30 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a call for revenge, a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, a tough row to hoe, abundance, as generously as the Lord shared them with us, avenge not yourselves, backing away, be discouraged, be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good, be the children of your Father in heaven, be ye perfect, bless them that curse you, cause him shame, christianity, ciurse, clear direction for my life, consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners, courage, creativity, cutting words, deadly slings of word arrows, despising the shame, divine protection, do good to them that hate you, do not be discouraged, do not even the publicans so, do not even the publicans the same, don't react with trepidation, duty bound, easier said than done, encourage decent behaviour, endured the cross, even as your Father in heaven is perfect, faith, fallen by the wayside, favour, fill my heart with courageous love, for the joy that was set before him, give place unto wrath, he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, heap coals of fire on his head, help me see others as you do, holy spirit, hostility, hurt people hurt others, I want to hide, if he thirst give him drink, if thine enemy hunger feed him, if ye love them that love you, if ye salute salute your brethren only, imperfect people like me, In Touch Devotional, it is written, Jesus Christ, Jesus fought them with love and compassion, keeping close only those who make me feel safe, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds, living in a dog eat dog world, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, love flowed from your wounds, love strong enough to choose connection, love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy, Love your enemies, make me a source of your healing, mercy, negative word, no need to fear diatribe, no thought to the other person's wellbeing, others' words cut deeper than I let on, penultimate day of July, penultimate day of our workweek, people who need grace and compassion, persecute you, pierced by words and nails, poison, pray for them which spitefully use you, promotion, recompense to no man evil for evil, respond with gratefulness or graciosuness, salvation, self-control, sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, shook our souls to their very foundations, show me why that person hurts, soften my heart, steering clear of others, strife-filled days, success, supernatural wisdom, talent, tax collectors, tempted to pull away, the author and finisher of our faith, the BIBLE, the manners of previous generations, the nails and shame of the cross, the nature of the human animal, the originator and perfecter of our faith, the Sermon on the Mount, the tempo and temper of our times, the wind dancing the light fandango with the trees, truth, turn first to God and ask for help, use the blessings to help others, vehemence, vengeance is mine' I shall repay, what do ye more than others, what reward have ye, wisdom, words cut to the quick, words used like a weapon, ye have heard it said
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 July 2026 Hebrews 12:2a.
Hebrews 12:2a. Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith;
Oh friends, it’s another glorious, sunshiny, summer’s day, with the wind again dancing the light fandango with the trees! And on this Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, and also the penultimate day of this eccentric month of July, we’ll look at the prayer from this month’s In Touch Devotional. So please pray with me.
‘Lord, sometimes others’ words cut deeper than I let on. I want to hide, keeping close only those who make me feel safe. You were pierced by words and nails, yet LOVE flowed from Your wounds. Fill my heart with courageous LOVE, strong enough to choose connection. Help me see others as you do, imperfect people like me who need grace and compassion. When I’m tempted to pull away from someone, soften my heart. Show me why that person hurts – make me a source of Your healing. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
And yuh know what my brethren, in these oh so deceitful, dishonest, angry and strife-filled days, where words are commonly used like a weapon, thrown out without thought to the other person’s emotional wellbeing, that kind of backing away, steering clear of our fellow human beings is quite prevalent, as well as understandable. Because who wants to get their feelings hurt by often untrue and hurtful words. And believe me, words can cut to the quick even more deeply than a real weapon.
All of us, at some time or another, have experienced cutting words that just shook our souls to their very foundations, leaving us wondering what had hit us, so strong was the vehemence and the poison that emanated from someone else’s mouth toward us. But thankfully we don’t have to fear those kinds of diatribe, because we have a Saviour who experienced those deadly slings of word arrows, as well as the nails and shame of the cross, but who instead fought them with LOVE and compassion, rather than with the same sort of evil that was cast upon Him.
As the author of Hebrews so rightly advises us. ‘Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (become discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb. 12:2-3) Yes my fellow believers, that’s the worthy example Jesus gave us to follow.
And as Bruh Paul warns us in Romans: ‘Recompense to (repay) no man evil for evil … Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head (cause him shame). Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom. 12:17a, 19-21) Now that’s how we ought to handle the harsh and hurting words or actions that come against us. And we all know that it’s easier said than done, but that’s how our leader, Jesus wants us to react. He said it Himself in the Sermon on the Mount.
‘Ye have heard that it hath been said , Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye LOVE them which LOVE you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) the same? And if ye salute (greet) your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) so? Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ (Matt. 5:43-48)
Now that is indeed a tough row to hoe my people, but it’s what Jesus expects of us, his faithful followers. And let’s understand that not all our enemies that we try to be nice to will respond with gratefulness or graciousness, for the tempo and temper of our times are such that they don’t encourage such decent behaviour. We’re living in a dog eat dog world, one like we’ve never seen before, with many of the so-called niceties and manners of previous generations having unfortunately fallen by the wayside.
And one other important point we need to consider in this era of harsh words and uncompromising actions, is that hurting people, hurt others. Yes, many a time that harsh words or actions are thrown out, it’s because the originator of such behaviour has been hurt themselves and either consciously or unconsciously wishes to hurt someone else, for that’s the nature of the human animal. Our sinful nature automatically calls for some sort of revenge. But let’s remember that’s not our job, it’s the Lord’s.
Ah friends, we’re all imperfect, and thus liable to behave imperfectly, but we have the perfect example of Jesus Christ before us, so, when those kinds of situations arise in our lives, let’s remember all that we’ve said today, and don’t immediately react with trepidation, that feeling of fear or worry, but let’s turn first to God and ask for His help to handle the situation in the right manner. As the prayer says; ‘fill my heart with that courageous LOVE, strong enough to make a connection. Help me see others as You do. Imperfect people like me who need grace and compassion. When I’m tempted to pull away from someone, soften my heart. Show me why that person hurts – make me a source of Your healing. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
And yuh know what? The Lord has already given us the tools to handle such situations. We call them our Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings the Lord has generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. So let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh, for a blessing is not a blessing until it’s 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, we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously the Lord bestowed them on us! Much LOVE!
