The Importance of Christians Knowing, Understanding and Believing God’s Promises in Times of Crisis!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   9 November 2026   Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Ecclesiastes 3:1.        To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

‘Ahoy there mih bredrin, it’s a cloudy and cold Monday! What’s new with you eh?’ And all I get in response is a sour sneer: ‘What you think eh? It’s Monday, and I’m back in the same old dead-end job, working for pennies, with no benefits, listening to a set of people continually complaining about how life tough, like I didn’t know that.’ And playing the devil’s advocate, I ask: ‘So why don’t you look for another job?’ The look got even uglier: ‘Look for another job?’  came the astonished reply. ‘In this economy? Hn! When last have you looked for another job with just the basic qualifications eh?’

‘Not for a while,’ I answered. ‘Well then, you better had don’t start looking …unless you have AI qualifications, because that’s all they’re hiring nowadays, for big money too!’ I sagely nodded and replied, ‘I see.’ ‘Yes, AI is all the rage now, and they’re firing low scale people like me, and bringing in AI to do my lowly job. It’s a wonder I still have a job!’

Ah mih people, life is indeed getting rougher and tougher for many of us, but especially for those in the lower strata of society. And it doesn’t seem as though things will get any better in the near future. As they say, it might just have to get worse before it gets better. Can you imagine it? At a time when society is at its highest level ever, with the most wealth, education and technological advancement, our world is falling apart, it’s becoming even more inequitable than it previously was.

The atrocious greed and power hunger at the top is terrifying. They’ve conveniently killed the middle class that was once the bastion of the society. Now you’re either in the top ten percent or in the bottom ninety, for there’s nothing in between anymore. Unfortunately, our world is now being run by a handful of unprincipled technocrats and power enamoured leaders, who are only interested in further feathering their already highly feathered nest, while those below them uneasily balance on the horns of deprivation and uncertainty.

It boggles my imagination to behold the evil and ungodly things they are doing yet pretending that it’s for the betterment of all. As the man said, ‘Hogwash!’ Only the top echelons are benefitting from their selfish schemes. And the people, especially the young generation, are tired with all the empty promises and the continual slide into fewer opportunities with even less benefits that only herald further deprivation. No wonder they are rising up in protest all over the world.

It’s a sad commentary on our leaders, who either don’t care, and/or don’t see the wreckage they are causing to so many young lives. What’s wrong with mankind eh? Have we not learned from our many mistakes down through the years, that continual oppression and repression eventually brings revolution? Apparently not. At some stage the people will get so fed up that they believe their only option is to revolt. And no one truly wins when that happens, but in the light of the then existing circumstances, that always seems to be the only answer.

However, the only true answer seems to be found in the wisdom of Cousin Sol, speaking as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, where he puts forward the reasoning that Almighty God has a sovereign design behind all events of the universe He created. Listen, as he expounds his theory. ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get (gain), and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend (tear apart), and a time to sew (sew together); a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to LOVE, and a time to hate (refrain from intimacy); a time of war, and a time of peace.’ (Eccl. 3:1-8)

Yes friends, that’s the only way to rationalize what’s going on in our very troubled world, that’s facing more unfortunate upheaval every day. And for the individuals, particularly Christians, we need to truly get serious about our faith and embrace the promises of the Bible like we’ve never done before, because that’s the only solid foundation there is in these disastrous times.  And it’s promises like this one found in Romans, that we desperately need to hold on to. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28)

Now that’s something we need to write indelibly in our hearts and hold on to for dear life, like it’s a life-saving raft, because it is indeed one, as it assures us that regardless of what happens, in the long run, the Lord our God will work it all out for our good. So, although our world is in an uproar, and we don’t know what’s going to happen next, we can rest assured that the eventual outcome will be in our favour if we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and endure with Him to the very end. Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, for some much-needed divine aid to keep us keeping on.

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’

And with that divine inspiration, let’s get out there and fight the good fight for Jesus! Much LOVE!

…the only certainty in this world…is the all-embracing LOVE of Jesus…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding the Unrepayable Debt They Owe to Jesus!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   2 November 2026   2 Timothy 4:7.

