19 Jan 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a high price to pay to follow Jesus, abide in me and I in you, acclaim Jesus' name, cannot be my disciple, endure to the end, except a corn of wheat, fall into the ground and die, he that hateth his life in this world, he that loveth his life shall lose it, him will my father honour, I am halfway home, I am the vine ye are the branches, I'm not turning back, if any man serve me, if it die it bringeth forth much fruit, in comparison to one's devotion to Christ, it abideth alone, LOVE, Love the Lord thy God, Love thy neighbour as thyself, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, one's family ties must be secondary, shall keep it unto eternal life, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the future will be even more glorious, the hour is come, the Son of man shall be glorified, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, which is the great commandment, whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, without me ye can do nothing
Luke 14:27. And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
And it’s another cloudy, frosty Wednesday morning! A little of the white stuff fell in my area last night, but not enough to make a difference, but we are still surrounded by a sea of white, although the roads are passable today, and we might have more problems with ice than snow. (smile) Oh, and by the way, the duchess’ prediction re the snow removal, did not come through, because the trucks and scoops came early in the evening to remove it, instead of late in the night as she had forecasted, and as they often do.
But that’s enough about snow and the unfortunate weather we’ve been having. It’s time to talk about something that will truly make a difference. And what’s that you ask? We’re talking about some of the many immortal words our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ spoke while on His earthly sojourn. These were spoken around the time of His triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, when the disciples informed Him that a group of Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the feast were desirous of talking to Him.
The Good Book relates it thus: ‘And Jesus answered them (the disciples), saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn (grain) of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth (remains) alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that LOVETH his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my father honour.’ (John 12:23-26)
Yes friends, Jesus expects a high degree of selflessness from His followers, but to be sure, they are well rewarded for it. Now let’s clear up one major point before moving on. It concerns the matter of LOVE and hate in the scriptures. The scholars offer this explanation of verse 25 above. They say: ‘Whenever we see LOVE and hate contrasted we should understand that LOVE for the one is so undivided that it may appear as hate for the other; although it is not necessarily so (cf. Luke 14:26, disciples hating mother and father; Rom. 9:13. God hating Esau.’
Oftentimes, it’s not an emotional thing, but just the Father’s will; like with Jacob and Esau. Jacob was blessed while Esau was not. So every time we see LOVE and hate in the scriptures, we need to take a moment to stop and consider the true meaning, whether it was an emotional problem or just one party being more favoured than another. And if we consider the verse referenced above in Luke, we can see exactly what they are talking about.
There Jesus counted the cost of following Him, to the multitude around Him, when He says: ‘If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren (brothers), and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.’ (Luke 14:26-27)
Oh my people, it is indeed a high price to pay to follow Jesus, but that’s just how important it is to follow Him. And He doesn’t mean we have to dislike our family or friends, just that, as the scholars put it. ‘In comparison to one’s devotion to Christ, one’s family ties must be secondary. This does not set aside Jesus’ other teachings to LOVE one’s enemies, to honour father and mother, and the like. It does highlight that absolute loyalty to Christ is paramount, even though in many societies, including the one in which Jesus taught, as well as many today, following Him involves precisely the either-or that this verse sets up.’
And that’s so sad, because Jesus never meant for us to give up our friends and families, but just to put Hm first. But in way too many cases, religiosity unfortunately, and wrongly forces us to give up one or the other. Yes, you can’t serve God and mammon or money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have much money, because money is important in forwarding Christ’s kingdom in this sinful world.
So please, let’s not allow religion to drive us to one camp or the other, for in Christ, remember, we are all ONE! There’s no difference between the rich and the poor, the slave and the free, the Jew and the Gentile in Christ’s eyes. It’s only important that we live our lives sincerely trying to obey His will. So what’s the long and short of the story, you ask?
Well, I believe it’s spelled out in two sets of scriptures. The first is Jesus’ sincere admonishment to the disciples. ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:4-5) Now that’s Jesus telling it like it really is! In this world, we can do nothing of any consequence without Him!
And the second set of scriptures that I believe explains our purpose on this earth, is Jesus response to the question, posed by an uppity, self-righteous, hypocritical lawyer of the Jewish ruling class: ‘Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (Matt. 22:36-40)
Yes my fellow saints, from the beginning of time, that’s what the prophets been preaching; the absolute and miraculous power of LOVE! It’s marvellous ability to bring things and people together to live in harmony, with Almighty God and with each other! And that’s what our world is sadly lacking in these troubled times; a real sense of caring, of compassion, of LOVE for God and each other. So it seems that’s where our focus should be centred, be concentrated in these calamitous times, if we sincerely desire true improvement in our world. And that’s the long and short of the story! (smile)
Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to preach and practice LOVE, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one loud, confident 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 believe me people, if we endure to the end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! So let’s hang in there and acclaim Christ’s name nuh, like He so richly deserves! Much LOVE!
…to God the Father…be the glory…through Christ Jesus…the Son…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
12 Jan 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a plausible reason, be not forgetful to entertain strangers, carry out God's good pleasure, Complaining is not a fruit of the Spirit, destructive and debilitating, do all things without murmurings and disputings, endure to the end, glorify your Father which is in heaven, halfway home, hands fixed securely on the plough, I'm not turning back, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, let brotherly love continue, Let your light so shine before men, LOVE, more than we can ask or imagine, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, putting myself in harm's way, sacrifices are a part of life, so glad to be alive, some have entertained angels unawares, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the future will be even more glorious, the Lord will look after me, the only common denominator in our world, the sons of God, the world's darkness is covering our light, they may see your good works, to a glorious future with Jesus, under God's guidance no reason for complaining, use hospitality to one another without grudging, using our light to uncover the world's darkness, Wednesday Wail, with fear and trembling, without rebuke, work out your own salvation, Ye are the light of the world, ye may be blameless and harmless, ye shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14. Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings:
Well it’s Wednesday, not bright like the other days, but just as cold. And would you believe I have to go into the great city of Toronto for a medical check-up. Chuh! It’s a pain going there with all the traffic and confusion, and I would just LOVE to cancel it. (smile) But I can’t find any plausible reason to do so, and, like in most of our problems, I am the beneficiary of the check-up, not the medical people. So if I don’t go, I’m not doing them anything, I’m just putting myself in harms way.
