24 Feb 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new day, a name which is above every other name, accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, alive and kicking, all should come to repentance, appreciate how good God is to us, are not able to kill the soul, at the name of Jesus, believers are not stepping up to the plate, but of power love and a sound mind, cast off the works of darkness, Christ selflessly sacrificed His sinless life, Christ's church is in a terrible state, Christians, come to know and love christ like we do, comfortable Christians, consequences for every misdeed, destined for hell, dissensions, divisions, do something worthwhile for Christ, do stuff in our own backyards, duty bound, eagerly await a Saviour, eternal life, everlasting life, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, evil and ungodliness being perpetrated, faith, fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body, fear not them which kill the body, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, get up off of our fat fannies, give thanks, glorify your Father which is in heaven, God is longsuffering towards us, God wanted nobody to perish, greed, hitting many home runs, holy spirit, hurry, in god's eyes, it is high time to awake out of sleep, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, Jesus paid our sin debt in full, knowing the time, Let your light so shine before men, life altering consequences, light of the world, live in urgent expectation, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, mercy, mind-boggling consequences, mitigate the negative circumstances, more afraid of man than God, movers and shakers, no place for spiritual lethargy, obedience to the Father's will, our citizenship is in heaven, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed, put on the armour of light, rebellious attitude, salt of the earth, salvation, Satan is ruling the roost, see your good works, selfless sacrifice, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, sitting on the sidelines, strife, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the breath of life that's still fowing through us, the day is at hand, the night is far spent, the sad truth, there are consequences to all decisions, time to heed the wake up call, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, undeserving children of men, we owe Christ a debt we can never repay, wide-awake preparedness, wisdom, worry
Romand 13:11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we (first) believed.
And after Monday comes Tuesday… just like the Lord designed it. Yes mih bredrin, it’s a brand new day, and we’re still alive and kicking so let’s give our wonderful Lord and Saviour much thanks for the breath of life that’s still flowing through our finite, fragile, mortal bodies, not forgetting the hope of salvation and eternal life that He so selflessly died to provide for us. And all God’s people sent up a sincere prayer of ‘Thank You Jesus! You are the Greatest! And we LOVE and worship you with all of our hearts, souls, bodies and minds! Amen!’
Ah friends, it’s so good when we give God thanks for His wonderful attention and blessings to us underserving children of men. And it’s something I don’t think we do often enough, because we don’t truly understand/or appreciate how good God has been to us, when He had no reason whatsoever to be. Instead, He had, and still has, every reason to destroy us completely for our prideful and rebellious attitude towards Him.
But as the Bible tells us He LOVED us so dearly and is so longsuffering or patient with us, and didn’t want any of His most wonderful creation to perish, but that all should come to repentance, (2 Pet. 3:9) that He broke His own heart and sent His ONE Son, yes His ONLY Son to earth to die for our rebelliousness, so that all who believed in Him could have everlasting life and not perish in the fires of hell, where we were all destined for, before Christ’s death ransomed us. (John 3:16)
So, when we talk about being indebted to our heavenly Father, it’s no joke or simple matter, because it’s a debt we can never repay. But the good thing about our God is that He doesn’t require repayment, all He needs is for us to sincerely accept His Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and thus gain salvation and eternal life. And why is that? Because it’s Jesus who, in obedience to the Father’s will, paid our sin debt in full with the selfless sacrifice of His sinless life.
That’s why the Word says: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and those (things) under the earth; And that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2: 9-11)
Now that’s how the Father rewards those who do His will. Are we in line for rewards…are we doing His will to the best of our ability? I doubt it. Otherwise, neither Christ’s body, the church, nor the world would be in such a terrible state, with dissensions, divisions, hate, greed, strife and all the negative aspects front and centre, rather than in the background.
And it’s no wonder that Satan is ruling the roost, because we supposed Christians, supposed believers in Christ Jesus, are not doing what He desires of His followers, namely to be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, and thus show others how living with and for Him is the best life possible. In other words, we’re not doing as Jesus says: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:16)
And that’s the sad truth! We believers are not stepping up to the plate sufficiently and hitting the many home runs that we need to turn things around in this evil and ungodly world. Remember that doing nothing to improve matters, is the same as encouraging them to be bad. So, sitting on the sidelines and seeing evil and ungodliness being perpetrated all over the world when you’re in a position to make some small improvement, makes you just as guilty as the perpetrators of the evil and ungodliness.
Consequently, a whole lot of us supposed Christians are guilty of plenty evil and ungodliness, for there’s always some small way that we can mitigate those negative circumstances, if it’s even in our own families or neighbourhoods. Oh friends, any evil or ungodliness mitigated is a win for Christ! Most of us can’t be big movers and shakers of the world, but we can certainly do stuff right in our backyards to improve the situation. It’s just that too many of us who call ourselves Christians, are either afraid of what others might say and/ or do, or too lazy and comfortable in our material wellbeing, and thus we refuse to get up off of our fat fannies and do something worthwhile for Christ!
But under those circumstances, here are two scriptures that we should consider well. The first comes from Bruh Paul to his protégé Timothy, regarding fear. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) And the second in Jesus words, is like unto it: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’ (Matt. 10:28)
Now, that means you should not fear mankind, because they can only kill your body and not your soul. But the One to be truly afraid of is Almighty God, who can kill both body and soul in the roaring fires of hell! And it’s a sad fact that many, if not most of us are more afraid of man than of God. How foolish! But I guess we are more concerned about our bodies than our souls. However, let’s remember there are consequences for every misdeed, and sometimes those consequences can be mind boggling and also life-altering.
Anyway, let’s hope what we’ve spoken of today will jumpstart our consciences, will wake us from our stupor, for as Bruh Paul says to the Roman church: ‘And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we (first) believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’ (Rom. 13:11-12) And as this commentary explains: ‘That means there’s no place for spiritual lethargy in the Christian life. Believers must live in urgent expectation and wide-awake preparedness for what is coming because “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20)
So, nuff said. 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 with those words, we’ve now become 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!
