07 Oct 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abominable sins, acceptable, adrenalin, aura of love, battle, bear hug, beautiful day, believers in Christ, bombarded, close attention, complain, confidence, conquerors, control our thoughts, credibility, deceitful fool, defiles, disappointed, enthusiasm, every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, evil, faithfulness, families, followers, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, grateful, gratitude, guarantee, hearts and minds, hell or high water, high-five, holy spirit, humble servants, influence our paths, innocent, invincible, Jesus, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, King of Kings, lies, life of faith, Lord of Lords, LOVE, Lucifer, make or break, master of our lives, meditation, mighty wings, Monday Monday, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, not afraid, only superstar, peace, pedestal, planet earth, platitudes, power, protection, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, represent Jesus, roof of heaven, saviour, shoot the messenger, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, surrender, taunts, Thank You Lord, the greatest, unconditional LOVE, useful purpose, utmost faith, utmost importance, weary souls, whine
Psalm 19:14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (rock) and my redeemer.
And the crowd sang lustily: ‘Monday, oh Monday; just can’t wait for you to come…!’
Now, for the good news Friends; Monday is here! Glory Hallelujah! Nothing like the bearer of good tidings eh! And please don’t shoot or curse the messenger, or whine and complain about being tired and otherwise, for that’s not the proper response for followers of Jesus. Simply get up and gratefully say: ‘Thank You Lord for allowing me to see another beautiful day on your beautiful planet Earth.’ Then get yourself together to go out and labour.
And as always, our Monday Morning Battle Hymn is here to get our sluggish engines started, get the adrenalin flowing so that we can go out and represent Jesus in the best manner possible. Now let’s raise the roof of heaven this Monday morning, with a most excellent vocalization. (smile)
All together 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!’
Yes mih people, that was indeed most excellent!
Meanwhile, up in heaven, the Father cannot contain Himself, and high-fives Jesus, saying: ‘Yes mih boy! Your people are certainly in good voice this morning. But let’s see how they’ll do when it comes time to join the battle with that deceitful fool Lucifer.’
Without missing a beat, a smiling and confident Jesus just raises His right hand in a clenched fist salute and replies: ‘Don’t worry Father, they’ll do just fine! I have the utmost faith in them.’
The Father LOVINGLY pats Him on the back and says: ‘I’m glad to hear that Son. Wouldn’t want You to be disappointed in the people You’ve chosen.’
But Jesus calmly rejoins: ‘Don’t concern Yourself Father. I’ve personally vetted every one of them, and they ALL have what it takes to be true, loyal and faithful followers.’
The Father then embraces Jesus in a tight and warm bear hug, and says: ‘Thank You Son. I know the feeling, for I also had the utmost faith in You when I sent You down there to redeem them from their abominable sins.’
Oh mih breddren, mih breddren, all yuh hear that conversation that just went on up there in heaven! Jesus put His actual life on the line once for us already, now He’s putting His credibility before the Father, His ability to pick good followers, guaranteeing our faithfulness! That means that come hell or high water, (smile) we just cannot let Him down, we can’t afford to disappoint Him, especially after all He’s innocently suffered on our behalf.
And after the Father done boast about Him and place Him on that high pedestal, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that HE’S THE GREATEST, the ONLY real SUPERSTAR!
No sir! We definitely can’t let Jesus down. So please, today, RIGHT NOW, let’s get truly serious about being His followers nuh, and get ourselves out into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, requesting His help, like Bruh David did in the memorable words of our Bit: ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (rock) and my redeemer.’
Yes Friends, all of us know those words, but too many of us just mouth them as simple platitudes, without taking them seriously. Today though, I want ALL of us to begin paying very close attention to them because they are of the utmost importance in our life of faith. Our hearts and minds control our thoughts, emotions and beliefs, and thus greatly influence the paths we choose, while our words declare what’s in our hearts and minds.
Remember too that words contain unimaginable power. So much so, that God used them to create the universe and all therein, as described in Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
And don’t forget either these wise and truthful words of Jesus: ‘Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.’ (Matt.15:11) Therefore let’s pay close attention to our words, for they can either make or break us.
More on this Bit tomorrow, God willing. Till then, may the Lord bless and keep us safely ensconced under the LOVING protection of His mighty wings, give us His wonderful peace and fill our hearts with His unconditional, eternal LOVE! Much much LOVE to all you, my fellow believers in Christ!
…oh what joy and gratitude enriches our souls…when Jesus is the Master of our lives…
30 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ashes, aura of love, bombarded, buffeted, celebrity news, charge our batteries, confidence, conqueror, Creator of the universe, criticsm, disobedience, don't be afraid, enemy's ranks, enthusiasm, ever-LOVING God, evil, fear not, followers of Jesus, folly of idolatry, glorious kingdom, God's promise, graven image, holy spirit, humble servants, idol makers, idol worship, idolatry, idols of the heathen, if you can't beat them, inanimate objects, indisputable truth, inroads, interesting scripture, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, join them, lies, living God, merciful, mere men, moans and groans, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Most High God Jehovah, no nonsense God, other people's business, pagan idolatry, polytheistic, praise his holy name, precious things, prophet isaiah, raise the adrenalin, ready for battle, rearing to go, rebellious souls, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, resigned reaction, ridicule, scholarly thoughts, shame, silver and gold, spiritual armour, spread His Word, steadfast faith, surrender, taunting, truthful words, ungodly world, useful purpose, useless, vanity, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, witnesses
Psalm 135:15. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Oh Friends, I’ll say it quietly. Today is Monday, another work week beckons. And surprise, surprise, the response I receive is fairly good! There’s no overt resentment or whining, with a smattering of enthusiasm, but the majority portray a kind of resigned reaction in the shrug of their shoulders. Like they’re thinking, I can’t beat them, so I might as well join them.
