The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Knowing and Understanding God’s Great LOVE and Compassion for Them!

28 Oct 2026 Leave a comment

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   28 October 2026   2 Timothy 1:12b.

2 Timothy 1:12b.       for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.

Oh my people, please don’t get anxious or traumatized because I’m here with you so early on this cloudy, catch our second wind Wednesday morning! There’s a simple reason for this early bus. (smile)  I have to take the duchess to a medical  appointment in the early afternoon hours, that means I don’t know when I’ll be back here, and I didn’t want that interruption to cause us to be on another late bus, to have you waiting for the words of wisdom that come from my puny mind with God’s help. (smile)

And today we’ll look at the wonderful poem for October 28, from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s simply titled ‘I Do Know!’ Now, I don’t know whether I’ve ever shared it before, and when I read it just now it didn’t seem familiar, but it certainly touched my soul and I’m overjoyed to share it, and once you read it, you’ll see why. So please pray with me. ‘There is much I cannot begin to fathom concerning the vast, indescribable universe created by our majestic God. There is much I will never comprehend. I want to sing and shout, so utterly overwhelmed I am with the magnitude of God.

But I do know with confident certainty that I belong to the God of the universe – the Creator of all that exists. I know that I, a mere mortal, am forever linked to divine destiny. I know that my life has purpose and dignity. I know that God has chosen me as the object of His lavish LOVE; that His thoughts toward me are thoughts of kindness and mercy; that He has inscribed me in the palms of his hands. I know that all the LOVE of the Father, and the life of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit are freely, inseparably mine – now and throughout all eternity. This I do know!’

And now you understand why it touched me. It just puts what we know in a somewhat different perspective. And by the way, it wasn’t written in poem form, but in ordinary prose with proper paragraph indentations. (smile) And that might be one of the reasons it’s so effective, because it just flows freely on. And are the sentiments ever so wonderful, beginning with the idea that our minds are too small to comprehend the vastness of the ‘indescribable universe created by our majestic God.’

Now we all know that to be true, as stated in so many scriptures like: ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament (expanse of heaven) sheweth his handywork (the work of his hands).’ (Ps.19:1) Then Isiah declares: ‘Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth (is missing).’ (Is. 40:26) Yes friends, the universe is all God’s creation!

And what about that ‘constant certainty’ that we belong to the God of the universe – the Creator of all that exists? Unfortunately, that’s something a lot of us believers still don’t understand or can’t even imagine, how this great God, Creator of the universe can acknowledge mere mortals like us seemingly insignificant beings. But we’re not insignificant. Certainly not to the God who created us. And because He created us from a deep and abiding LOVE, we are ‘forever linked to divine destiny.’

Wow! And because of that our lives have purpose and dignity, and He has chosen us as objects of His lavish LOVE. What could be more important that that eh? And it’s borne out by one of my favourite scriptures, that from Romans 5:8, where Bruh Paul confidently declares: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrates) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ What a wonderful God! He didn’t wait for us to clean up ourselves to show His awesome LOVE for us. No! He did it while we were yet filthily clothed with sin!

No wonder ‘His thoughts toward me are of kindness and mercy,’ as He says in His Word. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity) to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) That clearly shows God’s heart for us. But my fellow believers, what can show greater LOVE than ‘inscribing us in the palms of His hands?’ Nothing really! As Jesus says in the gospel of John: ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.’ (John 15:13-4)

Yes, Jesus was so into us, that He was willing to sacrifice His sinless life for those who believe in and willingly follow Him. As He said to Thomas when he doubted. ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing.’ (John 20:27) And the scripture verse on which the poem was based is a most reassuring one from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.’ (2 Tim. 1:12)

So should we also be trusting of Christ for the assurance of salvation on that day when we stand before Him at the judgement seat. And all of the above can only draw us to one conclusion: ‘that all the LOVE of the Father, and the life of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit are freely, inseparably mine – now and throughout all eternity.’ Now there could be no better feeling, nothing more uplifting and reassuring than knowing that we belong to the Creator of the universe and will share the wonderful LOVE of the Holy Trinity, now and forever!

