07 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lack of responsible behaviour, a new week of work, a universal proclamation of the gospel, also to the Greek, as it is written, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, bring glad tidings of good things, cast our care to the wind, cause havoc in the enemy's ranks, Christians, constantly buffeted, divine assurance, divine help, Esaias saith, eternal life, exercise a modicum of circumspection, faith, faith cometh by hearing, faith is built by what one hears, faith must be preceded by hearing, faith must have a valid content, fiath that comes about by what is heard, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, hearing by the word of God, hearing requires a preacher, heavenly Father, holy spirit, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, how shall they believe in him, how shall they hear without a preacher, how then shall they call on him, humble servants, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, in whom they have not believed, inebriation, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, knowledge is essential to belief, Labour Day, let our hair down, Lord who hath believed our report, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, monergism, no better tidings than the gospel, no other way to be saved but by the explicit gospel of Christ, of whom they have not heard, overindulgence, partake of the day's festivities, preachers are necessary to spread the gospel, preachers bring the good news of the gospel of peace, preaching requires being sent, preaching to a disobedient people, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, salvation is completely from God, Salvation is God's work alone, Saving faith can come about only through the gospel, saving faith is not man doing his part in response to god having done His part, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, synergism, terrible misfortunes happen, the BIBLE, the call must be preceded by faith, the good news gospel of Christ, the just shall live by faith, the One who sends is God, the only thing that wake up and shake up this evil and ungodly world, the oral communication of Christ's gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, the throne of grace, they have not obeyed the gospel, to every one that believeth, to lead and guide all your servants, to the Jew first, truth, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 September 2026 Romans 10:15.
Romans 10:15. ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.’
So it’s Monday, the first one in September, which means it is Labour Day! Glory be! That means many of us don’t have to get up and fight the chaotic situation that involves getting to work on time, but can lay abed and enjoy the benefit of the Labour Day Holiday, then get up leisurely and partake of the day’s festivities, and it’s certainly a beautiful summer’s day for doing so.
Remember though, there’s one proviso: please exercise a modicum of circumspection in all activities, so that no accidents occur, either from inebriation or overindulgence and lack of responsible behaviour, for it’s at times like these when we let our hair down, cast care to the wind, that the most terrible misfortunes happen. And remember tomorrow is a working day. But enough sermonizing! (smile)
And I just LOVE it when I don’t have anything particular to write about, and I simply open the Good Book, and it opens to one of my favourite scriptures. And that’s what just happened. It opened to Bruh Paul’s treatise in Romans about Preaching to a Disobedient People. He opens by declaring: ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. But they have not obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Rom. 10:14-17)
What a poignant, emotional picture Bruh Paul paints about the spreading of the gospel. The scholars say that ‘he is presenting a universal proclamation of the gospel, and in this passage, he gives reasons why a universal proclamation is necessary. First, because the call must be preceded by faith; second, because faith must be preceded by hearing. This shows that knowledge is essential to belief. Faith must have a valid content; third, because hearing requires a preacher; fourth because preaching requires being sent. The One who sends is God. Salvation is completely from God.’
Yes, it can be somewhat ‘confuffling’, but let’s see if we can’t make it a little simpler. In other words, the oral communication of Christ’s gospel is necessary to begin the proceedings. When one hears it preached, then faith is built by what one hears. However, for one to hear the word preached, there must be a preacher, or someone to preach and explain it. But how does a preacher come about? That preacher must be sent to those who have not heard the gospel. Therefore, preachers or teachers of the word are absolutely necessary for the gospel to be spread.
And I just I LOVE the scripture that points it out by saying: ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.’ (Rom. 10:15) Because it’s oh so true! Preachers bring the good news of the gospel that include belief and faith in Jesus, as well as salvation and eternal life, and there are certainly no better tidings to hear and accept in this whole wide world! And that quote originally comes from Isaiah 53:1. Bruh Paul is so adept at using the scriptures to form His own pronouncements.
Now here is an interesting note from the scholars re faith and hearing. They say: ‘It is not faith in what is heard, but faith that comes about by what is heard. This is what Paul meant in Rom. 1:16, when he said the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation.” Saving faith is not man doing his part in response to God’s having done His part (synergism). Saving faith can come about only through the gospel. Salvation is God’s work alone (monergism). This also shows there is no other way to be saved but by the explicit gospel of Christ.’