And though my people, it’s an improvement over our past reactions, it’s still not good enough for followers of Jesus. The true followers of Jesus ought to be well rested and rearing to go out and spread His Word and His Holy Name! (smile) Anyway, I know that reaction will come in time, for it’s all about growing, about maturing in Christ. So until that awesome time arrives, let’s keep on singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to raise the adrenalin and charge our batteries.
As one, loud and proud voice now, let’s sing: ‘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!’
Okay Friends, our engines are revving and we’re ready for battle! So let’s get straight into our Bit, because I have plenty interesting scripture and scholarly thoughts to share this morning. (smile) And I hear the moans and groans in the background.
But yuh know, if it was celebrity news and other people’s business, there would be nary a groan, instead everybody would sit up and show interest. And then, when our God accuses us of idol worship, of not paying sufficient attention to Him and His Word, we get all upset and claim it’s not true.
Anyway, here’s our Bit: ‘The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.’ Now that, we all know to be indisputable truth! However, though we might know it intellectually, our disobedient and rebellious souls refuse to accept it, as our actions prove each and every day.
But listen to this rich and powerful scripture, the words of our wonderful and ever-LOVING, but no-nonsense God, as spoken through His prophet Isaiah. As expected, it deals with the folly of idolatry and the Lord’s promise to have His Spirit continually watch over Israel.
‘Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no (other) God (Rock); I know not any. They that make a graven image are all of them vanity (useless); and their delectable (precious) things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
Who hath formed a god, or molten (moulded) a graven image that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his fellows (companions) shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of (mere) men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.’ (Is.44:8-11)
Ah mih people, strong and truthful words indeed! And the prophet goes on to ridicule the makers of idols in God’s name, up to verse 20. Please read it, so you can get the full discourse.
Now hear the scholars take on all that. ’44:9-20. This expose of idolatry is the most taunting in all of the Bible. The prophet Isaiah, serving as the spokesman of Yahweh, reveals the utter foolishness of polytheistic pagan idolatry. The graven image (carved idol) is called vanity (nothing). Delectable things refers to the adornment of idols with gold, silver and precious stones.
The prophet announces that the idols themselves are their own witnesses, (whereas man is God’s witness). They see not, nor know. Therefore these inanimate objects are profitable for nothing. Isaiah then berates the workmen (artisans) for designing and constructing their idols in the figure of a man. He exposes the basic fallacy of idolatry, a god made in the image of man. Thus the prophet’s criticism of one who would worship an idol carved from the same tree that he would use for firewood is that he feedeth on ashes.’
Oh Friends, please, please, let’s ensure today that we’re not feeding on ashes, or doing any of those things idolaters are supposed to do. And remember that the worshipping of idols doesn’t only include statues and graven images, but refers to ANY and EVERYTHING which we consider more important than God, and spend so much time on or in, with little or no regard to spending time with the Most High God Jehovah!
So please let the Word and the Holy Spirit be our guides today, as we go out to join the enemy in battle on Jesus’ behalf this Monday morning, the last day of September 2013. It’s the only way to disprove the contention that we’re idol worshippers. Much LOVE!
…what’s the purpose of worshipping inanimate, immobile man made objects…who can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for us…especially when there’s already a powerful, merciful, forgiving, LIVING GOD in existence…
26 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ask, assaulted teenagers, assess, authority figures, beautiful day, better and brighter days, brilliant sunshine, Christians, commandments, confidence, confidence in God, conversion to Christ, deceitfulness, edification, effective prayer, emotionally violated, encouragement, endurance, evil heart, exhort one another daily, exhortation, faith, faithful, glorifies, God's house, God's plans. purposes, God's promises, God's will, gospel truth, hallmark, harden your hearts, heart condemns, hip hip hurray, holy spirit, homosexual urges, influential positions, Israel did not believe, Jesus Christ, Jesus' church, keep the faith, life of purity, living God, LOVE, Moses, nuture the seed, partakers of Christ, patience, perseverance, physically violated, pleasing in God's sight, probation, promises, rape, reality of faith, receive, recompense, religion, reward, scripture, seeds, sin, standard of Christian living, steadfast unto the end, successful praying, take it to heart, take note of, teacher remiss, test, theology, today, true believer, trust, trustworthy positions, truth, turn them straight, unbelief, undeniable truth, warning, well-spring, wisdom, wrongdoing, youth pastor
1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.
Oh Friends, another beautiful day is about to dawn in my neighbourhood, and I hope in yours too! This past week has really been marvellous; brilliant sunshine and temps in the high teens and low twenties! And hopefully, the weatherman is right, when he forecasts that this wonderful weather will continue for the rest of the week.
But sadly though Friends, once more I have to ask, what’s our world coming to eh? I don’t know if this story I received in a newsletter is true, but if it is, then the Lord help us yes!
Apparently this youth pastor in Iowa, in the U.S. confessed to raping at least four teenagers, according to him, ‘to turn them straight.’ Hn! His actions were bad enough, but listen to this. The judge sentenced him to 17 years in prison, then turned around and suspended the sentence, instead giving him 5 years probation.
Ah Lord eh! And it seems that he assaulted more than four teenagers over the years, for at least four more young men have come forward with the same claim. And this wasn’t simply a one and done thing either, but some of the assaults seem to have gone on for more than four years. All ‘to help them with homosexual urges.’
Steups! How can these young men ever trust authority figures again eh? Some of them might even continue the wrongdoing. They trusted their pastor, one of the most influential and trustworthy positions in our society, only to be physically and emotionally violated by him. And then all he gets is probation….
Something about all of that just doesn’t sound right nuh people. But I’ll let the Lord be the judge, and stick to my task. So here’s our Bit: ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.’
It’s the last day Friends… And many voices sang: ‘Hip, hip, hurray! (smile) I know some of you don’t like to see the same Bit everyday, but my brethren, when there’s a lot of scripture to share on a topic, it would be very remiss of me to not share and or point them out. Isn’t that what a teacher is supposed to do?
And having confidence in God, His plans, purposes and promises is of the utmost importance for all believers, because it’s hope and faith we live by, things that are not readily seen by the naked eye, but have to come from a well-spring deep inside of us.
