The Necessity for Christians to Understand that Christ’s Resurrection has Changed Everything, and Will Eventually Make All Things New!

21 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Revelation 21:5a.         And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

And then it was Tuesday…Yes, Tuesday, meaning we’ve successfully gotten through Monday, sent it to the History dump, showing that there’s no need to fear the opening day of our work week, that we can handle it just as efficiently and capably as we handle any other day! So, let’s hope that when another Monday rolls around, as it most certainly will, we won’t be fearful and feel out of our league, for we are well able.

And whenever the devil tries to bring fear into our souls and spirits, let’s remember these most encouraging words of Bruh Paul to Timothy, and to consequently to all believers: ‘For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) That ought to keep us strong in the belief that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13)

And furthermore, that our wonderful, wealthy and generous God shall supply all of our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19) For He has promised that when we seek Him and His kingdom of righteousness first, that all of our needs will be met. (Matt. 6:33) So, considering all of that, there is no real reason for a believer to get tied up in stressful knots with fear and worry. End of Sermon! (smile)

And today, we’ll do some more contemplation from the Consider This Section of the In Touch April Devotional. So please consider this with me: ‘When the women arrived at Jesus’ tomb, (that’s on Easter Sunday morning), they’d come prepared for the worst. But they didn’t find a body to tend to – only a piece of cloth lying apart from the linen wrappings. They wept because they thought their beloved Teacher had been taken away. They didn’t understand that Jesus had defeated death or that His victory belongs to every believer.

We’re living in mortal bodies in a broken world, so it can be easy to forget something marvellous has already happened. The moment we said yes to Jesus, we began a journey toward wholeness – one we make with Him by our side. So when hopelessness is saying that things will never get better, remind yourself of this truth: The resurrection isn’t ancient history or a mysterious moment in the distant future. It is unfolding within us every moment of our life and will be complete when Jesus returns to make all things new.’

Now that’s indeed something to look forward to, because He’s promised in His Word: ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:4-5)

Oh my fellow believers, what a joyful and glorious day that will be, when Jesus creates a new heaven and a new earth, and there’s no more negative effects of sin. In other words, that’s the day we’ll be free from the consequences and effects of sin. It’s a future guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection. And as one commentary says: ‘it fulfills God’s plan to restore, rather than merely replace the broken world.’  

Yes friends, that promise of making all things new is ever so wonderful, because it offers us believers hope for a brighter and more glorious future while facing trials and tribulations here on this sinful and evil earth. And oh, I can’t wait to not feel the effects of pain, (smile) because it’s been my constant companion in one form or another over the last several years.

And having said all of that, we certainly cannot overlook possibly the most poignant and meaningful promise in all of God’s Word, one that we desperately need to cling to if we are to make it through this life with the success He’s planned for us. And yes, that’s a Bruh Paulian sentence, (smile) and it stems from his encouraging and reassuring words to the Roman church. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28)

Oh mih bredrin, those words give us the courage and strength to believe that in the long run, despite all our trials and tribulations, the Lord will eventually work everything out for our good. Wow! Remember, the Lord never promised that it would be all wine, women and song down here on earth, but that the end will be much better than the beginning or the middle. And we know that He is an ever-faithful God who never reneges on His promises.

Now that was not even the first time that the Lord promised to make all things new, but simply the last. For long ago, through the prophet Isaiah, He promised His people Israel thus: ‘Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field shall honour me, the dragons (jackals) and the owls (ostriches); because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth (declare) my praise.’ (Is. 43:18-21)

But unfortunately the Israelites were constantly disobedient to God, so they often felt His wrath. However, when the consequences of their disobedience were too great to bear, they would eventually awaken from their sinfulness and with sincere repentance, return to God’s fold, seeking His forgiveness. But sadly, with all the disobedience and tribulation in our current world, we’re not even wise enough to turn back to God with sincere repentance, seeking His forgiveness, so that He could make things better. That’s how prideful, foolish, egotistical and dumb we are!

But for the relative handful of us who see the problems and aspire to solve them, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

Now, we are beholden to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…to be a successful Christian…one must believe that things will eventually get better…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Understanding the Constant Presence of God with Us, and Not Being Afraid to Take Our Deepest, Darkest Secrets to Him!

