Salvation calls for Repentance and Faith in Jesus Christ!

30 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acts 16:31.       And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (household).

And it’s a good Wednesday; an early morning shower followed by mostly sunshine, with a few devilish clouds hanging around to try and make things difficult, but the blustery wind will make short work of them, and send them back to their evil lair. (smile) And Glory be! The temperature is already up to 21 at midday. You can’t ask for better than that at the end of October. 

But today, we have something even better than the warm weather to share; that’s ‘HOW “YOU” CAN BE SAVED.’  And hopefully you will remember the old Bible tract from the Leviticus Church in Jamaica, New York we used last week that told us ‘ETERNAL LIFE IS A ”FREE” GIFT.’ Well, the same tract is also telling us how to be saved. I guess we can call it ‘Christianity 101.’ So let’s check it out nuh. (smile) 

And it begins by saying, ‘The Bible calls for “REPENTNACE TOWARD GOD,” with a reference of Acts 20:21b. But let’s look at the context of that scripture. It’s where Bruh Paul is in Ephesus talking to the church elders about when he first came to them, in humility, letting them know all that had happened to him: ‘And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Acts 20:20-21) 

So, the basic necessities for being saved, are to repent before God, and have faith in Christ Jesus. And what’s repentance, you ask? The tract gives us this definition. ‘Repentance’ is a change of heart which causes you to turn from your way of life toward God, accepting the Bible facts that you are guilty as a sinner before Him, and that you are unable to deliver yourself from the punishment of hell, due you because of your sin.’ And all of that is very true my people. You cannot be saved without acknowledging your sins before Almighty God, and your inability to help yourself. 

Then the tract continues: ‘The Bible also calls for “FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” And they again reference Acts 20:21b, which we can see also calls for faith in Christ Jesus. And what is faith? The tract explains: ‘Faith is putting “your complete trust in Jesus Christ,” as your only means of clearing your guilt and delivering your soul from the punishment of hell.’ And that’s the gospel truth friends! Sincere and total trust in Jesus is the ONLY way to achieve salvation. And the tract references Acts 16:31a for that scripture. 

The context for that though is when Bruh Paul and Silas were in jail in Philippi: ‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands (chains) were loosed.’ (Acts 16:25-26) 

Obviously with all the commotion the jailer woke up, and when he saw what had happened was about to kill himself, ‘But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he (the jailer) called for a light, and sprang (ran) in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (household).’ (Acts 16:28-31) 

And there’s a happy ending to the story, where the jailer and all of his family accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, and were saved. Yes, our great God sometimes moves in mysterious ways to bring people to Him. But let’s get back to the tract, where it continues: ‘If you will receive Jesus Christ in to your heart, “by trusting Him to save your soul,” you will become a son of God and spend eternity in heaven.’ 

They reference John 1:12 for corroboration, but I will attempt to put it in some context by quoting the verses around it. ‘He came unto his own (His own things or domain as the Creator of all), and his own (His own people, the Jews) received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (the right) to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ ’ (John 1:11-13) 

And continuing, the tract declares, (steups!!!) ‘GOD PROMISES He will save you if you will trust Jesus Christ as “your” Saviour. And they quote Romans 10:9 to confirm that promise. But as always, I’ll add to it with some surrounding verses. ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (put to shame). For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rom. 10:19-13) 

I have to chuckle at the many times in those verses that Bruh Paul tried to pound into our hard and stubborn hearts and heads, the necessity for calling on God and belief in Christ for salvation. And having said it all, the tract then closes with this heartfelt plea: ‘PLEASE ACCEPT THE “FREE GIFT” OF ETERNAL LIFE GOD IS OFFERING YOU.’  

Oh my fellow believers, I cant say it any better! And I do hope that having reviewed and refreshed our minds and spirits with what it takes to be saved, that our faith will grow even stronger in the coming days, because we need great faith to handle the trials and tribulations of this evil and ungodly world. Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) 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 also been promised, that if we endure right down to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s plan to meet there nuh! Much LOVE!

…if being saved by Jesus is already so glorious…no wonder our minds cannot comprehend the future glory…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Unmerited Favour of God’s Salvation to Man!

17 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ephesians 2:8.       ‘For by grace are ye (you have been) saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.’