And deep down I know that the Lord will look after me, but I guess it’s just my laziness, or desire not to have to go out into the cold. But sacrifices are a part of this life, and furthermore, it’s a sacrifice for my life, not for anyone else’s. So if you can’t sacrifice for yourself, whom are you going to sacrifice for eh? So enough with the complaining, with the hemming and hawing of whether I should go or not. And I guess, under these circumstances we should take a look at what the Good Book says about complaining. Hn, Hn!
Now Bruh Paul says it loud and clear to the Philippians. ‘Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of (according to) his good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil. 2:12-15)
Yes friends, complaining, grumbling, murmuring, disputing or any such negative sentiment, should not be numbered amongst the Christian’s tool kit. Why is that, you ask? I like how the gotquestions.org website explains it in an article on the subject.
‘Complaining is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and, in fact, is detrimental to the peace, joy, and patience that come from the Spirit. For the Christian, complaining is destructive and debilitating personally and only serves to make our witness to the world more difficult. Who, for instance, would be attracted to a religion whose adherents are dissatisfied with life and who continually grumble and complain?’
Ah mih people, It’s hard enough to get the unbeliever to respond when we’re kind and contented, much less if we’re continually dissatisfied! And the scholars’ offer this explanation re ‘2:14. Since God is producing in the Philippians the willing and doing of His good and perfect will (vs. 13), there can be no legitimate reason for murmurings and disputings. Not only are they forbidden to complain about the difficulties and persecutions that will befall them in carrying out God’s good pleasure, but quarreling among themselves is also prohibited.’
So all of the nonsense that’s going on between us, supposed believers, re the Covid-19 virus and the many other problems is totally unchristian. And that’s one of the major reasons why we can’t solve any of them; no agreement on how to handle the situations. And that will cause problems every time. For it’s only when we agree, to at least disagree, that healing can begin. And is there ever so much disagreement in our world right now!
I don’t know if there’s anything that we even agree on, and it’s causing so many unnecessary fires both literally and figuratively, to be lit and to keep burning incessantly and with much rage. In fact, rage might be the one common denominator in our world today, for we are all up in arms about something, and nobody wants to give an inch.
That means Peter’s words are continually falling on deaf ears: ‘Use hospitality one to another without grudging (grumbling).’ (1 Pet. 4:9) It’s sad, but ever so true, that the amount of infighting that’s going on between, families, organizations, societies, and nations is mind-boggling and most definitely intolerable, if we are to ever defeat our common problems. And it’s also obvious that we have not taken the immortal words of Hebrews to heart: ‘Let brotherly LOVE continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ (Heb. 13:1-2)
Oh friends, we never know who is going to cross our path that will eventually play a large role in our affairs, that’s why it’s so necessary to treat each other with kindness and hospitality, and the only way to bring about some much needed peace and quiet in our tormented and troubled world. Remember what the Good Book says: We are to be ‘blameless and harmless,’ that’s innocent and above rebuke, so we could shine like bright lights in an evil and misguided generation.
That means we are also undoing and disobeying Christ’s desire, when He said: ‘Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14a, 16) And let’s remember that whomever we may be, or whatever our position, our major purpose on this earth is to glorify our heavenly Father!
Now for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. So altogether now: ‘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 my faithful brethren, let’s not forget either, that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! That’s just a li’l something to keep us excited, strong and continually motivated to work for Christ! (smile) Much LOVE!
…unfortunately…we believers…instead of using our light to uncover the world’s darkness…we are allowing the world’s darkness to cover our light…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
05 Jan 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: boggles my imagination, bring forth iniquity, chosen to follow Satan instead of Jesus, consequences of sin, enamoured with the immediate pleasures of sin, endure to the end, eternal separation from God, even more glorious than we can ask or imafine, filled with sin and hellfire, first person singular society, flogging a dead horse, God's hand is not beyond the reach of salvation, Hades, I am halfway home, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, justice is far from us, LOVE, mind-blowing, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are fixed securely on the plough, neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear, none calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth, save us from spiritual death, Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man, the moon stayed, the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, the wages of sin is death, the way of peace they know not, the world waits for no man but God, they trust in vanity, thou Moon in the valley of Ajalon, to a glorious future with Christ, we stumble at noonday as in the night, we wait for light but behold obscurity, Wednesday Wail, what have you done for me lately, your hands are defiled with blood, your iniquities have separated you from God, your lips have spoken lies, your sins have hid his face from you
Isaiah 59:2. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
And the days move along ever so quickly, just like they’ve been programmed to do by Almighty God, their awesome Creator. Yes, it’s already the fifth of the month, and we were just celebrating New Year’s Eve. And it’s already Wednesday, when we were just getting our heads around Monday and a new work week. But that’s the way the world works; it waits for no man, but for its creator.
Like it did way back in Joshua’s time, in a battle between the Israelites and Amorites, when, to give His people time to overcome their enemy the Lord said ‘in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies… So the sun stood still in the midst of the heaven, and hasted not (did not hasten) to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened (heeded) unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.’ (Josh. 10:12-14)
Now, there’s another of God’s many miraculous acts on Israel’s behalf and yet they continued to turn away from Him and worship idols and other false gods. That just boggles my imagination. All I can think of is that they were a rather selfish, stubborn and hardheaded people like we are, always asking the foolish question, like we do; ‘What have you done for me lately?’ All I’ve done before doesn’t seem to matter, just what I’ve done lately.
That’s the mark of an ungrateful, selfish, egotistical and ungodly person and society. And, unfortunately, that question is currently prevalent throughout our now for now, want it immediately society. And it leads to all kinds of selfishness, deceit, fraud and corruption, as we try to keep up with the wanton greed and first-person singular society that we’ve become.
No wonder, the prophet Isaiah warned Israel thus: ‘Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood (bloodshed), and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity (empty words), and bring forth iniquity.’ (Is. 59:1-4)
Oh my people, if we are honest with ourselves, we would all agree that that is an excellent description of our current society and world. And as the scholars’ remark: ‘Chapter 59 continues the judgements enumerated in chapter 58 regarding Israel’s hypocrisy. God’s hand is not yet beyond the reach of salvation. But their sins separated them from His presence, and they are described in detail throughout the chapter.’
