20 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a two-part being, acknowledgement of God's power, active, activities of the mind, all and sundry, almighty god, Amen, atonement for sin, body and soul, bone structure, Book of Hebrews, build our faith, celebration, christ jesus, Christmas, crooked places become straight, cross, darkness becomes light, discerner, endearing personality, eternal life, excuse, Glory Halleujah, God delights in our praise and worship, God is intently scrutinizing our lives, God's Word, greetings, Immanuel, Immaterial Part of man, impossible feat, in Jesus' name, incarnate birth, inept, intentions of the heart, intents, Jesus Christ, joints, joy, judge, leader, lord jesus christ, LOVE, magnificent and magnanimous God, majestic presence, marrow, maturity, mercy, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, peace, percolate, preserved blameless, pretense, prince of peace, reconciliation, resounding truth, reverence, salvation, saving grace, sharper than any twoedged sword, son jesus christ, soul, soul and spirit, spirit, thanks and praise, the Book of All Books, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the nature of humanity, the newborn Son of God, the reason for the season, the Word of God is quick, thoughts, under the weather, understanding of god's Word, warms the cockles of God's heart
Hebrews 4:12. For the Word of God is quick (living, alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.
Aye mih breddren in Christ! Warm greetings to all and sundry this glorious Saturday morning before Christmas, before the birth of our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Yeh Friends, it’s just another five days before the most celebrated birth in all of human kind! I hope you all are excited and enthused about the occasion, because if that miraculous incarnate birth had not taken place, then there’d be no cross, no atonement for sins, no reconciliation with God, nor the saving grace of salvation and eternal life.
So let’s give our most magnificent and magnanimous God a great big shout of thanks and praise for sending His only Son Jesus Christ to be our sacrificial Lamb, and consequently, our Leader, our Lord and Saviour, our Prince of Peace and our Immanuel!
And all God’s people declared a grateful, enthusiastic and resounding chorus of: ‘Thank You Father God! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Thank You ever so much for Jesus, and all that He stands for! Help us to remember and greatly appreciate the reason for the season of Christmas; the birth of Your only Son!
And please keep on granting us your blessed mercy and grace each and every day, so that we can keep on honouring Your Holy Name and glorifying You to all the ends of the earth! This we pray in Jesus’ name! Glory Hallelujah to the newborn King, the newborn Son of God! Amen!’
Oh mih people, I don’t know if you all realize how heartwarming and gratifying writing those simple words of thanks and praise to Almighty God can be nuh! True joy, LOVE and reverence reverberate in my heart and soul like a plucked stringed instrument, because I know that our great God delights in our praise and worship!
There’s nothing that warms the cockles of His heart like our sincere and delightful acknowledgement of His awesome power, His majestic presence and His most endearing personality!
Consequently, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to share this beautiful and most appropriate poem from the One Year Book of Bible Promises called ‘The Book of All Books.’
Please pray it with me now: ‘Lord, I am overwhelmed As I read Your living Word. What power, what pungency I find within its pages. It stirs me, burns within me It challenges me, invigorates me And often disturbs me. When I obey its commands The results are what You claim: Darkness becomes light Crooked places become straight
The more I seek, the more I find. Within its pages, God I see beyond mere philosophy I see beyond a neat package of ethics. I crash head-on with a living Person The One who makes all things new. No other book can claim as much.’
Wow mih people! Wow! That’s all I can say to such resounding truth! There’s definitely NO ONE like our magnificent, magnanimous and merciful God! We don’t even have the words in our vocabulary to do justice to His description. And in truth, how could there ever be another One, another Deity of such magnitude eh? Now that might just be the only impossible feat in all the world!
And the promise on which that poem was based is also our Bit for today. ‘For the Word of God is quick (living, alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in (hidden from) his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (must give account).’ (Heb.4:12-13)
Yes Friends, Bruh Paul is making some mighty statements there! And I believe that the Book of Hebrews had to be written by Bruh Paul, or someone eerily similar to him, for there are two many of his trademarks therein. But that’s another sermon for another day. (smile)
Right now, let’s address ourselves to some explanations. And the scholars offer us a lot. ‘4:12-13. For the word of God: The reason given for one’s careful scrutiny of his life involves the reality that God is intently scrutinizing it. His word is quick (living).
This word is first in the Greek and is the emphasis. God’s Word is not old or archaic; it is alive. It is not inept or inactive; it is powerful (active). It reaches into the inner secrets of man’s mind to discern even his thoughts and intents. Likewise, God’s eye sees man as though he were naked, unable to hide behind excuse or pretense.’
Then, re the Immaterial Part of Man, they offer: ‘4:12. The writer here draws an interesting parallel between the joints and the marrow, which have different functions, yet both are part of a human’s bone structure. Thoughts and intents are also two distinct activities, yet both are activities of the mind.
And while the soul and spirit are distinct in function, both have an immaterial character. When considering the nature of humanity, we must realize a person is a two-part being, that is, with body and soul. But in activity or function the body, soul, and spirit of a person each has a different function.
Paul desired that his converts’ “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess.5:23). (First Reference, Gen.2:7; Primary Reference, 1 Thess.5:23;cf, Prov.4:23).’
Oh my brethren, please let all of that percolate in our souls, bodies and minds today and thus bring us to a better understanding of God’s Word. Please let it encourage us, build our faith and raise our level of maturity in Christ. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
And please excuse the lateness of the Bit, the ole fella was tired and somewhat under the weather, so I decided to sleep in some this morning. But as they say; better late than never. (smile) Much LOVE my beloved brethren in Christ Jesus!
