17 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all the hil country of Judea, among a people, barren women face shame and scorn, called him Zacharias after his father, came to circumcise the child, chastened for his apparent skepticism, eight days to christmas, Elisabeth's full time came, endure to the very end with Christ, eyes fixed straight ahead, fear came on all that dwelt round about them, fulfilled in their own time, God knew his heart, God spared our lives, halfway home, hands on the plough, he beckoned unto them, he shall be called John, he spake and praised God, her neighbours and relatives heard, his mouth was opened immediately, his tongue loosed, holy spirit, I am an old man, I am Gabriel, in the days wherein he looked on me, Jesus Christ, John's birth caused consternation in the camp, keeping christ first place, kept them in their hearts, LOVE, marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple, mercy, my wife well advanced in age, not able to speak, not looking back, on the eight day, remained speechless, salvation, shall be fulfilled in their season, she brought forth a son, shew thee these glad tidings, sincere belieivng, so glad to be alive, stand in the presence of God, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord had showed great mercy on her, the nature of the human animal, the ole hypocrites, the people waited for Zacharias, the working of God produced a unique sensation, these sayings were noised abroad, they marvelled all, they perceived that he had a vision in the temple, they rejoiced with her, this good news, thou believest not my words, thou shalt be dumb, thus has the Lord dealt with me, to a glorious future with Jesus, to take away my reproach among men, truth, until the day these things shall be performed, Wednesday Wail, what manner of child shall this be, when he came out he could not speak to them, where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries, whereby shall I know this, wisdom, Zacahrias wrote His name is John
Luke 1:64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.
It’s down to eight now my people….only eight days to Christmas! Hope the preparations and celebrations are coming along well, but we’re keeping Christ first place, remembering that His birth is the ONLY reason for this Christmas celebration, and paying the respect and admiration that He’s due. And since it seems that God has spared our lives so we can see another day on His glorious Planet Earth, (smile) then we should continue with the story of Zacharias as promised.
Now, yesterday we stopped where the angel told Zacharias about all the joy and gladness that John would bring and like Elijah, turn the people of Israel back to God. (Luke 1:14-17) And having heard all of that wonderful news, ‘Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken (advanced) in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings (this good news). And, behold, thou shalt be dumb (mute), and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season (in their own time).’ (Luke 1:18-20)
Oh my people, you see what little or low faith can bring. If anyone was expected to believe Gabriel’s words, it would be the priest who was constantly dealing with faith and godly situations, not a young unmarried girl. But that’s how it happened, and thus Zacharias became dumb until his son, John the Baptist was born. Meanwhile the Bible tells us that as Zacharias was being made dumb in the temple… ‘And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried (delayed) so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had had a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.’ (Luke 1:21-22)
And I like how the scholars explain the situation. They say ‘Zacharias speechlessness serves to chasten him for his apparent skepticism. One may think it a harsh measure, but God who dispensed this judgement knew his heart. And the promise remained secure. Zacharias was merely prevented from easily spreading the news around.’ That shows us the contradiction with Mary’s situation. She believed, and was able to spread her news around, although her news was not something she desired many people to know about, since it would cause her great heartache and scandal.
The Bible continues: ‘And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration (service) were accomplished (completed), he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.’ (Luke 1:23-25) In other words, when Zacharias finished his time of service, he went back home and impregnated Elisabeth, (smile) much like the story of Abraham and Sarah, a hundred and ninety years old respectively when they conceived Isaac.
Now that last verse from Elisabeth is quite important for in Jewish culture a woman who could not bear children, like Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s mother, were looked upon with much scorn and disgrace. Thus Elisabeth was thanking the Lord for at last giving her freedom from the shame and scorn she had suffered in her earlier barren years. Sadly though, up to this day, some societies still look at barren women with scorn and disgrace. And for some reason, it’s always the fault of the woman, very seldom, if ever, of the man. But unfortunately that’s the way this male centred world goes.
