The Necessity for Christians to Understand the Great Importance of Their Role in the Carrying out the Great Commission!

26 Aug 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Scrip-Bit   26 August 2026   2 Timothy 2:3.

2 Timothy 2:3.        Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

And all the people joyfully shouted: ‘Let the Lord be praised for allowing us to see another beautiful summer’s day on His marvelous planet Earth!’ Yes friends, this last Wednesday in August is turning out to be another glorious day. And since we don’t know how many more of them we might have, because the days sure are slipping by quickly, it’s imperative that we make good use of today, by catching our second wind and continuing to do good work for Jesus. It’s like Bruh Paul admonished Timothy in his second letter about preaching the word.

‘I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’ (2 Tim. 4:1-4)

And what does all of that mean? The scholars explain it thus: As per ‘Preach the word: Preaching is the God-ordained means to prevent defection from the truth. Teachers who appeal to itching ears tell people what they WANT to hear, not what they NEED to hear. Thus both shall be turned unto fables (myths or legends).’ And all of that is very prevalent today my brethren. People don’t want to hear about turning away from their sinful behaviour, but instead want to white wash it, and unfortunately there are a lot of preachers who are quite willing to do that, if it will increase their congregation and their finances.

Unfortunately, in today’s new world, the main focus behind many churches is increasing the congregation and thus their finances, rather than the true preaching and spreading of God’s Word. That’s why Bruh Paul further admonished Timothy: ‘But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.’ (2 Tim. 4:5) And the scholars tell us, as per ‘Do the work of an evangelist: Paul commands Timothy to fully discharge his evangelistic ministry by preaching the gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. Evangelism is viewed by the New Testament writers as an essential task of the New Testament church.’

And so it ought to be, because that’s what Jesus decreed in the Great Commission. ‘All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) 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. 28:18-20)

And I like how the scholars describe that passage. ‘The Great Commission brings the first Gospel to its grand finale. Christianity is not represented here as the mere reverential devotion of disappointed men who honour their martyred leader. Here is a far different scene. The triumphant, living Lord sends forth His ambassadors to proclaim His gospel throughout all the world. The Great Commission is not just an order but a pronouncement of victory by the risen Saviour through His disciples. All power or authority is now in the hands of Christ, in heaven and on earth. On the basis of that authority and power the Christian disciple is to carry out the Great Commission of the church.’

Wow! Yes mih bredrin, the Great Commission is not merely a simple order, but a pronouncement. And what’s a pronouncement? This overview explains it thus: ‘A pronouncement is a formal, official, or authoritative statement made by someone in charge. It is an explicit declaration that often carries a sense of finality, judgment, or expert opinion.’ So that pronouncement of the Great Commission is an authoritative declaration, decree or edict, of the All Powerful Lord and Living Saviour, Jesus Christ! Therefore it must be carried out in good time, with diligence, excellence and perseverance.

That’s why Bruh Paul earlier exhorted Timothy: ‘Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries (competes in athletics), yet is he not crowned, except he strive (competes) lawfully. The husbandman (farmer) that laboureth must be the first partaker of the fruits (crops). Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.’ (2 Tim. 2:1-7)

And do we all ever need God to give us understanding in all things, especially in these trying and unpredictable times! (smile) But here’s what the scholars say about that passage. ‘Paul warns Timothy of the difficulties of the ministry and urges him to be strong, in contrast to those who defected. Faithful men were to be selected and trained to be leaders and teachers. Thus, personal discipleship was to be avital part of Timothy’s leadership. Endure hardness (suffer affliction): Paul illustrates this truth by a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer, all of whom suffer privation (loss of basic necessities) in order to be rewarded. Strive lawfully means to play by the rules.’  

And unfortunately all of that stuff up there also applies to every Christian, not only preachers, because each of us has a ministry, in which we must stay faithful, sacrifice and endure tough times, while playing by the rules. Let me tell you, that’s easier said than done, but as true disciples of Christ, who are seriously and sincerely interested in spreading His Good News gospel, we will step up to the plate and make the effort! Praise the Lord! Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘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!’ 

And if we endure with Christ to the very end, then we will experience such a glorious future, one that our minds cannot imagine or comprehend! So let’s be wise and endure to the end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…in these desperate and ungodly times…Jesus needs greater sincere involvement from His people…

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

The Specifics of the Christian’s Spiritual Armour of God!

