11 Dec 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, all about the money, blase, blatant, corruption, deliverance, depravity, don't give up, eyes fixed straight ahead, feelings of greed, frame of mind, glad to be alive, halfway home, hands on the plough, highly contagious, hopeful prayer, knowledge, not looking back, not turning back, please hang in there, said in his heart, seek God, snow, spawn, thank God, the atheist, the breath of life, the children of men, the fool, the human race, the Lord looked down, the opportunity, there is no god, to get wealth, unbelievably foolish, understand, wanty wanty nuh get it, Wednesday Wail, workers of iniquity
Psalm 14:1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable iniquity (works): there is none that doeth good.
Oh my people, let me begin by apologizing for the lateness of the Bit. But I was really abed rather late this morning and thus my rising was also rather late. The devil got in my spirit! Chuh! I looked at the clock and thought I saw eight, but it was really nine. (smile) And to upset the apple cart even further, remember yesterday I spoke about missing seeing the snow on the housetops? Well who says there isn’t a dusting of snow on the housetops and the ground this Wednesday morning eh!
As the ole people would warn, be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it, but then realize it’s not what you really wanted. And I guess that can be a warning for many of us this Christmas season, where we tend to desire so much stuff, half of which we don’t really need, but the season just seems to spawn our feelings of want and greed. Remember too, the old Jamaican saying: ‘wanty wanty nuh get it.’ (smile) I guess the ole fella is in an ole people frame of mind this morning. (smile)
And keeping all that stuff in mind, the Lord has led me to this rather potent scripture for us to check out this morning; something dealing with the foolishness of men. Oh my people, has mankind ever gotten unbelievably foolish in these trying times! It seems like the more worldly knowledge he acquires, the more foolish he becomes. Listen to Bruh David’s opening statement in his contemplation on the subject. ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable iniquity (works): there is none that doeth good.’
And if Bruh David thought that things were bad in his time, he should see them now. He would hold his head and bawl like crazy, such is the ungodliness and sinfulness of man. As I said earlier, it seems like the more prosperous and knowledgeable the Lord allows him to become, the more evil and ungodly he becomes. Yeah, because he thinks that all that increase is his doing. How foolish and short sighted can we be eh my people? How can we ever forget that it’s the Lord God Almighty who created us in the first place and now allows us the opportunity to get wealth and knowledge?
As Bruh David continues: ‘The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God.’ (Ps.14:2) Oh friends, don’t you think the Lord is doing the same thing today? Most definitely! And what do you think He’s finding eh? The very same thing Bruh David found in his time; a whole set of ungodliness and unrighteousness, and in greater numbers too. ‘They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy (corrupt): there is none that doeth good, no not one.’ (Ps. 14:3)
And you don’t have to be a seer, or overflowing with wisdom to know and see the indescribable level of corruption that’s present in our current world. And what makes it even worse, is the blatant, blase, don’t care, ‘unfearing’ way in which it’s been promoted and promulgated! The question God asked through Bruh David back then is also very apropos to our time. ‘Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.’ (Ps. 14:4) Oh my faithful brethren, I guess the answer to that is a loud ‘NO!’
Now check out this info from the scholars. ‘Psalm 14. This psalm could be dedicated to the atheist. With the denial of God’s existence comes the moral decay described in verses 1-6, and which was used by Paul to prove the universal depravity of the human race (Rom. 3:10-12). While the fool may deny that God is, the righteous finds in Him the object of hopeful prayer for deliverance (vs.7).’ And I had to chuckle when I read about the psalm being a possible dedication to the atheist.
And yuh wouldn’t believe how bold face the atheist and them could be nuh? Recently I heard something about them fighting to be called a church! Steups! If you don’t believe in the existence of any god, how can you have a church eh? But it seems like what they really want is the ability to become a non-profit or charitable organization, so they can reap the tax and other monetary benefits. As usual; it’s all about the money!
And I don’t know why, but the same psalm is also found in the Psalter as Psalm 53. According to the scholars, it’s been slightly revised. ‘Two major differences are apparent: this psalm (53) substitutes the generic word for God, Elohim, for the personal name of God used in Psalm 14, Yahweh. This was done evidently to give the psalm a wider appeal. Second, verse 5 has been rewritten and has become an encouraging affirmation of God’s protection.’
So let’s hear it nuh: ‘There they were in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.’ (Ps. 53:5) Oh my fellow believers, our great, powerful and ever-faithful God will do the same thing for us, because He still despises the workers of iniquity and has promised to eradicate them and send them into the realms of eternal darkness, just in His own time. So please hang in there and don’t give up!
Now let’s go home declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail letting the heathen, the atheist, the workers of iniquity know right well our strong and potent position in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In strong voice, with sincere hearts: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And please be reassured that if we keep that up, we will be rewarded with a future so glorious that our puny, finite minds won’t be able to comprehend it. (smile) That’s how great and wonderful our God is! Much LOVE!
…foolishness is highly contagious…so please stay away from it…
07 Sep 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a thief, accusations, adulterers, asaph, at the forefront, call upon me, calling us to account, calminty, Caribbean islands, cast my words behind thee, Christians, compassionate heart, conduct, courage, covenant, curse, deceit, depravity, devastation, disobedience, disobedient, divine promotion, evil, faith, foolish mortals, fools, forget God, glorifies God, God is the judge, gratitude, Gulf of Mexico, Harvey, hates instruction, help, hope, hurricanes, hypocrites, I kept silence, I will deliver thee, in the day of trouble, Irma, Jose, Katia, looming in the shadows, negative word, offers praise, pay thy vows, plenty rope to hang ourselves, prayer, prayer warriors, prosper, rebuke, repentance, reprove, self-control, self-discipline, self-disicpline, sinful, sinful society, sinful souls, slander, succeed, tear you in pieces, thanksgiving, the Most High, the salvation of God, the wicked, the word for today, thou shalt glorify me, Thursday Blessings, thy mother's son, time longer than twine, warning from God, wrongdoing
Psalm 50:15. And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Oh my people, my people, the word for today is PRAYER: serious, sincere, heartfelt constant prayer! It’s what our world desperately needs, and we Christians need to be in the forefront of it all because we are supposed to be prayer warriors.
