11 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cheerful heart, a willing heart, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, as we give God gives even more to us, blessings, compassion, every man shall give as he is able, feast of weeks, forgiveness, freewill offering, friends, generous, generously, give from our hearts, giving, giving is a delightful experience, God LOVES a cheerful giver, God never changes, having sufficiency in all things, he that sows bountifully will reap bountifully, he that sows sparingly will reap sparingly, iguana, Israelites, Jesus Christ, Losers compromise on values, loving, loving kindness, mercies, morning neighbour, no givinng up, no turning back, obedient, one hundred and ten percent, Pigeon Point, pressing forward, smile, the Lord thy God, the Word of god, Wednesday, what's cooking, which he hath given thee, Winners stand firm on values, wisdom
Deuteronomy 16:17. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
Morning Neighbour, morning! What’s cooking on this fine February day eh? A day filled with all sorts of new blessings, mercies and God’s LOVING-kindness!
It’s Wednesday, and we’re halfway through the work week. That means there’s no turning back now, we just have to keep pressing forward with all we’ve got; as the popular saying goes, give a hundred and ten percent! But’s that nothing new to us followers of Jesus Christ, because that’s how we’re expected to operate each and every day. And with God’s help that certainly is possible.
So please, let’s just keep pressing on, possibly faltering a little, but definitely NO GIVING UP! The words ‘giving up’ don’t exist in Jesus’ vocabulary, and neither should they exist in ours.
Now here’s an interesting quote of a few days ago from my friend Anselm, Inspiring you for a better tomorrow. ‘Winners stand firm on values but compromise on petty things; Losers stand firm on petty things but compromise on values.’
Oh Friends, oh Friends, if there’s one thing we should NEVER compromise on, it’s our values, for once we do that, we leave ourselves open to all kinds of evil and ungodly nonsense!
Now, because of the complexities and vagaries of life, there must be some compromises if we expect it to run fairly smooth, but as Anselm points out, they should only be on petty, basically unimportant things, NEVER on anything that has to do with the Word of God; its doctrine, it’s belief system and the way we should live obedient to God’s will.
For that will only bring it into disrepute, and there are enough people around the world already doubting the Word and spreading negative assumptions and assertions about it. No need for us to make things worse by compromising the godly values that it stands for.
As per adventures, I didn’t do anything much yesterday, just went to the beach, Pigeon Point, as the duchess desired. What a good, LOVING, and obedient husband I am eh! (smile) But I wasn’t happy with the beach, at least the one that she liked, because it was very shallow and with no sudden drop down as you entered the water.
But I disliked it with the stones on the beach and in the water, and I couldn’t even float properly, much less swim, since the water where the protective rope was placed, barely reached to my waist, and that’s a fair way from shore. The other side of the rock pile though was better. The rope was further out and the water reached my chest. Still not the greatest, by my standards, but good enough to enjoy.
Oh, at one stage where we were sitting at the top of the rock pile between the two beaches, a small guana (iguana) showed up, sunning himself on the rocks, completely ignoring the duchess, myself and an old British couple who were sitting nearby.
I tried taking some pictures of him, but since I didn’t have my glasses handy, and I’m not versed in the duchess’ I-pad – she was in the water then – I don’t know if any of them came out properly. I completely forgot about them, and must look at them later.
After the beach, we stopped at the grocery for a few things, then came home and rested for the rest of the day, simply enjoying the serenity and beauty of our surroundings. (smile)
And today my people, since we’ve spoken recently of compassion and forgiveness, we’ll talk about another most important aspect of a Christian’s life; giving. Our Bit put’s it admirably and very succinctly. ‘Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.’
Oh mih people, mih people, that was God’s command from way back when to the Israelites, when they celebrated their feasts! And since neither our God nor His Word ever changes, then that command applies even unto us in these present times.
And earlier on in the same chapter as our Bit, Moses spoke God’s command to the people thus: ‘And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee. (Deut. 16:10)
Yes Friends, the basic idea is to give freely, from our hearts, according to the provisions with which the Lord has blessed us. What we give depends on what we have. Obviously if we don’t have a lot, we can’t give a lot, but of whatever we have, we ought to be generous with it.
For let us remember and practice these fateful words of Bruh Paul in his second missive to the Corinthians. ‘But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully (with blessings, generously) shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (compulsion): for God LOVETH a cheerful (joyful) giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.’ (2 Cor.9:6-8)
Yes Friends, God LOVES it when we give with a cheerful heart, not grudgingly. And remember, as we give, He will give to us, we will always have sufficient for ourselves and some left over to give to others. That’s the beauty of our God!
Now let’s close with some explanations from the scholars re those verses. ‘9:6. One’s return is determined by his investment (cf. Prov. 11:24, Luke 6:38; Gal.6:7). The expression ep’ eulogiais ordinarily translated “with blessings” here has the sense of “generously.” While it does not suggest indiscriminate giving, it does denote “unrestrained” giving.’
‘9:7. Cheerful giver: The giver is to have a willing heart and a sincere desire to participate in the offering. Paul is not so much interested in their money. Nor is God, for that matter, as the passage from Proverbs 22:9 indicates. (Please check it out). The Greek term hilaron, from which the English “hilarious” derives, is best rendered as the English text suggests, “cheerful.” Giving is not a joke. It is serious business, but it is a delightful experience all the same.’
Ah mih breddren, those last two sentences puts giving in the right perspective. For giving is indeed a blessing in itself. When one gives, one feels good. Not a slimy, smarmy (smile) hypocritical, negative good like the Pharisees did. But a cleansing, healing and healthy good, as the Lord desires.
So please, let’s ponder our giving today, and try, with God’s help of course, to bring it into line with His Word. That is the ultimate in wisdom. Much LOVE!
…as we give…God gives even more to us…so that we can increase our giving…
P.S. I checked out the pictures of the iguana, and one is attached. You might have to zoom in or out to see him properly. He wasn’t a big boy, but big enough. (smile) Unfortunately readers of the Blog, I can’t put a picture of the reptile here. Much LOVE!
10 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: beauty of the scene, compassion, debtor's prison, even as Christ forgave you, facing the sea, forbearing one another, forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses, forgiveness, forgiveness must be unlimited, forgiving one another, how oft shall my brother sin against me, if ye from your hearts, importance of forgiveness, interesting, just what the doctor ordered, little cottage in Lowlands, LOVE, mercy, parable, parable of the unforgiving servant, Petit Trou Bay, pittance, relaxing, secret, serene, smile, souse, the sun going down, tranquility, trespasses, ungodly hour, ungrateful servant, until seventy times seven, wisdom, words of love, write them indelibly in our hearts, Yuh know I could handle this
Colossians 3:13. Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Oh Friends, as I write these words of LOVE from the verandah of my little cottage in Lowlands, it’s still dark outside, around 5 a.m. Yeah, I know you’re wondering what I’m doing up at this ungodly hour (smile). But I went to bed after 7 last night, intending to get up after a couple hours of rest.
However those couple hours turned into more like 4 or 5, for I did not get up until around midnight, and then I decided to continue resting. Eventually I got up after 3 a.m., with my back hurting obviously from too much continuous resting, (smile) had my caffeine, said some prayers, and now I’m writing what the Lord’s guiding me to write.
And though it’s dark and I can’t see much of the sea and land, the wind’s blowing, the leaves and trees dancing in it, and the waves audibly lashing the shore.