…Jesus has set a tough example for us to follow…but follow it we must…as best as we can…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a flame of fire, a heart fixed on God, a ruler's staff, a sceptre of righteousness, as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, being confident of this very thing, boundaries, bring us back to God, can never be rectified, can never be retrieved, children of God, Christ is indestructible, christianity, come to know and love christ like we do, confession, dare not live in a spirit of desair and defeat, despise not the chastening of the Lord, discipline, don't take God's discipline for a lack of love, duty bound, even as a father, everyday we're in the potter's hands, faith, forest fires, God anointed thee with the oil of gladness, God desires to reconcile us back to himself, God never ignores us, God never rejects or refuses His children, god will do whatever he needs to do, God's desire is always to restore us never to reject us, God's discipline has one objective, God's goal is always to use us, God's love is always working on our behalf, hated iniquity, he which hath begun a good work in you, holy spirit, hurry, in god's eyes, in the marvellous image of Jesus, irrefutably true, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and for ever, Jesus is better than the angels, laid the foundation of the earth, let all the angels of God worship him, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel, lost many opportunities, LOVE, loved righteousnes, made foolish choices, makes his angels spirit, makes his ministers a flame of fire, mercy, need to understand, One Year Book of Bible promises, possible because of Jesus who never changes, prevent us from going astray, rain to quench the parched earth, renewed surrender, Ruth Harms Calkin, safeguards, safely restored in his fold, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the difference between the angels and Jesus, the God Who Never Changes, the heavens are the work of thy hands, the light began to shine, the living truth, the sceptre of thy kingdom, the son in whom he delights, they shall be changed, they shall perish but thou shalt endure, thou art the same, thunderstorms, thy throne is for ever and ever, thy years fail not, to bring us to the end of ourselves, to make us whatever he needs us to be, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, ungodly times, wax old as a garment, whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 July 2026 Hebrews 13:8.
Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
So we’ve come to Tuesday, which opened with a very lively thunderstorm in the early morning hours. But that soon petered out and the light began to shine, until very recently when a big shower of rain descended upon my neighbourhood, leaving it wet and cloudy. And we certainly needed some good rain to quench the parched earth as well as wash away the smoke from the forest fires that are still burning in the northern areas of the province. That means we must keep on praying and doing whatever else we can to aid the cessation of those destructive fires.
Now, let’s look at a very interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, this one aptly titled, ‘The God Who Never Changes.’ Whether or not I’ve ever shared it before is unimportant, because it’s still very applicable to all our lives today in these ungodly and evil times. So please read with me. ‘It is irrefutably true: We have lost many opportunities that can never be retrieved. We have made foolish choices that can never be rectified. But we dare not live life in a spirit of despair and defeat.
As children of God we need to understand that all God’s discipline has but one objective: To bring us to the end of ourselves and back to Him! His desire is always to restore us, never to reject us. His goal is always to use us, never to ignore us. With confession, renewed surrender, and a heart that is fixed on him, God will do in us whatever He needs to do to make us whatever He wants us to be. Every necessary change God chooses to make is wonderfully possible because of Jesus, who never changes.’
And all God’s people said a loud and grateful, ‘Thank the Lord for that!’ Yes my fellow believers, we have to be everlastingly grateful for the fact that Jesus never changes, as the Scripture for the poem says: ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.’ (Heb. 13:8) And that’s the living truth! Our Lord and Saviour never changes, therefore we are able to rely on, to put our total trust in Him and whatever He says.
And the author of Hebrews laid the foundation for that contention very early in his writings, when talking about the very meaningful difference between the angels and Jesus, that God’s Son is better than the angels. ‘And again, when he (God) bringeth in the firstbegotten (firstborn) into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirit, and his ministers a flame of fire.
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre (a ruler’s staff) of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast LOVED righteousness, and hated iniquity (lawlessness); therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (companions). And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they shall wax (grow) old as doth a garment; and as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.’ (Heb. 1:6-12)
Yes friends, the Father imbued the Son with power to create and destroy, but also that He himself shall be indestructible and never change! Glory to God! And that’s why the opening sentiments of the poem are ever so true. We’ve lost innumerable opportunities, which can never be retrieved, because that’s just the nature of a lost opportunity. We’ve also made numerous foolish choices that can never be rectified. However, with all of that, as supposed children of God, we ‘dare not live life in a spirit of despair and defeat.’ That would be the worst choice we could ever make.
And above all. we need to understand that all God does, falls into only one compartment; to reconcile us back to himself. Yes mih bredrin, that’s our God’s raison d’etre for everything He does in, with, to and for us! His only goal is to have us safely and LOVINGLY restored in His fold, in the marvellous image of His Son Jesus. Unlike us, God never rejects or refuses His children, but always does what ever is needed to restore them and bring them home to Himself.
Thus Bruh Paul reminds the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Meaning that once God commences to turn us into the image of Christ, He won’t stop until His job is complete. Consequently, every day we can find ourselves in His potter’s hands, like a lump of clay being molded on His potter’s wheel into the very image of His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ. However, that change can only be successful if we sincerely confess our wrongdoing, surrender our lives to Him once again, and have a heart that’s irrevocably fixed on Him.
And we ought to always remember these ever so wise words of warning from Cousin Sol on the Lord’s discipline. ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:11-12) And unfortunately that’s where a lot of us make our mistake; taking God’s discipline for a lack of LOVE, when it’s the very reason behind the correction. And it’s no different to when we correct our children because we LOVE them, not because we want to hurt them. So let’s not take umbrage when the Lord tries to correct us, but understand it’s His LOVE working on our behalf.
Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…like all children…we need boundaries, safeguards and discipline…so that we don’t go astray…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, abundance, because they trust him, blame others for our shortcomings, bring forth thy righteousness as the light., cease from anger, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, commit thy way unto the Lord, creativity, curse, delight thyself also in the Lord, deliver them from the wicked, divine protection, dreams that are deep down in my heart, duty bound, faith, feed on his faithfulness, feel aggrieved, forsake wrath, fret not thyself because of him who prospers, fret not thyself in any wise to do evil, give thee the desires of thine heaert, he shall bring it to pass, he shall exalt thee to inherit the land, holy spirit, interesting diversions, it only causes harm, Jesus Christ, laziness and the devil is diverting me, like a mother weans a babe, LOVE, mercy, my days are numbered, negative word, not an easy road to tread, nothing but me, nothing is holding me back, our shortcomings, rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him, salvation, self-control, so shalt thou dwell in the land, sourage, stole my good intentions, supernatural wisdom, talent, the devil is diverting me, the Lord has me on a tight rein, the Lord shall help them and deliver them, the man who brings wicked schemes to pass, the mocking reply, the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, their strength in time of trouble, thou shalt be fed, thy judgement as the noonday, to satisfy my hungry soul, trust also in him, trust in the Lord and do good, truth, wait on the Lord and keep his way, when the wicked are cut off thou shalt see it, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 July 2026 Psalm 37:3.
Psalm 37:3. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness).
And then it was Thursday… Already, I asked? Yes. But I haven’t done anything worthwhile for the week, I claimed. Too bad, came the mocking reply. I’m glad that we have just one more day to go before the weekend. Ah friends, sometimes I sincerely believe the days are running away from me. And it isn’t that I’m doing nothing. I am doing stuff, but not the stuff I truly want to do; the stuff that’s deep down in my heart, the writing and the music, the dreams I believe the Lord put there.
But somehow or the other, either through laziness and procrastination, or because the devil is diverting me with other things, or because the Lord has me on a tight rein, (smile) I just can’t seem to get around to fulfilling those dreams. Oh friends, I’ve tried doing like Bruh David says in Psalm 37 titled Trust in the Lord. ‘Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness). Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm).’ (Ps. 37:3-8)
Now, I’ve tried my best to do most of that, but I still feel somewhat aggrieved. (smile) Technically though, I don’t have much reason to be aggrieved, because the Lord has indeed been good to me down through the years, although it hasn’t always been an easy road to tread. And to be truthful, He has given me the knowledge and experience in the areas that I like, but not enough to satisfy my hungry soul. The thing is, after exposing me to those experiences, He took them away, weaned me off of them, like a mother weans a babe, and wrapped me up in His work, His Word and His business, namely writing the Bit.