Yes friends, if you read the agonizing truth of Israel’s blasphemy and idolatry you will find it remarkably resembles ours in almost every category. And if you don’t believe me, let’s listen to some more of Isaiah’s reproach. ‘Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgement (justice) in their goings (tracks, ways): they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Therefore is judgement (justice) far from us, neither doth justice (righteousness) overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity (darkness); for brightness, but we walk in darkness (gloom, blackness). We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.’ (Is. 59:7-10)
Ah mih bredrin, our world is in the same sad and sorry state that Israel was in back then. The big difference though is that we have the Messiah and all His teachings and a host of other opportunities that they didn’t have or know about, yet we still have gravitated down to their sinful and ungodly level. No, in fact we are worse than they ever were, because we have been placed on a higher level, gotten more from the Lord, thus more is expected of us. But in our foolish wisdom, we have chosen to imitate, to follow Satan instead of Jesus.
How unwise that is! You just have to look at the strife-filled, distrustful, disunified state of our world to realize it. Unfortunately, though, not enough of us are doing that, thus we are not seeing that the only hope we have is turning back to Jehovah God, away from the anemic, wicked and deceitful fool called Satan. Who, as we all know, got kicked out of heaven from his cushy job as an archangel because he wanted to overthrow the One who created him. How foolish is that eh? And yet, today, we are basking in the unholy glow of that same unwise, impudent creation whose abode is the depths of Hades, filled with sin and hellfire!
What’s wrong with us friends? Are we so shortsighted or so enamoured with the immediate pleasures of sin, that we can’t spare a moment to think of the harsh consequences that come from such behaviour? We all know that the wages of sin is death, that’s spiritual death, but somehow or other we either don’t truly believe it, or think that somehow or other we will be able to escape it. But that’s pure folly my people!
The ONLY thing that will save us from spiritual death, from eternal separation from God, and eternal damnation with Satan is to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, and live the way He desires! But sometimes it seems like we’re flogging a dead horse when we teach these sentiments, because so many of us are just dying to get, living for the sinful pleasures of this sinful world! That’s enough preaching for today though! (smile)
However, for those of us who are set on the right path, the narrow one that leads to Jesus, let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ. And hopefully when the heathen hear it, they will adjust their thinking and reach out to Him for dear life, the life that never ends.
Altogether now: ‘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 believe me, if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! It will be mind blowing mih people! Much LOVE!
…the pleasures of sin are short lived…but the consequences can be eternal…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
29 Dec 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a name which is above every other name, a type of depression, All I want is you, all things are become new, became obedient unto death, call in the heavy rollers, Dr. Charles Stanley, endure to the end, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, guiding light, he humbled himself, he is a new creature, he that followeth me, I am the light of the world, I don't want nobody, if any man be in Christ, Jesus christ is Lord, Jesus keeps us calm, lack of sunlight, leave all the consequences to Him, losing interest in once enjoyed activities, LOVE one another, low energy, my burden is light, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, my whole life has changed, my yoke is easy, obedience, obey God, old things are passed away, practice what you preach, praise his holy name, problems with sleep, rewards attached to obedience, sad, Seasonal Affective disorder, seasonal bouts of depression, shall have the light of life, shall not walk in darkness, Since I met you Jesus, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the debilitating ways of the world, the number one rule, to a glorious future with Jesus, to tell my troubles to, to the glory of God the Father, Wednesday Wail
John 8:12. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Well it’s another dark, cloudy, damp winter’s day…just like the past few have been. No wonder so many people are depressed and sad, for that’s what miserable weather can do to you if you don’t have Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. But when you have Yeshua, as your Guiding Light, even the worse weather won’t get you down. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) probably one of the enemy’s new tools, won’t disturb your calm soul. (smile)
And some of you might be wondering what’s SAD? ‘It is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same time every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Some of the common symptoms include having low energy, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, having problems with sleep and feeling sluggish or agitated.’
It’s also been associated with the lack of sunlight during the winter months, and one of the treatments is having bright artificial light engulfing you. But when the LIGHT of the world dwells within you, in the form of the Holy Spirit, then you ought not to suffer from those seasonal bouts of depression, because Jesus constantly shines His light in your life and provides enough motivation for you to get on with His earthly tasks. The world tries to drive us crazy with all its busyness and complicated living, but Jesus keeps us calm and unshackled from the annoying and debilitating ways of the world.
Remember His fabulous claim: ‘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). Now that was no spurious or boastful claim, but the awesome truth! For when Jesus comes into your life, you become a new person. As Bruh Paul wrote to the Corinthians: ‘Therefore if any man be on Christ, he is a new creature (creation); old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.’ (2 Cor. 5:17)
And that’s just the way it is my brethren! You can’t come sincerely to Jesus and not have serious changes in your life, because accepting Jesus, automatically means making some changes, giving up some of the ungodly ways of the world, though not necessarily all at once, but over time. Remember Jesus is not a hard task master, for as He says: ‘My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt. 11:30)
So He doesn’t expect you to change all at once, and will probably deal with you, one problem at a time, but deal with you He will. (smile) But in a LOVING and fatherly manner, unless you get stubborn and irascible. Then He can, and won’t be afraid to call in the heavy rollers to deal with your intransigence.
Yuh know friends, when we live for, or claim to live for Jesus, there’s one overriding factor that’s necessary in all our doings, and that’s OBEDIENCE! Like with any organization, you can’t be a true member and not pay obedience to its leader, and its aims and goals. The same holds true for being a part of Christ’s body, His church. Obedience is the Number One Rule!
And it’s not only something that Jesus asks of us, but something He also practiced. He’s not a leader, like the hypocrite Pharisees and them, who don’t practice what they preach. And the Good Book supports that truth by telling us: ‘And (Jesus) being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil. 2:8)
Yes friends, Jesus didn’t want to go to the cross, like nobody really wants to, but because the Father asked, and that was the only way to justly save our sinful souls, He acquiesced to the Father’s wish. And that’s what we need to do as serious and sincere followers of Christ; acquiesce to His every wish, even when it seems difficult or impossible, because He never asks us to do something unless He gives us the wherewithal to do it. That’s the extent of His faithfulness.
Wow! And the good thing about doing Jesus’ will is that there are also rewards attached to them. Just like we read in the Good Book about Jesus’ rewards for being obedient to the Father. ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:9-11)
Ah mih people, likewise our obedience to Christ’s wishes will bring rewards, both here on earth and eternally. So, it’s ever so important that we obey if we want to be a solid rock of His church. And I believe the words of this old, reworked pop song, personify exactly what we’ve been talking about, and what it means to become a member of Jesus’ team.
