09 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin level, almighty god, anxieties, aura of love, be ye kind to one another, bitterness, boost our spirits, bounden duty, Bruh Paul, Calvary's cross, confidence, contentment, courage, enemy's wicked taunts, enthusiasm, even as Christ forgave you, evil, faith, fears, first day of work, followers of Jesus, food on our tables, forbearing one another, forgiveness, forgiving one another, forgiving ourselves, friends, glorious kingdom, grace of God, gratitude, guilt, harsh knocks of life, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, keeping a roof over our heads, law of nature, LOVE, loving kindness, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, Monday Morning, negative response, practical experiences in life, rejuvenation of spirit, responsibility, righteousness., saving grace, seeds sown on stony ground, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strength, sure conquerors, tenderhearted, truth, unforgiveness, weary souls, wisdom, wrath
Colossians 3:13. Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Well Friends, it’s the second day of the week, but the first day of work. And I know that many of us are not happy about having to get up and go to work on this beautiful Monday morning.
But as I keep reminding us, we have no choice, if we want to make a living and keep a roof over our heads and food on our tables, so the sooner we stop giving ourselves heartaches over it, and become contented and peaceful, the sooner we’ll understand and appreciate the joys of working.
And I know some of you are querying the term ‘joys of working,’ assuming that there can be no joy in work. But I’m here to tell you differently Friends. Many of us don’t enjoy our jobs because we come to them with the wrong mind set; a negative rather than a positive one. Granted, many of them don’t ingratiate themselves to us, are not really likeable in the natural.
But as Bruh Paul told the Philippians: ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (regard of need): for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ (Phil.4:11)
Yes my people, the ability to be content in whatever situation we might find ourselves is one of the great tools of living. However, as the scholars tell us: ‘The Greek here suggests contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom nor overnight, but through practical experiences in life.’
And that’s a fact my brethren! Contentment is learned through experiencing the harsh knocks of life, and we have to consciously accept it, if we’re to be rid of most of our fears and anxieties, especially if we are followers of Jesus.
Anyway, let’s get to our Monday Morning Hymn that boosts our spirits, raises our adrenalin level and gives us the wherewithal to go out and fight the enemy, and thus bring souls to Jesus for saving.
So as one big, bold and harmonic choir, let’s sing: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was a good rendition my people, but not good enough to move heaven, (smile) but our motors are running and that will enable us to face the day with faith, strength, courage and forgiveness.
Yes Friends, forgiveness must be a major part of our day, as so many things and people are out there to annoy us and bring negative emotions to our spirits, but we have to rise up over them by forgiving where forgiveness is called for. Because remember, forgiveness is for our health; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Unforgiveness usually does nothing to the unforgiven, but it ALWAYS affects the ‘unforgiver’ negatively. So basic wisdom calls us to forgive as quickly and completely as possible. As our Bit so wisely and rightly tells us: ‘Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’
And the aspect of forgiving that I want to talk about today is extremely important, but one to which we don’t pay much, or definitely enough attention to; that’s forgiving ourselves.
Yes Friends, too many of us hold on to guilt and unforgiveness against ourselves. We tend to forgive others much quicker and more completely than we do ourselves. But that’s also wrong my brethren. Forgiveness is for everybody, including ourselves.
A good example of our negative response to ourselves, is in cases where we do things that we regret, and we even ask God for forgiveness, which He ALWAYS grants, but we still walk around with guilt and unforgiveness. Friends, it’s a basic law of nature that when we are given something, we have to receive and accept it, otherwise we won’t have it.
And the forgiveness, mercy, LOVING-kindness and saving grace of God are amongst those wonderful things that we need to receive with joy and gratitude. For if we don’t, we are doing ourselves great injustice, in fact negating the death of Jesus, making it of no account, for those are the things which He sacrificed Himself on Calvary’s cross to give us.
So if we don’t accept what Jesus died to give us, then we’re not His true followers, just seeds sown on stony ground with no real roots planted in the church and body of Jesus. The same goes for when other’s beside God forgives us. We have to learn to accept it with kindness and mercy and gratitude, else we’re still not doing ourselves any good.
And we’ll end with these wonderful and wise words on the subject; words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven (in Christ forgave) you.’ (Eph.4:31-32)
Words of everlasting wisdom my brethren! So let’s go out and put it all in to practice today nuh my people, obviously with the help of Jesus, because that’s our earthly responsibility, our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…we must learn not only to forgive…but also to receive and accept forgiveness…for it is the grace of God…
26 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, aura of love, confidence, counsel, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, gospel truth, holy spirit, hope, Jesus Christ, lies, LOVE, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, peace, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, righteousness., saith the Lord, salvation, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, understanding, ungodly world, wisdom
Proverbs 21:30. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
Well Friends the second most important day of the week is here. Yes, unfortunately it’s Monday, the day we all despise so much, because it means we have to go out and labour once again. But what else can I say mih people, but that’s life! (smile) Yeh, we got to work for the worldly things we need, not necessarily those we just desire through our natural lustful nature.
But that doesn’t mean we have to go overboard on either side of the continuum – too much or too little work. We have to find the right balance, with the things of God prominently featured in the mix. But I’m not in a preaching mood this morning (smile) because the old cough is acting up. Right now I’m afraid to cough; I’m holding it back as best I can, since every time I cough, it feels like my chest is tearing apart with a racking pain. All the stuff I’m taking doesn’t seem to helping much at all. But once again, that’s life!