And since I didn’t know much when I began, it necessitated my taking time to learn about it all. And don’t get me wrong, I fully believe and expect the Lord to fulfill the rest of my desires, but just in His own time. The problem though is that I’m not getting any younger, my days are numbered and I feel like time might run out on me before I get to put things to right. And I’m here chuckling, because I’m wondering where all this is coming from. I guess it stems from me asking myself earlier this morning, why I’m not doing the things I truly want to do?
And after considering the matter, I decided that there was nothing really holding be back from doing some of the things I desired; nothing but me. I guess the Lord is waiting for me to cut out the easy to come by, interesting diversions, and instead take up the heavier tasks that are involved in my heart’s desires. So I guess the challenge rests in my hands. Am I going to accept it and do the stuff I want to do, or continue the way I’m going right now, then complain about not doing what I want to do.
Granted, there has been some recent illness that stole all my good intentions and energy, but that’s over now. So I can’t blame my lackadaisical attitude on that any longer. But isn’t that exactly what we do; try to put the blame on other people and other things for our shortcomings; especially in these days of entitlement? That’s for sure! We’ve become so adept at placing blame everywhere else but where it rightly belongs, on ourselves.
And I’m chuckling again, trying to figure out why the Lord made me go down this road today. I can only guess that it’s a lesson for some of you, my readers, an example of how to, and how not to go about the Lord’s business in our lives. Hopefully someone can learn something from my experiences. The important thing here though is to do exactly as Bruh David says in the Psalm; trust in the Lord, fret not, be not envious, do good, delight thyself in the Lord, commit thy way to Him, cease from anger and forsake wrath.
As the scholars say: ‘All of these exhortations urge the believer to confidently trust the Lord with all of life’s problems.’ Now that won’t always be easy, and you’ll find reasons to complain some, (smile) but if you’re serious and sincere, the Lord will lead you aright, through both the tough times and the good ones. As Bruh David says later on in the psalm. “Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it…. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him’ (Ps. 37:34, 39-40)
Yes my people, it all boils down to how much we truly trust the Lord. And why shouldn’t we trust Him totally, after He’s been so good to us. Take for example these Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings He’s so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. So, let’s declare and thus activate them nuh, for a blessing is not a blessing until it’s 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 activated those blessings, we’re now duty bound to go out and use them to help others, use them 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!
…one can only develop true trust in God…by going through the tough times with Him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life of service and sacrifice, a piece of clay in the potter's hands, a real scorcher, a Sunday afternoon stroll, able to stand up to any kind of pressure, always complaining, an accumulation of life experiences, back of my neck, be able to comfort those in trouble, become more like Jesus, being confident of this very thing, both to abound and to suffer need, buzzing in our hearts and souls, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God, christianity, clones of Jesus, cold, come to know and love him like we do, comforts us in all our tribulation, duty bound, evangelism, everything will turn out right in the end, everywhere and in all things, faith, faithfulness, gentleness, getting dirty and gritty, getting to know Jesus, go home encouraged, go through tough times, God will never abandon us, God's purpose won't be denied, goodness, grow in spiritual maturity, have it more abundantly, he which hath begun a good work in you, heat, high winds, holy spirit, hot town, hurry, I am come that they might have life, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I have learned, I know how to abound, I know how to be abased, if any man will come after me, in god's eyes, in God's hands, in whatsoever state I am, it comes gradually, Jesus Christ, joy, kindness, learn from our experiences of life with jesus, let him deny himself, like a bee around a flower, like there's no way forward but God makes one, live humbly, live in prosperity, LOVE, mercy, never satisfied, on God's potter's wheel, over a period of time, patience, peace, persecution, poverty, regretting the end of summer, salvation, see God's awesome love and faithfulness, self-control, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, soon be experiencing the cold of winter, souls grieved unto death, suffer loss or disappointment, summer in the city, take up his cross daily and follow me, the beloved of God, the best life available, the BIBLE, the Christian's eternal security, the crux of the situation, the Father of mercies, the fruit of the spirit, the God of All Comfort, the good shepherd, therewith to be content, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, wealth, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, with the help of the Holy Spirit, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 July 2026 Philippians 4:13.
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Here it is friends, another hot summer Tuesday in mid-July; a real scorcher with the promise of high winds too! As the song says: ‘Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty.’ Yes mih people, it looks like we’re in for a truly hot summer…and let’s not complain, because, with the days moving so quickly, before we know it, we will soon be experiencing the cold of winter and ruing (regretting) the day this hot summer ended. (smile) Yes, that’s the way we are, never satisfied, always complaining about one thing or another.
But let’s remember that we are saints of Jesus, with the ability to handle whatever comes against us with a spiritual calm that overrides our natural fleshly behaviour. As Bruh Paul would say: ‘ …for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity): every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:11-13)
And that’s the crux of the situation: Christ enables us to do all that we need to do when we’re sincerely living for Him. Consequently, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to stand up to any kind of pressure that comes against us; whether it’s poverty or wealth, heat or cold, persecution or evangelism. But the important thing there is that we need to learn how to do all of that, it does not come automatically, easily, or overnight. No, it comes gradually, over a period of time, when we learn from our experiences of life with Jesus.
It’s an accumulation of life experiences. Like when we go through tough times and see His awesome LOVE and faithfulness pull us through. Like when there seems to be no way forward, but He finds one for us. Like when we suffer loss or disappointment and our souls are grieved unto death, and as Bruh Paul, contends: ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all out tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
Oh mih people, that’s the wonderful and miraculous way in which our great God works; comforts us so that we can comfort others! And each instance of Jesus showing up for us builds our faith and teaches us how to operate the way He desires. And let’s remember how that is. He says: ‘If any man will (desires) to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) That means a life of service and sacrifice like He portrayed here on earth. And no, it won’t always be hard times and suffocating sacrifice, but when it’s necessary we must be able to do it and not complain too much.
Remember too, that Jesus said; ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Now that doesn’t mean a life of strictly or only sacrifice, but one also filled with LOVE, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. In other words, a life filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit! Jesus also called himself the good shepherd, (John 10:11 & 14) and the good shepherd makes life good not difficult for His sheep.
So coming to know and LOVE Jesus can be tough, but believe me, it’s in those tough times that we truly know and appreciate Him, as well as grow in spiritual maturity, and become more like Him, which is the Lord’s desirous outcome for us all. That’s why Bruh Paul tells us: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jeus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Meaning that once the Lord begins turning us into good clones of Jesus, He won’t ever stop until He takes us home, or Jesus returns.