20 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ephesians 6:14.         Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

Aye friends, it’s a cold but sunshiny Tuesday morning! And can you believe that we’ve already reached the 20th day of the month, when we just celebrated New Year’s a few days ago? (smile) This year seems to be hustling along as quickly as the last few others, so we’ve got to get up and get moving before it passes us by. And since the Lord has spared our lives, allowing us to see another beautiful day on planet earth, let’s keep our promise and delve into the specifics of the spiritual armour of God that we were talking about yesterday. 

We recognized that we are fighting a spiritual battle against the forces of evil and darkness, and thus we needed protective clothing from their wicked attacks, and the Lord has provided just such protection for us, but first we have to understand what it’s all about, then dress ourselves in it, and stay dressed in it, so it can afford us God’s protection against the powerful evil schemes of the enemy. Or as Bruh Paul told us yesterday: ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.’ (Eph. 6:11) 

Now what exactly does this protective armour consist of eh? Bruh Paul elucidates when he writes: ‘Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (one). And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph. 6:14-18) 

And that’s certainly a mouthful, but what does it all mean? Let’s hear the scholars’ explanation. They say: ‘The whole armour of God consists of six pieces. The first one is Truth, which is a knowledge of the truth of God’s Word. The ancient soldier’s loins (waist) were girt about with a leather belt which held most of the other pieces of his armour in place. Similarly, the other pieces of the Christian’s armour depend on, and are held in place by his spiritual “belt” or his knowledge of the “truth” of Scripture. 

The next piece of spiritual armour is the breastplate of righteousness, which relates to protection for our chest. That represents a holy character and moral conduct. Obedience to the “truth” known produces a godly life (“righteousness”). The third piece of our spiritual armour consists of the preparation of the gospel of peace or our protective shoes. That means the “eagerness that comes from the gospel of peace.” That is, as the Roman soldier wore special shoes called caligae on his feet, enabling him to advance against the enemy, so the Christian must have on his feet (possess) a sense of “eagerness” or “willingness” to advance against the Devil and take the fight to him. 

(Remember that the best method of defence is attack.) Such “eagerness” to contend with Satan “comes from the gospel of peace.” The gospel gives peace to the believer, freeing him from anxiety though he advances against such a powerful opponent. Then we have the shield of (which is) faith. It means taking God at His Word by believing His promises. Such trust will protect one from doubts induced by Satan. Next up is the helmet of salvation. Since the readers are already Christians (2:8), they are not here urged to be saved. First Thessalonians 5:8 describes this helmet as “the hope of salvation” that is the certainty (assurance) of salvation. 

Then comes the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: That’s what we fight with, what we slash and cut the enemy to bits with; the mighty Word of God! Remember how Hebrews describes it? ‘For the word of God is quick (alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner (able to judge) of the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’ (Heb. 4:12) 

As this commentary declares: ‘The Word of God is seen as both a weapon for spiritual offense (like Jesus used against temptation) and a tool for deep introspection and transformation, cutting to the core to reveal what’s truly inside.’ Now which enemy can stand against such a marvellous weapon eh? Neither Satan nor mankind! The scholars though, point out that the Greek term rendered “word” is not logos, referring to the whole Word of God, but rhema, referring to certain portions or selected verses of Scripture. 

And there you have the six pieces of spiritual armour; the kind of stuff that a Christian soldier does not go into battle without. It’s the belt of truth, that holds up all our equipment; the breastplate of righteousness that protects our chest, the shoes of the gospel of peace that lends us eagerness to take the fight to the enemy, the shield of faith that helps to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy, the helmet of salvation which protects our head and gives us the assurance of salvation, and the marvellous sword of the Spirit, that deadly weapon which no foe can stand against when wielded by a true believer. 

However, there is one more very important aspect to our spiritual armour, that’s prayer. Remember what Bruh Paul said above? ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…’ (Eph. 6:18) Well, as the scholars tell us, ‘Without prayer God’s armour is inadequate to achieve victory. Prayer is indispensable.’ And so it is my fellow believers. It has to be, since it is our method of communicating with God. So, in actual fact we have seven weapons of spiritual armour. 

And I do hope that our discourse today helps us better understand what it’s all about, because if you don’t know it, and don’t have it at your disposal, then things will be even rougher than normal. Remember, the first thing we need to know is the truth; the truth of God’s Word, and that only comes by reading and studying it. So, if you don’t understand all we’ve said, then please delve into the Word and acquaint your self with it. (smile) 

Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world 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 means we’re now duty bound to go out and share the LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to  know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…a Christian not dressed in their spiritual armour…is like a wave of the sea…driven with the wind and tossed…

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