03 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a divine means of showing man, abundance, anger, bad attitudes, be therewith content, before many witnesses, christianity, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, confessed a good confession, courage, creativity, curse, do not worry about tomorrow, don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today, drown men in destruction and perdition, erred from the faith, faith, fall into temptation and a snare, favour, fight the good fight of faith, follow after righteousness, glory to God, go out and share blessings, godliness, godliness with contentment is great gain, gospel truth, greed, having food and raiment, holy spirit, into many foolish and hurtful lusts, it is certain we can carry nothing out, jealousy, Jesus Christ, lay hold on eternal life, lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, looking forward to tomorrow, LOVE, material wealth is relatively insignificant, meekness, mercy, negative word, O man of God flee these things, on a late bus, patience, penultimate day of our workweek, pierced themselves through with many sorrows, professed a good profession, prosepr, resentment, ruin and destruction, running down money, running down the riches of the world, salvation, seeking God is to be our first priority, seep into your soul, self-control, self-discipline, sophisticated alarm systems, succeed, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, supernatural wisdom, take no thought for the morrow, talent, the ambition to be rich, the antidote to loving money, the BIBLE, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself, the root of all kinds of evil, the rush to accumulate more than enough, the Sermon on the Mount, they that will be rich, thieves break through and steal, thieves do not break through and steal, thou art also called, to strive after as much money as possible, today's challenges, truth, undeserved blessings, we brought nothing into this world, where moth and rust doth corrupt, where neither moth and rust doth corrupt, where your treasure is there will be your heart also, which some coveted after, wisdom, your goal in life
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 September 2026 Matthew 6:19.
Matthew 6:19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.
Oh friends, we’re on a late bus today because the ole fella wasn’t feeling up to scratch earlier on and thus lay in bed longer than usual. However, thankfully, after the rain yesterday, this Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, has blossomed into a bright and sunshiny warm day! Glory to God! And unfortunately, some of us are looking forward so much to tomorrow, Friday, that we are in danger of not concentrating properly on today’s challenges. As the ole people would say, don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
And per Jesus: ‘Take no thought for the morrow (do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt. 6:34) In other words, tomorrow will bring enough problems and challenges of it’s own for you to worry about, so concentrate on not having to carry forward today’s. And with those awesome words of wisdom, (smile) let’s turn to some scriptures that talk about a subject which many of us believers still need to learn. That’s the unwise attitude of running down money and the material things and pleasures of the world.
In the first place, Jesus warned us in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.’ (Matt. 6:19) And we see the wisdom in that every day, where thieves break through the most sophisticated alarm and computer systems and steal oodles of supposedly worthwhile stuff. Meanwhile, what isn’t stolen becomes old and rusty, or eaten by moths. So what’s the wise thing to do?
Listen to Jesus: ‘But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt. 6:20-21)And all of that is the gospel truth my people! There are no thieves, rust, nor moths in heaven to ruin your treasures there. Then it’s obvious that wherever your treasures are stored that’s where your heart and mind will be focused. So if they are stored here on earth, then you will be focused on earthly things, and bad attitudes like greed, jealousy, resentment and anger will eventually seep into your soul as you strive to build up your earthly treasures.
But if they are stored in heaven, then you will be focused on heaven. And believe me, that’s the best place to have one’s focus, for all that we have here on earth will stay here when we depart his life, but what we store in heaven will be there waiting for us when we get there and will last us forever! Wow! That brings us to this awesome teaching from Bruh Paul to Timothy on the subject. He begins with this wise warning. ‘But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment (clothing) let us be therewith content.’ (1 Tim. 6:6-8)
More gospel truth my people! And its’ exactly what I just said, we can’t carry anything from this world with us. And according to the scholars ‘This is a divine means of showing man that since material wealth is relatively insignificant, he should pursue the important things mentioned in verse 11.’ Yes friends, we come with nothing and carry out nothing, so why kill ourselves to accumulate earthly treasures eh? Not wise at all.
Oh, material stuff is necessary in our lives, and we must accumulate some to live on during rainy periods or old age, but the greedy rush to accumulate more than enough is certainly unwise, because in the process we kill both body and soul, as well as important relationships like families, friends, co-workers and the church. Now, there’s no harm in wanting to better our circumstances, but that must not be our sole reason for living. That’s why Bruh Paul advises us to be contented with what we have.
