01 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, an abomination to the Lord, be about God's business, be gracious to me, Bruh David, Bruh Paul, collection of flesh and bones, complaining, Day of Pentecost, deception, flaws of Western society, foolish reasoning, God answers prayer, God is alive and in control, God's goodness, God's rewards, gospel truth, greatest example of the need for prayer, have mercy on me, hear me when I call, hear my prayer, heavenly Father, holy spirit, impatience, impatient, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, mere mortals, moderation, need for speed, O God of my righteousness, pampered, petty stuff, prayer, rejoice, sacrifice of the wicked, Saturday, sincere motives, sleeping in late, spoiled, spoiled brats, the Lord is at hand, the peace of God which passeth all understading, thou relieved me when I was in distress, wisdom, zealous fervour
Psalm 4:1. Hear me when I call , O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged (relieved) me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me (be gracious to me), and hear my prayer.
And then it was Saturday…time for sleeping in late and all that good stuff! Chuh! Some of us just don’t have time for such luxuries nuh, we have to be up and about God’s business. (smile) But our wonderful God rewards us in other ways, so we really can’t complain.
And talking about complaining, I believe that’s one of the serious problems in our society. We have been so spoiled by God’s goodness and mercy over the years, that now things have become somewhat rough, our pampered bodies and souls can’t handle it, and we end up complaining about small, petty things which makes us sound like spoiled brats.
The petty things that we complain about, 80 % of the world would gladly take, as opposed to the real serious problems they have. The technological and communications revolutions haven’t helped matters either, making us ever more in need for speed and dependent on them, so that when they fail, or break down, as man made things are wont to do, we get very testy and impatient.
Impatience is another one of the great flaws of our Western society, and we exemplify it even in our prayers to Almighty God. But God knows what we need and what we want, and gives it to us at the right time, if He sees fit.
But many of us turn away from God because of the foolish reasoning that we prayed, waited – possibly for a couple of hours or days – and didn’t receive what we prayed for, be it legitimate or fanciful, and then decide that God either doesn’t exist or doesn’t truly answer prayer.
But Friends, I’m here to tell us that that’s just another one of the enemy’s cruel deceptions. Our God is alive and on His throne, in control of everything! And He does hear and answer prayer – sincere ones that is, those which come from a heart with pure and sincere motives.
And our Bit aptly demonstrates that, as Bruh David cries out to the God of his fathers. ‘Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged (relieved) me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me (be gracious to me), and hear my prayer.’
Obviously the Lord had heard his prayer of distress sometime before and had helped him out of it. That only boosted Bruh David’s faith, as it should ours, when God faithfully answers our sincere prayers.
And once again we’ll proclaim that the greatest example of the need for prayer comes from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Yesterday we highlighted a scripture passage which showed His prayerfulness (Luke 6:12).
Today we’ll highlight another one. The Good Book tells us: ‘And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary (deserted) place, and there prayed.’ (Mark 1:35)
And since that comes from God’s Word, my brethren, that means it’s gospel truth! So, as we also said yesterday, if Jesus felt the need for prayer, why should we, mere mortals, not feel it too eh? We’re just too full of foolish pride and stubborn, rebellious ego, thinking that we’re so great, when all we are is a collection of fallible flesh and bones, which eventually returns to the dust from which it was formed.
Anyway, let’s look at some more scriptures which highlight the importance of prayer. Listen to the wisdom of Cousin Sol. ‘The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.’ (Prov.15:8)
And the scholars say of that: ’15:8. The best that the wicked can offer God religiously is completely rejected.’ For good reason too!
Meanwhile, in Acts, after the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on ALL believers, and the Christian communal community was growing at a fast rate, the apostles decided that they had more important things to do than running around doing pantry duty. (smile)
‘It is not reason (desirable) that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore brethren, look (seek) ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.’ (Acts 6:2-4) And that’s when Stephen was chosen.
And then, as today’s last example, there’s Bruh Paul, who, in his usual zealous fervour, tells the Philippians: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation (graciousness, reasonableness) be known to all men. The Lord is at hand (His coming is imminent).
Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.4:4-7)
Yes my people, there’s no greater service that we can perform than prayer…with some thanksgiving too!
So let’s take that wonderful advice of Bruh Paul’s to heart nuh, and thus reform and/or reinvigorate our prayer lives, and consequently the lives of all those around us. That’s the wisdom of God, my fellow believers! Much LOVE!
…when we pray…we communicate with our heavenly Father…the One who created us…and who controls our life strings…and without whom we can’t do anything substantial…
30 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 3 Canal, a brand new day, a fool's wisdom, a positive sign, Achilles heel, almighty god, appreciate the blessing, bland, blessed, blessings, blood, Bruh David, buckler, Calvary, common sense, counsels of old, dangers, deliverance, disappointments, disastrous mess, disobedient, distance ourselves from God, doing God's work, dull, end of sermon, enemies, enjoy the goodness of God, enjoy this earthly life, enriched, faithfulness and truth, feckless, fellow believers, fickle, flowing through our mortal bodies, foolish, forgiveness, friends, further from the truth, glorifying God, glorifying man, Glory Halleujah, God's direction, gospel truth, have heaven right here on earth, have life more abundantly, high tower, horn of my salvation, I will call upon the Lord, I will exalt thee, I will praise thee, Isaiah, Jesus, joy, living beggarly, LOVE, magnificent and magnanimous God, magnify God, mercies, minding other people's business, miserable, Moses, my brethren, my father's God, obedience, obedient servant, obnoxious, our Lord and Saviour, peace of mind, pedestal, praise, psalm 118, put it into practice, redeemed, redeemed people, remove god from our society, shield, simpleton, sinful, singing praises, smile, spewing forth, standing steadfast and strong, talkative age, thanks and praise, thanskgiving, the blessings of God, the breath of life, the cross, the Holy Spirit, the Lord is my fortress, The Lord is my rock, the Lord is my strength and song, the Lord is worthy to be praised, the Lord's salvation, the loving-kindness of God, the One and Only Living God, the spilled blood of christ, this is the day the Lord has made, thou art my God, tragedy, troubles, truth, ungrateful, untrustworthy, up heifer dust creek, we will rejoice and be glad in it, wisdom, worldly foolishness, worthless, writer's block, wrong
Psalm 118:28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day! Glory Hallelujah! A brand new day filled with new mercies, new blessings, and new forgiveness! Wow! And to make matters even better, we’re alive to enjoy it all! What a most wonderful Deity we serve and worship my people: the ONE and ONLY TRUE LIVING God!