So without further ado, let’s get to our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, for I know that we still need it to get our motors started and our engines revved up. Now let’s have a wonderful rendition, one that will stir up the inhabitants of heaven, including our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father.
On three: one, two three! ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days.
It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour.
We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh mih breddren, that was a classic! All work stopped in heaven as the sweet and harmonious strains of our prayerful music rose to those blissful heights! Jesus was clapping and singing along with us, while smiling at the Father who couldn’t help tapping His toes and keeping the beat with His hands on the arms of His throne. Wow! And after writing that, I began chuckling and had to quickly stifle a coughing spell that wanted to break forth.
Yes Friends, that’s the way we need to operate, so that we can go out and do Jesus proud. Yuh see how we had Him clapping and singing there just now, that’s exactly how we need to have Him all day long, with a broad, contented smile on His glorious face, and a song of joy in His heart, because His people on earth are effusively and diligently doing His will. So let’s get to our Bit, a rather interesting statement by Cousin Sol.
Oh Friends, I just had a coughing bout that I couldn’t stifle. Steups! And it did feel as though my chest was tearing apart. Anyway, here’s our Bit: ‘There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.’
And isn’t that the awesome truth my people! There is no one who can reason with the Lord, for His wisdom and understanding are way above those of man. How did He put it in Isaiah: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8-9) And there’s no disputing that Friends, for since when can the created become wiser than the creator eh?
And Jeremiah, in relating that knowledge of God is man’s glory, puts it like this. ‘Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise LOVING-kindness, judgement (justice), and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:23-24)
Ah mih people, we can’t fight with that, because it’s the gospel truth! The Lord is El Numero Uno in everything!
And here is a brief note on those verses from the scholars. ‘9:23-24. Having lamented the folly of his faithless people, Jeremiah turns their attention to the true source of wisdom – the Lord Himself (9:23 -10:25). True wisdom was to be found in the consistent following of three central qualities of spiritual life. LOVING-kindness (the exercise of true covenant loyalty), judgement (the consistent application of true justice for all), and righteousness (the maintenance of what was right in the sight of the Lord in all of life).’
All of that also applies to us today my brethren. And we’ll close with these wise words from Cousin Sol in his role as the Preacher, that seal the deal. ‘I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.’(Eccl.9:11)
Yes Friends, man’s wisdom etc. cannot guarantee results in any area because time and chance crop up in everyone’s life when we least expect them to, and drop a spanner in the works. The only sure wisdom is of the Lord! Let’s remember that as we go out today and fight for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…stand up, stand up for Jesus…the trumpet call obey…till every foe is vanquished…and Christ is Lord indeed…
19 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a standing O, Absalom, ask not what your country can do for you, assured of salvation, aura of love, Bruh David, childish behaviour, confidence, confidence in God, enthusiasm, eternal life, faithful walk with God, first day of the workweek, further God's glorious kingdom, give their eye teeth, gospel truth, grumbling, help, holy spirit, Jesus Christ, joy, keep a roof over their heads, learn to be content, LOVE, moaning and groaning, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, Monday Morning, Oh Lord God Almighty, peace in our souls, perseverance, petty, promises, prosperity, salvation, Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, Selah, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, strength, succour, surrender, the desires of your heart, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Lord sustained me, the world owes us a living, thy blessing is upon thy people, ungodly world, week of work, wisdom
Psalm 3:8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Well my dear Friends, the news is sad but very true: the weekend is over, it is now Monday morning, time to begin another wonderful week of work! (smile)
And I know that some of you are chuckling, while many are not too thrilled at either it being Monday, or me reminding you of that fact. But as I keep saying, we will never be contented, have a reasonable amount of peace in our souls, until we learn to accept and welcome Monday for what it is – the first day of the work week, a day to go out and labour.
Yuh know how many people around the world right now, many of them right in our own neighbourhoods, would give their eye teeth to have a job this Monday morning, any kind of job at all, once it will pay a few dollars so that they can keep a roof over their heads and provide for their families! But we, the lucky ones with jobs, carry on with such petty, childish behaviour, grumbling, moaning and groaning, as though we are entitled, as though the world owes us a living.
Well for your information my Friends, the world owes us nothing whatsoever! We possibly owe the world something; the constructive and diligent effort to make it a better place. As President Kennedy said many years back, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.’ And being a productive worker is one of the things you can do to help your country.
And furthermore, I’ll put it to us this way; if you don’t like your job, or don’t want to get up and go to it, then simply quit it. But please stop complaining about being tired and exploited and otherwise when a Monday morning rolls around. Just make up your mind, tell yourself that you don’t have a choice in the matter and like Bruh Paul, learn to be content in whatever state you are in. (Phil.4:11) That will save you oodles of heartaches, anxiety and worry.
But enough with the sermonizing now, (smile) instead, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with enthusiasm and sincerity. All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour.
We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Not bad, Friends, not bad at all! But not enough to make heaven rejoice and call out for a standing ‘O’, and that’s the standard we want to set. (smile)
Now let’s turn to our Bit, which comes from Bruh David’s prayer of confidence in God, written when he fled from Absalom his son, who rebelled against him. Read the unfortunate story in 2 Samuel 15. ‘Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’ And that’s a truth that’s not disputable my brethren!