It says: ‘Since I met you Jesus, my whole life has changed… And everybody tells me that I’m not the same. Since I met you Jesus, I’m a happy man…I’m going to do my best to please you, In every way I can. I don’t need nobody to tell my troubles to…No, No, No. All I need is Jesus, He makes my life brand new. Oh, since I met you Jesus, all I want is you. Yes, since I met you Jesus, all I want is you.’ Now that’s what meeting Jesus is all about my people!
And for those of us who have already met Him and are happy in His employ, and are doing our best to please Him in every way we can, then let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. So, as one sincere, powerful and confident 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 yuh better believe my fellow saints, that if we endure until the end, that the promised future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask of imagine! Wow! Praise His holy Name! Much LOVE!
…the best way to live this life…obey God and leave all the consequences to Him… (Uncle Charles – Dr. Charles Stanley)
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
22 Dec 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all hell is breaking loose, appear out of thin air, breed depression, captives in Babylon, created man upon it, Cyrus the Persian king, deliver the Jews from Babylonian bondage, endure to the end, God doesn't change, god moves in mysterious ways, I am halfway home, I am the Lord and there is none else, I form the light and create darkness, I have made the earth, I have stretched out the heavens, I make peace and create evil, jehovah god, liven up our spirits, loose the loins of kings, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, plummet to Hades, praise Your Holy Name, rebuild Jerusalem, repenting of our evil ways, thank you Lord for Jesus, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the gate will not be shut, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, The God of Israel, there is no God beside me, to a glorious future with Jesus, Triune God, we Love you Lord, Wednesday Wail, whose right hand I have holden, worshipping in sincerity and truth
Isaiah 45:5a. I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me:
And then it was Wednesday…one of those cold, dreary looking winter days, that only breed depression and disgust! But thankfully it’s now three days before Christmas, so we have something else to liven up our spirits. (smile) What would we do without Jesus eh, especially in the winter season, when the dull grey days just drag down one’s soul and spirit? And all God’s children gave out a loud and grateful shout: ‘Thank You Lord for Jesus yes! We don’t know what we’d do without Him in every aspect of our lives! Thank You Lord! We LOVE You and praise Your Holy Name! Amen!’
Oh friends, how we ought to LOVE and be everlastingly grateful to our Triune God for all that they have done for us, are still doing, and have promised to do in the future! For no other supposed god takes as much interest in, and is as faithful and LOVING to their people like the One, True and ONLY Living God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
All the others are useless, and fall into one or more of these categories; fanciful creations of the human mind, or dead, lifeless objects, which have no power at all, and they usually are creations of Jehovah God anyway, like the human mind. So how can you worship something lifeless, or another created being? It just doesn’t make sense.
And I like how the Lord, through Isaiah, said it to Cyrus, the Persian king who captured Babylon, when He had him return the captured Jews to rebuild Jerusalem. ‘Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden (held), to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins (armour) of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates (double doors); and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass (bronze), and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord which call thee by name am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.’ (Is. 45:1-4) Oh how our great God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Here He is, using a Gentile king, who knows Him not, to fulfill His promise to His people Israel, that they will only be in Babylon for seventy years..
The scholars explain. ‘45:1-4. Isaiah continues to emphasize the origin of his message from Chapter 44, stating, Thus saith the Lord. Yahweh Himself has set an open door of conquest before Cyrus. The Persian king is called by the designation anointed ( meshiach, messiah). This is the only place in Scripture where a Gentile is so designated. The term originated with the Israelite custom of anointing kings and leaders. Cyrus is given this title only in the sense that he will deliver the Jews from Babylonian bondage. I have even called thee by name indicates that Cyrus has been deliberately named in advance to reassure the Jews that the God of Israel indeed is still in control of human events.’
But that was not the end of God’s message to Cyrus. He made sure that Cyrus knew the following facts. ‘I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west (to its setting in the west), that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (calamity): I the Lord do all these things…I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. (Is. 45:5-7, 12)
Ah mih bredrin, the Lord doesn’t make joke with His power and glory nuh. He puts it right out there for you to hear and understand. Oh that many more of us today would hear and understand! And the scholars offer this explanation, re verse 7. ‘The phrase I…create evil refers to physical evil or calamity, rather than moral evil. God is in no way pictured in Scripture as the author of sin.’
Yes friends, our God doesn’t create sin, but He does create calamity when there is too much disobedience, like He’s doing these days, when all hell is breaking loose in our world. I know that some of us have the naïve mindset that our ever-LOVING God will never create calamity or disaster…well just ask the Jews nuh! And since He doesn’t change, why would it be any different today when there is so much sin and ungodliness in the world, and when we supposed believers are committing a lot of it?
My people, the Lord our God is not happy with us. There can be no doubt about that. So anything is possible. Remember He moves in mysterious ways to accomplish His purpose, and unless, and until we return to His fold, repenting of our evil ways, and worshipping Him in sincerity and truth, our world will continue to descend, or rather to plummet to Hades, the only forthcoming relief being the soon, or quick coming of Christ.
Anyway, for those of us who have sincerely accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, and are doing our best to live for Him, let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘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 it helps to remember that if we endure to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than our puny minds can even ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…our world did not appear out of thin air…someone created it…and someone still controls it…His name is Jehovah God…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
15 Dec 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a smile on your faces, abide in me and I in you, and even when he is old, down to the catacombs of hell, Duane Stephenson, endure to the end, feel the joy emanating from your hearts, for without me ye can do nothing, hands on the plough, he will not depart from it, I am halfway home, I am the vine ye are the branches, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I have learned, I know both how to be abased, I know how to abound, I never forgot what He taught me, in the way he should go, in whatever state I am, live humbly, live in prosperity, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not looking back, not that we are sufficient of ourselves, our sufficency is of God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord our God is one God, the school of hard knocks, therewith to be content, thou shalt teach them to thy children, though I never lived the way He wanted, to a glorious future with Jesus, train up a child, Wednesday Wail
John 15:5b. … for without me ye can do nothing.
Well, a pleasant good morning to you, my beautiful Scrip-Bit friends and family! It’s a pleasure to come to you and see a smile on your faces and feel the joy emanating from your hearts. For that’s what belief in Christ Jesus does! It doesn’t matter whether life is rough or smooth, Christians usually have a joyful spirit because they’ve learned to be contented in whatever situation they happen to find themselves.