2 Timothy 4:7.       I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith:

Well friends, here we go round the mulberry bush again on this mostly sunny and warm first Monday in November. Nothing’s much changed in our lives or the world over the weekend, so it’s the same old, same old that we’re back to at the beginning of this new week. However, there’s one same old that we are everlastingly grateful for, and that’s the continued presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in our lives, because He is the one that keeps us keeping on, when things seem to be unravelling, to be falling apart, and we can’t seem to make head nor tail of what’s happening around us.

He is the One, through His indwelling Holy Spirit, that quiets our souls and sets us aright, puts us back on solid ground, by offering His awesome peace that we can’t understand, but can certainly feel deep in our souls. What would we do without Him eh? I refuse to dwell on that possibility. Jesus has done so much for us, that I can’t see or understand how supposedly wise and sensible people could reject His marvellous offer of salvation and eternal life. So today, let’s look at some of the things He did for us, the ‘sufferation’ He underwent on our behalf.

And I believe the best place to start is with the prophecy of Isaiah. He speaks thus of Jesus several hundred years before it became reality. ‘He is despised and rejected of (forsaken by) men; a man of sorrows, (pains), and acquainted with grief (sickness): and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs (sickness): and carried our sorrows (pains): yet we did esteem (reckon) him stricken, smitten of (struck down by) God, and afflicted. But he was wounded (pierced though) for our transgressions, he was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes (blows that cut into His body) we are healed.’  (Is. 53:3-5)

Now tell me, should one man, especially one who is guilty of no wrongdoing, be made to suffer such a heinous fate? Obviously not! But Jesus suffered exactly such a fate on our behalf. He offered His sinless life for our sinful one, taking our sins and giving us His righteousness. Bruh Paul says it quite plainly in 2 Corinthians. ‘For he (God the Father) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’  (2 Cor. 5:21)

One Overview refers to that action as ‘The Great Exchange or Penal Substitution, grounded primarily in the New Testament.’ Yes, Jesus took the punishment that we deserved, died a substitutionary death, so that we could be set free, be forgiven of our abominable sins. And yuh still want to tell me that we don’t owe Him anything? Heifer dust! Meanwhile, listen to how Peter describes the situation. ‘For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile (deceit) found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again (in return); when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes (wounds) ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (Overseer) of your souls.’ (1 Pet. 221-25)

And all of that is the living truth my people! Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament, and it came to pass in the New Testament. Jesus paid our sin debt in full for us, and it’s a debt we can never repay. However, Jesus isn’t looking for repayment, all He’s expecting, is as Peter says, that we should copy His example, follow in His footsteps. And how do we do that? Listen as the author of Hebrews explains: ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses (heroes of faith), 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 (originator) and finisher (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 (discouraged) in your minds (souls).’  (Heb. 12:1-3)

Now that’s the general kind of example we should be setting; walking as closely as possible in the footsteps of Jesus, because that’s what disciples do. And we all know that it’s not easy, but it’s doable with Jesus’ help. Look at all those heroes of faith that endured running their tough races with perseverance. Like Bruh Paul said to Timothy: ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith: ” (2 Tim. 4:6-7) Now that’s how we ought to bow out of this world. And to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid.

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’

Now, with that spiritual encouragement under our belts, let’s go out and challenge the enemy, mano a mano! Much LOVE!

…Jesus is our leader…and followers always follow their leader’s example…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Doing EVERYTHING as if it’s for God!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   26 October 2026   Colossians 3:23.

Colossians 3:23.       And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men:

And then it was Monday that day we all LOVE to hate, simply because it begins a new work week. I believe that we’d dislike whatever the day was called that ended our two-day weekend and had us scurrying back to the daily grind and common task. That’s back to two a day traffic tie-ups and work that doesn’t energize, stimulate or excite us, so we don’t put out our best effort, and thus end up doing mediocre work.

And yes, sometimes the conditions under which we work, the supervision we must adhere to, or even the work itself are admittedly not amenable to bringing out the best in us. However, as children of Jehovah God, as Christians, that’s believers in Christ Jesus, we are expected to give of our best efforts in every situation, because that’s a mark of being a true believer and child of God. And there are numerous scriptures that command us to do just that. So, let’s look at a few of them today, to remind us of our commitment to Almighty God nuh.