That means, every day we’re alive, like a rough piece of clay in a potter’s hands, we’re liable to be in God’s hands, and on His potter’s wheel, being moulded and formed into the perfect image of Jesus. Now, that again is not always an easy process, but we have to accept His LOVE and faithful promises that He won’t intentionally hurt us, but that all He does will eventually turn out to be for our good. (Rom. 8:28) As the scholars advise us: ‘This speaks of the Christian’s eternal security. For God had a purpose in view when He began His saving work in the Philippians (and also in us), and that purpose will neither be abandoned nor unrealized.’
Yes my faithful brethren, God will never abandon us! Of that we can be very sure! So with all that reassurance in God’s power and goodness buzzing in our hearts and souls, like a bee around a beautiful, sweet smelling flower, (smile) let’s go home encouraged, and thus declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
Now, that means we are duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…getting to know Christ…is not a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park…but it’s certainly the best life available here on Mother Earth…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
30 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a gentle word, a glimpse of beauty, a jealous spirit, a song of praise, a storehouse of faith, a thirsting soul, a treasure trove of God's goodness, an act of kindness, as with marrow and abundance, assurance of God's presence, be a portion for foxes, be able to bear it, be ressured, because thou hast been my help, Christians, come to know and love christ like we do, common to man, David never doubted that the Lord was with him, do not give up our hope faith and trust in God, doubts and fears rise up, duty bound, early will I seek thee, even when I can't feel it, everyone that sweareth by him shall glory, examine the detail, faith, faith only grows stronger through personal experience with God, fall by the sword, feel alone, for with God nothing shall be impossible, freely given, give a glowing testimony of God, God can make a way where there seems to be no way, God is faithful, God will see us through our problems, God's presence, holy spirit, I will bless thee while I live, I will rejoice, in a dry and thirsty land where no water is, in God's eyes' hurry, in spite of all the negative happenings, in the night watches, in the shadow of thy wings, In Touch Devotional, Jesus Christ, keep believeing, killed the lion and the bear, lift up my hands in thy name, like a child gathering shells, lock stock and barrel, loneliness creeps in, LOVE, make a way to escape, meditate on thee, mercy, my flesh longeth for thee, my lips shall praise thee, my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, my pockets are heavy with proof, my soul followeth hard after thee, my soul shall be satisfied, my soul thirsteth for thee, no temptation has overtaken you, not his own doing, not prepared for the world's attacks, O God thou art my God, on the right track, on the right track with Jesus, our faith journey, our love walk with Christ, overwhelming circumstances, prey for jackals, pull out a memory, reassure ourselves of God's love, remember thee on my bed, salvation, seen God move in our lives, seen thee in the sanctuary, self-pity, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, sored deep in our hearts, teach me, the Bble, the beloved of God, the king shall rejoice in God, the last day of June, the lower parts of the earth, the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped, the world throws it's best shot at us, thy lovingkindness is better than life, thy right hand upholdeth me, time to take stock, to collect evidence of your love, to disturb our souls, to see thy power and thy glory, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, uncertain times, wisdom, with fierce attention, with God all things are possible, with men this is impossible, with the temptation, worry, you tend every corner of my life
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 June 2026 Psalm 63:7.
Psalm 63:7. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
Then it was Tuesday, a very hot and mostly sunny day. It’s also the last day of June, meaning half of the year has already gone by, and it’s time to take stock of what progress we’ve made so far in it, especially in terms of our New Year’s Resolution, of growing closer to Jesus. Yes friends, it’s time to stop and consider how we’ve fared so far in our LOVE and faith walk with Jesus. See where we’ve improved, or where we’ve fallen behind, and need to make the extra effort to improve, so that our overall faith journey can get back on the right track, for it’s only when we’re on the right track with Jesus that our lives become truly meaningful! End of Sermon! (smile)
And on this last day of June, we’ll look at the prayer in the June edition of the In Touch Devotional. So please pray with me: ‘Father, when I feel alone, teach me to collect evidence of Your LOVE like a child gathering shells – an act of kindness here, a glimpse of beauty there, a gentle word freely given – until my pockets are heavy with proof. When loneliness creeps in, I can pull out a memory, examine the detail again, and be reassured You tend every corner of my life with fierce attention, even when I can’t feel it. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
And sadly, in these troubled and uncertain times many of us need a prayer like that, when things are not going right, despite our best efforts and we need to reassure ourselves of God’s LOVE, compassion and presence throughout each and every moment of our lives. For sometimes when the world throws it’s best shot at us, we aren’t truly prepared for it, and all kinds of doubts and fears rise up to disturb our souls. That’s why we need to have a treasure trove of God’s goodness stored deep in our hearts to always remind us of how wonderful He is to us, in spite of all the negative things happening.
We also need to remember that although He might not take away our problems, He will see us through them, so there’s no need to worry about His eternal presence. It’s like Bruh Paul assured the Corinthians and consequently us: ‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13)
Now that should surely be one of the treasures in our treasure trove of God’s goodness and mercy. And Bruh David is certainly one of the best examples of that in the Bible, for throughout all his problems, especially when running from king Saul who desired to kill him because of a jealous spirit, he never doubted that the Lord was with him, probably remembering the times when as a lowly shepherd boy, protecting the sheep, he killed the lion and the bear, and also when he killed the Philistine giant Goliath with a small stone from a sling shot. He had to know and understand that all of that was the Lord’s hand working on his behalf, and not his own doing.
It’s like he says in Psalm 63 – A Thirsting Soul, when he was in the wilderness of Judah running from Saul. ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee (looked for thee) in the sanctuary. Because thy LOVING-KINDNESS is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow (the best) and fatness (abundance); and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion (prey) for foxes (jackals). But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.’ (Ps. 63:1-11)
Oh my people, what assuredness Bruh David had in his God! For how many of us while running for our lives in the wilderness, from an enemy determined to kill us, would, or could write such a glowing testimony about our God? Not too many, for we’d probably be more concerned with the serious state of our problems and too busy with self-pity and wonder where God was, to ever envision a song of praise under those overwhelming circumstances. And truthfully, that can only happen when we’ve had some experience with Lord, where we’ve seen Him move in our lives, and have thus built up a storehouse of faith, to help us keep believing when there appears to be no way out of our problems.
