21 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christian's lot, a great day to be alive, a hard row to hoe, a sound mind, Abraham, against hope believed in hope, anxiety, at the end it shall speak, Baruch Spinoza, being not weak in faith, blessings, doubt, eternal life, for the help of his countenance, God has not given us a spirit of fear, God's promises are faithful and true, he will save us, he will swallow up death in victory, hope, hope thou in God, I shall yet praise him, in the Lord's time, it will not tarry, let Israel hope in the Lord, LOVE, loving kindness, mercies, power, Praise the Lord, reconciled to God, redemption, righteousness., salvation, song of praise, strong in faith, the breath of life, the Lord God will wipe away tears, the redeemed, the vision is yet for an appointed time, there is no fear unmingled with hope, there is no hope unmingled with fear, this is our god, to hope and yet to hope, truth, unbelief, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me, with the Lord there is mercy
Psalm 42:5. Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).
And then it was Saturday Friends! Wow! Another great day to be alive, because we don’t know what wonderful blessings and mercies the Lord has planned for us today. But be sure of this one thing; He does have stuff planned for us, otherwise His fabulous breath of life would not be flowing through our physical bodies right now.
And all God’s people declared a loud and hearty ‘Praise the Lord for His LOVING-kindness to the undeserving children of men!’ We surely are thankful my people.
And since we’re continuing our series of messages on HOPE, I thought this quote from Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) a Jewish Dutch philosopher of some renown, would fit right into our plans. Baruch is reputed to have said that ‘There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope.’
Yes Friends, we all feel some sort of fear, anxiety and/or doubt, when we’re in a hoping frame of mind. And even when we’re truly fearful, there is always a smattering of hope lurking somewhere in the background, telling us that everything will be all right. So it’s just a normal human reaction to have a touch of fear in hope and hope in fear.
But my precious people, let’s never forget those memorable words of encouragement that Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.1:7)
So though it’s only natural for a little fear to sometimes creep into our lives, that is not our basic human nature, it is of the enemy. We have been empowered, filled with LOVE and a sound mind by Almighty God to pursue His purposes!
That brings us to our Bit. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’
Oh my fellow believers, in this dangerous and difficult world it is normal for us to sometimes feel less than strong and powerful, and thus have our spirits sink to a fraction of their natural buoyancy. But the important thing to remember when those times befall us is that we must turn to our great God for help. He is the only one who can provide the necessary comfort we seek.
As the psalmist says in Psalm 130 – My soul waiteth for the Lord: ‘Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING-kindness), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Ps.130:7-8) Words of indisputable truth my people!
Now listen to how Isaiah puts it in chapter 25 – The song of praise by the redeemed. ‘He will swallow up death (forever) in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.26:9)
Oh Friends, now why wouldn’t we hope for that eh? It’s such a wonderful promise! And we know that all of our God’s promises are faithful and true, though they make take a while longer to come than we would like. But as Habakkuk so wisely advises: ‘For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’ (Hab.2:3)
Yes Friends, ALL of God’s promises will eventually come true, but in HIS OWN TIME. That means we have to hope and pray and wait. What better example can we find that our father Abraham eh?
Here’s what Bruh Paul wrote to the Roman church about him. ‘Who against (contrary to) hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations. According to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
He staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded (convinced) that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.’ (Rom.4:18-21)
My people are we as convinced that our God can perform His promises? I certainly hope so, otherwise we’re fighting a losing battle and we’re not true Christians. How many of us would have packed up all our belongings and moved far away from our families, not having a clue as to where we were going, just because some obscure and so-called God told us to do it? Not many.
And how many of us would have believed that a woman could bear children at almost a hundred years old? Not many! And how many of us would have believed that we would become the father of many nations when the Lord told us to sacrifice our one and only son, from whom all the mighty lineage was supposed to flow? Again, not many! But Abraham did. That’s why it was ascribed to him as righteousness.
Ah mih people, sometimes it’s a hard row we have to hoe, but with God’s help we can certainly do it. So please, regardless of the difficult circumstances we might now be undergoing, please don’t ever give up on our God. Abraham did not have to sacrifice his only son, but our heavenly Father did it so that we could be saved, be reconciled to Him, have salvation and eternal life.
And remember He did not have to do it, but He did it for our sakes. Now if that isn’t LOVE, I don’t know what is. So just hang in there my people and all will be well in the Lord’s time. Much LOVE!
…to hope…to hope…and yet to hope…that is a Christian’s lot…
20 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new start every day, broken my teeth, choose to be hopeful, covered me wirh ashes, debauchery, don't drop the curtain on tomorrow, drunken with wormwood, energy, enthusiasm, eternal life, fellowship, for the help of his countenance, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, glory to God, God's faithful promises, gospel truth, Gramps Schuller, great is thy faithfulness, great people, his compassions fail not, hold on in hope, Holding on, hope, hope that is seen is not hope, hope thou in God, Hour of Power Devotional, I shall yet praise him, Jeremiah, Lamentations, lamented to God, LOVE, loving kindness, malaise in my soul, never give up on hope, new every morning, off kilter, ordinary people, partying, personal testimony, Praying Expectantly, praying expectantly and eagerly, proper perspective, relaxation, removed my soul from peace, rest, right balance, salvation, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks for getting me through another week of work, the Lord's mercies, the weekend's here at last, therefore I have hope, we are save by hope, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me, with patience wait for it
Psalm 42:5. Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).
So it’s Friday my people… ‘Yes! That’s why we’re loudly declaring: TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend’s here at last. Oh glory to God for a couple days off from harsh labour! We going to party, and party…and then party some more!’
Oh Friends, nothing’s wrong with partying, but like most things too much of it is bad for both our bodies and souls. We need to find a right balance in our weekend activities if we want to be successful in this life. Now our Friday Chant gives us a much better perspective on how to use the weekend, so let’s chant it nuh.
As one 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.’
Now isn’t that a much better way to spend the weekend? It surely is! So hopefully some of us who had the serious party scene and much debauchery envisaged will tone it down to a more righteous state. (smile)
And without further ado, we’ll introduce our Bit, because we have plenty scriptures to look at today. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’
That’s gospel truth Friends! And I believe a little personal testimony is appropriate here. Yesterday evening during my time of personal devotions, my spirit was somewhat off kilter, it just was not right and I couldn’t focus on my devotions as I wanted to.
Now nothing was really wrong, there was no cause for the apparent malaise in my soul that I could put my finger on. So I asked the Lord for some direction and understanding. And would you believe that when I came to Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional, the daily devotion was titled ‘Choose to Be Hopeful.’
And we certainly can choose to be hopeful my people. It’s a choice that’s open to us all. So though today might be somewhat rough, tomorrow is on its way, it’s inevitable and does hold the promise of better times.
And as I read Gramps Schuller’s words, I began to chuckle: ‘The only thing between today and tomorrow is tonight. And that’s when the stars come out! So never give up on hope! Don’t drop the curtain on tomorrow. Great people are ordinary people who just will not give up hope. And what is hope? It is Holding On, Praying Expectantly.’
That’s oh so true my fellow believers! And thereafter my spirit was enthused! Glory to God! After my devotions I even got up and did some of the things I wanted to do, but previously had no energy or enthusiasm to do them.
So you see our heavenly Father responds to our pleas in so many unexpected ways that we should never really lose hope or faith or give up on Him, regardless of how long His answer might be taking to come.
That reminds me of Jeremiah when he lamented to God. ‘He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with (bent me down in) ashes.
And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness).
My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled (bowed down) in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam.3:15-23)
Oh my brethren, you see that though Jeremiah underwent all sorts of hardship, even in his remembrance of them, he knew, or was hopeful enough to realize that it was only the Lord’s LOVING-kindness and compassion that keeps us from destruction. His faithfulness is unbreakable and His mercies are new every morning, thus giving us a brand new start every day.
So if Jeremiah could figure that our after all his misfortune, why can’t we eh, especially when few of us have undergone his woes and troubles? We have to hold on to hope Friends, because that’s the only thing that will see us through.
What did Bruh Paul say to the church at Rome? ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance) (eagerly) wait for it.’ (Rom.8:24-25) Gospel truth that my brethren!
So it’s imperative that we all get out there today into the topsy turvy world filled with hope, bubbling with it until it overflows, (smile) remembering God’s faithful promises never to leave or forsake us, to bring us safely through each and every trial so that we can enjoy salvation and eternal life with Him at some future date. Now that is the HOPE of every believer! Much LOVE!
…let’s all hold on in hope…praying expectantly and eagerly…
18 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a silver lining, all things I have commanded you, anger, back in bad shape, baptizing them, Beelzebub, believe on Jesus, betrayals, called by His name, Christian persecution, communication technology, decadent society, eternal life, false prophets, for a witness, glory hallelujah, going to bed early is for the birds, good news of Christ, hatred, I am halfway home, I am with you always, I'm looking straight ahead, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, in the name of the Father, Jesus is the best thing going, lack of love, LOVE, moaning and groaning, my gripe, my hands are on the plough, natural disasters, no laughing matter, norm of 8 hours sleep, persecution, preached to all the world, rest, rumours of wars, salvation, signs of the world's demise, sleep, spreading of the gospel of Christ, stand strong and steadfast, strife, teach all nations, teaching them to observe, thank God, the breath of life, the disciples came unto Him privately, the end of the world, the gospel of the kingdom, the Holy Ghost, the long and short of the story, the Mount of Olives, the SON, then shall the end come, to a glorious future with Jesus, turmoil, unto the end of the world, wars, Wednesday Wail, what shall be the sign of thy coming, when shall these things be, wisdom
Matthew 24:3. And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)?
Aye Friends and neighbours, if I never truly believed it before, I certainly do now! And I guess you’re wondering what the ole fogey is talking about eh? (smile) Well I’m talking about going to bed early is really for the birds.
I had a long and busy day yesterday, so last night I decided to go to bed early, early my time, that’s about 12.30, so I could get some of the much vaunted and valuable rest and sleep. Hn!
Unfortunately, though normally one would think fortunately, I got up at 8 o’clock this morning.And would you believe, I could hardly get out of the bed because my back was in such bad shape.
Ah Lord eh! Obviously I’m not meant to lie in bed for even a measly 7 hours. And its not like I never got up at all. I got up at least twice to go to the bathroom. So what does this supposed norm of 8 hours of sleep per night do for me eh? Absolutely nothing!
And it’s not like I don’t know that I cannot lie in bed for so long, but I never intended to get up so late either. But I guess the ole body needed the rest. And there I was gingerly putting one foot in front of the other, moaning and groaning with every step. Hn, hn, hn!
Ah friends, I can laugh now because I’m sitting down writing, but an hour ago, it was definitely no laughing matter. But let me stop joking about it yes, because when I get up from here, it might not be a laughing matter either. (smile)
The long and the short of the story though is that I just have to stick to my short times of rest, and do it more often. Now that’s my gripe for the day, and I’m sticking to it! (smile)
And since today is Wednesday, it means we have to declare our Wednesday Wail. So altogether now, let’s wail: ‘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!’
Oh my people, though my back is in a sad state I truly am glad to be alive, and am looking straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus, because NO ONE else has such a glorious future to offer!
And I do hope that you feel and believe like me, because Jesus is undoubtedly the BEST thing going, the BEST show available in this evil and disturbed world! Obviously He is not a thing or a show, but that is just the language that some of us best understand. (smile)
And finally we come to our Bit: ‘And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)?’
Ah mih breddren, it does seem as though all the signs of the world’s demise point to a time in the not too distant future. As we recently saw, the numerous wars and rumours of war are on the increase. So too are the natural disasters; earthquakes, floods, disease, volcanoes, famines. They are happening all over the world, in some of the least expected places.
Persecution of Christians is also on the rise as Jesus foretold, just because we are called by His name. Then there’s serious hatred and anger, with strife and betrayals on the rise in our decadent and decaying society. False prophets abound like Jesus said, and the lack of LOVE is certainly noticeable.
But in spite of all of these negative happenings, Jesus reminds us to stand strong and steadfast in His name, because if we endure to the end we will be saved. Now isn’t that wonderful news my brethren? It surely is! With Jesus there’s always a silver lining to the dark clouds. Glory Hallelujah!
But while we’re waiting for the end to come, we ought to be doing ONE more thing. Listen to Jesus. ‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’ (Matt.24:14)
Yes friends, the good news of Christ MUST be shared with ALL the nations of the world, before the end comes! And whose job is that eh? Ours of course! It’s all a part of the Great Commission that Jesus gave to the disciples, and consequently every following generation, which now includes us.
‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt,28:19-20)
So there it is my fellow believers, despite all the turmoil and uncertainty in our world, we are expected to stand strong and steadfast in Jesus’ name, as well as to spread His Word to all parts of the earth. And strangely enough, we are the first generation who actually have the wherewithal to do that, through our modern communication technology.
So please, let’s get up and do that nuh. Let’s seriously engage ourselves in the spreading of the gospel of Christ, so that many others might hear it and believe on Jesus, and thus not get lost with the infidel Beelzebub, but instead attain to salvation and eternal life, as our heavenly Father so greatly desires. Now that is indeed the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…the Lord doesn’t want to lose even one of His human creation…so what we doing to prevent that eh…
11 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a great King above all Gods, a psalm of praise, a second chance, adoration, British weather, come before his presence with thanksgiving, debauchery, earthly pilgrimage, eternal life, faithfulness, filled with the Holy Spirit, freedoms, future generations, glory hallelujah, glory to God, glory to the Lamb of God, greater love hath no man, I am halfway home, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, Im not looking back at the past, in consort with Jesus, Lest we forget, let us make a joyful noise, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, never forget, O come let us sing unto the lord, on the cross at Calvary, paths of righteousness, praise, Remembrance Day, salvation, sealed as a child of God, selflessly sacrificed, sing psalms, spiritual light of Jesus, take a moment to reflect, teach our children, that a man lay down his life for his friends, the breath of life, the evil clutches of sin, the greatest gift a man can give, the Lamb's Book of Life, the light of the Son, the ministry of Christ, the righteous children of God, theLord is a great God, to a glorious future with Jesus, to the rock of our salvation, truth, Wednesday Wail, World War 1
Psalm 95:1. O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation.
Welcome to a wet and woolly Wednesday Friends! (smile) I guess you can say we’ve been enjoying a touch of British weather. I’ve never experienced it personally, but I understand that it can be damp and drizzly for extended periods of time.
Well that’s the kind of weather we’ve been having in my neighbourhood since yesterday afternoon. It also means that it might put a damper on some of the Remembrance Day Celebrations.
Yes Friends, it is Remembrance Day, when we remember those who gave their lives for us in the wars all over the world, particularly World War 1, where so many brave young men and women died needlessly. But that’s the nature of war.
We must never forget them because they are the ones who allowed us to have the freedoms that we now enjoy. It’s one of those things we ought also to teach our children, so that future generations will also remember the greatest gift possible of a man to his fellow beings.
As Jesus said to His disciples. ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (John 15:13)
Yes my people, a whole lot of friends, and families laid down their lives for us in those wars, so please let’s take a moment to reflect on it and appreciate their gift of LOVE. And because of that, some of us also have the day off from work, so please use it wisely, not in unholy debauchery. (smile)
Now the sun is actually trying to push its way through the clouds, but without too much success. However, although we can’t see it, we know for a fact that it’s somewhere out there rolling along on its own sweet, merry way, just shining brightly as it was programmed to do by its Maker.
Contrary to that though my brethren, the brilliant LIGHT of the SON is always shining brightly on us. Because He lives within us, He is ALWAYS with us. No clouds can block His radiant light from us! Glory Hallelujah!
And it’s something NO ONE can ever take from us, for once we are filled with the Holy Spirit, sealed as a child of God, and our name’s written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, we are His FOREVER! Glory to God!
So though the physical outlook on life this morning might be somewhat grey and dreary, the spiritual light of Jesus is just blazing away, leading us down paths of righteousness. Paths we don’t need the sun for, because we already have the SON!
And since it’s Wednesday, we also need to declare our Wednesday Wail. All together now, let’s wail!
‘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!’
Oh Friends, what a wonderful feeling it is to be alive and active in the ministry of Christ! There is no better way to live this earthly pilgrimage than in consort with Jesus, the One who selflessly sacrificed His holy, sinless life on the cross at Calvary, so that we could be made into the righteous children of God.
He took all of our sins on Himself and gave us His holiness and righteousness. Oh glory to the Lamb of God, who is most worthy to receive all our praise and adoration! For without Him, hn…!
I don’t even want to contemplate that situation… for we would all be headed for death and damnation in the fold of Lucifer and his evil minions, but through Jesus’ sacrifice, we’ve been given a second chance.
Oh my people, please let’s use that new chance wisely and turn in repentance, with all sincerity and truth to our wonderful heavenly Father, who LOVED us so much that he gave His only SON that we might be saved from the evil clutches of sin.
That’s why we are continuing this series of message of praise and thanksgiving, because we don’t pay enough reverence to our heavenly Father. We should be doing much more of what our Bit tells us. ‘O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation.’
Oh my people, what can be better than giving praise and thanks to our awesome God eh? Nothing at all! For it is in those acts of faithfulness that our souls are renewed and refreshed, our faith is strengthened, we are once more invigorated to go out and live a good and true life in Jesus’ name.
As the psalmist continues in Psalm 95 – A psalm of praise to the great God: ‘Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto him with psalms (songs).
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all Gods. In his hand (possession) are the deep places of the earth: the strength (the heights) of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.’ (Ps.95:2-5) Words of indisputable truth Friends!
So today, on this Remembrance Day of 2015, as we reflect on all the wars and lives lost in them, please, let us also consider the most important life that’s ever been lost, well not lost, but given on our behalf, that of Jesus Christ, and let it cause us to be ever so thankful for the gracious opportunity to have the options of salvation and eternal life that His death provided. For that my people is wisdom everlasting. Much LOVE!
…lest we forget…let us remember…all those who have given the greatest gift a man can give…their lives on our behalf…especially Jesus…
P.S. Please excuse the lateness of the Bit. It was just one of those days, or rather nights that the ole fella was up pretty late, thus necessitating a late awakening. (smile) Much LOVE!
10 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all praise and thanks, all ye lands, bless His name, blessings, canyons, child-like behaviour, children of the Most High God, churlish, City of Toronto, come before his presence with singing, concrete jungle, confrontational, daily commuters, donkey's years, eternal life, glory hallelujah, glory to God, Go station, Go-Bus, He is love, his mercy is everlasting, his truth endureth for ever, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, it feels good to be alive, lazy, like ants, LOVE, loving kindness, make a joyful noise unto the Lord, mercies, mercy, miserable, my neck of the woods, our heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour, resentful, salvation, Scrip-Bit Friends, scurrying along, serve the Lord with gladness, share His love with the world, shout joyfully unto the Lord, shouting for joy, skyscrapers, sons and daughters of God, stressed out, thanskgiving, the elders in heaven, the Light of our lives, the Lord he is God, The Lord is good, the sheep of his pasture, the things of God, the wisdom of heaven, thou art worthy O lord, thou hast created all things, tired as a dog, to get to and from work, to receive glory honour and power, traffic congestion, Tuesday Mantra, Union Station, walking stick, we are his people, with the help of God, worthwhile action, written indelibly into our souls
Psalm 100:1. Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord all ye lands (all the earth).
Well a hearty good morning to you my Scrip-Bit Friends and family! It’s a somewhat chilly Tuesday morning in my neck of the woods, but that’s the norm for this time of year. And it surely feels good to be alive, especially after inhaling some of that fresh air while doing my garbage man duties. (smile)
Now, before I forget, the ole fella had a thrilling adventure in the goodly city of Toronto yesterday afternoon… well it wasn’t all that thrilling, but it certainly was interesting. I had a medical appointment in the city and through my young daughter’s encouragement, I parked my car at the nearby Go Station and took the Go Bus into the city.
That in itself was a first, and from high up, I noticed a lot of stuff that I never notice while driving in my car. Unfortunately though, after reaching the Bus Terminal I had to walk some four or five blocks to my appointment. But glory to God, between Him, my trusty walking stick and I, we made it without too much trouble. The knees held up admirably!
Oh Friends, Toronto has become the veritable concrete jungle that Bob Marley sang in his song of the same name. All you can see is the sky right above you, as you walk down the streets that resemble canyons between the numerous skyscrapers. And you’d better believe that there are still several buildings in construction around the downtown area. Ah Lord eh, when is it ever going to end?
Then I had to walk back the same distance to Union Station to catch a train home. I haven’t been in that place for literally donkey’s years, (smile) and with its new and refurbished look it was at first somewhat disconcerting. But again, with the help of God and the service people there I found my way to the train on time.
Now that too was another eye-opening experience, since I had never ridden the Go-train on that route before. And it’s amazing what you see when you ride the train; all the undesirable and not-so beautiful backside of the city. I never even knew that there were so many stops along that route either.
And if you think the traffic congestion is bad now, just imagine if the hundreds of cars parked in each Go-station parking lot were also on the road. Mama Mia! But I can now understand what the daily commuters go through; just like little ants scurrying along to get to and from work.
And I left the city early, before the real rush began. Thank the Lord I don’t have to do that kind of commuting nuh! I can now understand too why the society is so stressed out, miserable and confrontational. Doing that sort of thing twice a day, five times a week is no joking matter. And by the time I got back home, I was as tired as a dog.
Anyway, enough about my adventures. (smile) Today is Tuesday, so let’s recite our Tuesday Mantra. All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Glory to God my people, for being such a wonderful Deity! And as children of the Most High God Jehovah, we have all His considerable and wonderful blessings and mercies set out before us in new batches each and every day! All praise and thanks be to our incomparable heavenly Father!
Sadly though, I don’t think that we do offer our wonderful and awesome God enough sincere thanks and praise for our blessings, that’s why we’re continuing today with more scripture extolling those facets of our faith. Our Bit from Psalm 100 – A call to praise the Lord – declares it in great fashion. ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord all ye lands (all the earth).’
Now that’s exactly what we ought to be doing my fellow believers! We have so much to be thankful for, especially salvation and eternal life, that we ought to be jumping and shouting for joy, praising and thanking the Light of our lives, our Lord and Saviour, for His endless mercy and LOVING-kindness towards us, when we don’t deserve one iota of it.
But what do we do? Instead we get sour and churlish, miserable and resentful as soon as some little thing doesn’t go our way. Chuh! That’s selfish and child-like behaviour my brethren, definitely not suitable for true followers of, and believers in Jesus Christ!
Oh my people, what we truly ought to be doing as sons and daughters of Almighty God, is what the psalmist lays out as he continues: ‘Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.’ (Ps.100:2)
That is what the elders in heaven are doing; around God’s throne: singing a new song to Christ: ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.’(Rev.4:11)
So Friends, if the heavenly hosts can sing praise and thanks to the Lord, why can’t we earthly beings do it to eh? No good reason whatsoever my people!
And it’s not like we don’t know what we’re to do, but we’re just lazy and uninterested in the things of God, paying more attention to the earthly circumstances of our lives and the unprofitable sleek and shining things of this world.
And though this will make the bit longer than I desired, I believe it’s necessary for us to hear the rest of the psalm. ‘Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps.100:3-5)
Please my people, let’s allow that scripture to be written indelibly into our souls nuh, for it is the gospel truth! And as we ponder upon it today, let’s ask our heavenly Father, who refuses us nothing that’s within His will, to help us put it all into worthwhile action. That my Friends, is the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…praise Him, praise Him…Glory Hallelujah…for He is LOVE…He is LOVE…
29 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: . the fountain of wisdom, a faithful Creator, according to the will of God, against that day, and am persuaded, bounden duty, Bruh Paul, cease from anger, children of the Most High God, Christians, commit thy way unto the Lord, divine destiny, do no evil, eternal life, evildoers shall be cut off, for I know whom I have believed, for the which cause, forgiveness, forsake wrath, fret not thyself, God has chosen me, God has inscribed me in the palms of His hands, God's grace is sufficient, God's thoughts towards me, grin and bear it, Hurricane Patricia, I also suffer these things, I am forever linked to divine destiny, I am not ashamed, I belong to the God of the universe, I do know, kindness, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, my life has purpose and dignity, nail scarred palms of Jesus, One Year Book of Bible promises, praising my saviour all the day long, Rest in the Lord, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, sing and shout, that he is able, the assurance of salvation, the judgement seat of christ, the keeping of their souls, the life of the Son, the love of the Father, the magnitude of God, the object of His lavish love, the power of the Holy spirit, the very essence of our beings, them that suffer, this is my song, this is my story, those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, Timothy, to keep that which I have committed to him, wait patiently for him, wisdom
2 Timothy 1:12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.
Well Friends, it’s a crazy Thursday morning in my neck of the woods. Yesterday we had the tail ends of the rain from Hurricane Patricia, and we might still get some more later, but right now we’re getting some of the tail end winds.
The wind’s a howling out there! I opened my front door just now to pick up the newspaper and the wind fought me to close it back. (smile) I surely am sorry for those who experienced Patricia’s wrath a few days ago. Please, let’s keep them in our prayers.
On a point of interest, my ole right knee is still acting up. Steups! I really don’t understand it nuh. They don’t usually ache for so long. I’ve taken painkillers, rubbed it with stuff, talked with the Lord about it, but still no relief. I guess I just have to grin and bear it and limp along, knowing that God’s grace is indeed sufficient for me to do whatever He desires.
And though I might not like it, I am comfortable with it, especially when added to these facts from the following excerpt from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one is titled ‘I Do Know.’
Listen up my people: ‘There is much I cannot begin to fathom concerning the vast, indescribable universe created by our majestic God. There is much I will never comprehend. I want to sing and shout, (I was doing that the other night, (smile), so utterly overwhelmed I am with the magnitude of God.
But I do know with confident certainty that I belong to the God of the universe – the Creator of all that exists. I know that I, a mere mortal, am forever linked to divine destiny. I know that my life has purpose and dignity.
I know that God has chosen me as the object of his lavish LOVE; that his thoughts toward me are thoughts of kindness and mercy; that he has inscribed me in the palms of his hands. I know that all the LOVE of the Father, and the life of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit are freely, inseparably mine – now and throughout all eternity. This I do know!
Wow mih breddren! Do we know all of that? I surely hope so, for if we are truly children of the Most High God, it is imperative that we know those things!
How can we not know that we are linked to a divine destiny; that our lives have purpose and dignity; that Almighty God has chosen us to lavish His unconditional and everlasting LOVE on us; and all His thoughts towards us are of LOVING-kindness, forgiveness and mercy; and most surely we must know that He has inscribed us in the nail scarred palms of His wonderful Son, Jesus; and all that they have, the power, the life and the glory are ours from now until forever?
All of that is the very essence of our beings as Christians! Oh what a mighty, generous and wonderful Deity we worship my people! Give Him some well-deserved thanks and praise!
And the promise of scripture to which that message is attached is also our Bit for today. ‘For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.’ Those are the words of Bruh Paul to Timothy, as he exhorts the young pastor to endurance.
And the scholars offer these explanations. ‘1:12. Persuaded (Gr. peitho): The perfect tense indicates that “I was persuaded in the past and remain so now.” That he is able to keep refers to the assurance of salvation which is committed…against that day, when we will stand before the judgement seat of Christ.’
Oh Friends, do we know whom we have believed? And is it the gracious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? And if we do, I hope we are not ashamed of Him, and are willing to testify loudly on His grace and mercy from the rooftops of every building.
And not only that, but also we are persuaded, confident, assured that He can do what He says; that is grant salvation and eternal life! To be true Christians we need to believe all these things and have them written indelibly in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls.
And Peter admonishes, as well as encourages us thus: ‘Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.’ (1 Pet.4:19)
And believe me Friends, if there is nothing else I can vouch for, I can vouch for the faithfulness of our creator, because I have experienced it throughout my life! Oh Glory to Him!
And we’ll end with these well-known, superb words of advice and confidence from Bruh David from Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked.
‘Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm). For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps.37:5-9)
Oh my fellow believers, as a Christian, that is the best advice you can ever get! So please, today, let’s take it all to heart and run with it nuh, putting it all into action in our lives, so that we can truthfully testify to God’s greatness and glorify Him in all that we do. For that is our bounden duty and the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…this is my story…this is my song…praising my saviour…all the day long…
26 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin pumping, almighty god, anxious, aura of love, Bruh Paul, choir director, confidence, conquerors, controversies, Creator of the universe, cry out to God, economic downturn, enthusiasm, eternal life, even the youths shall faint and be weary, faith, fearful, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, glory hallelujah, good hands like All State, gospel truth, grace, hast thou not heard, He gives power to the faint, holy spirit, humble servants, I will exalt him, if any would not work, inconsistencies, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, lies, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my father's God, neither should he eat, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, put our trust in Jesus, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, salvation, serve a useful purpose, shall mount up with wings like eagles, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the day of sorrows, the good news of the gospel, the long and short of the story, the Lord fainteth not, the Lord is my strength and song, the Thessalonians, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, they that wait upon he Lord, to the foot of Christ's cross, to them that no might he increaseth strength, trust, truth, ungodly world, wiles, wisdom, wonder of wonders
Isaiah 40:29. He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Well, well, well… if it isn’t Monday, the day of sorrows for so many people! Yes Friends, a lot of the workforce rather dislike Monday mornings because they have to get up and go to work and they are not properly prepared for it. On the other hand, some are glad to see Monday, either because they are prepared for it, or they just want to get away from home for whatever reason. (smile)
The long and the short of the story though is that we need to work so that we can live as best we can amidst the worldwide economic downturn that is now in progress. And as Bruh Paul told the Thessalonians, ‘if any would not work, neither should he eat.’ (2 Thess.3:4)
And that’s by no means an unreasonable command. But man being what he is, there will always be inconsistencies and controversies in our daily lives. So to help us over the hump, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty of hungry hope and expectant faith, paying close attention to our choir director, Jesus as He leads us in song. (smile)
As one harmonious whole 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 a bad rendition at all my brethren, but nowhere as good as the one last week, when we had the Father up and dancing and singing with us. I guess we can’t be that good every week. But at least hopefully our adrenalin is now running and we are getting in the groove to go out and do good, serve Jesus faithfully in a wicked and ungodly world.
And even though we might not be up to scratch, there is no need to be fearful or anxious because as our Bit so faithfully promises: ‘He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’
And that’s the gospel truth Friends! I can personally testify to that, because there are many days when my aches and pains get the better of me, both physically and emotionally and I have to cry out to the Lord for the strength and wherewithal to continue.
And wonder of wonders, His awesome and never ending supply of grace soon lifts me up and enables me to carry on. Oh glory to God my brethren! So please don’t despair if you’re under the weather and things are difficult. Just cry out to God in sincere faith and He will strengthen you.
Now listen to the wonderful scripture that precedes our Bit. ‘Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.’( Is.40:28)
More indisputable truth my people! Our God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, which means He is always on the go, never tired or weak, seeing everything and being everywhere! That’s the magnificent God we serve and worship! So I don’t see why so many of us refuse to put our entire trust in Him, to surrender our lives to His amazing action plans.
And if you weren’t impressed or overwhelmed by what went before our Bit, (smile) then listen to what comes after it. ‘Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is.40:30-31)
Mama Mia! What an awesome promise! And it’s not an empty one either, because many of us believers can testify to it. So Friends, what shall it be this autumn Monday morn eh? Shall we put our trust in Jesus and cry out to Him for help to get ourselves together and to get going, so that we can spread the good news of His gospel by our words and actions, and thus bring the unbeliever to the foot of His cross for forgiveness, salvation and eternal life?
Now that would be an unbelievably wise decision; possibly the best one we’ve ever made! Yeh mih people, both wisdom and common sense dictate that we look to Almighty God for succour.
Hear how Moses puts it in his song. ‘The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation (praise Him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex.15:2)
Oh glory Hallelujah! Now if Moses says that the Lord was his strength etc. etc. who are we to doubt him eh, especially in light of all the marvellous things he did? So today, please let’s stand strong, faithful and true in Jesus, for that’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…if you think man-made All State has such great hands…hn…can you then imagine the hands of our Creator…the most magnificent of course…
25 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time of rejuvenation, alive and kicking, asaph, attitude, believers in Jesus Christ, blessed be the Lord our God, blessings, Christians, comeuppance, confidence, crapaud smoke yuh pipe, death and destruction, declaration of faith, desire, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith and trust increased, fellowship, give thanks, glorify our Creator, glory hallelujah, go a whoring from God, God is the strength of my heart, God's LOVING-kindness, guide me with thy council, I have put my trust in the Lord, it is good for me to draw near to God, jehovah god, mercies, mood, more than we can ask or imagine, my flesh and my heart faileth, my heart was grieved, my portion for ever, panacea, pours out His bounty, praise, provider, raise your hopes, receive me to glory, reconciled to God, renew your faith, sacrifice of praise, sacrificed His Son Jesus Christ, salvation, serve the Lord, shortchanging ourselves, sing, snare of the ungodly, so foolish was I, spirits are lifted, Sunday, surrender, tempo, the atoning Saviour, the Holy Spirit, the wicked prospering, the Word of god, they that are far from thee shall perish, trust, unfaithfulness, walk obedient in God's will, walking with Jesus, whom have I in heaven, wickedness, wisdom, worship
Psalm 73:26. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Sunday, Sunday! Oh how glad we are that it’s here at last! For it’s the day that most Christians, most believers in Jesus Christ gather together in the Lord’s sanctuary to fellowship with each other; to sing and praise, give thanks, worship and glorify our wonderful Creator and Provider. Glory Hallelujah!
It’s also a time of rejuvenation; a time when our spirits are lifted, our faith and trust increased, our confidence strengthened, as the immutable and holy Word of God flows through, percolates in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls!
And all God’s people shouted loudly and proudly: ‘Blessed be the Lord our God who sacrificed His Son Jesus Christ so that we could be reconciled to Him, and who now pours out His never-ending bounty on us, more than we can ask or even imagine! Thank You Lord. We offer up our sacrifice of praise and vow to walk obedient to your will. In Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes Friends, it is indeed a wonderful, a magnificent God we serve, and every day I open my eyes to greet a new day, I can’t help but give Him some serious thanks and praise for all that He’s done, is doing and has promised to do in my life. Glorify Him my people, for there’s none else like Him! No other supposed deity even comes close to Him, for they are all dead, but our Jehovah God is alive and kicking; kicking mightily too!
So this Sunday morning, let’s all make it a stated purpose to get to His sanctuary and enjoy much needed fellowship with other believers nuh, so that our souls can be primed and ready to meet and greet tomorrow, Monday, with a burst of enthusiasm and rich desire to get out into the working world and serve the Lord with all that we possess.
Remember, the tempo, the mood, the attitude towards the first day of the work week, and all those that follow, are set, are determined by how we spend the first day of the week, Sunday. So please get out and renew your faith, raise your hopes today. End of sermon! (smile)
Oh Friends, some of you might think that I’m joking, or just being overzealous, but the reality is that our God does faithfully reach out to those who trust in Him. Let’s take the case of the psalmist Asaph. Way back when, he saw the wicked prospering and couldn’t understand it.
Consequently, he almost fell into the snare of the ungodly, wanting to have their prosperity. Many of us fall for the same scam today. But through the goodness, the LOVING-kindness of God, he woke up in time and saw the foolishness of that mindset. Therefore, he could contritely admit in Psalm 73 – The mystery of prosperous wickedness.
‘Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins (grieved in my mind). So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden (held) me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy council, and afterward receive me to glory.’ (Ps.73:21-24)
Oh my people, as I said just now, many of us today are still being wowed by the prosperity of the wicked, but please believe that is only a temporary situation. They will all eventually get their rightful comeuppance; death and destruction.
But those who sincerely follow the risen Lord, the atoning Saviour Jesus Christ, will be guided away from wickedness by His Holy Spirit which indwells each and every believer. Then, like Asaph says, at the end of our earthly days we will be received in glory to our heavenly home.
Now hear how Asaph continues: ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever.’ (Ps.73:25-26)
My brethren, my brethren, do you hear that declaration of faith and trust which includes our Bit! Can we declare likewise, with the same confidence? I surely do hope so, because unless we can, we will be seriously shortchanging ourselves in the mercies and blessings of our awesome God.
And why is that? Listen to the next verse from Asaph. ‘For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee (who are unfaithful to thee).’ (Ps.73:27)
Yes Friends, wickedness and unfaithfulness may pay for a time, and might look rather enticing, but believe me, it will not get you into heaven, will not bring you salvation and eternal life. Only trust and belief in Jesus Christ will do that.
And Asaph confidently and wisely ends the psalm thus. ‘But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.’ (Ps.73:28)
Glory Hallelujah my people! Words of unadulterated wisdom! And if you haven’t declared those sentiments as yet, I’ll advise you to do so as soon as possible. And today, right now, will be a most appropriate time to do it. Because, remember when Jesus returns in all His majestic glory and splendour, which could happen at any time, if you are found wanting, then it will be too late, and as the old people would say, crapaud smoke yuh pipe!
So please, please, I implore us, let’s not be found wanting, let’s put our absolute trust in Jesus right now, let’s surrender our entire lives to Him, so that we will be received into glory at the end times. That’s wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…knowing, trusting, LOVING and walking with Jesus…is the ONLY panacea for our troubles…
23 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as it is written, divine revelation, doctrine, ear hath not heard, earthly pilgtimage, encompasses everything we hope to be, eternal life, eye hath not seen, fellowship, forgiveness, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, glory to God, grace, great expectations, human contrivance, illumination, in Jesus' name, inspiration, Jesus fills us with truth, Jesus lights our darkness, Jesus shows us the way to walk, LOVE, man's wisdom, massa's labour, mercy, neither have entered into the heart of man, our earthly walk with Jesus, peace, rallying cry, relaxation, responsibility, rest, Revelation, salvation, sincerity, soul body and mind, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks for getting me through another week of work, the BIBLE, the deep things of God, the freedom from labour, the Holy Spirit, the Life, the Light, the physical realm, the promises of Jesus, the Spirit of God, the spirit of man, the Spirit searcheth all things, the spiritual realm, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him, the Truth, the Way, the weekend, treasure of God's revealed truth, truth, unchanging truth of God, undeserving children of men, wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.
Well then mih people, the day that so many of us look forward to, Friday, is finally here…
And a knowing shout goes up to heaven: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Thank God for the weekend! Thank God for the release from massa’s brutal labour…even if is only for two measly days! Thank God for the freedom from labour!’
Ah Friends the weekend does bring a surcease from labour, but with that freedom also comes the responsibility to use it wisely. And if you don’t know by now, freedom, though it’s a great rallying cry, it is also one of the most difficult things to successfully implement.
And to help us do that this Friday morning in the midst of this autumn season, let’s chant our Friday Chant with sincerity and great expectations. All together 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.’
Yes mih breddren, it all comes right back down to Jesus; to our earthly walk with Him! If we’re walking with Him in sincerity and truth, then He will ably assist us in ALL aspects of our lives.
However, if we’re not a true member of His flock, then things won’t be right with us, for as He says, He is indeed the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE…And please don’t forget He’s also the LIGHT!
Now that simply encompasses EVERYTHING or ALL that we are and ever hope to be! He is the One who lights our darkness and shows us the way we ought to walk, so that we can be filled with truth and receive salvation that leads to eternal life. So who or what can be more important than Jesus in our earthly pilgrimage eh Friends?
NOBODY or NOTHING whatsoever!
And until we truly have all of that written deep in our hearts, minds and souls, then our lives won’t be as good as they can be. Yes mih people, without Jesus, our lives are sadly lacking! That’s why it’s ever so necessary for believers to know and to lean faithfully upon His promises.
Promises like this one that’s our Bit today. ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.’
Oh Friends, that’s all so true, the things that God has prepared for those of us who truly and sincerely LOVE Him have not been revealed through the physical realm but in the spiritual!
As Bruh Paul continues to the Corinthians: ‘But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.’ (1 Cor.2:10)
And the scholars have an interesting explanation on that verse. ‘2:10. Revealed …unto us: Unto us is in the emphatic position in Greek, emphasizing the enormous privilege granted the recipients of divine revelation. The magnificent treasure of God’s revealed truth is accessible to the mature believer.’
Oh my brethren, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, who reveals His beautiful truths to us through the medium of His Holy Spirit!
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘For what man knoweth the things of a man, save (except) the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.’ (1 Cor.2:10-13)
Wonder of wonders Friends! Our God connects with us through the immense power of His Holy Spirit that indwells us! Oh glory to God for His undeserving goodness to the children of men!
Now the scholars have some teachings on those verses that will help us better understand them. ‘2:10-13. The apostle deals with three vital doctrines. In verse 10 he touches on the doctrine of revelation. The truth Paul is talking about is contained in the record God has given to us – the Bible. This is the eternal and unchanging truth of God.
Verse 11 deals with the doctrine of illumination, which has to do with human understanding of divine truth. The subject of verses 12 and 13 is the doctrine of inspiration. In verse 12 Paul talks about the content of inspiration. In verse 13 his concern is with the communication of inspiration. Paul’s message was not of human contrivance. He was a channel simply communicating God’s truth (cf. Gal.1:11-12).’
And that’s it for today my brethren. Don’t want to give us too much to ruminate and meditate on this Friday morning, what with our short attention spans and all the other worldly activities that fill our day. (smile)
So until we meet again tomorrow, God willing, may we all walk in His peace and LOVE, grace, mercy and forgiveness, enjoying them ourselves, and more importantly, also sharing them with others, for that is indeed His desire for us and also the wisdom of the ages. Much LOVE!
…how would we understand the things of God without…His revelation…His illumination…and His inspiration…through His Holy Spirit…
18 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sense of gratitude, abundance, appreciation for God, as for me and mine, asaph, blessings, call upon me in the day of trouble, Christ-like, Christian faith, cleansed from our sins, confidence, disbelieving, doubting, encouragement, eternal life, fellowship with other believers, free for all society, gather in the Lord's sanctuary, Give god praise and thanks, glorify God's holy name, glory hallelujah, God's Son, grace, grateful, gratitude, Hades, he that hath my commandents, he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, I discover God in my life, I know thy works, I love them that love me, I will deliver you, I will spew thee out of my mouth, Jesus Christ, jumping for joy, justice, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, lukewarm, mercy, offer unto God thanksgiving, order of the Carmelites, our heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour, pushing god out of our society, receive strength, repentance, reprieve from hell, ridiculing, sacrificed His sinles life, salvation, sinful nature, Society of the Little Flower, standards, Suday, thankful, thanksgiving, the church at Laodicea, the good old days, the greatest gift ever given to man, the Holy Spirit, the wages of sin is death, those that seek me early will find me, thou art neither cold not hot, time of harvest, understanding, we will follow the Lord, when I am grateful to God, wisdom
Proverbs 8:17. I LOVE them that LOVE me; and those that seek me early (diligently) will find me.
Aye mih people, it’s Sunday; the day we usually gather in the Lord’s sanctuary to fellowship with other believers, and give Him praise and thanks, to glorify His holy name, and in return, receive strength, encouragement and confidence to face another week in this wicked and ungodly world!
And all God’s people loudly declared: ‘All thanks and praise be to our heavenly Father and His wonderful Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who sacrificed His sinless life, so that we could be cleansed from our sins! Glory Hallelujah!’
Yes Friends, that’s the greatest gift ever given to mankind! And it was definitely not a gift that we deserved, given our abominable sinful nature, but one that came out of the LOVING-kindness of God’s heart. He knew that justice decreed the wages of sin be death, but LOVED us so much that He could not bear to see us lost forever in the depths of Hades with the master crook, his satanic majesty, Lucifer.
So from His never-ending store of grace and mercy, He gave us another option; that of salvation and eternal life, if we believed on His Son Jesus Christ and obeyed His will. Now how many of us are truly thankful and grateful for that reprieve from hell eh?
Hn! Certainly not as many as should be! It’s become so bad now, that lots of people are doubting and disbelieving, ridiculing and pushing God further and further out of society. Sadly too, a lot of us who claim to believe, don’t show real gratitude for God’s wonderful gift of grace, and many nowadays just take it for granted.
Ah friends, that’s not how it’s supposed to be. For such undeserving goodness we ought to be constantly jumping for joy and be extremely grateful and thankful; not the lukewarm approach that so many of us display.
Remember Jesus’ message in Revelation to the church at Laodicea. ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would (wish) that thou wert (were) cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.’ (Rev.3:15-16)
Yes my brethren, if we don’t have a real appreciation for God and His things then we’re not being truly Christ-like and adhering to our Christian faith as we should.
Now here’s an interesting comment on gratitude that I read earlier on, from a Between Friends Newsletter published by the Friends of the Society of the Little Flower (St. Therese). It was written by Fr. William J. Harry, of the Order of the Carmelites.
And he ended his thoughts on the abundance in our society around this time of harvest and thanksgiving with this paragraph. ‘Gratitude: It is only when we have a sense of gratitude, a gratitude that flows over into giving, that we truly meet God and experience His Grace in our lives. When I am grateful to God, I discover God in my life!’
Now that’s very true my people! The more gratitude we show, both to God and man, the more the grace of God works in lives. Unfortunately though, in these supposed modern times, gratitude is no longer a major part of our society. We’ve come to just expect things to be given to us, as though we are entitled to them, and words like ‘thank you’ don’t seem to mean much again. The standards of our parents have mostly fallen by the wayside, and we now live in a free for all society, where one is free to do almost anything one desires.
Ah Lord eh! No wonder so many of us long for the good, old days. Granted they were sometimes rough, but they certainly had better structure and more respect and appreciation for God and man.
Finally, turning to our Bit: ‘I LOVE them that LOVE me; and those that seek me early (diligently) will find me.’
What else can we expect eh my people? That’s just pure common sense and simple logic. If we don’t show LOVE for God, and diligently seek Him, how do we expect to receive His wonderful blessings eh?
Yes, so many of us have no appreciation for God and never, or hardly ever seek Him, but as soon as some hardship or problem crops up in our lives, the first words out of our mouths are ‘Oh God! Help me please!’
But that’s not the way our God works. If we come to Him in sincere repentance, He will forgive and help us, but just trying to use Him, or only know Him when adversity hits is not good enough. Remember, He is the Master and we are His servants, not the other way around.
Now listen to what God says through the psalmist Asaph, in Psalm 50 – God is the judge. ‘Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’ (Ps.50:15-16) Please note Friends, that thanksgiving and the paying of vows come before calling out for help in time of need.
And we’ll end with these immortal words of Jesus when he promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. ‘At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that LOVETH me: and he that LOVETH me shall be LOVED of my Father, and I will LOVE him, and will manifest (reveal) myself to him.’ (John 14:20-21)
Yes Friends, Jesus spelled it out in clear and concise terms. If we sincerely believe in Him and keep His commandments, then He will be with us in the form of the Holy Spirit and we will enjoy God’s undying LOVE forever. What can be better than that eh mih people? Nothing whatsoever!
So please let wisdom and understanding rule in our hearts this Sunday morning as we praise and worship and give thanks to our wonderful God! Much LOVE!
…as for me and mine…we WILL…follow the Lord…
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