And here is what Bruh Paul actually says in that passage: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’ (Rom. 1:16-17) And the as it is written comes from Habakkuk 2:4. (smile)
Now, although many of us are off work today, some of us still have to keep the 24-hour modern day machine a rolling, so you need some help to do that. Therefore, let’s go to the best place to get divine help, to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And now that we have that awesome divine assurance, let’s get out there and cause havoc in the enemy’s ranks! Much LOVE!
…the good news gospel of Christ…is the only thing…that wake up and shake up this ungodly and evil world…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
31 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: allow your aura of love, and again I say rejoice, be careful for nothing, be thankful for small mercies, be thankful unto God, bless His name, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, christianity, come before his presence with singing, cometh down from the Father of lights, constantly buffeted, didn't do us any favours, disobedience, enter into his gates with thanksgiving, even in th darkest times, every gift originates from God, every good and perfect gift is from above, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, get off course from God's will, give thanks, give thanks in whaever we do, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is our Creator and Provider, god's mercies reset every day, great is thy faithfulness, his compassions fail not, his mercy is everlasting, his promise to be near us when we call, his truth endureth to all generations, humble servants, in all wisdom, in every thing give thanks, in everything by prayer and supplication with thanskgiving, into his courts with praise, it is he that made us not we ourselves, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, know ye that the Lord he is God, let the peace of God rule in your hearts, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, let your moderation be known unto all men, let your requests be made known unto God, look for fresh quiet graces at the start of every morning, LOVE, make a joyful noise unto the Lord, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, our bounden duty to serve him with gladness, pray without ceasing, rebelliousness, rejoice evermore, Rejoice in the Lord always, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve the Lord with gladness, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, shout joyfully unto the Lord, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, sure conquerors, teaching and admonishing one another, thankful for just being alive, thankfulness - the number one attitude of every believer, the best of the summer months, the BIBLE, the last day of August, the Lord is at hand, The Lord is good, the peace of God which passes all understanding, the right attitude, the sheep of his pasture, the throne of grace, therefore I have hope, they are new every morning, this is the day the Lord has made, this is the will of God in Christ concerning you, this recall to mind, to begin a new week of work, to lead and guide all your servants, truth, undeserving children of men, we are his people, we can praise God for his love, we know we're invincible, we surrender our all to you, we will rejoice and be glad in it, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whatsoever ye do in word or deed, wisdom, with whom there is no variableness, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 August 2026 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
1 Thessalonians 5:18. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
And then it was Monday one more time… but unfortunately, this last day of August did not do us any favours by being damp and cloudy. However we must give it thanks for being possibly the best of the three summer months; with no heat warnings and smoke from forest fires, but a constant, bearable summer temperature with plenty sunlight. And as the ole people would say, be thankful for small mercies, for who knows what kind of weather we’ll be having next. So goodbye August. Hope you come around quickly again! (smile)
And since we’re on the topic of being thankful, why don’t we check out a few of the many scriptures, especially in Psalms, that admonish/and or encourage us to be thankful to Almighty God. And possibly the best way to begin is with these words of wisdom from Bruh Paul to the Thessalonians: ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:16-18) Yes friends, those are the three basic duties of the Christian believer; pray, rejoice and give thanks. And if we do those in the right spirit, with the right attitude, then we can never get far off course from God’s will.
And regarding God’s mercies, we have this very poignant reminder from Jeremiah’s Lamentations. As he remembers his afflictions and how they humbled him, he says: ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:21-23) Now right there are some things we should continually be giving thanks for; God’s mercies, compassions and faithfulness, for without them we’d have already been consumed a long time ago by His wrath for our rebelliousness and disobedience. Or as this overview says: ‘God’s mercies reset every day. They remind us to look for fresh, quiet graces at the start of each morning.’
Then there’s this ole faithful: ‘This is the day the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps. 118:24) Yes my brethren, we need to be oh so thankful for just being alive today. And these marvellous words of Psalm 100 – Serve with Gladness – puts it all into the proper perspective. ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (100:1-5)
And there is no doubting those words, for God is indeed our Creator and Provider, and thus it’s our bounden duty to serve him with gladness and offer up much praise and thanksgiving for His wonderful goodness to us undeserving children of men. Meanwhile Bruh Paul advises the Philippians thus: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation (gentleness, graciousness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:4-7)
There again we have those three things; rejoicing, praying and thanksgiving; the basis of our Christian life. And James reminds us that: ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning.’ (James 1:17) Meaning, everything good—no matter how small or simple—originates from God, and we ought to be thankful for whatever He gifts us with.
Then there are these awesome words from Bruh Paul to the Colossians. ‘And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col. 3:15-17) There again, we’re called to give thanks in whatever we do.