And we’re going to begin in Hebrews 3, moving on from yesterday, where we saw that Moses was faithful, but yet still only a servant in God’s house, while Jesus, the Son, built His own house, the church.
Today, the author of Hebrews is warning that under Moses, Israel failed to believe. But if we should now hear Christ’s voice calling out to us through the Holy Spirit, we should not harden our hearts. (Heb.3:7-11)
‘Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called TODAY; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made (have become) partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;’ (Heb.3:12-14)
What wisdom and truth my Friends!
And the scholars have this to say about the last verse. ‘3:14. One’s conversion to Christ, which occurred in days past (we are made partakers of Christ), is proved to have been genuine by perseverance in the days to come (if we hold…our confidence steadfast unto the end). This means that continuance in the faith is a test of the reality of one’s faith in Christ.’
And that’s certainly true my people! If we don’t keep the faith, then we’re not true believers!
Now listen to this scripture from 1 John 3, where he’s trying to nurture the seed that’s already been planted in the hearts of his readers; that they should LOVE one another.
‘BELOVED, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (1 John 3:21-22)
And the scholars explain those verses thus: ‘3:21-22. If our heart condemn us not: We have confidence toward God if our lives are in line with the standard of Christian living set forth above. John is not saying that whether a person is right or wrong is simply a matter of how he subjectively feels about himself.
That is why John has given so many indicators and commands for Christians to take note of and assess themselves by. And one of the great results of a life lived in purity before God is a life where there is effective prayer. Right living is an important part of successful praying.’
More undeniable truth Friends!
And I’ve left this well known scripture for last, because it truly gets to the heart of the matter. (smile) It comes from Hebrews 10 and says: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance, perseverance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36)
Oh Friends, what magnificent scripture! It contains seeds of warning, wisdom, encouragement, edification, exhortation and promise! Wow! (smile)
Please let’s take it to heart today, and live our lives to suit, because it’s simply gospel truth! And if we do hope to see better and brighter days, then our lives must encompass all those things written in that scripture. Much LOVE!
…coming to believe in Christ…having the utmost trust and confidence in His power and promises…and living a life that glorifies Him…is the hallmark of a true believer…
25 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abide in Jesus, access, according to His will, almighty god, Amen, angels, assurance, believers, blessed assurance, boldness, born of God, children of God, christ jesus, christianity, Christians, confidence, counter, dark domain, don't lose heart, edification, Ephesians, eternal purpose, everlasting truth, evil counterparts, evil one, faith, faithful, fathom God's wisdom, freedom of speech, Gentiles, glory, God's actions, God's ear, God's will, God's wisdom, heavenly places, Holy Spirit of God, honour of God, hope, indisputable fact, listening ear, living for Jesus, LOVE, Loving for Jesus, message, Moses, motivation, mount an attack, mystery, not be ashamed, pales, Paul, powerful helper, powers, Praise the Lord, principalities, recognize the evil, rejoicing, religion, righteousness., run him out, scriptures, serve and worship, slowly creeps up, Son, Spirit of God, spiritual armour, spiritual rebirth, spirituality, stand firm in faith, stand strong, steadfast in faith, subconscious, suddenly, sufferings, testimony, Thank you Father, thanks and praise, the church, the end, the enemy, theology, tribulations, under the weather, ungodly world, unwanted intrusions, uplifts, watchful eye, wonderful god
1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.
Oh Friends, for some unknown reason, this Wednesday morning in late September, early fall, the ole fella’s a tad under the weather. The enemy has somehow managed to wangle his way into my subconscious. But the good news though is that it’s not for long.
In fact, I’ve just run Him out! (smile) With the awesome help of the Holy Spirit, Beelzebub was just kicked to the farthest part of his dark domain. Thank You Father! And I can now pay close attention to the Word and write the Bit without the enemy’s unwanted intrusions.
Oh my people, that’s why we have to be so careful in all our doings in this ungodly world, because the evil one and his evil counterparts are always seeking an opening in our spiritual armour to mount an attack against us, and oftimes we don’t know where or when he’ll appear.
Sometimes it’s all of a sudden, at other times he slowly creeps up on us. But if we stand strong and keep a watchful eye, we’ll usually recognize the evil that’s trying to come against us. Then we’ll surely be able to counter it with the assistance of the powerful and wonderful helper, the Holy Spirit of God, which dwells within us for that exact purpose.
Ah my Friends, as I have to remark almost every day: ‘What a wonderful God we serve and worship!’
And all God’s children said a loud and thankful: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
And we do need to give Him much thanks and praise. Just look at what our Bit says: ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.’
What blessed assurance that is; to know that whatever we ask God for, once it conforms to His will, He will lend a listening ear, give us a serious hearing.
Now let’s turn to some scriptures that have now been languishing for a few days, because there’s been so many others to bring to the fore, and we can’t do them all at once. And we’ll begin with Bruh Paul writing to the Ephesians, talking about his mission to the Gentiles.
‘To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold (many sided) wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of (in) him. Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.’ (Eph.3:10-13)
Yeh Friends, God’s wisdom is so wide and wonderful, that none of us can ever fully fathom it!
Now hear the scholars on those verses. ‘3:10. Paul’s disclosure of this mystery teaches angels (principalities and powers in heavenly places) of God’s wisdom.
3:12. This verse affirms that Christians have boldness (freedom of speech before God) and access (the right of entering His presence) with confidence (assurance of being heard by God) by the faith of him (through relying upon Christ to gain God’s ear).
3:13. Which is your glory: God will use Paul’s tribulations and sufferings in the ministry to spiritually benefit his recipients. Such edification will then bring about glory on their part in that they praise and honour God.’
And that last statement is an indisputable fact Friends! When we truly recognize the plan and purpose of tribulations, both in our own lives and those of other believers, we come to an even greater understanding of God’s actions.