…it’s time for believers to heed the wake up call…for who knows what will happen tomorrow…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
15 Feb 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heartfelt version of the song, a name that is above every other name, a name written, at the name of Jesus, became obedient unto death, being found in fashion as a man, blessed Redeemer, bore our sorrows, carry them in his bosom, Christ died to pay for our sins, christianity, Christians, crown him, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, face another week of work, faith, Fanny Crosby, feed his flock like a shepherd, fellowship, for our sins he suffered, gather the lambs with his arm, gently lead those that are with young, give to his holy name, God hath highly exalted him, he carries them all day long, he hath on his vesture and on his thigh, he humbled himself, heavenly portals, His wonderful love proclaim, holy spirit, hope of eternal salvation, I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and are known of mine, I know that my Redeemer lives, in his arms, in joyful song, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus is Christ the Lord, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer., Jesus reigns for ever and ever, Jesus sacrificed His sinless life, Jesus the crucified, Jesus will guard his children, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, leads me beside still waters, like a shepherd, loud with hosannas ring, LOVE, love unbounded, make war with the Lamb, makes me to lie down in green pastures, mercy, my Prophet Priest and King, no other name compares to Jesus, on the cross of Calvary, our rock, praise him, Praise Him Praise Him, Praise ye the Lord, praise ye the name of the Lord, redeemed us from the curse of the law, redemption through Christ's blood, salvation, sound his praises, strength and honour, sweet sacrifices of praise, tell of his excellent greatness, the battle trenches called work, the BIBLE, the death of the cross, the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep, the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, the Son of man, the son of man came not be ministered unto, to the glory of God the Father, truth, wisdom, worship in the Lord's sanctuary, ye servants of the Lord
Psalm 135:1. ‘Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord.’
It’s another cold Sunday in this cold and snowy month of February friends, but let’s hope that will not stop us from congregating in worship with other believers in the Lord’s sanctuary, on this His special day. We need to give Him thanks and praise and receive His awesome grace and mercy to face another week in the battle trenches called work. (smile)
And today we have an interesting song to open our worship session. It’s one of the many from that blind but prolific American hymn writer Fanny Crosby, titled ‘Praise Him, Praise Him!’ written somewhere around 1869. The hymn celebrates Jesus as our “blessed Redeemer” and praises His amazing gifts of salvation and redemption.
So, without further ado, let’s raise our sweet sacrifices of praise to high heaven, in a soulful, mid-tempo, heartfelt version of the song, letting our exaltation of Jesus ring forth with all sincerity and truth. Singing: ‘Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O Earth, His wonderful LOVE proclaim! Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory; Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children, In His arms He carries them all day long: (Refrain: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song.) Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered, and bled and died; He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! hail Him!
Jesus the Crucified. Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows; LOVE unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong:(Refrain:) Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Saviour, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious, Power and glory unto the Lord belong:(Refrain: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song. Praise Him! praise Him! Power and glory unto the Lord belong: Power and glory unto the Lord belong:’
Now that was an excellent version my people! All heaven could hear the sincerity of our praise. And there are so many scriptural references in the song, that we could spend all day and not list them all. (smile) But let’s look at the few that time and space will allow us. And we’ll begin with the first two words ‘Praise Him.’
Well friends, throughout the Bible we are encouraged to praise the Lord, for one reason or another, especially in the Psalms. And Psalm 135, opens thus: ‘Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord.’ (Ps. 135:1) Meanwhile Psalms 146-150, all open with the advice to praise the Lord. So, there is very good reason to praise our great God, like Ms. Crosby contends.
Then we come to ‘Jesus our blessed Redeemer,’ and there’s absolutely no doubt that He is indeed our Redeemer, having sacrificed His sinless life on the cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt. He is the one that’s caused us to have the option of salvation and eternal life. And we have this great prophetic reference of Job, to Christ as the ultimate Redeemer, when He declares to his friends: ‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter (last) day upon the earth.’ (Job 19:25)
Meanwhile in the New Testament there are several scriptures which talk about Jesus as our Redeemer. Listen to Bruh Paul to the Galatians: ‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse (having become) a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.’ (Gal. 3:13) Christ became cursed as He took our sins on His sinless shoulders.
And Bruh Paul writes thus to the Ephesians: ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ (Eph. 1:7) There it’s stated that redemption was through His blood, and there are several places where Jesus’ redemptive work was seen as paying a ransom for us. Jesus Himself said it in the gospel of Matthew when talking to the disciples about the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ‘Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (be served) but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (Matt. 20:28)
Then we come to this verse that says: ‘Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children, In His arms He carries them all day long:’ And that’s the gospel truth! Isaiah made that reference to the Lord carrying sheep in His arms like a shepherd. ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 40:11)
And we all know that Bruh David spoke of the Lord as his shepherd in that famous Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.’ (Ps. 23:1-2) So the reference to Jesus as a shepherd of His flock is indeed a very appropriate one, as He also referred to Himself as a shepherd. ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.’ (John 10:11&14)
Then the song says: ‘Jesus, Saviour, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!’ And so we ought to, because He’s been exalted for His obedience to the Father’s will. As Bruh Paul writes to the Philippians: ‘And (Jesus) being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient even unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:8-11)
And not only that but He’s also been given the titles of King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Revelation tells us that ‘These (pagan kings) shall make war with the Lamb, and the lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.’ (Rev. 17:14) And for further info on that, we can turn to Revelation 19, where in speaking of Jesus battle gear, it says: ‘And he hath on his vesture (robe) and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’ (Rev. 19:16)
Now that puts paid to the whole scenario, for He will be coming in all His glory, with might and power. To claim Hic victory! Let’s hope and pray that we will be there to receive and honour Him like we ought to. Much LOVE!