In the heavens above, to my right, is a light, sort of like a star broken in two, with a bottom and top half. But I don’t know what it is for sure. The duchess mentioned it to me a few days ago, then last night she pointed it out, and this morning it’s still there. Hopefully it’s a positive and not negative light.
Now yesterday was an interesting day, although I didn’t go anywhere. After writing the Bit, I had my brunch of souse and bread. And was it ever tasty! Then I rested. (smile) Somewhere in between there I made some phone calls, touched base with a few people.
The duchess had wanted to go to the beach, but then changed her mind as she wasn’t feeling up to scratch. So I just read and rested and fooled around on an electronic keyboard that my sister-in-law lent me.
In the late afternoon hours, my son and his two year old daughter dropped by, and we had a most excellent visit, though the young lady didn’t pay me much attention, running from her father to the duchess, wordlessly passing me in between.
Oh Friends, it was one of the best afternoons I’ve spent in a long while. I just sat in a chair facing the sea, watching it roll into the shore, and the sun going down behind the trees on the faraway shore on the other side of Petit Trou Bay. Again, the best word to describe it all is serene.
And every so often, I’d turn to the duchess and say; ’Yuh know I could handle this!’ And in one of her better moments, she’d reply: ‘Yeah, me too!’
I kept remarking on the beauty and tranquility of the scene, and she let me into a little secret, asking why I thought she spent so much time outside on the verandah and the deck, wherever she could find some shade?
And as I thought about it, I realized that she did spend a lot of time outside. If she wasn’t sleeping or watching t.v. she was usually outside. That’s because she also recognized and appreciated the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding area.
My son and his daughter left just as the sun was going down behind the trees on the opposite side of the bay, but we sat there, daydreaming and wishing, (smile) until it disappeared entirely, and the darkness began to creep in. Then we came inside and I went to bed, leaving the duchess in the living room to do whatever her heart desired, without any objections or interruptions from me.
And that’s how my day went; simple, but interesting and relaxing. Just what the doctor had ordered!
Now here’s a quote from Thomas Edison (1847-1931) possibly the most prolific and the greatest inventor of all time, with a world record of 1093 patents, for inventions like the electric bulb, the phonograph and a host of other things. ‘The best thinking has been done in solitude. The worse has been done in turmoil.’
And that’s gospel truth my Friends! For when we make decisions in turmoil, busyness, anger or those kinds of negative situations, we usually don’t make good ones. However, when we sit in peace and quiet and truly think the questions through, we usually come up with better answers. That’s why we’re told not to make decisions in moments of anger or stress or excessive busyness.
So please, today when we get into the busyness of the world, and need to make important decisions, let’s take a time out, get quiet, seek the Lord, and ask His wise advice, before making those decisions. That’s the only way to continually make wise decisions.
And we’ll turn now to our ever-important Bit, hopefully the last day for it. (smile) ‘Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’
And we’ve been talking the last few days about the importance of forgiveness, to both give and receive it, for it’s in our best interest to do so, since it affects the unforgiver more than anyone else. And today we’ll look at what Jesus says about forgiveness in the gospel of Matthew.
‘Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.’ (Matt.18:21-22)
Yes my brethren, Peter thought it was plenty to forgive seven times, but Jesus had a completely different take on the subject; ‘seventy times seven.’ That means forgiveness shouldn’t be counted in numbers, but be unlimited. Whenever and wherever there’s need for forgiveness, it should be granted, without counting the number of times we have already forgiven that individual or individuals.
Then Jesus went on to tell them the parable of the unforgiving servant. He owed his master a great sum of money, and when the master called for repayment, he begged for mercy, and the master was moved with compassion and forgave him the entire amount.
But that same servant came out and found another of his fellow servants who owed him a pittance, but when he called for repayment, and the fellow servant asked for mercy, he had him thrown into debtor’s prison until he repaid the pittance.
Obviously the other servants went and told the master what the ungrateful servant had done. ‘Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst (begged) me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on the fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth (angry), and delivered him to the tormentors (torturers), till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.’ (Matt.18:32-35)
Ah mih people, all I can say after those revealing and most important words, is that we write them indelibly in our hearts, minds and souls, so that we can remember them and live them out every day. For that’s the heightened wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…as we have compassion and forgive… so will the Lord have compassion and forgiveness towards us
07 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a deliberate setting of our will, a fresh beginning, a miracle is performed, apt description, bowels of mercies, Bruh Paul, Carnbee, compassion, comuunications revolution, concentrating on God, consequences of unforgiveness, cruel, elect of God, even as Christ forgave you, expectations, fear, forbearing one another, forgiveness, forgiving one another, fry bake and saltfish, humbleness of mind, hurts, intruder, Jesus Christ, kindness, Lambeau, lending strength, LOVE, meditate, mistaken identity, Mt. Irvine, negative effects, our soul is washed clean, ponder, resentment, Ruth Harms Calkin, Saturday, seaweed, serene, serenity, tender mercies, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the power of God, the Wild Wild West, tranquil scenery, transformations, truth, unforgiving world, vitality, wisdom
Colossians 3:13. Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Well mih people, is Saturday – serene Saturday! And that description didn’t come from me, but from the duchess. We were sitting outside on the verandah this morning having coffee, and I was admiring the beautiful, peaceful, tranquil scenery, when all of a sudden she pops up with the word ‘serene.’ And it is indeed a very apt description. I was trying to send a couple pictures of the serenity, but I couldn’t figure out how to attach them. That just shows my lack of ability in the new communications revolution. (smile) But I’m not annoyed. I’m happy with what I can do.
Now I’m this late because I promised the lady to take her to get some fish this morning between 9 and 10. So we headed out around nine something for Mt. Irvine where the best fish is supposed to be. We went yesterday evening but they didn’t have what the lady wanted, but said that we should come back today.
But as the Lord would have it, this morning there was still none of what the lady wanted – king fish or red snapper – and you couldn’t talk her into anything else. So we decided to go down to another fish place in Lambeau.
On the way through Carnbee though, I decided to stop at an old school friend’s home, knowing that he had been sick with some foot problems when I saw him last year. The foot’s somewhat better this year, but due to his diabetes it’s giving trouble to heal properly.
Anyway, as we were leaving, he began to regale us with the story of a young man coming through his open door late one night some months ago, ostensibly to kill him. The fellow asked if his name was so and so, and he replied no. He refused to tell him his name because it was quite close to the name the fellow was looking for. In fact the three guys in the posse had stopped at the wrong street. The fellow with the name they were looking for lived a couple streets further down the road.
To cut a long story short, after some feeling out words had passed between them, and seeing the gun under the fellow’s jacket, he set aside his fear and grabbed up his grandmother’s long sword-like knife which was near to him, and jumped up and accosted the intruder, fear and the power of God lending strength to his lame feet.
Eventually though, the intruder backed down and backed out, but as he was going down the stairs, my friend said he felt the urge to just stick the knife in his neck, but wisely he didn’t. Meanwhile, one guy was below his house and the other on his back steps, outside the door, guarding any areas of escape.
Ah Lord eh Friends, yuh see what can happen when yuh sitting in yuh own house minding your own business in these evil times! He almost got shot through mistaken identity. Apparently three guys had come up from Trinidad to make the hit. It’s surely getting like the Wild Wild West, like the early lawless days of the last century.
Anyway, after that I went down to the fish market in Lambeau, where again there was nothing the duchess wanted. So we came back home, about eleven, had breakfast, bake and saltfish, then I obviously had to rest a spell after such an energetic morning. (smile)
And Friends, like we’ve been talking about compassion for the last few days, today we’ll talk about forgiveness, another big virtue we desperately need in this evil, cruel, unforgiving world. And after reading this morning’s take on the subject from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin, I just couldn’t leave it out.