…until you truly know and adore Jesus…your joy and peace will be severely limited…
26 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accept good, Amen, appreciate life, attribute of love, blessed be God, calamity, celebration, clap your hands, confidence, Emeritus Professor, encouragement, enjoy life, enthusiasm, exalt God, face life head on, Father, fellowship, friendship, get up get out get lost, God blesses us so that we can bless others, God of Abraham, God reigns over the heathen, gospel truth, heartwarming emotion of Love, Holy Ghost, I am with you always, I choose to be enthusiastic about my life, in Jesus' name, Job, Juergen Moltman, king of glory, life is a combination of joy and sorrow, life was made for living, light of the world, live life on its terms, LOVE, love and life, love life, one true living God, pain and hurt, passion, passionately, peace, praise and worship, Praise the Lord, real-life drama. live the drama, salt of the earth, shout unto God, Son, Sunday, teach all nations, Thank You Lord, the end of the world, the god of Abraham, the Great Commission, the hand of God, the joy of life, the joy of living fully, the Lord is a great king over all the earth, the Lord most high is awesome, the voice of triumph, theology of hope, true believers
Psalm 47:1-2. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. for the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth.
It’s Sunday Friends, Sunday…the day of ‘gatheration!’ (smile) It’s that first day of the week when we gather to praise and worship our most wonderful God and fellowship with each other, offering encouragement, friendship, peace and LOVE!
Wow! What a great time will be had by all! Why is that you ask? Chuh! Because there’s nothing, no celebration in this world that compares to true believers getting together to sing and praise and worship the ONE TRUE LIVING GOD of the Universe!
And that’s because the occasion is filled with that wonderful, adorable and heartwarming emotion of LOVE, which stems directly from Almighty God, and in turn, is His most marvellous and important attribute!
And all God’s children boldly proclaimed: ‘Thank You Lord for Your LOVE! Without it we couldn’t even begin to function in this ungodly and troubled world! Please keep on LOVING us, and help us to LOVE You too, as we ought to. We pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!’
That brings me to an interesting quote I want to share again, on the subject of LOVE and LIFE. This comes from Jürgen Moltman, a German Theologian and Emeritus Professor, born in 1926, and noted as a proponent of his ‘Theology of Hope.’
And Jürgen wisely tells us that: ‘The more passionately we LOVE Life, the more intensely we experience the joy of Life!’
What wisdom my people! And to explain that, the One More Day Devotional for those with Chronic Illness says: ‘We can’t hide from the real-life drama around us, though we’d like to sometimes. We need to live the drama, LOVE it, cry with it, and at times even hate it. Choosing to live life on its terms brings enthusiasm and passion into our experience.’
And that’s no lie my Friends! For trying to avoid, to run from the pain and hurt inherent in life, only ‘blinds us to the joys and wonderment of living fully!’
Truer words were never spoken my people! That’s why the most joyful people are the ones who face life head on, who deal with the situations as they come up, without trying to avoid everything that’s painful, because life at its best is a combination of joy and sorrow.
Job recognized that most salient fact when he admonished his wife. ‘What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept calamity)?’ (Job 2:10)
Likewise Friends, until we also realize and accept that most salient fact, and stop trying to have no painful moments, we’ll never fully understand, appreciate and enjoy life! That’s why I want us to proclaim and acclaim today: ‘I choose to be enthusiastic about my life!’
Yes Friends, life was made for living, and you can’t live life fully unless you’re enthusiastic about it. And the psalmist, writing Psalm 47, from which our Bit is taken, understood this principle.
Though life is sometimes difficult, he still oh so wisely advises: ‘O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth.’
And make no mistake my brethren, that is indeed gospel truth!
And as the psalmist continues later on in full confidence: ‘God reigneth over the heathen (nations, Gentiles): God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shield of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.’ (Ps.47:8-9)
And that my fellow believers is exactly what we need to do today and every day; exalt our great God, because He reigns supreme, as King of Glory!
Yes my people, as we come together to praise and worship the omnipotent God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let’s remember these true and moving words of Bruh David from Psalm 68, superscripted – God has gone before His people.
‘Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible (awesome) out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.’ (Ps.68:34-35)
And most important of all my brethren, let’s remember that when we leave God’s sanctuary today, be it a multi-million dollar building, or under a mango tree, we need to take the joy, the glory, the enthusiasm, encouragement, fellowship and LOVE that we receive there, out into the evil and ungodly world that surrounds us and share it with others who unfortunately don’t know Jesus.
Don’t hoard it, don’t try to save it all for yourself, because God blesses us so that we can also bless others. Jesus expects nothing less from us, that’s why He gave us the Great Commission before He ascended back to heaven.
‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
And all God’s children declared a loud, grateful and enthusiastic: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Now Friends, let’s go out and do as Jesus asks, or as our Bishop recently quoted another clergy member: ‘Get up; get out, and get lost!’ That means, take our Christianity into the world and let it shine, with Jesus as our guide, mentor, Lord and Saviour. Much LOVE!