As he further says: ‘But they that will (desire to) be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful (harmful) lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (ruin and destruction). For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds) of evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Tim. 6:9-10) Yes my fellow believers, that’s what the ambition to be rich can do to you. The LOVE of money is a source from which all kinds of evil can flow. And it’s not the only source of evil, but it certainly can happen when your goal in life is to strive after as much money as you can acquire.
And what’s the antidote to that evil LOVE for money? It’s as the scholars say found in verse 11. ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness.’ (1 Tim. 6:11) Now that’s the kind of life we believers ought to be seeking, not running down the lustful pleasures and riches of this world. And Bruh Paul adds another interesting verse that is supposed to stir up our blood and mission for Christ. ‘Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed (confessed) a good profession (confession) before many witnesses.’ (1 Tim. 6:12)
And to help us do that, we have our Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings generously bestowed by the Lord for such purpose. So let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh, because a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘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 every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, it now behooves us to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…money and material possessions are important…but seeking God should always be our first priority…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Mar 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lack of respect for God, beat upon that house, built his house upon the sand, challenges to be responsiby handled, cherish freinds and loved ones all the time, children of the Most High God Jehovah, christianity, Christians, defining our lives by our possessions, do not worry about tomorrow, don't put off for tomottow what can be done today, each day has its own troubles, eat drink and be merry, endure to the end with Jesus, everyone that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, false voices crying out the devil's lies, focus on today, for the sake of our descendants, God's right time, gone home to meet your maker, great was the fall of it, halfway home, hands on the plough, here today gone tomorrow, holy spirit, hypothetical problems of tomorrow, I will say to my soul, is not rich toward God, it fell not, it was built upon a rock, Jesus Christ, left holding guilt and regrets, less divisions and dissensions in christ's church, life is topsy-turvy, life is very fragile, liken him unto a wise man, likened unto a foolish man, LOVE, make a concrete decision, mercy, need to turn things around, no real truth and love to life, not in tune with God's will for our lives, not turning back, on a late bus, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, rain tomorrow, ran a couple of errands, revels in his own wisdom, salvation, so glad to be alive, so is he that layeth up treasure for himself, Soul thou hast much goods laid up for any years, stop all strife and resentment, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, take no thought for the morrow, take thine ease, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the floods came, the house fell, the man who built his house on a rock, the parable of the rich fool, the rain descended, the winds blew, this night thy soul shall be required of thee, thou fool, to a glorious future with Jesus, tomorrow shal take thought for the things of itself, too much emphasis on planning for tomorrow, truth, Wednesday Wail, whose shall those things be which thou hast provided, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, wisdom, you can't be a saint while behaving like a sinner, you cannot be a Christian and not live by Jesus' dictates
Matthew 7:24. Therefore whosoever heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a (the) rock.
Then it was Wednesday; the day we catch our second wind. And unfortunately we’re on a late bus because I finally went to my church group today after missing several weeks. And they were all glad to see me, like I’d risen from the dead (smile) Then I ran a couple of errands, then had to come home and rest, before writing the Bit. So that’s my story…and I’m sticking to it.
Anyway, it’s a bright and sunshiny, comparatively warm day, with a little more of the snow melting. However, the computer is calling for a fair amount of rain tomorrow. But we’ll wait and see how that pans out, for as Jesus says; ‘Take therefore no thought for the morrow (do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt. 6:34)
Yes, though we should not completely forget about tomorrow, we must concentrate on the day before us, for as the scholars explain: ‘This means that each day has its own troubles and challenges to be responsibly handled, without worrying about the hypothetical problems that could arise tomorrow.’ So let’s focus on today while we’re alive to do so, for who knows, we might not even be around to handle tomorrow’s challenges. (smile) That just points to how fragile life really is. You can be here today in flourishing health, but the next, for one reason or another, you’ve gone home to meet your maker.
That’s why it’s so important to cherish your friends and LOVED ones all the time. Let them know without any doubt that you sincerely care about them. It’s also important to stop all strife and resentment, do it now, don’t put it off for tomorrow, for without a moment’s notice, they can just vanish out of your life, and then you’re left holding all sorts of guilt and regrets, that you didn’t tell them you LOVED them, or didn’t straighten our your selfish and child-like disagreements. That’s why we are always admonished to not put off for tomorrow, what we can and should do today, because tomorrow might just be too late.