Listen closely to these words of indisputable truth from the passage titled ‘FORGIVENESS.’ ‘Forgiveness. What does it do for us? In an amazing way it creates a fresh beginning. It lifts us out of the tangled seaweed of resentment. A miracle is performed! It may not happen in a moment or a day. We may have to forgive at six o’clock on Monday and start over again at two o’clock on Tuesday.
There is no magic wand to simplify forgiveness. Forgiveness is a deliberate setting of our will, often with no emotional high whatsoever. But once having genuinely forgiven, our soul is washed clean. We walk in dignity again. We sense a new vitality. We’re no longer concentrating on hurts; we’re concentrating on God.
If we would only forgive, our lives would undergo transformations beyond our highest expectations. Above all, Jesus Christ would be exalted, for it is his forgiveness that makes the difference. Forgiveness is a beautiful word. It is God’s word passed to us to use freely, joyfully. When we ask for the gift of forgiveness, God always says yes. He gave his Son to make us free, and forgiveness is the secret key to freedom.’
Oh Friends, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a better, more compact exposition on forgiveness. All of it is absolutely true. Forgiveness is not for the other person or persons, but for you, for us the forgiver! You can be bearing unforgiveness in your spirit and the other person doesn’t know about it, or doesn’t care, so you’re not doing them anything.
You’re just hurting yourself, and the unforgiveness, if kept for a long time, will definitely turn into resentment and then bitterness and hatred. Meanwhile the unforgiven is going about their business like nothing’s happened. You are the only one who’s feeling the negative effects of your actions.
Therefore Friends, it’s absolutely necessary that we do as the promise for the above passage from Bruh Paul says in our Bit and the lead up to it, if we want to have peace in our souls. ‘Put on therefore (dress oneself), as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (tender mercies, heartfelt compassion), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering.
Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’ (Col.3:12-13)
Ah mih people, words of absolute wisdom and truth! And yuh know what? We’re going to stop there for today, so that we can all go and ponder, meditate upon, and consider all that we’ve said today and see how it applies to us.
Please, let’s take this to heart and seriously check out ourselves, for a lot of the negative and unfortunate things in our lives are direct consequences of unforgiveness. Much LOVE!
…unforgiveness only hurts or kills the unforgiver…not the unforgiven…
P.S. Oh Friends, through a little perseverance and godly guidance, I eventually managed to attach some pictures of serenity in Paradise for the people I send the Bit directly to by e-mail. Unfortunately I couldn’t do the same for you who read the blog. Much LOVE!
06 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accomplish the work of Jesus, bottom line, capital city, caring, Carnival, Christian, Christian beliefs, circumspection, coconut water, compassion, cruel governments, cutting costs, don't give a damn, Esplanade, fat fannies, floundering, Friday chant, friends, generous help, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, homelessness, hunger, Jesus, Jesus began to teach them, Jesus Christ, Jesus was moved with compassion, joy, Last Lap, Library, light under a bushel, lost, market, May the Lord be with him, modus operandi, poverty, pray ye thereofre, profits, salt, saving grace, Scarborough, stuffed our faces, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the harvest is truly plenteous, the labourers are few, the Lord of the harvest, the poor are getting poorer, the rich are getting richer, the wisdom of heaven, they were as sheep not having a shepherd, tourists, ungodly world, unsaved, unwashed
Mark 6:34. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Aye mih Friends, is Friday, the Friday before Carnival Friday…! And you know the standard response to that:
‘Oh TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Work soon finish for this week, then is party time on the weekend! Mama Yo! Next weekend is Carnival, so we playing mas from now till then! Thank God for Fridays yes!’
And you better believe that statement of playing mas from now to next week, because that’s what many people are going to do; party every night from now till Last Lap, when Carnival finishes, two Tuesdays from now. That’s the standard modus operandi from way back when. And I can tell you from personal experience that it’s a very interesting situation. Hn, Hn!
Anyway, we all know that’s not the godly way to carry on, so let’s chant our simple Friday Chant which gives us a better perspective. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that’s the approach we ought to use towards the weekend! So please let’s rein in our ungodly lustful appetites and have some circumspection re our behaviour, for that’s what the Lord desires of us.
And as per the lateness of today’s Bit, I really can’t be blamed, that lies at the duchess’ door. Just as I was about to start writing it this morning she woke up and asked if I was ready to go to the market. Now I had promised to take her, but didn’t really expect her to get up so early, so when she surprised me, I had no choice but to keep my promise. (smile)
Would you believe that we’ve been here for over a week and this is the first time we were going into town? Hn! We left home around 9 o’clock to go into the bustling capital city of Scarborough. And believe me, it was truly bustling today, it being Friday and a big tourist ship had recently docked in the port.
We encountered a traffic jam just outside of town, which slowly wended its way down to Wilson Road where I turned to go into the market. Now to me that’s the new market, although it’s been there for many years.
When I talk about the market, I mean the old one up town. Obviously there was no parking anywhere close by and I drove around until I found a spot behind the Library, to me the new Library, because my Library was uptown too, near to the old market. (smile)
Anyway, we walked around the market, looking for my half-brother Hamer, who sells in there, and whom we had been unsuccessful in contacting, but apparently he wasn’t there today. So we just continued walking around buying stuff, half of which we had never intended to buy, but once we saw it, decided we needed it.
An hour or so later, after having a coconut water, we finally exited the market, loaded down with several bags. It was now a bit of a jam to get out of the city, but we stopped at the Esplanade to check out my sister’s-in- law flower shop.
Thankfully, we found her there, and there was much joy in the reunion, though it was somewhat reduced when we learned that my brother was in the U.S preparing to undergo surgery for some vein problems in his legs. May the Good Lord be with him, and cause the surgery to be successful.
We visited for a while, then when we were leaving, we asked her about a good place to eat, and she pointed to a place, Jattan’s, just over the street. We walked over there and stuffed our faces, then left for home, where we arrived around one o’clock, and obviously the ole fella had to rest from such exhausting activity. (smile)
I even managed to talk the duchess into lying down, which she usually doesn’t do during the day. Next thing yuh know, we’re both fast asleep, and I’m getting up after three, and the duchess just woke at four. And that’s why the Bit is so late.
‘And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.’ And like Jesus did, I’m expecting you all, in your Christian belief, to have compassion on me. (smile)
Ah Friends, as we’ve been saying for the last few days, compassion is one of the biggest things, if not the biggest thing, that we’re lacking in this cruel, evil, ungodly world. We don’t seem to care a whole lot about people again. Just look at the hunger, poverty and homelessness that surrounds us, in a world where there is more than enough for everyone! Steups!
But as the old adage goes, the rich are indeed getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer. And unfortunately, the rich don’t seem to give a damn about the poor! Just look at how they are throwing people out of work every day, to improve their bottom line, their profits.
No one’s thinking about increasing productivity to increase profits, just cutting costs, which means cutting employees. Ah Lord eh! But they still expect those people to exist, to eke out some low level of subsistence and to buy their products.
Chuh! The cruel governments are also making it harder for unemployed people to receive Unemployment Insurance by increasing the time line for qualifying for it. What evil jerks!
That’s why Friends, as a society, we have to very seriously think about turning back to our godly roots, finding Jesus and putting Him back at the forefront of our lives where He belongs. For He is the only one who seems to have compassion for the lost and floundering.