…to be really true believers…we must be truly seen…as the salt of the earth…and the light of the world…
01 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's wisdom, a toe hold, adversary, afflictions, as the deer longs for water, be extra careful, bounden duty, buy wine and milk without money, Caribana, carnival time, celebration, Christ's ambassadors, come to the waters, devour, direction, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, easy pickings, error of their ways, eternal life, everlasting covenant, everlasting life, fantabulous, fellowship, freely, Friday chant, friends, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gay abandon, generous help, Gentiles, God's free offer of mercy, God's invitation, grace, Granny's advice, guidance, heaven's doors, heavenly succour, holy spirit, Isaiah, Israel, Jacob's Well, Jesus is the Light, leggo-beast, light, long weekend, LOVE, Lucifer, mistake, my soul's thirsty for God, no one comes to the Father but through Jesus, Peter, relaxation, renewed and refeshed, resist steadfast in faith, Revelation, rivers of living water, roaring lion, salt, salvation, Samaritan woman, seek ye the Lord, sober, spiritually hungry and thirsty, steadfast faith, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the devil, the Truth, the water of life, the Way, true believer, ungodly world, vigilant, vulnerable, wisdom, without money
Psalm 42:1. As the hart panteth after (the deer long for) the water brooks, so panteth (longs) my soul after thee, O God.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday – Caribana Friday! And the joyful but raucous shouting begins: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! Caribana Friday to boot! The partying in T.O is going to be fantabulous this long weekend, with everybody drinking, smoking, doing whatever, behaving like real leggo beast…!’
Hold down mih people, hold down! Wait a minute here! This leggo beast behaviour is not a wise move at all nuh, for you know it is at times like these, when we are at our most vulnerable, that that ole crook and rapscallion, Lucifer, is busiest, at his most zealous, because he knows when we start carrying on with gay abandon, we’re easy pickings.
So please check yuhself from the very start. For if is one time you truly need to heed Granny’s wise advice; ‘drunk or sober, mind yuh business,’ is at Carnival time. And if you don’t believe me and Granny, then listen to Peter.
‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world.’ (1 Pet.5:8-9)
Yes Friends, it is in times of great celebration that we have to be extra careful not to open ourselves up to the enemy and allow him to get even a toe hold in our lives. Now let’s chant our Friday chant with as much gusto as we were just shouting, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’
As one 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 please take that to heart my people, because it will save us a whole lot of heartache later on. And having said all of that, let’s finally turn to our Bit: ‘As the hart panteth after (the deer long for) the water brooks, so panteth (longs) my soul after thee, O God.’
You know Friends, I had considered that Bit finished yesterday, but on further research, I found a few more scriptures that also complement it. Listen to Isaiah with God’s free offer of mercy to all. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’ (Is.55:1)
And the scholars have this to say about that offer: ’55:1-7. God’s free gift of salvation is offered to all who will receive it. Those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty may come to eat and drink without money (or freely). He promises an everlasting covenant to the Gentiles (vs.3) like the one He established with Israel. His invitation to all men is clearly stated by the appeal, Seek ye the Lord, and call ye upon him (vs.7).’
Ah Friends, you see that from way back when, our wonderful and magnanimous God was freely offering food and drink to hungry and thirsty travellers. But, for whatever reason, people just refused to accept it.
And then along comes Jesus, many years later, making essentially the same offer. As He says to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well: ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well (fountains) of water springing up into everlasting life.’ (John 4:13-14)
And later on, Jesus again makes this incredible offer: ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (heart) shall flow rivers of living water.’ (John 7:37-38)
But even then, the multitudes refused His offer. And unfortunately my brethren, two thousand years later, Jesus’ offer of heavenly succour is still on the table, and millions of earthlings are still unwisely refusing it. What can we say to that eh? Not much, other than it’s a fool’s wisdom!
Refusing Jesus’ free offer of grace, salvation and eternal life is the biggest mistake any human being can ever make. But sadly Friends, many many of us are doing it. And it is the job of the true believer to try and show them the error of their ways. To let them know that Jesus is indeed the Truth, the Light and the Way, and no one can come to the Father; enter heaven’s hallowed doors unless they do so through Him!
And John in his Revelations of Jesus’ plans, again offers this great invitation to all and sundry. ‘And the (Holy) Spirit and the bride (the church) say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst (thirsts) come. And whosoever will (desires), let him take the water of life (eternal life) freely.’ (Rev.22:17)
Oh Friends, it’s all available simply through belief and faith in Christ, our wonderful Lord and Saviour!
So today, let’s remember that we are Christ’s ambassadors, the salt and the light of the world, the ones He left to do His work here on earth. That means we have to go out and show the evil, unbelieving, ungodly world what Jesus is truly like, by being our best, most excellent selves, putting forth our best efforts on Jesus’ behalf, so that the unfortunate others can also see the light and add salt to richly flavour their lives too.
That’s our bounden duty that Jesus bequeathed to us. (Matt.28:19-20) So please, let’s go out and do it nuh, for it is wisdom, guidance and direction from on high! Much LOVE!