Bruh Paul spelt it out thus in his missive to the church at Philippi. ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (in regard of need): for I have learned, in whatever 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 suffer need.’ (Phil. 4:11-12)
Ah my fellow saints, that’s not an easy situation to conquer, because you can’t go to school to learn it, it can only be learned in the school of life, the school of hard knocks. And only one person can help you to do that: Jesus Christ! Bruh Paul declares it by saying: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13) And that’s the gospel truth friends! It’s only with the divine help of Christ that we can ever learn to be contented in whatever situation we find ourselves.
As Jesus said so emphatically Himself. ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)
Wow mih people! Jesus laid it on the line right there! Without Him, our capabilities are severely limited. And aren’t we seeing the truth of that statement throughout our crazy and ungodly world right now? We certainly are! Without Christ playing the major part in our lives, we cannot seem to solve even the smallest problem, much less be content in our current situations.
And I believe what our disunited and strife fille world needs to realize right now, if we want to make our world better, is the truth of these words Bruh Paul wrote in his second letter to the church at Corinth, where he emphatically states: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.’ (2 Cor. 3:5)
Yes my brethren, until our world learns to accept that indisputable fact, including all the atheists, the heathen, the unbelievers, and whatever have you, our world will keep plummeting to the depths of ignominy, will continue riding that enemy handbasket all the way down to the catacombs of hell. Now, is that the legacy we want to leave behind for our children, and our children’s children? That our generation allowed the enemy to win the fight? I certainly hope not!
And it’s definitely not too late for us to step up our fight and make a positive difference in our world…but we must begin right now, for time is running out, and we cannot afford to waste more than we already have. And it all begins with teaching the next generation, since it seems we might have already lost the current one. Unlike our parents, we obviously did not heed the words that Moses commanded the Hebrews when they came out of Egypt, since we were too busy making money and living the good life.
But according to Moses, this is what we ought to have done. ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shall write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’ (Deut. 6:4-9)
Yes friends, our generation did not take the time to LOVE the Lord our God as we should have, neither did we teach it to our children like our parents did to us. No wonder this current generation is godless, and have been easily deceived into joining the enemy’s ranks. And we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Remember these words of Cousin Sol in Proverbs. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Prov. 22:6) And that’s true friends. If you teach a child something, even though he may veer from it, he will not forget it. And we have a good example of that from the reggae song ‘August Town’, where the singer Duane Stephenson emphatically says: ‘Though I never lived the way He wanted, I never forgot what He taught me.’
And that’s all that’s expected of us as parents; to teach the children the right way, to keep the good news of Christ flowing down from generation to generation so that it doesn’t get lost and forgotten, as happened to the Israelites (read it in Ezra and Nehemiah) before Jesus returns to set up His earthly kingdom. So my people, please, let’s get serious and busy teaching the word of God to our grandchildren, since we seem to have lost our children to the enemy. Although that doesn’t mean we must give up on them, but just use other tactics to bring them to their Lord and Saviour. (smile)
And for those of us who are sincerely trying to do our best in working and living for Christ, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘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 as always, let’s remember that if we endure right to the very end, that the future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. Wow! What a time that will be mih bredrin! Much LOVE!
…with Jesus…we can move mountains…without Him…we can do nothing…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
08 Dec 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a man after His own heart, accomplish God's divine plan, always in God's face, amazing love and mercy, belittling ourselves, bring our will into harmony with God's, emotionally pulverized, endure to the end, find your mind and let you change mine, from caterpillar to butterfly, glad to be alive, God is number one, going to God on every matter, gospel truth, guarded resitance, He is faithful that promised, I'm not turning back, know my heart, level of trust and surrender, metamorphosis, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, One Year Book of Bible promises, prayed fervently pleading, Ruth Harms Calkin, search me O God, the best habit, the breath of life, the butterfly begins life as a caterpillar, the purpose of prayer, to a glorious future with Jesus, to achieve his divine destiny, try me and know my thoughts, Turnabout, untouched by mankind, Wednesday Wail, willing to undergo the painful change, with Christ in our lives
Psalm 139:23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my (anxious) thoughts:
Well, the wet, white stuff drizzling down out there, has my area white and slushy and messy. (smile) And you know that once man gets into something he just naturally makes a mess of it. The white stuff looks beautiful when it’s untouched by mankind, but after that…Chuh! It’s totally ugly! Anyway, with Christ in our lives, we can see anything, even the ugliest of the ugly, and it will look beautiful to us. That’s just how much His presence in our lives can accomplish. But before we can get to that state, or stage of mind, we first have to go through a metamorphosis, as described by this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Poems with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, aptly titled ‘Turnabout.’
It says: ‘God, for so long I thought that by praying I could change Your mind. Often I prayed Fervently pleading Until I felt Emotionally pulverized. Then I gradually began to grasp That the purpose of prayer Is to find Your mind and let You change mine. Little by little The turnabout is renewing me. Slowly I begin to feel A settling quietness. I wait while You woo me To Your will, dear Lord. I wait until my thoughts Harmonize with Yours. For in my deepest heart Despite my guarded resistance I somehow sense That what You want from me Is stupendously more Than anything I could Dream or wish or want For myself.’
And that’s the gospel truth friends! Our great and wonderful God wants way more for us than we can even think or imagine, but we keep belittling ourselves. And until we sincerely and seriously come to realize His awesome plans and intentions for our lives, we will always fall way below our God-given potential. And the first step towards that goal is to realize that the purpose of prayer is not to change God’s mind, but to change ours, to bring our will into harmony with His. Remember He’s Number One, that means His will must be first and foremost in our lives.
And even when we realize this, the turnaround doesn’t happen overnight, not even quickly, because it’s something we’ve got to become accustomed to, that must become a habit for us to successfully complete the metamorphosis. As the poem says: ‘Slowly I begin to feel A settling quietness. I wait while You woo me To Your will, dear Lord. I wait until my thoughts Harmonize with Yours.’ Yes my people, in all our dealings with our heavenly Father, a period of waiting is necessary. He can change us overnight, if He so desires, but then we would not appreciate the change like we should.
Please note the butterfly; he begins life as a caterpillar, but he knows that flying is his ultimate end, and though he’s eager and anxious to fly, he knows that he must go through a period of waiting, of being a slimy, creeping, crawling caterpillar before he changes into a beautiful butterfly. And he also knows that the change from crawler to flyer is not going to be an easy one, involving many complications, but then too, he is willing to undergo that painful change from caterpillar to butterfly, so that he can achieve his divine destiny.