Listen to this heart-moving scripture nuh. ‘But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.’ (Matt.9:36) And isn’t that the gospel truth my Friends! We’re all running around like chickens with our heads cut off, like dumb sheep without a guiding, caring and compassionate shepherd. And the best shepherd there is, is none other than Jesus!
Hear the scripture continue: ‘Then saith he (Jesus) unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into the harvest.’ (Matt.9:37-38)
Oh my brethren, Jesus is talking about the great amount of unwashed, unsaved, ungodly in our society, and we, His true and faithful followers, are the ones expected to go in and help reap the harvest of souls that’s there ready for harvesting. So please let’s do what’s expected of us nuh. And the first thing we have to do in reaping the harvest is show care and compassion to the unfortunate and needy ones.
So again, I plead with us to get up off our fat, complacent fannies and do some serious reaping of the harvest as is expected of us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. That’s what it means to be a true follower of Christ, a true Christian.
So let’s throw off the bushels, the shades from our lights, so that they can shine brightly in a darkened world, and increase the salt in our souls so that we can successfully accomplish the work that Jesus has called us to do. That’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…Jesus died to save us…now we need to tell others about His saving grace…
05 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anger, better late than never, breath of life, compassion, compassionate men and women, eternal separation from God, evangelical minister, Fatima High School, God's little Acre, godly leaders, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, greed, Hades, hatred, Israelites, Jesus, Jesus was moved with compassion, kindness, lifeguards, LOVE, poverty, propserous world, rebelling agaqinst God, Redemption Sound steelband, resentment, Santa Claus, sheep with no sheperd, Store Bay, thankful Thursday, the god of the spirits of the flesh, the lust for power, the things of God, Tobago, trust, unchristian, wait on God's timing, worldly things
Mark 6:34. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
And then it was Thursday! Thankful Thursday! Wow! Is it really Thursday already? That means a week of my vacation on God’s Little Acre has come and gone by… so quickly too. And I haven’t really done anything yet! Chuh! But I’m not going to complain because that’s obviously the Lord’s plan, and I’m trying my best to trust and wait on His timing.
So Instead I’ll say a simple ‘Thank You Lord for giving me Your breath of life to see another wonderful day in this wonderful garden of nature called Tobago! Thank You for helping me to get better with each passing day. I LOVE You and praise and glorify Your Holy Name. Amen.’
Yeh Friends, the best we can do is send up sincere prayers of thanks and gratitude to our heavenly Father, for complaining and grousing doesn’t net us any benefits and blessings.
And talking about prayer, here is a beautiful quote from Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781) a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist and art critic, and one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment era. He tells us that ‘A simple grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.’
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! The Lord’s not interested in our long repetitive, involved prayers, but the simple, genuine and heartfelt words that we send up to Him. That’s when we touch His heart and cause blessings, mercies, etc. to flow down to us. So regardless of the complexity of our problems, let’s try to keep our prayers simple and genuine nuh, for then I believe we will see better results.
And per adventures…what happened yesterday? I went back down to Store Bay, planning on the way to leave the duchess at our friend with the bar, but she wasn’t there, so the duchess ended up going with me to the beach. And I made sure to stop and get my roti before I went. The lady claimed she had sold out the day before, that’s why she had closed earlier than normal. I ate it later and it tasted wonderful, nice pepper and some mango stuff. (smile)
Well Store Bay was kicking up again, although one of the lifeguards told me that it had been worse in the morning. I wouldn’t have wanted to see it then, because it was bad enough when I got there.
And does the Lord ever move in mysterious ways! As I got to the top of the steps to go down to the beach, a tall, dark fellow was standing up there and I mentioned the roughness of the sea to him and we got to talking, only to find out that he was someone from my past, whom I had recently asked about.
His family lived in one of the apartments below us up Darrell Spring, when I was going to High School. He was born on Christmas Day so we called him Santa Claus, and he in his early days of talking named me Rando. He was really too young to remember me, but heard about me when he was growing up.
Later on, on the beach, I met a fellow whom I had taught at Fatima High School in Trinidad, some forty odd years ago. Is it ever a small world!
This little bit of excitement happened while I was in the water, out some ways from the shore, before the waves broke. I saw a skinny, older white man come into the water, and soon thereafter a wave washed over him as it broke. I saw him struggling to stand up and thought he was okay. But the lifeguards’ urgent whistle, and three of them running towards him told me differently. They lifted him up out of the water and led him, rather unsteadily to the shore.
Later on, while complimenting one of the lifeguards on their excellent job, he told me that the fellow was drunk, and if it had been in the morning, when the water was really rough, the fellow would have drowned. People don’t believe me when I tell them that Store Bay is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but when it gets unruly, hn, it’s also one of the most dangerous! And I can testify to that from personal experience.
Nothing much happened after that. On the way home, we stopped at our friends’ bar on the main road, sat with them for a while, then came home and did the usual; eat, read, watch t.v. and went to bed. Oh, oh, I forgot! Later in the evening we went up Bethel and listened to Redemption Sound Steelband practice. That wasn’t for long though. By ten p.m. we were back home.
Another simple, uneventful, but welcome and thankful day in the life, very different from those Jesus had, as outlined in our Bit. ‘And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.’
Oh Friends, I can’t declare enough the urgent need for us believers to be more compassionate to our fellow man. I was listening to an evangelical minister on the t.v. last night, and he kept stressing that our biggest concern nowadays ought to be compassion; obviously citing Jesus as the best example.
Oh my people, there’s so much strife, anger, hatred, resentment, hunger, poverty and need in our prosperous world, that the only thing to lessen it is compassion. It’s unconscionable, and definitely unchristian to see our brothers and sisters suffering and not help in whatever way we can. And there’s always some way in which we can help, even if it is only through a genuine smile and a kind word.
But unfortunately we’re allowing the greed, the lust for power and other worldly things to take precedence in our lives, rather than the things of God. Listen to this scripture from way back when, at a time when the Israelites were rebelling against God.
‘And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.’ (Num.27:15-17)
Ah Friends, our current time is exactly like that! We’re rebelling against the commandments of God, and we need good, sincere, godly, compassionate men and women to lead us out of the terrible sinful situation in which we have found ourselves. Without such godly leaders, we’ll just plummet further and further down into the dark and dangerous depths of Hades.
But my brethren, even with good leaders, each of us still has our little part to play in returning our world to a godly stance. So please, today let’s embrace whatever plan the Lord has shown us for our lives. And whatever it is, I’m sure it’s filled with lots of kindness and compassion, so please put them into action. It’s our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…if our God hadn’t been kind and compassionate towards us…we would never have had Jesus die for us…and thus still be headed for eternal separation from Him…
P.S. Sorry it’s so late, but earlier on I got tied up in all sorts of unexpected stuff. But better late than never. (smile) And as the song on the radio’s saying, remember to pray for me. Much LOVE!
03 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ambassadors, another beautiful morning in Paradise, belief, christianity, Christians, comfort, compassion, coughing bout, doubting, evengelizing, example, faith, Father of mercies, fellow believers, followers of Christ, freezing cold, friends, Glory be, helping others, hope and pray, I grinned and bore it all, Jesus came to save the lost, Jesus taught them many things, Jesus was moved with compassion, multitudes, only in T&T, Pigeon Point, salt water and sunshine, scandal, simple existence, soca music, Thank the Lord, thanks and priaise, the birds are singing, the cool breezes are blowing, the eyes ears hearts and hands of Jesus, the North Country, the sun's shining, they were as sheep not having a shepherd, tribulation, we will overcome, we'll fight it through, with God's help
Mark 6:34. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Oh Friends, what can I say eh, but that it’s another beautiful Tuesday morning in Paradise!