However, moving on with our story, we finally come to John the Baptist’s birth. The Bible tells us: ‘Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins (relatives) heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.’ (Luke 1:57-58) As the old people would say; the ole hypocrites and them. They heaped so much scorn on her before when she was considered barren, but now that she has a child, they want to rejoice and celebrate with her. But I guess that’s the nature of the human animal.
Anyway, the story continues: ‘And it came to pass, that on the eight day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by that name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.’ (Luke 1:59-64)
Ah friends, the Lord surely knows how to dramatize a scene to be the most effective. For after that, the Bible relates it thus: ‘And fear came on all that dwelt around about them: and all these sayings (things) were noised abroad (discussed) throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid them up (kept them) in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.’ (Luke 1:65-66) Yes mih bredrin, the Lord does move in mysterious but very powerful and successful ways His purpose to accomplish.
Today we concentrate mostly on Jesus’ birth, but the birth of John the Baptist, His forerunner, also caused consternation in the camp. And the scholars explain the words ‘Fear came,’ by saying: ‘The working of God produced a unique sensation among a people where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries.’ But the Lord was able to wake them up though with birth of John the Baptist! (smile)
Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And yes, it will be an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine, for those who endure to the end with Christ. It therefore behooves us to endure to the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…with Jesus…it’s all about faith…about sincerely believing…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a state of weakness, addicted to perfection, allowing them to accomplish things beyond their own capabilities, be not wise in thine own eyes, become avenues for divine strength and grace to manifest, brokenness, calls for trust and dependence on God's grace, Christ's power manifests in our lives through our weaknesses, depart from evil, despairing in hardships, direct thy paths, do the right thing, encourages believers, endure to the very end with Christ, evil ruling the roost, faith, fear the Lord, feel like failures, glory in my infirmities, God's power is most effective, God's strength is not diminished by our weaknesses, guiltiness, halfway home, hands on the plough, he said unto me, health to thy navel, help me let go of perfection, help me remember, holy spirit, I expereince your healing and sufficiency, I learn to depend on and trust you, I try so hard to follow your ways, in all thy ways acknowledge him, in those moments, In Touch Devotional Magazine, Jesus Christ, Jeus is the only perfect one, lean not unto thine own understanding, LOVE, marrow to thy bones, mercy, most gladly therefore, my brokenness is where we meet, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my failures, my grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness, not in fine fettle, not looking back, not that we are sufficient of ourselves, not up to scratch, often falling short, open my arms to you, opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength and support, our sufficiency is of God, paradox, perceived failings, perfection was never part of your plan, redemptive history, remove the thorn from his flesh, salvation, sit heavy on my heart, so glad to be alive, supernatural powers, the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the power of Christ may rest upon me, the sufficiency of Scripture, their vulnerabilities, to a glorious future with Jesus, to face difficulties, to overcome personal limitations, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, trusting, truth, vulnerability, Wednesday Wail, wisdom
2 Corinthians 12:9a. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness.
Well friends, this sunshiny Wednesday morning, we’re on a later bus than normal, and it’s not because of our Wednesday morning gathering, because that doesn’t start back for another couple of weeks. But the ole fella got up late and was just not in fine fettle. And the sad part is that I could not pin point the problem. I just knew that I wasn’t up to scratch. And there’s nothing that annoys me like feeling lousy and not knowing the reason. But that’s my story for today…and I’m sticking to it. (smile) Anyway, after a shower and some coffee, I’m not feeling to badly now; good enough to write the Bit.