Then turning to Hebrews 3, which talks about Christ’s superiority over Moses, the author boldly and rightly declares: ‘For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after (afterward);
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.’ (Heb.3:4-6)
Yes my brethren, Christ built the house to which we belong as believers. And we’ll continue belonging to it, as long as we stand firm in faith and rejoice unto the end in the hope that believing accords us.
And we’ll make space for one more scripture. (smile) This comes from the end of 1 John 2, where he’s expounding on the children of God and righteousness.
‘And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth (practices) righteousness is born of him.’ (1 John 2:28-29)
All of that is everlasting truth, my brethren!
And the scholars provide these footnotes. ‘2:28. Wishing to please the Lord, and not be ashamed before him at his coming, ought to motivate believers to stand firm, to abide in him.
2:29. The idea seems to be that he who practices what is right, being born of God (3:9), need not fear Christ’s coming (v.28). Spiritual rebirth is stressed in John. See 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; also John 1:13; 3:3-8.’
And as always Friends, I encourage us to read the references that the scholars provide, because they do help us in further understanding the scriptures.
Now my people, as we hope and pray everyday, that the message uplifts us, and keeps us strong and steadfast in faith in Almighty God, and also causes us to come up a little higher in living and LOVING for Jesus! In His Holy Name we pray. Much, much LOVE, my Christian breddren!
…once you know Jesus…everything else pales in comparison…
24 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: angry, believe and receive, blood was shed at Calvary, brothers and sisters, burdens, Christian house, churches, confidence, contrition, criminals, ecpectant faith, enough is enough, excellent standards, faith, fellow believers, fervent prayer, fight back, freedom, God's will, God's Word, godly assurance, heart and soul, heartfelt pleas, heavy heart, holy spirit, human-rights, in the name of religion, injustice, Jehovah, Jesus Christ, justice, Kenya, live our faith, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, mercy, Most High God, murderers, negate our rights, one true God, openly worship Jesus, opiate of the people, oppressed, Pakistan, perpetrators, persecution, positive hearing, prayer, prisoners of hope, put up, repay injustice, righteous, scripture, shut up, sins, slaughter of innocents, Spread God's Word, stand and be counted, stand strong, steadfast faith, stigmatized, suffering, teach our children, terrorists, the prayer of the righteous, troubles, unfortunate friends, unjust persecution, wake up call, war-like actions, wonderful Son, worship, worship jesus christ, yokes
1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.
Oh Friends, what is our world coming to eh? Everyday now brings some unnecessary slaughter of innocents, all in the name of some religion! Religion is supposed to be the opiate of the people, keeping them nice and quiet, peaceful and law abiding. But unfortunately, in these ruthless and cruel times, it’s doing the exact opposite; stirring them up to war-like actions.
Just look at the attack in the mall in Kenya last week, and that on the Christians coming out of church in Northern Pakistan on the weekend! No one, or nothing is safe and sacred anymore from these despicable murderers. They’ll even kill their own, if they think it necessary. And the sad part is that we allow them to get away with it, calling them terrorists, when they’re simply out and out disgusting criminals!
Ah Lord eh! My heart is heavy and angry this morning Friends, but I won’t write what I really want to, because it might not align with God’s Word or Will. I’ll just ask us to keep praying for our fellow believers in so many parts of the world, who can’t openly worship Jesus Christ, who are oppressed, stigmatized and murdered simply because of their faith.
Please pray with me. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, You know that we truly LOVE and worship You. The problem though is that some of us can do it in perfect freedom, but there are millions of Your children who are being innocently and unfairly persecuted for worshipping You.
Father in heaven, we implore You to help them this day. Lessen their burdens, lighten their yokes, help them to gain the freedom of worship that we blessed ones have, and please repay the perpetrators of this injustice, for You’ve promised to repay any injustice done to Your children.
Please, please help them Father, for their suffering is so great it’s now reached a stage where many may even consider giving up the faith, and we know You don’t want that. Please help them to stand strong, under all the oppression. Let Your Holy Spirit enable them to remain steadfast in faith, though their whole world seems to be falling apart.
Oh heavenly Father, we pray all this in the name of Your wonderful Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, whose blood was shed at Calvary in contrition for our sins. Amen.’
Oh my fellow believers, please let’s invoke a few pieces of appropriate scripture on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters around the world. The first comes from the heart and soul of Bruh David in Psalm 34, titled, ‘The Lord hears the righteous.’ ‘The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.’ (Ps.34:17)
And the next scripture verse comes from Cousin Sol. ‘The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.’ (Prov.15:29)
Then James tells us that ‘The effectual (effective) and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16b) And I know that there are many truly righteous people amongst us, so we ought to get a quick and positive hearing.
And finally, the most encouraging of all the scriptures, this from Jesus: ‘And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ (Matt.21:22)
Oh Friends, we’ve asked, and many are righteous who have done so. Now let’s perform the last requirement; that of believing. Let’s truly believe for God to help those many, many believers enduring injustice and ‘sufferation’ around the world.
And as a gentle reminder, (smile) let’s turn to heaven once more. ‘Father God, Your people are crying out today in all righteousness and faith! Please answer our heartfelt pleas with mercy and justice, on behalf of our unfortunate friends suffering such unjust persecution. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.’
Ah mih people, let’s be prisoners of hope and stand in expectant faith, that our merciful and mighty God will hear our prayers and alleviate the ‘sufferation’ of believers all over His world. Let’s keep praying for them, and at the same time, improve our own faith and strength in numbers in this supposed free part of the world, because the enemy is picking away, bit by bit, at our Christian house.
Like a bunch of wood ants, they’re finding the unguarded spots in our situation and slowly gnawing away at them. Note the absence of prayer in our schools, public places and numerous homes, plus the subtle attempts everyday to negate our rights to worship in freedom.
People of other faiths are coming to our Christian countries and getting rights that trample on ours. Friends, we cannot allow this to continue. At some stage, like RIGHT NOW, we’ve got to stand up and say, enough is enough, and fight back. Otherwise, in a few short years, our situation will surely deteriorate to such that we won’t have the freedom of worship anymore.