And Bruh David was so confident of that fact that earlier on in the psalm he declares: ‘I laid me down and slept: I awaked: for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.’ (Ps.3:5-6) Oh my people, Bruh David could only utter those words of confidence because he had supreme trust and faith in the God of his fathers!
The abiding question today though, is do we have that same trust and confidence in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so that we can make that same declaration? For our sake, I surely do hope so, because that is the only way we will ever find some lasting semblance of peace, joy, strength, wisdom, perseverance and prosperity on this evil and ungodly planet earth.
Bruh David could make those statements above, because of this next verse. ‘Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten (struck) all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.’ (Ps.3:7)
Yes my fellow believers, during Bruh David’s long and faithful walk with God, his enemies had consistently fallen by the wayside through God’s mighty hand, thus when his son Absalom revolted, he was confident that the Lord would also provide relief from the usurper, ungrateful child of his very own loins.
Oh Friends, it’s the same way that the Lord will bless us with help and succour if we walk obediently in His will, for we know that He faithfully keeps His promises. And if He has helped us previously, there’s no reason for Him not to continue doing so.
That is one of the many mistakes we make; in times of trial, we forget that the Lord has brought us through other serious and troubled times and we become anxious and worried. But that`s exactly when we need to remember the Lord`s previous help, and be assured that it will be forthcoming on other occasions.
And we`ll close with this bold proclamation of God, made through His servant Isaiah: `I, even I, am the Lord: and beside me, there is no saviour.` (Is.43:11) And that`s gospel truth my people!
So please, let`s remember that in these turbulent and distressing times, hope, faith, trust and surrender to Almighty God is the ONLY wise and sensible way to go. Therefore, let`s embrace the Most High with all our hearts, minds and souls, so that we can be strengthened and assured of our salvation. Much LOVE my fellow believers in Christ!
…trust in the Lord…wait patiently on Him…and He will give you the desires of your heart…
12 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a refuge, aura of love, blessings, Bruh David, busyness, confidence, death, enthusiasm, faith, for we walk by faith not by sight, further God's glorious kingdom, heart attack, holy spirit, humble servants, I hope in thy word, invincible, Jesus Christ, lies, longevity, LOVE, loving kindness, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, rejuvenation of spirit, salvation, seek ye first the kingdom of God, Selah, six feet under, songs of deliverance, sons of Korah, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, stress, stronghold, taunts, things of the world, thou art my hiding place and my shield, trust, we will not fear, wiles, wisdom, words of faith
Psalm 119:114. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Well hello there mih breddren! The big, beautiful day called Monday is here! (smile) That means it’s time to be up and about Jesus’ business. If you rested over the weekend, as you were supposed to, then getting up and out should be no problem.
Oh I know it’s not as easy as it sounds with all the busyness that our world now contains, but that’s why it’s even more important for us to control that busyness and get sufficient rest and rejuvenation.
Ah mih people, though I tend to be a bit lighthearted about it, looking after ourselves is no joke, it’s a very serious matter. It’s a proven fact that being on the go continually with insufficient rest and relaxation and improper eating habits produces stress, and stress is one of the biggest killers nowadays.
And unfortunately it’s no respecter of people, so whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, if you don’t look after yourself properly, you are a very high risk candidate for stress related problems. Now those problems can range anywhere from a mild headache or tiredness to numerous other health problems, even to a heart attack and sudden death.
And the sad part of the matter is that a lot of problems diagnosed as one illness or another, generally originate from stress. It’s also been proven that this generation gets much less rest and is much busier than any that’s gone before it. So please let’s get serious about the matter and do something constructive about it nuh.
Very few of us really like to get up and go to work on Mondays, but we just have to, because that’s the nature of our society. Therefore Friends, let’s be wise and give ourselves the best chance possible chance of longevity, for success by the world’s standards are not really all that they are advertised to be.
And furthermore, when we’re hospitalized, or six feet under, those worldly things that we’ve literally killed ourselves to get, will be of no use to us. We cannot take them with us to the hospital or to the grave. Remember what our Lord and Saviour Jesus said; ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)
Yes Friends, seek the things of God first, and He will bless you with the things of the world that you need. End of sermon! (smile)
Now, since many of us are suffering from the ill effects of the weekend, let’s raise our spirits by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with as much gusto as we can generate.
As one harmonious body now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Ah Friends that wasn’t bad, but not as good as it could be if we had rested properly. (smile) But the Lord won’t hold that against us, because He LOVES us however we are.
Now let’s turn to our Bit, a beautiful and encouraging verse from the longest chapter in the Good Book; Psalm 119. ‘Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.’
Oh my people, so many others have uttered sentiments of that nature that they must be substantial truth to it. If the Lord is our God, our Creator and Provider, then it stands to reason that He is powerful and of a generous nature, so what better place to look for help and succour eh?
Not to mention that His Word encourages us to come to Him for all our needs. And who should know that better than Bruh David eh, with all the problems he faced, but was wonderfully provided for by the Lord?