And why you ask, do we need so much prayer? Well it’s something we ALWAYS need, but right now with three hurricanes looming in the shadows of North America, after the recent devastation caused by Harvey on the west coast, more devastation would be just too much to bear.
Yeh friends, hurricanes Katia and Jose are already in existence; Katia somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, and Jose threatening to follow the already destructive path of the raging Irma, as she lashed islands in the Caribbean, like Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico, heading for the mainland.
As far as I know friends, we haven’t had three hurricanes lined up at once since 2010, so what does that mean eh? I believe the safest bet we can make is that it’s a serious warning from Almighty God. He’s tired of the dreadfully sinful society that we’ve become, and like He’s done any number of times before with other societies, is calling us to account.
And if that’s so my brethren, then the only thing that will stop the calamity is sincere repentance and prayer. As the psalmist Asaph so truthfully writes in our Bit which comes from Psalm 50 – God is the judge: ‘And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’
Ah my people, even in the depths of our depravity, the Lord has provided a way out for us: ‘Call on me when you are in trouble, He says, and I will deliver you…’ And that’s all some of us see. But what about the rest of the verse eh… ‘and thou shalt glorify me?’
Conveniently we don’t see that. Like the sinful souls we are, we just note the words of help, not the gratitude and thanksgiving that’s supposed to follow.
But friends, in this world we don’t get something for nothing, and if we’ve been disobedient and sinful, we can repent, but it will come with a price, the least being exaltation and glorification of God’s holy name.
Now let’s hear how Asaph continues the psalm after our Bit. I think it’s good to jog our memories, wake us up to our serious disobedience and wrongdoing. ‘But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee.
When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedest with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thy slanderest thine own mother’s son.’ (Ps.50:16-20)
Oh friends, Asaph is talking about the kind of society we have today. He could be alive to day and writing about us. And we’d be even bigger hypocrites and fools than we already are, if we deny the accusations. But here comes the interesting part, as Asaph continues to speak on God’s behalf.
‘These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove (rebuke) thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.’ (Ps.50:21-22)
Oh my people, God’s warning couldn’t be any clearer. We sit down and think because nothing drastic is happening to punish our disobedience that God’s not noticing. But you can see we are wrong. God gives us plenty rope to hang ourselves, and as the old people would say: ‘time longer than twine.’
And if is one thing God has is plenty time…but unfortunately we foolish mortals don’t have that luxury. So let’s listen to this last verse of Psalm 50 and smarten up nuh.
‘Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation (conduct) aright will I show the salvation of God.’ (Ps.50:23) Yeh mih breddren, God said it thousands of years ago, and nothing has changed since then…except us, turning away from Him.
But there is yet hope for us. Like Asaph so rightfully says before our Bit. ‘Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High.’ (Ps.50:14) That’s wisdom at its zenith!
Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings, which God in His mercy and grace has bestowed on us. ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!
I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
And having declared all of that, let’s go out now and share our bounty with the less fortunate nuh, for that’s what Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!
…prayer is our method of communication with God…but He can’t answer us…until we pray to Him…
28 May 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bushel, and glorify your Father in heaven, Anselm. face your fear, belief, born again, cast out, character, Christian faith, crying in the wilderness, darkness, depravity, faith, fatiguing, fear, fight the good fight, flavour, foot soldiers, God-given, God-given talnet, good for nothing, good works, hanging on, John the Baptist, Let your light so shine before men, lighthouses, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, meeting needs, memorable day, mission, procrastination, repent, responsibility, saltiness, savour, showing the way, success, talent, the absence of light, the Beatitudes, the kingdom of heaven, the light of Christ, the light of the world, the moral of the story, the salt of the earth, the way of the Lord, today, tomorrow, trodden underfoot, uncompleted task, voice, yesterday
Matthew 5:13 -14 Ye are the salt of the earth… Ye are the light of the world…
Ah friends it’s Saturday morning once again. What plans do we have in store for this memorable day eh? Note, every day in our lives is a memorable one because we have been granted only so many and thus we need to make the most of each one, for we don’t know how many more we’ll see, if any.
As they say, yesterday’s gone, today is here, and no one knows about tomorrow. So the only thing we really ever have is TODAY! That means we have to use it wisely. And to help us do that, here are two quotes from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us.
The first quote says: ‘Face your fear. Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.’
And there is much truth to that friends. A lot of us are afraid of success, for whatever reason, and therefore don’t put out all the God-given talent that we have at the time when it will make the most difference. I’ve noticed it in a few associates over the years. They were people just brimming over with talent in their particular field, but they just refused to hunker down and make a real success of it, always seeking the easiest way out.
And the next quote from Anselm tells us: ‘Finish it. Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.’
Now that one I can personally testify to my brethren, as no doubt a lot of you can. Nothing is as discombobulating and frustrating as an unfinished task. It keeps bugging you to finish it, but you keep putting it off until the last minute, when it’s either too late or you don’t do a good job on it.
So the moral of the story it to just get on with whatever you have to do; don’t procrastinate, don’t put it off for another day or time… unless you’re very sure that the Lord has told you to leave it for later. (smile)
And having said all of that we come to a rather appropriate Bit to support those contentions in the life of the Christian believer. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth…ye are the light of the world…’
That’s paraphrasing Jesus words after He declared the Beatitudes. Now let’s hear them in their entirety. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour (flavour), wherewith (by what) shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand); and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.5:13-16)
There we have it my fellow believers; the basic essence of how our Christian faith and beliefs ought to play out in this fearful and ungodly world!
Now hear the scholars on those verses: ‘5:13. The Beatitudes are followed by a summary statement of the basic character of the Christian’s life as salt and light. Ye are the salt of the earth: Again the phrase “ye are” indicates that only the genuinely born again person is salt and can help meet the needs of the world. Salt adds flavouring, acts as a preservative, melts coldness, and heals wounds. Thus it is a very appropriate description of the believer in his relationship to the world in which he lives.’
And the scholars continue: ‘5:14-16. Ye are the light of the world describes the essential mission of the Christian to the world. He is the condition (salt) to meet the world’s needs and he has a mission (light) to the world. His light is to clearly shine forth into the darkness of human depravity.
He is to set his light upon a candlestick, not hide it under a bushel, that is, a basket. Darkness is the absence of light; and darkness alone cannot dispel the light, but the smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness.’