And I want to end with these interesting and wise words from one commentary. ‘When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, thankfulness overflows. Even in the darkest of times, we can praise God for his LOVE, his sovereignty, and his promise to be near us when we call (Psalm 145:18). Thank you, Lord, for your peace that transcends understanding and your LOVE that endures forever. Amen!’ And for help to get it right, let’s go the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now let’s go out and do as we promised; further God’s kingdom here on earth! Much LOVE!
…thankfulness…should be the number one attitude of every believer…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
20 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a change of diet, a little child shall lead them, a new week of work, all people will walk in the name of his god, arenas of strife, as the waters cover the sea, be established on the top of the mountains, beat their swords into plowshares, belly and backbone, big headlines, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, chaos, constantly buffeted, destruction, divine aid, do our best for Jesus, every promise of God will be eventually fulfilled, evil deeds, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, for ever and ever, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, he shall judge among many people, he will teach us of his ways, heartache, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, hunky dory, in all it's potential fruitfulness, in the last days, it shall be exalted above the hills, it shall come to pass, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore, none shall make them afraid, peace and harmony will characterize the Messiah's kingdom, people shall flow unto it, put his hand on the cockatrice den, ravenous animals, rebuke strong nations, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, right back where we started, sally forth with confidence, salvation, sit every man under his vine, strife, surrender our all to you, targeted by evildoers, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, the chaos currently consuming our world, the covenant between God and Israel, the cow and the bear shall feed, the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, the law shall go forth out of Zion, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the light of the world, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, the Lord's promise, the Millennium reign of Christ, the mountain of the house of the Lord, the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it, the salt of the earth, the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, the throne of grace, the weaned child, the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, their spears into pruninghooks, their young ones shall lie down together, they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, to lead and guide all your servants, to the house of the God of Jacob, truth, under his fig tree, under Satan's direction, we know we're invincible, we will walk in his paths, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 July 2026 Micah 4:3b.
Micah 4:3b. nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
And we’re right back where we started… Monday; that glorious day that just invigorates us, as we go out into a new week to continue doing good work for Jesus in this evil and corrupt world. Somehow though, we don’t seem to be making much of a difference because every day new arenas of strife and hate seem to be opening up and old ones are not being closed. It’s easier to count the countries where no serious strife exists than to count those that are being targeted by the evildoers under Satan’s direction.
There are so many, that most of them no longer make the headlines but have become forgotten in light of the more newsworthy ones, like that between the U.S and Iran, Israel and Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, and Russia and the Ukraine. All those in places like Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and several other states in Africa and the Eastern world, as well as in South America, are now being ignored because they don’t make big headlines and sell news like the bigger ones now on centre stage. But unfortunately, many of those smaller ones have been around longer than the big ones and are creating just as much strife and heartache as those we’re now focused on.
Oh, how we long for that day when the Lord’s promise as declared by Isaiah and Micah will come true. Micah says it thus: ‘But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in (on) the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people (peoples) shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of (out of) Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
And he shall judge among (between) many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.’ (Mic. 4: 1-5)
Oh my people, what a blessed day that will be, as the scholars explain, when Jesus comes to set up His Millenium reign, and every promise given to Abraham and to Israel will ultimately be fulfilled. They also explain that ‘the vine and fig tree are both native to Israel. They flourish into luxuriant, natural arbours under which people can sit and enjoy fellowship while being shaded from the heat of the day. Both were used symbolically to represent the basic covenant between God and Israel in all its potential fruitfulness.’
And wouldn’t it be glorious to be sitting in such shade and enjoying peaceful and LOVING fellowship with each other, rather than the hate, anger, strife, evil deeds, destruction and chaos that’s currently consuming our world? It surely would be! But I guess until such time as Jesus returns, we’ll just have to exhibit much belly and backbone while doing what little we can to improve it. I’m also dying to see this other prophecy from Isaiah.
‘The wolf shall also dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed (graze); their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling (nursing) child shall play on the hole of the asp (cobra), and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ (viper’s) den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.’ (Is. 11:6-9)
What a day that will be when the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord! But that also seems to be not until Christ comes again to take up His rightful rule. As the scholars say: ‘Peace and harmony will characterize the Messiahs kingdom. Ravenous predatory animals – wolf, leopard, lion and bear – are set in deliberate contrast to the more defenseless lamb, kid, calf, cow and ox.