The very same thing goes for accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour! Why put it off for tomorrow when you can do it today eh? That reminds us of Jesus’ parable about the rich fool. This fellow was blessed with an abundant harvest, and instead of sharing it, in his foolish wisdom decided to tear down his old barns and build bigger and better ones to store the abundant harvest. (Luke 12:13-18)
And as Jesus tells it, he then revels in his own wisdom: ‘And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’ (Luke 12:19-21)
Yes friends, that doesn’t only show a lack of respect for God and the abundance He blesses us with, but also too much emphasis on planning for tomorrow, or defining our lives by our possessions. Oh, he was going to ‘take his ease, eat drink and be merry.’ Hn! But God had other plans for Him. That’s what happens when we are not in tune with God’s will for our lives. We plan to do stuff that He doesn’t agree with, and next thing we know, all our plans fall apart. Not necessarily because they are bad, but because we didn’t first consult God before making them.
And I’ve learned that from hard experience during my numerous years. There have been things I tried to do without any success, but later on those same things just fell into my lap, most likely because it was God’s right time. So before we make any great plans, let’s make sure we talk to our heavenly Father first on the wisdom of those plans, for sometimes He might say a definite No; or simply wait. But let’s remember it’s all in His hands.
That brings us to these other wise words of Jesus, where He talks about building foundations on rock or sand. ‘Therefore whosoever heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a (the) rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a (the) rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.’ (Matt. 7:24-27)
Oh my brethren, that’s exactly what happens to those of us who supposedly are of the faith, but yet refuse to do what Jesus expects of us. Like the rich fool, and the fellow who built on the sand, our houses will eventually tumble down if we don’t buck up and start behaving the way we ought to. We can see definite damage already happening all over the world, because people are not listening to and following Jesus’ teachings. You can’t be a saint while behaving like a sinner. Saints do saintly things, while sinners do sinful things, and a lot more of the later is currently happening in today’s society.
No wonder life is so topsy-turvy. There is no real truth and LOVE to it; just false voices crying out the devil’s lies. But all is not lost. We are the children of the Most High God Jehovah, and if we decide to get up and turn things around, then that is exactly what will happen. However, we first have to make that a concrete decision, then live up to it. That though will only come to pass through a lessening of the divisions and dissensions in Christ’s church. Let’s hope and pray that we will wake up real soon and see our errors, and become willing to change them, not only for our sakes, but more so for those of our descendants.
Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘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 that’s a good future, but there’s an even more glorious one in store for those who endure with Jesus right to the very end, one that our puny minds cannot comprehend. So let’s make plans to endure to the end and thus enjoy that more than glorious future together nuh! Much LOVE!
…you cannot be a true Christian…and not live by the dictates of Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
19 Jun 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a happy tomorrow, a prayer for today, added unto you, all my needs, all sufficency, borrowing from future years, courage to resist, do not worry about tomorrow, do the tasks, faith, gald to be alive, God is able, God will supply, his riches in glory, I shall not want, in all things, is the evil thereof, let us rejoice and be glad in it, looking forward, LOVE, magnanimous god, not looking back, one day at a time, peace of mind, rat-race, real strength of soul, reassuring scriptures, righteousness, say the word, seek ye first, Sermon on the Mount, shall take thought for itself, Silent Unity, stand strong and steadfast, strength, sufficent unto the day, take no thought for the morrow, the breath of life, the kingdom of God, The Lord is my shepherd, the morrow, the urge to worry, think the thought, this is the day the Lord has made, to a glorious future with Jesus, to make all grace abound, trouble, Wednesday Wail, Winnifred Brand
Matthew 6:34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow (therefore do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.
Well we’re up to, or down to Wednesday, the middle of the week – anyway you want to put it, and we’re finally into the groove of the weekly rat race. It’s strange how we go to work almost every week, but yet it still takes us a couple of days to get back into the swing of things. Oh, the strange make up of the human animal! It doesn’t take us long to get into the swing of things we like though. (smile)
And I’m chuckling here because today I want to share a prayer posted on the door of my office which I pass several times a day, and did not even know it was there…in fact I happened to read several prayers up there a few days ago, and was I ever surprised to see them there. And I know they’ve been up there for some time, because they all sound very strange and new to me. (smile)
And you might ask, what’s the purpose of putting them up there then if you don’t see them? Now that’s a good question, to which I can’t give a good answer. Now interesting and encouraging stuff is stuck up all around the office, but the truth is, I come in and out of the office everyday and don’t see most of them. And I daresay that many of us face a similar problem, too busy and otherwise preoccupied to notice what’s in front of us.