…there’s no other name that compares to Jesus’…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 Jun 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: always abounding in the work of the Lord, as Christ was raised from the dead, at the name of Jesus, be ye steadfast unmovable, became obedient unto death, being in the form of God, bless the LOrd o my soul, buried with Christ by baptism into death, by the glory of the Father, Christ's resurrection conquers death, christianity, Christians, crowns you with loving-kindness, death is swallowed up in victory, e, emptied himself of his privileges, endure to thend, even the death of the cross, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, finite minds, for the wages of sin is death, forget not all his benefits, forgiveness of sins, found in appearance as a man, gave his only begotten Son, given him a name above every other name, God hath highly exalted him, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn it, God so loved the world, halfway home, hands on the plough, have everlasting life, heals all thy diseases, holy spirit, humbled himself, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, let this mind be in you, LOVE, made himself of no reputation, made in the likeness of men, mercy, new life, not turning back, nothing but toast, o death where is thy sting, o grave where is thy victory, reconciled with god, redeems thy life from destruction, salvation, satisfies thy mouth with good things, second wind day, so glad to be alive, thank God, Thank you Jesus, thanks be to God who gives us the victory, the BIBLE, the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the gift of God is eternal life, the hope of eternal life, the proverbial hell on earth, the selfless sacrifice of christ, the sting of death is sin, the strength of sin is the law, the world through him might be saved, thought it not robbery, thy youth is renewed like the eagle's, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be equal with God, took upon him the form of a servant, true saints of God, truth, walk in newness of life, what a bam bam, who forgives all your iniquities, whosoever believeth in hims should not perish, wisdom, your labour is not in vain
Psalm 103:2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day of the work week! And I hope that we catch that second wind yes, because the last two days have been the proverbial hell on earth, with bright sunshine and temps in the mid-thirties ably accompanied by a hot wind. Thankfully though, today is not as hot, we’re in the mid-twenties, with cloudy skies overhead, a promise of rain, but also rising temps As the old people would say; ‘what a bam bam!’ Right now, we don’t know whether we’re coming or going, but with the marvellous help of Jesus, we can be assured that help is on the way! And all God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Thank You Jesus!’
And we should be grateful for all the things He’s done for us, as Psalm 103 reminds us: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-KINDNESS and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’ (Ps. 103: 2-5)
Yes friends, those are some of the reasons why Christ gave up His heavenly position and came to earth like a man, then selflessly gave His life for us on the cross of Calvary, bearing our sins, so that we can be reconciled with God the Father, from whom our abominable sins had wrenched us apart.
Bruh Paul writes it thus to the Philippians: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of his privileges): And being found in fashion (appearance) of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:5-11)
Oh my people, that just goes to show what a great job Jesus did! So great that the Father exalted Him to the name that’s above every other, and that every tongue should consider Him Lord. But let’s look a little deeper into what His selfless work did for us. And in a nutshell, this commentary tells us what we derived from Christ’s death and resurrection. ‘Christ’s death and resurrection offer believers forgiveness of sins, new life, and the hope of eternal life, among other benefits. His sacrifice on the cross atones for our sins, while his resurrection conquers death, granting believers new life and the promise of eternal life.’
And as per forgiveness of sins, the Bible states: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23) So through Christ’s death we achieved forgiveness of sin and basic reconciliation with the Father. Then as per a new life and the new identity we are given when we accept Him as Lord and Saviour (becoming a new creation in Christ; (2 Cor. 5:17) this new life frees us from the power of sin.
As Bruh Paul writes to the Romans: ‘Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like (just) as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For if we be planted together (united) in the likeness of his death, (certainly) we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:’ (Rom. 6:3-5)
Yes my brethren, if we die with Christ, then we will automatically be raised with Him. And that resurrection is oh so beautiful, because it enables us to have eternal life; to spend eternity with Jesus and the Father! Jesus said it quite plainly to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader who came to him under cover of night seeking answers. ‘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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17)
And as we mentioned before that Jesus resurrection gives us freedom from sin, these words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians, shine bright light on that new situation. ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave (hades), where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:54b- 57)
However, since time and space are running out on us, if God spares life tomorrow, then we’ll continue looking at some more of the great benefits Christ’s death and crucifixion accomplished on our behalf. But let’s leave with this exhortation from Bruh Paul. ‘Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain (futile) in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 15:58) And that’s exactly how we ought to behave as true saints of God!
Now, it’s time to declare our Wednesday Wail, letting all the 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 let’s remember that for those who endure with Jesus right to the very end, there’s a promise of an even more glorious future than our finite minds can imagine. So wisdom behooves us to be there at the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…without the selfless sacrifice of Jesus…mankind would have eventually been nothing but toast…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
13 Apr 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a flawed approachrelying on humans for strength, a great multitude, a name above every other name, a ringing endorsement crucify him, absolute, acknowledge Jesus, affirming Jesus' supreme sovereignty, at the name of Jesus, be exalted O Lord our God, became obedient unto death, being found in fashion as a man, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, cannot provide lasting comfort or protection, chosen, Christ triumphantly rose from the dead, cursed is the man who trusts in man, cut down branches from the trees, Easter Sunday, eternal life, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, faith, faithful, for his ultimate sacrifice, full decalration of His kingship, God also hath exalted him, God is wholly reliable, he humbled himself, holy, holy spirit, Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the son of David, humans are fallible, inviolable, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, jesus deserves to be exalted, Jesus has defeated Satan, Jesus reign over all things is absolute and inviolable, Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, LOVE, make war with the Lamb, man is unreliable, meek and sitting on an ass, mercy, our hearts filled with praise, Palm Sunday, put not your trust in man, put your trust in God, riding on a donkey, sacrifices of praise, salvation, tell ye the daughter of Sion, thanksgiving and praise, the annals of our faith, the death of the cross, the gospel truth, the King of Kings, the Lamb of God, the Lamb shall overcome them, the multitudes cried, the nature of the human animal, the official entry of Israel's kings, they that are with him are called, things in the earth, things under the earth, those things in heaven, thy king cometh unto thee, truth, we lift up your name, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord, wisdom
Matthew 21:9. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
So we’re finally getting there my faithful believers; just one more week to the biggest and most important day in the annals of our faith, that’s Easter Sunday, when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rose triumphantly from dead, having defeated Satan, hell, death and the grave, thus bringing the long ago promises of salvation and eternal life to fruition. And all of God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Thank You Jesus!’
But friends, we still have a li’l ways to go until that glorious day, although we do have another marvellous situation that involves Christ, we call it Palm Sunday! The day when Jesus sent His disciples to get a donkey and its foal in a nearby village and then rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on the donkey like a conquering King. The Bible tells us: ‘All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek (lowly) and sitting upon an ass (donkey), and the colt the foal of an ass. (Zech. 9:9)
And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass (donkey), and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him (Jesus) thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed (spread) them in the way (road). And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’ (Matt. 21:4-11)
But before we move on, here’s an interesting note from the scholars. They say that ‘Riding on the colt of an ass marked the official entry of Israel’s kings. Thus Jesus arrives in the full declaration of His kingship.’ He was finally making a ringing endorsement of Himself, after previously playing down His kingship. But like so many things in this crazy and ungodly world, five days later, that joyful celebration and all the cries of ‘Hosanna’ had died, and that same crowd was now crying, ‘Crucify Him!’