Now that’s how we ought to be my brethren; willing to go through the changes, slow and painful though they may be, so that we can accomplish God’s divine plan for our lives. And the Bible verses upon which our poem is based are good, solid, meaningful ones from the pen of Bruh David, from that marvellous Psalm 139 – titled ‘The everlasting presence and power of God.’ They are the last two verses, where he pleads: ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my (anxious) thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ (Ps. 139:23-24)
Wow mih people! What an awesome request! But it’s a state to which believers must strive to attain. A state of mind where we can confidently and seriously ask the Lord to check our hearts and deal with any negative or evil stuff that’s buried deep within. Only when we can do that, will we have attained to a state of grace that allows us the freedom to come and go to God without any fear or anxiety, because we know that He will not judge or punish us, but meet us right where we are with His amazing LOVE and mercy.
Yuh see how Bruh David was always in God’s face, regardless of the wrong things he might have done? That’s why God could call him His friend and a man after His own heart. He always came to Him with His problems, was constantly praising and talking to Him. That’s how we ought to be. As Bruh Paul said to the Thessalonians: ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:16-18)
That is what the Lord wants of and for us. To come to Him in prayer on each and every matter, big or small, being joyful and giving thanks, knowing that He’s in control and will eventually make all things right in our lives. But that depends on the levels of our trust in Him and our surrender to His divine will. And those can only grow over time, as we increasingly feel more comfortable with going to Him with all our problems and seeing His work in our lives.
And if we want to see that ‘Turnabout’ in our lives then we must begin doing the things it takes as soon as possible, like right now! (smile) Because the longer we wait to begin, the longer it will take to happen, and we’ll miss out on a whole lot of good things in between. Yes friends, I can guarantee, that when you get comfortable with going to God on all matters, your life will change for the better. Oh…it might also get harder, but you will also be able to handle the difficulties better. (smile) That’s God’s promise. And He is faithful that promised. End of sermon.
Now, for those of us who are sincerely working on our turnabout, let’s go home declaring (awrighttt!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘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 yuh better believe, that if we endure until the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…the best habit we can ever form…going to God on every matter…prayerfully, joyfully and thankfully…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
01 Dec 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a hot bed of grumbling and complaining, be in the world not of the world, both to will and do his good pleasure, Christ's Church, complaining, disobedience to Almighty God, do all things without murmurings and disputings, endure to the end, everything will work out for good, foolish pride, glorify your father in heaven, I am halfway home, I'm not turning back, impervious to defeat, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, it is God which worketh in you, Let your light so shine before men, LOVE, mind-blowing times, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, never give up, strife, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord chastised the Israelites for complaining, the sons of God, there is no legitimate reason for murmurings and disputings, they may see your good works, think victory all the time, tirelessly fighting for supremacy, to a glorious future with Jesus, unconquerable spirit, Wednesday Wail, with fear and trembling, without rebuke, work out your own salvation, ye may be blameless and harmless, ye shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14. Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings.
Well, we’ve opened unto a fairly decent Wednesday, the first day of December; with no snow and some sunshine. Yes, the clouds are there, tirelessly fighting for supremacy, but the sun is in ascendance right now. Thank the Lord! But friends, how I do wish that we, the followers of and believers in Christ had that unflagging, indomitable, unconquerable spirit like those clouds have as they fight the sun’s awesome power, where we never give up, where we are impervious to defeat and only think victory all the time!
That’s the kind of faith and spirit we need more than ever in these over-the-top, mind-blowing times that none of us have ever before experienced. And instead of complaining like we do, we ought to be crying out to Jesus and living the way He wants us to, believing, as He faithfully promised, that everything will work out for good in the end, for those who sincerely LOVE and abide in Him. And as we promised yesterday, if God spared our lives, which He’s obviously done (smile), we’ll continue talking about that disgusting and ungodly attitude that we too often have, called ‘Complaining.’
Now yesterday we saw back in olden times where the Lord chastised the Israelites for too much complaining, especially when He was keeping them in food and drink. They didn’t like manna, and wanted meat, so He gave them so much meat that it eventually turned their hearts against it, became loathsome to them. And I theorized that the same thing is happening to us today with all the disasters, both natural and manmade, as well as the Covid plague that just won’t go away, because of our stubborn, foolish pride and disobedience to Almighty God.
But enough of my theorizing, let’s turn to the New Testament for some words on the subject of complaining, since some of us wrongly believe that the Old Testament has nothing to offer us in these supposed modern times. And Bruh Paul, the wise man that he was, spoke to the subject in no uncertain terms in his letter to the Philippians. Listen as he tells them. ‘’Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.’ (Phil. 2:12-13)
And we know that means not literally working for our salvation because that’s a free gift given by God, and has nothing to do with our works, but the carrying out of it to its logical conclusion depends on us. We need to work out the new life not just for our profit but for the benefit of others also. And if we work out and show the new life divinely worked in us, we will live worthy of the gospel, in harmony with each other, seeking the progress of the gospel. We will also regard each other as more important than ourselves, be concerned with the needs of our fellow brethren, and make the appropriate sacrifices in obedience to God, as did Jesus.
In doing all of this, we will work out or express the new life we have through Christ. And having said a lot of that in the beginning of the chapter and elsewhere in his letter, Bruh Paul continues: ‘Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings. That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil. 2:14-15)
Bruh Paul couldn’t be any clearer than that! Christians are not to be continual grumblers and complainers and disputers! Now remember, it’s God who is working in us, for us to do His good will and pleasure, and that can ofttimes be difficult, calling for sacrifices and such, but don’t lose sight of the fact that in the end it will all work out to our benefit.
And I like the scholars’ explanation of verse 14. They say: ‘Since God is producing in the Philippians the willing and doing of His good and perfect will (vs.13), there can be no legitimate reason for murmurings and disputings. Not only are they forbidden to complain about the difficulties and persecutions that will befall them in carrying out God’s good pleasure, but quarreling among themselves is also prohibited.’