Anyway, let’s get on with this prayer, titled ‘A Prayer for Today,’ written by one Winifred Brand that I apparently got sometime ago from a Silent Unity Publication. So please pray with me. ‘Lord, give me strength just for today, to do the tasks that come my way, to say the word, to think the thought with which real strength of soul is wrought.
Lord, give me courage to resist the urge to worry or persist in borrowing from future years, trouble unknown or futile tears. Just for today Lord, let me find true strength and faith and peace of mind, and I will tomorrow pray, when it becomes a new today.’
And does that ever make a whole lotta sense my people! All we need is the wherewithal to make it through each and everyday. As the saying goes, ‘take it one day at a time.’ And to tell the truth, you can’t take it any more than that nuh, because we’re only gifted with one day at a time. Thus too the sweet song: ‘One day at a time, sweet Jesus, One day at a time, that’s all I’m asking of You.’
And neither will He give us more than that. And Jesus made that quite clear after telling His listeners in the Sermon on the Mount. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added to you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow (therefore do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:33-34)
Ah mih people, right in those two verses we have two most invaluable lessons; the first is that we must seek God’s kingdom first, and the second is not to worry about tomorrow, look after today, because tomorrow will look after itself. Just live one day at a time; today. As the prayer above so wisely says: ‘and I will tomorrow pray, when it becomes the new today.’ And that’s quite right, because in reality, what we call tomorrow never really comes, it’s always becomes today!
So friends, let’s learn to live for today nuh. It doesn’t mean we don’t think about or consider or put aside for tomorrow, but let’s focus most of our concentration and concern on the things of today, because if we don’t do what we need to do today, we might not have a hearty, healthy and happy tomorrow! (smile)
And we really don’t have any need to worry about what happens today, tomorrow or even next week, next month or next year because we have so many wonderful and glorious promises from our magnificent and magnanimous God, re our provisions in this earthly existence.
Listen to a few nuh, beginning with Bruh Paul’s encouragement to the church at Philippi. ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.4:19) Yes my brethren, if we seek God sincerely, and help others, even when we too are in need, then God will gloriously supply all that we need through His unlimited resources through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Now hear this other reassuring scripture from Bruh Paul to the Corinthians. ‘And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. As it is written, He hath dispersed (distributed) abroad; He hath given to the poor: His righteousness remaineth for ever.’ (2 Cor.9:8-9) In verse 9 there, Bruh Paul is quoting from Psalm 112:9.
And in talking about God’s assurance in scripture for His faithful followers, there is no passage as immortal and as widely known as those uplifting words of Bruh David in the opening of the 23rd Psalm: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.’
Mama Mia! What an impactful and insightful statement! Please note, Bruh David did not see it fit to list any provisos or conditions for his declaration. There are no ifs, ands or buts. It was a simple statement of fact based on his life experience of faithfully following the God of his forefathers, and the same applies to us, if we follow in his august footsteps.
So having all that reassurance, faith and whatever other good and godly thing there is exciting our souls and spirits, let’s go home proudly declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! As one, in sincere sense of purpose: ‘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 will that future ever be so glorious my people, so glorious that we can’t even imagine what it will be truly like. So please stand strong and steadfast in the Lord if you want to enjoy it nuh. Much LOVE!
…this is the day the Lord has made…let us rejoice and be glad in it…it’s the only thing that makes sense…
15 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time to every purpose under heaven, all ye that labour and heavy laden, and all these things shall be added unto you, and rest awhile, come aside into a deserted place, come unto me, constant work, day of fellowship and rest, do not worry about tomorrow, emotional disease, fellowship, find rest for your souls, friends, glory hallelujah, glory to God, heed God's warning, I am meek and lowly in heart, I will give you rest, learn from me, like a chicken with our heads cut off, LOVE, making God our first priority, mental, my burden is light, my yoke is easy, pamper ourselves, physical, praise, proselytizing, recharging batteries, rest, rest is not a matter of doing nothing, rest is repair, righteousness., seek ye first the kingdom of God, so much as to eat, spiritual rejuvenation, strengthening of faith, Sunday, take a time out, take my yoke upon you, thanks, the first day of the week, the foolish attitude of the world, the great invitation, the Sabbath, the Sermon on the Mount, there were many coming and going, they had no leisure, to everything there is a season, tomorrow shall take care of itself, work and worry
Mark 6:31. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart (aside) into a desert (deserted) place, and rest awhile: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
And then it was Sunday; that wonderful day of fellowship and rest. Glory to God! Yes friends, it’s time once again to make our way to the Lord’s sanctuary to give Him much deserved praise and thanks and glory, and in return receive spiritual rejuvenation and a strengthening of our faith.