To remember that our wonderful, omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God can always make a way, where there seems to be no way. Remember what the angel Gabriel said to Mary, Jesus’ mother, when she wondered how she could become pregnant without knowing a man. ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:37) And Jesus, having told the disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, reiterated Gabriel’s words. ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26)
And that is something we desperately need to always keep at the forefront of our minds: the Lord might not do what we desire, but it’s possible for Him to do anything He desires, so we must not give up our hope, faith and trust in Him. Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…faith can only grow stronger…through more personal experiences with God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a foundation stone scripture in our hearts, a man's heart deviseth his way, according to his riches in glory, all the days of your life, all we have comes from God, an early bus, as I was with Moses so will I be with thee, be strong and of a good courage, boast about God's goodness and mercy, challenges, Christians, come to know and love him like we do, discouragement, distress, divide the inheritance, duty bound, encouragement, encouraging scriptures, every other foe, faith, for Christ's sake, glory in my infirmities, God is the most powerful being in the universe, grin and bear it, holy spirit, hurry, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I will boast in God, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, I will not give up, if God spares life, in all these things we are more than conquerors, in Christ there is no giving up, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, lock stock and barrel, look to God for strength each day, LOVE, man plans but God laughs, mercy, more than a conqueror, my god shall supply all your need, my grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness, necessities, no man shall stand before thee, no matter how fierce or relentless the battle, nothing to boast about, over doubt, Prayer Cards from In Touch, remove the thorn from his flesh, reproaches, salvation, Satan tempts us, share His love with my neighbours, stand firm in christ, stand firm in the Lord, take pleasure in infirmities, talking to the Holy spirit, taunts me with past failures, taunts us with past failures, thank you for your power within me, Thank You Lord, that's life, the beloved of God, the best encouragement comes from God, the BIBLE, the Creator of the universe, the enemy of my soul, the land I swear to give them, the Lord directs his steps, the power of Christ may rest upon me, the power of Jesus that dwells within us, the power of the Holy spirit, the strength I need, there is no one greater than you, threaten to knock me over, through him that loved us, throwing in the towel, to emerge victorious today, to share Christ's love and friendship, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, wasn't in the cards, when I am weak then I am strong, wisdom, worry, you are almighty
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 June 2026 Philippians 4:1b.
Philippians 4:1b. ‘…stand firm in the Lord…’
Oh friends, I tried hard to make an early bus today, but it seems like that wasn’t in the cards, wasn’t meant to be. As the old people would say, ‘Man plans, and God laughs.’ And as Cousin Sol so wisely tells us: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov. 16:9) And that’s no lie, for the Lord stepped in, and against my plan, I ended up going out the street with the Duchess this morning. (smile) But that’s life, and we just have to grin and bear these things when they happen.
And to help us do just that, today we’ll look at a prayer from the recent Prayer Cards issued by the In Touch Organization, this one titled ‘Encouragement.’ And do we ever need that in great amounts in these uncertain and difficult times, when it seems like our world is speeding down to hell in a hand basket. So please pray with me.
‘Lord Jesus, thank You for Your power within me. You are almighty. Challenges may threaten to knock me over, but in You I’m more than a conqueror. So, no matter how fierce or relentless the battle, I will not give up. When the enemy of my soul taunts me with past failures, I will boast in You. Be the strength I need to emerge victorious today – over doubt, discouragement, and every other foe. Thank You Lord. There is no one greater than You. Amen!’ And my fellow believers, once you truly know the Lord God Almighty, you’ll definitely know that there’s none greater than Him!
So let’s try and dissect the prayer. And right from the very beginning, it offers us encouragement, telling us about the great power of Jesus that dwells with us. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit; our Guide, Leader, Comforter, etc. etc. That means we already have the power we need to fight our battles, but we need to use it; by talking to the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance and direction, and then actioning whatever He tells us.
And I like how it says that challenges may threaten, but because we have the most powerful being in the universe dwelling within us, we are able to conquer them. As Bruh Paul so rightly puts it in his letter to the Roman church: ‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.’ (Rom. 8:37) And that’s a scripture that we need to make one of the foundation stones in our hearts, so we can remember and act on it when times get rough.
But possibly the most important statement in the prayer is this one; ‘I will not give up.’ Praise the Lord my brethren! Yes, regardless of how tough and frightening times might get, there is no giving up, for as I keep reminding us, in Christ’s vocabulary there are no words like giving up, like throwing in the towel. And why should there be, when we’re dealing with the Creator of the universe, the One who died for our sins and reigns in heaven advocating on our behalf? And also when the scriptures tell us; ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13)
And furthermore, when Satan tries to tempt and taunt us with our past failures, we’ll just ignore him, and boast about our great God and His goodness and mercy. As Bruh Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, after asking three times for the Lord to remove a particular thorn from his flesh, and eventually got this answer. ‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses) that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.’ (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Ah friends, we really don’t have anything of ourselves to boast about, because all we have comes from Jehovah God. So, if the feeling takes us to boast, the right person to boast on and about is our heavenly Father, for He equips us with whatever we need. As Bruh Paul says in Philippians: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) So whatever we need, the Lord provides, and we are contented with whatever He provides, for it’s often better than what we could provide on our own.
And it’s to the Lord God Almighty to whom we must look for the strength to be victorious on each and every day of our earthly journey. And there are many scriptures on encouragement, like this one from the Lord to Joshua. ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto their father to give them.’ (Josh. 1:5-6)
Now that’s a wonderful bit of encouragement, straight from the Lord Himself, meaning it could not get any better than that. But being strong and courageous is not always easy to do, even when we know the Lord is with us, that’s why the scripture for today’s prayer encourages us to: ‘…stand firm in the Lord…’ (Phil. 4:1b) And there are several more encouraging scriptures to look at, but because time and space are against us, we’ll look at them tomorrow, obviously providing that God spares our lives. (smile)
Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And having said that, we’re now duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…consider the power of Christ Jesus within you…and stand firm in Him… (In Touch Devotional Prayer Card)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as a man chasteneth his son, being confident of this very thing, better unto me than thousands of gold and silver, build an house for my name, chasten him with the rod of men, Christians, come to know and love christ like we do, consider in thine heart, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty, duty bound, Eliphaz the Temanite, establish his kingdom, establish the throne of his kingdom forever, faith, falling prey to my prayers, family doctor, fear God, feeding them with manna, forty years in the wilderness, God chastened David for his affair with Bathsheba, God promised to chasten Solomon if he erred, God's disciplining of His people, happy is the man the Lord correcteth, he maketh sore and bindeth up, he shall be my son, he which hath begun a good work in you, he woundeth and his hands make whole, holy spirit, home remedies, humbling them, hurry, I will be his father, if he commit iniquity, It is good for me I have been afflicted, Jesus Christ, keep all the Lord's commandments, learn the hard way, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, live and multiply, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make us more Christ-like, man does not live by bread alone, mercy, Moses, Moses instructing the young Israelites, my mercy shall not depart away from him, obey God and leave all the consequences to him, on a late bus, proving their faithfulness, salvation, set up thy seed after thee, share His love with my neighbours, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee, sore throat, suffering them to hunger, that i might learn thy statutes, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the law of thy mouth, the Lord's works run the whole gamut of our experience, the potters wheel, the Promised Land, the prophet Nathan, the stripes of the children of men, thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever, to share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, walk in God's ways, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 June 2026 Deuteronomy 8:5.
Deuteronomy 8:5. Thou shalt also consider (know) in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.
Ah friends, today we’re on a real late bus, because I went to see my family doctor about a bad sore throat I’ve had for almost a week now and it wasn’t falling prey to my prayers or any of my home remedies, so I succumbed to the medic as a last resort. (smile) Anyway, without further ado, let’s get to our topic for today, making it as short and sweet as possible. (smile)
And it’s the same topic as it yesterday, God’s disciplining of His people, just with more scriptures. And if several people spoke about it down through the ages, that just goes to show how important it is. So we’ll go right back to the early years, where Moses is instructing the young Israelites who were going into the Promised Land, about the things the Lord had unsuccessfully tried to teach their forefathers.