And all of God’s people declared a loud ‘Amen’ to that, because it is indisputable, scientifically proven truth! Light always has mastery over darkness, that’s why our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ wants us to be lights in this world of immense darkness.
And a good analogy of that would be the old lighthouses that you found on so many rocky promontories years aback; they were there to light the way for the sea traveller enveloped so completely by the darkness of the night on the broad expanse of water. That’s how we are supposed to be my people; like lighthouses beaming the light of Christ into this ever darkening world.
Now that’s our mission, but don’t forget our condition: to be the salt of the earth, to add flavour, healing, help and basically meet the needs of our fellow man. Unfortunately though, too many of us supposed believers are hiding our lights under a bushel, and we have lost all of our saltiness, that’s why our world is in such a mess.
Friends, we need to be out there meeting needs and showing the way like Jesus did. It’s what He’s expecting of us. Remember, unless we lead the way, His LOVE Revolution will never become successful. His hope for future glory is very dependent on us His supposed followers. We are His foot soldiers, paving the way and saying like John the Baptist did in Jesus’ time. ‘Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (Matt.3:2)
Likewise, Isaiah wasn’t only talking about John the Baptist, but also about us, when he prophesied . ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ (Is.40:3, Matt.3:3).
Yes friends, it is now up to us to fight the good fight. It all depends on us now, so today let’s take some time and sincerely ponder our individual situations, as to whether we are truly salt and light on this dark and evil planet. And whatever our conclusion, please, let’s ask the Lord to help us be what we ought to be. He will never refuse such a request. Much LOVE!
…a Christian should never abort his mission…regardless of his condition…
29 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a prophetic statement, abomination, Armageddon, as the days of Noah, at our beck and call, at the back of our minds, be prepared, be ready, Beelzebub, before the flood, better it is not to vow, blossom and prosper, but my Father only, but my words shall not pass away, but of that day and hour knoweth no man, confidence, depravity, eating and drinking, Ecclesiastes, enthusiasm, every evil work, glory hallelujah, God has no pleasure in fools, heaven and earth shall pass away, Hour of Power, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, Jesus, Jesus' Second Coming, LOVE, marrying and giving in marriage, normal course of life, on a roll, our Lord and Saviour, pleasure-oriented, promises are made to be broken, self-gratifying, share Jesus' love with the world, take Jesus' warning to heart, talking for talk sake, than to vow and not pay, the coming of the Son of man, the dictates of wisdom, the end of the church age, the impending judgement, the Preacher, this sinful and ungodly world, Tuesday Mantra, ungodliness, vices, we nvever know what number is going to play, when thou vowest a vow unto God, wickedness, words of wisdom
Matthew 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Aye Friends, welcome to a somewhat cloudy Tuesday morning in my area! Now the sun might not be shining, but we are very sure that the Son is exuding His wonderful light all over God’s great universe, and for that we ought to be eternally gratefully.
And all God’s people said a loud and humble ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank You Father for giving us Your wonderful Son Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We promise to LOVE and obey Him through all our days, both down here on earth, and in heaven above! Amen.’
Now Friends, please remember that promise, and let’s do our utmost best to keep it, for as the Preacher has so wisely told us in Ecclesiastes. ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ (Eccl.5:4-5)
What absolute words of wisdom my people! And by the way, that doesn’t only pertain to our vows to God, but also to out fellow man down here on Planet Earth, because we’re living in some very sad times when vows are not held in much respect, but are considered more like the saying ‘promises are made to be broken.’
And now it’s time for our Tuesday Mantra…
Hn! I see a lot of thoughtful frowns and shaking of heads, and minds saying: ‘I didn’t know we had a Tuesday Mantra…’
Well I didn’t know it either Friends until about two o’clock this morning when I was about to go to bed. I was contemplating what I could talk about today when suddenly the idea to use the prayer I recently shared with you from the Hour of Power came into my mind as the Tuesday Mantra.
I had to laugh and only halfheartedly considered it. But just now as I was about to write something else, the idea surfaced again. I guess the Good Lord desires it, and who am I to thwart His desires eh. At this rate, we soon might have a prayer for everyday. (smile)
So my fellow believers, let’s recite our Tuesday Mantra with much enthusiasm and confidence. ‘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 hurry. I don’t have to worry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen.’
Ah mih breddren, it’s a collection of simple, but very true and very powerful statements, and we need to hold on them, constantly have them at the back of our minds, at our beck and call, so that they can guide us in our daily walk in this sinful and ungodly world.
And at last, we come to our Bit; immortal words of Jesus. ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’ Note Friends, Jesus wasn’t just talking for talk sake, like so many of us do, but was making a profound and prophetic statement about what was eventually going to come to pass.
And yuh know what’s also interesting, even Jesus didn’t know when that Armageddon would take place, as He continues: ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of man be.’ (Matt.24:36-39)
Oh my people, that’s a powerful warning! Please, please, let’s heed it nuh!
And the scholars have an interesting explanation. ’24:35-38. Verses 35 and 36 warn against attempts to set an exact date for Christ’s return at the end of the church age. To speculate that “day’ and “hour” do not eliminate “year” is a gross oversimplification.
The Father only knows the time of Christ’s return since it has been set by His authority (cf. Acts 1:7). However, we are given a comparison to the days of Noah (and the Flood), which illustrate and prefigure the condition of humanity at the time of Christ’s return.
The last generation, like the one of Noah’s day, is pleasure-oriented and self-gratifying by eating and drinking. The reference to marrying and giving in marriage may refer to carrying on the normal course of life without heeding the impending judgement.’
Oh Friends, oh Friends, if ever there was a time of gross ungodliness and wickedness in the history of mankind like Noah’s day, then it is NOW!
For the state of our world has fallen to such a degrading level, where total depravity and sinfulness rule with unbounded power! Where vices and every evil work, every abomination known to man blossom and prosper! And the sad part is that it doesn’t look as though our society will improve, will repent and return to godliness and righteousness any time soon, for Beelzebub seems to be on a roll right now.
That should tell us something significant, shouldn’t it? That the time of Jesus’ Second Coming could be close at hand. But my people, whether that is so or not, the dictates of wisdom do declare that we should be prepared, be ready for whenever it comes; be it today, tomorrow or next year. And I am imploring us to do just that, for we never know what number is going to play when. Much LOVE!