…too many people are living in the waterless desert… foolishly suffering from thirst…while right in front of them…rivers of living waters abundantly flow…from the free offerings of Jesus…
16 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, a sound mind, abolished death, adoption, afflictions, all in vain, another week of work, anxiety, ashamed, awesome value, blood of jesus, bondage of sin, bring you to your knees, celebration, christ jesus, Christian joy, christianity, concern, confronting it head on, courage, died for me at Calvary, distill our fear, eager beavers, encouraging words, eternal life, exasperation, fear, fellowship, freedom, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gentle, Glory Halleujah, God's family, God's unconditional LOVE, gospel, grace, heathen, heaven laden, holy calling, humble, humble apologies, I will give you rest, immortality, insight, intimacy, Jesus Christ, jesus name, Jesus' great invitation, joy, joy in Jesus christ, labours, let's dance, let's party, let's shout, let's sing, life, LOVE, lowly in heart, meek, my burden is light, my yoke is easy, no fear, power, power of God, privilege, problems, promises, purpose, realtion to God, reconciled to God, reconciliation, relaxation, renewed and refeshed, rest, sacrificed on the cross, sacrificial death, sacrificial lamb, salvation, sense of responsibility, sin, sinless life, spirit of adoption, spirit of fear, sufferings, testimony, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the gift of God, the importance of the weekend, ungodly world, uplifting promises, wisdom, wisely, with God's help, woe, yokes of bondage
Romans 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! Let’s dance, let’s sing, let’s party, let’s shout: ‘Praise the Lord! TGIF! Thank God is Friday and the workweek finish! Just imagine nuh, for two whole big days, no more early morning rising and facing the ever-worsening traffic twice a day! Wow! Glory Hallelujah! Thank God is Friday in true yes!’
Yes my people, it’s indeed a wonderful feeling that Friday brings to most of us, but let’s do it as Jeeves, our major domo would advise – with a modicum of circumspection please.
That’s right Friends, the weekend is upon us, and it is indeed a time for some joy and celebration from our labours, but we have to use it wisely, so that it doesn’t cause us problems later on.
So with all of that in mind, let’s chant our Friday Chant with a sense of circumspection and responsibility nuh. As one 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.’
Hopefully my brethren, that will give us some insight into the importance of the weekend besides just for partying, and we can wisely do our do, so that come Monday morning we’ll be bright and fresh, like eager beavers, just panting at the bit to go out and do Jesus’ work amongst the heathen and ungodly world.
Okay, okay mih breddren, I hear you. (smile) So you’re not thrilled that it’s barely Friday and I’m already talking about Monday, the nemesis of so many of us. Please accept my humble apologies, but the only way I know to fight fear or exasperation is by confronting it head on.
So if Monday’s bring you woe, then face it full in the face and say: ‘Mondays, I will defeat you! With God’s help, I WILL bring you to your knees! No longer WILL I allow you to steal my joy and bring me woe. This I pray on the shed blood of Jesus, who died for me at Calvary to give me freedom, salvation and eternal life! Amen!’
Yeh mih people, only by confronting stuff that’s keeping us back from enjoying all the stuff that Jesus has in store for us, can we be set free from their unpalatable yokes of bondage. For as our Bit so wisely and encouragingly declares: ‘For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.’
That’s for sure my brethren! Otherwise, Christ’s horrific and sacrificial death would be all in vain! And we definitely can’t have that now, can we?
And the scholars’ say this about our Bit. ‘8:15. ‘The Spirit of adoption: The Holy Spirit places the believer as a son in God’s family. Abba (Aramaic for “father”). This is the intimate name used only by members of the family. It’s use here denotes the intimacy of the believer’s relation to God.’
Oh Friends, I can’t help saying it nuh: What a wonderful God we serve and worship! Mama Mia!
Now hear this powerful passage of scripture, where Bruh Paul exhorts Timothy to endure: ‘Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on (laying) of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions (share with me the sufferings) of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (time),
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:’ (2 Tim.1:6-10)
Oh my fellow believers, what encouraging words! Please, let them stir up our courage and distill our fear! For in Christ Jesus there is no real fear for the true believer!
Yes, there is concern and some anxiety, but NO FEAR, especially when we truly receive Jesus’ great invitation: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
Oh my people, my people, there could be no more encouraging words than those of our Lord and Saviour! Wow!
And what better way is there to greet the upcoming weekend than with those uplifting promises buried deep in our hearts, minds and souls eh? None really my Friends!
For remember that’s why Jesus gave up His easy, sinless life in heaven to come to earth and die as a sacrificial lamb on our behalf – so that we could be free from the bondage of sin and be reconciled to God – so that we could once again be part of His family, such an intimate part, that we now have the overwhelming and everlasting privilege of calling Him, Abba – Father!
It’s all so wonderful my fellow believers, that we should just be jumping and shouting and thanking Jesus every moment of everyday for putting His life on the line for us because of the Father’s great LOVE for His most wonderful creation!
So please, let’s show our Christian joy and gratefulness on the outside today and everyday nuh, so that others will see it, and recognize it’s great and awesome value, and eagerly come to want what we have – plenty, plenty joy in Jesus Christ! Much LOVE!
…without the Father’s great and unconditional LOVE…there would be no Jesus sacrificed on the cross…thus no reconciliation…no salvation…no eternal life…no adoption…and no calling out to Abba, our Father…
18 Mar 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a word to the wise, abominable sins, almighty god, anxiety, apathy, arsenal of God, atonement of sins, Beelzebub's hold, calypso, celebration, Christ's Church, christianity, coming together, correlation, corruption, day of judgement, decline in moral standards, deliver the godly from temptation, deliver us from evil, demonizing, demoralizing, disatrous times, divide and conquer, dominating the world, economic decline, evil powers, expansion of god's kingdom, eyes of faith, faith, far-reaching, fear, fight against the enemy, furthering God's kingdom, God's people, God's truth, godliness, godly principles, godly wisdom, grateful, guaranteed solution, holy spirit, into all truth, invasive, irreverent, Jesus Christ, joy, joyous, keep them from evil, lackadaisical attitude towards God, leading and guiding, Lent, libation, light a bonfire under our rear ends, live a godly life, look to heaven and jesus, LOVE, majesty, man-made solutions, moaning and groaning, move heaven and earth, necessary tools, norms, not of the world, on the radio in Lent, oppression, petty selfish purposes, poverty, power and glory, powers of evil, problems, purpose, rejuvenate, removal of god, renew, return to worshipping Jehovah God, revitalize, selfless sacrifice, sense, sense of unity and purpose, serious action, sickness, social values, spread the news of Christ's gospel, St. Paddy's Day, standing idly by, stirred up, strife, strong foundation that's jesus, stupidity, take them out of the world, temptation, tentacles, the cross at Calvary, the Good Book, the naked eye, the Rock, thine is the kingdom, things of heaven, things of the world, troubles of this wicked and ungodly world, ungodly regime, walk with god, war, Western society, wicked, wisdom, wisdom and power, worship
Matthew 6:13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (the evil one): For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s tired this Tuesday morning… And it’s not because of too much libation celebrating St. Paddy’s Day, as a good Irishman ought to! (smile) It’s just from not enough rest.
Yuh know, it’s interesting that when I was growing up in T&T, you didn’t hear a Calypso on the radio during Lent, except on St. Patrick’s Day. I guess they were considered an inferior art or music form, too irreverent and not worthy to be played during the supposedly holy and serious season of Lent.
And some of them were indeed irreverent, but nowhere near the amount of irreverent junk that’s being played on the radio these days, both in and out of Lent.
It’s strange how the norms and social values of a society change as time goes by, and particularly as the godliness in that society declines, as has happened in Western society over the last thirty or so years.
There is a definite correlation between the decline in moral standards and the removal of God from a society. How very sad my people… When we need God the most, as in the disastrous times we’re now experiencing, that’s when we’re seeing Him the least. What a pity!
And it’s rather unfortunate and despairing that we’ve tried so many man-made solutions to try and solve our many problems of war, strife, corruption, oppression, suppression, economic decline, poverty, sickness etc. etc, but the one solution guaranteed to bring out us of our troubles, a return to seriously worshipping Jehovah God, we steadfastly refuse to try. Steups!
Instead we’re still foolishly trying to further remove Him from the already small, minimal and lowly position He now holds in our constantly faltering and steadfastly failing Western society.
Ah mih people, I don’t know what to say. The powers of evil have us so wrapped up in their wicked, far-reaching, invasive tentacles that it seems impossible to get out from under their ungodly regime.
But that’s only to the naked eye my brethren! To the eyes of faith, the ones of the soul, which look to heaven and Jesus, Beelzebub’s hold CAN, AND WILL BE BROKEN!
But to do that, we need a much greater sense of unity and purpose amongst believers. Instead of fighting amongst and against each other, demoralizing and demonizing each other, we ought to be coming together in some form and fashion to fight against the enemy and the evil powers that are currently dominating the world.
And unfortunately, until we get enough faith, sense and wisdom to do that, those evil world powers will continue to divide, conquer and dominate the troubled world we live in.
And if you’ll notice, my fellow believers, the evil powers, though not in concert on everything, are surely so in their great desire to rid our society of the power and the glory of Almighty God!
Likewise, believers in Jesus Christ don’t need to be in agreement on everything, except the renewal, as well as the expansion of God’s power and glory, majesty and worship down here on earth, just as it exists in heaven above.
That’s what Jesus prayed for when He taught the disciples, and consequently us, how to pray. In the immortal words of our Bit: ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (the evil one): For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.’
And that’s exactly what we ought to be doing my brethren; increasing, furthering God’s most worthy and everlasting kingdom down here on planet earth, rather than standing idly by, moaning and groaning, more concerned about acquiring the destructible and destructive things of the world, than the indestructible, everlasting things of heaven.
And it’s not like Jesus left us stranded, completely open to the whims and deeds of the evil one. He particularly prayed for us before He returned to heaven.
‘And now come I to thee (Father); and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray NOT that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil (the evil one). (John 17:13-15)
And Peter admirably follows that up with these words of absolute truth. ‘The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished.’ (2 Pet.2:9)
Oh my people, we have all the tools necessary to renew, revitalize and rejuvenate the purpose and kingdom of Almighty God here on earth, so why aren’t we doing it eh? God alone knows for sure!
And there’s no greater tool in the arsenal of God that we possess than that of His Holy Spirit which indwells every believer! And it was given to us for the definite and stated purpose of leading and guiding us unto all truth, to give us wisdom and power to live a godly life amidst the troubles of this wicked and ungodly world.
So I ask again, why aren’t we using it eh mih people? Why are we simply hanging around in fear, anxiety and apathy, complaining about how the evil rulers are taking away our godly rights and justice?
Oh Friends, they are not taking them away, we are allowing them to water down our faith, through lack of unity and a general lackadaisical attitude towards God and our faith!
Please note how all the other religions, despite their fallacy, are more serious and zealous in proclaiming their faith than we are about ours: Christianity; the ONE TRUE ONE, based and built on the ROCK, the strong foundation that’s Jesus Christ, His holy and selfless sacrifice on the cross at Calvary, to pay for our abominable sins.
Oh Friends, doesn’t that mean a whole lot to us, in fact everything? Well it ought to! We should be so joyous, so stirred up, so grateful for Jesus’ atonement, that we would gladly move heaven and earth to spread the glorious news of His gospel and wonderful kingdom!