So here goes. This last Wednesday in August we will look at the prayer from the In Touch Devotional for this month. Please pray with me: ‘Lord, I try so hard… to follow Your ways, to do the right thing. But it often seems as if I’m falling short, and those failures sit heavy on my heart. In those moments, help me remember perfection was never part of Your plan. Rather, my brokenness is where we meet. Where I learn to depend on and trust You, where I experience Your healing and sufficiency. Lord, help me let go of perfection and instead open my arms to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
And unfortunately, many of us believers do suffer from that addiction to perfection. Oh, we are expected to do excellent work, but not kill ourselves to be perfect, because the Lord knows He did not make perfect human beings. The only one in human form that’s ever been perfect is Jesus! The Lord made us less than perfect so that we would have to turn to Him in our weakness. It’s like when Bruh Paul asked the Lord three times to take away the thorn from his flesh. ‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Cor. 12:9a)
And this commentary explains that verse by saying: ‘It suggests that God’s power is fully displayed and most effective when a person is in a state of weakness or vulnerability. This paradox encourages believers to embrace their perceived limitations, trusting that their vulnerabilities become avenues for divine strength and grace to manifest, allowing them to accomplish things beyond their own capabilities.’
That’s why Bruh Paul exulted thus in the next half of the verse. ‘Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’ (2 Cor. 12:9b) Yes, Bruh Paul then glories in his weaknesses, realizing that it’s through those weaknesses that the power of Christ would manifest in his life.
So, as the commentary continues: ‘The core idea is that God’s strength is not diminished by our weaknesses but rather highlighted by them, allowing for a greater demonstration of His power working through us. But it calls for trust and dependence on God’s grace and strength to overcome personal limitations and face difficulties, rather than trying to rely solely on one’s own abilities. So, rather than despairing in hardships or perceived failings, believers are to see these as opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength and support.’
And we all know that is not easy to do, especially in light of our failure to achieve perfection, when guiltiness comes upon us and we feel like failures. But until we learn to let go of our own perfection desires, and place our total trust in God, we will forever feel guilty and consider ourselves failures.
It’s like those marvellous verses of wisdom from Cousin Sol in Proverbs that we all know and quote but then don’t action them in our lives. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength or refreshment) to thy bones.’ (Prov. 3:5-8)
And my people, if we’d only follow those few simple commands – trust in the Lord and not in our own prideful selves, reverence Him and depart from evil – then our lives would be much more enjoyable, and we would not feel the guilt and failure we will always experience when we rely on our own comparatively puny, finite strength and wisdom. And let’s not forget that most telling verse that Bruh Paul wrote earlier on his second letter to the Corinthians: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.’ (2 Cor. 3:5)
And what does that mean? Firstly, it means that God is self-sufficient in Himself; has always been so, and will always be so. However, we His human creation don’t have the supernatural powers that He possesses, and thus need to rely on Him for our sufficiency. And on top of all that, we have this commentary that asks and then explains: ‘What is the biblical definition of sufficiency? “We can define the sufficiency of Scripture as follows: The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God that He intended His people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting Him perfectly, and for obeying …’
And you know what my fellow believers, there’s never been a time like right now, with evil and ungodliness ruling the roost, when we desperately need to believe, trust, obey and seek the sufficiency of Christ, rather than our own ineffective efforts. End of the Sermon! (smile) Now let’s declare (steupesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been faithfully promised, that all those who endure with Jesus to the very end, will enjoy an even more glorious future than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s be wise and plan to endure to the very end nuh, in order to enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…God made us to be dependent on Him…not on our inferior powers…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
23 Jul 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a free gift of God, a great rise in lawlessness, accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, apostasy, attain eternal life, be not soon shaken in mind, betrayals, blessing and cursing, choose life, choosing eternal life over eternal death, choosing Jesus over Satan, christianity, cry day and night unto him, die by the flesh, embracing evil and ungodliness, endure to the very end with Christ, eternal death, even when faced with adversity, except there come a falling away first, faith, get doing the Lord's work, get our acts together, god moves in mysterious ways, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn it, halfway home, hands on the plough, hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, he that believeth not is condemned already, he that believeth on him is not condemned, he that shall endure to the end, he will avenge them speedily, holy