Yes friends, that’s the basic nature of the human animal; you can’t put too much trust in them, for they will turn against you in an instant, conveniently and completely forgetting the joy you recently brought to their souls and spirits. That’s why the Bible keeps telling us not put our trust in man who is unreliable, but in God, who is wholly reliable. And this commentary explains it thus: ‘The idea that it’s wrong to trust in man is a recurring theme in religious texts, particularly in Christianity, where it emphasizes placing trust in God rather than human beings.
The biblical text from Jeremiah 17:5 states that “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD”. This message suggests that relying on humans for strength or security is a flawed approach, as humans are ultimately fallible and cannot provide lasting comfort or protection. Instead, it encourages a reliance on a higher power, emphasizing faith over human reliance.’ And that’s the indisputable truth.
Anyway, enough on all this other stuff, let’s get to today’s song of worship, aptly titled, ‘Hosanna in the Highest!’ One commentary tells us ‘“Hosanna in the highest” is used when we acknowledge Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice and what it means for us and mankind as a whole. This may not be something we often say out loud, but we can think it in our minds and feel it in our hearts in times of worship.’ So, let’s do that right now nuh, as we raise our sacrifices of praise to high heaven, in an up-tempo, scintillating version of the song.
Singing: ‘Hosanna [2] Hosanna In The Highest [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Hosanna In The Highest. Holy [3] Is The Lamb Of God [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Holy Is The Lamb Of God.
Jesus [3] Is The King Of Kings [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Jesus Is The King Of Kings. Hosanna [2] Hosanna In The Highest [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Hosanna In The Highest. (2) Be exalted Oh Lord our God Hosanna in the Highest….’
Oh my fellow believers, let’s hope that we sung that song from our heart, with true thanksgiving and much praise, for Jesus indeed deserves to be exalted! As Bruh Paul so rightly declares (chuhhh!!!) to the Philippians: ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in the earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:8-11)
Then in the Book of Revelation, John writes thus of Jesus: ‘These shall make war with the Lamb (Jesus), and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.’ (Rev; 17:14)
Yes my people, “Lord of lords and King of kings” is a title used in the Bible to describe Jesus, affirming his supreme sovereignty and authority over all earthly and heavenly rulers. The idea of Jesus being King of kings and Lord of lords means that there is no higher authority. His reign over all things is absolute and inviolable. And that’s the gospel truth! There is no higher authority than Jesus! And it’s high time that we sincerely believe it and begin to live our lives in a manner becoming His called, His chosen and faithful! Much LOVE!
…if we are indeed the called and chosen…we are doing a terrible job of showing it to the world… for we are definitely not faithful enough…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Jan 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a name above every name, a welcome sight, above all nations of the earth, all these blessings shall come on thee, an obedient heart, at the name of Jesus, attempt to remove God from our society, be obedient to God's commands, became obedient unto death, behaviour that's respectful of rules and laws, Bible, blessings, bright sunshine, burdensome, by the things he suffered, Christ is the best example of obedience, christianity, compliance with an order, deepen my breath, do all God's commandments, eternal death, eternal life, even the death of the cross, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, faith, fear of punishment, formed out of habit, found in fashion as a man, gain greater intimacy with God, God hath highly exalted him, grow in spiritual maturity, his commandments are not grievous, holy spirit, humbled himself, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, in sincerity and truth, increase my awareness of you today, it's all for our benefit, Jesus Christ, Jesus christ is Lord, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, learned obedience, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, living for Christ is about obedience, Lord I want to be with you now, LOVE, made himself of no reputation, man spoils and destroys everything he touches, man's negative touch, mercy, obedience for blessings, obedience is the key to unlocking God's promises, obedience unto righteousness, obey god rather than men, peace of god, quiet my soul, reflecting off beautiful snow, relax my muscles, repented, responsibility of duty, rewards for obedience, sacrifice more, salvation, sinful and prideful nature, slow my thoughts, snow is beautiful untouched by humans, submission to authority, suffered terrible misfortune, take umbrage, thank you for this tenderness, the awesome power of sincere prayer, the Israelites veered from the commandments, the Lord will set thee on high, the Ten Commandments, this is the love of God, though he were a Son, to our own detriment, to the glory of God the Father, transactional obedience, truth, turned back to God, we keep His commandments, wisdom, yet learned he obedience, you can't be contained, your peace and love are present
1 John 5:3. For this is the LOVE of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome).
Well friends, it’s a sunshiny, chilly, windy and white lazy-day Saturday! The snow’s not an awful lot, but enough to make life difficult if you choose to venture out. So, it’s as good a time as any to stay home…unless you really have to go out. Stay home, look out your window, and admire the bright sunshine reflecting off of the beautiful snow. And snow is definitely beautiful… that’s before it comes into contact with man. But that’s no surprise, since man spoils and destroys everything he touches.
Anyway, enough with man’s negative touch, let’s get positive and offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer with all sincerity and truth. As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And as always, if we’re sincere in our prayer, then the peace and calmness of God soon begins filling our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. That’s the awesome power of sincere prayer! And hopefully, in this new year of 2025, we will all rise to a new level of sincerity in our prayer, since we’ve made it our New Year’s resolution to grow in spiritual maturity and gain a greater intimacy with our most wonderful God! And it all begins with sincerity of prayer and a faithful, willing and obedient heart.
Yes friends, living for Christ is all about obedience! And what’s obedience eh? It’s basically compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority. Or, as another definition puts it: ‘Obedience is behavior that’s respectful and mindful of rules and laws.’ And that’s it; obedience is doing the appropriate thing in the appropriate manner, at the appropriate time. (smile)
And according to one commentary, there are four basic kinds of obedience: ‘Obedience done out of fear of punishment. Learned obedience, formed out of habit taught by parents or society. Transactional obedience for the blessings, benefits, and rewards. Obedience performed as a responsibility of duty, obligation, and faith.’ And I guess our obedience to God can be a combination of the last three, because we are taught it by our parents, we do it to receive rewards and blessings, and it’s a responsibility of our faith.