Wow! Now that declaration also stands for us today my fellow believers. And how I wish we could all function in such a Christian manner. But unfortunately, Christ’s church right now is a hot bed of grumbling and complaining, of cliques and groups resentful and jealous of each other, of a whole lot of antagonism and evil doings in the body of Christ! If we follow verses 12 and 14, then we would become blameless and harmless. But due to the significant amount strife in the current church this is presently not true
And are we ever living in the midst of a perverse, crooked, evil and depraved world. Thus, we are expected to help the lost, since that’s the only way that they will ever know Christ. However, in doing so, we must try and not call our witness into rebuke or disfavour by behaving like the world. Instead, as Christ Himself describes us: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid….Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14, 16)
Oh friends, our crazy, discombobulated world desperately needs us to be bright lights shining in its evil darkness! Please, please, let’s come up higher nuh, so that we can be the kind of light that Jesus desires us to be. And one way to do that is by stopping the grumbling and complaining that we do daily, over petty and unimportant stuff. Don’t you think it’s breaking Jesus’ heart when He sees the disgusting and disturbing state of disrepair that His church has fallen into? I’m sure it does. And we can’t give Him wrong if sometimes He even asks Himself if His life sacrifice was worth it, considering our willful disobedience and unchristian behaviour.
So we all need to look in the mirror and truthfully ask ourselves if we are indeed shining lights in the world’s darkness, or just adding to its darkness. Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to be lights, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful and enviable position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘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 we need to be in it for the long haul, because those who endure to the end will find that the future is even more glorious than we can ask or even imagine! Much LOVE!
…Christians ought to…be in the world…but not of the world…
P.S. Please excuse the lateness of the Bit, but life, as it is wont to do, unexpectedly intervened and delayed my writing. Thanks for the forgiveness! (smile) Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
10 Nov 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: character traits, endure to the end, faith, flee these things, follow after righteousness, for we brought nothing into this world, for where your treasure is, godliness, having food and raiment, I am halfway home, I'm not turning back, in the trenches of life, it is certain we can carry nothing out, lay up not for yourselves treasures on earth, lay up treasures for yourselves in heaven, let us therewith be content, LOVE, make changes, meekness, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, O man of God, our second wind, patience, ramp up our faith, salvation, take stock, talking the talk, tend to go astray, thank God, the accumulation of things, the best laid plans of mice and men., the breath of life is still flowing through me, the future will be even more glorious, there will your heart be also, thieves do not break through and steal, to a glorious future with Jesus, walk by faith, we can ask or imagine, Wednesday Wail, where moth and rust doth corrupt, with fear and trembling, work out your own salvation
Matthew 6:21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
And then it was Wednesday…and we have our second wind…we pushing on relentlessly in the name and the power of Jesus, knowing that Friday and the weekend are just around the corner, and we’ll soon have another opportunity to gather, worship and praise our great and wonderful God, while He refreshes us for another fateful week in the trenches of life!
Brother! Is that a great sentence or what? Reminds me of some of the convoluted ones Bruh Paul writes. So I’m not in such bad company then. (smile) But seriously though, Wednesday, the mid-week workday, is one where we should take a moment to take stock of how our week is going and if we need to make any changes or even ramp up our faith. It’s a suitable time to consider if we are actually doing what we planned, or still just talking the talk, without any, or enough of the walk that’s necessary.
Remember, we are merely human beings with all kinds of frailties and weaknesses and we can easily get sidetracked by the enemy and the ungodly world. That’s why we need to keep a steady check on how we are progressing, if we are truly storing up heavenly treasures though living this earthly life. Jesus said it quite plainly, as He is wont to do. ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up treasures for yourselves 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. 6:19-21)
And that’s the gospel truth friends! Wherever our treasure is hidden or laid up, there also will be our heart, because our treasure is ever so important to us. That’s why so many of us think of the banks so often. (smile) And why not eh, if all our money is in there, hopefully readily available to us when we need or want it.
Now let’s check the explanation the scholars offer of those verses. ‘6:19-21. The attention of the believer is directed toward treasures in heaven. The term ‘treasures’ implies the accumulation of things. The two kinds of treasures are conditioned by their place (either on earth or in heaven). The concept of laying up treasure in heaven is not pictured as one of meritorious benefits but rather of rewards for faithful service, as is illustrated elsewhere in the teaching of Jesus.’
And truly, earthly treasures are not bad in and of themselves, it is when we concentrate all our efforts on accumulating them and don’t have time for God in the unwise pursuit of what Cousin Sol calls ‘vanity’ or futile stuff. Furthermore, if we focus on earthly wealth, we stand a good chance of losing it to moth, rust and thieves. And yet furthermore, (smile) when your earthly days are over, you can’t take any of it with you. As Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment (clothes) let us therewith be content.’ (1 Tim. 6:7-8)
The scholars explain. ‘6:7. And it is certain we can carry nothing out (or, “because we are unable to carry anything out”). Man enters the world at birth possessing nothing. In order to teach him that he will exit the world in the same manner – taking nothing with him. 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.’ And as per ‘6:8. This verse prevents the wrong understanding of verse 7, that material possessions have no place in the Christian’s life. By figure of speech food and raiment stand for all of life’s basic necessities. These are all the believer needs, and having these he can be content.’
And my fellow saints, I would certainly be amiss if I did not point out the important things mentioned in verse 11. (smile) Bruh Paul writes: ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things (the LOVE of money and striving for other earthly wealth – vs. 9-10): and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness.’ (1 Tim. 6:11)
Oh, and will I ever be my sweet self and throw in verse 12 for good measure, (smile) because it so desperately applies to us in these very dangerous and desperate times. Bruh Paul continues to Timothy: ‘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) Now that’s exactly what we need to do in these perilous times my faithful brethren.
And if you don’t understand it all, let’s allow the scholars to explain. ‘6:12. The good fight concerns the daily struggle with sin in the Christian life, and the hardships and adversities in the ministry. A genuine believer demonstrates the reality of his faith by being engaged in this warfare. Lay hold on eternal life does not negate the fact that a believer now possesses spiritual life (John 3:36); rather, it speaks of fully realizing or appropriating salvation as the believer matures.’
And I so like to spoil us, that I’ll quote John 3:36. (smile) John the Baptist, not John the disciple, is testifying of Jesus: ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth (remains) on him.’ Yes friends, we have salvation and are going to heaven, through God’s free gift of grace, but in the meanwhile we have to make use of all the opportunities, benefits and blessings that that salvation brings to us here on earth. We have to live out our faith. As Bruh Paul said to the Philippians: ‘…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.’ (Phil. 2:12b)
And these two paragraphs from an article on the subject by Ed Elliot on the medium.com website explains that verse much better than I can. Ed writes: ‘Working out our salvation is very different from working for our salvation. When Paul tells believers they need to work out their salvation, he is simply explaining that the wonderful gift they freely received from God is inside of them. We bring out those beautiful attributes and character traits by faith. Faith is a rest, but it is faith that works, not us. So working out what is on the inside of us happens by faith.