spirit, I call heaven and earth, I have set before you life and death, iniquity shall abound, Jesus Christ, know the truth of God's word, LOVE, many false prophets shall rise, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, natural disasters, neither be troubled by spirit or word or letter, not looking back at the past, not turning back, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, persecutions, rumours of wars, salvation, satan a toothless lion, set us free from the bondage of sin, shall God not avenge his own elect, shall he find faith on the earth, thank God, that both thou and thy seed shall live, that man of sin shall be revealed, the antichrist, the BIBLE, the big money question, the breath of life, the death of our spiritual souls, the epitome of wisdom, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, the importance of perseverance in prayer, the love of many shall wax cold, the parable of the unjust judge, the potential for faith to wane over time, the same shall be saved, the son of perdition, the wages of sin is death, the world through him might be saved, though he bear long with them, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be carnally minded is death, to be left behind, to be spiritually minded is life and peace, to record this day against you, truth, turning away from God, unwise behaviour, vindicate those who persevere in faith, walk in the flesh, walk in the Spirit, when the Son of man cometh, when the trumpet sounds up yonder, wisdom, wisdom in spades
Luke 18:8. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day. But Brother, are these second wind days ever coming up quickly! (smile) The truth is that all the days are moving ahead quickly, waiting for nothing or no one, so we all had better get our acts together and get doing the Lord’s work, because it would be a serious mistake to get left behind when the trumpet sounds up yonder. (smile)
And who says our God isn’t wonderful and moves in mysterious ways eh, for as I opened the Good Library, it opened at that passage in Luke where Jesus was telling the parable of the unjust judge who refused to give justice to a wronged woman, but finally did so when she kept bothering him. What caught my eye though was this very relevant observation of Jesus. ‘Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall God not avenge (vindicate) his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge (vindicate) them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?’ (Luke 18:6-8)
Now that’s the important question in these evil and ungodly times my people! When Jesus returns to earth, how much faithful believers will there be eh? Judging by the way we’re turning away from Him and embracing evil and ungodliness, it might not be a substantial amount, although the Lord has promised to vindicate those who persevere in faith.
And this commentary offers an interesting take on the subject. It says: ‘This question, posed by Jesus, implies a potential decrease in faith among humanity. The parable of the persistent widow in the preceding verses highlights the importance of perseverance in prayer and faith, even when faced with adversity, and contrasts this with the potential for faith to wane over time.’
And there are a couple of scriptures that suggest that very thing, the waning of faith preceding Christ’s return. The first one is Jesus speaking to the disciples re signs of His coming again and the end of the world. He tells them about wars and rumours of wars, a lot of natural disasters, betrayals and persecutions for His sake. ‘And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the LOVE of many shall wax (grow) cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’ (Matt. 24:11-13) And right now we are seeing a titanic rise in lawlessness and licentiousness, which are certainly reducing the ranks of the believers.
Then Bruh Paul warns the Thessalonians thus: ‘That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that day of Christ is at hand (had come). Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.’ (2 Thess. 2:2-3)
Now, according to the scholars the Thessalonians were anxious and deeply troubled when Bruh Paul talks about the about the Rapture (our gathering together unto him in vs.1), thinking that the day of Christ had already begun. Then the falling away is the great and final apostasy or repudiation of the Christian faith that will occur at the appearance of the son of perdition, the Antichrist. So Bruh Paul himself is insinuating that when the Antichrist appears there will be a “falling away” or apostasy that will precede the return of Christ.
How sad that will be, for so many will have to face eternal death because of their foolish and unwise behaviour and beliefs. And what makes it even worse is that so many of us know the truth of God’s Word which can set us free from the bondage of sin, but we refuse to accept it for whatever reason. Maybe the attractiveness of sinful behaviour is too powerful for us to resist, or we just LOVE it despite its terrible consequences. For remember if we walk in the flesh, we will die by the flesh, but if we walk in the Spirit of God, we will attain eternal life. ‘For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.’ (Rom. 8:6)
Yes friends, only when we follow the leading and guidance of God’s Holy Spirit will we ever enter heaven’s pearly gates and see His wonderful face. And this other scripture verse puts it quite simply but truthfully. ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.’ (Rom. 6:23) And the beauty of the whole situation is that you don’t have to work hard to get it, because it’s a free gift of God! All you have to do is simply accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and begin seriously living for Him instead of for Satan.