…a wise person is one who takes Jesus’ warning to heart…and is ready for it…whenever it comes…
19 Aug 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, acceptable in the Lord's sight, an uphill climb, band our bellies, Bruh Paul, cause confusion, charles stanley, come up above our problems, communing with nature, depravity, discerning, do God's bidding, expose, expose the sins of the lost, face the sinful world, faith, faithfully serve us, fellowship, food for thought, forget today, friends and neighbours, glory hallelujah, gospel truth, greetings, hideous nature, hold that vision, I am halfway home, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, indulge in the sins of the unsaved, iniquities, intrude, it is a shame, keep slogging away, leave all the consequences to Him, LOVE, made manifest by the light, mind-boggling, Mother Nature, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, never give up, not think about tomorrow, obey God, overcome evil, peace, peaceful and calm, personal experience, proving what is acceptable unto the Lord, proviso, refresh our minds, relaxation, release the pressures, reprove, salutations, sins, speak of things done in secret, stave off the heat, strength, terrible consequences, the believer's duty, the breath of life, the day's activities, the Ephesians, the peace of God, the unfruitful works of darkness, the vagaries of life, the vocabulary of jesus, understanding, Wednesday Wail, with God's help
Ephesians 5:10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Greetings Friends and neighbours… and a few salutations too thrown in for good measure! (smile) It looks like it’s going to be another cloudy day in my neck of the woods.
I just wish the rain would fall though, instead of the dark clouds just playing games, for the earth does need some heavenly blessing to successfully stave off the heat and keep Mother Nature green and lovely.
Oh my people, I do enjoy sitting out on my front porch in the early hours of the morning, just communing quietly with nature, letting the peace of God refresh my mind and throw out all the muck that has clogged it from the day’s activities.
Sometimes I have to drag myself inside to go to bed, so that I can get up at a reasonable hour to write the Bit. Last night was one of those nights. It was so peaceful and calm out there that I felt like sleeping right there. (smile)
At one stage I closed my eyes and put my head back against the wall for about thirty seconds, and I’m sure if I had left it there for much longer I would have fallen asleep right there. Hn, hn!
So, judging from personal experience, I do believe that it would help us all a lot, if before we go to bed, we just find a peaceful place to sit and commune with nature and/or with God, just to release the pressures that have built up in our bodies, souls and minds during the busy day. Just a simple bit of relaxation to forget today, and not think about tomorrow as yet.
Please try it and see how it works for you. But in the meantime and between time, let’s not forget that today is Wednesday, therefore wailing is the name of the game. So let’s wail on nuh, as one hearty wailer: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday!
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s how our souls ought to be trending this Wednesday morning, and hopefully every morning. Oh I know the vagaries of life try to intrude and cause confusion, but if we hold that vision constantly before us, it will faithfully serve us, and we will come up above our problems.
That brings us to our Bit.‘Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.’
Yeh Friends, we’re continuing to look at the scriptures where Bruh Paul is talking to the Ephesians about the ways of the believer. And after telling them that they, we, must be constantly discerning what is and is not acceptable in the sight of the Lord, he continues. ‘And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved (exposed) are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.’ (Eph.5:11-13)
And the scholars provide some useful explanations for those verses. ‘5:11. Reprove is better translated “expose.” The believer’s duty is expressed here in two ways. Negatively, he is not to have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, that is, not to indulge in the sins of the unsaved.
Positively he is to “expose” (reprove) these sins, that is, bring them to light and show them for what they really are, so that the unbeliever may see their hideous nature and their terrible consequences.’ Are we doing those things Friends? I certainly hope so.
‘5:12. For tells why the Christian must expose the sins of the lost. If it is shameful even to discuss their iniquities in decent company (c.f. v.3), how much worse is the committing of these sins. Hence the need to bring them to light.’ More food for thought my people!
‘5:13. This verse may be paraphrased: “All sins that are exposed are made visible by the gospel, for whatever sin is made visible becomes light.”
Ah mih breddren, sin was bad in Bruh Paul’s time, but nowadays it’s off the charts. If Bruh Paul was alive today, he would certainly hold his head and bawl, for the kind of depravity that exists in these modern times, is certainly mind-boggling.
But be that as it may, it is our job to try and change it, obviously with God’s help, since we can’t do very much in our own strength. So though it’s certainly an uphill climb, we just have to band our bellies and keep slogging away at it. The one proviso being, never, never to give up! For giving up is not in the vocabulary of Jesus and His believers.
So today, as we face the sinful world, to try and turn it around, may the great God of our fathers be constantly with us, and grant us His peace, LOVE and understanding, along with the strength and faith necessary to do His bidding, which is to overcome the evil that’s currently strangling our world. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley) would say…the best way to live this life…is to obey God and leave all the consequences to Him…gospel truth that my people…
18 May 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, christianity, Christians, commandments, confidence, conquerors, Cousin Sol, covenant, crapaud smoke we pipe, depravity, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, economic situation, enthusiasm, evil, evil deeds, evil powers, forgive thier sin, forgiveness, friends, glorious kingdom, glory, godly day, heal their land, hear from heaven, hope, humble servants, humble themselves, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Moses, my ears attentive, my eyes shall be open, O Lord God Almighty, people which are called by my name, plentiful in goods, power, pray, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, repentance, repentant people, seek my face, serve a useful purpose, sin, sinfulness, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, Thank God is Monday., the ball is in our court, the blessings of obedience, the breath of life, the fruit of our loins, the fruit of thy body, Top o' the morn, turn from their wicked ways, ungodly world, walk in God's ways, wicked aspirations, wisdom
2 Chronicles 7:14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn away from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Top o’ this Monday morn to you my brethren! And I hear the negative comments from some, but also cries of glee: ‘Thank God is Monday, Victoria Monday holiday yes, and we don’t have to go out and labour today. Thank God for the holiday!’
Yes Friends, some of us are lucky to be off this lovely spring morning, so let’s be truly thankful for it, because many of our fellow workers are not so fortunate. They have to go out and labour regardless, so please let our prayers go with them, prayers that they will have a safe, productive and godly day. Now let’s reinforce that by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with them.
