The Overwhelming Importance of the Passion of Easter Advancing the Christian’s Faith and Spiritual Growth!

06 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 12:1a.        Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us,

And isn’t it amazing how the days of celebration can zip by like a windstorm, while the days of work, take their own sweet time, like a turtle in no hurry whatsoever to get wherever he’s going. (smile) Yes, friends, we’re already down to Easter Monday in this season of Easter celebration, meaning tomorrow is a day of work. Chuh! We’re never satisfied eh, even when many of us had a four-day weekend, from Monday to Sunday, and some were even smart enough to wangle five days, from Thursday to Monday.

And although yesterday was somewhat cloudy and blustery, the celebrations seemed to be fairly large, for in my area alone, the streets were chocked full of cars of visitors to friends and families in the neighbourhood. And most likely today, the same thing will be happening in many neighbourhoods around the world, for the passion of Easter is indeed a big occasion in the Christian faith. But please, let’s remember not to overdo it, and thus institute a modicum of circumspection into the celebrations, for we already have enough problems in our world, and this is a time to be like Jesus; sensible and responsible. (smile)

That reminds us of some sensible and important things Jesus asked us to know and do. Like, if we want to be His disciple, we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily and follow Him. (Luke 9:23) That means being willing to sacrifice on His behalf every single day. Then there’s the unexpected washing of the disciples’ feet that Jesus humbly performed. He did that as this commentary tells us, ‘To demonstrate humility, servant leadership, and LOVE. By performing the role of a lowliest servant, Jesus set a direct example for his followers to serve one another.’

Then He gently but seriously admonished them. ‘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 to you.’ (John 13:14-15) Now that’s the very foundation of Jesus’ philosophy and the way He desires His kingdom to operate, in humble servanthood and LOVE, for that’s exactly how He carried Himself while here on earth. In truth though, how many of us supposed Christians are truly humble and take servanthood in our stride, while showing sincere LOVE to all we meet?

Not as many as ought to. And that’s a crying shame, for most of us talk the talk but don’t walk the talk, meaning we’re simply a bunch of hypocrites, like the Pharisees, whitewashed tombs, clean on the outside, but dirty inside. (Matt. 23:27-28) That’s why the author of Hebrews penned these most encouraging words for us to meditate on, and then follow. ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us,

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. 12:1-3)

Yes my fellow believers, we have all the bygone heroes of faith watching us as we now run our own race here on earth, and we cannot afford to let them down. And to successfully run this race of faith, the scholars tell us; we must first ‘lay aside every weight. This refers to impediments that weigh us down, whether clothing or excessive body weight. These things are not inherently wrong, but for the diligent runner or the faithful Christian they must be removed. Secondly, it is to be run by putting off the entangling sin.  This seems to refer to the one sin above all others that defeats a Christian. This may be a different sin for everyone. Thirdly, the race of faith is to be run with patience, or endurance.’

And the scholars continue: ‘Just as verse 1 establishes some qualities for the entrance into the actual running of life’s race, so verse 2 directs one’s eyes to the finish line. Jesus is the author and finisher in that He has already blazed the trail and finished the course. And though there are many champions for believers to emulate, the supreme example of endurance is Jesus Himself.’ And that’s the gospel truth! Nobody does it like Jesus!

And He is by no means an easy example to follow, but if we do as Bruh Paul tells Timothy: ‘Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3) In other words, if we put our noses to the grindstone, we will do a commendable job, with the Lord eventually greeting us, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ (Matt. 25:23) And having said all of that, let’s go to the throne of grace through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help in these perilous times.

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!’ 

Oh friends, we desperately need to use this time of increased passion and faith to increase our Christian witness, because our world is hanging by a thread, and if we don’t make the most of the time, then it’s liable to simply blow up in our faces, both literally and figuratively! It’s as simple as that! So please, let’s heed the warning and show our wonderful gratitude and amazing, undying LOVE for Christ in spades. Much LOVE!