And we’ll begin with these verses that we all know quite well, although we don’t always follow them. (smile) They come from Bruh Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The first verse comes from his talk about putting on the new man, where he ends that passage thus: ‘And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col. 3:17)

Then a little later, in talking about servants’ attitudes to their job’s Bruh Paul admonishes them: ‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.’ (Col. 3:23-25)

Yes friends, although Bruh Paul was actually talking about slaves there, the same directive also applies to us doing work for earthly masters for remuneration. As the scholars explain: We are to perform our duties wholeheartedly, doing the best job we can, with all of our strength, because in the long run, we’re not working so much for our earthly employers, (unto men) but for our heavenly Master (to the Lord.) And the fact that we will receive the reward of the inheritance, which is salvation, from the Lord and not from men, verifies the assertion in verse 23 that we serve Christ; not our earthly employers.

Then we have this verse where Bruh Paul exhorts Timothy: ‘Study (be diligent) to show (present) thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ (2 Tim. 2:15) There Bruh Paul is telling us to be diligent and zealous (to study). And the scholars explain that studying ‘Involves a total effort of mind, emotion and will.’ And when we seriously consider the way we do our work in these lackadaisical times of supposed entitlement, I very much doubt that many of us put a total effort into it. And, as per Rightly dividing the word of truth, the scholars say that means, ‘The apostle appeals for efforts to be made to properly interpret the Word of God.’

And what would the scriptures be without some wise words from Cousin Sol eh, who seems to have something to say on every subject.  (smile) On the topic of work from Proverbs, he establishes that ‘He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack (negligent) hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.’ (Prov. 10:4) And that’s no lie, because we see it happening every day to those around us who don’t apply themselves properly to their tasks. Then from Ecclesiastes, speaking as the Preacher, Cousin Sol offers this most excellent advice: ‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.’ (Eccl. 9:10)

Yes my people, there is no work, wisdom or enjoyment in the grave, and it’s our portion, our responsibility to do the best we can with what we have in this earthly life. And we’ll end with this gem from Bruh Paul to the Galatians. He strongly advises: ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart, become discouraged). As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal. 6:9-10)

Oh my faithful brethren, we could not end with better advice than that! So, having reminded ourselves of all those marvellous scriptures, let’s spend some time pondering them, then doing our best to action them nuh. And for divine aid to help us do that, we’ll go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’

And with the Holy Spirit leading us out into battle, let’s get out there, engage the enemy, and win the day for Jesus Christ! Much LOVE!

…whether therefore ye eat or drink…or whatsoever ye do…do all to the glory of God…  (1 Cor. 10:31)

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians staying focused on God, and being prepared for Christ’s Second Coming!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   19 October 2026   Genesis 6:5a.

Genesis 6:5a.        And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,

A new working week has begun my brethren; one filled with brilliant sunshine, bright colours of the flora, and fairly warm. That means today is Monday, and unless you have sick time in the bank, you will have to work all five days because there’s no holiday this time around to ease the pressure. (smile) And it’s somewhat of an anomaly that although many of us have been working five days a week for several years, we never seem to get accustomed to it, or handle it with a calm temperament. Many Monday mornings seem to find us disgruntled, short tempered and not very Christ-like.

And I don’t know if it’s because we don’t like our jobs, the people we work with, or the tough two way commute every day that sours our disposition to such an extent that we simply give up hope, stop caring and just go through the motions without any true sense of purpose or enjoyment and enthusiasm in our working lives. Now if that’s the case, it’s a sad commentary on both ourselves and our society. What a waste of many lives for many years! And what a sad tale it tells when so many people today only go to work for the money, try to do as little as possible, and find no satisfaction or enjoyment in their jobs.

The society is gung-ho about its social media and technological advances, but a high percentage of individuals appear to be more frustrated and disappointed with life, especially right now as our world is overwhelmed with strife, suppression and poverty, when the economic situation looks very bleak as prices for everyday necessities like fuel, housing, food and clothing are constantly rising, but salaries are not rising to meet the increases, and many jobs are being lost as technology takes over the work that people once did.