As I sit on the verandah of my little cottage at Lowlands writing these words to you, the sun’s a shining, the birds are a singing praises, the cool breezes are a blowing, ruffling the trees and leaves, which are a dancing to God’s perfect melody, and one member of His greatest creation is here enjoying it all, adding his thanks and praise to the rest of nature! (smile)
Wow Friends, it couldn’t get much better than this…except for my health! I’m still not in the greatest shape; my chest is still tight and my back’s aching. I’m starting to think it’s the bed, although on the surface it doesn’t feel too soft or too hard. Unless I am sleeping too much, although I don’t think so.
But I much prefer my back to ache me down here in the warm weather than in the freezing cold and plentiful snow that seems to have enveloped the north country since I left. I’ve been seeing pictures of Toronto and other areas in the U.S and they certainly don’t look too welcoming. I’m certainly sorry for those of you who have to deal with it, and I’m glad that I don’t have to in my current condition.
All I can do is thank the Lord that He got me out before it began, and I hope and pray that He keeps you all safe and sound and warm through it all.
Ah Chuh! I just had a small coughing bout! Thought it was all over, but apparently not. But not to worry, we’ll fight it through, with the Lord’s help obviously. Each day I am feeling a little better. I was able to handle the heat and sunshine much better yesterday. And we finally got our phone situation fixed – Glory be!
In the afternoon we went down to the beach. The duchess wanted to go to Pigeon Point, and although I’ve never like there, in my humanity and Christianity, I acquiesced to her desires. (smile) Now I thought she wanted to go right inside the compound where you have to pay to get in.
But lo and behold, as we were driving by a decent looking beach with people bathing and some sweet soca music pouring out of a car, she decided to stop there. Hn! And again being the beautiful person that I am, I stopped.
The beach itself was sandy and the water, though a little choppy with the tide coming in, was blue and inviting. But to my great surprise when I entered the water, before it even got up to my waist, I felt a very rocky and stony bottom.
Steups! It was actually worse than my water hole back home, but I grinned and bore it. It was salt water and sunshine, exactly what the doctor had ordered for my ailing and aching body. And in any case I couldn’t do much swimming because my right arm and shoulder are still aching.
On the way home from the beach we bought some food and some goodies; coconut tart, currant’s roll, rock cake etc. (smile) Then we came home and had a quiet evening, in part listening to the Prime Minister, Kamla Persad, address the nation on t.v. re some scandal amongst her cabinet, which she shuffled around and which is going to cause even more scandal. Only in T&T, you say!
So you see the ole fella’s just leading a quiet simple existence, trying to get healthy. I still don’t feel like eating, and that tells me I’m not up to scratch. But with the Lord’s help, and in His time, there’s no doubt that we will definitely overcome!
And Friends, this morning if you’re doubting your faith and belief in Jesus Christ, just listen to these wonderful words of our Bit. ‘And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.’
Oh my people, how could you not believe and have faith in such a wonderful and compassionate man eh ? The sequence of events that led up to that outpouring of compassion are as follows. ‘And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things , both what they had done, and what they had taught. (They had just returned from evangelizing around the region.)
And he said unto them, come ye yourselves apart (aside) into a desert (deserted) place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. and they departed into a desert (deserted) place by ship privately (by themselves)
And the people (multitudes) saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them (arrived before them), and came together unto him.’ (Mark 6:30-33)
Oh my fellow believers, what a wonderful example for us to follow! But do we have that kind of compassion on our fellow men? To some small extent yes, but nowhere near the amount that we should have!
Remember Friends, that we are supposed to be the eyes, ears, hearts and hands of Jesus here on earth. That means we are also supposed to do as He did. But unfortunately, not many of us supposed believers show the kind of caring and compassion we ought to our fellow man. But then, when we need compassion, we expect Jesus, as well as other men to show it to us.
Friends, life doesn’t work that way. We receive what we give, and reap what we sow. Listen to these Bible verses from Bruh Paul to the Corinthians. ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.’ (2 Cor.1:3-4)
My people, God comforts us, has compassion on us, so that we can do the same for our fellow man. Remember Jesus came to save the lost, the sick, the hurting, the unfortunate. (Matt.18:11) And if we are His true ambassadors, then we are supposed to do likewise.
So please, today, as we go about our business, which hopefully is also Jesus’, let’s allow His LOVE to soften our hearts, open our eyes to those who need our caring and compassion, and let our hands and mouths show forth His LOVE! That’s our bounden duty, our earthly purpose and responsibility. Much LOVE!
…if we’re not helping others…then we don’t deserve to be called Christians…followers of Christ…
20 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a holy and righteous God, a just God, a pattern of success, a prayer for God's help, a sinful creation, act of compassion, all the ends of the earth, almighty god, amazing, ancient time, anointed one, ascension of Jesus, atonement for our sins, awesome, awesome Deity, be obedient to god's will, be ye saved, benevolence, benevolent parent, blessed, Bruh David, communication with God, compassion, empowering Spirit, enabling, encouraging, fall from heavenly grace, Father, fatherly status, fellowship, finite minds, friend, friendship, generous, generously bestowed, god, God broke His own heart, grace, heartfelt prayer, heavenly Father, humble, I am God, in Jesus' name, inheritance, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, kind, living truth, LOVE, loving, man's history, mercy, Messiah, none but Almighty God, obedience, our Lord and Saviour, peace, prayer, precious blood of Jesus christ, promise, raise our heads to heaven, reconciliation, relationship, reproach, resurrection, sacrifice, Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, Selah, shepherd, shout of thanks and praise, sinned, sinned and fallen short of God's glory, Spirit of God, take counsel together, thank you, thankful, thanks and praise, thanks in our hearts, the apple of His eye, the Lord is their strength, the saving strength, there is no God else beside me, thy blessing is upon thy people, truth, Tuesday, turn to me, unconditional LOVE, understanding, uplifting, walk the straight and narrow path, we serve and worship, wisdom, words of thanks
Psalm 3:8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Oh Friends, welcome to another one of Jehovah God’s beautiful days – this one called Tuesday!
And would you believe that he made it specially for us; that we could rejoice and be glad in it, while being obedient to His will and having brilliant communication with Him, as a Friend, a Father and our God?
Wow! What an awesome Deity we serve and worship my people!
And that’s not even the whole story; for when we had foolishly sinned, when our forefathers had fallen short of God’s glory, and thus instigated His reproach and our fall from heavenly grace, He did not reject us, but instead, through the wonderful and unconditional LOVE that He bears for us, His most brilliant and amazing creation, He sacrificed His only son, Jesus Christ, so that we could be once again welcomed into Friendship, Fellowship and Fatherly status with Him!
Oh Friends, Almighty God LOVED us so much that he broke His own heart so that reconciliation could be achieved between a sinful creation and a holy and righteous God!
Mama Mia! How truly awesome, amazing, LOVING, generous and kind is our heavenly Father!
And yet so many of us still doubt that He even exists, and that He does indeed LOVE and desire constant and consistent communication with us.
Chuh! If sacrificing the apple of His eye, His Son Jesus Christ doesn’t prove His all encompassing LOVE for us, His ungrateful and sinful children, then I don’t know what else will, for it is the greatest act of compassion, of mercy, and of grace that has ever been made in man’s history!