…Easter is the time when Christians rally round the cross…and rise up to bring victory to the LOVE Revolution…

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 November 2013 Genesis 21:13

20 Nov 2013 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 21:13.    And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed (descendant).
 
Oh Friends, the ole fella has a rather profound statement to make on this chilly, November morning! (smile)

And don’t worry, it’s not from me, but is attributed to an American politician, Everett M. Dirkson (1896-1969), a U.S. senator and Congressman, a member of the Republican Party. And he’s reputed to have said this famous line: ‘Life is not a static thing.’
 
And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends? It surely is! For change is one of the few things we can count on to occur in our lives. It’s a constant; one that sometimes comes slowly, but at other times quite quickly and dramatically.
 
Now most of us can handle the slow, sort of unnoticeable changes, but it’s the big, quick ones we don’t like, because they suddenly throw everything off kilter, our calm and peace are shattered, often without warning. Note the deadly typhoon in the Philippines last week, and the destructive tornadoes and thunderstorms in North America a couple days ago.
 
But my people, to live a full, interesting and godly life, we must be able to handle change in any form and fashion it comes. Many of us pray the Serenity Prayer when things start going haywire.
 
 ‘God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.’
 
Yes Friends, it is a sensible prayer, but along with it comes the necessity to have the faith and trust that whatever and wherever God’s Holy Spirit leads and guides us, that’s what we ought to do, and where we ought to go. It’s all impossible without strong faith and trust my brethren!
 
That brings us to our Bit. ‘And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed (descendant).’
 
Now what’s happening here eh? It’s simple; like what we were just talking about, families going through tough changes, which eventually breed bitterness and resentment.
 
Hear the Good Book tell it. ‘And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking (scoffing, laughing). Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
 
And the thing was very grievous (distressing) in Abraham’s sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice (listen to her); for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed (descendant).’ (Gen.21:9-13)
 
Yuh see mih breddren, even in the most godly and trusting families, the evil one often manages to get a foothold. Now what did Sarah expect from Ishmael eh, when all his cherished hopes and dreams of being Abraham’s firstborn and heir were shattered by Isaac’s arrival?
 
The poor lad did the little he could, mock and laugh. But that drove Sarah crazy with resentment and jealousy, and she then entreats Abraham to kick out Hagar and Ishmael. What a change from when she was barren and entreating him to go in and lie with Hagar. Now that she has a son though, she doesn’t want anyone else hanging around.
 
Ah Lord eh! The pettiness and jealousies of the human animal! And what of poor Abraham? Obviously Sarah’s request didn’t sit well with him, but the Lord saw his distress and told him it was okay. For though Isaac would be his official heir, Ishmael would also become great, because he was Abraham’s child.
 
I don’t know if that quieted or relieved Abraham’s distress, but the Good Book tells us: ‘And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle (skin) of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child (youth), and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
 
And the water was spent (used up) in the bottle (skin), and she cast (placed) the child under one of the shrubs. And she went and sat down over against (opposite) him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against (opposite) him, and lift up her voice, and wept. 
 
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in (with) thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
 
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the bottle (skin) with water, and gave the lad to drink. And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.’ (Gen.21:14-21)
 
Ah mih people, yuh see what happens when we don’t have the patience, trust and faith to wait on God and His promises! Sarah’s impatience and Abraham’s folly for listening to her to go in and lie with Hagar, eventually caused all sorts of turmoil in the family. A turmoil that unfortunately still exists today, between the Jews, descendants of Isaac, and the Muslims, descendants of Ishmael.
 
However Friends, time and space have run out, so we’ll end on that note. And please, let’s all be careful of our actions nuh, let’s think wisely before we act, talk to the Lord first, because we never know when some apparently trivial thing will blow up in our faces, and cause substantial changes and heartaches in our lives. Much LOVE!
 
…for each action…there’s always a reaction…so let’s seriously consider the reaction…before committing the action…