Let’s listen to some of Bruh David’s words on the subject, beginning in Psalm 9 – Praise for God’s justice. ‘The Lord also will be a refuge (stronghold) for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.’ (Ps.9:9-10)
Strong and true words my brethren! Now hear this gem of faith from Bruh David’s Maschil (contemplation) – The blessedness of forgiveness. ‘Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about (surround me) with songs of deliverance. Selah.’ (Ps.32:7
Note Friends, Bruh David is talking there from personal experience, not hearsay. And this now from the sons of Korah: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (the 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)
Powerful words of faith my people! And the good thing about it is that it’s all true, because our great God has proven it time and time again, and will continue to do so even through to eternity!
It is therefore in our best interest to come to serious and mature faith in the Lord God Almighty if we desire the kind of protection that the Old Testament people had, and Jesus died to give us even more. You can never have too much of a good thing! Now may the Lord bless and keep us safely as we go out today to do His work in faith, trust, truth and LOVE!
Much LOVE!…for we walk by faith…not by sight… (2 Cor.5:7)
05 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, blessings, Bruh David, confidence, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith, he delivered me from all my fears, holy spirit, hope, I sought the Lord, invincible, Jesus Christ, La Belle Provence, lies, loving kindness, mercy, Monday Morning, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, renewed vitality, rest, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, ungodly world, wisdom
Psalm 34:4. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Ah Friends, the party’s finally over for this year! The Christmas celebrations are winding down and it’s time to go back to work now. And what a disastrous day it’s looking to be, for the weather is acting up right across the country. Who hasn’t already been inundated with snow or freezing rain will soon get some version of bad weather.
La Belle Provence (Quebec) has already been laid low by a wicked ice-storm; thousands of people are already without power. Hopefully this one is not as bad as the one they suffered back in 1998. That one was a real doozy! And I can tell you from hard experience that an ice storm is definitely not nice, since we had our own doozy in Southern Ontario last year.
Oh Friends, I’ll take the snow storm over the ice variety any day. At least you can clear the snow, but the ice just clings tenaciously to everything, then eventually its weight simply breaks everything…and it’s much colder too in the ice storm. Hopefully, whatever precipitation occurs in my area won’t be too bad – I can already hear the wind howling outside.
Ah Lord eh! But for sure it’s going to be real cold, the temperature is already plummeting, and with the rain we had yesterday, that’s just going to make for lots of icy roads this Monday morning. What a terrible way to begin this first week of work in the new year! But them’s the breaks, mih people! We just have to battle through it all, and with God’s help we will have a successful outcome.
So please be careful on the roads this morning. Give yourselves lots of time to get to work; don’t worry, don’t be afraid, just put it all in God’s safe and secure hands! And to help us do that, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with as much chutzpah as we can muster. (smile) I know that the work ethic is pretty low this morning after all the holiday celebrations, but it’s time to get back to reality, to the daily task and common grind.
So let’s sing as one loud, harmonious choir now. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Ah mih people, there were a lot of hoarse, scratchy and out of tune voices in that rendition! (smile) But the Lord understands, and the important thing is not really the quality of the voice, but that the sentiments expressed truly come from our hearts. So with the adrenalin running and the Spirit of Jesus revving up within us, let’s go out and give the evil world a redeeming shot of Jesus, His saving grace and undying LOVE!
That brings us to our Bit, a very true and very encouraging scripture, the kind of stuff we need to face these tumultuous times. Listen to Bruh David’s testimony: ‘I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.’
Ah Friends, we all know Bruh David’s story, his continual seeking of the God of his fathers, is the consistent thread that runs right through it. That ought to encourage us to do likewise, since Bruh David was marvellously rewarded for his faith in Almighty God, in spite of some rather sinful behaviour, for which he paid a hefty price.
The point though, is that whenever he came upon any problem that caused him to be fearful, he gladly called upon His God, who calmed his spirit and enabled him to meet the problem head on. Note, the Lord did not necessarily take away the problem, but helped him to stand strong and face it.
And since time and space are running out on us, we’ll just quote two bits of scripture to back up our contention. The first comes from Bruh David from Psalm 9 – Praise for God’s justice. ‘The Lord also will be a refuge (stronghold) for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee.’ (Ps.9:9-10)
And in 2 Chronicles15, the Good Book tells us: ‘And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him: and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.’ (2 Chr.15:1-2)
Oh my people, what an inspiring and encouraging message! And the same thing holds true with us today too. If we sincerely seek the Lord God Jehovah, we will find Him, and he will hear our praise and supplications. But if we forsake Him and seek other false gods and idols, then crapaud smoke we pipe; we’ll be left all alone to paddle our own canoe. And you know that there’s not a whole lot we can do without God’s help.
So please, let’s be wise, right from the start of this year, and seek God sincerely and continually, so that we will be richly blessed through His mercy and LOVING-kindness. That’s the only wise and fearless way to go in this evil, deceitful world. Much LOVE!
…just a closer walk with thee…blessed Jesus let it be…always walking close to thee…blessed Jesus…please let it be…
29 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 2015, a sense of peace, aura of love, blessings, Bruh Paul, burdens, Christmas. New Year's resolution, confidence, easy yoke, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith, friends, glorious kingdom, grab the world by the tail, hath appeared to all men, holy spirit, humble servants, iniquity, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the answer, jobs, joy, light burden, LOVE, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, problems, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, salvation, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, the Christian life, the grace of God, the great invitation, Titus, ungodly world, wisdom, zealous of good works
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
Well Friends, the party is over for this week! It’s Monday, so labouring is here again. And I hear the loud groans and complaints as that reality sinks in. (smile) But please don’t worry and don’t lose the Christmas spirit, for the season’s still on, and in another three days, we’ll have the big celebration of New Year’s Eve!
