The Overwhelming Importance of Christians having a Storehouse of Faith to remind Them of God’s Constant LOVE and Presence!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   30 June 2026   Psalm 63:7.

Psalm 63:7.        Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Then it was Tuesday, a very hot and mostly sunny day. It’s also the last day of June, meaning half of the year has already gone by, and it’s time to take stock of what  progress we’ve made so far in it, especially in terms of our New Year’s Resolution, of growing closer to Jesus. Yes friends, it’s time to stop and consider how we’ve fared so far in our LOVE and faith walk with Jesus. See where we’ve improved, or where we’ve fallen behind, and need to make the extra effort to improve, so that our overall faith journey can get back on the right track, for it’s only when we’re on the right track with Jesus that our lives become truly meaningful! End of Sermon! (smile)

And on this last day of June, we’ll look at the prayer in the June edition of the In Touch Devotional. So please pray with me: ‘Father, when I feel alone, teach me to collect evidence of Your LOVE like a child gathering shells – an act of kindness here, a glimpse of beauty there, a gentle word freely given – until my pockets are heavy with proof. When loneliness creeps in, I can pull out a memory, examine the detail again, and be reassured You tend every corner of my life with fierce attention, even when I can’t feel it. In Jesus’ name, amen.’

And sadly, in these troubled and uncertain times many of us need a prayer like that, when things are not going right, despite our best efforts and we need to reassure ourselves of God’s LOVE, compassion and presence throughout each and every moment of our lives. For sometimes when the world throws it’s best shot at us, we aren’t truly prepared for it, and all kinds of doubts and fears rise up to disturb our souls. That’s why we need to have a treasure trove of God’s goodness stored deep in our hearts to always remind us of how wonderful He is to us, in spite of all the negative things happening.

We also need to remember that although He might not take away our problems, He will see us through them, so there’s no need to worry about His eternal presence. It’s like Bruh Paul assured the Corinthians and consequently us: ‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13)

Now that should surely be one of the treasures in our treasure trove of God’s goodness and mercy. And Bruh David is certainly one of the best examples of that in the Bible, for throughout all his problems, especially when running from king Saul who desired to kill him because of a jealous spirit, he never doubted that the Lord was with him, probably remembering the times when as a lowly shepherd boy, protecting the sheep, he killed the lion and the bear, and also when he killed the Philistine giant Goliath with a small stone from a sling shot. He had to know and understand that all of that was the Lord’s hand working on his behalf, and not his own doing.

It’s like he says in Psalm 63 – A Thirsting Soul, when he was in the wilderness of Judah running from Saul. ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee (looked for thee) in the sanctuary. Because thy LOVING-KINDNESS is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow (the best) and fatness (abundance); and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion (prey) for foxes (jackals). But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.’ (Ps. 63:1-11)

Oh my people, what assuredness Bruh David had in his God! For how many of us while running for our lives in the wilderness, from an enemy determined to kill us, would, or could write such a glowing testimony about our God? Not too many, for we’d probably be more concerned with the serious state of our problems and too busy with self-pity and wonder where God was, to ever envision a song of praise under those overwhelming circumstances. And truthfully, that can only happen when we’ve had some experience with Lord, where we’ve seen Him move in our lives, and have thus built up a storehouse of faith, to help us keep believing when there appears to be no way out of our problems.

To remember that our wonderful, omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God can always make a way, where there seems to be no way. Remember what the angel Gabriel said to Mary, Jesus’ mother, when she wondered how she could become pregnant without knowing a man. ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:37) And Jesus, having told the disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, reiterated Gabriel’s words. ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26)

And that is something we desperately need to always keep at the forefront of our minds: the Lord might not do what we desire, but it’s possible for Him to do anything He desires, so we must not give up our hope, faith and trust in Him. Now let’s go home declaring 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!’ 

That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…faith can only grow stronger…through more personal experiences with God…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 December 2016 John 3:16.

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.

And once more friends, it’s the best day of the week; the Lord’s Day, wherein He rested after His labours, and now desires of us to do the same, while getting in some serious fellowship with other believers in His sanctuary, be that in a fabulous cathedral or under a mango tree. (smile) 

Yes my brethren, our fellowship can be held any place, per Jesus’ words. ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20)  Jesus is always with us, wherever we are gathered. And isn’t that a most wonderful assurance? It surely is! 

And since it’s the Christmas Season, when we celebrate Christ’s birth, it’s only appropriate that we begin our praise and worship with a joyful Christmas hymn; ‘Away in a manger.’ Now in full voice, with sincere belief and true thanksgiving, let’s offer up the sacrifice of praise with our song. 

‘Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head, The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. 

I LOVE you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay Close by me for ever, and LOVE me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.’ 

Oh my faithful believers, what a simple but profound hymn! And something about the statement that Jesus awakes at the lowing of the cattle, but doesn’t cry, just touches me. He was a sweetheart from the day of His birth! (smile)  

Now here is an interesting Trini Quote from my Trini friend. It advises us to: ‘Eat little an live long.’ Hn, hn! Only in T&T yuh say! And what does it mean. Well according to my Trini friend: ‘This has many meanings, but is generally said to someone to accept a little (food, a small gesture, an act of kindness, faith, love etc.), and more will be sure to follow.’ In other words, be thankful for small mercies. 

And then he reminds us to: ‘Have a GREAT day, every DAY!!!! Watch your thoughts: They become words Watch your words: They become actions Watch your actions: They become habits Watch your habits: They become character.’ 

And that’s the awesome truth my people! We must be ever conscious and cautious about our thoughts, for they gravitate into words, then actions, and soon are habits, which then dictate our character for either good or evil. 

Now here is our Bit; one of the most famous passages in the Bible. ‘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.’ 

Yeh friends, our Creator had so much care and compassion for us that He just could not stand idly by and see us go down to Hades with Lucifer for eternity, without giving us a fighting chance. As Jesus explains after our Bit: ‘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) 

Oh my people, what a most awesome and LOVING God we serve! In spite of our disgusting sins and our undeserved saving, the Lord moved heaven and earth for us to be reconciled to Him and thus spend eternity under His magnificent umbrella! 

And how do so many of us repay His LOVING-kindness eh? By turning away from Him and embracing evil, by blaspheming His Holy Name and making a mockery of all He stands for. Now that certainly doesn’t endear us to Him, but He’s also known as the God of the second and third and fourth chance…however many you need before Jesus returns. 

‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt.24:36) That means it could happen anytime; Jesus could come like a thief in the night and surprise us all. Consequently it is wise to get one’s house in order RIGHT NOW, so that whenever He returns, we will not be caught napping and end up on the outside looking in. 

Now let’s check out some scripture that corroborates our Bit. Hear Bruh Paul’s words to the Roman church, re the results of justification. ‘For when we were yet without strength, in due time (at the right time) Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure (perhaps) for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth (demonstrates) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Much more then, being now (having been) justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being (having been) reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation).’ (Rom.5:6-11) 

Ah mih people, how can we not greatly appreciate the Lord’s sacrifice on our behalf eh? And we’ll end with more words of Bruh Paul on the subject, this time to the Thessalonians. 

‘Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath LOVED us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.’ (2 Thess.2:16-17) 

What a beautiful prayer my people! And it’s also my prayer for all of us believers this glorious Sunday morning in the Christmas season of 2016. Please let it reverberate deep down in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls and keep us close to our heavenly Father! Much LOVE!

…only the LOVE of God…is powerful enough…to straighten out this evil world…