So with that wonderful feeling of divine LOVE and assurance flowing through our souls, spirts and bodies, 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 please remember that to all who endure with Jesus to the very end, an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine has been promised. So let’s be wise and endure right to the end with our wonderful Lord and Saviour, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…God’s amazing LOVE for mankind…has been shown both in His Word and His actions toward us…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday to the Christian Faith!

05 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

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

1 Corinthians 15:22.        For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

HAPPY  EASTER!

And then it was Sunday…Easter Sunday, and the joyful shouts of ‘He is risen…Christ is risen…Hallelujah Christ is risen’ can be heard all around the world. As the Good Book says; ‘joy comes in the morning.’ And yuh better believe abundant joy has come to earth with the resurrection of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour on this Easter Sunday morning. Raising Christ from the dead was the greatest miracle ever, and confirmed and cemented the awesome omnipotence of our God; He of Abraham Isaac and Jacob! And many who considered Him a mere man and a possible prophet, soon changed their tune when they saw Him resurrected, alive and kicking in the flesh.

And today, to celebrate that most auspicious occasion we’re going to open our worship with what some Christian hymnologists consider to be the ‘most definitive church anthem for Easter.’ A song written in 1739 by one of the great hymn writers of all time Charles Wesley (1707-1788), and most appropriately titled, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, which focusses totally on the resurrection of Christ.

But before we offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise, let’s do like this commentary says: ‘turn to this Intro from the Simple Series Musical ‘Merry Tree,’ featured on the album inspired by the message and mission of Billy Graham, ‘My Hope.’ Please declare with me: ‘We have gathered today to lift up the name of Jesus. We rejoice in His victory over sin and the cross. Our cries of ‘Hosanna! Save us now!’ have been answered. Our Redeemer has conquered death! And because we are certain of that, we have reason to celebrate!’  

Of course we do my faithful brethren, more reason to celebrate than any other faith. So let’s make that celebration known as we lift our voices in sweet harmony, allowing all the joy we feel inside to pour out in our song, in a rich, soulful, mid-tempo, scintillating version. Singing: ‘Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia! Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! LOVE’S redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia! Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia! Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia! King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia! Thus to sing, and thus to LOVE, Alleluia!’

That was a most wonderful rendition my fellow believers! All heaven and earth joined in with us to praise our risen Saviour. And though that actual resurrection took place sone two thousand years ago, it still registers with us as though it’s taking place on the current Easter Sunday. That’s how important it is to the foundation of our faith. For that’s the reason we have eternal life. Without Jesus rising from the dead, being alive in both body and soul, we would not have life after death, as we currently do.

For as Bruh Paul reasons to the Corinthians: ‘For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain (futile); ye are yet in your sins… But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’ (1 Cor. 15: 16-18; 20-22)

And Christ did rise from the dead and was seen by some five hundred people plus the believers, several times. Remember how the disciple Thomas refused to believe that Jesus was alive, although his associates told him so. He declared: ‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ (John 20:25)

But eight days later, when Thomas was amongst the crowd, Jesus came through the locked doors with His new and resurrected body and stood amid them and said, ‘Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.’ (John 20:26-29)

And Jesus was there talking about people like us, who, two thousand years later, never saw him in the flesh but believe. Although there are many who still don’t, despite all the evidence to the contrary. And sadly, they will have to pay the price for their disbelief, for as Jesus says very clearly to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader: ‘He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son  of God.’ (John 3:18)

Yes friends, Christ is indeed risen, and the empty tomb is proof. And as the song says: ‘Made like Him, like Him we rise.’ And so it will be. That’s why there was a sad sort of joy that first Easter Sunday morning when the Jewish women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices. However, they found the stone rolled away from the front of the tomb, and the tomb itself empty.

‘And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed Thereabout (about this), behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid , and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you in Galilee , Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.’ (Luke 24:4-9)

Oh my fellow believers, we all know the many stories about Jesus’ resurrection, but do we truly realize how important it is to our faith and our life after this earthly death? But as we celebrate this joyful occasion of Easter and our risen Saviour, let’s take a few moments to ponder the situation in the depth that it deserves nuh, and thus enrich our lives and souls even more than they are already enriched. Much LOVE!

…in Jesus’ resurrection…the living then got really and truly good…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 December 2020 John 20:29.

02 Dec 2020 Leave a comment

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

John 20:29.     Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed.