And Jesus said it very clearly to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader who, fearful of his fellow rulers, came to Him under cover of night seeking answers. ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:17-18)
It could not be more explicit or straightforward than that my brethren! It’s very simple: you believe in Jesus and you live. You don’t believe in Him and you die. Please note we’re speaking of the life and death of our spiritual souls not our physical bodies, for we all shall die a physical death, but the big question is where will our souls go after our physical death? That’s the big money question my fellow believers!
And the answer is in the hands of each of God’s human creations. We each make the final decision as to where we spend eternity. But please, let’s allow wisdom to rule and do like Moses advised the Israelites way back when: ‘I call heaven and earth to record (witness) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.’ (Deut. 30:19) Now that’s wisdom in spades! And having wisely accepted it (smile) let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And there’s an even more glorious future promised to those who endure to the very end with Jesus, one that our finite minds cannot even imagine or comprehend. So let’s endure to the end nuh, so that together, we can enjoy the glorious future with Christ! Much LOVE!
…the epitome of wisdom is…choosing Jesus over Satan…eternal life over eternal death…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Jul 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a gift for those who serve God faithfully, a promise of God's protection, a source of comfort and assurance, a transition from an earthly to a spiritual state, absent from the body, accounted as sheep for the slaughter, angels, as it is written, believers in Christ Jesus, Bible, bring us victory over our adversaries, Christian, dark ad deadly throes of winter, distress, endure to the very end with Christ, every tongue that rises against you shall be condemned, faith, famine, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, God shall wipe away all tears, God's blessings, God's vindication for believers, halfway home, hands on the plough, height nor depth, holy spirit, I a persuaded that neither death or life, in all these things we are more than conquerors, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, nakedness, negative words, neither sorrow nor crying, no more death, no more pain, no weapon formed against thee shall prosper, nor any other creature, not looking back at the past, not turning back, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Jesus, outweigh the problems of earthly living, peril, persecution, powers, present with the Lord, principalities, right standing with God, salvation, separate us from the love of God, sword, thank God, the ability to refute any false accusations, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the former things are passed away, the greatest friend to man, the heritage of the servants of the Lord, the limitations of the earthly body, the rewards of eternal life, their righteousness is from me, things to come, thingspresent, through him that loved us, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be absent from the body, to be present with the Lord, tribulation, truth, who shall separate us from the Love of Christ, wisdom
Isaiah 54:17a. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn.
And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day! Imagine that nuh; it’s already the middle of our work week as well as the middle of the month of July. That means our summer is fading fast away, just the month of August is left, and that no doubt will fly away like the other summer months, quickly plunging us back into the dark and deadly throes of winter. (smile) But all’s not lost, for we have the greatest friend to man, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, on our side, and He’s promised that nothing that comes against us will harm us.
The prophet Isaiah boldly confirms it when he writes: ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) Yes friends, that’s our heritage as believers in Christ Jesus! And NO ONE can take it from us! As this commentary tells us: ‘It’s a promise of God’s protection and vindication for believers. It signifies that while challenges and opposition may arise, they will ultimately fail to overcome those who trust in the Lord.’
Now that doesn’t mean there won’t be advances upon, or attacks against us, but that in the long run they won’t succeed. Meanwhile God promises to give us the ability to refute any false accusations or negative words spoken over us and ultimately be vindicated. It’s all a part of God’s blessings, a gift for those who serve Him faithfully, giving us right standing with Him. And as the commentary so rightly assures us: ‘The verse offers comfort and assurance to believers, reminding them that they are under God’s protection and that He will ultimately bring them victory over their adversaries.’