This is a wake up call my brethren! I’m therefore calling on all of us who claim to believe in Jesus, to stand up and be counted! Let’s build our churches! Let’s teach our children the Word! Let’s live the Faith we claim to have, and spread the Word of God, which is so powerful that He used it to create the universe and all therein!
Oh my people, these are the days of sad reckoning. We either have to put up and get some serious action going, or shut up! Which one will it be eh? Are we going to have our descendants living in fear, running and hiding to serve and worship the ONE TRUE GOD of this universe? I think not! So let’s get a move on nuh.
And we’ll end with the godly assurance and confidence that comes to us from our Bit. ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.’
Oh my brethren, please let’s not disappoint Jesus, let’s live up to the excellent standards that He requires of us. That’s the only way we can recapture our world and have it turn again to the Most High God Jehovah! Much LOVE!
…if we believers don’t do the Will of God…how else will it get done eh…
23 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin, aura of love, autumn, blessed, chomping at the bit, christianity, circumcised of heart, circumcision, colourful hues, confidence, conquerors, death traps, disdain, earthly privileges, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil workers, eye candy, faithful, favour with God, fear of the Lord, foolish, fountain of life., Gentiles, glorious kingdom, glory, God's will, hibernation, holy spirit, human attainment, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jews, jobs, Judaizers, Law of Moses, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, mutilation, panoramic scenes, place of refuge, pomp, praise, pressing towards the mark, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, reverence, righteousness., salvation, scavengers, snares of death, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, thanks, the enemy's ranks, the flesh, theology, true believers, truth, ungodly world, useful purpose, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, wisdom, wise, worthwhile inroads
1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday – officially the second day of autumn, that beautiful, unique season between summer and winter, when nature starts to go into hibernation mode, but before doing so, bathes us in bright, colourful hues and splendid, panoramic scenes. I guess you can call autumn (fall) the season of eye-candy! (smile)
Anyway Friends, the Lord, in His usual mysterious movements, wanted me to remind us that ‘We, we are blessed! If you’re a believer, then you, you are blessed. So let’s tell the world, that we, we are blessed!’ That’s a take on the song ‘I am Blessed,’ by I believe it’s sung by Kay Morris and her group. But my people, it’s ever so important that this Monday morning, as we get up to go back out to labour in God’s name, and it’s in His name that we’re working, not man’s, that we remember we’re BLESSED in all that we do. For without His blessing we can do very little.
And having brought that fact in to focus, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get us ready to go out and battle Lucifer and his evil cohorts. And since we’re not as tired as we usually are, because we’ve gotten some decent rest this weekend, let’s let it all hang out and sing with pomp and glory nuh. (smile)
As one voice 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!’
Awright mih people, the engine’s revving and the adrenalin’s flowing, so let’s get out there and be worthy soldiers in Jesus’ army. Remember, He’s already at the front lines, and, like His magnificent steed, He’s just chomping at the bit, waiting for us to arrive and engage the enemy.
Now let’s get to our Bit: ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.’ And that my Friends, is what’s called absolute truth!
That brings us to supporting scripture. And we’ll begin with some wise words from the wisest man ever, Cousin Sol, as he contrasts the wise and foolish. ‘In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart (turn one away) from the snares of death.’ (Prov.14:26-27).
Wow! Wise words indeed my brethren! When we have a proper reverence for Almighty God our confidence never wavers, always stays strong, because we know we can always turn to Him in times of need. There’s always a place of refuge for us under His wide and ever-LOVING wings. That reverence will also keep us alive and kicking, in that it will keep us from falling for, and into the death traps that the enemy lays for us.
Next we’ll turn to Bruh Paul, as he talks to the Ephesians about pressing towards the mark. ‘Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (mutilation, circumcision). For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.’ (Phil.3:2-3)
Ah mih people, Bruh Paul was here warning the Ephesians of the Judaizers, those supposed Christians who were preaching that you still need circumcision, per the Law of Moses to receive salvation, which was a total lie. He called them dogs, because dogs were regarded as shameful, despicable, creatures, just running around behaving like scavengers, and the Jews held the Gentiles in the same disdain that they held for stray dogs.
Bruh Paul even refuses to refer to them as ‘the circumcision’, instead using it for those circumcised of heart in Jesus, and not of the flesh. He turns the table on those false Christians, the Judaizers, and calls them ‘dogs’ instead.
And here’s what the scholars have to say about verse 3. ‘3:3. The circumcision or true people of God are described here in three ways. (1) They are those who worship God in the spirit. Their worship of God is prompted, directed, and enabled by the Holy Spirit. (2) Real Christians also rejoice in Christ. They boast and take pride in Him, not in themselves.
(3) They have no confidence in the flesh. “Flesh” here means one’s earthly privileges, human attainments, and religious accomplishments. God’s people refuse to depend on such things for their salvation; instead, they rely upon Christ to obtain favour with God.’
And that’s it for today Friends! As usual, I hope the message moves us further along the continuum to maturity in Christ Jesus, for that’s the ultimate purpose; to help us grow a little more each day, in wisdom, righteousness and LOVE. That’s God’s plan for us, so please, with His awesome help, let’s keep working faithfully towards it. Much LOVE!
…if our hearts aren’t truly circumcised in Christ…then we can’t really be true believers…
22 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: challenges, clear conscience, confidence, desolation, difficult times, encouragement, eternal life, exhortation, faith, fear, fellowship, God is for me, God's will, holy spirit, hope, Jesus Christ, lead and guide, Lord's Day, LOVE, method to madness, mysterious ways, obedience, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, petitions, power of Jesus' name, prayer, problems, purpose, right decisions, royal diadem, salvation, scriptures, Spirit of God, strength, terror, thanksgiving, trouble, trust, trust in God, truth, unfaithful man, wisdom, worship
1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.
Oh Friends, our wonderful God never ceases to amaze me with His mysterious ways! And the latest amazement is that yesterday, for some unknown reason, the old hymn, ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ name!’ suddenly flitted through my mind.
