advocating for us, and let Him know without a doubt, how much we truly LOVE and appreciate Him! ‘(Chorus: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds my future And life is worth the living Just because He lives.) (Repeat) God sent His Son they called Him, Jesus. He came to LOVE, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. (Chorus)
How sweet to hold a newborn baby And feel the pride and joy he gives But greater still that calm assurance This child can face uncertain days because He lives And then one day I’ll cross the river I’ll fight life’s final war with pain And then, as death gives way to vict’ry I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds my future And life is worth the living…Just because He lives. And life is worth the living…Just because He lives, And life is worth the living…Just because He lives.’
Oh friends, oh friends, that was such a moving rendition that it caused tears to well up both in the Father’s and Jesus’ eyes! And it just boggles my imagination to think that people don’t take Jesus seriously, but still abuse and blaspheme His holy name like they did way back when He came to earth and gave His sinless life as a sacrifice for us, so that we could be reconciled to, made right with the Father!
That’s the major reason that He came, as He so eloquently declared in the scripture that we all know and cherish, but still don’t take seriously enough, otherwise there wouldn’t be as much sin and unrighteousness still existing in our world. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ That’s it right there in a nutshell friends! God’s LOVE and compassion for us sinful children was so great that He sacrificed the sinless life of His only Son to pay for our sins, for always and ever.
Jesus became the official sacrificial Lamb for ALL mankind, and that’s why the words of our song are so true! We can live now, without fear of the future, because His death and resurrection opened up a bright new, righteous world for us! He defeated hell, death and the grave so that we could be pardoned, and an empty grave and a downtrodden Satan are there to prove it! And it’s gospel truth that He came to LOVE, to heal and forgive, because we see it all in living colour in His ministry, both here on earth, and continuing in heaven above.
As He further declared: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:17) And so said…so done! And is it ever mightily reassuring to know that because Christ lives, our children don’t have to fear the uncertain circumstances of this life either? But the greatest part though friends, is on that fateful day, when we cross over to the other side, when we’ve left pain and war and all negative things behind, He’ll be there waiting for us with opened arms, sincerely declaring (steups!): ‘Oh welcome thou good and faithful servant…welcome home!’
That’s certainly worth all the negativity, all the ‘sufferation’ down here on earth my brethren! So please let’s be wise nuh; let’s do as He says and abide in Him, for His reasoning is flawless: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) Matter done! Much LOVE!
…to experience true victory…and real glory in eternity…one must hook one’s cart to Jesus’ horse…
Visit the Scrip-Bit Blog at https://randyobrien50.com
21 Sep 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bad eye, a godly level, abuse, afflictions, an afternoon nap, as a lion, be sober, Beelzebub, boundaries, Christians, cut her eyes, do as we please, dominion, enthusiasm, eternal glory, evil henchmen, faithful promise, fat fanny, fed up, fellwoship, followers of Christ, Friday chant, frustration, glorious kingdom, glory, God of all grace, gravesite, hope, in the faith, in the world, indignity, invading our space, keep the enemy out, let our guard down, life plummets downward, LOVE, machinations, make a way, make you perfect, man's inhumanity to man, nasty work, on the prowl, out on a limb, party time, pittance, prejudice, relaxarion, resist steadfast, rest, seeking someone to devour, settle you, sinful nature, stablish, strengthen, suffered a while, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the devil, the weekends, unenviable task, verve, vigilant, walketh about, we time, weekend song, with God nothing is impossible, working with Jesus, your adversary
1 Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
And then it was Friday…And I have to chuckle because yesterday, Thursday, I wanted to go and visit my mother’s grave site, but because it looked cloudy and rain was forecasted for the afternoon, and it’s a long drive, I didn’t do it. But lo and behold, while having an afternoon nap and going through some dream in my home, my mother suddenly appeared beside me.
In astonishment, I looked at her and said, ‘Aye Mols, I didn’t know that you were here.’ She never replied, but just gave me a bad eye, or as the Jamaicans would say, cut her eyes at me, a look that spoke volumes, one that said something like: ‘Yes, I’m here. I’ve been here all the time. You’ve just been too busy to notice me!’