Our God definitely knew what He was doing when He set aside one day in every seven for rest and fellowship amongst His earthly creation. Since He created us, He obviously knew our limitations, physical, emotional and spiritual. Our batteries do need recharging every once in a while, and He figured seven days was a goodly and godly number. (smile)
Unfortunately though, many of us refuse to heed God’s warning about rest and rejuvenation and simply continue to follow the foolish attitude of the world of constant work, until our bodies break down with physical, mental and emotional diseases. Now that’s definitely not wisdom my people.
Oh yes, I know that many of us need the money that comes from work, but remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount? ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow (therefore do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof. ’ (Matt.6:33- 34)
That’s the beauty of making God’s business our first priority; He will provide all our necessities. There’s absolutely no sense worrying about tomorrow and in running down the things of the world and then don’t have the time to enjoy them, or fall down before we do.
That brings us to a quote from an author by the name of Daniel W. Joselyn. I couldn’t find any other pertinent info on him, but he is reputed to have said, or written that ‘Rest is not a matter of doing absolutely nothing. Rest is repair.’
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren. To rest doesn’t necessarily mean to do nothing. It just means to take a break from whatever’s been occupying our time. Take a few moments or whatever to recuperate from that activity. But sadly this modern society makes us feel guilty if we take time off to renew ourselves, because it’s all about go, go, go.
Whenever we feel, anxious, angry, or like the burdens of the world are bearing down on us, it’s quite okay to take a time out. As the Daily Devotional for People with Chronic Illness, from which I got this quote says: ‘Pamper ourselves once in a while to rejuvenate the physical and emotional strength needed to face our world.’ Now that’s an absolutely brilliant idea!
And all of that provides a very smooth segue into our Bit. But first, here is what leads up to it. ‘And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart (aside) into a desert (deserted) place, and rest awhile: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert (deserted) place by ship privately (by themselves.’ (Mark 6:30-32)
That was Jesus’ advice to His disciples and the action they took, after they had returned from the mission field. Obviously Jesus saw their need for a break from the strenuous activity of proselytizing, especially on foot. And if He could recommend rest and revitalization, why are we so proud and /or foolish not to also take it for ourselves every so often eh?
It makes it ever so much easier to begin the week on a day of rest and righteousness than on one of work and worry. And that’s why I keep telling us that Sunday, which most Christians celebrate as the Sabbath, is the first day of our week, not the last, and we need to use it wisely in rest and godliness so that come Monday, we will be refreshed and renewed and able to handle the cares of the world with greater ease and much more passion.
Remember too, Jesus’ Great Invitation: ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
Oh my people, my people, what an awesome invitation! Whenever we’re tired or weary, in any aspect of our lives, we have an open invitation to go to Jesus and get rest. Glory Hallelujah!
But yuh know what? Too many of us, for whatever reason, disdain to accept Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for rest and renewal. That’s why we’re always running around like a chicken with our heads cut off, too busy to make time for ourselves, always anxious and uptight about the cares of the world. But true wisdom tells us that we shouldn’t always be rushing around.
How did Cousin Sol famously put it as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes? ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.’ (Eccl.3:1)
Yes Friends, there was, and still is, method to God’s madness. However, I can’t say the same for us, as our crazy, very disturbed, and chaotic world so perfectly exemplifies.
So please, for all our sakes, let’s be wise and make this day, this Sunday, one of rest and worship nuh, thereby giving us a fresh mind, body and soul for tomorrow, Monday. Now that’s definitely the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!