That the lion shall eat straw implies a change of diet. Even the asp and the cockatrice (snakes) will be harmless to a small child. Isaiah sees the Messiah ruling the world in righteousness and a peace that extends even to the animal kingdom. During this time the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Thus the prophet sees beyond the restoration of Judah to a time when the Messiah will rule the entire world.’
And we also look forward to that wonderful and amazing time, without wars and hate and strife, just LOVE and peace! Now, let’s go to the throne of grace through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us stand strong and steadfast in Christ until that marvellous day comes.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now friends, it’s up to us to go out there and do our best for Jesus. Let’s remember that we’re the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and in Jesus we can do anything He calls us to do! Much LOVE!
…in the Messiah’s kingdom…everything will be hunky dory…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
22 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all whose works are truth, allow your incredible aura of love, an idol, be disobedient to God, before the God of his fathers, begin a new week of work, besought the Lord his God, better relations can blossom from interaction, better to have some interaction than no interaction, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, bound him with fetters, brings estranged fathers and children together, bronze chains, brought him again to Jerusalem, built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the temple, built altars in the house of the Lord, carried him to Babylon, caused his children to pass through the fire, children must make their own personal choice for God, constantly buffeted, consulted mediums, dangerous jobs, dealt with a familiar spirit, desecrated the Lord's temple and the grounds, divine aid, do as we promised, don't depend on their parents relationship to God, Dr. Charles Stanley, emphasizes the need, faith, Father's Day celebrations, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gives it to whom he will, giveth it to whomsoever he will, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God abases those that walk in pride, he built again the high places, he did that which was evil in the Lord's sight, his ways judgement, holy spirit, humble servants, humbled himself greatly, I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the king of heaven, in affliction, in Jerusalem shall my name be for ever, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, justice, keep us on the straight and narrow path, keeping lives and families together, know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, lead and guide all your servants, like unto the abominations of the heathen, LOVE, made groves, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, man is naturally stubborn and rebellious, Manasseh made Judah and Jerusalem to err, mercy, Nebuchadnezzar's boast, nose hooks, obey God and leave all the consequences to him, observed times, parents need to communicate personal godliness to their children, places for pagan worship, practiced soothsaying, prayed unto him, provoked the Lord to anger, put an idol in the temple, reared up altars for Baailim, refused to listen, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, sentenced him to seven years of madness, serve a useful purpose, set a carved image in the house of God, sorcery, spiritists, spiritual armour, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, the Lord brought upon them, the Lord heard his supplication, the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, the number one rule for earthly living, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the son of the godly Hezekiah, the throne of grace, the wickedness of Manasseh, then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God, they would not hearken, those that walk in pride He is able to abase, to do worse than the heathen, took Manasseh among the thorns, truth, used enchantments, was intreated of him, weak and puny, wisdom, witchcraft, wizards, wooden images, worshipped all the host of heaven, worshipped the gods of the Assyrians, wrought in our weary souls, wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 June 2026 2 Chronicles 33:13b.
2 Chronicles 33:13b. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
So the Father’s Day celebrations are finished now, and it’s back to work on a somewhat wet and cloudy Monday. But there are questions as to whether the celebrations are necessary because of the many unused, not needed or wanted gifts the occasion produces. However, using that same argument you can cut out almost every major celebration we currently enjoy. And we certainly do have too many celebrations nowadays, for almost every day something is being celebrated. The important thing about Father’s Day though is that it brings children and fathers together who might not see, talk to, or associate with each other very often during the year.
What we’re trying to rebuild is the rather poor connection that exists today between too many children and their fathers, because of the unfortunate prevalence of divorce, separation and single-family homes At least on a day like that there’s some interaction and better relations can blossom from it. It’s always better to have some interaction than no interaction at all. So, the vote is against repealing Father’s Day! (smile)
And friends, today we’ll look at a very interesting story that deals with the reign of King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah. The Bible tells us first off that ‘Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.’ (2 Chr. 33:1) So he had a long reign, but was it profitable?
Not to begin with, for the Bible continues: ‘But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places (places for pagan worship) which Hezikiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves (wooden images), and worshipped all the host of heaven (the gods of the Assyrians) and served them.’ (2 Chr. 33:2-4.) Yes mih bredrin, Hezkiah had broken down all the pagan worship places and forbidden them during his reign, but unfortunately his son Manasseh restored it all.
And furthermore, ‘Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. (2 Chr. 33:4-5) He even desecrated the Lord’s temple and the grounds, thus destroying all the good work that his father Hezekiah had done. And the scholars make an interesting statement here. They say, ‘The wickedness of Manasseh, the son of the godly Hezekiah, emphasizes the need for parents to communicate personal godliness to their children. Children must make their own personal choice for God and not depend simply on their parents’ relationship to God.’