Well I guess the best way to get into winter mode is to have two snowfalls as close together as possible. (smile) Yes, that seems logical. Anyway, by the time we cleaned up the first one yesterday, we had another one last night – not as bad as the first, but snow is snow! (smile) But thankfully the sun is shining brightly this morning, so we have an abundance of sunshine, both physically and spiritually through our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus! Nothing could be better for our souls! 

And what’s there to talk about this morning eh? Oh, I truly forgot that we’re now into the month of December when we celebrate the birth of Christ, so the Christmas hustle is on, just with a Covid-19 flavour. (smile) Yes, we’re into the church season termed Advent, where we symbolically look forward to and celebrate the first coming of our Lord a couple of thousand years ago in the manger at Bethlehem, with all the glory and pageant of angels singing, shepherds and earthly kings coming to pay Him homage, bringing gifts of frankincense, incense and myrrh. 

Yeh mih people, it is one of the big celebration times of the Christian’s year, when the Father acknowledged that we were irreparably lost and sent His only Son to earth in the form of man to eventually save us from our abominable sins and the overwhelming cloud of darkness which we were then living under. To show us the light, and provide salvation, eternal life for those who were willing to believe in Him. What a glorious start to a new way of life that was, though many refused to believe and accept Him at His word. 

That brings us to the point in His story, after he had sacrificed His innocent blood on the cross of Calvary, and rose triumphantly from the dead, even His disciples refused to believe that He was their real Lord and Saviour, alive in living colour. And He showed Himself first to some of them, who believed. But one who wasn’t there, Thomas, refused to believe until he had placed his hands in the scars of His hands and side. 

And when Jesus finally appeared unto the twelve at once, and offered Thomas the chance to ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing.’ (John 20:27) Only then did Thomas delightedly crow: ‘My Lord and my God.’ (John 20:28) 

But Jesus had a warning word for Him and for all of us who would come after Him down through the ages.‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed.’(John 20:29) What a serious statement and warning that is my people, especially for believers in these deceitful, treacherous and uncertain times. 

Believing is of the utmost importance for us to get through them. We can’t only talk belief in these days of utter confusion, we need to show our faith, our belief in serious action, to let others know that we truly hold Christ as our Lord and Saviour and that He is, and will keep on helping and guiding us through the fear and anxiety caused by all the disaster happening in our world. And if they want to be as worry free as we Christians are, they need to, and can certainly accept Him as their Lord and Saviour, and He will also deliver them from their fear and anxiety. 

But only by our actions friends, by highlighting our compassion, LOVE, mercy, grace and genuine forgiveness, by helping them in whatever sphere they need help, can we ever hope to win them over to Jesus. They especially need to see His awesome peace within us, in this much less than peaceful time. We must action these momentous words of Jesus. ‘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). 

Oh precious people of Christ, when we truly believe, a divine kind of peace rises up in us, giving us the confidence to face the world no matter what comes against us. But then we must sincerely believe in Christ Jesus to get that kind of peace, for the world doesn’t give it. What the world has to offer is not real peace, but an insincere kind of peace; faked, just like so many more of its offerings. But when we truly accept Christ and what He has to offer, it makes a big difference in our lives. 

Here’s how He characterizes it: ‘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) Wow mih bredrin, what powerful, but oh so true words! Jesus has conquered hell, death and the grave, so He does have the authority to make such an earth shattering statement! And if you truly believe in Him, then you too will be able to find an inner peace despite all the turbulence that’s happening around you. 

Yes, the essence of the whole programme isBELIEF! And sincere belief at that, not a wishy- washy, flakey, doubting, wavering kind of belief. And we’ll end with these marvellous and true words of John the Baptist, who was the harbinger, sent to bear witness of Christ’s coming and His divine personhood. ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but hath the wrath of God abideth (remains) in him.’ (John 3:36) 

Now it could not get any plainer than that; believe and you have life, do not believe, and you perish. And the very important thing about it all is that every individual has to come to that decision for themselves. Others can lead or guide you, but it needs to be a personal decision to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. So for those of us who have truly done so, let’s go home now declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, telling the world in no uncertain terms, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. 

Altogether now: ‘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 you truly believe, and endure unto the end, then your future will be indeed more glorious that you can ask or imagine.Much LOVE!

…believe…only believe…that’s all Jesus asks…