…’I can simplify my life…by giving myself this day for relaxing…’
27 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a rubber band, a word of advice, Abraham Lincoln, age, aging, almighty god, and all these things shall be added unto you, can add one cubit unto his stature, cast into the oven, Christmas Season, common sense, concentrate on following Christ, crying out for respite, do not worry about tomorrow, earthly lives, eternity, feel anxious, filled with the Word, following Christ more closely, goals, is not life more than food, knowledge of God, lie down and rest, life affirming choice, lilies of the field, lose elasticity, LOVE, lustful things of the world, make a difference in the world, matter finished, maturity, negative, New Year's resolution, nuff said, O ye of little faith, one can never go wrong by choosing Jesus, pack a lot of life, ponder the direction of our lives, positive, promises of Almighty God, righteousness., Saturday, seek God first, seek ye first the kingdom of God, Sermon on the Mount, smart money, Solomon in all his glory, staying young forever, strive, sufficent unto the day is the evil thereof, the body than clothing, the fowls of the air, the Gentiles, the grass of the field, the life in your years, the things of God, the years in your life, things of the world, turning back the clock, ungodly, wisdom, worry, your heavenly Father feeds them
Matthew 6:33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
And then it was Saturday! Another exciting day in the Christmas season Friends! (smile) Oh I know that many of us are tired from all the Christmas activity and just want to lie down and rest. Well what’s stopping you eh? Just do it.
If the body and soul are crying out for respite, then it’s your duty to give them respite. They can’t continue being stretched and stressed out without losing their power and elasticity. Like a rubber band, the more you stretch and pull them, the loser and less effective they become.
Anyhow, here’s an appropriate quote from my Friend Anselm, that’s meant to inspire you for a better tomorrow. And this one comes from Abraham Lincoln. It’s simple but full of wisdom. All it says is: ‘In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.’ And that’s oh so true my people!
Now here is Anselm’s take on the subject. ‘It doesn’t matter how long you live, but how much you lived during the time that you were here. So many of us get caught up with age and aging and forget that it’s not about turning back the clock or staying young forever, but trying to get the best feeling that you can out of each moment of your life.
Abraham Lincoln was known for being handy with words, so it’s no surprise that he was able to make a quote like this, especially since he was able to pack a lot of life in his 56 years.’
Now how much life are we willing to pack into our years eh? It all depends on us my people, for we choose the kind of life we want to live, be it positive or negative, filled with the Word and promises of Almighty God or with the ungodly and lustful things of the world.
And the smart money my brethren is always on the things of God, because they have more intrinsic value and last longer than the shallow, bright but flimsy and flaky things of the world.
That’s why Friends, I’m encouraging us on this last Saturday in 2014, to sit down and quietly and seriously ponder the direction of our lives. Let’s check on how we spent this past year. Did we do a good, bad or indifferent job? Did we make even some small difference in the world around us? Did we reach the goals we set?
And most importantly, did we make any headway in our New Year’s Resolution of following Christ more closely? Have we grown in maturity and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour? Remember, that is the ONLY real resolution you need to make, because once you concentrate on following Christ, everything else falls into place.
For as Jesus so rightly says in our Bit, which is taken from the Sermon on the Mount: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow (therefore do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:33-34)
Yes my fellow believers, when we seek God FIRST, He makes everything else fall into place for us. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have to work and pay attention to things, but that we don’t need to strive and worry and feel anxious about our lives and livelihood.
As Jesus reminded the disciples before our Bit. ‘Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for (do not worry about) your life, for what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not life more than meat (food), and the body than raiment (clothing)?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought (worrying) can add one cubit unto his stature (height)?
And why take ye thought for (worry about) raiment (clothing)? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed (clothed, dressed) like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought (do not worry), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.’ (Matt.6:25-32)
Matter finished Friends! Jesus spells it our like it is. If our heavenly Father can look after the things of nature so well, why wouldn’t He look after us, His most important creation, just as well eh? Even Cousin Sol, in all his worldly finery, was no match for the simple lilies of the field.
So my people, the life affirming choice is now ours to make. Please, I implore us to use the great wisdom and common sense that’s at our disposal to make the correct one, for the colour and tenor of our earthly lives, as well as where we spend eternity depends on the choice(s) we make today. Nuff said. Much LOVE!