And to make that sad picture even sadder, in this rather inequitable society, the rich seem to be getting richer by leaps and bounds while the poor keep losing whatever little they have. I guess all of that doesn’t make for a happy or satisfied working class. Meanwhile, the powerbrokers and ruling technocrats spout a lot of heifer dust, but are really only interested in cementing their powerful positions and increasing their already enormous wealth. I don’t know if we’ve ever seen a time like this one where greed, egotism, selfishness and corruption have been so firmly entrenched, and even worse, so shamelessly exhibited by those who are supposed to be leading our society to higher ground.

It’s a crying shame the way the rich and powerful flaunt their wealth and power to excess, despite the numerous serious problems in our world. No wonder the ordinary worker isn’t enthused about going to work or about doing a good and fair day’s work even for decent remuneration. So what’s the answer to the problem, you ask? To tell the truth, I don’t know. The only thing that might answer all the problems is for the Lord to decide that it’s time for Christ to come again. (smile) Because our society is so sick and evil that it’s only the Lord who can clean it up.

Unfortunately though, it seems like our world might be as sick and evil as it was way back in time, that it could not be cleaned up, but had to be destroyed and started again. As the Bible enlightens us: ‘And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination (intent) of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (all day long). And it repented the Lord (he was sorry) that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me (I am sorry) that I have made them.’ (Gen. 6:5-7)

Ah friends, who knows what the Lord’s thinking right now, but I’m sure that He’s very displeased with the evil and ungodly state of His once wonderful universe. And although nothing’s impossible with our omnipotent God, it might just be wiser to destroy mankind again, especially after unsuccessfully sacrificing His only Son Jesus to try and turn things around. And the time might just be right for John’s great revelation to come true. ‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:1-5)

Yes my people I know we’re longing for the day when there are no more, tears, pain, sorrow or death on the earth, but that’s the Lord’s decision, and as Jesus said of that time: ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt. 24:36) But rest assured that day will eventually come, however, until then, we need to stay encouraged, trust God’s Word, watch and pray, be in a state of constant readiness for whenever that fateful day comes. And to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid.

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’

And with that boost to our confidence, let’s go out and do as we promised! Much LOVE!

…although evil is rampant in our world…believers need to stay focused on God…and be prepared for Christ’s Second Coming…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding that Thanksgiving is the Essence of Their Faith!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 October 2026   Psalm 100:4.

Psalm 100:4.         Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING CANADA!

Yes friends, it’s Monday, and a big Monday in our wonderful land, for today we’re celebrating our Thanksgiving Holiday, with gatherings of families and friends, giving thanks to Almighty God for all the goodness and mercy He’s bestowed on our beautiful country over the past year. And although the rain spoiled some of our plans yesterday, it looks like the weather will cooperate today, because the day’s turned into a beautiful, bright and sunshiny one.

Now let’s remember two things; first, that the food and merriment we’re sharing did not just appear by a miracle, but someone earned through hard work and the good graces of God. So, in all the celebrations, it’s imperative that we give Him the number one place of honour, because He’s our Sovereign Lord.   And secondly, that we most definitely exercise a modicum of circumspection in all our celebrations, because we know what happens when we don’t; serious accidents occur, even life ending tragedy, and we certainly don’t want any of that stuff marring our Thanksgiving celebrations. For all the ‘if I had knowns,’ will not be able to rectify the situation. So, let’s celebrate, but be careful!

And since this is Thanksgiving Day, it seemed rather appropriate for us to just run through some scriptures that deal with the subject of giving thanks. But because  there are so many in the Bible, especially from the Psalms, we can only select a few for our short space and time. And we’ll begin with these well-known verses from Psalm 95.‘O come let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto him with psalms (spiritual songs). For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods…. O come let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the sheep of his pasture, and sheep of his hand (under his care).’ (Ps. 95: 1-3; 6-7)

Meanwhile to the Thessalonians, Bruh Paul puts it very simply. ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:16-18) It could not get any clearer; rejoice, pray and give thanks, those are the three basic things the Lord requires of us.