So let’s give Him some thanks and praise, as we loudly and boldly proclaim these wise words of the psalmist in thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation. Please declare with me: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps.118:24)
Yes my people, let’s enjoy the goodness and LOVING-kindness of our magnificent and magnanimous God today and everyday, as long as the breath of life is flowing through our mortal bodies. That is simply wisdom and common sense, for if He grants us all those things, we’d indeed be foolish not to enjoy them.
And believe me, for whatever reason(s), some of us are indeed foolish enough not to enjoy the blessings of God, thinking it wrong and sinful to enjoy what the Lord has provided. Nothing could be further from the truth my people!
Why would the Lord provide all that wonderful stuff if He didn’t intend for us to enjoy it eh? And why would Jesus, our great Lord and Saviour declare that He had come to earth, so that we could have life, and have it more abundantly eh, if He didn’t mean for us to be joyful, even in the rough times? (John 10:10)
So Friends, I implore us to stop having these foolish ideas and thoughts about enjoying life nuh. We’re supposed to have heaven right here on earth; standing steadfast and strong while doing God’s work – and enjoying it too, not living beggarly and miserable.
And believe me again, if we are truly doing God’s work, with the peace of mind that He provides, then we will truly enjoy this earthly life, regardless of the many dangers, disappointments and troubles with which it is fraught. End of sermon! (smile)
Ah mih breddren, it never ceases to amaze and amuse me how the Holy Spirit will give me a starting idea, then let me run with it, or rather, help to let it flow smoothly! I would therefore be wrong, foolish and disobedient, if I didn’t enjoy and appreciate that blessing.
And you know there’s no greater tragedy for a writer than writer’s block! Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t allow me to suffer from it too often and for too long. Then I’d really be up heifer dust creek. (smile)
And Friends, our Bit this morning comes from that same Psalm 118, where the psalmist is giving thanks for the Lord’s salvation. And it’s a rather appropriate Bit too; highlighting what our behaviour ought to be, as it boldly and rightly declares: ‘Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.’
Oh Friends, what words of joy, LOVE, obedience and truth! If we do that sincerely, on a continuous basis, then our lives will be forever enriched and blessed!
And it’s mostly because we’re not fully and sincerely embracing that bit of gospel truth that our lives and our world are in such a disastrous mess. We are trying desperately to remove God from all aspects of our society, but that’s a fool’s wisdom my people.
We claim to have been redeemed by the spilled blood of Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary, so why aren’t we more thankful and moving closer to Him eh, instead of being obnoxious, ungrateful and trying to distance ourselves from Him?
If we truly believe that we are indisputably redeemed, then we ought to be singing praises like redeemed people; praises like Isaiah’s declaration: ‘O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.’ (Is.25:1)
Yes Friends, those are the kinds of words that ought to be emanating from our hearts, souls and mouths. Not the simpleton, worldly foolishness that we’re now spewing forth in this oh so talkative age, when we really have nothing much to talk about because our lives are dull, bland and miserable.
As 3 Canal would say, we have no real business, so we keep on minding the business of others, glorifying man with his Achilles heel, putting him on a flimsy pedestal instead of Almighty God. Oh my brethren, it’s high time we got some business of our own, by turning to our mighty God for help, and start glorifying Him, rather than mortal, worthless, fickle, feckless, untrustworthy man!
We should be singing the Lord’s praises like His obedient servant Moses did: ‘The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation (praise Him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex.15:2)
And we’ll end with more worthy words of praise, this time from Bruh David, another of God’s obedient servants. And just as I was about to write those last few words in my rough draft, the lights flickered out for a couple seconds.
Chuh! It’s a good thing I wasn’t on the computer, then I might have lost some stuff and be sorely disappointed. Consequently, I’ll take it as a positive sign, (smile) and continue in God’s direction. Therefore, please declare with me, my Friends and fellow believers, these words of thanksgiving for deliverance, as Bruh David saw it.
‘I will LOVE thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength (lit. my rock), in whom I will trust; my buckler (shield), and the horn (strength) of my salvation, and my high tower (stronghold). I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ (Ps.18:1-3)
Now that’s wisdom from on high, my brethren! So let’s go out today and put it into practice, put it to the test nuh; praise and magnify our most worthy God, and see if our lives don’t improve substantially. Much LOVE!
…a believer’s faith is only as strong as…the sincere thanksgiving in his heart…
23 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a prayer for help in old age, a successful Friday, all thanks and glory be unto God, all the chances in the world, awesome majesty, bear down to our task, beset by enemies, brought to shame, Bruh David, cast off, charge down to the finish line, Come and let us return unto the Lord, conform us to the likeness of Jesus, confounded, detract, don't let up now, drink the wine of astonishment, everlasting wisdom, faithfulness, give us help from trouble, God is the Boss, God shall tread down our enemies, God will work it all out for our good, God's goodness, God's LOVING-kindness, grab the bit in our teeth, grin and bear it, heal the breaches, homestretch, I will praise thee, I will rejoice, indisputable truths, learning, like a shining star, machinations of god, made the earth to tremble, pondering on god's Word, proclaim and live god's word, proclamation of faith, promise, Psalm, pursue the knowledge of God, puts us through our paces, raise us from the dead, reverential awe, righteousness., rough times, seek my hurt, serving and worshipping Jehovah God, shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth, shalt quicken me again, sounds like music to my ears, spoken in his holiness, staggering, talk of thy righteousness, the potter's wheel, the power to heal, them that fear thee, thou hast redeemed my soul, thou Holy one of Israel, thou which hast showed me great and sore troubles, Though he slay me, threatened, through God we shall do valiantly, Thursday, triumph, trust, turn thyself to us again, undying faithfulness, vain is the help of man, victory, walk consitently with God, winning the race, wisdom, workweek race, yet will I trust him
Psalm 71:20. Thou, which hast showed me great and sore (severe) troubles, shalt quicken (revive) me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
And then it was Thursday!
Yes Friends, we’re now rounding the bend that leads into the homestretch of the workweek race! And we’re looking good too…with all the chances in the world of winning the race, so please don’t let up now, but rather let’s bear down to our task, grab the bit in our teeth and charge on down to the finish line, to a successful Friday!
Wow! What victory is possible through our great God!
Ah Friends, that bit of Horse Racing analogy surely sounds like music to my ears, since I’m no longer involved in that most august pursuit. (smile) Yes, the Lord in His everlasting wisdom saw it fit to take me out, so all I can do is grin and bear it.
I wasn’t making any money anyway, just losing more than I could afford. I guess He figured that it would detract me too much from learning and pondering on His Word and His Ways. And since He is the Boss, I had no choice but to follow His leading.
And though I miss it some, I must admit that the Lord in His goodness and LOVING-kindness and mercy has since fashioned my life in such a way that I am comfortable with it. All thanks and glory be unto Him!