As one choir in Christ now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that wasn’t bad at all mih people, but I strongly suspect that the loudest voices were those who did not have to go to work. They could afford to be exuberant because they know that a whole day of partying and/ or simply lazing around is in the offing. But as usual friends, in these times of celebration, please remember Granny’s admonition: “Sonny boy, don’t forget, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’
Now Friends, that piece of advice is of the utmost priority in this evil and ungodly world that we’re currently living in. But unfortunately, as a body of people, as a society, we have already allowed the negative and wicked aspirations to gain control of the power and glory that lie within it.
However my people, there is still hope for us, as there always is, once we’re filled with the breath of life. And our Bit tells us exactly how we can turn this travesty around. Hear the words of our God in the covenant He made with Cousin Sol, after the temple was built.
‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn away from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’
And the scholars explain: ‘7:14-15. While this promise was originally given to Solomon regarding the people of Israel, it is certainly applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. These verses stand as a high expression of God’s LOVING readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people (cf. 6:37-39; James 4-8-10)’
And the Lord continues after our Bit: ‘Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent (attentive) unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified (set apart) this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes (my attention) and mine heart (my concern) shall be there perpetually.’ (2 Chr.7:15-16)
Yuh see Friends, how our good and wonderful God has made provision for us even in our times of depravity and sinfulness! He knew what a frail and feeble creation we were, and would no doubt stray from His fold, so He made provision, right from the beginning, for us to return. What a magnificent and magnanimous Deity He is!
So yuh know what? We have no excuses for not getting back into His favour. But to do that my brethren, as our Bit says, there are four things we need to put into serious action. We need to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn away from our wicked ways. Yes Friends, those four requirements are absolutely necessary for us to get back into God’s good graces, first as individuals, then as a society, as a people.
But unfortunately we are not seeing that reaction as strongly as we need to. It seems that as some individuals turn to God, a fairly similar amount turn away from Him, and since the evil powers rule the land, we’re definitely not seeing the repentance and other requirements being implemented as a society. In fact we’re losing more of the God- based institutions and rights every day.
So Friends, we have no one to blame but ourselves for the disastrous and ridiculous state of our current society. The ball is now in our court, for the Lord has already done his part by making provision for us to come back to Him – if we so desire. I don’t think we have much choice though my people, because we are called by the Lord’s name; Christians. That means we have to repent and turn back to Him, otherwise, in all seriousness, crapaud smoke we pipe!
Let’s remember the words of Moses, re the blessings of obedience. ‘The Lord shall establish thee a holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods (grant you plenty of goods), in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware (promised) unto thy fathers to give thee.’ (Deut.28:9-11)
Look around my people; nobody’s afraid of us, our economic situation is worsening every day, the fruit of our loins has diminished, and whatever we have has turned to evil deeds not God, so what does that say to us eh? It’s time to turn back Friends, time to repent, and like the prodigal son, return to the safety and prosperity of our Father’s house. That is the wisdom of all wisdom! Much LOVE!
…when things aren’t going right…the wise will figure out why…and make the necessary changes…
18 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ambassadors, autumn colours, behaviour, Christians, depravity, destruction, dictates of Lucifer, different, don't give up, don't quit, drink water, exception than the rule, external circumstances, faithful believers, faithful promises of God, famine, flood, flurry of excitement, forgiveness, free offerings, George Elliston, give you an earful, gospel truth, greeted with a smile, harvest, heaven, How beautiful a day can be, hunger, Israel, Jesus, kindness, leaven, LOVE, magnanimous god, mercy, negative response, Noah, perverseness, positive action, return to the God of our fathers, rip off your head, sacrifice of thanksgiving, sad commentary, sad state of affairs, satisfied, selfish society, strife, the ark, the Good Book, tithes, too late, touched by kindness, want, war, when kindness tuches it, wisdom bounden duty, withholden the rain, yet you have not returned to me
Amos 4:6B. …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
Oh Friends, I don’t know what the weather will be like this Saturday morning nuh, it’s been somewhat miserable, rainy and cloudy, the last few days. But I can assure you that the autumn colours of the dying leaves are very beautiful and varied as they always are.
What an anomaly eh? The leaves are dying, but in their death, they are even more colourful than in life. Likewise my people, regardless of the external circumstances surrounding us, we also have the ability to improve them by our behaviour.
And here is a quote that enlightens us on that subject and certainly brightens up, enlarges and expands our day with little effort on our part – well sometimes with plenty. (smile) It comes from the American journalist George Elliston (1883-1946), and says: ‘How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.’
And that my people is gospel, gospel truth! Our lives do light up when we are either touched by the kindness of others, or we touch others with our kindness! Unfortunately though, in our busy and selfish society nowadays, kindness is more the exception rather than the rule it’s supposed to be, and once was. And that is definitely a sad commentary on the type of society we have morphed into.
Oh Friends, most of us who are getting up there in age will certainly remember the good old days, when people were generally kind and friendly, when you could go almost anywhere and be assured of a fairly decent reception, of being greeted with a smile or a kind word. Not so nowadays, they’re more likely to rip off your head and give you an earful.
The world we currently live in is all about first person singular; me, myself and I. But as faithful believers, ambassadors for Christ, we’re called to be different, just like Jesus was different! Remember, we’re supposed to be only IN the world, not OF it. (John 17:15-16) That means we’re supposed to show kindness, LOVE, mercy and forgiveness, the way our magnanimous God showers them on us.
And I’m truly amazed at the negative response some people have to kindness. As I keep telling my family, how you feel towards me is not as important as how you treat me. I want to see positive action, not positive words and negative actions. Anyway Friends, the times we’re living in right now, certainly do resemble the days of depravity and perverseness back in old Israel, and the Lord ended up punishing them.
Listen to the Good Book. ‘Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after (every) three years (or days): And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish (announce) the free offerings: for this liketh you (you love), O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God. And I also have given you cleanness of teeth (hunger) in all your cities, and want (lack) of bread in all your places: yet ye have not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:4-6)
Oh my brethren, does that sound like us these days? It certainly does! God’s punishment didn’t reform Israel back then, and doesn’t seem to be doing it for us now either. What a sad state of affairs! Nor was that all of the punishment.
The Good Book continues: ‘And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or three cities wandered unto one (another) city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:7-8)
Oh Friends, we are seeing that same sad state of affairs all over our present world with flood and famine and war and strife tearing nations and families apart. But yet we are still following the evil and foolish dictates of Lucifer, rather than the good and positive ones of Almighty God. What is it going to take to turn us around eh; complete destruction. But then it will be too late.