But enough with definitions, let’s see what the Lord’s Word says about obedience. And brother, there are indeed so many scriptures that speak about the subject, that we can only consider a few. However, let’s first note this important point; obedience is the key to unlocking the promises of God. Let’s never forget that! Unless we are obedient to God’s will, we will never unlock the promises and blessings He has in store for us.
And it all begins very early on, as the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness to the Promised land, with Moses informing them thus: ‘And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.’ (Deut. 28:1-2)
Oh my people, it could not be any clearer than that! And Moses goes on to list blessings from verse 3 to verse 14. However, he listed curses and misfortunes for disobedience from verse 15 to verse 68. Now that surely tells us how important obedience is in the Lord’s sight. And the basic commandments were given to them at the foot of Mt. Sinai when Moses came down with the two tablets of stone written on by the Lord, containing what we call The Ten Commandments, which we can find in Exodus 20:1-17.
And if you look at them, they are not really hard to obey, as John tells us in his first epistle: ‘For this is the LOVE of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome).’ (1 John 5:3) But with our sinful and prideful nature, we take umbrage at obeying some of them. But that’s only to our own detriment. And if our society were to follow those same Ten Commandments today, it would be such a wonderful place.
And please note that every time the Israelites veered from those commandments, they suffered terrible misfortune; wars, captivity, plagues, etc. etc. And when they came to their senses, repented and turned back to God, He blessed them again. This is just to say, that maybe, if we repent and turn back to God, He will bless us, and our world would not be as strife and disaster filled as it is. For there is absolutely no doubt that we have turned away from God, so far away, that we are attempting to totally remove Him for our society. Which anyone of faith knows is impossible!
And Jesus also said it loud and clear to the disciples, and consequently to us: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15) It’s as simple as that! And it’s obvious by our lack of obedience that we don’t LOVE Him! Meanwhile, Bruh Paul admonishes us in Romans 6, when he writes: ‘Know ye not, that to whom ye yield (present) yourselves servants to obey, his servants (slaves) ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.’ (Rom. 6:16) Yes, we’re either slaves to Satan which leads to eternal death, or obedient to the Lord, which leads to eternal life.
And remember when Peter and the other apostles were imprisoned and beaten by the Jewish leaders and severely warned to stop preaching Christ crucified, what was their answer? ‘Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.’ (Acts 5:29) Now that would be such a welcome sight in this society, if more of us would begin obeying God more than men.
And there’s no better example of obedience that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Listen to Bruh Paul as he writes to the Philippians. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made of himself no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of all his privileges):
And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:5-11)
Oh my fellow saints, Christ was the very example of obedience! Do you think He really wanted to go to the cross and experience that terrible ‘sufferation’ for our abominable sins? No! But because the Father desired it, He became obedient and did it. And yuh see the rewards He received for that obedience? A name higher than any other name, at which every knee must someday bow! In light of all that, why can’t we sacrifice a little more and be obedient to God’s commands eh? Remember, it’s all for our benefit, not His! Much LOVE!
…though he were a son…yet learned he obedience…by the things he suffered… (Heb. 5:8)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
30 Sep 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a kaleidoscope of colours, a marvellous feat, a name above every other, a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, at the name of Jesus, autumn season, become discouraged in your souls, Bible, christianity, climate change, despising the shame, disobeyed your word, divine aid, endured the cross, eternal life, every knee shall bow, faith, famine, floods, for the joy that was set before him, god, holy spirit, humble servants, if this cup may not pass away, it is impossible to please God, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus, Jesus Christ, keep thinking this, lest ye be wearied and faint, let this mind be in you, like clockwork, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, made himself of no reputation, mass confusion, obedience, our Day Star -Jesus, pray, sacrificed His sinless life, salvation, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, sincerely seek your face, such contradiction of sinners, the author and finisher of our faith, the beautiful colours of autumn, the best example to follow, the God who heals, thy will be done, truth, turn from our evil ways, which was also in Jesus, wildfires, winter, wisdom, wise guidance
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (keep thinking this):
And then it was Monday, the last day of September 2024. We are also now officially into the fall or autumn season, where the leaves on the trees start changing colours in preparation for falling, so that trees can hibernate during the upcoming winter. And the system of the changing seasons is so ingeniously set up that only a great God like ours could have accomplished such a marvellous feat.
The seasons occur like clockwork; spring, summer, autumn, winter. You can be sure that they will happen one after the other, although with this climate change business, another instance of man’s disruption of God’s flawless system, there will be unpredictable variations in each season. And quite rightly, we the disrupters will have to bear whatever consequences results from it, like abnormal hot spells, rainfall and drought, causing serious floods, famine and wildfires.
Blessedly, in my area, the rains have caused some flooding, but we’ve generally had glorious summer weather right up to now, with the leaves remaining green and full of life. But that won’t last for much longer, and we’ll soon see all the beautiful colours of autumn, rightly considered the most colourful season, when God just went crazy with His paint brush and produced a kaleidoscope of amazing colours to awaken and titivate our senses. And the Lord knew what He was doing; preparing us with a bright, colourful season for the upcoming dead, dreary one called winter.
But in His awesome wisdom, He also gave us Jesus; our Lord and Saviour, our Redeemer and Mighty Conqueror! Wow! What a bright and shining light, our Day Star, is our Jesus! That’s why the author of Hebrews can cite, or refer to Him as a glorious example for us to follow, describing Him thus:
‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (become discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb. 12:2-3)
Ah friends, Jesus endured so much hostility, rejection, abuse, persecution and punishment for our sakes, that we can never repay any of it. But that was never the idea. It all stemmed from the LOVE of the Father for us, and the LOVE of Jesus for the Father, the desire to do His will. As He says in the night of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, before His crucifixion, when He prayed the Father to remove the cup of wrath from Him: ‘O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except (unless) I drink it, thy will be done.’ (Matt. 26:42)
That’s the obedient kind of Son He was. That’s why Bruh Paul could pen these tough words to the Philippians and to us, to follow Jesus’ example. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (keep thinking this): Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of his privileges): And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil. 2:5-8)
Now that’s what you call obedience and perseverance! And He never complained either! Oh how I wish that many more of us supposed believers could come up even a little higher on that score! For then our suffering world would be greatly improved. But it seems like our pleas are falling on deaf ears because not many of us are willing to sacrifice even a little for the greater good of all, and that’s the only way we will ever raise the level of our maturity.