Wow! What a wonderful God we serve my people! And on top of all that, we have these marvellous, reassuring and uplifting words of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome, where He confidently proclaims: ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, or life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35-39)
Wow mih bredrin! What a wonderful scripture, assuring us that once we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, nothing, or no one will ever separate us from Him, and the LOVE of the Father which lives in and emanates from Him! Not even death can separate us, for after physical death, we move into new life with Him. As Bruh Paul, when talking to the Corinthians about an Eternal Building in the Heavens, expressing his desire to be with Lord, but being stopped from getting closer by this physical life says: ‘We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’ (2 Cor. 5:8)
That’s our Christian belief that once we die, we’re immediately transported into the Lord’s presence, suggesting a transition from the earthly, physical body to a spiritual state of being with God. Or as this commentary puts it: ‘The core idea is that death for a Christian is not an end but a transition. Upon death, the believer’s spirit or soul is believed to be immediately united with the Lord, leaving behind the limitations of the earthly body.’
And although the pleasures of the earth can be wonderful, the next life with God for all eternity promises to be so much better, especially when there’s this magnanimous promise that John reveals in the Book of Revelation. ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev. 21:4)
And oh how I’m dying to see that day, when there’s no more pain! Well not really dying to see it just yet (smile) because I still have work for the Lord to accomplish down here and will have to bear some more pain to accomplish it. But won’t that be a marvellous existence? No pain, sorrow, death, crying, none of that negative stuff! Just the loss of those things will be sufficient to make eternity worthwhile. And when we add the rewards for doing God’s work…
Brother! Life will then be truly worth living! But until such time, we can still enjoy what we have down here, for the Lord has set up lots of protection for us here too. So to acknowledge that, let’s go home now declaring (chuh!!!) 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!’
And for those who stick with Jesus right to the very end, an even more glorious future is promised. One that we can neither contemplate or imagine! One that’s far above our mental capabilities. So, please, let’s be wise, and make a pact to meet there at the very end nuh, and enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the rewards of eternal life with Christ…more than outweigh the problems of earthly living…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 Jun 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a disciplined mind, a very present help in trouble, an abundantly available help, are not able to kill the soul, be of good cheer, both in the good and bad times, but of power love and a sound mind, call on God continually, don't be afraid of those who persecute you for your faith, endure to the very end with Christ, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, faith is only built through tough times, fear God, fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body, fear not them which kill the body, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, God is a refuge for us, God is our refuge and strength, God's sovereignty over life and death, halfway home, hands on the plough, he is my defence, He only is my rock and my salvation, holy spirit, i have overcome the world, I shall not be moved, In God is my salvation and my glory, in me ye might have peace, in the palm of his hands, in the world ye shall have tribulation, in time of trouble, Jesus Christ, Jesus defeated hell the death and the grave, light the candle at both ends, LOVE, mercy, my expectation is only from him, my refuge is in God, my soul wait thou only upon God, not turning back, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, pour out your heart before God, salvation, save from the ravages of this evil world, second wind day, Selah, set your soul free of fear, sons of Korah, thank God, the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the importance of prioritizing God over human authority, the Lord God Almighty, the rock of my strength, therefore will not we fear, these things I have spoken unto you, though the earth be removed, though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though the mountains shake, though the water roar and be troubled, to a glorious future with Jesus, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, trust him at all times, truth, we know that all things work together for good, Wednesday Wail, who has authority over the physical and spiritual realms, wisdom
Psalm 46:1. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in time of trouble.
So it’s Wednesday my people, our second wind day. It opened bright and sunshiny and somewhat cool, but it’s warming up, and we on the late bus, because after church, I ran around and did a couple errands, then had to come home and rest before writing the Bit. Yuh know the ole fella’s not as young as he used to be, and unfortunately can’t light the candle at both ends again. (smile)
And today, as we witness all the strife, the anger, the carnage and all the other negative things that are so prevalent in our world, I believe this word from the Sons of Korah in Psalm 46, is a good scripture for us to hold close to our hearts. So please read with me: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in time of trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps. 46:1-3)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s how strong our faith ought to be; winning out even in the most serious predicaments. That’s because the Lord God Almighty; our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present Deity has us in the palm of His hands and has promised to take care of us. Like Bruh Paul says in his letter to the Romans: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28)
So, though we will have problems in this ungodly world, the Lord’s promised that in the end He will work it all out for the good of those who put their trust in Him. And Jesus reinforces that promise when He says: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) And He certainly has, by defeating hell, death and the grave through His death and resurrection!