So my fellow believers and followers of Jesus Christ, let’s raise our heads, hands, hearts and eyes to heaven this chilly Tuesday morning and gratefully utter a few words of thanks to Almighty God.
Please pray with me: ‘Oh heavenly father, You are such an amazing and benevolent parent, that there are no words to truly describe Your LOVING- kindness to us. Our vocabulary is so small and narrow that the most our finite minds can come up with is Thank You! Thank You for being so wonderful to us, although we don’t truly deserve Your grace, mercy and forgiveness.
And above all, we most heartily thank You for sending Jesus to earth to be the atonement for our sins! That alone shows the great compassion and LOVE that You have for us!
And today, we ask that through Your enabling and empowering Spirit, You lead and guide us safely, enable us to do Your Holy Will, to live out the plan You have for our lives, so that we can maintain the wonderful relationship we have forged with You over time.
Please give us Your peace, wisdom and understanding so that we may not stray, but walk the straight and narrow path that leads directly to You. This we pray in the name of Your precious Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!’
Oh my brethren, I sincerely tried to keep it to a few words, but I just couldn’t cut it any shorter. (smile) And though the length of our prayers isn’t the important thing, sometimes we just have to let what truly is in our hearts just flow out until it comes to its own natural end. That’s what happened with me there just now.
And would you believe that the Spirit of God working in me, is now saying that our God is so great and wonderful that we ought to give Him another glorious shout of thanks and praise! So why don’t we eh? (smile)
‘Yes Lord, Your people are so blessed, so thankful for Your blessings and Your benevolence, that we just want to exclaim another big and loud, ‘THANK YOU! Thank You for all that You’ve done, are currently doing, and has promised to do in our lives!
We give You enormous praise, and promise to be as obedient to Your Will as we humanly can. We pledge this on the precious blood of our dear Jesus, who was sacrificed on Calvary’s cross for our misdemeanors, and because of that, we’re now back in Your fold again, made a new creation through the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
We LOVE You Father, and will praise and glorify Your Holy Name as we lead our earthly lives today, and every day! Please accept our humble, heartfelt prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen!’
Oh mih people, I’m chuckling here, as it seems the Holy Spirit has just led us to a day of prayer. And it’s all consistent with the words of Bruh David proclaimed in our Bit. ‘Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’
Those are words of absolute truth Friends! Salvation is indeed of and from the Lord, His free gift of grace, and His many blessings are so generously bestowed upon His people.
And a mighty torrent of thanks and praise rose up from His grateful children. “Oh thank You, thank You Father! That’s the best that we can say, but You can read the true level of thanks in our hearts!’
Now let’s look at a couple of scripture passages that attest to the truth of our Bit and all that we’ve said today. Listen to Bruh David state the awesome and living truth again from Psalm 28 – A prayer for God’s help.
‘The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed (Messiah, commissioned One). Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed (shepherd) them also, and lift them up for ever.’ (Ps.28:8-9)
No one else can do those things my brethren! None but Almighty God!
And we’ll close with God’s own words on the subject, spoken through His prophet Isaiah. ‘Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together; who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto (turn to) me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.’ (Is.45:21-22)
Oh my brethren, I implore us to take those words of absolute truth and write them indelibly in our hearts, souls and minds, so that we can use them to our benefit in these truly trying last days! That’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…the unconditional LOVE…the mercy…the grace…the forgiveness…and the blessings of God…are now flowing through me…in a wonderful pattern of success…
P.S. Friends, it’s late, but it’s wonderful; uplifting and encouraging! (smile) Hope it touches you as much as it touched me in writing it. Much LOVE!
14 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affliction, all things are possible to him that believes, ambassadors for Christ, an issue of blood, answer my prayers, beautiful, before God honesty is a wise course, belief in Jesus, betrayed, bow down, celebrations, compassion, confess to Jesus, disciples, dr robert h schuller, duty, embrace a faith, faith, faithless generation, fasting, festivities, go about the Lord's business, go in peace, gospel truth, have compassion, help, help thou mine unbelief, help us, honesty, Hour of Power Devotional, hurt, I believe, I believe in god, if thou canst believe, inner turmoil, Jairus, Jewish law, long and late, LOVE, mark, motives of our hearts, of the utmost importance, outward actions, plague, power, power of faith, prayer, rejected, reservoir of spiritual power, restoration, seizures, smile, spirit, spiritual power, stand strong in belief in Jesus, strong and courageous, strong faith and belief, Thanksgiving Day, thanskgiving must be ongoing, the fountain of her blood dried up, thy faith hath made thee whole, to be right with Jesus, touched His garment, trust, unclean, virtue, who touched my clothes, words and actions
Mark 9:23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Well well my Canadian Friends and Neighbours, the party done now! Thanksgiving Day is over now, although the practice of thanksgiving must be an ongoing movement. I hope we all had a good time, we didn’t over do it, and the Lord was pleased with our devotions.
I didn’t do much myself, just had a quiet day, since we had our small family festivities on Sunday. And furthermore, the weather in my area didn’t lend itself to any raucous celebrations –cloudy and unfriendly – although I know that didn’t stop a whole lot of others from being raucous and rambunctious. (smile)
I surely hope that we didn’t give Lucifer and his evil compadres any space for advancement in our souls, but most importantly, for those of you who sang our Monday Morning battle Hymn so boisterously yesterday morning, knowing that you did not have to go to work, I certainly hope that you all have the wherewithal to go out and labour this Tuesday morning after the festivities. (smile) Yuh know it always catches up to us.
Now let’s take a gander at our Bit. ‘Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’
It deals with faith and belief, and today we’re going to look at situations of faith, of people coming to Jesus for help through some kind of inbred faith, some of which astonished even Jesus.
But before we get into the scriptures, let’s hear a word on the subject from Gramps Schuller – Dr. Robert H. Schuller – from his Hour of Power Devotional.
It’s titled ‘FAITH’ and it says: ‘Lord, I believe in the sun, even when it is behind the clouds; in the seed, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground; in faith, even when I have been betrayed; in LOVE, even when I have been rejected; in hope, even when I have been hurt; in God, even when you do not answer my prayers. Amen.’
Yes Friends, that’s what it means to have faith! Even when things aren’t going your way, you still stand strong in your belief in Jesus.
Now let’s look at the particular situation which occasioned our Bit from Jesus. A sorrowful father had brought his young son to the disciples for healing. The lad was infected by a dumb (mute) spirit, which caused him to have crazy, dangerous seizures, but the disciples couldn’t heal him. (Mark 9:17-18)
Jesus’ response was: ‘O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer (bear with) you? Bring him unto me.’ (Mark 9:19)
And as the Lord would have it, the youngster had a seizure as soon as they brought him before Jesus. ‘And he (Jesus) asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child (from childhood). And oftimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us and help us.’ (Mark 9:21-22)
That’s when Jesus repeated the words of our Bit: ‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.’ (Mark 9:23-24)
Yes my people, in some form and fashion, deep down the father believed, that’s why he brought his son to the disciples in the first place.
The scholars; describe it thus: ‘9:24. He had a certain faith; but it was confession of his undeniable inner turmoil and doubt that marked his faltering faith as truly authentic, if imperfect, trust. Before God honesty is a wise course.’
That last sentence is gospel truth my brethren! If we are anything less than totally honest with God, we’re simply wasting our time, for remember He reads the motives of our hearts, not our outward actions.