That’s what Jesus did for us: He selflessly sacrificed His sinless life for our abominable sins! The Father laid all of our disgusting iniquity on His shoulders, and Jesus humbly went to the cross and paid our sin debt in full. But now we can hardly give Him the time of day, much less be His true and devoted disciples! Hn! But again, as we said earlier, Jesus is the best example for us to follow, for look at how the Father rewarded Him for His obedience, perseverance and biting the bullet in those terrible times.
Bruh Paul writes thus to the church at Philippi: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:9-11)
That’s how generous and rewarding the Father is to those who do His will! That’s why the author of Hebrews also tells us: ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb.11:6)
Yes my fellow saints, only when we believe that God is who He says He is and rewards those who diligently seek Him, will we ever be on the road to true salvation. In the meanwhile, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, pleading for help to get on, and stay on, that straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life with Jesus.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems.
Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.
Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’
But let’s not forget the words of our prayer; no divine aid will be forthcoming until and unless we humble ourselves, pray, sincerely seek God, and turn from our evil ways! Much LOVE!
…we will never be fully like Jesus…but He’s the best example to aspire to…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 May 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christian's witness, a servant like attitude, a strong will, able to drink the cup I shall drink, at the name of Jesus, be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, became obedient unto death, being in the form of God, Bible, christianity, curse, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, exercise dominion over them, god, God also exalted him, he that shall humble himself shall be exalted, humility, I have given you and example, if any man desire to be first, If I your Lord and Master have washed your feet, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, let this mind be in you, LOVE, made himself of no reputation, made in the likeness of men, moved with indignation, negative word, prosperity, self-control, self-discipline, servant hood., success, the name that's above every other name, the princes of the Gentiles, the same shall be last of all, the servant of all, thought it not robbery, Thursday Blessings, to be equal with God, took upon him the form of a servant, whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, wisdom, ye also ought to wash one another's feet, ye should do as I have done unto you
Matthew 23:12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased (humbled); and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (lifted up).
So we’ve rolled into Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, but in the background we are busy with all the preparations for the celebration of Mother’s Day this weekend. And hopefully it will be a grand old time for the many wonderful mothers in our world. Anyway I’m chuckling here, because I don’t know how many of you realized that I went off on a tangent yesterday on the subject of pride, when I really meant to deal more with Jesus words on the subject of servant hood. But let’s see if we can do that today nuh. (smile)
As Jesus says in yesterday’s Bit: ‘If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, the servant of all.’ (Mark 9:35) And apparently, according to Matthew, this question came up after the mother of Zebedee’s children, James and John, came to Jesus with a request: ‘Grant that these two my sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with (His suffering and death): but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren (brothers).’ (Matt. 20:21-24)
Yuh see people, life back then was no different to what it is now; everybody’s seeking self-aggrandizement by whatever means they can, even to the level that two of the disciples get their mother to go and ask Jesus to make them His right hand people. The Bible then tells us: ‘But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion (lord it) over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosever will be great among you, let him be your minister (servant). And whosoever will be chief (first) among you, let him be your servant (slave): Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (served), but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (Matt. 20:25-28)
Yes friends, the whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to be crucified and to show us a servant like attitude in our dealings with each other and the world, which He desires to see from His followers. We see that in His words after washing the disciples feet on the night before he was crucified. ‘If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.’ (John 13:14-15)
And Bruh Paul immortalized those words in his own way, when he wrote to the Philippians: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of his privileges): And being found in the fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also exalted him, and given him the name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:5-11)
That says it all friends! Despite being deity, Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth and walk amongst mankind as an ordinary, compassionate human being, then sacrificing His sinless life to pay for our abominable sins. And because of that humility and sacrifice, the Father exalted Him above everyone else! Now that corroborates these fateful words of Jesus to the Pharisees when He denounced hypocrisy. ‘But he that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased (humbled); and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (lifted up).’ (Matt. 23:11-12)
Yes my fellow believers, humility is the watchword of Christ’s ministry. Now, that doesn’t mean we have to allow others to use and abuse us, but we don’t have to put on unnecessary airs and graces either, and try to show off and boast of our earthly wealth and power. We simply need to get down and dirty whenever it’s called for, to daily pick up our crosses and follow Jesus, wherever He may lead us; knowing that He will never lead us astray. And I sincerely hope that today’s lesson will reverberate very positively in our hearts, souls, bodies and minds and help us deny the foolish boastfulness, power hungry, self-seeking and greedy attitudes of this ungodly and evil world.
Now let’s declare (awright!!!) and thus activate our Thursday Blessings, so generously given to us by the Lord to do His earthly work. As one 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 acknowledged those blessings, it now behooves us to go out and use them to help others, in the same generous manner as our great God, so that they can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…without humility…a Christian’s witness is a lie…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
07 Apr 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: actions speak louder than words, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, at the name of Jesus, baptizing them, Bible, christianity, crown him Lord of all, display brotherly love, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, faith, go ye therefore and teach all nations, god, hymns, I am with you always, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, Jesus is Christ the Lord., join the everlasting song, King of Kings, let every kindred every tribe, lift our voices, Lord of Lords, LOVE, on this terrestial ball, shrp-tongued, the form of a servant, the Great Commission, wisdom, yonder sacred throng
Philippians 2:10a & 11a. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…
So it’s another Sunday in the life…the one after the biggest in our faith – Easter Sunday! And we’re still celebrating Christ’s triumphant resurrection though not as intently as last week. The tempo has quietened somewhat, but the awesome memories of that marvellous day still remain burned in our memories forever and tickle us to death (smile) when we remember what it meant – our own resurrection and eternal life in the company of our awesome Triune God! Nothing could be sweeter than that my fellow believers!
And today in the Lord’s sanctuary, we’re going to give Him some thanks and praise for all that He’s done for us, through this glorious hymn “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” It is one of the most popular Christian hymns, and is often referred to as the ‘National Anthem of Christendom.’ The lyrics were written by Edward Perronet (1721-1792) a prominent British Pastor at one time affiliated with the Wesley’s of the Methodist persuasion, but afterwards became a pastor of a dissenting congregation.