He began by telling them that they had to keep all the commandments that he would tell them that day, so that they could live and multiply and go in and possess the Promised land. Then he related about the tough forty years spent in the wilderness, with the Lord trying to prove their faithfulness, humbling them, suffering them to hunger, then feeding them with manna, so that they could learn that man did not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the Lord’s mouth, and how their garments never grew old, nor their feet swollen in those forty years. (Deut. 8:1-4)
And he continues, ‘Thou shalt also consider (know) in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his way, and to fear (reverence) him.’ (Deut. 8:5-6) And all of that still stands to day my people! If we don’t keep the Lord’s commands as His children, He will discipline us.
Then we have the prophet Nathan speaking to Bruh David about God’s promises after his death. ‘I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes (strokes) of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.’ (2 Sam. 7:12-16)
Yes mih bredrin, that’s how much the Lord valued Bruh David, to make sure the kingdom was always ruled by his descendants, beginning with Cousin Sol, right down to Jesus. But please notice that He promised to chasten Cousin Sol if he erred. Just like He chastened Bruh David for his sinful and ungodly behaviour with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. So no one is exempt from the Lord’s discipline.
As Eliphaz, Job’s supposed friend reminds us: ‘Behold happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.’ (Job 5:17-18) Now that’s the awesome truth my people; the Lord’s work runs the whole gamut of our existence.
Then in Psalm 119, the psalmist declares: ‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.’ (Ps. 119:71-72) Unfortunately though, that’s a fact some of us can only learn the hard way. (smile) But don’t worry, the Lord will not give up on us, once we desire to rest under His umbrella, He will make sure that we learn what we need to.
And in closing, let’s remember this most appropriate verse from Bruh Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he reminds them and us: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) That’s just to remind us that every day we’re alive, the Lord will be putting us through our paces on His potter’s wheel, attempting to make us more Christ-like, on our earthly journey.
And since we cannot evade the Lord’s discipline, hopefully the scriptures we’ve reviewed these past two days, will enable us to do what’s right more than ever, and thus not need to be disciplined by the Lord too often. (smile) Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And that now makes duty bound to go our and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
… as Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley) liked to say…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
02 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a haven of peace and truth, after their own lusts, all church members are equally valued, all the members of that one body being many are one body, any day is capable of rumpling our feathers, as the body is one and hath many members, be a breeze from here on in, be alert, be bond or free, be Jews or Gentiles, be turned unto fables, been all made to drink into one Spirit, biblically speaking, both an individual and corporate matter, bring light and love to mankind, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, called to care for one another, causing grief, church members are interconnected, come to know and love christ like we do, comfort those who suffer, diverse gifts and functions, doing many things differently, duty bound, every part is essential to the whole, exhort with longsuffering and doctrine, faith, fall into bad habits, for all the saints, get down to the nitty gritty, give thanks to Jesus' commitment to the church, God's compassions are new every morning, granted life, great is thy faithfulness, grow in love discernment and good works, have the Holy Spirit present wherever you are lifted up, have the same care for one another, heap tp themselves teachers, holy spirit, hurry, I am the beloved of god, in god's eyes, instead of what they need to hear, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, itching ears, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the legal head of the church, Jesus will not let the church fall, keep us safe as we hope in you, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, live in righteousness and thanksgiving, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make your church ready for your return, mercy, need to keep praying for the church, no one part can say it does not need the others, no schism in the body, not guaranteed to see tomorrow, not to the standard it ought to, on Christ's behalf, please protect and encourage your people, Prayer Cards from IN Touch Ministries, prayer is of the utmost importance, praying always with all prayer and supplication, preach the world, preachers telling people what they want to hear, preaching different doctrines, presenting challenges, provide for those in need, rumpled Monday's feathers, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, so also is Christ, spiritual combat, strengthen us against temptation, take one day at a time, thank you for the church, the analogy of the human body, the body of Christ, the church is a single unified body under Christ, the church is badly disunified, the church is strife-filled, the church is the worldwide body of Christian believers, the last days, the spiritual armour of God, the time will come, the truth is skewered, the whole body experiences it together, they will not endure sound doctrine, to go out and share the love and friendship of Christ, too many different denominations, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, turn away their ears from the truth, unified by the Holy Spirit, vigilant against deception, watching thereunto, we cannot give up, welcoming to all, when one part suffered or is honoured, wisdom, with all perseverance and petition, with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 June 2026 Ephesians 6:18.
Ephesians 6:18. ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’
Oh boy, it’s Tuesday, sunshiny and warm! And since we’ve rumpled Monday’s feathers, it ought to be a breeze from here on in! I wouldn’t be so sure of that nuh, for Tuesday might just rumple our feathers. For any day is capable of rumpling our feathers, presenting challenges that we cannot handle and thus causing us grief. So let’s take one day at a time, don’t belittle any of them, but deal with each one seriously, as though it was our last one. And who knows, it just might be, since we’re not guaranteed to see tomorrow.
And as the prophet Jeremiah so rightly declares in his Lamentations: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) Yes friends, let’s remember that it’s only because of God’s goodness and mercy that we are granted life to see a new day, and therefore live the way we ought to, in righteousness and thanksgiving.
Now, today, we’re going to look at one of the Prayer Cards issued by the In Touch Organization a few years ago. This one deals with the church. So please pray with me. ‘Lord Jesus, thank You for the church. Please protect and encourage Your people. Comfort those who suffer, and provide for those in need. Strengthen us against temptation. Help us grow in LOVE, discernment, and good works. May your church be a haven of peace and truth, welcoming to all and vigilant against deception. Let Your Holy Spirit be fully present wherever You are lifted up. Make Your church ready for your return, Lord Jesus, and keep us safe as we hope in You. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s a wonderful description of all the things Christ’s church ought to be and do! But is it doing them? Definitely not to the standard it ought to. But before we get down to the nitty gritty, let’s see what the church really is. Many people understand it as the building where believers gather to worship, however in the real sense the church is not so much the building, but biblically it refers to the worldwide body of Christian believers with Jesus as it’s legal head.
It’s as Bruh Paul describes the church in 1 Corinthians. ‘For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we bond (slaves) or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.’ (1 Cor. 12:12-14) Bruh Paul uses the analogy of the human body to explain the church. Just as a body has many parts (hands, feet, eyes, and ears), the church has many members, but they form a single, unified body, under Christ, unified by the Holy Spirit.
And later on in that same passage, Bruh Paul further states that although the church is composed of many individual members with diverse gifts and functions, every part is essential to the whole. This means all members are interconnected, equally valued, and called to care for one another. And further still, he emphasizes that no one part can say it does not need the others, and when one part suffers or is honored, the whole body experiences it together. (1 Cor. 12:15-27) Yes mih bredrin, Christ’s church is just like the human body, with Christ at the head and the many other parts making it up into one whole, all unified by the Holy Spirit.