And today we have an interesting Bit… Oh sorry, ALL of them ARE interesting, since they are taken from God’s Word! (smile) Our Bit is taken from Psalm 71 – A prayer for help in old age – the cry of an elderly man, apparently beset and threatened by his enemies.
‘Thou, which hast showed me great and sore (severe) troubles, shalt quicken (revive) me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.’
And those two statements, which seem like opposite ends of the spectrum, are indeed indisputable truths my people!
Our God does allow us to have rough times to stretch and conform us to the likeness of Jesus, but by the same token, He also brings us out of those troubles like a shining star, all cleaned up and ready to proclaim and live His Word with all faithfulness, and will also raise us from the dead when the time is right.
As per the first statement: ‘Thou, which hast showed me great and sore (severe) troubles…’ Bruh David addresses it in Psalm 60 – A prayer for help against the foe. He laments thus: ‘O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered (broken) us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again (restore us).
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. Thou hast showed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment (staggering).
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee (have a reverential awe for thee), that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. That thy BELOVED may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.’ (Ps.60:1-5)
Truly hurting words my brethren! But then, like the elderly gentleman in our Bit, who is sure that the Lord ‘…shalt quicken (revive) me again, and shalt bring me up from the depths of the earth,’ Bruh David declares the certainty of being heard by the Lord and foresees in his petition, certain victory through the powerful machinations of the Lord his God.
‘God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete (measure out) the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength (helmet) of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom? Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? And thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.’ (Ps.60:6-12)
Yes my fellow believers, though our God puts us through our paces on the potter’s wheel, we end up being beautiful works of art in His powerful craftsman’s hands!
As the psalmist continues after our Bit: ‘Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.’ (Ps.71:21)
Oh my brethren, what a great proclamation of faith and trust in Almighty God! I certainly hope we can all declare such a strong and faithful statement too.
Therefore, he declares: ‘I will also praise thee with the psaltery (lute or lyre), even thy truth (faithfulness), O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.’ (Ps.71:22-24)
Ah mih breddren, when we walk consistently with God over a fairly long period of time, we do see His awesome majesty and undying faithfulness! So though troubles may overwhelm us, yet we are sure that in the end He will work it all out for our good, because that’s His avowed intention and faithful promise to us.
And we’ll close with these memorable and moving words from Hosea – Israel’s reply to God’s admonition – that so eloquently describe the seeming dichotomy that exists in our God.
‘Come and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten (stricken), and he will bind (bandage) us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord (let us pursue the knowledge of God): his going forth is prepared (established) as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.’ (Hos.6:1-3)
Oh my people, there is no greater wisdom than that in all the earth! Please, let’s embrace it, and thus return to serving and worshipping Jehovah God, for it is Him, and Him alone that has the power to bind and heal us of all our sinful wounds! Much LOVE!
…though he slay me…yet will I trust in him… (Job 13:15A)
12 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time of joy, a very present help in trouble, anger, be not dismayed, be not far from me, be not wise in thine own eyes, believers, blessed be the Lord, blessings, bolster our faith in God, Bruh David, Canadian Thanksgiving, come up over a problem, courage, depart from evil, encouragement, faith, faithfulness, faithlessness, fear the Lord, fellowship, first day of the week, for there is none to help, for trouble is near, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, forgiveness, friendship, glory hallelujah, God is our refuge and strength, grace, guidance, health to thy navel, help, Hosea, I am in the midst of them, I am thy God, I will help thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, in me is thine help, Israel, Jesus Christ, joy, like a bird from a snare, marrow to thy bones, mercies, our help is in the name of the Lord, our soul is escaped, praise for deliverance, praise the Lord for His goodness, promises, prosperity, protection, psalm 46, Sabbath Day, Selah, strength, succour, Sunday, thanksgiving, the Lord God Jehovah, the LOVE of Jesus christ, Togetherness, truth, wanton, we will not fear, words of wisdom, worldly, worship
Psalm 22:11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Well hello there Friends and Neighbours, another Sunday has rolled around! As the song says: ‘We’re right back where we started from;’ Sunday, the first day of the week.
And that means fellowship, worship, a gathering of faithful believers to give thanks and praise and receive blessings, encouragement, friendship, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and all the wonderful things our great God so generously bestows on us, His marvellous children! (smile)
And all God’s children declared a loud and ecstatic’ Praise the Lord for His goodness to us, undeserving though we may be!’
Yes Friends, our great God is indeed worthy of much praise, especially on this weekend when we choose to celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving here in Canada. That means all the sanctuaries should be filled to overflowing with believers, whether there are thousands in a big, new, pretty building, or a handful under a mango or apple tree. (smile)
Remember what Jesus said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) So the surroundings aren’t all that important, just the people and what’s in their hearts – the LOVE of Jesus! Consequently, ALL believers ought to find some means of joining with others to celebrate the Sabbath Day in the Lord’s Name!
And remember too Friends, that when we treat the Sabbath Day, the first day of the week, as it ought to be treated; with worship, praise and togetherness, then the rest of the week will unfurl so much better than if we are wanton and worldly. It’s always better to come up over a situation or a problem, than to have the situation or problem come up over you.
And the only way we can do that on a fairly consistent basis is by turning to the Lord God Jehovah for help at ALL TIMES! Why? Because as our Bit so wisely and truthfully declares: ‘Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.’ And truer words were never spoken my brethren!
So let’s continue with some scripture passages that prove our point and bolster our faith in Almighty God. And we’ll begin with these poignant words from Psalm 46 – God is our refuge and strength, from the sons of Korah. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps.46:1-3)
Yeh Friends, take a moment to ponder those statements nuh! What words of wisdom, truth, courage, strength and faithfulness!
Now listen to Bruh David from Psalm 124 – Praise for deliverance from enemies. ‘Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of a snare of the fowlers (bird trappers): the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’ (Ps.124:6-8)
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people? It certainly is!
But just in case you don’t believe the psalmists, then hear the words of God Himself, as spoken through the prophet Isaiah, re the final restoration of Israel. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ (Is.41:10)
Oh my fellow believers, what could be more uplifting and encouraging than that eh? Nothing! When our powerful and faithful God promises something, we know for a fact that it will come to pass, for He cannot lie, and thus ALWAYS does as He says! Glory Hallelujah!
That’s why I can’t understand how, in this modern day and age, when everything is going haywire and things are topsy-turvy, we are turning away from God in anger and faithlessness, rather than running full speed into His ever-LOVING arms for protection, strength, LOVE, succour and guidance.