That means we ought not to be afraid of what man can do to us, but be more concerned about what the Lord Jehovah can do. As Jesus said: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’ (Matt. 18:28) And what does all of the mean?
This commentary explains that verse thus: ‘Jesus encourages his followers not to be afraid of those who might persecute or kill them for their faith, as such people can only affect their physical body. The verse contrasts this with the fear of God, who has authority over both the physical and spiritual realms. The phrase “destroy both body and soul in hell” refers to the concept of eternal punishment, where the soul is also eternally separated from God. This verse highlights God’s sovereignty over life and death and the importance of prioritizing Him over any human authority.’
Now those are some things that we ought to take into serious consideration as we walk amongst all the evil and ungodly doings that are currently running rampant in our world. We all are human, and fear does come upon us at some time or other, but the important thing to remember is that God is sovereign over the entire universe, and as a child of God, you have His protection and ought not to let fear overtake you for any length of time. Remember these marvellous words of Bruh Paul to Timothy: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7)
And if that doesn’t set your heart and soul free of fear, then listen to these most assuring words of Bruh David from Psalm 62, titled My Rock and My Salvation. He writes: ‘My soul, wait thou (silently) only upon God; for my expectation (hope) is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved (shaken). In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah’ (Ps. 62:5-8)
And if there’s one thing we can say about both Bruh David and Bruh Paul is that they not only talked the words of God, but they also walked them. They both had oodles of trials and tribulations, many more serious than any we will ever have, but they never once gave up on their faith, never once feared that the Lord would not come through for them. Now that’s the kind of faith we all need to build in these fearful and troubled times. However, unfortunately, faith is only built when we go through trials and tribulations, when we personally endure tough times.
We don’t need faith when the going’s good; but we surely need it when we don’t have the foggiest notion how to handle our tough situations. And that’s the time to call upon Almighty God for help, and believe that He will see you through! But more importantly, take a page from Bruh David’s book and continually call on Him. (smile) Bruh David constantly called on the Lord, even when thinks were good. That’s when we need to give Him praise and thanks for keeping our souls and lives together.
We can’t only know Him when things are rough. But sadly, that’s the only time many of us call on Him. No friends, the Lord God Jehovah must always be in our sights, be our times good or bad, for that’s when He knows that we truly care for Him, and are not only interested in what He can do for us. And with all that glorious information under our belt, (smile) let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail.
As one, in a strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if you truly know the Lord, then you’ll know of the promise that those who endure right to the very end with Jesus, will have a future even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So please, let’s be wise and make plans to endure right to the very end nuh, and so enjoy that glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…only in God…can we be truly safe…from the ravages of this evil world…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 May 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a change of conduct, a change of mind, a complete change of attitude towards God, after John was imprisoned, all are to repent, believe in the gospel, bring so much joy, by God's grace, christianity, Christians, despite the life threatening consequences, discomfort of the noise, endure to the very end with Christ, eternal life, extending into humanity, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, God sent forth his son, God taking a greater interest in humanity, halfway home, hands on the plough, holy spirit, in leading a man to repentance, it will soon be summer, Jesus begins his official ministry, Jesus came into Galilee, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, lawn mowers, laying the groundwork of the message, LOVE, made of woman, made under the law, make his paths straight, men are born again, mercy, new intensity, not just outwardly, not turning back, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, prepare ye the way of the Lord, putting trust in jesus Himself, putting trust in Jesus' message, repent, salvation, stay the course with Jesus, still flowing through me, summer nemesis, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life, the forerunner of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, the fullness of time, the good news, the kingdom of God is at hand, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, the process of conversion, the promised Messiah, the result of God's mercy, the sphere of God's sovereign rule, the time is fulfilled, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, turning from sin to righteousness, Wednesday Wail, wisdom, with the heart
Mark 1:15. ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand (near): repent ye, and believe (in) the gospel.’