And it’s obvious that Manasseh did not make his personal choice for God, but for Satan. For as the Bible continues: ‘And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times (practiced soothsaying), and used enchantments (witchcraft), and used witchcraft (sorcery), and dealt with a familiar spirit (consulted mediums), and with wizards (spiritists): he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.’ (2 Chr. 33:6)
That would drive anybody to anger. But to make things even worse, the Bible tells us: ‘And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God (the temple), of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever.’ (2 Chr. 33:7) Now imagine that nuh, putting a carved image in God’s sanctuary. And what was the consequence of all that?
The Bible says: ‘So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the Lord spake to Mannaseh and his people: but they would not hearken.’ (2 Chr. 33:9-10) And my fellow believers, we all know that when the Lord speaks to you about your disobedience, and you fail to listen, then the eventual consequences won’t be very pleasant.
And they certainly won’t for Manasseh and the people. The Bibe declares: ‘Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns (with nose hooks), and bound him with fetters (bronze chains), and carried him to Babylon.’ (2 Chr. 33:11)
Now I don’t think that made Manasseh very happy, but it did do wonders for his wisdom. For as the Bible relates: ‘And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.’ (2 Chr. 33:12-13)
Oh my people, why do we have to be disobedient to God, and thus put ourselves through so much distress, when we can easily do His will in the first place? Because we’re naturally stubborn and rebellious, thinking that we are powerful and know it all, when we’re weak and puny, and don’t know anything.
That’s another story like the Babylonian king Nebuchadnnezzar, who felt he had built a mighty palace through his own power, but before he could even finish speaking, the Lord had sentenced him to seven years of madness, living with beasts in the field and eating grass like the oxen, ‘until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.’ (Dan. 4:32) And Neb did achieve wisdom after the seven years of madness, as he subsequently declared: ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble).’ (Dan. 4:37)
Now let’s hope that delves deep into our hearts and keeps us on the straight and narrow path. And for help to do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that, we now need to get out there and do as we promised. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley)…so wisely declared…the number one rule for earthly living is…obey God and leave all the consequences to him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
01 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer Monday, a little folding of the hands to sleep, a little slumber, a prowler, a society is only as strong and productive as its people, a spirit of diligence, a wonderful work ethic, allow your incredible aura of love, another mistake, as good Christian folk, as one that travelleth, asking for forgivenss, be wise, begin a new week of work, beginning to decay, bring about positive change, christianity, Christians, Christians need to unite, colonies of ants are always busy, consider her ways and be wise, constantly buffeted, crazy idea, deeper and deeper, dire want, divine aid, do good work for Jesus, do nothing productive, do our duty, encouragement, enthusiasm, eventual poverty, expect forgiveness, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gathereth her food in the harvest, get serious and come together, getting on in age, glorify Jesus' awesome name, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go to the ant thou sluggard, God has not given us a spirit of laziness, habitual laziness, having no guide leader overseer, holy spirit, hope and pray, how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard, humble servants, industriousness, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible conquerors, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, leads to destruction, learn two important lessons from the ant, LOVE, make another apology, make living too easy, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mankind, many who choose to sit on our fannies, May only had thrity days, mercy, numerous separate entities, ONE body in Christ, one of the lowliest of God's creations, only human, our Father who art in heaven, over the weekend, perseveraance, poverty will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber, prepare for predictable circumstances, provideth her meat in the summer, quicksand, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-starter, serve a useful purpose, sluggard, so shall thy poverty come, somebody looking over their shoulder, standing over it to make it work, suffeing from a lack of positive production, surrender our all to God, the ant has no taskmaster, the apple of God's creation, the BIBLE, the enemy's evil schemes, the first day of June, the habitually lazy person, the last of my mistakes, the mind sometimes gets fuzzy, the poor are getting poorer, the result of laziness is dire poverty, the rich are getting richer, the society begins going downhill, the throne of grace, the wisdom and knowledge imbued in man by God, this wealthy comfortable society, thy want as an armed man, to, to lead and guide all your servants, too many amentities, truth, turbulent and uncertain times, unfortunate circumstances, we're not afraid, wealth distributed more equitably, wealth is consolidated in too few hands, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep, wisdom, wise enough to, wise words that seem appropriate, work ethic, wrought in our weary souls, yet a little sleep
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 June 2026 Proverbs 6:9.
Proverbs 6:9. How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Oh friends, the first day of June 2026 has turned out to be a beautiful summer Monday, which ought to give us encouragement and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Jesus! (smile) But, unfortunately, I need to make another apology for another mistake, don’t know how many of you noticed it, but this one was in Saturday’s Bit, where I claimed that that was the last day of the month … and I did it twice to boot, at the beginning and at the end. I don’t know where I got the crazy idea that May only had thirty days. My mind must be going on me.
And it seems like I had forgotten the old rhyme that they taught us back in the old days: ‘Thirty days have April, June and September; the rest have thirty-one, except February which has twenty-eight, but in leap years twenty-nine.’ But somehow or the other I got it in my mind that May only had thirty days. So again, I’m asking for your forgiveness, and as good Christian folk, expect you to give it to me most willingly, (smile) for the ole fella is only human and is also getting on in age, and you know the mind sometimes gets fuzzy when that happens. So, let’s hope and pray that will be the last of my mistakes for a while. (smile)
And on this marvellous Monday in June, let’s look at some wise words of Cousin Sol, that seem rather appropriate for these turbulent and uncertain times, and can only benefit us if we follow them. Now, Cousin Sol’s first admonishment in this passage is: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide (leader), overseer or ruler, Provideth her meat (grain or bread) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:6-8)
Oh my people, what wise and wonderful words and ever so applicable to many of us in this wealthy, comfortable society, who choose to just sit on our fannies and don’t do anything productive. It’s as the scholars explain: ‘The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. He is admonished to learn two important lessons from the ant: (1) the ant has no guide, overseer, or ruler (vs. 7), meaning that the ant does not have to have a taskmaster standing over it to make it work; it is a self-starter. (2) The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances (vs.8).’
Yes mih brethren, we’ve all seen how colonies of ants are always busy, especially in the summer months, when they go about collecting food and storing it away for the winter months when food is hard to come by. And they don’t need to be told to do that, or have somebody looking over their shoulder prodding them to do it. So, if ants, one of the lowliest of God’s creations, are so wise and have such a wonderful work ethic, why can’t mankind, the apple of God’s creation, with all the wisdom and knowledge imbued in Him by His Creator, react the same way to life eh?
Possibly because our society has gotten too wealthy and we have too many amenities that make living too easy. But wait, Cousin Sol isn’t done with the sluggard, for he continues: ‘How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (a prowler), and thy want (need) as an armed man.’ (Prov. 6:9-11)
And what’s that all about you ask? Listen to the scholars’ explanation: ‘Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard (vs.9). His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little bit more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dire poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber (v.11).’ And isn’t that the awful truth! Habitual laziness only leads to dire want and eventual poverty. No wonder there are so many needy people in our society. Now let’s note that all needy people are not lazy, but some have indeed endured genuine unfortunate circumstances.
However, there are indeed too many lazy people in our society, from which the work ethic is quickly disappearing, and once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before the society itself begins going downhill. That’s because a society is only as strong and productive as its people. And when we look around our world, despite our total wealth, which unfortunately is consolidated in too few hands, many societies are suffering from a lack of positive production and are thus beginning to decay.
Who knows if the wealth was distributed more equitably, if the situation would change, but for sure right now, the rich are getting insanely richer while the poor are getting inhumanely poorer, and that’s not a good situation for our world. So what can be done about it? We Christians, supposed believers in, and followers of Christ, are the only ones who can bring about positive change. But before we can do that, we desperately need to unite as the ONE BODY in Christ that we were created to be, not the numerous separate entities that we’ve become. And if we don’t unite soon, our world will just keep getting deeper and deeper in the quicksand that leads to total destruction.
And to help us do all we need to do to turn the situation around, let’s confidently, but humbly, approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s get serious and come together, so that we can do our duty and glorify Jesus’ awesome name! Much LOVE!