And just to prove that our wonderful God is not a wishy-washy, unfaithful Deity, who just talks for talk sake, listen to the prophet Hosea, as he declares the Lord’s words, when foretelling the destruction of Israel.
‘O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? And thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.’ (Hos.13:9-11)
Yes Friends, through the source of His mighty power, the Lord gives…and He also takes! Which man or other supposed deity can say Him nay eh? NONE WHATSOEVER!
So my people, on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, let’s all make it a time of joy nuh, of giving serious and sincere thanks, of being faithful, of getting together in worship, and above all, remembering that Jehovah God is the source from which all blessings, help, prosperity and all good things flow. Do have a happy Thanksgiving weekend. Much LOVE!
…be not wise in thine own eyes…fear the Lord…and depart from evil…it shall be health to thy navel (body)…and marrow (strength) to thy bones… (Prov.3:7-8)
10 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: afraid of change, all our sins and griefs to bear, almighty god, Ashley Montague, be not far from me, be paitient, Bruh David, burdened, Canadian Thanksgiving, circumspection, cry of anguish, deceitful, deceptive, deliver their soul from death, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, enthusiasm, every human being is a problem in search of a solution, everything to God in prayer, faithful, false hope, famine, fellowship, fraudulent, Friday chant, friend, friends, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, give you rest, giving thanks, glory hallelujah, God is never late, God shall tread down our enemies, God's glory, God's timing is perfect, Healer, help, help from trouble, Helper, hope in God's mercy, in Jesus' name, indisputable truth, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, Jesus' great invitation, just in time, keep them alive in time of famine, lean not on thine own understanding, living truth, LOVE, motives of our heart, one reason to infiltrate our godly spirits, one toehold, passion, proud, Redeemer, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, righteous, show faith, singing praises, song of praise, stumble, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanksgiving, the eye of the Lord, the Lord is our help and shield, the weekend, them that fear him, there is none to help, through God we shall do valiantly, too proud to ask for help, trouble is near, trust, trust in the Lord with all thy heart, trusted in his holy name, truth, upright, vain is the help of man, vain thing, weary, what a friend we have in Jesus, what a privilege to carry
Psalm 22:11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Wow Friends, it’s Friday! And there was lots of jumping and jiving and shouting: ‘TGIF! Thank God It’s Friday! Glory Hallelujah! The workweek soon finish, and party time start, especially on this upcoming long weekend of Thanksgiving! Mama Mia!
What a grand ole time we’re going to have; giving thanks and singing praises to our heavenly Father, for all that’s He’s so kindly done for us this past year!’
Yes my people, this is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada and there will be mucho mucho celebrations all across this great land, from the coasts of the Atlantic on the east, across the vast Prairies in the middle, over the mighty Rocky Mountains to British Columbia on the coast of the Pacific out west!
Please remember that one caution though of Granny’s: ‘drunk or sober mind yuh business.’ In all our giving of thanks, let’s not give, or allow the loathsome enemy even one toehold, one reason to infiltrate our godly spirits and make us stumble before Almighty God.
And to keep us somewhat in remembrance of that, let’s chant our Friday Chant with sincere passion and enthusiasm, which will hopefully lead to a fair amount of circumspection. (smile) All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now with that caution invoked, let’s turn to an interesting quote from Ashley Montague (1905- 1999) the British / American anthropologist and humanist, born Israel Ehrenberg in London, England, but who later migrated to the U.S, became a citizen and lectured at many of its famous universities.
Ashley says that ‘Every human being is a problem in search of a solution.’ And that’s the living truth Friends!
We all need help in many areas of our lives, but oftimes we’re too proud or scared to ask for it, afraid either of the changes that will be involved, especially since change is something many of us are very wary of. Though the old way may be troublesome, we still feel more comfortable with it, because we know it, and hold the supposed new and better way suspect since it’s unknown.
On the other hand, we’re sometimes too proud to let others know that we’re hurting and need help, that we’re actually less than we seem to be. But my brethren, it’s quite all right, in fact very natural and very wise to ask for help, and to consider change if it will either help solve or completely resolve our problems.
And the best person to turn to for help is obviously Jesus Christ, our be all and end all, the great Helper, Healer, Friend and Redeemer! Remember His Great Invitation too; to come to Him when we are weary and burdened, and He will lighten our load and give us rest. (Matt.11:29-30)
And in his cry of anguish and song of praise, Psalm 22, Bruh David highlights the situation very well, when he cries out to Almighty God in our Bit: Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.’
And that is oh so true my people, for as Bruh David says later on in Psalm 60 – a prayer for help against the foe: ‘Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.’ (Ps.60:11)
That’s also indisputable truth, since man’s help is often insufficient, not forthcoming, or deceptive and deceitful! Just think about all the fraudulent acts being committed in these difficult times in the name of help!
And Bruh David ends that psalm with these thoughtful and faithful words. ‘Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.’ (Ps.60:12)
Yes Friends, in this vast and controversial universe, it is only Jehovah God that we can put our entire trust in, and know for a fact that He will help us. Bruh David did it, and we see the most excellent results he achieved, although his life was not always the most upright and righteous. But he implicitly trusted the God of his fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whom he knew to be ALWAYS FAITHFUL!
Remember the old hymn we sung recently: ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry EVERYTHING to God in prayer!’ That’s the wisest move we can ever make my people!
The problem though is that with our busy lives in this busy society, we want answers and help immediately, now for now, sometimes even yesterday. But unfortunately when we go to Jesus, according to the nature of the problem, and the motives of our heart, we’ll probably not receive an immediate answer, or one that we don’t like.
But Friends, I can personally testify to the fact that if we take our problems to our Lord and Saviour, He will help us, in His own time and His own way! We just need to be patient, show the faith we’re supposed to have. And if the problem is genuine and requires immediate solving, fear not, He will do so.
That’s one thing about God’s timing, my brethren; it is perfect! He is NEVER LATE!
But the truth is, waiting patiently is not always easy, for even though I know that from personal experience, I still sometimes get anxious when His help doesn’t seem to be forthcoming in time. But NOT ONCE has He ever showed up late, ALWAYS on time! He is the supreme example of a just in time system!
And to encapsulate all that we’ve spoken of, (smile) let’s end with these true, beautiful and encouraging words from Psalm 33 – Praise to the Lord for His creation.
‘A horse is a vain thing (false hope) for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our HELP and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.’ (Ps.33:17-22)
Yes my people, as we hope in the Lord, so will His mercy and blessings be showered down upon us! Much LOVE!