But as always, there’s method to God’s seeming madness, and today I found out the reason for that hymn coming to mind. Since today is Sunday, the Lord’s Day, a day of worship and fellowship, He wanted us to begin our message with some appropriate worship music.
So please sing with me, in strong, sweet, dulcet voices (smile). ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.’
Yes Friends, Jesus Christ is indeed Lord of ALL! He selflessly sacrificed His innocent life for us: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name’ (Phil.2:9) For that awesome show of obedience and immense ‘sufferation’ without complaint, the Father raised Him to a place of honour above all others in creation.
Thus, in Jesus, all our hope, strength, faith and confidence are assured! That’s why John could say so positively in our Bit: ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.’
But that’s not all, as John tells us in the next verse. ‘And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired (asked) of him.’ (1 John 5:15)
That’s gospel truth Friends! Whatever believers ask in His name, according to His will, we have the utmost confidence and assurance that He hears our petition and answers it as He sees fit. Now that last part is something ALL believers ought to fully understand. Not because our request, our petition is in God’s will, means that He will answer it right away. We will receive it when the Lord decides the time is right.
So many of us pray for stuff, and using those scriptures, expect to get them filled right away. Now sometimes, according to the emergency of our situations, that might happen, but generally speaking, the timing has to align with God’s plan.
The scholars have a short but interesting note on those scriptures. ‘5:14-15. Assurance of salvation (v.13) leads to confidence in petition. Effectual prayer is according to his will.’ No doubting any of that Friends!
Now let’s turn to some scriptures that support our Bit. And the first one is a well known quote from Psalm 118, Thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation. ‘The psalmist boldly and wisely proclaims: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps.118:8-9)
Now that my brethren, is the undeniable truth! That’s why Cousin Sol could declare in Proverbs 3, Exhortations to obedience: ‘Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).’ (Prov.3:25-26)
And listen to his later statement. ‘Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken (bad) tooth, and a foot out of joint.’ (Prov.25:19)
And the scholars say this about that verse. ’25:19. Faith is only as good as its object, and an unfaithful man is useless.’
More undeniable truth my people! Anything that has to do with man in the flesh, cannot be trusted, much less taken for granted, for man has no real control over anything, not even over his own life. But when man is linked to, and aligned with the Spirit of God, well then Friends, the impossible things become possible!
And we’ll end with a most appropriate prayer from Dr. Robert H. Schuller’s Hour of Power Devotional. Obviously it’s titled: ‘A Prayer for Confidence.’
Let’s pray it together: ‘It is flowing into me now; for my conscience is clear. I have made the right decision. I am not afraid of problems. I will face challenges calmly and serenely, for God is behind me. He will help me. If I must go through difficult times, He will rescue me.
I feel His Spirit of confidence surging in my heart now. With Him I cannot possibly fail. If God is for me, who can be against me? I have a strong feeling that everything is going to work out just beautifully. Thank You, God. Amen.’
Oh my fellow believers, I sincerely hope that today’s message brings a great measure of encouragement and purpose to our strenuous and burdened lives. I also hope we experience a powerful surge in our hope, faith, strength and confidence in Almighty God, His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the amazing Holy Spirit that dwells within us to lead and guide us down the right path, the straight and narrow one that ultimately leads to heaven. For therein lies the ONE and ONLY true direction to wisdom, salvation and eternal life. Much LOVE!
…if you can’t trust an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God…then whom can you trust eh…
16 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abundance, adrenalin flowing, assurance, aura of love, battle, bending ears, Bible Study, blessed, change for the better, Colorado, confidence, constantly in thy mouth, counsel of the ungodly, diabetic coma, enemy's ranks, enthusiasm, faith, floods, glorious kingdom, God's kingdom, God's Word, good news, greedy, heavenly Father, high on the hog, holy spirit, in the way of sinners, invincible, Jean and Dinah, Jesus Christ, jobs, joyful lips, keep on trying, keeping families together, laggards, lazy, lead and guide, lies, Lord and Saviour, Lord bless you, lord god almighty, LOVE, meditate, Mighty Sparrow, Monday Morning, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, new week of work, not afraid, partying, pinnacle of living, promise, prosperity, rejoice, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, reverence, rivers of water, satisfies the thirsty soul, scripture do the talking, selfish, shadow of God's wings, Slinger Francisco, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, success, sure conquerors, surrender, the righteous, weekend, weekend habits, wicked taunts, wiles, worthwhile inroads
Joshua 1:8. This book of the law shall not depart (shall be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Oh mih Friends, check out this story nuh!
As the young lady steps out her front door, she sees her elderly neighbour sitting on her porch next door. ‘Morning Miss Mavis!’ she greets in a bright and friendly voice.
‘Mornin’ Neighbuh!’ the older woman replies. Then noticing that her young friend was already dressed for work, she continues in a slightly sarcastic but pleasant tone. ‘But what a way yuh early this Monday morning chile!’
The younger woman laughs and says: ‘Yuh notice nuh! But this weekend I decided to take it easy, no setta partying and such. I even went to bed early last night, and so was able to get up early. Ah just tired being so tired and late every Monday morning, so I’m trying a different tack this week. And for once I want to be on time for the Bible Study they have at work every Monday morning. I’m always getting there when they almost finish. Steups! Ah feel so bad.’
‘Good for you mih chile!’ Miss Mavis says with an accompanying laugh. ‘But a good night’s rest does wonders for both yuh body and yuh soul. So just keep it up, and you’ll soon see a real change for the better, in all aspects of yuh life.’
‘Thank you, Miss Mavis,’ the young lady replies. ‘I’m trying…’
‘Well just keep on trying mih girl,’ is the older woman’s advice.
‘Thank you Miss Mavis,’ comes the answer.
‘And the Lord bless you, as you go on your way this morning,’ Miss Mavis adds.
‘Thanks Miss M,’ the young lady replies, stepping off down the sidewalk to catch the oncoming bus.