Wow! As though anything changes from Wednesday to Thursday, just because we deem it to be a new year. Bah humbug! (smile)
Oh my people, circumstances might not change from one day to the next, but our attitudes and mindsets can change for the better. And that’s best accomplished by bringing Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour into a higher priority position in our lives, by developing a stronger relationship with Him, which is what we aspired to do in our last New Year’s resolution, and will again commit to doing in 2015.
Remember He is the One who sacrificed His sinless life so that we could once again have communion with our heavenly Father. And Jesus is also the One who extends that great invitation to come to Him, lay our heavy burdens on His strong shoulders, and in return, accept His light burden and easy yoke, a wonderful situation evoking a welcome sense of peace, joy, rest and unconditional LOVE! (Matt.11:28-30)
So in these waning days of 2014, let’s not forget that Jesus is the answer to our EVERY problem!
And having said that, this Monday morning after a hectic Christmas celebration, when we have to go back out to work, and we’re not really enthused about it, let’s turn to our wonderful problem solver to give us the energy and wherewithal to go out and grab the world by the tail. (smile) Let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with all we have. We ought to still have some left in the tank despite all the recent celebrations.
So as one great voice: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh Friends, that wasn’t bad at all, but I know that come Wednesday night, you’ll be all singing a louder and more enthusiastic Old Lang Syne and Happy New Year! (smile)
Anyway, it’s time to turn to our Bit; Bruh Paul’s advice on the Christian Life to Titus, one of his young protégés. ‘For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (age).
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us all from iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (his own special) people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.’ (Titus 2:11-15)
Oh my fellow believers in Christ, that is all indisputable truth! For it certainly is through God’s amazing and generous grace that we can even have hope of better days to come! Without that plethora of grace, goodwill and LOVING-kindness, we’d all be headed for death and eternal damnation!
Now here are some explanations from the scholars on those verses. ‘2:11-15. The salvation that appeared to all men is based on God’s grace that has provided salvation universally for all mankind through the unlimited atonement of Christ. That blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ refers to His second coming.
The use of the definite article “the” with the first noun “God” and the connecting “and” indicates that the first and second “Saviour” (nouns) are one and the same person. Our “great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” is thus one and the same person, clearly proving the deity of Christ.’
Oh Friends, as I keep saying, it’s truly mind boggling to consider the wonderful God we serve and worship! He’s so awesome that we can’t help but stand in wonder and reverence at Him. So let’s go out today and do what He desires of us nuh, for if we are truly His followers, then we need to do what He desires of us. Keep the faith! Much LOVE!
…ye are my friends…if ye do whatsoever I command… (John 15:14)
15 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, behold the days come, christianity, Creator of the universe, dig deep down., encourage, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, glorious kingdom, holy spirit, house of Judah, humble servants, I will be their God, I will make a new covenant with Israel, invincible, Israel, Jesus Christ, jobs, long commutes, lord god almighty, LOVE, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, New Covenant, Oh Lord God Almighty, presence of god, promises, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, saith the Lord, seed of Abraham, steadfast faith, the House of Judah, the second coming of Christ, the sun follows the moon, those who don't work don't eat, traffic jams, trust, truth, ungodly world, uplift, wisdom, work from home
Jeremiah 31:31. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.
Oh Friends, just as the sun follows the moon from one day to the next, and the seasons each other, so is Sunday followed by Monday, just as the Lord the Creator of the universe planned it. However, it is mankind who planned that most of us would work five days a week in this Western Society, starting on Monday.
But yuh know what? The Lord also admonishes us to obey those in authority over us, (Heb.13:17) and Bruh Paul advocates that those who don’t work should not eat. (2 Thess.3:10) So, as true believers, we have no choice but to get up and go out and labour, putting up with long commutes and endless traffic jams, envying those lucky few who can work from home.
And yes, it’s often difficult to get both the body and spirit up for work, but that’s why we have our Monday Morning Battle Hymn; to encourage and uplift us. So let’s sing it with much gusto and verve. Dig deep down in your souls this morning and find them. (smile)
‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh mih people, that was only a so so version, but hopefully it will lift our spirits enough for us to get up and get a move on. And today is the last day in the series of messages on this life-changing Bit of immense promise. ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.’
Now let’s continue with the scholars explanations that we began yesterday. Some of you might think that all this is not necessary, but if you truly want to grow and mature in the Word, to understand it properly, then you have to take all this stuff into consideration. ‘As a document of prophetic promise, like the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, the new covenant is unconditional.
In form, it corresponds to the Royal Grant Treaties of the ancient Near East. As to subject matter, by comparing Jeremiah 31:31-34 with the other formulations of the new covenant (e.g. 32:37-44; 33:14-26; Is.55:1-3; 61:1-11; Ezek. 34:22-31; 36:22-38; 37:21,28) it may be seen that the new covenant assimilates the elements of the promises made to Abraham and channelled with progressive light through David, and brings them to full realization.