…trust in the Lord with all thine heart…and lean not unto thine own understanding… (Prov.3:5)
P.S. Oh Friends, I truly don’t know why the Bit is so late nuh, because I got up at a reasonable hour. I guess it was just my running around aimlessly, being a slow-coach, and/or trying to find the right info to use. (smile) But as always, with our great God, it works out perfectly, for His glory, every time! Much LOVE!
03 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, a wonderful God, abundantly, Amen, arrow that flieth by day, be not afraid, benefits, bring smiles to their faces, Bruh David, buckler, cast down, Creator, Creator of the universe, daily grind and common task, destruction, encouraging, enlighten their spirits, evil, foot of pride, fountain of life., freinds, Friday chant, fulness, fun-fellowship, further God's glorious kingdom, generous help, germinate, go in faith, go in love, go in peace, God is a refuge and fortress, God will be there watching, God's little Acre, gospel truth, grow, hand of the wicked, health, heartwarming, in thy light shall we see light, Jeeves, jehovah god, joyful shouts, lays waste at noonday, long life, losing sight, LOVE, LOVE of God, loving kindness, memories, overwhelming reasons, peace, pestilence, praise the Lord for His goodness, pride, protection, protective wings, provider, refuge, reinvigorating, rejuvenation of spirit, reminisce, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, resorative scripture, rest, reverence, righteousness., river of pleasures, rocking chairs, royal treatment, royalty, satisfied, shield, show you believe, sincere emotion, snare of the fowler, steadfast faith, sweet Tobago, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, thanks and praise, the children of men, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the greatest of these is love, the party's over, the terror by night, time of their lives, totem pole, trust, unconditional LOVE, ungodly times, uplifting, upright in heart, walketh in darkness, warmed the cockles of my heart, wealth, wisdom, wisdom of living a christian life, workers of iniquity
Psalm 36:7. How excellent (precious) is thy LOVING-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Well Friends, as the old people would say, the party done now, time to get back to the daily grind and common task!
Yes, the party’s over for my brother and his wife. They flew back last night to sweet Tobago, God’s Little Acre – can’t leave that out – lucky them. (smile) They definitely had the time of their lives; coming to Canada for the first time and having so many people treat them so well.
The memories and friends they made here will no doubt enlighten their spirits and bring smiles to their faces when they reminisce in their rocking chairs. (smile) He claims that all the people they came into contact with treated them like royalty, and that royal treatment was certainly heartwarming and reinvigorating, confirming the wisdom of living a Christian life.
And on their behalf, I’d like to thank all you wonderful and godly people who showered them with such unconditional LOVE, even though many of you had never met them before. The unrestrained and lavish affection that I saw, certainly warmed the cockles of my heart. You all are true believers, not only speaking the word, but also living it.
Oh my brethren, if only we could all live that way on a consistent basis! Then Jesus would undoubtedly rank first and foremost in this ungodly world, instead of way down the totem pole, to where He‘s now been relegated.
But yuh know what Friends, today is also Friday! That means the party’s not really over, in fact the party’s just starting, as we’re greeted by joyful shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
But please remember to be careful my people, for though partying is in order, we need to party with a modicum of circumspection, as Jeeves would say.
And that also involves not losing sight of our Creator and Provider; highlighting Him in ALL our doings, for as the Good Book says, it’s Him who allows us to have health, wealth, long life and LOVE! Give Him much thanks my people, for He is indeed a wonderful God!
And to help us attain to that modicum of circumspection and reverence for our mighty God, let’s chant our Friday Chant with sincere emotion. As One now, in harmony and LOVE! ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Oh Friends, that brings us to our Bit, which comes from Psalm 36 –the steadfast LOVE of God. ‘How excellent (precious) is thy LOVING-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.’
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! It surely is, as those of us who trust in the Lord and make our refuge under His most protective wings can testify to!
And Bruh David continues to lay out the overwhelming reasons to trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: ‘They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness (fullness) of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
O continue thy LOVING-kindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me (drive me away). There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.’ (Ps.36:8-12)
Oh what beautiful and restorative scripture my fellow believers! If you read that and it doesn’t bring a lift to your heart, body, soul and mind, then something’s wrong. I’ll venture to say that you’re no real believer, for those are truly uplifting and encouraging words, especially in these cruel, evil and ungodly times.
And if you didn’t believe Bruh David there, (smile) then listen to the psalmist from Psalm 91 – God is a refuge and a fortress. ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler (trapper of birds), and from the noisome (perilous or deadly) pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust (take refuge): his truth shall be thy shield and buckler (small shield)
Thou shalt not be afraid for (of) the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth (lays waste) at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.’ (Ps.91:2-7)
Yes Friends, that’s the wonderful protection we’re assured of when we place our complete trust in Jehovah God, Creator of the universe and all therein! Please, let’s plant all those scriptures in our hearts and allow them to germinate and grow there abundantly, so that we can obtain the benefits thereof.
And now let’s close with a prayer I found amongst the papers in my Bible. Don’t know where I got it from, and like I’ve shared it before, because it has a tick on it, but it’s ever so appropriate for today, so we’ll share it again.
‘Go now in Peace – Never be afraid. God will go with you each hour of every day. Go now in faith, steadfast strong and true. Know He will guide you in all you do. Go now in LOVE, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see. God will be there watching from above. Go now in Peace, in Faith and in LOVE. AMEN…AMEN…AMEN…’
And all God’s people exclaimed a joyful and grateful; ‘Praise the Lord for His exceptional goodness to the children of men!’ Much LOVE my brethren!
…and now abideth Faith, Hope, LOVE, these three…but the greatest of these is…LOVE… (1 Cor. 13:13)
27 Sep 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: autumn, Beelzebub, blessed, Bruh David, capture our minds, control our behaviour, cursed, cut down like the grass, destroyed, destruction to the workers of iniquity, do good, eternal life, evil, fat of lambs, focus, Fret not thyself over evildoers, friends, God's will, God's work, Holy God, hot sun, I lay down my life for the sheep, inherit the earth, iniquity, Joyce Meyer, North country, obedience, one fold, one shepherd, physical wealth, power, priority, pruning our thoughts, purveyors of wickedness, renounce evil, righteous man, salvation, saving souls, strength to the upright, summer-like weather, sumptuous fare, the arms of the wicked shall be broken, the good shepherd, the Lord be praised, the Lord upholds the righteous, the mind makes the man, the way of the Lord, the wicked shall perish, Tobago, trust in the Lord, truth, walking uprightly, watch your actions, watch your character, watch your habits, watch your thoughts, watch your words, where your treasure is there is your heart, wisdom, workers of iniquity, your destiny
Proverbs 10:29. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Oh Friends, it looks like it’s going to be another Tobago day in the North Country, the fourth one in a row! (smile) That’s how my brother has been referring to the unseasonal warm, bare-back temperatures we’ve been recently having, with bright sunshine, no clouds obscuring God’s vast, beautiful, blue heaven, and a cool, gentle breeze as a most suitable topping to the sumptuous fare.
All of this after a less than stellar summer – I seem to be one of the few who liked it – and some fairly chilly weather before autumn had even begun. Now, in early autumn, which began on September 23, we’re having summer-like weather that was sadly lacking during the real summer months. But Friends, there’s not much we can do about that now nuh, just say the Lord be praised, and enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
I think sometimes we spend too much time talking about the weather, when our focus, our priority should be on God’s work; saving souls, or rather causing souls to come to Him, so that they can receive the most wonderful gifts available in the universe, namely, salvation and eternal life.
And as a prelude to our Bit, here is something that I think blends in nicely with it. I have shared it before, but like so much other stuff, it’s definitely worth sharing again; a refresher course if you like. (smile) I believe I got it from a Joyce Meyer magazine. The author appears to be anonymous, but his or her words do tell the gospel truth.
It wisely advises us to: ‘Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.’ Those are certainly words of wisdom and utmost truth, my brethren!
And I guess you can see how it ties in with our Bit. ‘The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.’ More gospel truth Friends! But then that’s all we deal with here at the Bit. (smile)
Anyhow, when we begin by pruning our thoughts, keeping them as godly as possible, then the process as explained above, leads us to habits that align with God’s Will. That means we walk uprightly, in obedience to His dictates, and thus enjoy His enormous strength and wonderful blessings. Yes my people, everything begins in the mind, with our thoughts, for the mind makes the man, directs his actions.
That’s why the ole crook Beelzebub always seeks to capture our minds, because then he can control our behaviour. And that’s also why Jesus said: ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt.6:21)
Wherever the things you delight in lie, then that’s where your heart, your focus will be. So to walk sincerely in God’s Will we MUST start out with godly thoughts, and the same goes for walking in disobedience, where ungodly thoughts will prosper.
Now let’s check out a couple scripture passages that lend credence to our Bit. Listen to Bruh David from Psalm 37 – the true state of the wicked. ‘Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness)…
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs (splendour of the meadows): they shall consume (vanish): into smoke shall they consume (vanish) away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again (does not repay): but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth (the land); and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off (destroyed). (Ps.37:1-3, 16-22)
Oh Friends, Bruh David hit the nail on the head in that psalm! Wickedness might last for a season and amass much physical wealth and power, but eventually the purveyors of wickedness will be destroyed by our Holy God, who dislikes evil. So as Bruh David so wisely tells us, don’t fret when we see evil doers prospering, because they will soon be cut down and wither like grass in the hot sun.
Stay upright and obedient to God’s Will and you will be well rewarded. For as Jesus declares: ‘The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ (John 10:13-16)
Oh my people, what a mighty promise! If you can’t take encouragement from that and live for Jesus, then I don’t know what else to say. So please, let’s listen to the voice of the Master, and walk upright in His Name, for doing so means we have attained to heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…our God detests evil so much…that He sacrificed His only Son…to get us to renounce it…
23 Sep 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a waste of words and valuable time, acclamation, according to His will, action, All State, almighty god, an unfaithful man is useless, bad tooth, believe on the name of the Son of God, blessed, break free from a limited mindset, breath of life, Bruh David, Bubba Joel, cast not away your confidence, chagrin, confidence in God, confidence in man, Cousin Sol, Creator of the universe, crooked society, dawning of another new day, day to day activities of life, declaration of faith, destined to be a barrier breaker, destiny, don't put confidence in princes, endurance, enlarge my vision, ever-loving ever-faithful God, everlasting arms, every area of my life, experience god's favour, extenuating circumstances, foot out of joint, fraudulent, fulfilling God's purpose, girded with power, God always works on our behalf, God hears us, God's people, Hebrews, hold your horses, it is better to trust in the Lord, jehovah god, Joel Osteen, joy, laughter, lord of hosts, LOVE, memories, memories for the future, misfortune, mortal man, omnipotent and loving god, patience, perseverance, potential, Praise the Lord, protective wings, receive the promise, recompense of reward, reminiscences, reward, righteousness., safe hands, seeds of greatness, smile, stills the noise of the seas, sweet Tobago, talent, than to trust in man, thanks and praise, the ends of the earth, the goodness of god's house, the Holy Spirit, the nitty gritty, time of trouble, to the glory of God's Holy Name, Today is my day, trust in Almighty God, tumult oof the people, uncontainable, unfaithful man, when you don't hear you feel, will of God, wisdom, wisdom of life, words without action
Psalm 118:8-9. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
Oh Friends, it’s the dawning of another new day in Paradise – a godly Tuesday morning Wow! So the day has already dawned, so big deal! (smile) And if you’re still alive, please give God some thanks and praise for instilling and keeping that breath of life in your mortal body.
And having done that, I want to remind us, as Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) says, that ‘TODAY IS MY DAY!’ Yes Friends, it’s my day, your day, our Day! God blessed us with it so that we could live it abundantly, all to the glory of His Holy Name. Now we’ve done this before, but I believe it’s time for us to do it again.
So let’s make this acclamation, this declaration of faith, per Bubba Joel. Please declare with me: ‘God has destined me to be a barrier breaker! He created me to be uncontainable. I have talent and potential given to me by the Creator of the universe. There are seeds of greatness inside of me.
Today, I choose to break free from a limited mindset and enlarge my vision. Today, God is taking me places that I’ve never even dreamed of before. Today, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life. Today, I will experience His favour like never before in every area of my life.’
And all God’s people said a loud and joyful, ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Believe it my brethren, and then please, let’s put it into action, because words without action are simply a waste of both words and valuable time.
Now let’s turn to our Bit: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’
I think today is the last day for that particular scripture, but obviously I can’t promise it, since there are so many scripture passages that encourage and promote trust in Almighty God instead of man, that one never knows where the Holy Spirit will guide us. (smile)
So those of you who like to have a new Bit everyday, just hold on to your horses, and remember that your wonderful, ever-LOVING, ever-faithful God ALWAYS works on your behalf, for your good, regardless of the prevailing circumstances. And who knows, He might just be trying to teach you patience with the continuation of this particular Bit. (smile)
Now let’s delve into a few more scripture passages that ever so wisely and strongly advise us to put our all, our utmost trust, faith and confidence in Almighty God.
Let’s begin with the wisdom of Cousin Sol from Proverbs 25. ‘Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken (bad) tooth, and a foot out of joint.’ (Prov.25:19)
Ah mih people, those words are ever so true! And I like how Cousin Sol brings it right down to the nitty gritty, down to the practical, day-to-day activities of life.