And to the Ephesians, Bruh Paul gives them a very good piece of advice that’s ever so relevant for today. (smile) ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph. 5:18-21) Oh, if only most of us would just do that today, there would be much thanksgiving, little conflict and no dissipation. (smile)

Now, let’s go back to some wonderful verses from Psalm 100. The psalmist declares: ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all ye lands (all the earth). Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps. 100:1-5) Gospel truth my people! Only wish we could take those wonderful words of advice more to heart than we’re currently doing. 

And here’s a word from Bruh Paul to the Colossians that we don’t often hear. ‘As ye have therefore received Christ, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.’ (Col. 2-6-7) Then there’s this wonderful verse from Bruh David in Psalm 34: ‘O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.’ (Ps. 34: 3) And from Psalm 50, Asaph lets us know that God requires a thankful heart. ‘Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’ (Ps. 50:14-15)

Oh friends, that’s the exact opposite of what so many of us do. We don’t have a thankful heart towards God, yet we cry out to Him in times of trouble and expect Him to help us, and when He doesn’t, we get all annoyed and blaspheme His holy Name. That’s certainly not the way to do it. Now that’s enough scripture for us to ponder on today, don’t want to give us too much so it cuts into the celebration time. (smile) And since not all of us have the day off, because our modern-day society machine needs constant twenty-four-hour attention to keep it humming along smoothly, let’s approach the throne of grace through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, to help those who are at work secure divine aid.

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!

And though we don’t have the full contingent going out to battle in the working world today, the Lord still expects those going out to put up a good showing. So please don’t disappoint Him! Much LOVE!

…thanksgiving is the essence of a Christian’s faith…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Knowing and Believing that Faith is the Foundation of Christianity!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   5 October 2026   Hebrews 10:23.

Hebrews 10:23.           Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

We’re back on the work trail again friends, flushed with the Monday morning blues! And although it’s sunny, it’s somewhat cool, with a strong breeze cavorting through the neighbourhood,  and it’s only going to get worse as the days get colder, calling for us to bundle up for the big chill. (smile) But that’s no problem, since we have the Omnipotent One, Jesus Christ, who created it all walking beside us all the time. Psalm 125 tells us like it is: ‘As the mountains are round about (surround) Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about (surrounds) his people from henceforth even for ever.’ (Ps. 125:3)

Oh my brethren, it might, or rather it will get rough, as Jesus says: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) And He’s certainly done that by conquering hell, death and the grave through His death and amazing resurrection, but He’s also promised to make a way for us to get through whatever dilemma we find ourselves in. As this overview explains: ‘God will create a solution or a path forward, even when a situation seems completely impossible or hopeless from a human point of view.’

And He most definitely will! Remember His promise to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ (Is. 43:19) And He did it for them; forty long years they spent wandering in the desert, but they always had food and water, and their clothes or shoes never deteriorated.  And in Bruh Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he assures us of God’s grace and mercy when we find ourselves in unpalatable situations.

‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13) Yes my fellow believers our God will never see us in tough circumstances and leave us unaided. Now what we’ve got to understand here is that God will not always take us completely out of whatever undesirable situation we might be in, because He might be using it to test us or build our faith, or whatever His higher mind desires, but He will certainly give us a way to endure it through His divine grace and tender mercy.

But we do have to develop our faith and trust in Him and adopt a good attitude when we’re going through the hardships and difficulties He’s allowed in our paths. Remember what the Good Book tells us: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ (Ps. 119:105) So we can only do those things we just talked about with a good and faithful attitude by knowing God’s word and actioning it in our everyday lives.

That’s why the author of Hebrews strongly advises us: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb.10:23-25) So we must believe that God is faithful and stand strong in our faith, as well as gather with other believers and help them to live sincerely for Christ, especially as the last days are approaching.

And there is also this scripture from the Hebrews Heroes of Faith chapter that encourages us to acknowledge God’s faithfulness and be also faithful. ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb. 11:6) And he goes on to relate about all the great men of God who lived by faith, like Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, etc.

‘These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded (assured) of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country (homeland). And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from when they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.’ (Heb. 11:13-16)

Now that’s the kind of faith we need to develop my people. And it’s certainly not easy to do, but for divine aid to do it, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.

We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!

We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!

And with that divine fortification, let’s get out there and fearlessly engage the enemy in spiritual battle! Much LOVE!

…Christianity rests solely on faith…on believing…

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