Ah mih people, how many of us have recently adopted that young lady’s approach to Monday eh? I hope quite a few, because it’s the only wise and sensible way to begin your work week. Now let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get the adrenalin and faith flowing. In strong voice, as a heavenly choir.
‘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 a very hearty rendition mih people! Obviously some of the laggards have changed their weekend habits, (smile) and that ought to get us off and running to a fine start.
Before we get to our Bit though, I want to encourage us to pray first for those unfortunate folks in parts of Colorado in the U.S. who have suddenly been hit by some rather serious flooding this past weekend. Ah Lord eh! When is not one disaster, is another yes!
And please pray also for the greatest entertainer to ever come out of the West Indies, Slinger Francisco, better known as the Mighty Sparrow, Calypsonian extraordinaire. Apparently, instead of rumours of his demise, he’s actually in a diabetic coma in New York. Sparrow’s been entertaining the world for at least half a century, starting with hits like Jean and Dinah, Melda – Obeah Woman, and many others, too numerous to mention here.
Now let’s check out our Bit. ‘This book of the law shall not depart (shall be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’
Yes Friends, it’s that simple! If we study God’s Word and live by it, then we’ll eventually be warmly greeted by prosperity and success. And the good news is that I won’t be bending your ears this morning. (smile) We’re just going to let the scripture, do the talking, re meditating on God’s Word.
And where better to begin than Psalm 1; Blessed are the righteous. ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder by talking to oneself) day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’ (Ps.1:1-3)
Oh mih breddren, mih breddren, what a wonderful scripture, just chocked full of promise – if we do our part by pondering on the Lord’s law, then faithfully living it! We really can’t ask for more than that. But being the lazy, greedy, selfish animal man has become, we all expect to live high on the hog without doing anything to deserve it. But unfortunately it doesn’t work like that in God’s kingdom.
And we’ll end with these wonderful words of faith and assurance from Bruh David, taken from Psalm 63, God satisfies the thirsting soul. ‘My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow (the best) and fatness (abundance); and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings I will rejoice.’ (Ps.63:5-7)
Oh Friends, I couldn’t put it any better than that! So in closing, I’ll just pray that for all of us whom the Lord has helped and is still helping, that we’ll continue rejoicing in the shadow of His awesome wings. That’s the very pinnacle in living, be it here on earth, or in heaven above! Much LOVE!
…those who don’t LOVE and revere the Father…really don’t know what they’re missing nuh…
13 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, blessings, body, condemnation, confidence, daily bread, delay, demon worship, destruction, divine approval, doomed, endurance, eternal rewards, fails to obey, faith, fellowship, Friday 13th, Friday chant, generous help, glorious kingdom, God's wrath, habakkuk, heart-warming scripture, heaven, hot to trot, in the sight of God, jolt of pain, just shall live by faith, justification by faith, justified by the law, mercies, meritorious works, mind, Mosaic Law, New Testament, obedience, Old Testament, patience, perdition, Praise the Lord, principle of believing, principle of doing, receive the promise, refreshed, relaxation, rest, reward, right perspective, root canal, salvation, saving of the soul, secure salvation, sinful man, sinful souls, soft food, soul, steadfast faith, sufficent fun, tarry, TGIF!, Thank God it's Friday, the proud soul, the weekend, the will of God, unconditional LOVE, under the curse, wisdom, works of the law
Habakkuk 2:4. Behold, his soul which is lifted up (proud) is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! Friday the 13th to boot! ‘So what?’ shout the believers in Jesus. ‘We don’t care because we don’t believe in that Friday the 13th nonsense. That’s just demon worship!’
Wow! Mih people hot to trot today sir! And that’s the way it should be Friends. As far as we are concerned, everyday is the same generally speaking, a special gift from Almighty God with new blessings, mercies, our daily bread and His unconditional LOVE!
We don’t need any satanic stuff to ‘confuffle’ our already ‘confuffled’ minds.’ We’re just glad that it’s Friday and we can shout out loud ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! The weekend’s here at last. Slaving for massa done for two days! Praise the Lord!’
And I’m also praising the Lord for getting me in to see my dentist yesterday evening to begin some work on a root canal, because the tooth was just paining everlasting over the last few days. Now it’s just sore, and every time my tongue or jaw touches it, or I try to blow my nose, I feel a jolt of pain. But it’s surely much better than the constant pain I was feeling before. I guess I’m also eating soft food for the next couple days, since I can’t chew on that side.
Ah Lord eh! When is not one thing, it’s always something else! Just hope I don’t do any further damage to it, before I go back to finish the work next Thursday. But whatever happens, I know I can count on the Lord to look after me. Steups! My bottom teeth just touched the top ones and a lovely pain was immediately generated. Let’s hope this ends by tomorrow yes.
And having said all of that, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much gusto, so that we can remember and understand how to use the weekend.
Altogether 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.’
And now that we have the right perspective in grasp, where we go out bright and fresh on Mondays, instead of tired and miserable, let’s turn to our Bit. ‘Behold, his soul which is lifted up (proud) is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.’
Ah mih breddren, that’s such an encouraging and heart-warming scripture! And as we’ve seen, it’s been used quite a lot in the New Testament to prove the theory of justification by faith. Now yesterday I wasn’t able to wrap up the series as I’d planned because of some scholarly explanations that I thought important. Hope they help us to better understand the scripture, because that’s why I include them.
Now let’s continue with the scriptures that we didn’t get in yesterday. And we’re going to begin with some of Bruh Paul’s wise words to the Galatians. ‘For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
But that no man is justified (declared righteous) by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in (by) them.’ (Gal.3:10-12)
Oh Friends, you can count on Bruh Paul to use the Old Testament to promote the New! In the above verses he first quotes, Deuteronomy 27:26. Then in the second, our Bit from Habakkuk. And in the third, Leviticus 18:5.