And the scholars’ add their two cents worth by saying: ’25:19. Faith is only as good as its object, and an unfaithful man is useless.’
All of us have had some bad experiences with that kind of thing, but yet we continue to place undue faith and trust in unfaithful and untrustworthy mankind, instead of Jehovah God, our Creator and Provider.
But as the old people would so rightfully say: when you don’t hear, yuh certainly going to feel. And that’s especially true in this current unreliable, fraudulent and crooked society in which we live.
And from 1 John, we learn: ‘These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired (asked) of him.’ (1 John 1:13-15)
Oh my fellow believers how could it get any better than that eh? NO WAY JOSE! (smile)
Then Bruh David declares it thus in Psalm 65 – God is powerful in nature. ‘Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
By terrible (awesome) things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea. Which by his strength setteth fast (established) the mountains; being girded with power: which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.’ (Ps.65:4-7)
Now tell me Friends, why do we put overmuch trust and confidence in mortal man, when we have such an omnipotent and LOVING God eh? We shouldn’t, but unfortunately, for whatever reasons, we still do, much to our misfortune and personal chagrin.
And we’ll close, end this Bit (smile) with wise words from Hebrews, words we all know, but don’t follow as much as we should. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance, perseverance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36)
Yes my people, the Lord of hosts created us and provides for us, and is still the most powerful and caring force in the universe! So please let’s show our wisdom, faith, trust and confidence in Him nuh, by solidly leaning on His exceedingly strong, everlasting arms, and safely sheltering under His awesome protective wings. Now that is the true wisdom of life! Much LOVE!
…All State Insurance might claim to have safe hands…but until you check out Jehovah God…you’ll never know what truly safe hands are…
P.S. Oh Friends, it sure was a smiley kind of day today…and why shouldn’t it be eh, since my half-brother and his wife are visiting from sweet Tobago. That means there was plenty laughter and joy in the house yesterday, which obviously led to a late night, filled with reminiscences of the past and the making of new memories for the future.
And that joy and laughter will undoubtedly continue over the next few days of their visit. My sincerest apologies for the lateness of the Bit, but as you can very well see, there are extenuating circumstances for it. (smile) Much LOVE!
04 Sep 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a follower of Jesus, a fool's wisdom, add insult to injury, all the days of my appointed time, almighty god, be of good courage, belief, blessed are all who wait on God, Bruh David, confident and dependent trust in God, curl up in a ball and die, curl up in bed, early morning waking up, endure our afflictions with patience, exalted, expectant faith, faith, frustrations, God is gracious, God's grace, God's promises are forever faithful, He will perfect establish and strengthen us, hope, I will wait till my change come, if a man die, in a nutshell, in god's own time, iniquity, Job, judgement, justice, late night going to bed, longed for death, LOVE, mercy, misfortunes, not allowed to give up, patience, perseverance, secret of waiting on the Lord, sense of balance, shall a man live again, stand strong, take hold of God's grace, taking a toll, terrible Thursday, the Father of all creation, the Lord is my light and salvation, the Lord shall be my salvation, Though he slay me, transgression, trials and tribulations, trust, vengeance, vocabulary of Jesus Christ, wait I say on the Lord, wait on the Lord, wait patiently, waiting with hungry hope, without growing weary, yet will I trust him
Job 14:14. If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time (hard service) will I wait, till my change come.
And then it was terrible Thursday, where all the frustrations of the week gang up on you, and makes you just want to curl up in a big ole ball in some small corner and die.
And I’m saying this from personal experience, because there are some things I wanted to do this week but just never got around to doing them, and I’m not thrilled with myself.
However, I don’t want to curl up and die, I just want to curl up in bed and get a few more hours sleep. (smile) This late night going to bed and early morning waking up to write the Bit is taking its toll on the ole fella.
Then to add insult to injury, yesterday evening, I guess I was feeling strong, and went for a longer than normal walk. Now this morning the ole knees are creaking and complaining. Got to restore some sense of balance to my life yes!
Anyway Friends, despite all the frustrations we encounter in this earthly life, one thing is certain; we are not allowed to give up! Those words do not exist in the vocabulary of Jesus Christ and His followers!
Our task is to continually take hold of God’s grace, to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary, knowing that in God’s own good time, He will ‘perfect,’ establish and strengthen us. We must wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
That’s the whole situation right there in a nutshell my people; waiting with hungry hope, as well as with eager and expectant faith! Nothing else will serve us in good stead.
That’s why Job, in our Bit today, boldly declares: ‘If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time (hard service) will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up, (plaster over, cover over) mine iniquity.’ (Job 14:14-17)
Oh Friends, we all know about Job’s serious misfortunes for no apparent reason. He was seriously troubled and disappointed by them, and longed for death as a release from the trials and tribulations of this earth, but deep down he knew the valuable secret of waiting on the Lord despite the troubles that surround us.
That’s why earlier on, in defending his integrity before his friends, he could also boldly proclaim: ‘Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand? Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways (defend my ways) before him.
He also shall be my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech and my declaration with your ears.’ (Job 13:14-17)
Now that, my people, is what true trust and faith in Almighty God is all about! That’s the way we need to react when trials and tribulations befall us. No, it certainly isn’t easy, but as a child of God, and a follower of Jesus Christ, that’s what is required of us.
And remember too, that our wonderful God NEVER asks us to do anything without giving us the wherewithal to do it and bear the fall out from our actions. So His grace will ALWAYS be with us, when we stand strong in His name and wait patiently for His next move.
And to bring this matter to the forefront, today we will look at some scriptures that deal with waiting on God. And we’ll begin with one of the more famous verses on the subject; that from Bruh David in Psalm 27 – the Lord is my light and my salvation.
He ends the psalm with these marvellous words of trust and encouragement. ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:14)
And we know that Bruh David tried his best to practice what he preached, and the Lord greatly rewarded him for it!
Meanwhile, Cousin Sol in Proverbs 20, advises us thus: ‘Say not thou, I will recompense (repay) evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.’ (Prov.20:22)
Yes my people, in everything, especially in something like vengeance, we MUST wait on God, for He specifically says that that’s His department, not ours. (Deut.32:35)
And Isaiah in his appeal to the Jewish people to turn to the Lord for help, wisely says: ‘And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement (justice): blessed are all they that wait for him.’ (Is.30:18)
Yuh see my brethren, even God is patiently waiting; waiting on us to wisely turn all out seriously misplaced attention back to Him!
And the scholars have an interesting footnote on that verse: ’30:18-33. Because God is gracious and has been willing to wait for His people to return to Him, He will certainly bless those who wait for him. “Waiting” is a confident and dependent trust in God.’