Jesus healed the lad right there and then. He had no choice, since the father had backed Him into a corner with his declaration of apparently sincere though confused and troubled faith.
But later on, in private, when the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out the spirit, He answered them: ‘This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.’ (Mark 9:29)
And the scholars have an interesting comment on that verse: ‘9:29. While some manuscripts omit fasting, it seems crucial to the context. Jesus does not seem to have resorted to prayer in the course of this healing. Perhaps he refers to a life-style of prevailing prayer that yields a reservoir of spiritual power for just such a crisis as this.’
Who knows Friends? But to influence spiritual power, prayer and fasting, in a serious and sincere manner, are of the utmost importance!
And I believe we have time for one more example of strong faith and belief. Jesus was on His way to raise the daughter of a Jewish ruler Jairus, when this situation occurred.
‘And a certain woman, which had an issue (a flow) of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered (no better), but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press (crowd) behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.’
(Scholars note: Popular belief had it that a person’s dignity and power extend to what he wears.) ‘And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (affliction). And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue (power) had gone out of him, turned him about in the press (crowd), and said, Who touched my clothes?
And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague (affliction).’ (Mark 5: 25-34)
Oh my people, what a great story! But back in those times it was a very dangerous game that the woman played.
Listen to the scholars explain: ‘5:33. The woman would be fearful of a rebuke, since her bleeding rendered her “unclean” according to Jewish law. She ought not to have been mixing in the crowd, nor reaching out purposely to touch a man. That she owned up openly indicates that her interest lay not only in physical health: she wanted to be right with Jesus Himself. Her faith, not the grasp of her hand, brought restoration to her.’
Yes Friends, that’s the power of faith! So today, while we go about the Lord’s business, please let us embrace a faith as strong and as courageous as the folks we’ve read about, and let’s allow it come out, to show in all our words and actions, because that’s our duty as ambassadors for Christ. Much LOVE!
…like the woman with the issue of blood…let’s bow down and confess to Jesus…so that we can be made right with Him…
P.S. Oh Friends, it’s long and late, but it’s beautiful! (smile) Much LOVE!
05 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: achieve victory, affirmation, all things are possible, anger, bitterness, Caribana, Christian's life, compassion, confronting struggles head-on, debt, debtor's prison, declaration, evil, falter, focus on God, forgiveness, God won't forgive you, God's best, God's given me strength to focus on Him, God's Word, gospel truth, hurt, I can, if you don't forgive, it's our best interest to forgive, lose god's joy, LOVE, mercy, negative emotions, nothing will hold me back, only believe, overcome struggles, parable of the unforgiving servant, personal experience, Praise the Lord, put hatred in our hearts, rancid, resentment, reside in our souls, selfish society, seventy time seven', sour, the cry of the poor, the party's over, think about ourselves, time of need, trespasses, unforgiveness, ungodly world, victory, weak, What I can do through Christ, withholding of forgiveness, you reap what you sow
Matthew 6:15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ah Friends and neighbours, the party’s over, Caribana’s done with for another year! That means it’s time to get up and go to work, so you can earn some money for next year’s costume. (smile) Yeh, T.O. will return to some semblance of normalcy after the last four or five days of hectic gatherings. Praise the Lord!
And I sincerely hope that all those going back out to work today are not in too bad shape after all the partying and what not. In light of that, let’s boldly and confidently affirm this ‘I CAN’ affirmation.
‘I CAN have victory in my life by dealing with the things that are keeping me from God’s best. I am confronting my struggles head-on so I CAN overcome them. God has given me the strength to focus on Him and push through. NOTHING will hold me back. This is my declaration of what I CAN do through Christ.’
And if you believe all that Friends, then it’s doable! Remember Jesus said all we had to do was believe, for all things were possible through Him, if we simply believed.
In one particular aspect of our lives though, we seem to have a hard time believing, and that’s in the area of forgiveness. Please note what our Bit adamantly declares: ‘But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’
Yes Friends, it’s right there in black and white; if we don’t forgive our human brethren, then our heavenly Father will not forgive us. Why is that so difficult to understand eh?
Oh, I know that we’re living in a very selfish and grabby-grabby society that considers self to be of overriding importance, but if we’re confronted with such an important teaching, why, in heaven’s name, are we ignoring it to such a high degree?
Oh my people, we’re allowing the evil, ungodly world to intrude and have too much sway in our lives, only thinking about ourselves. On second thought though, this is one occasion when we should be thinking very much about ourselves.
Why? Because if we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven either. And all of us have a whole lot of things that we need forgiveness for.
Now, as we noted yesterday, forgiveness isn’t always easy, in fact, most times it’s pretty difficult, and sometimes, depending on the particular situation, it can take a while to accomplish. But without a doubt my fellow believers, it’s a MUST in EVERY Christian’s life!
And Cousin Sol gives us a good idea of how forgiveness, or in this case, how unforgivness works. ‘Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.’ (Prov.21:13)
Ah mih people, once again it’s the simple principle by which our mighty God runs His universe: you reap what you sow. So if you sow forgiveness, then you’ll reap forgiveness. But if you unwisely sow unforgiveness, then that’s what you’ll reap in your time of need.
And let us get one thing straight here my brethren; the second most important thing about forgiveness is that it’s not about the other person or persons involved in the situation, but primarily about us.
It’s in our best interest to forgive, not only because then will we also be forgiven, but because forgiveness doesn’t allow all the hurt, anger, resentment, bitterness and the many other negative emotions that often crop up, to reside in our souls and make us rancid and sour, and lose God’s joy, and put hatred in our hearts rather than LOVE.
And I can tell you this from personal experience my people. You feel so much better, emotionally, physically and mentally when you forgive.
Think about it this way nuh: somebody does you wrong, be it on purpose or not, what’s their reaction eh? Some may say they’re sorry, and truly are, while some might just ignore you and go on about their business, and others might not even realize that they’ve wronged you.
But tell me Friends, how will your withholding of forgiveness hurt or disturb them eh? In no way really; for they’ve either apologized, or don’t know, or don’t care! They’ve moved on with their lives, and it’s only you that’s left holding the sorry bag of unforgiveness, eating yourself up over the wrong that’s been done to you.
That’s certainly not a wise move my brethren. Just look also at what Jesus said to Peter when he asked, ‘Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but Until seventy times seven.’ (Matt.18:21-22)
Peter must have cried ‘Yikes!’ when he heard Jesus’ response. But that’s how important forgiveness is in Jesus’ circle my people; not just a few times, but numerous times. As the scholars wisely declare: ‘Unlimited forgiveness must characterize the true disciple.’
Then Jesus went on to elaborate, as He was wont to do, by telling them the parable of the servant who owed his employer oodles of money, but was unable to repay it, so he cried out for mercy, and his employer mercifully forgave him the entire debt.
But then, that same forgiven servant went out and found another servant who owed him a small sum, which he couldn’t repay at the time. However, when the servant cried out for mercy, he refused and had him thrown in debtor’s prison.
Remember the principle Friends; whatever you sow, you will reap. Now his fellow servants on seeing that unworthy reaction, went and told the employer of the forgiven servant’s unforgiveness.
‘Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst (begged) me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth (angry), and delivered him to the tormentors (torturers), till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.’ (Matt.18:32-35)
Oh Friends, that’s enough for today. Let’s take some time and ponder it all nuh, and see how our individual lives line up with God’s Word, then wisely ask Jesus to help us in those areas in which we’re weak, or tend to falter.