Ah friends, the mysterious ways in which the Lord rebukes us eh! And the interesting part is that though it was cloudy all day, not a drop of rain fell. Chuh! So it’s not cloudy today, and I don’t think they are calling for rain, so hopefully, after writing the Bit, I’ll get up off my fat fanny and make the long drive to look for the lady. That’s the least I can do for her under the prevailing circumstances.
And since it’s Friday, yuh better believe the workingman is already singing his weekend song: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Hurray for the weekend! We time! We time to do as we please, without any interference from any bosses. Steups! The boss and them so full of foolishness it ain’t funny. Deh so prejudice! The things they ask we to do, they’d never ask any of deh family or friends to do nuh! But because we work for them, they pay we a li’l pittance, they think they could pile all the nasty work on us.
But they have another think coming yes! Because one day when we get really fed up of all the abuse and indignity, the persecution and inhumanity, we simply going to rebel! But until then, we just going to keep we cool and enjoy we weekends; letting out we frustrations then. So let the partying begin! As they say: ‘Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes! Don’t know what we’d do without them!’
Ah mih people, our world is getting rougher, more cruel and more inhumane everyday. Man’s inhumanity to man is certainly increasing as life plummets downwards. But as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we’ve been given the unenviable task of trying to stop it from falling further and raise it back up again to a godly level.
Hn! I know some of you are sighing and saying that’s an impossible job, but please remember that NOTHING is impossible where our Lord and Saviour is involved. Yes, it might be difficult, but we have all the tools to fix it…and Jesus by our side to help, so we just have to get serious, buckle down and fight the good fight.
And I know that many of us believers feel the way the workingman feels about our society, but as Christians we’re not allowed to go out on the limb like he does. We have boundaries in place to keep the enemy out, that’s why our weekend song is different from his. So let’s sing ours nuh, our Friday Chant, with the same verve and enthusiasm with which he sang his song.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers, we need fun and fellowship and relaxation too, but we also need to control our natural sinful nature and not give Beelzebub any chance of invading our space. And yes, I know we recently had this passage of scripture as our Bit, but it’s one of those commands we need to hear over and over and over again, because with the constant demands and busy pace of the world we’re very liable to forget it.
So here goes: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’ And that is the indisputable truth my brethren! Lucifer and his evil henchmen are always on the prowl, seeking victims they can take advantage of. And we can’t let our guard down because they’ll jump in at even the least invitation.
So Peter continues his warning. ‘Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world.’ (1 Pet.5:9) Yeh friends, we have to stand strong and resist the enemy and all his evil machinations.
It’s not easy, and we all are afflicted in some manner or the other, but Peter guarantees us that if we stand strong: ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you.’ (1 Pet.5:10)
What a wonderful God we serve and worship my faithful brethren! That’s why we can sincerely say like Peter did: ‘To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:11)
So please hang in there my people, even though there seems to be no hope, for once you’re alive…and working with Jesus…there is always hope! Much LOVE!
…the Lord will make a way for us…where there seems to be no way…that’s His faithful promise…
30 Mar 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a decent manner, a green hill, a new commandment, a right relationship with God, abuse, all time favourites, as he loved, as I have loved you, believers in Jesus, blood sacrifice, crucified, died to make us good, disobedience, do His work, eternal life, far away, forgiveness, glorify God's name, go at last to heaven, God forgave us, God's children, godless society, going overboard, Good Friday, he hung and suffered there, heart wrenching, it was for us, Jesus Christ crucified, learn the lesson, living for Christ, living in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE one another, not of death, of life and love, outside the city wall, payment for our sins, personal expereince, redeeming blood, rehashing, remember the significance, resultant consequences, sacrifice, sacrificial voices, saved by his precious blood, shamed, show our appreciaition, sing God's praise, story of the cross, tear-jerking, the cross teaches us, the happening, the reason, through Christ who strengthens us, to save us all, took all our sins, violated, violence, we can do all things, welcomed us back, without remorse, working for christ
John 13:34. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another.
Well my friends and fellow believers it’s Friday, but a special Friday, one that only occurs once a year. And we call it Good Friday! I know some of us must be wondering how can we call a terrible Friday like that good, where our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was horribly crucified, shamed and violated without remorse.
But it’s not what happened, so much as the reason for the happening and the resultant consequences. Christ was crucified, gave His life for us, so that we could have eternal life. He took ALL our sins on His shoulders, so that we could have the option to return to a right relationship with Almighty God. That’s what’s good about it friends!