So let’s see now, how it’s living up to its purpose. Per the Prayer Card, the church should be a place where people are encouraged, comforted and provided for when in need; a haven of peace and truth, welcoming to all and vigilant against deception.’ How much of that is the church really doing eh? Not enough. And it cannot when it’s so badly broken up and disunified, when there are so many different denominations, cliques and different entities all claiming to be a part of Christ’s body and preaching different doctrines, as well as doing many things differently.
Therefore, it’s totally contrary to Bruh Paul’s words; ‘That there should be no schism (division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.’ (1 Cor. 12:25) And is the church really a haven of peace and truth? No way! For today’s church is strife-filled and what truth that’s being preached is usually skewered to the preacher or the people’s liking.
To a great extent it’s like Bruh Paul warned Timothy: ‘Preach the word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’ (2 Tim. 4:2-4)
And are we ever seeing that in these last days, where preachers are telling people what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. But regardless of how bad things might seem, we still cannot afford to give up. No way! For giving up does not exist in Christ’s vocabulary! And we desperately need to keep on praying for the church, for the body of Christ that’s supposed to bring light and LOVE to mankind on Christ’s behalf, for if we don’t, it will only continue to fall into bad habits and eventually crumble. And that we definitely don’t want to happen.
So, let’s do as the Prayer Card strongly suggests by using as it’s Bible verse: ‘Be alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.’ Now that’s a new-fangled version of Bruh Paul’s declaration after admonishing us to put on the spiritual armour of God in Ephesians. But here’s the real McCoy. (smile) ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph. 6:18)
Yes my people, prayer is of the utmost importance in the Christian life. For even the spiritual armour of God is inadequate without it. And we are to pray not only for ourselves, but for all of God’s saints, because, as the scholars tell us; ‘spiritual combat is both an individual and corporate matter.’
And now, with all that information re the church and its purpose refreshed and renewed in our minds, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
And as per the Prayer Card …Give thanks for Jesus’ commitment to His church…He will not let her fall…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
26 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a shortsighted situation, a wise and perceptive passage, as the grave, as those that go down to the pit, behold the upright, bringing tough circumstances to the forefronteach day can cause tous, cast in thy lot among us, caught with our pants below our knees, christianity, Christians, come to know and love christ like we do, come with us, death-bringing sinfulness, deliver them from the wicked, do not err my beloved brethren, drawn away of his own lust, duty bound, each day can cause serious challenges, earthly pleasures, enticed, every man is tempted, faith, fill our houses with spoil, find all precious substance, for the innocent without cause, full grown sin brings forth death, God cannot be tempted with evil, God tempts no man, have rule over all my labour, he shall exalt thee to inherit the land, I am tempted of God, I am the beloved of god, I hated all my labour, I sought him but he culd not be found, if sinners entice thee consent not, in god's eyes, in the sight of any bird, in vain the net is spread, involved with the schemes of the wicked, Jesus Christ, leave it unto the man tat comes after me, let no man say when he is tempted, let the world know to whom we belong, let us all have one purse, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily, let us lurk secretly, lie in wait for blood, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, lurk privily for their own lives, lust brings forth sin, make haste to shed blood, make Tuesday and easy target, mark the perfect man, mercy, one strong and sincere voice, our nemesis, plunder, promise wealth without work, refrain thy foot from their path, salvation, save them because they trust in him, seen the wicked in great power, share His love with my neighbours, shewed myself wise under the sun, sin brings painful consequences, so few seeking righteousness, so many practicing wickedness, spreading himself like a green bay tree, swallow them up alive, taken under the sun, taketh away the life of the owners, the BIBLE, the counsels of the wicked are deceit, the end of sin is always death and destruction, the end of that man is peace, the end of the wicked shall be cut off, the house of the righteous shall stand, the individual's responsibility, the Lord shall help them, the mouth of the upright shall deliver them, the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, the thoughts of the righteous are right, the transgressors shall be destroyed together, the way of sinners, the ways of every one that is greedy of gain, the wicked are no more, the wicked are overthrown, the wise son rejects the invitation of criminals, the words of the wicked, their feet run to evil, their strength in time of trouble, they lay in wait for their own blood, this also is vanity, to avoid the tempter's snare, to go out and share the love and friendship of Christ, trust in the Lord, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, wait on the Lord and keep his way, walk not thou in the way with them, when the wicked are cut off, who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool, wisdom, with the whole wide world, worry, yet he passed away, you shall see when the wicked are cut off
Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 May 2026 Proverbs 12:7.
Proverbs 12:7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not (no more): but the house of the righteous shall stand.
Oh boy, we’ve beaten our nemesis Monday into the ground! But please, don’t think that will make Tuesday an easy target. It most likely won’t be, for Monday might give us starting problems after the weekend break, but each day is very capable of bringing tough circumstances to the forefront. That means every day is a challenge in itself, and we cannot afford to lower our expectations, otherwise we can be caught with out pants below our knees. (smile)
And on this bright, warm, sunshiny Tuesday, with temps in the mid-twenties, we’re going to look at a few verses from the wisdom of Cousin Sol in Proverbs, re the difference between the wicked and the righteous. He expounds thus: ‘The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. The wicked are overthrown, and are not (no more): but the house of the righteous shall stand.’ (Prov. 12:5-7)
Oh friends, how many times in the Bible have we been told the same basic story eh – that the wicked shall be destroyed and the righteous saved? But too many of us seem not to believe it, otherwise there would not be so many wicked people in the world practicing their wicked behaviour, and not so few seeking righteousness. And right at the beginning of Proverbs, Cousin Sol warns us about walking in the way of sinners with a very wise and perceptive passage.
‘My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, come with us, let us lay wait for blood (to shed blood), let us lurk privily (secretly) for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down to the pit: We shall find all precious substance (wealth), we shall fill our houses with spoil (plunder): Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain (keep) thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain (futility) the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily (secretly) for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.’ (Prov. 1:10-19)
Yes my brethren, we could not get a better discourse on the actions of the wicked and advice not to fall into their snare. As the scholars explain: ‘The wise son rejects the invitation of criminals who promise wealth without work (vs.13). The verse stresses the individual’s responsibility to avoid the tempter’s snare (cf. James 1:14-15).’ And that’s the point we’re trying to make, it’s our responsibility, not anybody else’s, to avoid getting involved with the deeds and schemes of the wicked.
As James states it: ‘Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desire), and enticed. Then when lust (desire) hath conceived, it bringeth forth (gives birth to) sin: and sin, when it is finished (full grown), bringeth forth death. Do not err (be deceived), my beloved brethren.’ (James 1:13-16) So when we’re tempted to sin, we cannot say it’s God tempting us, but it’s our own lustful, carnal desires that are driving us to sin. And in the end, that sinful desire only causes death!