Thus the final blessing of Abraham’s seed will find fruition in Israel’s possession of the Promised Land in perpetuity under the rulership of Christ, the Greater Son of David, the Seed par excellence (cf. 33:26; Ezek. 37:25-27; Mic.7:19-20 with Luke 1:68-78; Acts 3:25-26; Rev.11:15). Further, by faith in Christ, Gentile believers also become the spiritual seed of Abraham and members of the family of God (cf. Is.45:22-25; rom.4:18-25; Gal.3:26-29; Eph.2:1-3,6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Pet.2:9-10).
Although the new covenant is now operative (Matt.26:27-28; 2 Cor.3:6; Heb.8:6-13) and is attended by the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is resident in believers’ lives (Acts 2:14-37; Rom.8:23; 2 Cor.1:20-22; 5:1-5; Eph.1:13-14; 1 Thess.5:19), the full realization of the new covenant, as the capstone of all the covenants, awaits the second coming of Christ.
He will give to Israel the promises distinctive to that nation, and will rule over the earth in an unprecedented period of universal peace (Is.2:4; Ezek.34:25; 37:26), prosperity (Is.61:7-8; Ezek.34:26-27), and the full knowledge (v.34) of the abiding presence of God. (Ezek.48:35; Joel 3:21).’
Ah Friends, it might all sound long and involved, but if you take your time and read it and check out some of the references, I’m sure you’ll come to a much better understanding of the scriptures. And as a supposed teacher and student too, I’ll be amiss if I didn’t give you all the information at my disposal.
And now let’s close with one of those prophetic references from Ezekiel. ‘Moreover I will make (cut) a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place (establish) them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore. My tabernacle (dwelling place) also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.’ (Ezek.37:26-28)
Oh Friends, after reading the same basic promise from all those prophets, and then having Jesus come and begin the implementation, how could I not believe eh? But each one of us has to come to our own conclusion. Let’s hope that we all come to the right one. Much LOVE!
…whoever is smart enough to come to Jesus…will never be disappointed…for they will find help and succour for their every need…in every circumstance…
08 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abuse the weekend, adoration, Amen, Antioch, Apostle to the Gentiles, at the mercy of the enemy, aura of love, Barnabas, blaspheming, Bruh Paul, cast not your pearls before swine, confidence, enjoy life, enthusiasm, free time, friends, Gentiles, give not that which is holy to dogs, glory hallelujah, gratitude, grumbling, harms himself, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jesus' gospel, Jews, jobs, joy, lies, LOVE, meet the enemy in battle, Monday Morning, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Oh Lord God Almighty, pearls before swine, Praise the Lord, rebuke a wise man, rebuketh a wicked man, reject the message of truth, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, reprove a scorner, resentment, respect, reverance, Sabbath Day, shame, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the Word of god, trample them under their feet, turn and tear you, unworthy of everlasting life, wisdom
Matthew 7:6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend (tear) you.
Glory Hallelujah! It is Monday once again! A glorious day with innumerable possibilities! And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’ (smile)
Oh Friends, I wish it was that easy or simple for most of us. But the truth is that we still find Mondays somewhat stifling and hard to come up over. But it’s something we desperately need to do, if we’re going to enjoy life the way that God intends us to.
As the poem from my birthday card that we talked about yesterday told us, each day is a gift from God, and we have to embrace them with gratitude and joy, not resentment and grumbling.
Look here, we know that we have to get up and go to work every Monday morning, so why is it continually so hard for us to do? Because we abuse the two days off over the weekend and don’t prepare properly for Monday.
Why aren’t any of the other working days as difficult to get up for eh? I guess it’s because we don’t have enough free time between them, so we can’t get involved in any unnecessary activities.
So until we make preparing for Monday a special activity on Sunday, we’ll be forever at the mercy of the enemy, grumbling and complaining come Monday morning. Anyway, enough of my speechifying, (smile) let’s sing out our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to give us the kick start that most of us seem to need.
Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that wasn’t too bad Friends, but not as good as it could or should be, heaven didn’t rejoice with us. However, our motors are now purring smoothly, so we can get on with our daily business. In this case, turning to our Bit.
‘Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend (tear) you.’
Remember yesterday, we saw in the scholars’ explanation that dogs and swine referred to people who deliberately reject the message of truth, and were so termed because those two classes of animals were very repulsive to the Jews.
Listen to how Cousin Sol put’s it in Proverbs 9 – Wisdom’s Invitation. ‘He that reproveth a scorner (scoffer) getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot (only harms himself). Reprove not a scorner (scoffer), lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will LOVE thee.’ (Prov.9:7-8)
Yes Friends, those are the responses to wisdom’s invitation by the scoffer, the mocker and the wise man. Hopefully the people we rebuke today will all be wise men and women. (smile)
And here’s a living example of what we’re talking about. Back in the days of the early church, while Bruh Paul was on his missionary journeys, he and Barnabas rolled into the city of Antioch and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, where Bruh Paul preached a magnificent sermon and several people believed. (Acts 13:14-43)
Obviously that brought opposition from some of the Jewish residents of the city. The Good Book tells it thus: ‘And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against (opposed) those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed (grew) bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should have first been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you (reject it), and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.’ (Acts 13:44-46)
Ah mih people, how foolish can we get sometimes eh? The Jewish response was definitely that of the scoffer and mocker, not the wise man.