…Jesus has not given us a spirit of laziness…but one of diligence…industriousness…and perseverance…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heightened desire, a new week of work, a new zest for life, a serious rampage, allow your incredible aura of love, as a lion in his den, be rewarded for your faithfulness, blesses the covetous, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, constantly buffeted, delight themselves in the abundance of peace, diligently consider his place, divine aid, don't give up hope, draws him into his net, evil doers shall be cut off, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, fun-filled weekend, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God has forgotten, God hides his face, God is not in his thoughts, God keeps all His promises, God will never leave nor forsake us, he says in his heart, he sitteth in the lurking places of the villages, heaven is getting ready to quench the fires of hell on earth, his mouth is full of cursing, holy spirit, I shall not be moved, in secret places, into the swing of things, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, lies in wait secretly, lies in wait to catch the poor, look diligently for the wicked, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, murders the innocent, never be in adversity, new insight, one for Jesus all for Jesus, our new best friend, raise our spirits, rejuvenation of spirit, ruling the roost, sally forth with confidence, salvation, stand strong and steadfast for Christ, stay faithful to the end, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, taken in the devices they have imagined, thank you for jobs, the BIBLE, the evil and ungodly world, the hands of the clock turn, the indisputable truth, the poor are getting poorer, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the rich are getting richer, the throne of grace, the wicked are ruling the roost, the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, the wicked in his pride persecute the poor, the wicked sneers at his enemies, the wicked's ways are always prosperous, those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, through the pride of his countenance, to do good work for Christ, to lead and guide all your servants, triumph over the righteous, truth, under his tongue is mischief and vanity, under his tongue is trouble and iniquity, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, when the right time comes, who renounce the Lord, whom the Lord abhorreth, why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble, why standest thou afar off o Lord, will not seek after God, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2026 Psalm 10:1.
Psalm 10:1. Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
And the hands of the clock turn, and the days fly past until they come to our new best friend; Monday! And someone says, Are you crazy? How can Monday ever be our best friend when it suddenly shows up and disrupts and disturbs our nice, fun-filled weekend? Because it gets you back into the swing of things with a new zest for life, with new insight and a heightened desire to do good work for Christ, as the times get more troubled and uncertain. And besides, this Monday is a nice, bright, sunshiny day, so that should also raise our spirits. (smile)
That brings us to this interesting Psalm 10, where Bruh David cries out to God about the oppression of the poor. ‘Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?’ Now that seems to be a very good question to ask of our current times. For as Bruh David continues: ‘The wicked in his pride doth persecute (hotly pursues) the poor: let them be taken in the devices (plots) that they have imagined (devised). For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous (greedy), whom the Lord abhorreth (who renounces the Lord).
The wicked through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts (all his thoughts are, there is no God). His ways are always grievous (prosperous); thy judgements are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth (sneers) at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity (trouble).’ (Ps. 10 :2-6)
And doesn’t that sound just like the wicked of today? It certainly does, because they believe that they are ruling the roost, and therefore have no time for God nor for the poor. They do whatever they like, with thoughts only for themselves and what they can gain. And we can see that happening all around our world right now, where the rich and powerful are getting richer and even more powerful, while the poor are getting poorer and even more powerless. And that’s not all; Bruh David continues: ‘His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud (oppression); under his tongue is mischief (trouble) and vanity (iniquity).’ (Ps. 10:7)
And is that ever the indisputable truth! For we now hear very blatant base, coarse and deceitful language from our leaders and power brokers, like we’ve never publicly heard before. It seems that they have absolutely no class at all. But how can they, when Bruh David declares: ‘He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily (secretly) set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself (bows down), that the poor may fall by strong ones (strength). He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.’ (Ps. 10:8-11)
And sometimes when things get really bad, when the wicked go on a serious rampage, like we’re seeing right now, we tend to think that God has forgotten us, is hiding His face from us. But we know better than that, for He has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us several times in His word, (Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:8) and we also know that He keeps every promise He makes. In His opinion, it’s just not the right time. But as the song says, ‘when the right time come,’ He’s also promised that the wicked will be destroyed, will perish from off the earth.
As per Psalm 37 when Bruh David declares: ‘For evil doers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider (look diligently for) his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’ (Ps. 37:9-11)
Yes my fellow believers, though times might look pretty bad right now, as though God seems to have permitted the wicked to triumph over the righteous, with the wicked doing all they can to drive the righteous into the grave, the end of the story however, as promised by our faithful God is that the wicked is the one who will pay the eventual price for his unrelenting and perverse iniquity. So please don’t give up hope; stay faithful to the end, and the Lord will reward you for your faithfulness. And to help us hang in there right down to the wire, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to stand strong and steadfast in Christ.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Yes friends, let’s get out there and put it to the enemy for Jesus’ sake! As the late Ernie Smith’s song puts it: ‘one for Jesus…all for Jesus!’ Much LOVE!