…a word of advice…one can never go wrong by choosing Jesus…
13 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a feast of fat things, a feast of wines, Amen, attitude, be of good courage, be strong and of a good courage, bound in chains, bravado, Bruh Paul, conquer this evil world, courage, daily walk, divinely provided, do not worry about tomorrow, doomsayers, eliminate god from our society, endure our afflictions with patience, enlarge my vision, faithful promise, fear not, find joy in each new day, focus on the present, forefront of our hearts and minds, forgiveness, God created me to be uncontainable, God has destined me to be a barrier breaker, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life, God is taking me places I've never dreamed of, God will perfect establish strengthen and settle us, God will wipe away tears, harbinger, I have talent and potential, I will esperience god's favour, in faith, in god's own time, in Jesus' name, jehovah god, Joel Osteen, limited mindset, LOVE, mercy, naysayers, new blessings, new mercies, plan for tomorrow but live for today, potential, prisoner, promise, righteousness., Rome, seeds of greatness, So let it be, stand strong, sufficent unto the day is the evil thereof, swallow up death, take hold of God's grace, take therefore no thought for tomorrow, talent, thanked God, the Creator of the universe, the here and now, the Lord goes with thee, the Lord of hosts, the Lord will not fail nor forsake thee, the Lord will strengthen thine heart, the rebuke of his people, there are seeds of greatness inside of me, Thursday, Today is my day, tomorrow shall worry about itself, took courage, truer words were never spoken, turn to Jesus, victory, wait I say on the Lord, wait on the Lord, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation, we've all sinned and come short of God's glory, without growing weary, words of encouragement
Psalm 27:14. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage; and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’
‘Thursday, oh Thursday; harbinger of Friday!’ Yes Friends, I know that many of us are just dying to see Friday, so that we can get the two days off from work.
But that’s not the attitude we should have. We need to live and find joy in each new day as our Lord provides new mercies and blessings for each one. Let’s learn to focus on the present, the here and now, for some of us might not live to see tomorrow.
And as Jesus so wisely reminds us in these memorable words. ‘Take therefore no thought for the morrow (do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:34)
Yes my people, there will be enough trouble for us to handle today, and on each today thereafter, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s indeed do some planning for tomorrow, but let’s live in today.
Consequently, let’s renew this acclamation from Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) which boldly proclaims, ‘TODAY IS MY DAY!’ And of course it is!
Please acclaim with me: ‘God has destined me to be a barrier breaker! He created me to be uncontainable. I have talent and potential given to me by the Creator of the universe. There are seeds of greatness inside of me. Today, I choose to break free from a limited mindset and enlarge my vision.
Today, God is taking me places that I’ve never even dreamed of before. Today, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life. Today, I will experience His favour like never before in every area of my life.’
Now let’s just keep that at the forefront of our hearts and minds today my people, as we ‘seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,’ and as a direct result, are divinely provided with all we need for our daily walk. We can’t ask for a better promise than that my brethren!
And here’s another timely reminder that our task is to take hold of God’s grace, to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary, knowing that in His own time, God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. We must wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
And my fellow believers, if there’s one thing we desperately need in this evil and troubled world, it is courage! Courage to stand strong and face the naysayers, the doomsayers, and all those who are desperately trying to eliminate Jehovah God from our society.
And in the words of our Bit, Bruh David says it so wisely: ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage; and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’ Truer words were never spoken my fellow believers!
And Moses, in his latter days, encouraged the Israelites with these words, which still hold true today. ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Deut.31:6) Oh what marvellous words of encouragement my people!
And yuh better believe Friends, that even Bruh Paul, with all his faith and bravado, could not endure all that he did without encouragement from other believers. As he is on his way to Rome, as a prisoner, bound in chains, to plead his case before the emperor, the Good Book tells us:
‘And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appi Forum, and the three Taverns (Inns): whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.’ (Acts 28:15)
So my people, let’s not believe that we’re alone in needing courage, for we’ve all sinned and come short of God’s glory, which means we all need help on this earthly journey, which can best come from Almighty God.
And we’ll end with some appropriate verses from Isaiah 25 – The song of praise by the redeemed. ‘And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things (choice pieces), a feast of wines on the lees (wines matured on the sediment), of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
And he will destroy (swallow up) in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death (forever) in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:6-9)
Oh Friends, with all these encouraging scriptures percolating in our hearts, minds and bodies, let’s go forth today unafraid, full of vim and vigour, with righteousness exuding mercy and forgiveness, and valiantly conquer this evil world, in Jesus’ name!
And all God’s people declared a joyful and courageous: ‘Amen! So let it be!’
Much, much LOVE, my brethren!
…if you need strength…if you need courage…whatever you need…sincerely turn to Jesus…and He will provide it…that’s His faithful promise…
SCRIP-BITS 