Now hear the scholars’ explanation. ’13:46. Paul’s missionary principle was always to go to his own people, the Jews, first (Rom.1:16), but he always went to the Gentiles too, and indeed was known as the Apostle to the Gentiles (Gal.2:7-8; Eph.3:6-8).’
Oh Friends, let’s thank God that the wonderful news of Jesus’ gospel has been sown in our Gentile hearts, and that we neither scoff nor mock at it, but like the wise people that we are, we hold it dearly, treating it with much reverence, adoration and LOVE, for that is the wisdom of heaven. Much LOVE!
…if you don’t respect and revere God’s Word…then you can’t respect and revere Him…
01 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cesspool of negativity, adulteress., almighty god, anxious, aura of love, Black Friday, complaining, Cyber Monday, despise the other, drown ourselves, enmity with God, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith, fears and tears, fellowship, friend of the world, friends, frustrated, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, grumbling, he will hate the one, holy spirit, humble servants, Jesus Christ, jobs, lies, LOVE, love the other, lover of god, lover of the world, loyal to one, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, no man can serve two masters, Oh Lord God Almighty, oh what a joy, pleasure in material things, positive mindset, pride of life, proactive, put a positive spin, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, rocking and a rolling, scriptures, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, temptations, unfaithful bride of christ, weakness, wisdom, you cannot serve God and mammon
Matthew 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches).
And once again we’ve come full circle to that blessed day called Monday! Oh what a joy!
No Friends, I’m not crazy. We might as well put a positive spin on things, especially since we can’t control nor change them, otherwise we’ll just drown ourselves in a cesspool of negativity. Being positive and proactive will at least allow us to get through the ordeal that Monday is for some of us, without too many fears and tears.
We have to get up and go out and labour, so we might as well do ourselves a favour by doing it with a positive mindset. The grumbling and complaining won’t help it anyway, just get us more anxious and frustrated.
So let’s get to our anthem right away nuh, let’s blast out our Monday Morning Battle Hymn on this cold, clear Monday, now known as Cyber Monday, targeting on-line sales. And I won’t even touch that one this morning, (smile) I’ve heard enough about Black Friday. As far as I’m concerned, Cyber Monday can go where it belongs, straight down to Hades, taking Black Friday with it! The consumerism is just getting to be a bit much.
So let’s come out with guns blazing as we burst into song. All together as one harmonious voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Wonderful Friends, that was wonderful! Both heaven and earth were singing along with us. That ought to get us rocking and a rolling now, so that we can handle anything that comes against us.
And life is so full of surprises and miracles, what do you think I saw as soon as I turned on my computer? Hn, hn! A big sign advertising Cyber Monday! Ah Lord eh! I just had to laugh. What else could I do?
Enough of that though, let’s get to our Bit, which addresses that conundrum of consumerism versus Almighty God. ‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches).
And have you noticed Friends, that this Bit came up just in time for all the sales and bargains nonsense? I guess the Lord was trying to tell us something; you can’t take such pleasure in material things and worship me at the same time.
And James addresses that question, quite simply and straightforwardly: ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be (wants to be) a friend of the world, is the enemy (makes himself the enemy) of God.’ (James 4:4)
And the scholars explain that quite succinctly. ‘4:4. As Israel was a spiritual adulteress, unfaithful to God, so the church is a spiritual adulteress when she is the unfaithful bride of Christ (cf. Hos.2:5, 19-20, Matt.12:39). One cannot be both a LOVER of God and a LOVER of the world.’
And that’s exactly what we’ve been trying to say all along my brethren!
And we’ll end with these oh so important words of John on the subject, that of First LOVE. ‘I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.’ (1 John 2:14-17) That’s all gospel truth my people!
Now hear some explanations from the scholars. ‘2:12-14. John addresses different groups and assures them of their steadfastness in the true faith, contrary to many of those with whom this letter must deal. Little children, fathers, young men, and so on, may refer to actual age groups. Or it may have reference to spiritual maturity or level of responsibility in the fellowship, for example, to new Christians being ‘children.’
‘2:15. LOVE not the world is a command implying that action now in progress must cease: “Stop LOVING the world!” There is, of course, one sense in which Christians should LOVE the world, since God Himself did and does (John 3:16). But in the sense of pledging personal loyalty and devotion of one’s whole being and means, Christians are to “LOVE” God first and foremost (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:30.’
‘2:16. World for John signifies the evil desire and sin so much a part of human existence. Temptation: Though all people are tempted differently according to their individual weaknesses, temptations follow patterns. They appeal to three fundamental areas of life: (1) the lust of the flesh (physical desires). (2) The lust of the eyes (personal desires); and (3) the pride of life (self interests).
Illustration: When Satan caused the fall of the race, he appealed to each of those areas of weakness Gen.3:6). He also appealed to them when he tempted Christ (Matt.4:1-11), who defied Satan’s temptations by relying on the authority of the Scriptures.
Application: The Christian today should also depend on the Scriptures to defeat temptation. (First Reference, Gen.3:1-6; Primary Reference, 1 John 2:15-17; cf. Rom.5:12.)
Oh Friends, for our own sakes, please lets take all of that stuff seriously nuh, else we’ll just get caught up in the pollution and ungodliness of the world, which will eventually cause us much heartache and pain. Much LOVE!