That, my fellow believers, hits the nail right on the head! (smile) We only wait long for things and people that we confidently trust. The same goes for Jehovah God. If we don’t trust Him, then we can’t and/or won’t wait for Him.
But Friends, that’s a fool’s wisdom. So let’s get ourselves together today and do our best to wait on Almighty God for whatever time it takes, because He is all-wise and knows our needs and wants and the good plans He has for our lives better than us.
So let’s try and shape up today in the waiting department nuh, asking God to give us His endless grace to do so where necessary. You know He will NEVER turn us down. Much LOVE!
…to wait on God takes…trust, faith, hope, belief, patience, perseverance and acknowledgement…that He is indeed the Father of all creation…and His promises are forever faithful…
02 Sep 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: agrarian, Bishop of our souls, Bruh David, calling, calm and collected, calm interior, caring, carry them in his bosom, cast all our cares on god, cried, deep down inside, destiny, disappointed, feed his flock like a shepherd, forgiving, gather the lambs with his arm, Gentiles, gently lead those that are with young, God has good plans for our lives, God will never leave nor forsake us, good shepherd, grace, green pastures, grieved, guidance, heavenly blessing, heavenly Father, hireling, holy spirit, hope faith, I am the good shepherd, I shall not want, I will fear no evil, in the strength of the Lord, inner peace, inspiring, internal peace, Isaiah, Jehovah Raffa, Jeremiah, Jesus Christ, Jewish society, Jews, Joel Osteen, labour day weekend, Lakewood church, lay down my life for my sheep, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, loving, majesty, merciful, mercy, moaning and groaning, moral of the story, omnipotent, one fold, one shepherd, paths of righteousness, personal testimony, plans of hope and a good future, problems, promises, quiet peace, restores my soul, sad, sheep going astray, shepherd, shepherd his flock, sleep deprived, sorrow, sorrow and heartache, soul searching, still waters, storm clouds, tearful Tuesday, The Lord is my shepherd, the Lord's peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the wolf, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, Triune God, trouble, trust, Tuesday, turmoil, unforseen role, unscathed, uplifting, valley of the shadow of death, winds of the storm, word portrait, words of jesus, wreaking havoc
Isaiah 40:11. 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.
Oh Friends, it’s Tuesday – tearful Tuesday! That’s because of the many tears we’ll shed this morning, having to get up and go out to work, tired, sleep deprived, moaning and groaning, after the long, loud, lusty and lustful Labour Day weekend. (smile)
Don’t worry my brethren, the ole fella’s in the same boat. I shed a few tears my self just now when I had to get up to write the Bit, after only about three hours of sleep. But having cried out for LOVE and mercy and grace, I’m facing up to my task, assured of heavenly blessing and guidance to complete it in a worthwhile manner.
And I just want to comment here, give a personal testimony, on some thing I heard my Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) say this weekend. He claims he wasn’t the least bit interested in being the pastor at Lakewood Church after his father went to be with the Lord some ten years ago.
He was quiet happy being in the background looking after the television aspect of the ministry. However, deep down inside, he felt that it was his calling, his destiny, and once he accepted that unforeseen role, despite all the problems surrounding it, he experienced an inner peace within himself that he just could not understand.
But it was the Lord’s peace; that peace that surpasses all human understanding.
On hearing that, it just brought back to my memory the surprising and unexpected peace I also experienced when my mother Molly died three years ago.
I was in California at the time, on a short vacation, the first time I’d left the country in some four or five years, and was most surprised and disappointed when I got the news of her passing, without me even having a chance to say a formal goodbye, and she, just a couple days before telling me that she wasn’t yet ready to go home.
But soon thereafter, I unexpectedly found myself at a point of quiet peace with situation. The Lord put a couple of understandable though not necessarily wonderful reasons in my heart for His action.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I was disappointed, sad and cried and grieved and everything else. But deep down inside I didn’t have the turmoil that usually comes with those kinds of situations. I remember remarking to myself how calm and collected I was, despite all the sorrow and heartache surrounding me.
I now realize that that was indeed the peace of God which passes all human understanding, which allows us to have a calm interior, while the winds of the storm are wreaking havoc all around us on the outside.
And the moral of the story is that when the storm clouds of trouble and sorrow surround us, it is indeed possible to have internal peace, if we turn to our wonderful God and cast all our cares upon Him, as He so generously advises. ‘Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’(1 Pet. 5:7)
He will certainly keep ALL of His promises; of never leaving nor forsaking us, of having good plans for our lives, plans of hope and a good future, to also bring us through the fire suitably changed but unscathed, working it all out for our good in His time and manner.
No wonder Isaiah likens Him to a shepherd in our Bit, for a true shepherd cares for and looks after his flock with total concentration. ‘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 with young.’
Oh my fellow believers, what a wonderful word portrait of our great Provider, Jehovah Raffa!
And there are lots of scriptures that describe Him as a shepherd because the old Jewish society was agrarian, and best-understood stuff couched in agricultural terminology.
Now let’s look at some of those scriptures that portray our omnipotent, LOVING, merciful, most caring and forgiving God as a shepherd. And the obvious scripture to begin with are the words of Jesus Himself, of whom Isaiah was prophesying, when he made the claims in our Bit.
Jesus unequivocally declares to His listeners: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling (hired man), and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so knoweth I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have (Gentiles), which are not of this fold (Jews): them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ (John 10: 11-16)
Oh Friends, how much more convincing and eloquent can Jesus be eh? Not much. He says it all right there.
Meanwhile Jeremiah in his prophecy declares: ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles (coastlands) afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.’ (Jer.31:10)
And Micah, in talking of the deliverers from Bethlehem, tells us: ‘And he shall stand and feed (shepherd his flock) in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.’ (Mic.5:4)
Then Peter declares it thus: ‘For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (Overseer) of your souls.’ (1 Pet.2:25) There he is quoting Isaiah 53:5-6.
And we’ll close with the most famous scripture passage, re the analogy of God to a shepherd. Hear these beautiful, soul-searching, uplifting and inspiring words of Bruh David: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack). He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (pastures of tender green grass): he leadeth me beside still waters (waters of rest).
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ (Ps.23:1-4)
Oh my people, please take heart, for despite all the troubles that surround us, all the fires we must pass through, our wonderful heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our helper and comforter, are always around us, leading us to green pastures filled with restful, sweet tasting and rejuvenating water.
So today, please put all your trust and faith and hope in our Triune God, who watches over and protects us like a true shepherd does his sheep. Much LOVE!
…when the Good Shepherd, Jesus comes a calling…His sheep will recognize His voice…and heed His righteous and comforting call…
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