Remember Noah and the flood? When He began to build the ark, everybody laughed and thought he’d gone crazy. However, when the rains came pouring down, they all clamoured for a spot in it. But then it was too late. Likewise, my people, if we ignore His warnings, if we wait too long to return to the God of our fathers, then it just might be too late for us too.
However, as followers of Jesus, there is one option we do NOT have; that of quitting, of giving up, of stop trying! Just remember that my people. As workers for Christ, we are expected to keep on keeping on, even when it is extremely difficult, confidently bolstered by the faithful promises of our ever-faithful, ever-LOVING God!
So though today might look somewhat bleak, both emotionally and weather-wise, let’s put on our spiritual armour, strengthen ourselves with God’s Word, and go out into the evil, godless world and spread kindness, mercy, LOVE and forgiveness in Jesus’ Name! That’s not only true wisdom, but also our bounden duty as Christians! Much LOVE!
…even one small deed of kindness here on earth…produces a flurry of excitement and joy in heaven…
17 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heart filled with love, almighty god, Amos, bacchanal, Carnival, chikungunya, Christmas, confidence, confines of heaven, corruption, courage, crush the needy, darkness, deadly Ebola virus, death, demon-filled, depravity, depressed, destruction, disaster, disease, disgruntled, disgusting society, dissolute, doom and gloom, Ebola, economic downfall, economic engines, executing judgement, famine, fellowship, fishhooks, flood, forgiving, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, global village, god unleash His wrath, hooks, indictment, Israel, It's all about Jesus, Jamaica, Jesus Christ, Jesus' sacrifice, joy, kine of Bashan, look on the bright side, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, LOVE, Lucifer, lush pastures, make a mockery, mas, may the Lord bless and keep us, merciful, moral perversion, negative aspect, one and only true and living deity, oppress the poor, party down the place, passes all understanding, peace, perverse, positive enablers, posterity, prayer, punishment, put Jesus first, re-offender, relaxation, relent, rest, right choices, safe from harm, sales, Samaria, Scrip-Bit family, sentence, serving, shopping, sincere hearts, splendiferous light, storm, strife, stubborn pride, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the hand of God, the weekend's here, the women of Samaria, wantonness, war, West Africa, wisdom, wives, worshipping, wrath, wreaking havoc, yet you have not returned to me, zenith of wisdom
Amos 4:6B. …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
So Friends, it’s Friday! What do you have to say for yourselves eh?
And everybody just began rejoicing: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend’s here! Work soon finish, and we going to party down the place! Getting ready for Christmas and Carnival, checking out the parang, (Venezuelan based folk music popular in T&T) and whatever else there is to check out!
Yes Friends, the Christmas scenario is already being played out in T&T, and after Christmas is obviously the epic street party termed Carnival, Mas, Bacchanal, etc. etc. Imagine that nuh, in the middle of October, we already touting Christmas!
Every year it seems to start earlier and earlier, driven by the economic engines of sales and shopping. But my people, we need to remember that it’s not all about partying, or shopping, or any of those worldly related things.
It’s all about Jesus! The One who made it all possible, from a heart exceedingly filled with LOVE for us. So let’s try to put Him FIRST nuh… FIRST in all we say and do, because He is the One who enables us to do anything at all!
Now today I want to ask us to address two serious problems in prayer; that of the deadly Ebola virus that’s wreaking havoc in West Africa and is slowly spreading to other parts of the world. It’s already in Europe and North America, so please don’t think that because we’re so far away from Africa, that we’re immune to it. The very fact of our small, global village world and the ease with which we can travel makes anything very easy to spread.
And I also want us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Jamaica, who are apparently suffering the wrath of another virus called ‘chikungunya.’ It doesn’t seem to be as deadly as Ebola, and consequently isn’t making as many headlines, but it certainly seems to wreaking havoc in J.A.
I don’t know much about it myself, but as I e-mailed some of you a message earlier on, sent from one of our Scrip-Bit family members, a doctor down there, asking for immediate prayer, because it appears to be taking a serious toll on the Jamaican population, and prayer is ALWAYS the best, if not the only solution to our woes.
Ah mih people, every day something new on the sad and unhealthy scene is raising its ugly head! If it’s not war and strife, then it’s some other natural or even manmade disaster; disease, famine, flood, storm, economic downfall, etc, etc.
We just can’t seem to get it right these days. And why is that? Because we have moved away in foolish, stubborn pride from sincerely serving and worshipping Jehovah God, the ONE and ONLY TRUE and LIVING DEITY; the ONE who created the world and all therein!
And then we wonder why our world is in such a damned state, one of death and destruction, where the positive enablers of peace, LOVE and joy are sadly lacking!
That brings us to the similarity of our current situation to that of Israel, its serious depravity, moral perversion and corruption which the prophet Amos spoke about. And our Bit is simply the end of several punishments that the Lord brought against Israel back then, unfortunately though, without the end He desired.
As the prophet wrote: ‘yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’
Can you imagine it Friends? Listen to how Amos begins Chapter 4. ‘Hear this word, ye kine (cows, wives) of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters (husbands), Bring, and let us drink.
The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. And ye shall go out at the breaches (breaks in the walls), every cow at that which is before her (each one straight ahead of her); and ye shall cast them into the palace (be cast into Harmon), saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:1-3)
Now is that the kind of thing a God should have cause to say to His chosen people? Of course not! But He certainly had occasion to say it to the depraved and corrupt Israelites back then.
And unfortunately my people, today, this very day, He’s saying the same thing to us, because we are even more depraved and dissolute than Israel was back then. We just can’t seem to get it into our foolish skulls that a lot of the disaster befalling our world today is the hand of God, executing judgement on an evil, godless, depraved and disgusting society.
Hear how the scholars explain those verses. ‘4:1-3. Ye kine of Bashan is an indictment against the women of Samaria. The “cows” of Bashan were noted for being well fed and strong because of the lush pastures of the area.
The women of Samaria lived in luxurious wantonness, enjoying their luxury because they oppressed the poor and crushed the needy. When the women of the land sink to such a low moral and degraded state, God’s judgement must fall, for the entire land is degraded.’