How many times do we need to hear that before we turn away from sin eh? Obviously some of us must like death, the way we live such a sinful life. But that’s a shortsighted and very unwise situation, for you cannot carry any of the wealth and pleasures you amass here into the next life; in fact you’ll forfeit it all to someone else. As Cousin Sol writes as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes:
‘Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken (toiled) under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity (futility).’ (Eccl. 2:18-19) Yes, you’ll leave all your earthly wealth for someone else to possibly use and abuse. So what’s the point in toiling hard to amass it eh?
And if you don’t believe Cousin Sol or James, or me, (smile) then listen to Bruh David from Psalm 37, titled ‘Trust in the Lord.’ where he confidently declares: ‘Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree (a native green tree). Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Mark the perfect (blameless) man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust him’ (Ps. 37:34-40)
Oh my people, it could not be said any clearer than that! Stay away from evil and trust in the Lord and your life will be saved. It as simple as that! So please, let’s cut out, turn away from all the foolish and death-bringing sinfulness that we’re currently involved in nuh, because it certainly doesn’t do us any good, neither now or in the hereafter. And furthermore, sin always brings painful consequences right here on earth. So why pursue it eh?
Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…sin might bring some earthly pleasures…but its end is always…death and destruction…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
19 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 10th century African Prayer, a breath of fresh air, a modicum of circumspection, at the foot of the cross, Christ who died for us, Christ's crucifixion was the playing out of God's plan for man's salvation, Christ's death on the cross, christianity, come to know and love christ like we do, comfort yourselves together, complain that it's too hot, dogs have taken first place over children, duty bound, edify one another, encourage each other, faith, Father forgive them, felt the sun strong, God hath not appointed us to wrath, have the light of life, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, holy spirit, hurry, I am the light of the world, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the light of life and the life of light, lay all your worries at the foot of the cross, live together with christ, lost forever in the darkness of the devil, LOVE, mercy, our sins have been forgivien, Prayers Through the Ages Publication, receive hope for the future, run to the cross for any and everything, salvation, share Christ's amazing love and friendship, share His love with my neighbours, sick calls to work, summer ritual, thank you father for the cross, the aim of the priests, the basic foundation of our faith, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the cloth of the naked, the coming of Christ, the consolation of the bondman, the cross, the cross of Christ - the symbol of everything good and true, the daily grind and common task, the doctor of the sick, the forgiveness of sins, the freedom of slaves, the hope of christians, the hope of the hopeless, the life of light, the light of the world, the power of kings, the resurrection of the dead, the saviour of the lost, the source of those who seek water, the staff of the lame, the strength of the weak, the water of the weeds, the way of the lost, they know not what they do, to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, took the sage asvice, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, we're enver satisfied, we've seen the light Jesus, whether we wake or sleep, wisdom, without the cross of Christ, worry, you never know the good thing you have unti you lose it
Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 May 2026 1 Thessalonians 5:9.
1 Thessalonians 5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
And then it was Tuesday; meaning all the Victoria Day celebrations over, and we need to get back to the daily grind and common task, called work. (smile) Let’s hope the celebrations were enjoyable but were not overdone, that we took the sage advice of Cousin Sol and Bruh Paul and exerted a modicum of circumspection, (smile) and also that there weren’t a lot of sick calls to work this morning, for that just spoils the employer’s attitude over public holidays, especially when they have to still pay their employees.
As for me, I didn’t do any real celebrating, but I did get to begin my summer ritual of sitting on my front porch and watching people go by with their many dogs and few children. Ah Lord eh! Dogs seem to have taken first place over children. And it’s amazing what you can see and hear while people pass by and don’t even notice you, although you’re sitting in full sight. You can only shake your head and wonder what’s happening; what our world will be like some fifty years hence, that is if we haven’t totally destroyed it by then.
Anyway before I came down to write the Bit, I had a breath of fresh air and felt the sun strong on my arthritic bones. Oh what a good feeling that was! As they say, you never know the good things you have until you no longer have them. And sadly, it seems like this spell of summer weather will end sometime this week and we’ll go back to temps in the mid-teens or thereabouts. Hopefully that will be just for a short while though, and we’ll soon get the real heat, when we’ll begin to complain about how hot it is, and how it’s too hot. (smile) We’re never satisfied are we?
However, on this warm, sunny May Tuesday, we’re going to declare a 10th Century African Prayer, found in the Toronto Anglican Diocese 2025 publication ‘Prayers Through the Ages,’ Daily prayers for spiritual renewal. So please pray with me: ‘The cross is the hope of Christians The cross is the resurrection of the dead The cross is the way of the lost The cross is the saviour of the lost The cross is the staff of the lame The cross is the strength of the weak
The cross is the doctor of the sick The cross is the aim of the priests The cross is the hope of the hopeless The cross is the freedom of the slaves The cross is the power of kings The cross is the water of the weeds The cross is the consolation of the bondman The cross is the source of those who seek water The cross is the cloth of the naked We thank you, Father, for the cross.’
And do we ever thank the Lord for the cross, because it’s the basic foundation of our faith, of all that we are and stand for! Yes friends, without the cross of Christ we’d all be lost forever in the darkness of the devil and this evil world. But through the coming of Christ and his death on the cross, our sins have been forgiven and we’ve finally seen the light; Jesus, the light of the world! As He so rightly said: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) And that’s why we Christians have the life of light, as well as the light of life! (smile)
And isn’t it amazing that the cross is truly the basis of all the prayer states: ‘The hope of Christians; the resurrection of the dead; the way of the lost; the saviour of the lost; the staff of the lame; the strength of the weak; the doctor of the sick; the aim of the priests; the hope of the hopeless, the freedom of the slaves; the power of kings; etc. etc.’ Yes my brethren, the cross of Christ holds the answer to every question and problem our world has or can ever devise. That’s how important it is. We can run to it for whatever we need, whatever ails us or is trying to tear us apart.
At the foot of Christ cross, we can place all our worries and ailments and receive hope for the future. Nothing else in this world has the power to do that! No wonder the cross has become the symbol of Christianity, because it’s everything to us. It’s where the forgiveness of our sins was purchased, with Jesus, even as He hung on that old rugged cross, asking ‘Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34) Yes, those who crucified Christ, had no inkling whatsoever of what they were doing. They thought that they were getting rid of an opponent, but the truth was that He came to earth to be crucified and pay our sin debt. So what they were doing was just the playing out of the Lord’s plans.
And Christ’s resurrection on the third day, made our lives even better, for not only were our sins forgiven, but with His resurrection, we also received the totality of salvation and eternal life! All thanks and praise to our wonderful God! It’s As Bruh Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. ‘For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together (encourage each other), and edify (build up) one another, even as also ye do (are doing).’ (1 Thess. 5:9-11)
That’s it in a nutshell, my fellow believers! God, through Christ, made a way for us, where there seemed to be absolutely no way. So please, let’s not abuse or reject it, but gladly grab hold of it, cherish it, and stay with it until the end! Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And if we truly meant it, then we’re now duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…the cross of Christ…the symbol of everything good and true…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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