Please my brethren, I’m pleading with us today, to start doing that RIGHT NOW! It’s high time we lit a huge bonfire under our rear ends to get up and get a true fight going for Jesus and His godly principles! Oh my fellow believers, that’s the only thing that makes any sense in this foolish and senseless world.
When we walk with God, He walks with us. But it has to be a heartfelt, continual walk; not a sometimes on, sometimes off thing, where we only cry out to Him for our own petty, selfish purposes, and then forget about Him afterwards. That’s stupidity at it’s zenith my people! And God’s people ought always to be seeking godly wisdom.
The Good Book claims that a word to the wise is sufficient. Please, please, let’s prove today, without a shadow of doubt, that God’s people are indeed wise. Much LOVE!
…unless God’s truth is refined…and turned into serious action…not merely talk…Christ’s church will not dominate the earth as it ought to…
14 Oct 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin, appreciation, aura of love, Beelzebub, best big country, blessings, bountiful grace, British Columbia, Canada, celebration, circumstances, confidence, conquerors, Creator of the universe, Deuteronomy, enemy, enthusiasm, ever-LOVING God, first fruits, forgiveness, friends, giving thanks, glorious kingdom, good spirits, gospel truth, grateful heart, harvest, health, holy spirit, house of the Lord, humble servants, inebriated, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, Labrador, land of milk and honey, levites, lies, life, lord god almighty, LOVE, loving kindness, manna, mercy, Monday Battle Hymn, Newfoundland, not afraid, offerings, open mind, poor and needy, Prairies, refreshed, rejoice, Rejoice in the Lord always, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed, renewed vitality, rich and greedy, Rocky Mountains, saviour, sober, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, surrender, thankful heart, thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, the Lord thy God, Tobago, undisputable truth, ungodly world, useful purpose, wealth, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, win win, worship, worthwhile inroads
Deuteronomy 26:10. And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shall set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA!
And then it was Monday…!
But Monday with a twist Friends, because today, Canada, the BEST big country in the world is celebrating our Thanksgiving Day! Yes fellow believers, from the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador in the East, right across this great and wonderful land, through the granary that’s the Prairies, over the towering Rocky Mountains, down to the teeming waters of British Columbia in the West, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving Day!
Doing it in style too! (smile) We’re giving our majestic, magnificent and ever-LOVING God, thanks and praise for all the blessings and good things He’s rained down on us this past year! And He has indeed flooded us with His bountiful grace, LOVE, mercy, manna, and forgiveness every single day!
And though there are still too many who are poor and needy, and also too many who are rich and greedy, overall, we’ve had a very good year. So let’s do, especially today, as Bruh Paul advised the Philippians: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice,’ (Phil.4:4)
Yes my brethren, regardless of our circumstances, we ought to always rejoice in the Lord our God, for it is Him who cause us to have life, health and wealth! Now that means many Canadians won’t be going out to labour today, but in support of those who have to go and mind our 24/7 industries, let’s sing a loud and most joyful Monday Morning Battle Hymn, to get their adrenalin going.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; 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 last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
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 let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, 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, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now it’s been a rainy Sunday in my area, so that might have caused any planned outdoor activities to be moved inside, but I very much doubt it dampened the proceedings in general. Let’s hope that today will be a perfect day, so that we can all celebrate in good spirits.
And I didn’t mean the liquid kind… (smile) well not too much of it anyway, for remember Granny’s warning; sober or inebriated, please mind your business, because it’s during times of celebration when it’s easiest for Beelzebub to get into our souls and lead us astray.
So let’s bring in our Bit: ‘And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shall set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God.’
Yeh Friends this weekend was the time to bring our offerings to God, from the first fruits of our harvest, to show appreciation for all He’s done in making us prosperous.
It was God’s instructions to the children of Israel, to bring the first fruits of the harvest to the House of the Lord, to show their appreciation for His LOVING-kindness, for bringing them out of Egypt and installing them in the land of milk and honey, as well as to provide food for the priests and Levites who spent their time looking after the Lord’s affairs, and also to help feed the poor, the needy and the stranger. And it was to be done with a kind and grateful heart.
Then the Good Book instructs after our Bit: ‘And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.’ (Deut.26:11)
So Friends, Thanksgiving is meant to be both a time of grateful appreciation as well as celebration! You can read all about God’s instructions re the harvest in Deuteronomy 26. And I remember growing up in Tobago; Harvest Weekend was one of my favourite times. The church would be decorated with all the produce enabled by God’s divine mercy, then on Monday, all the stuff would be taken to the school to be sold.
Obviously there would be no classes, and a fine time would be had by all, checking out all the wonderful stuff. Oh, I was even lucky enough when I went to Tobago last year in late November, to be in time for the Harvest Sunday celebrations, and I enjoyed it tremendously.
Anyway Friends, I know you all are busy people, either have to go to work, or go out and celebrate, (smile) so I’ll close with one passage of scripture that encourages constant thanksgiving. It comes from Psalm 95; a psalm of praise to the great God.
Listen with an open mind and thankful heart, as the psalmist most wisely declares: ‘O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms (songs). For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.’ (Ps.95:1-3)
Oh my brethren, those certainly are words of indisputable, gospel truth! And I hope all of us went to the House of the Lord this weekend and did exactly that, because it’s always a win, win situation: God is pleased, and we are refreshed and renewed. It doesn’t get any better than that my people. Much LOVE!