…when the fires of hell seem to burn bright and hot here on earth…let’s remember that heaven is getting ready to quench them…
Visit the Scrip-Bit Blog at https://randyobrien50.com
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: admonish him as a brother, allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, allow your incredible aura of love, always doing our best, artificial intelligence, as best we can, be not deceived, be not weary in well doing, be taken advantage of, begin a new week of work, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, busybodies, command that with quietness they work, complaining about the good things we have, consider yourself without a job, constantly buffeted, count him not as an enemy, count yourself blessed, despite the many obstacles we face, divine aid, do good unto all men, do not lose heart, dog eat dog, echoes of love, experience life, faith, faithfulness, fill us with steadfast faith, food banks, further your glorious kingdom, gentleness, give their right arm, God is not mocked, have no company with him, he that soweth to his flesh, he that soweth to the spirit, holy spirit, homeless, humble servants, if any obey not our word, if any would not work neither should he eat, in due season we shall reap if we faint not, inroads into the enemy's ranks, into the evil and ungodly world, Jesus Christ, jobless, jobs that are unfair, joy, keep trying to live the christian life, keeping lives and families together, kindness, living for Jesus, living off the government, LOVE, make Jesus proud of us, make money, make worthwhile inroads, many living in dire poverty, may be ashamed, meekness, mercy, moaning and groaning, note that man, of the flesh reap corruption, of the household of faith, on the outside looking in, once the exception now the norm, our Father who art in heaven, our God-forsaken strife-filled world, over the weekend, patience, peace, people being laid of because of AI, personal experience, Praise the Lord, prices on the rise, rat race, salaries not running in tandem with prices, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-control, serve a useful purpose, shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life, some have no shame whatsoever, some refuse to work, thank you for our jobs, the fruit of the spirit, the lack of a work ethic, the many homeless that exist in our wealthy society, the opportunity to go to work, the prevalence of food banks, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, to meet the enemy in battle, truth, trying to right the wrong, walk among you disorderely, we know we're invincible, we surrender our all to you, we're not afraid, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap, wisdom, work and eat their own bread, working two jobs, wrought in our weary souls
2 Thessalonians 3:13. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
And another Monday has rolled around again, a warm, sunshiny one to boot…Praise the Lord! Now why would you do that? Because it gives us the opportunity to go out to work, make some money and experience life at the same time. Yuh know the millions of people around our God-forsaken and strife-filled work who cannot do that, and would gladly give their right arm to be able to do so. Meanwhile, we are here moaning and groaning, complaining about the good things we have going for us.
And no, it’s not always easy or likeable, but just sit and consider for a moment, what would happen to you and your family if you didn’t have a job in this dog eat dog, rat race of a world we currently live in. And you don’t have to go to any far-off, poor countries to see what happens when you don’t have a job and are living in dire poverty. You can see that in the many jobless and subsequently homeless people that exist right here in our prosperous and wealthy society.
And it’s not because they all don’t want to work, but ofttimes, for whatever reason, they cannot get a job. And with the new rage of AI, Artificial Intelligence, lots of people are being laid off, making it even harder to acquire a decent job. So, if you have one to go this Monday morning, then please count yourself blessed and stop complaining about the inequities and injustice that might come with it.
That’s not to say you ought to allow yourself to be taken advantage of by your employer, but be careful how you go about trying to right the wrong, for it’s very easy to find yourself on the outside looking in. And I know, from personal experience, that’s not a very nice place to be.
Now you just need to look at all the food banks that have recently opened, and you’ll see how desperate the situation is. When I first came here some fifty odd years ago, a food bank was the exception rather than the rule, but now it’s the norm, for even those who are working, sometimes two jobs at once, still cannot maintain a family on their wages, especially with prices always on the rise, but salaries not running in tandem.
And talking about working, remember what Bruh Paul wrote to the Thessalonians? ‘For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but they are busybodies.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish (warn) him as a brother.’ (2 Thess. 3:10-15)
Yes friends, with the lack of work ethic that’s currently in vogue, (smile) it’s not surprising to note that there are many in our society, who refuse to work, instead living off of the Government and any others who will help them. And it would be good if we could shame them into working, but some of them have no shame whatsoever, and will keep on in their disorderly conduct regardless of what we do.
But the important thing to note in all this is that we must not be weary in well doing. In other words, despite the many obstacles we might, or will face, we ought to keep on trying to live the Christian life as best we can. That’s allowing the fruit of the Spirit to flourish in us; echoes of LOVE, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, patience, meekness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)
Which reminds us of these wonderful, encouraging words of Bruh Paul to the Galatians. ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart). As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal. 6:7-10)
We could not get any better advice than that on this first day of our work week my people. And to help us accomplish it, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid. And it’s a somewhat different prayer today, because I brought back most of the old one, which I think resonates better with our current times.
So, altogether: Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s go out there and make Jesus proud of us! Much LOVE!
…living for Jesus…always means doing our best…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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