17 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 139:23.        Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my anxious thoughts;

Then it was Tuesday, and the Family Day partying finish! But it still continues in places like Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and New Orleans, where the Carnival celebrations are now in full swing, with today being the last day of music, costumes and masqueraders on the streets, carrying on like leggo-beasts. Then tomorrow, we’ll all get pious and godly for Ash Wednesday. Hn! What a life we living!

But judging isn’t our department, it belongs to the Creator and Controller of the universe, and several scriptures speak to that situation like these. Isaiah says: ‘For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.’ (Is. 33:22) Meanwhile Hebrews tells us: ‘For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense (repay), saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.’ (Heb. 10:30)

Meanwhile James, the brother of Jesus puts it a bit sterner, when he writes: ‘Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy: who art thou that judgest another?’ (James 4:11-12) And that’s a very good question, which we will all have to answer on an individual basis.

Now, here is an interesting article from the ‘Consider This’ Section of this month’s In Touch Devotional, which can pertain to many of us. Please read with me: ‘Confronting sin is hard, isn’t it? At times it feels uncomfortable and scary. Lonely, even. But it doesn’t have to. Think about the closing verses of David’s prayer in Psalm 139: ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ (Ps. 139:23-24).

Such a frightening request – inviting God to examine our thoughts and motives, to uncover what lies beneath. But He is with us, even in those moments when we’d rather hide. He does not leave us to face anything alone. How do we know this? Go back and read Psalm 139 from the beginning. There you’ll find 18 verses that explore God’s with-ness, His unceasing presence and unfailing LOVE toward us. Like David, we can say to our Father, “You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.’ (Ps. 39:5-6) We too, can take comfort in the Lord, knowing that even in our darkest moments, He remains beside us.’

Now how does all of that sit with us as individuals eh my fellow believers? Does it frighten us, or does it make us strong, in the knowledge that even when the Lord uncovers our darkest sins, He never leaves us, His presence is always with us? It should strengthen us, for remember what Moses said to the Israelites? ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Deut. 31:6)

And it’s the same thing the Lord told Joshua when He made him leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Josh. 1:5) And it’s the very same thing the Lord is saying to us today my fellow believers. Regardless of what happens, or what we do, the Lord’s presence is, and will always be with us!

There’s no need to be afraid of walking this very stressful and dangerous life alone. We might be lonely, but we’re NEVER alone, for the Lord our God is always with us! And just that fact, ought to strengthen our sense of purpose and allow us to go on in good fashion. And as the article says, I hope you all took a moment to read the first 18 verses of Psalm 139, for it is a magnificent Psalm.

And I like how the scholars describe it: ‘Psalm 139. Certainly one of the grandest psalms in all of the Psalter, it is also one of the richest theologically. It combines an exposition of the greatness of God’s character with the reality of the human experience. From verses 19-22 we find that David wrote the psalm during a time of opposition. It therefore contains truths that were meaningful to him during these troublesome times. They may be summarized under four key thoughts as David addresses the Lord.: You know me (vs. 1-6); You are with me (vs. 7-12); You created me (vs. 13-18); and Your cause is my cause (vs. 19-24)’  

Ah friends, it is indeed a marvellous psalm, containing so much information about our relationship with God, and how we are continually in His presence from the moment we are formed in our mother’s womb…and even before. And I always remember my first introduction to the psalm. It was many years ago on the Hour of Power Programme from the Crystal Cathedral in California, when the greatest actor preacher, Dr. Robert Schuller, raised his hands and declared in such an amazing fashion:

‘Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall (can) I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.’ (Ps. 139:7-10) Yes, that was a pivotal moment in my life, and it reminds me of the words of Bruh Paul in Romans, where He’s talking about how the Word reaches listeners. ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!’  (Rom. 10:15b)

Oh my people, I hope and pray that what we’ve spoken of today will encourage and strengthen us in our faith-filled walk with Christ, because we can never get too much encouragement and confidence in these tremulous and uncertain times. Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

And having said that, we’re now duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…one thing we’re never lacking…that’s the divine presence of our God and Saviour…

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