And there’s this fascinating commentary re Mr. Perronet and His unusual predisposition. ‘It is interesting that those who express the most eloquent praise are often the people we would deem the least likely to have the ability. Yet David, the adulterating, murdering, lying king of Israel wrote a good deal of the Psalms, which we still use today as our guide for worship. In the same way, all accounts show Rev. Edward Perronet to be a sharp-tongued, difficult personality, who would rather pick a fight over theology than display brotherly LOVE.’
But whatever Mr. Perronet’s fault(s), he wrote a beautiful hymn, that we shall now use to offer up our sincere sacrifices of sweet, savoured praise in a mid-tempo version. So with true heartfelt emotion, let’s sing: ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall; Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all. Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race, Ye ransomed of the fall, Ye ransomed of the fall, Hail him who saves you by his grace, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all.
Sinners, whose LOVE can ne’er forget The wormwood and the gall, The wormwood and the gall, Go, spread your trophies at His feet And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all. Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe, On this terrestrial ball, On this terrestrial ball, To him all majesty ascribe, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all. O that with yonder sacred throng We at his feet may fall; We at His feet may fall; We’ll join the everlasting song, And crown him, crown him, crown him, And crown him Lord of all.’
Oh most certainly will we crown Jesus Lord of all! In fact the Father has already done it, as Bruh Paul writes in Philippians: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of his heavenly privileges):
And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:5-11)
Wow! What a magnificent Son, Warrior, Leader and fine example Jesus is to us all! Although He was deity Himself, He didn’t noise it about, boast about it, but became a servant in man’s likeness to do the work His Father desired of Him, and thus the Father exalted Him like no one else. We call Jesus the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Wow! It could get no better than that! But I’m getting carried away with my own excitement, (smile) and there’s this commentary that I badly want to share about the hymn itself.
It says: ‘This hymn is a declaration of praise, but it’s also much more than that. The words both declare the majesty of Christ and task us with making that majesty known to all. Like many hymns describing the glory of God and the hope that one day all people will see that glory, this hymn alludes to Philippians 2:9-11: “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” We long for this day, and declare our hope in its arrival in the text of this hymn.
But are we willing to declare that hope to those who have not heard it? The phrase, “Easier said than done” comes to mind here. After we have sung these words of victory and longing, what do we do? Do we act on those words and turn our expectancy into realities? Or do we wait for someone else to do it for us? The fourth stanza of this great hymn declares, “We’ll join the everlasting song….” Everlasting means that we are a part of that song right now – are we willing to lift our voices together to sing more than a hymn, and truly crown our God Lord of all?’
Now that’s a most valid question my fellow believers! Do we just sing the words of the hymn, or do we put them into action in our own lives, while sharing the fascinating facts and sentiments with others? The only way to truly crown Christ as Lord is by being excited about Him and the amazing, selfless work He did on our behalf, and telling others about Him, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do. We cannot truly honour Jesus, by simply mouthing the words to a hymn, but activating those words in a manner that will cause others to want to hear them, then themselves share with others.
That’s what Jesus meant when He gave us the Great Commission: ‘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. 28:19-20)
And having sung that great hymn with heartfelt gusto, it now behooves us to go out and spread the good news of His gospel, put it into action! Much LOVE!
…actions usually speak louder than words…it’s time for Christians to make their actions heard…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
04 Apr 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a name above every other name, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, at the name of Jesus, be of good cheer, beside still waters, bet your bottom dollar, choose life, christianity, come unto me, curse, Easter Sunday, every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, faith, fro glory to glory, fulfillment, god, God also highly exalted him, Good Friday, good vibes, I am meek and lowly in heart, i have overcome the world, I will you rest, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, Jesus in our hearts souls bodies and minds, Jesus is our Good Shepherd, Jesus is our Guide and Leader, King of Kings, leads us to green pastures, learn of me, let it rain, let not your heart be troubled, Lord of Lords, LOVE, my burden is light, my peace I give to you, my yoke is easy, negative word, neither let it be afraid, not as the world giveth, paid our sin debt in full, peace, Peace i leave with you, refreshes our weary souls, salvation, self-discipline, set before you life and death, success, supernatural strength, take my yoke upon you, that both thou and thy seed shall live, the awesome power of Christ's resurrection, the Easter season, turbulent times, wisdom
Matthew 11:28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
And the good vibes of this Easter Season still percolate strongly through our faith on this wet Thursday spring morning in early April. Thankfully, the rain has let up some, and the li’l snow we got has already disappeared. However, the promise of rain is still in the forecast. But as I like to say: ‘Let it rain, let it rain! With Jesus in our hearts, souls, bodies and minds, rain cannot stop us from moving forward with Him!’ No sir! For Jesus is our Guide and Leader, our Good Shepherd, who leads us to green pastures, beside still waters and restores or refreshes our burdened and weary souls.
That means, if we are wise, we will quickly take Him up on His Great Invitation. ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt. 11:28-30) Oh friends, there is absolutely no better invitation in all the world! You can bet your bottom dollar on that!
And Jesus, having died on Good Friday and paid our sin debt in full, then risen on Easter Sunday and proclaimed the awesome power of His resurrection, He now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf, highly exalted for His work on the cross. As the Good Library tells it: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:9-11)
Wow mih bredrin! Jesus, for His stellar, unselfish work here on earth has been proclaimed King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the name that’s above all names! That means, if possible, He is now even more able to offer us the peace and rest that we so desperately need in these tremulous and turbulent times, than when He first offered that invitation while here with us on Mother Earth. So why are many more of us not turning to Him for the comfort, relief and solace He so readily offers eh? Why instead are so many of us leaving His church, turning away from Him and all the wonderful things He offers?
I truly don’t know why, neither can I understand why in this age of turmoil and confusion we would run away from the ONE source of true peace and comfort in this evil and ungodly world. My people, please, I plead with us to remember these most important words of Jesus on the subject of peace in this strife-filled world. He says: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27)
Right there you have it friends! Jesus’ peace is an entirely different kind of peace from what this ungodly world offers as peace. And furthermore, when you have the peace of Jesus, you don’t have to be worried and anxious about what’s happening in the world, or even in your particular situation, because He will keep you peaceful if you live for Him. And Jesus second quote on peace comes just after He tells the disciples about His upcoming crucifixion, acknowledging that in their fear they would scatter like rats at the presence of a cat. (smile)
Nonetheless, He comforts them with these words. ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) And yes, we all know that it’s hard to have peace when we’re undergoing trials and tribulations, but if we put our complete trust in Jesus, surrender our all to Him, He will give us the necessary peace to go about our business without too much worry and anxiety. That’s His absolute promise! And I’m here to testify to it.