…we’re giving thanks…for all we’ve got…giving thanks…whether or not…giving thanks for the life in us…we’re giving thanks…yes, we’re giving thanks… (Based on the song ‘Giving Thanks’ by Beres Hammond)
01 Apr 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: April Fool's day, celebration, confidence, confusion, Creator, criticism, dissensions, divisons, drunk or sober, Easter Monday, enthusiasm, faith, glorious kingdom, humble servants, Jesus Christ, jobs, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, mind your business, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, obedience, our Saviour, rejuvenation of spirit, religion, renewed vitality, spiritual armour, spirituality, TGIM, Thank God is Monday., thanks and praise, times of celebration, walking God's path, weary souls
John 21:21. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
Oh Friends, it’s Monday, Easter Monday! And suddenly there’s a joyous shout of ‘TGIM! Thank God is Monday yes! Thank God is Easter Monday and we don’t have to go to work! Thank You sweet Jesus!’ Hn, hn, hn! Yes Friends, that joyful shout was more because Easter Monday is a holiday in many countries around the world, than that we’re ecstatic to go back to work. And I hope that we all had an enjoyable Easter Sunday, with uplifting fellowship and worthy gatherings of friends, families and neighbours, many of which will continue today. Just remember Granny’s warning though: ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’ Yeh mih breddren, we need to do that all the time, but more so in times of celebration. And usually the greater the celebration, the greater the potential for Lucifer and his band of evildoers to find a chink in our spiritual armour and exploit it. Anyway, today’s not only a day of wine and song, because many of us still have to go out and labour. So to give them that spiritual boost, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in full voice with them. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; 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 last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. 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 let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, 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, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ That was good Friends, though I suspect that the loudest voices were those that did not have to go out and battle the forces of evil today. (smile) And by the way, did you realize that today’s April 1; April Fool’s day, or as we call it back in the West Indies, All Fool’s day, where practical jokes are played on unsuspecting individuals. I don’t believe it’s such a big thing now, but in my youth, it was, and consequently often led to inflamed tempers and the odd fisticuff. Please be careful what jokes you run today, because with the recent sudden explosion of communication possibilities, they can more easily lead to serious problems. Now let’s see what our Bit is about. ‘Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do (what about this man)?’ Ah mih people, that’s certainly an interesting Bit, and involves a negative principle that still greatly reverberates with us two thousand years later. Let’s get some background on it. It comes from from John chapter 21. The scene’s set in the early morning on the beach, the third time Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection. That night, seven of them, like lost lambs, had gone fishing, the only thing they knew how to do. They hadn’t caught a thing, and on drawing close to shore, they saw this man standing on the beach, but didn’t know it was Jesus. He asked if they had any fish, and when they answered no, He then told them; ‘Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.’ (John 21:6) They obeyed, and caught so much, they could hardly drag the net to shore. Then John realized that it was Jesus and pointed it out to Peter. To cut a long story short, after they had wrestled the catch to shore, Jesus invited them to dine with Him. After that, He got on Peter’s case. Using his old name of Simon, not his new spiritual name of Peter, three times Jesus asked if he LOVED Him. Three times He got the same affirmative reply, and three times He told Peter to feed His sheep. (John 21:15-17) The scholars claim that Jesus used Peter’s old name and repeated the question three times to coincide with the three times that Peter had earlier denied Him. After the third time, Jesus continued: ‘Veruly, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.’ (John 21:18-19) That’s when Peter turned around, saw John and asked the question in our Bit. But lo and behold, ‘Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry (remain) till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.’ (John 21:22) Oh Friends, in plain speaking terms, Jesus told Peter to mind his own business. What happened to John was no concern of his. Peter should just concentrate on doing what he was called to do. And sadly my people, that’s exactly what’s happening to a great extent in our society today. We’re too taken up with what others are doing, and not paying enough attention to our personal calling. It’s a major problem in Christ’s church, where there’ are too many cliques, too much watching and sou-souing, (smile) and criticizing, instead of getting on with our own jobs. It brings to mind 3 Canal’s advice in their song: If you don’t have a business, then find one, and stop minding other people’s. The sad fact though is that today minding other people’s business is big money business. Note the rise of the paparazzi, the tabloids, the shows like Entertainment Tonight. There’s no real entertainment, just gossip and other people’s business. The sad part is that we, the general population lap it all up like a thirsty dog. We don’t have any lives of our own, or what we consider interesting lives, so we have to live through other people’s. And unfortunately we can’t, or refuse to see the mess that most of these supposed celebrities and important folks make of their own lives. Followers of Jesus should not indulge in this foolish celebrity passion because it’s essentially idol worship. The Lord gave us all different things to do, and that’s what we should be concentrating on, not what other people are doing. If we were doing that, our affairs, personal, national and worldwide, wouldn’t be in such a mess. Anyway my people, the moral of the story is that of today, this Easter Monday of 2013, let’s stop worrying about what others are doing and start paying closer attention to what we’re supposed to do. If the Lord chooses to let our paths coincide, then fine. But otherwise, please let’s concentrate on walking the path, working the plan, the Lord has set out for us as individuals. That way we’ll be able to do so much more profitable work in Jesus’ name, with less confusion, dissensions, divisions, gossiping and all the other negatives that minding other people’s business brings. Then we can truly further Jesus’ glorious kingdom as we’re expected to do. It’s the only way that the LOVE Revolution can be successful. Much LOVE!…only as we follow the Lord’s plan for our lives…can we ever hope to truly become like Jesus…