And that’s exactly what’s happening to day my Friends! Our land is so depraved, depressed, disgruntled, distrustful, demon-filled, perverse, corrupt, beset by such doom and gloom that the true, just and holy God we are supposed to serve, has no other choice but to unleash His wrath, His punishment on us.
Anyway my brethren, enough of that negative aspect for today, let’s look now on the positive side of the ledger. Our God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is a merciful and forgiving God, who LOVES His children dearly, and is only too glad to relent of His anger and punishment, if and when we return to sincerely worshipping and serving Him, as we’ve seen happen on several occasions with Israel.
Yes my people, that’s the answer to all our problems; get out from under the evil darkness of Lucifer, which is currently blanketing our world, and move rejoicing and refreshed into the bright and splendiferous light of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
That’s why He left the cozy and comfortable confines of heaven to come to earth and die in our place. And now, if we don’t accept Him, and all that He stands for, then we’re simply making a mockery of His sacrifice, making it all a huge waste of time.
Anyway Friends, let’s hope that calmer and wiser heads will soon prevail, and we will return to worshipping and serving Almighty God with sincere hearts, because that is the zenith of wisdom!
Now let’s go home chanting our Friday Chant. Thought I’d forgotten nuh? (smile) All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now may the Good Lord bless and keep us safe from harm. May He make His face, His favour to shine upon us, and give us His extraordinary peace that passes all understanding, as well as the wisdom to make right and good choices today, as we venture forth with courage and confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us! Much LOVE!
…what’s a judge to do eh…with a proud, stubborn and foolish re-offender…but to hand down sentence…and execute punishment…
04 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 4th of July, a purpose and a place, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, abundance, acts of devotion to almighty God, America, as America goes so does everyone else, Beauty for Ashes, blessed, bring america back to God, Bruh Paul, day of deliverance, depravity, destruction, different colours, disobedience, don't fool yuh fat, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, evil hands of beelzebub, faithful, fellowship, forgiveness, founding fathers, freedom, Friday, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, glorified, God's promise, God's will, godless path, godliness, going under, good tidings, Happy 4th of July, history of america, hope, Independence Day, Israel, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, jesus name, John Adams, justice, lack of true love, LOVE, lower standards, Lucifer, memorable epoch, most powerful and wealthy nation, mourning, murky depths of life, obedience, oil of joy, power, principles, relaxation, repentance, reputation, rest, right, salvation, showplace for God's Word, sin, sinful path, solemn, sound mind, spirit of fear, spirit of heaviness, stand together strong, strong, succumbing, the evil one, the garment of praise, the most sinful country in the world, the party humming, the planting of the Lord, to console them that mourn, to grace God's earth, trees of righteousness, true, truth, truthful, U.S Independence, unity of purpose, we can do anything, wealth, wisdom, Word of God
Isaiah 61:3. To appoint unto (console) them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called tress of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY U.S OF A!
Oh mih people, God’s people, it’s Friday! Thank God for that! But would you believe it’s also Friday the 4th of July in the year of our Lord 2014? Yes Friends, it’s Independence Day in the U.S. of A! She’s 238 years young!
And since it is one of the most celebrated days down there, you know that the party done start long time ago and is humming along quite nicely. And I wish all you folks down south a Happy and Blessed 4th of July Holiday! Enjoy it, because you’ve earned it.
But unfortunately, it seems that you are now swiftly drifting down into the murky depths of life. You have removed Jehovah God so much from your lives, that you’re now very much considered the most sinful country in the world. And that my Friends is not a very nice reputation to have.
Please remember that your great country was founded on the solemn, true and faithful Word of Almighty God; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
As John Adams, one of the founding Fathers and later President, was said to have written to his wife Abigail, shortly before the Declaration of Independence in July 1776: ‘The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.
It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.’
Please note my brethren, the advice regarding it as a ‘day of deliverance, with solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.’ And though there is still some of that, it’s no way near enough!
Apparently there’s some confusion as to when the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, the 2nd or the 4th, but it’s always been celebrated on the 4th.
Remember too, that all your wealth and great abundance came from Jehovah God, the most august God of your fathers. It is He who caused you all to beget so much wealth that you can also possess the sobriquet as being the most powerful and wealthy nation so far to grace God’s earth.
Why do you think America has been so blessed eh? Because the Lord had a purpose and a place for it; that it should be used as a show place for His Word in Modern Times, as Israel was in the Days of Old.
And hopefully, you’llnotice that as America moves further and further away from God, the lower and lower it sinks into sin, into depravity, lower standards and a lack of true LOVE for anything and anybody.
Oh Friends, America needs to be strong again, for sadly, but truthfully, as America goes, so does the rest of the world. She’s still that powerful.
Therefore my people, if we want to make the world right, truthful and strong, then we need to bring America back to God; back into His obedient fold, for if she succumbs to Lucifer’s evil power, then we’re all in danger of succumbing and going under.
So my brethren, that is the task that lies before us this Independence Day of 2014… to bring America back to the God of its Fathers! Hn! And don’t fool yuh fat nuh, it is indeed going to be a mighty task, so far has she fallen into the evil hands of Beelzebub and his wicked cohorts.
But as we well know, if we stand together strong, in unity of purpose with each other, and with Jesus Christ, then we can do anything; anything at all that needs doing! And believe me people, this needs doing very badly. America is heading for certain destruction if she keeps going down the godless path.
I beg of you, implore you, not to sully the names of your forefathers who founded this great nation on the principles of truth, freedom, justice…and above ALL…GOD!
And we can restore its godliness if we simply put our hearts, minds, souls and bodies to it. As Bruh Paul so wisely told Timothy: ‘For God hath not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.1:7)
That means my brethren, that we already have all the parts to do God’s Will!
Oh my people, the Lord has made America great so that it could glorify Him, but now it’s showing totally different colours, and just like Israel paid dearly for their disobedience, we will too eventually, if we continue down the the disobedient, sinful path we’re now treading.
But my fellow believers there is hope, there is also God’s perennial promise that repentance and obedience will bring forgiveness. He is overjoyed when we repent and come back to Hisfold,and He’s waiting with open arms, waiting with good tidings of salvation:
‘To appoint unto (console) them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.’
And my people, we definitely can’t glorify God, the way things are going now. So let’s get it together and do what we have to do nuh, to save the greatest nation ever, from total destruction for disobedience to God’s Word and Will.