The once and for all sacrifice, the once and for all payment for our sins, that’s what makes it good! Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, the Lord washed clean all our sins, forgave us of our disobedience and welcomed us back as His children. Wow! How can we not call such an event good eh?
True, it resulted in the terrible abuse and violence toward Jesus, but that was the only way for our sins to become paid up; forgiveness called for a blood sacrifice. And today, as we flock to the Lord’s house to sing His praises and glorify His holy name, let’s remember the significance of this day.
And as always, before we hear the word, let’s offer up some praise and worship with sacrificial voices to our heavenly Father. And today we’ll sing one of my all time favourites, one that I cherished since I was a boy growing up in Tobago.
It appropriately describes the scene that took place at Calvary, two thousand years ago. The words apparently were written by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) and the music by John H Gower (1855-1922) and it was based on the scriptural texts of John 19:16-20 and Hebrews 13:12.
Please sing with me: ‘There is a green hill far away, outside a city wall, where our dear Lord was crucified who died to save us all. We may not know, we cannot tell, what pains he had to bear, but we believe it was for us he hung and suffered there. He died that we might be forgiven, he died to make us good, that we might go at last to heaven, saved by his precious blood.
There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin, he only could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in. O dearly, dearly has he LOVED! And we must LOVE him too, and trust in his redeeming blood, and try his works to do.’
Yeh friends, the story’s told simply and tenderly, but the reality of it all is oh so heart wrenching and tear jerking! Just imagine an innocent man nuh, being crucified; one of the worse methods of death and punishment ever subscribed to by man, to pay for the sins of a motley, unappreciative group of people.
And the beauty of the story is that He underwent that gruesome ordeal without a word of complaint, because He knew that He was the ONLY person who could pay for the transgressions of the entire world, and besides, that was what His heavenly Father required of Him. As the Good Book says: He was ‘obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil.2:8)
Ah mih people, yuh see what Jesus did for us, for you and I? But how many of us are obedient to the Lord’s doing nowadays eh? Not as many as there should be. But let me point out the most important part of our hymn above: ‘O dearly, dearly has he LOVED! And we must LOVE him too, and trust in his redeeming blood, and try his works to do.’
Yes precious people of God, that’s all Jesus requires of us in return for His sacrificial death on this day so long ago: LOVE as He LOVED; trust in His redeeming blood; and do the work He wants us to do!
Oh, my fellow believers, it does look simple and sounds good on paper, but from personal experience I know that it’s not easy to do. However, if we are serious about living and working for Christ, we can do it with His help, because we know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13)
Now let’s turn to our Bit: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, that ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another.’ Yes friends, I purposely stayed away from the story of the cross, because we all know it and rehashing it isn’t going to make much difference at this stage of the game.
What we truly need to know and recognize is why Christ died for us; and the simple answer is that He LOVED us. And His earthly ministry was one of sincere LOVE. Plus the only new thing He told us is that we must LOVE each other as He LOVED us. And that LOVE is just treating each other and ourselves in a decent, pleasant manner, not necessarily going overboard in our attentions.
But unfortunately, in today’s cruel, crazy and godless society, those pleading words of Jesus have fallen on deaf ears. However friends and fellow believers in Jesus, I’m pleading with us, today, as we recognize Jesus’ immense sacrifice on our behalf, let’s learn that the lesson the cross really teaches us, is not one of death, but of LIFE and LOVE.
Jesus died because He LOVED us, and wanted us to have life eternal. Let’s show our appreciation by living the way He wants us to nuh. Much LOVE!
…living for Jesus…means living in LOVE…
P.S. Yes I know we didn’t sing the workingman’s song, or our Friday Chant, but this was a special Friday. (smile) Much LOVE!