But unfortunately, it doesn’t happen overnight. However, as you draw closer to Jesus; pray, read and understand more of His Word and put it into action in your own life, you find yourself being less and less worried and anxious, because little by little, you’re experiencing His faithfulness in your life. Your faith grows stronger as He slowly raises you from glory to glory! Now that my fellow believers is the least we can ask of our Saviour. But the truth of the matter is that He has a lot more to offer us, if we will only turn to Him seriously and sincerely!
As He says in His Invitation; you will find rest for your souls, an easy yoke, a light burden, plus stuff like forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life with Him wherever He might be. Now what can be better than that eh? Certainly not our only other option; that of sojourning in hell with Satan and his band of evil doers. But it’s all up to the individual. The Lord gave us free choice, hoping that we’d choose Him, over Satan. Thus Moses’ exhortation to the Israelites in the wilderness: ‘I call heaven and earth to record (as witnesses) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.’ (Deut. 30:19)
It could not be said any clearer than that my fellow saints. Now the ball is in our court. Please play it wisely. And our God is so wonderful that He even bestows on us undeserved blessings to profitably share His Word on the earth. We call them our Thursday Blessings, but there’s one proviso; a blessing is not a blessing until it’s declared (yesss!!!). So let’s declare (awright!!!) them right now nuh. 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 made that declaration (yeahhh!!!) we are now duty bound to go out and use those blessings for the benefit of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us. Much LOVE!
…why choose sorrowful death…when there’s glorious life to be chosen…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
21 Dec 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: at the name of Jesus, be ye also ready, became obedient unto death, being in the form of God, compassion, empathy, endure to the end, eternity in hell with Satan, even the death of the cross, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, for in such an hour as ye think not, found in fashion as a man, given him a name above every other name, glad to be alive, God hath highly exalted him, God sent not His Son to condemn the world, halfway home, hands on the plough, humbled himself, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, Jesus is the answer, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, LOVE, made himself of no reputation, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, our eternal benefit, pay a hefty price, suffer in hellfire for all eternity, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the incarnate birth of Christ, the Son of man cometh, the world through him might be saved, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, ye know not what hour your Lord doth come
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Three down, three to go, then the Big Day friends; a celebration of the incarnate birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Wow! The only thing to compare to it is His resurrection! So how can we not LOVE and worship Christ eh? He was born, died and rose again ALL for us, for our eternal benefit! If it wasn’t for out abominable sins and disobedience, there would have been no need for Him to be born, much less to die!
But then again, the Father’s LOVE for us was so great that He could not see His greatest creation suffer in hellfire for all eternity with the ole foolish crook Satan and not do something to help us. And since the Father is righteous and just, He couldn’t just wave away our sins, it needed a sinless soul to redeem us. And since Jesus was the only sinless soul besides Him, the burden of our redemption fell on Jesus. And since Jesus was also the obedient Son that none of us could, or would ever be, He did what the Father asked, despite the great ‘sufferation’ that it held in store for Him.
And this scripture from Bruh Paul’s writing to the church at Philippi, should resonate ever so loudly in our ears this Christmas season. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made (came) in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil. 2:5-8)
Oh my supposed fellow believers, where is our gratitude, our compassion, our empathy, our supposed LOVE of God eh? Doesn’t it seem shameful and disgraceful to you that Christ did so much for us and we can’t even remember that He’s the reason for this Christmas season. We concentrate on giving and receiving presents, on eating and drinking, and we talk a lot of foolishness about ‘Happy holidays!’ But where did the happiness and the holidays come from eh? From the birth of Christ!
So please, let’s not forget the word Christmas and the reason for this worldwide celebration; the li’l baby boy that was born in the manger on that cold winter’s night that was oh so deep. The same li’l boy that grew up to become the Saviour of the world. As He took such great pains to tell us: ‘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)
Yes friends, that was Jesus’ sole purpose for coming to earth; to save our sinful souls. And He deserves much more thanks, gratitude and praise from the very ones that He came to save than he’s currently getting! It’s a crying shame my brethren, that we don’t appreciate Jesus more than we do! For all He‘s done, we should be constantly bowing down to Him and offering our grateful thanks and praise.
But yuh know what? That will eventually happen, because the Father is not ungrateful like us, and consequently gave Jesus the highest honour possible. Listen as Bruh Paul explains it to the Philippians: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the things in heaven, and the things in earth, and the things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:9-11)
Yuh see the great difference between the Father and us? He exalted Christ for His obedience, made His name revered for the most excellent work He had done. But no, we the frail, feeble, foolish, created minions, think it too much to glorify His name, although it was all for our benefit. And for that rejection of Christ Jesus, we will pay a most hefty price; eternity in hell, with that other foolish creation, Satan.
But thankfully, it’s not too late my people. Once we are alive, are still drawing the breath that Almighty God breathed into us, we still have a chance to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and thus forego the eternal date with Beelzebub in the hot and humid chambers of Hades. But let’s put it all in proper context: If you die without receiving Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, or He returns to earth as He faithfully promised before you receive Him, then all bets are off.
That’s why the wise and sensible thing to do is not wait, but receive Him, as your most worthwhile benefactor RIGHT NOW! For no one knows when the Grim Reaper is going to come a calling, or when Jesus is going to show up. Jesus even warned us that He might come like a thief in the night, so we must always be prepared and ready. ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24: 42, 44)
Yes friends, we cannot say that we have not been warned. Now, for those of us who have received Christ as Lord and Saviour, and are doing our best to live for Him, let’s go home declaring (yayyy!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful and most enviable 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 for a li’l encouragement, let’s remember that if endure to the end with Christ, that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Wow! Won’t that be a great time! Yes! The greatest time ever! Much LOVE!
…Jesus is the answer…the answer to every doubt and question…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
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