Now let’s go home chanting our Friday Chant: ‘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 remember too Friends, to heed Granny’s wise warning this weekend of much festivity, since the evil one will be out desperately hunting for anyone he can take down. So drunk or sober…please mind yuh business… Those are truly words of everlasting wisdom! Much LOVE!
…don’t forget…that as America goes, so do all of us…so we all need to pitch in and help her…
02 Jan 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 2014, anger, anger of the Lord, backfire, blessed, bow down, calamity, chosen people, Christmas Season, climb over, come up higher for Jesus, conscious actions, consequences, Controller, Creator, cry out, delivered, depravity, descend to the level, disaster, disgust, dislike, disobedience, displease God, distress, don't quit, emotional, enemies, evil, eyes of faith, faced with a mountain, faith, faith at work, find a pass through, foolish sheep, forgiveness, forgotten Jesus' promise, forsook the Lord, friends, god, gold mine, gone astray, Good Book, hatred, hearts, heavenly Father, high time, humiliate, idolatry, idols, in the sight of, Isaiah, Israel, Israelites, jealous god, Jesus Christ, joyous time, keep on striving, kindness, LOVE, manifested, manmade idols, material things, mercy, minds, negative emotions, obnoxious, of the universe, oppress, pagan gods, peace, Philistines, pleading, ponder, Possibiity Thinker's Creed, Possibility Thinking, propitiation, prosperous year, punished, resentment, rich and fertile soil, righteousness., sacrifice, sake of our children, seek first, serious effort, serious note, sinful attitudes, sinned against, sins, souls, sowing seeds, spiritual, the kingdom of God, tribulation, tunnel underneath, turned His back, vexatious policies, with God's help, work of our own hands, worship
Isaiah 2:8. Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.
Oh Friends, can you believe it’s already the 2nd of January 2014? (smile) And I’ve made one mistake already. I put 2013 in the big heading above instead of 2014. But the ole fella’s only human, and that kind of error is usual until the new year really gets into our systems.
But my people, on a more serious note, the Christmas season is coming to an end, and I’m pleading with us, please, please, let’s not allow the kindness, mercy, peace, forgiveness and LOVE that we’ve shown throughout this joyous time to die. Let’s not allow it to turn back to the evil, the anger, the hatred, resentment and other negative emotions that we had, and exhibited before Christmas began.
It’s obvious that we can’t LOVE everybody, every minute of every day, but we definitely don’t have to descend back to the level of dislike, disgust and depravity that we were at in 2013. It’s high time we come up higher for Jesus’ sake!
And here’s a word, a reminder, re coming up higher, from Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller). He calls it the Possibility Thinker’s Creed. And Possibility Thinking my Friends, is just faith at work, because as believers, we need to see the world through the eyes of faith.
So let’s remember and truly believe that: ‘When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine – with God’s help.’
Yes Friends, let’s start this blessed and prosperous year of 2014, by sowing those seeds of possibility thinking, of faith, deep into the rich and fertile soil of our hearts, souls and minds!
Now let’s turn to our very first Bit of this new year. And it’s a very serious Bit my people. ‘Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.’
Oh my brethren, Isaiah could surely have been writing about us, instead of the Israelites of old! Why? Because we too have such a multiplicity of idols in our lives these days, that it’s not funny. Remember too, the definition of an idol; anything we place before God in our lives.
And that covers a multitude of things Friends, because we seem to place all the material things of the world, as well as all its evil, obnoxious and vexatious policies before the Creator and Controller of the universe. I don’t know how many times we must be reminded that our God is a very jealous deity and wants us to bow down to no other supposed deity but Him. And surely not those that we’ve made with our own hands!
It also seems that we’ve completely and conveniently forgotten Jesus’ promise, that if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, that all the stuff we need, material, spiritual, emotional and whatever else, will be provided to us by our Heavenly Father! (Matt.5:24-34)
Please read that again my fellow believers, so that it can sink into our minds and spirits, and thus be manifested in our conscious actions. It’s the only way we’ll ever remove the idolatry from our lives.
And just to show how all this idolatry could backfire on us, we’ll recall one occasion from the Good Book, where the Lord turned His back on His chosen people, Israel.
‘And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth (Baals and Ashtoreths), and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served him not.
And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.’ (Judg.10:6-7)
Yes Friends, the Lord allowed their enemies to humiliate them.
‘And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?
The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry (out) unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation (distress). (Judg.10:10-14)
What more is there to say my brethren? Not much. The children of Israel knowingly and wilfully abandoned, turned away from the God of their fathers to worship pagan gods and man-made idols. And the Lord, as promised, punished them severely.
Now tell me, why do you think that our individual societies, and our world in general are in such a mess eh?
It’s simple Friends; we too have turned away in droves from worshipping the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD, who created us, who LOVED us so much, that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be a propitiation, a human sacrifice for our sins.
And now, like foolish sheep, we have all gone astray, forgotten Him, and instead turned to idols of our own making. So what else can we expect but disaster and calamity eh?
Please ponder on these things today, my fellow believers, and then let’s make a strong and serious effort to overcome those sinful attitudes that we know displease our God. If we don’t want to do it for our sake, then please do it for the sake of our children and those who come after us.
Let us not allow it to be said, that our generation caused it all to fall apart. It’s not too late… if we begin RIGHT NOW! Much LOVE!
…when will we ever learn…that disobedience to God’s will…will ALWAYS bring serious consequences…
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Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 October 2014 Amos 4:6B
18 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: ambassadors, autumn colours, behaviour, Christians, depravity, destruction, dictates of Lucifer, different, don't give up, don't quit, drink water, exception than the rule, external circumstances, faithful believers, faithful promises of God, famine, flood, flurry of excitement, forgiveness, free offerings, George Elliston, give you an earful, gospel truth, greeted with a smile, harvest, heaven, How beautiful a day can be, hunger, Israel, Jesus, kindness, leaven, LOVE, magnanimous god, mercy, negative response, Noah, perverseness, positive action, return to the God of our fathers, rip off your head, sacrifice of thanksgiving, sad commentary, sad state of affairs, satisfied, selfish society, strife, the ark, the Good Book, tithes, too late, touched by kindness, want, war, when kindness tuches it, wisdom bounden duty, withholden the rain, yet you have not returned to me
Amos 4:6B. …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.