09 Jan 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new day, a quick wave, a sigh of relief, a stranger, abuse, action, afflict my soul, Another new year, arrive so quickly, beloved of God, between errands, blame, books, broken resolves, cause me to hear, cause me to know, Christ's kingdom, clothed me, clothes, cluttered, coffee with my neighbours, cupboards, do thy will, drawers, drink, exhausted, failures, faith, first working day, followers of Christ, food, for thy name's sake, forgiveness, friends, God's power, good intentions, heartwarming, helping the poor, humbly, hungry, hurry, I am thy servant, I lift up my soul to thee, in prison, in the morning, in thee do I trust, January of last year, land of uprightness, letters unwritten, loving-kindness, Monday, motives, my friend Jesus, naked, needy, never invited, never read, notes, one more request, one of the least, One Year Book of Bible promises, procrastination, revive me, right hearts, Ruth Harms Calkin, save, servant-hood, servants of god, serve, share His love, sick, steal in so sliently, the goats, the most, the sheep, the way I should walk, thirsty, thou art my God, thy spirit is good, trust, Tuesday Mantra, we don't rest, worry, year of love
Psalm 143:8. Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Awright friends, it’s Tuesday…and we happy! Why? Because we’ve gotten past Monday. (smile) Poor Monday takes so much blame and abuse in our society because it is the first working day of the week, and everybody breathes a sigh of relief after it’s over.
But we have the whole thing wrong yes. Monday is supposed to be the best and easiest day of the week because we’re coming off of two days rest. Every day after that is supposed to get harder rather than easier. The problem is that we don’t rest over the weekend, therefore it’s difficult to get the body and spirit moving for work on Monday, and we end up blaming it for all our many woes. (smile)
But be that as it may, listen to this take from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that admirably describes so many of us. It’s titled ‘Another Year.’
Please read with me. ‘Another new year! How did it steal in so silently? How did it arrive so quickly? So many things I determined to do in January of last year are still completely undone. So many notes and letters still unwritten. Friends I planned to entertain were never invited.
The books I planned to read haven’t been opened. The cupboards and drawers I hoped to clean are still cluttered with things I don’t need or use. Clothes I no longer wear still crowd my closet. I planned to have coffee with our neighbours, but often I managed no more than a quick wave between errands.
If only I could have held on to the old year a little longer! But the old year is gone. I must put it away with all its failures and broken resolves. There is no way I can reclaim even one week of last year. I see that the road to good intentions is wide and circular. I’ve walked around it until I am utterly exhausted.
I confess my failures, my procrastination. I know God, in his graciousness will forgive me. I have one more request. I pray for God’s power to keep my forgiveness up-to-date.’
Yes friends, good intentions are great, if we put them into action, otherwise we just keep aimlessly going round the same mountain, like the Israelites in the wilderness. And way too many of us are guilty of all those things we read above, basically a combination of laziness, procrastination and busyness. And it’s not hard to do in the extra busy society in which we now live, where everything is go, go, go.
But the only way we’re going to overcome those failures and disappointments is by sincerely turning to God and putting the leading of our lives in His most capable hands. For once He is in control of our lives, we won’t be as busy-oriented as the world wants us to be, and He definitely won’t put more on our plate than we can handle. And whatever He puts there, we are assured we can handle it, because He gives us the wherewithal to do so! Glory Be!
That’s the beauty of sincerely partnering with Almighty God; He controls it all! And the Bible Promise for that writing is also our Bit for today. ‘Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.’
Oh my people, what beautiful words of prayer from Bruh David! Just right for every time we open our eyes to a new day. What better decision is there to start a day than to ask God for His LOVING-kindness and direction so we can do His will, because we have placed our entire trust in Him? None my brethren! None!
And Bruh David continues: ‘Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me (I take cover in thee) Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken (revive) me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off (put an end to) mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.’ (Ps.143:9-12)
Yeh friends, excellent words, but of no use unless we show the action that comes with that last, all important line: ‘for I am thy servant.’ Until we are involved in real servant hood to Christ, all our words are useless, for that’s where the truth of our faith shows up.
That’s how and why Jesus came the first time: to save and to serve. He came humbly, helping the poor and downtrodden, the sick and needy, and until we begin doing the same, with right hearts and motives, we won’t be classified as servants of God.
Remember what Jesus said about separating the sheep and the goats: ‘For I was an hungered (hungry), and ye gave me meat (food): I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me:
I was in prison, and ye came unto me…And the king shall say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ (Matt.25:35-36,40)
Yes my faithful followers of Christ, until we begin helping the least, we will never be the most in Christ’s kingdom. And there are a whole lot of needy out there to be helped, so please let’s make this Year of LOVE, also one of servant hood nuh, for you can’t truly have one without the other.
Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are. In sincerity and strong voice: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Now let’s go out and action those statements. Much LOVE!
…oh how beautiful…how heartwarming it is…to share Christ’s LOVE with others…
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