Ah Lord friends, it seems like the weather is trying to make a liar our of me. Yesterday I trumpeted that the warm days are over except for a chance Indian summer, however I’m now hearing that next few days will be warmer than usual. I don’t know if that’s an Indian summer period or not. (smile) And strangely, the leaves on many of the trees have not assumed their autumn colour as yet, they are still fairly green. Usually, by now, my driveway would be filled with blowing multi-coloured leaves, but so far there’s only a handful. 

So what are we going to do eh? Well, the easiest thing is to chalk it all up to climate change. And so be it! Climate change is the monster stalking through the halls, causing all the unaccustomed changes and damages. Wow! It’s so good to have somewhere to lay the blame. Anyway, enough of the lightheartedness, let’s get serious about the Lord’s business. And today we’ll continue considering the wonderful information on the old tract from the Leviticus Church in Jamaica, New York, that I recently found in my mother’s old Bible. 

Yesterday, we stopped where Christ was on the cross, and having done His job, paid for our sins, He declared (steups!!!) ‘It is finished.’ No more ordinary blood sacrifices would be needed, for His sinless blood had paid the price once and for all! Then the tract tells us: ‘We are ‘justified freely by his grace.’ And they reference (Rom. 2:24a) 

Now here’s the full context of the declaration. (awright!!!) Bruh Paul writes: For all have sinned, and come (fallen) short of the glory of God: being justified freely (without any cost) by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (mercy seat) through faith in his blood, to declare (demonstrate) his righteousness for the remission (passing over) of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.’ (Rom. 3:23-25) 

And what does all of that mean. Here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘Being justified indicates being declared righteous. It signifies the believer’s standing before God. Freely: There is no just cause in man to warrant justification, (since we have all sinned and come short of His glory). By his grace: Unmerited favour is bestowed through the redemption (release on payment of ransom). Christ’s death is the ransom. The sinner is released on the basis of the ransom’s having being paid.’ 

In other words, we were locked up, in bondage for our sins, but Jesus’ death paid the price required to set us free, and thus we are now set free and justified before God. But let’s remember that this freedom and justification doesn’t come automatically. No sir! It comes through faith in Christ. As the scholars explain. ‘Christ’s death satisfies the Father’s righteous demands. It’s benefits are only appropriated (obtained) through faith in His finished work. And as per ‘In his blood: The emphasis is not on the blood as it coursed through Christ’s veins, but as it was shed for our sins. This is how the propitiation (atonement) was accomplished.’ 

Yes friends, it’s the SHED BLOOD OF CHRIST, that has the all-consuming, amazing and redemptive power! As we sing in that well known song ‘Nothing But the Blood of Jesus can set me free!’ And that’s the gospel truth! If you don’t believe in Jesus and the power of his blood shed on the cross of Calvary being able to cleanse you from all sin and wash you white as snow, then you’re not saved. 

For, as the tract continues: ‘Salvation is ‘Not of works, least any man should boast.’ (Eph. 2:9) God ‘Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world (time) began.’ (2 Tim. 1:9) 

Oh my fellow believers, we ought to seriously consider those words. As the scholars explain: ‘Who hath saved us refers to the ultimate effect of the whole operation: our salvation. And called us with an holy calling looks at the means by which our salvation was effected. His own purpose and grace…was given us indicates that our salvation was totally unmerited.’ 

Please friends, let’s never forget that! All we have from our heavenly Father comes from His abundance of LOVE, grace, and mercy! We earn nothing and in truth deserve nothing! It all happens because our Creator and God LOVES us so much that He cannot bear to see us separated from Him in hellfire and damnation with the evil Beelzebub. 

But getting back to the tract, it continues: ‘As the Bible, God’s Word, says, ‘Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared righteous) by faith without (apart from) the deeds of the law.’ (Rom. 3:28) And that we know is the indisputable truth.  Then, the tract in all wisdom, saves the best for last; concluding thus: ‘For by grace are ye (you have been) saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.’ (Eph. 2:8) And it does make its original point; as loudly described in its heading: ‘ETERNAL LIFE IS A “FREE” GIFT.’ 

And I do hope that we’ve enjoyed going through this old but ever so informative tract. For I know that many of us both hated to distribute and receive them on the street corners as was the custom some years ago. But when we refuse to do God’s work, and also refuse Him, we’re only setting ourselves up for eternal separation from Him, which we all know is the worst thing that can happen to a human soul. 