Now here are some explanations from the scholars. 3:10. As many as are of the works of the law refers to all who rely upon obedience to the Mosaic Law as the means of winning divine approval (salvation). To be under the curse is to be subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. Continueth is explained by to do, which means “to obey.”
The recipient of divine wrath is every one, who, believing salvation can be obtained by meritorious works, fails to obey the law perfectly. Complete obedience to the law is impossible for sinful man (Acts 15:10; James 2:10). All then, who attempt to secure salvation by this route are doomed.
3:11. The last part of this verse means, “He who is just because of his faith shall live,” that is, forever.
3:12. This verse declares that the law is a matter of performance, not of faith; it is a principle of doing, not believing.’
That’s a fact Friends, for we all know that mere doing, though good, without faith and belief in Jesus Christ, it is of no use in terms of salvation and escape from divine wrath.
And we’ll end with these wise and encouraging verses from Hebrews. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry (delay). Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.’ (Heb.10:35-39)
Yes my people, it’s all about steadfast faith, enduring patience, unswerving belief in Jesus, and overwhelming confidence in Almighty God! Those are the basics for saving our sinful souls. And in sincerely seeking them, there’s wisdom here on earth, and eternal rewards in heaven.
Now who wouldn’t want those things eh? Only a fool! Much LOVE!
…the fool say’s there’s no God…but when life strikes him down…his first words are…Oh God…
02 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 24/7 society, all ends of the earth, anxious, aura of love, battle hymn, bitter days, bombarded, buffeted, clear as day, confidence, contented, continue fighting, corrupt governments, days of slavery, deaths, don't glory in riches, don't glory in strength, don't glory in wisdom, drunk or sober, economic slavery, enthusiasm, ever increasing profits, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear, feudalism, fights, forefathers, freedom, further your glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, glory in the Lord, Granny's advice, hard fought victories, hard won rights, heritage, hold water, holy spirit, human animal, humble servants, in these things I delight, indentured servants, indifference, Jesus Christ, jobs, justice, justified, Labour Day, labour struggles, learn our history, lies, lord god almighty, loving kindness, mind yuh business, Monday Morning, nature of the human animal, no weapon, omnipotent god, owners of capital, poor getting poorer, praise, Praise the Lord, read and spell, rejuvenation of spirit, remuneration, renewed vitality, rich getting richer, righteousness., rise against, sally forth, salvation, satiated, saved, seed of Israel, servants of the lord, shall prosper, shame, slavery, sloth, solidarity, spiritual armour, standard of living, steadfast faith, struggle, take for granted, the word is gone out of my mouth, true wisdom, truth, useful purpose, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, worker's rights, world problems, worthwhile inroads
Isaiah 54:17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday… And a raucous shout of joy rises up. ‘Yeah! Labour Day Monday to boot, which means we don’t have to go to work! Glory Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!’
Yes Friends, it is indeed Labour Day Monday, and many of us don’t have to go out and face the common grind and daily task. But I wonder how many of us ever take the time to reflect and contemplate on how this Labour Day holiday came about? How many of us moreover take the time to look up the chronicles of the serious struggles, fights and deaths that our forefathers suffered to win the rights of workers now enshrined in our society, and which we so casually take for granted?
It didn’t just come about like that nuh. It wasn’t granted out of the goodness of the hearts of the owners of capital. It was a long and hard fought struggle; much blood flowed and many lives were given up for it, from the bitter days of slavery and feudalism, to indentured servants and finally some freedom and worker’s rights that we now enjoy.
But it’s the nature of the human animal to get lazy, contented and satiated after fiercely struggling for something, be it material, spiritual or emotional. Having won it, we then tend to think that’s all there is to the struggle, and we get too comfortable, thus allowing our hard fought victories to slip away through sloth and indifference.
And sadly Friends, that is exactly what’s happening in our society today. Most of us have become so comfortable, we figure nothing or no one can take away our hard won rights. But that’s obviously not true, for if we look around at our societies, our economies and our general standard of living, we’ll see that they all are falling. Good, solid jobs are being lost by the thousands, while wages are being cut and rights inevitably infringed with the help of the corrupt, inept governments that we have elected.
Meanwhile the owners of capital are laughing all the way to the banks, which themselves are laughing all the way to wherever with their ever increasing profits. I don’t know of any company leader who’s worth around 400 times more remuneration than an ordinary worker. But that’s the current standard, and it’s only fulfilling the old adage of the rich getting richer, while the poor get poorer.
Just a word of warning my people. So please let’s get involved, learn our history and continue fighting for those rights that have made our society the best the world has ever seen, cause if we don’t, the greedy, conscience-less owners of capital will drive us right back to economic slavery, while they keep on living high on the backs of our labour.
Now let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in solidarity with those who have to go out and labour today in our modern 24/7 society. All together, in full voice 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!’
Ah mih people, let’s hope that raises the adrenalin of our faith to levels where we don’t get too scared and anxious about our individual and world problems, for as true believers we do have the ever-faithful promises of our most omnipotent God to hold on to, as our Bit so admirably demonstrates. ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me.’
But as we said yesterday, the operative aspect of that promise is that we must be ‘servants of the Lord,’ otherwise the promise doesn’t hold water. Today though, we’re going to look at the part of our Bit that deals with righteousness, which it tells us comes from God.
Hear Jeremiah: ‘Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises LOVING-kindness, judgement (justice), and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:23-24)
Oh Friends the Lord’s words are as clear as day; we should know, understand and only glory in Him!
Now listen to Isaiah as he revels in the subject. ‘Look (turn) unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (take an oath).
Surely shall one say (He shall say to me), in the Lord I have righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed (angry) against him shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.’ (Is.45:22-25)
Oh Friends, once again the Lord is reading and spelling for us. If we can’t understand and obey, then I don’t know what else to say.
Enjoy your Labour Day, but please remember Granny’s advice, for Lucifer is on the serious prowl: ‘Son, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’ Words of true wisdom my brethren! Let’s attain unto it nuh. Much LOVE!
…of a truth…salvation, righteousness and glory…are of the Lord…
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