You know He will be only too glad to help, because He is indeed our Helper. Much LOVE!
…forgiveness is often more important to the forgiver than the forgivee…and that’s the gospel truth…
23 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 3 Canal, be assured, boss, busyness, can't wait for God's timing, come to fruition, communing with God, compassion, Creator, desires of my heart, don't worry, doubting, enjoy the summer, envy, expectant faith, fall down, feed my sheep, fellow believers, follow thou me, forgiveness, from the heart, frustrated, God keeps all His promises, God will never lead us astray, God's mysterious moving, God's plan unfurls, God's timetable, God's will, God's word shall not return void, God's word shall prosper, godly wisdom, gossip, Guide, John, just one of those days, laziness, lethargy, lightning flashing, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, mind your own business, miracles, miserable, not worrying, now for now, our plans fail or falter, peace in my soul, personal experience, Peter, power of jealousy, Praise the Lord, promised, provider, rain, rebuke, repudiated, resentment, resist temptation, rest on your fanny, smile, song ot the summer siren, strong tower, struggling with your faith, sweet song of the rain, tarry, testify, the Good Book, the world's folly, thunder rolling, trusting the Lord, uneducated, waiting with hungry hope, watermelon, weather, what is that to thee, wisdom, worrying makes matters worse, yuh too darm farse
John 21:22. ‘Jesus saith unto him, If I will (desire) that he tarry (remain) till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.’
‘Just one of those days, just one of those days…’
Yes Friends, it was just one of those days, or rather nights, when impulsively, and some may say foolishly, I was lured by the sweet song of the summer siren on to my front porch late last night, until after 1 a.m. And what was I doing out there at that late hour?
Why, simply enjoying the cool, fresh morning air, eating watermelon and playing games on the Duchess’ I-pad, watching the lightning flash around me, listening to the thunder roll ominously, communing with my wonderful God, until the rain finally began falling. Mama Mia! And I might have been out there even later if the rain hadn’t begun blowing in on me. (smile)
And when I did get to bed, this time lulled by the sweet song of the falling rain, I obviously didn’t have the parts to resist the temptation to sleep in until after six o’clock this morning. And that’s my story…and I’m sticking to it! (smile)
Yeh mih people, I’ve promised myself to enjoy this summer, come hell or high water, for who knows how many more I’ll see eh? And as far as I’m concerned the weather’s been most excellent; not too hot, with a cool breeze blowing most of the time, thus making the need for air conditioning unnecessary.
Although I’m not doing anything terribly exciting, simply enjoying the days as they pass by, with a deep peace in my soul, doing what I can and not worrying about what doesn’t get done, waiting with hungry hope and expectant faith, trusting the Lord to work everything out in His own time and in His own way.
And my fellow believers that is exactly where a lot of us fall down; we’re eager to do stuff, but we can’t wait for God’s timing. Unfortunately we fall for the world’s now for now folly, its need for constant busyness, and therefore rush to do whatever it is, outside of God’s timetable. Obviously our plans fail or falter, and then we get frustrated and miserable.
Trust me Friends, for I certainly know of wherewith I speak from loads of personal experience. (smile) There are all sorts of things that I’ve wanted to do, and thinking it was God’s will, set out to do them, only to realize that it wasn’t yet on His schedule. Now there are some that I’m still hoping to do, but am playing it, or trying to play it cool right now, expectantly watching and eagerly waiting to see how God’s plan for my life unfurls.
Oh Friends, there are too many good things He’s put in my heart, that never to allow them to come to fruition would be a total repudiation of His Word, re to give me the desires of my heart. And I know that our wonderful God will NEVER allow His word to be repudiated.
As He says in Isaiah: ‘So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void (without fruit), but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.’ (Is.55:11)
And all God’s children sang out with a loud, lusty and joyful, ‘Praise the Lord for His LOVING-kindness to the children of men!’
So my brethren, if today you find yourself in a similar spot, just rearing to go on some project that God’s placed in your heart, please be careful, talk to Him and make sure that it’s His time for it, because if it isn’t, you’ll only end up disappointed, and even begin doubting or struggling with your faith.
Now that doesn’t mean you have to go to the other extreme and rest on your fanny, conveniently using the excuse that it’s not God’s time. (smile) Don’t worry, I struggle with that too. Everyday I ask Him whether what I sometimes consider laziness or lethargy in not doing certain things is His will?
For whenever I plan to do some things which to me need doing, other things just seem to crop up and overshadow them, and I’m left wondering whether it was my fault, or simply God’s mysterious moving.
The important thing though my people, is not to worry. Be obviously concerned, and keep talking to God about whatever is happening, but never, never worry, for worrying won’t help, but often makes matters worse.
Ah mih breddren, regardless of what some may say, please be assured that our God is a great and wonderful God; most excellent in compassion, mercy, forgiveness and LOVE! He’ll never lead us astray, and above all, He keeps His promises!
So whatever He’s sincerely promised, He WILL deliver, He WILL fulfill, but we need to work in consort with Him, not He with us, for remember, He is the Boss, our Creator, Provider, Guide and Strong Tower.
And now that I’ve written all of that from the heart, guided by the Holy Spirit, let me go and find a Bit that will fit it. (smile) Soon come.
Oh Friends, I’m back in less than five minutes, with a Bit that fits. Now listen up closely. ‘Jesus saith unto him, If I will (desire) that he tarry (remain) till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.’
In other words, mind your own business. Don’t look too closely at what I’m doing in the lives of others, simply concentrate on what I’m trying to do through you.
That was just one of the many times that Jesus rebuked Peter. It occurred after He’d asked Peter three times, if he LOVED Him, got an affirmative reply each time, then each time told Peter to feed his sheep. (John 21:15-19)
The Good Book then informs us: ‘Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus LOVED, (John) following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do (what about this man)? Jesus saith unto him, If I will (desire) that he tarry (remain) till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.’ (John 21:20-22)
But as is often the case, though we hear the same words, we often interpret them differently, for the Good Book continues: ‘Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will (desire) that he tarry (remain) till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:23-24)
Yuh see Friends, the amazing power of jealousy and envy and gossip? Apparently John was one of the few, if not the only one not to consider Jesus’ statement as meaning that He wouldn’t die.
And we’ll end with an interesting explanation from the scholars. ’21:20-23. Perhaps John added this account to counteract a commonly believed notion that Jesus had predicted that John would not die. He did outlive all of the other disciples. In fact, all of the others were probably dead by the time John wrote this beloved gospel in about A.D. 85’
Ah my fellow believers, it’s obvious to us today that Jesus never meant that John should never die, but in the simple, uneducated minds of those early disciples, especially after seeing all the miracles Jesus performed, that was certainly a possibility.
All Jesus was saying to Peter, and to us, is what 3 Canal so wisely and to the point say in their song: ‘Mind yuh business, mind yuh own business, seek your own interest, stop minding (other) people’s business… And if you ent have no business, well yuh better find a business, seek yuh own interest and stop minding people’s business, mind yuh own business…. Yuh too darm farse…’
Ah Friends, Jesus could not have put it any better. (smile) And if we’d only follow that wise formula, all our lives would be so much better; less frustrating, and not fraught with the envy, jealousy and resentment that now cloud them.
Those words, my people, slang-like though they may be, are indeed full of godly wisdom. Let’s follow them nuh… provided we want to live better lives. Much LOVE!
…the Lord has different plans for different lives…it’s not our job or purpose to question them…just to follow His plan for OUR LIFE…
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