…the world should not be our idol…Jehovah God should reign first and foremost in our hearts…
P.S. It’s somewhat long (smile) but very instructional and applicable to our lifestyles today. Much LOVE!
–
28 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anguish, ask God's divine guidance, bargains, bargainse, Black Friday, business people, cannot be bought with money, common sense, crown of life, Cyber Monday, desire, discomfort, drawn away by his own lust, drive, encouragement, enthusiasm, enticed, enticing, eternal life, every gift comes from above, every man is tempted, evil, fellowship, firstfruits, fleshly lust, forgiveness, fraudulent, Friday chant, fun, gift, glorious kingdom, God is good, God is immutable, God tries the saints, God's promise, god's redemption of man, gospel truth, grace, greed, greedy, hold our heads and bawl, James, Jesus Christ, joy, LOVE, loving kindness, lust brings forth sin, mark of a true believer, material things, mercy, mistakes, patience, peace, price we have to pay, promise, psychological ploys, Red Thursday, redemption, relaxation, resentment, sales, salvation, shopping blitz, shopping day, sin, sin brings forth death, spooked deer, take it to God in prayer, temptation, tempted of god, tempted with evil, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Father of lights, U.S Thanksgiving, ungodly attitudes and actions, variation, waith for hours, warning, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, wisdom, wise decisions, worldwide trend
James 1:14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desire), and enticed.
And at last it was Friday…! And all the people joyfully shouted: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday; Black Friday!’
‘But wait nuh mih breddren, what Friday is this eh, Black Friday?’ you ask with a confused frown. ‘But it’s not the 13th…’
‘Oh no, not the old mythical Friday the 13th, but the new Black Friday; the excessive shopping day after the U.S Thanksgiving celebrations.’
‘Ah Lord eh!’ you shake your head in disbelief.
Yes my people, it’s another day of supposed sales and bargains that only breeds greed, anguish, resentment and all sorts of ungodly attitudes and actions, where we line up in the cold and dark, hours before stores open, then rush like spooked deer through the doors to buy stuff that we don’t really need, and very often cannot afford.
But the evil and greedy business people have found, or rather created, another day to lure us into their businesses to spend money we don’t have. And now, unfortunately, it’s a trend that’s going worldwide. In Canada businesses are doing their own thing too to try and stop the enormous amount of cross border shopping.
One business even had something it called ‘Red Thursday.’ Steups! And next Monday is now being called cyber Monday, where on-line shopping is the name of the game. And then they will put on the Christmas blitz. We are being constantly bombarded with advertising for all sorts of bargains, which are usually fraudulent.
Oh Friends, why don’t we rush down to God’s house like that eh, where everything is free? And instead of giving away, wasting our hard earned or non-existent money on physical stuff that rots and is easily destroyed, we receive LOVE, joy, peace, mercy, grace, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life; things that cannot be bought with money!
And sadly, even if they advertised church services like they do these supposed sales, very few of us would show up, and even fewer would have the enthusiasm, drive and patience to wait for hours in discomfort until the doors opened.
But we can only try to avoid people falling prisoner to the lure of sales and cheap bargains. And one of the tools we use is our Friday Chant. So let’s chant it nuh, with the same enthusiasm and energy we have for the sales we’ll head out to later in the day. (smile)
As one voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Ah mih people, I can only hope and pray that we use a little common sense and wisdom and don’t get in foolishly over our heads in whatever we do today. No doubt many of us will hold our heads and bawl when we realize the mistakes we’ve made. But that’s the price we have to pay when we don’t think before we act, neither do we take everything to God in prayer and wisely ask for His divine guidance and help.
That brings us to these most appropriate words of James. ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (have been proved), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.’ (James 1:12-13)
And all of that is gospel truth Friends, as are the words of our Bit which follows them. ‘But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desire), and enticed.’
And that is exactly what’s happening to us with these sales! The business people are pandering to our natural fleshly lust for material things, and through psychological ploys are enticing us to come and buy what we don’t need or can afford.
And as James continues: ‘Then when lust (desire) hath conceived, it bringeth forth (gives birth to) sin: and sin, when it is finished (full grown), bringeth forth death.’ (James 1:15) Indisputable truth my brethren!
And James ends with a solemn warning, as well as words of consolation and encouragement. ‘Do not err (be deceived) my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firtsfruits of his creatures.’ (James 1:16-18)
And the scholars offer these words of explanation: ‘1:17. Three great principles are presented: (1) God is the Father, or Creator, of the heavenly bodies. (2) As their Creator, He is certainly more stable than they. With God there is not even the slightest change; He is immutable. (3) God is only good – and always good.
This third principle relates verse 17 to the preceding context. It answers the implication of verse 13 that God may sometimes tempt man to evil. Though God tries the saints (John 6:6; Heb.11:17), He never tries with evil intent so as to tempt them.’
‘1:18. All the redeemed are God’s firstfruits in that they are the first step in God’s redemption of all creation (Rom.8:18-23).’
So Friends. Let’s go out this Black Friday morning filled with the Spirit of God that will lead us to make wise decisions, even in the midst of plenty psychological bombardment and enticement. That’s the mark of a true believer! Much LOVE!
…though God doesn’t tempt us…He does allow us to undergo trials to test our mettle…but in His LOVING-kindness, He also helps us to handle them…O what a wonderful God we serve and worship…
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