This process can be frightening in the beginning as a new believer discovers how to live and walk by faith. Some strong trepidation may be present at first when a person decides to trust God as his or her source and peace. I remember how scary it was for me to stop trusting in my natural abilities and trust in God’s Word. This is what Paul is referring to when he mentions “fear and trembling.” He isn’t talking about being afraid of God. Rather, he is helping the new believer to know that in the beginning, it will seem scary to walk by faith. However, it is the only way to see our inner salvation manifest on the outside through our character.’
But to do that successfully my brethren, means we have to spend serious time in the Word and with the Lord, as well as with other believers, encouraging and teaching each other. Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that very thing, let’s go home now declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong 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 don’t forget that if we endure to the very end that the future will indeed be even more glorious that we ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…why seek finite earthly treasures…when heavenly ones last till infinity…
P.S. Please excuse the lateness of the Bit, but I had some important errands to run and as always, the best laid plans of mice and men do tend to go astray. (smile) Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
27 Oct 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a christian's lifeline, a form of godliness, a light unto my path, a meeting of the minds, all scripture is given by inspiration of God, apostasy, blasphemers, boasters, covetous, different doctrines and guidelines, disobedient to parents, dissension, disunity, endure to the end, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, for reproof, given by inspiration of God, Guidebook for earthly living, hands on the plough, I am halfway home, is profitable for doctrine, live it through His Holy Spirit, lost track of time, LOVE, lovers of pleasures, lovers of their own selves, more than lovers of God, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, our go to person, our sounding block, read the Word of God, so glad to be alive, storm-driven society, strife, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Holy spirit to keep me anchored, the supernatural guidance of the Spirit of God, thy word is a lamp unto my feet, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail
2 Timothy 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Wait nuh…is it really Wednesday already? But it was just Monday! Hn, hn, hn! I guess with the constant rain and darkness over the last few days, I’ve lost track of time. It seems dry now, but still somewhat cloudy. And it’s a good thing I had the Holy Spirit of Christ to keep me anchored, otherwise I might have lost track of myself too. (smile)
Now that just goes to show how important the Holy Spirit is in a believer’s life. It keeps us anchored in Christ, our feet on the ground, so that we don’t lose our way. Without the Holy Spirit’s wise guidance we’d indeed be lost and ever so vulnerable to the enemy’s wiles and deceitful schemes. But He is our sounding block, our go to person in times of doubt and trouble, He holds our reins and guides us along the paths of righteousness. He leads us to the appropriate word of the Father when we need it, because as the scriptures tell us: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ (Ps. 119:105)
And in all truth, there’s not a problem we face in this life that we can’t find a wise word from the Good Book to show us the right way, the best decision to make. Remember, it’s our Guidebook for earthly living. Just like you look at all the guidebooks when you travel to see the best places to go, likewise, we ought to continually look within the Lord’s Word to see how we ought to live our lives.
Bruh Paul said it thus to Timothy in his second letter. ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.’ (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Now those are remarkable words my brethren, words that we ought to take to heart and follow as best we can, because they were written for our edification and benefit, so that we can grow and mature as true Christians.
And the scholars offer some interesting explanations on those verses. ‘3:14-17. Inspiration of God (lit. “God-breathed”) describes the unique character of Scripture. It is not only written by men, but authored by God. Inspired by the supernatural guidance of the Spirit of God, so that what they wrote was the divine Word of God, transcribed accurately, reliably, and without error in the original manuscripts.
For doctrine means to tell one what to believe. For reproof means to tell one what is wrong. For correction means to tell one how to correct wrong. For instruction in righteousness means to tell one how to live. Perfect (proficient, capable) is having everything to do what God wants. Thoroughly furnished means “thoroughly equipped.” God’s inspired Word properly used and applied, provides all we need for life and ministry.’
And the most important words there my brethren are ‘properly used and applied.’ Yes, if we don’t learn the Word of God and apply it properly it will be useless, just like any other guidebook not followed properly. And that’s one of the problems facing the church these days; too many different interpretations and directives of the same scripture.
That means different doctrines and guidelines, which consequently lead to serious disputes amongst the brethren. And since no one wants to believe or admit that their interpretation is wrong or faulty, or that there could possibly be a meeting of the minds, Christ’s church is filled with dissension and disunity, strife, anger, and all the negative stuff that pleases the enemy and has Him laughing all the way to his lair in hell.
Oh my fellow believers, we cannot win souls for Christ, or even get them to consider living for Christ if we as Christians can’t live in peace with each other. And to make matters even worse, the way our society functions today does not lend itself to godliness. As Bruh Paul so accurately described it to Timothy. ‘For men shall be LOVERS of their own selves, covetous (money LOVERS), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), high-minded (haughty), LOVERS of pleasures, more than LOVERS of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’ (2 Tim. 3:2-5)
And if that isn’t the gospel truth regarding our current society, then I don’t know what is! Yes friends, apostasy, or the rejection of Christianity is happening in droves, since the culture of the society will not tolerate our standards of godly living. And as Bruh Paul told Timothy, re a form of godliness, where all we have is mere religion and no power or true spiritual life, is exactly what’s happening today!
Our world has certainly gone bonkers with supposed Christian leaders watering down the Word and using it for their own evil purposes. The enemy even has flowering organizations working under Christ’s name. So, what else can we expect but strife and confusion in our unanchored, storm-driven society. It’s truly unfortunate friends, that when civilization has reached its highest pinnacle in terms of learning, of knowledge and understanding in things like science and technology, it has also reached a sad low point in godliness, truth, peace and LOVE!
However, there is yet hope for some turn around through our relatively small group of faithful believers. And size doesn’t really matter, since we have Almighty God working with us. Remember what the twelve…or eleven disciples of Jesus did, a couple of thousands of years ago? They began proselytizing the world, saving it from sin and Satan, and it’s our bounden duty to continue that awesome work. So please, let’s stand strong and work smart, guided by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit!
Now, for those of us who are seriously endeavouring to do just that, let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry 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!’
Now, having said all of that, we also need to remember that if we endure with Jesus to the very end, that the future will be even more glorious than our puny, finite minds can ever imagine! Much LOVE!
…a Christian’s lifeline…read the Word of God…believe it…and live it through His Holy Spirit…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
SCRIP-BITS 