30 Mar 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 20/20 vision, atonement, blood sacrifice, celebration, easter morning, Easter Sunday, foolish, Garden of Eden, glory, glory hallelujah, good cheer, Good Friday, grace, grateful, gratefulness, gullible, happiness, Holy Saturday, holy spirit, Jesus Christ, joy, joyful, lamb of god, LOVE, moderation, most significant event, Oh Happy Day, outward circumstances, rebellious, rejoice, Revelation, taking away sins, thankful, the Lamb of God, tribulation, true believer
John 1:29. The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Oh Friends, it’s Holy Saturday, and Jesus is resting quietly in the tomb of the rich man, after being crucified between the two thieves to fulfill the scripture: ‘And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death…’ (Is.53:9a) He’s storing up His energy, so that bright and early tomorrow morning, Easter Sunday, He can rise up in full force and defeat those wicked and cruel, but oh so inferior enemies; Lucifer, death and the grave. And all of God’s people gave a mighty shout of ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Now Friends, I believe some of you might have taken umbrage (smile) at my wishing us all yesterday a happy Good Friday, wondering what could be so happy about a day of such cruelty and injustice. Granted it was a real sad day for those early Christians who didn’t understand what was happening. But for us, who luckily have the understanding from two thousand years of church history, it is somewhat different. For though we don’t, or didn’t want Jesus to die, please understand that without His death on Good Friday, there would have been no Easter morning for you to celebrate and be happy. When only happy circumstances make us emotionally happy, then we’re thinking like the world. But my brethren, for a true believer it’s not only our worldly circumstances that can make us happy. And the happiness – possibly happiness is the wrong word, since it denotes more of a reaction to outward circumstances. A more appropriate word might be joy, that constant levity in our souls, regardless of our outward circumstances. Even gratefulness or thankfulness might be more appropriate to the situation, for we’re not talking about a jumping up and down type of moment, but a deeper, more controlled emotion, whereby Jesus died to set us free from our ghastly sins. And if that isn’t something to be enormously grateful, thankful and joyful for, then I certainly don’t know what is! Why? Because it’s the most significant event in man’s history after God created us, but then was forced to kick our foolish, gullible and rebellious fore parents out of paradise in the Garden of Eden. And unfortunately, since then, that bequeathed foolish, gullible and rebellious streak in us has been uppermost in our history. And until Jesus came, there was very little opportunity to turn it around, even if we felt so inclined. And our Bit perfectly describes the whole enchilada. ‘The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ The reference to the lamb there, brings into play the sacrificial lambs slaughtered for Passover and other Jewish feasts. The scholars add that ‘Some suggest that this may allude to the scapegoat (Lev.16), or to the suffering servant (Is.53:7) We dealt with that yesterday. I guess it could actually refer to all of them, for remember the Lord required blood sacrifices of His chosen people, Israel, as some form of payment, atonement for their sins. But here now, comes Jesus, the Son of God, the sinless one, to pay the rather steep price of sin for the entire world. Now isn’t that a genuine reason to be much more than saddened at His death? Why do you think it’s called Good Friday? Because it’s the day on which the best thing since creation ever happened to man! All his evil deeds have been paid for; from the beginning of time, right through to eternity. It was certainly done in a most cruel manner, but the reason behind it was the greatest token of true LOVE ever expressed! And in our 3 hour service yesterday afternoon, what do you think the youth group sang? ‘Oh Happy Day! When Jesus washed…When Jesus washed… He washed all my sins away.’ Remember also what Jesus told His disciples in the last days: ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33b) So where is that good cheer eh Friends? It’s supposed to be our constant companion, like the Holy Spirit. And remember too that Bruh Paul instructs us to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.’ (Phil.4:4-5) Not only is Jesus’ return imminent, but also His Spirit is always close by, thus we shouldn’t be afraid and anxious abut anything. Anyway Friends, I’m getting away from my original intention, to get into some scriptures that highlight Jesus’ basic purpose here on earth; to atone for the sins of the world. It begins with Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant in chapter 53:11, that we quoted yesterday, which ends: ‘for he shall bear their iniquities.’ Then it advances to our Bit, and the actual act of sin payment, when Jesus declares on the cross: ‘It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.’ (John 19:30) Bruh Paul then takes up the baton and runs with it full speed, first telling the Corinthians: ‘For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.’ (1 Cor.15:3) Then he informs the Galatians: ‘Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according to the will of God and our Father. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ (Gal.1:3-5) Next up is Peter, who declares: ‘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 ye were healed.’ (1 Pet.2:24) John then announces in his first epistle: ‘My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.’ (1 John 2:1-2) And finally, John ends the race on a winning note in Revelation, when he greets the seven churches in Asia. ‘And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (born) of the dead; and the prince of (ruler over) the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.’ (Rev.1:5) And all God’s people gave out a mighty and joyful shout up to heaven: ‘Oh Thank You sweet Jesus! We LOVE and adore You!’ Oh Friends, with all that scripture shoring up the strong foundation of the purpose of Christ’s death, how could we ever argue with it eh? No way Jose! And again I want to remind us in Bruh David’s famous and fateful words, that though ‘weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ (Ps.30:5b) And believe me my brethren, tomorrow morning will indeed be a most joyous morning! Just wait and see. Much LOVE!…though reality may cloud our sight with sadness…looking through the eyes of faith…gives us a 20/20 vision of joy…
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