Ah friends, we’re usually on the late bus on a Wednesday because of attendance to my small church group, but today I left there later than usual and had to make a stop before coming home. So, by the time I got home, I was tired and needed a nap. That means we’re on the late, late bus today, (smile) but the important thing is that we’re on the bus! Glory Be!
And sadly my summer nemesis, the noise from lawn mowers have begun. Brother! All hours of the day, the blooming things are running around the neighbour. Even just now, during my nap time one started up and disturbed me. I guess my neighbours don’t consider the discomfort the noise causes the old folks in the neighbourhood, (smile) and even my own lawn maintenance person comes early on a Monday morning and disturbs me. What makes his disturbance even worse is that he does a few houses in the lane, so he’s around for a fairly long time.
But the good news is that it will soon be truly summer, so hopefully that will bring so much joy, that we won’t be as annoyed by the constant lawn mower noise. (smile) Enough of my griping though, let’s see what the Lord wants to tell us today. And the Good Library just opened at the Book of Mark where Jesus was about to begin His official ministry. The scripture says: ‘Now after John (the Baptist) was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand (near): repent ye, and believe (in) the gospel.’ (Mark 1:14-15)
Yes friends, Jesus started out by preaching of the kingdom of God and it’s nearness, as well as the necessity for man to believe what He said. And the scholars offer this explanation. ‘Jesus’ proclamation stresses the importance of that present time. The sphere of God’s sovereign rule is extending into humanity with new intensity. All, even Israel, are to repent, by God’s grace, turning from sin and to righteousness, not just outwardly but with the heart. Along with repenting must come believing, putting trust in Jesus’ message (and thus right from the start, to some extent in Jesus Himself.’
And if we remember, it was the same message that John the Baptist came preaching, as the gospel of Matthew recounts: ‘In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias (Isaiah), saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ (Matt. 3:1-3)
Yes my fellow believers, John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus, preaching the same message, getting things started for Him. How wonderful to have a cousin like that, putting himself out there to lay the groundwork for your message, despite the danger and life threatening consequences to himself. But that was what he was born for! No wonder we say that God moves in mysterious ways.
Now, let’s check out the meaning of some of the individual words that Jesus used. We’ve already seen that the ‘time is fulfilled’ means that after the many promises made in the Old Testament and then those of John, God was going to take a greater interest in humanity, by now sending His promised Messiah. And the first thing mankind had to do was repent. So what does repent mean?
The scholars tell us ‘that means a change of mind that results in a change of conduct. Repentance is not merely sorrow. It involves a complete change of attitude regarding God and sin and is often accompanied by a sense of sorrow and a corresponding change in conduct. Such repentance does not arise within man himself, but is the result of God’s mercy in leading man to it. (Acts 5:31; Rom. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25). Thus repentance involves the very process of conversion whereby men are born again. John’s message of repentance was necessary in order to prepare people for the kingdom of heaven which was at hand.’
I guess because John only emphasized that the time was coming, when Jesus Himself took up the baton, He could say that the time is fulfilled, the time is here. And, as per the scholars, the phrases, ‘kingdom of heaven,’ and ‘kingdom of God,’ can be used interchangeably, but Matthew possibly substituted ‘heaven for God’ because of his Jewish emphasis, and the fact that many Jews considered it blasphemous to refer to God by name. But the phrase ‘kingdom of God,’ is used more frequently by Mark and Luke.
Then there was believing the gospel, which the scholars already told us was putting trust in Jesus’ message as well as in Jesus Himself. And that’s the same thing we’re expected to do today my fellow saints. The Messiah has come, the kingdom of God has come, and we’re required to repent and believe the good news of the gospel, and it is indeed good news. For how else would you characterize forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life eh? Nothing else but GOOD NEWS! And who doesn’t’ want good news eh, especially in these deceitful and turbulent times? Only fools!
And since we’re not fools, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And believe me friends, if we endure with Jesus right to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s stay the course with Jesus nuh, so that we can enjoy that most glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…but when the fullness of time was come…God sent forth his son…made of a woman… made under the law… (Gal. 4:4)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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