Now, it’s time to declare (oh brother!!!) and thus activate our Thursday Blessings which the Lord has so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

And having activated those blessings, my fellow saints, it’s now our bounden duty to go out and use them on behalf of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!

…it cannot be said too often….life eternal can ONLY be gained…through faith in Jesus Christ…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

God’s Free Gift of Eternal Life!

16 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hebrews 9:12.        Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

And it’s surprising how quickly Wednesday shows up when Monday is a holiday. (smile) But we’ll take Wednesday any time, because it’s our second-wind opportunity day, and just like the recent few days it’s bright and sunshiny but chilly. From here on in though, for the next several months, the days will be chilly. You won’t hear me talk about a warn day unless we’re blessed to have a few days of Indian summer; that’s some warm days in the midst of autumn. 

So please dress warm from now on, because the dangerous thing about the cold weather is that it can come upon you without warning. The mid-morning hours might seem warm, but by the time you’re ready to leave work, it can be freezing. The motto; it’s better to have on too much than not enough, is one we ought to follow in the cold months. We can always take off the outer layers if we’re too warm, but you cannot put on anything when it gets cold, if you don’t have it handy. I can certainly testify to that! (smile) 

So what are we going to talk about today eh? I recently found a tract in my mother’s old Bible from the Leviticus Church in Jamaica New York, which has some very interesting information, some of which I want to share today. It seems the church is still going strong and I’m glad for that, because the demise of any church is sad news for all believers. Anyway, the title of the tract is ‘Did you know? ETERNAL LIFE IS A “FREE” GIFT.’ Now, that’s a very good question, because despite all the necessary information at hand, a lot of people still have trouble believing it, or simply have a contrary belief. 

And after that bold heading, the tract continues thus: ‘The Lord Jesus Christ paid the FULL PRICE for the salvation of your soul. He gave himself for our sins.’ And they quote Galatians 1:4a as a scripture reference to that statement. I will however expand on that, so that we can get the full context of the scripture. Bruh Paul wrote in his opening verses of the epistle to the church at Galatia: ‘Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Gal. 1:3-5) 

Now that gives us the full context of the reference. And I guess having those last words ‘He gave himself for our sins,’ highlighted is a means of driving home the truth that Jesus gave His Life for us, it wasn’t taken from Him. And He made that quite clear when He says: ‘Therefore doth my Father LOVE me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.’ (John 10:17-18) 

That ought to make it quite clear my fellow believers that Jesus was not forced to give up His life, but He did it willingly because of his great LOVE for us. And in being able to give His life then take it up again, He once again asserts His deity; that He was both God and man. Then the tract continues: ‘JESUS, the Son of God, LOVED me, and gave himself for me.’ 

And there they reference Galatians 2:20b, but I will quote the entire verse for the sake of getting the full context. Bruh Paul writes: ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of (in) the Son of God, who LOVED me, and gave himself for me.’ (Gal. 2:20) Awesome truth my people! 

And the tract goes on: ‘Now because  by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Heb. 9:12b), there remains no price for us to pay! And that’s the gospel truth. But for our information, the whole of that verse reads: ‘Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.’ (Heb. 9:12) 

Yes friends, it wasn’t the blood of any ordinary animal that paid our sin debt in full, because they could not. Only the sinless blood of the Son of God could ever achieve such a magnanimous outcome. Therefore as the tract tells us: ‘It is finished.’ That comes from this verse on Jesus’ crucifixion. ‘When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar (sour wine), he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost (His spirit, died).’ (John 19:30) 

And we’ll stop there for today, because the rest of the stuff the tract has to offer will run on too long, and in any case, we have quite enough marvellous and enlightening scripture for us to contemplate today. It’s good to contemplate and meditate on the scriptures, but I believe that too much all at once detracts from the task of contemplation and meditation, and we lose economies of scale, which says the more you try to learn at once, the less you will learn, or the more you will forget. So like in all things, lets have a modicum of circumspection, (smile) or just enough for us to do a good job. 

Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) 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!’ 

Now my fellow saints, if we endure right to the very end with Jesus, then He’s promised that that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! And I sincerely hope to see you there, so that we can enjoy it together! Much LOVE!

…eternal life is free…if you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien