The Overwhelming Importance of Jesus’ Work on the Cross of Calvary!

15 Apr 2025 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 53:4.       Surely he hath borne our griefs (spiritual sickness, injuries), and carried our sorrows (pains): yet we did esteem (reckon) him stricken, smitten (struck down) of God, and afflicted. 

So it’s Tuesday of Holy Week, and I guess preparations are busily underway for the upcoming Easter celebrations. But please, this year, let’s make the effort to  remember the true significance of the occasion; that Christ is the main focus and that much more attention should be paid to Him. Unfortunately, all our Christian faith celebrations, have gotten expansive and expensive (smile) and every year they take on a more worldly flavour. We’ve allowed the world and its various sectors, especially the economic one, to infiltrate the celebrations, and use the overflowing emotions of the faithful to leverage their business, making each celebration a cause for extravagant spending.  

And thus, the real significance of  each celebration and what ought to really matter, gets watered down with each passing year. It’s time that we believers stop, and take stock of what’s really happening, and do our best to reduce the level of the material side of the equation, and increase the spiritual side, which has now reached an all time low level. Many people don’t know the true meaning of Christmas or Easter, just that’s it a holiday and a time to celebrate with parties, gifts and lots of food. 

Now, nothing is intrinsically wrong with those things, but they ought not to be the main focus of the celebrations as they are turning out to be. We have to stop allowing the world to control our situations, remember we’re supposed to be in the world, but not of the world, and therefore what the world says and does, ought not to have the great influence on our behaviour and lifestyles as it’s currently doing. It’s time to get back to basics and let the truly important aspect of the celebrations be faithfully observed, not the simple mouthing of platitudes as we’re wont to do these days. 

How many of us truly consider and deeply reflect on what Christ did for us at this Eater Season eh? Remember how he was greeted on entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday like a conquering hero. Then a few days later how they were all crying to have him crucified. How many of us sit down and truly ponder the ‘sufferation’ He went through during His last days, especially on Good Friday for our benefit eh? 

It was much more than mere suffering. Think about the stripes, the wounds that scarred His back from the deadly Roman whip, those same stripes by which we are healed. Think of the javelin that wounded His side, then being nailed to a cross and left to die in the hot Israel noonday sun, as the last drops of blood and water dry up and/or flow out of His massacred body. 

Can you even imagine how He felt? None of us really can, because we’re not called to go through such suffering. But the prophet Isaiah perfectly described the horrendous situation hundreds of years before it happened, calling Him, “A Man of Sorrows,’ as he writes: ‘He is despised and rejected of (forsaken by) men; a man of sorrows (severe pains), and acquainted with grief (sickness, injuries): and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.’ (Is. 53:3) 

And that was just the icing on the cake! Listen to the rest of it: ‘Surely he hath borne our griefs (spiritual sickness, injuries), and carried our sorrows (pains): yet we did esteem (reckon) him stricken, smitten (struck down) of God, and afflicted.’ (Is. 53:4) Yes my fellow believers, back then they did not truly appreciate what Jesus was doing for them, and unfortunately, even today, many of us don’t realize the seriousness of the situation. 

But here’s the truth of it all, as Isaiah prophesied. ‘But he was wounded (pierced through) for our transgressions (sins), he was bruised (utterly crushed) for our iniquities (moral evils): the chastisement (discipline) of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes (wounds) we are healed.’ (Is. 53:5) Yes friends, that’s the long and short of the story! 

All that Jesus suffered was for us. He took the punishment that was meant for us on His sinless shoulders, so that we could become the sinless children of God. Do we truly understand the great significance of that undertaking. No! Many of us do not, otherwise we would not be so complaisant and relaxed while hobnobbing with the sinful things of this world. 

Remember what the Bible says: ‘For all have sinned, and come (fallen) short of the glory of God.’ (Rom. 3:23) Yes. None of us have or can ever come up to the standard of righteousness that God desires on our own. That, consequently brings us to this other eye opening scripture: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23) 

And that’s where the everlasting importance of Jesus’ work here on earth makes the difference in the lives of us mere mortals! We can either undergo eternal death trying to pay for our own sins or simply ignoring them, or we can enjoy eternal life by understanding that the Lord accepted Jesus’ work on the cross as payment in full for our sin debt, and wisely accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour. It’s the greatest gift mankind has ever been given…and it’s free…all through the amazing grace of God !

All you have to do is confess that you’re a sinner and ask Jesus to come into life and make you whole. And if you’re sincere, it’s a done deal! The Holy Spirit comes into your life and  helps you to become a new man, for once you accept Jesus, you cannot go back to your old, unashamed sinful way of living. As Bruh Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians: ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ (2 Cor. 5:17) 

Yes friends, it’s high time for many of us to put aside our old ways and take up the new ones that Jesus desperately desires us to have, so that we can make positive and productive changes in our chaotic and lawless world. And for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong lock, stock and barrel. 

As one voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

Now, that makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with those we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…please don’t allow Christ’s suffering to go to waste…instead…be wise and accept His offer of eternal life…

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Today​’s Scrip-Bit 26 April 2019 1 Peter 5:8.

26 Apr 2019 Leave a comment

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

1 Peter 5:8.   ​Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
 

Ah mih people, is it a curse or a blessing? I’m talking about the immense amount of rain that’s been falling recently, and in concert with melting snow is causing a lot of flooding all over the land! Today’s another rainy day, with more flood warnings being issued by the Weather Advisory Dept. 

Now the rain is generally supposed to be a blessing, helping to nourish the land for spring planting and such, but sometimes I believe the Lord is giving us more than we need to sort of wake us up from our evil and ungodly ways. But how many of us are paying attention to that possibility eh? Not too many. And yes, I know that He promised Noah not to ever destroy the earth by water again, (Gen.9:11,15) but He never said anything about giving warnings by that method. (smile) 

And friends, we’ve become such a wicked and ungodly people that anything is possible right now. I know that the Lord’s heart is breaking because of the rampant evil and rebellion that’s taking place amongst His most treasured and blessed creation. But who’s listening eh, who really cares about the Lord’s heart breaking? Too few of us! 

And to make matters worse, it’s the big day of Friday, so everybody is anxious to hear what the workingman has to say in his song and get on with their weekend activities, as the world dictates. And he opens with his usual semi-godly: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday and the weekend is finally upon us! 

It was a short workweek, but a tough one, what with all the prior Easter celebrations! But we can’t afford to rest too much, because as soon as you turn around the lousy two days off seem to just evaporate and yuh back labouring for massa again! But the trouble is we might’n have much choice because of the blooming rain that’s threatening to spoil the weekend! 

Chuh! Doesn’t the rain know that the weekend is the only time we working people have to do stuff for ourselves, and to get in a li’l partying? Let’s hope that it’s not as bad as the weather people forecast, and that they wrong one more time, as they so often are! Hn, Hn, Hn! But we still thanking God for Fridays and weekends oui!’ 

Yes friends, the workingman tells it as he sees it, no beating round the bush, but his boundaries and borders are just too wide and lax for us believers, so our Friday Chant is not as expansive and self-serving as his song. Now let’s chant our song of thanks for the weekend in sincere enthusiasm and strong voice. 

‘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 my fellow believers, we need to be somewhat more circumspect and aware of the evil and ungodly stuff that’s happening around us, so that we don’t fall into any of the many traps that the enemy sets for us. For as Peter so wisely and vividly proclaims: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’ 

And I know some of you might be tired hearing that scripture, but it’s no joke friends, it’s the reality of this evil world that we live in. And unless we are careful, that roaring, noisy lion, who is really toothless and thus can’t bite, will nab us in some ungodly and/or evil undertaking. He is powerless after Jesus’ victory over Him at Easter time, that’s why he has to resort to lies and deceit to get us into his traps. He can only get to us if we allow him. 

But the attractions of the world are so numerous and so glitzy and compelling that we have to pay serious attention to what we do, if we seriously want to live for Christ. That’s why Peter continues, re the devil: ‘Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world.’ (1 Pet.5:9) 

Yeh, I hear some of you muttering: ‘So what good is that doing me eh, if others are also being afflicted? I’m solely interested in my affliction, how to fix my business!’ Now that’s not very neighbourly or brotherly my people, for we are all of ONE body in Christ, and therefore we must be all for one and one for all! 

Oh friends, Jesus said that we’d all suffer some in this evil world, especially if we believe in Him, but He also said that we should be joyful and of good cheer because He has overcome the world. (John 16:33) And we saw that in full splendour this past weekend when He rose triumphantly from the grave! 

And yes, it’s not easy to be always on your p’s and q’s, however, as Peter concludes: ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you.’ (1 Pet.5:10) 

Glory be my people! Our great God will not allow us to undergo continual suffering or more than we can handle! Therefore: ‘To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen!’ (1 Pet.5:11) It’s all gospel truth friends, so let’s hunker down this rainy Friday morning and do our best, with God’s help obviously, to stay out of the devil’s evil clutches! That’s wisdom of eternal proportions! Much LOVE!

…you can’t want all the idols of the world…as well as the God of heaven…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 June 2018 Romans 5:8.

21 Jun 2018 Leave a comment

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

Romans 5:8.   But God commendeth his (demonstrates his own) LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8.       

Ah friends, this is just an aberration; what the mind doctors might call deviant or abnormal behaviour. Yes, it is true that I am writing the Bit at minutes to seven, but through no desire of my own. I just happened to go out yesterday evening, got home around 10, decided to take a nap and then get up and do some stuff. But that appears to have only been wishful thinking. (smile) 

Oh, I did get up a couple of times, but just to go to the bathroom, and right back to bed. However around 6 this morning, the ole bod began complaining, and I couldn’t find a comfortable position in the bed, hence my early arising. This going to bed early business is really and truly for the birds yes. (smile) 

Anyway, it does seem that a bright and sunny day is in the offing, with Jesus’ brilliant light hovering above it all. And today I want to remind us of the Daily Bread devotional quote which says: ‘God’s LOVE for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross.’ 

And isn’t that the awesome truth my people! Our Creator LOVES us so much that His arms are always open to welcome us. That’s what Christ’s open arms on the cross means. He is saying: ‘Come to me; I am here waiting for you; waiting to accept you just as you are; no questions asked…just come and receive my LOVE, my grace, my mercy and my forgiveness…they are just yours for the asking and the taking…!’

Yes people, it’s all there waiting for us, we just have to go and receive it; the undeserved salvation of God. Please note that right there on the cross, when one of the criminals that were crucified with Him pleaded ‘Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:42-43) 

Wow! The thief on his figurative deathbed, asked for forgiveness and received it instantaneously! What an awesome God we serve my brethren! Such a magnanimous God that the Good Book declares: ‘But God commendeth his (demonstrates his own) LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ 

Mama Yo! What depth of LOVE that shows my brethren! I can’t even find words to describe it. One would think that we would have to stop being sinners first before any god would show LOVE and compassion towards us. But no! Our great God shows His awesome LOVE first, while we’re still abhorrent beings. One could not get more LOVING or magnanimous than that! 

That’s why I can’t understand why we are so reluctant to accept God’s free offer of divine salvation and eternal life, but are rather very intent on removing Him from our society. I guess we don’t like His rules and regulations, they are too nice, well behaved and strict. 

We seem to prefer the wild, leggo beast behaviour that Lucifer advertises. But friends, that will only lead us to the place where Lucifer lives, Hades, Hell, or whatever you want to call that dark, deep dungeon that he inhabits. I don’t know about you nuh, but I definitely don’t want to go there. I want to go to heaven; where it’s always bright and sunshiny and Jesus is there in His awesome fullness. 

Mama Mia! What a day and time that will be, when the gates of heaven open and take in all those who desire to be there! Ah friends, please remember what Bruh Paul so clearly stated: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom.6:23) 

Yes, what we deserve for our sinful behaviour and willful disobedience to Almighty God is DEATH, written in big capitals. However because of God’s great and everlasting LOVE for us, He devised a way for us to be saved from the horrible death that awaited, and still awaits us as unrepentant sinners. 

Listen to Jesus tell it: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world though him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17) 

Oh mih people, what heartwarming and reassuring words! Wow! God LOVED us so much that He sacrificed His ONE Son to save us! Doesn’t that say a whole lot about the God we worship and serve, about His LOVING-kindness to the undeserving children of men? It certainly does! 

And it couldn’t be put any simpler or plainer than that. Yet there are many who refuse to believe and accept God’s free gift of salvation, through sincere belief in His Son Jesus Christ. But friends, believe me, that’s a fool’s wisdom! 

Our bodies will deteriorate and eventually return to the dust from which it was made, what happens to our spirits then eh? They don’t die, but live on forever, in one of two places, hell or heaven, and heaven is by far the much nicer place. 

But you can only get entrance to that beautiful eternal retreat if you repudiate Lucifer and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. So what shall it be eh? It’s a decision we all have to make, and as far as I am concerned it’s a rather easy one. Let’s hope that you make the right one today. 

Now, for those of us who sincerely believe, let’s go home declaring the bountiful Thursday Blessings that the Lord has so generously bestowed on us. In strong acclamation: ‘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 everyday! Amen!’ 

And having said all of that, now let’s go out and share those blessings with others, as Jesus intends for us to do. Much LOVE!

…as for me and mine…we will serve the Lord God Jehovah…