24 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a land with no hungry children, a time of joy peace and love, a world where men are free, all our dreams will come to be, be careful for nothing, catch our second wind, celebrating Christ's birth, christmas eve, don't get anxious and irritable, don't sweat it, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, fellowship, found what life's really worth, friendship, Glorious Light, halfway home, hands on the plough, hate will be gone, holy spirit, in a world where men are free, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, Jesus Christ, joy, learned what Christmas is for, let not your heart be troubled, let your request be made known unto God, like kids play with toys, LOVE, love will prevail, loving-kindness, Magnificent Redeemer, man will not fail, mar it with evil influences, men won't be boys, mercy, my peace I give unto you, neither let it be afraid, no empty hand, no man has fears, no more wars, no tears, not as the world giveth give I unto you, not in time for you and me, not looking back, one happy morning, one prayer away from our world today, one shining moment, one warm Doecember, our hearts will see, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our motto for Christmas, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, Peace and Love, Peace i leave with you, peace on earth, playing with bombs, salvation, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, share a world where people really care, so glad to be alive, someday a new world, Someday at christmas, someday at christmas time, start with hope in every heart, strife-filled earth, thank God, the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the glorious promise, the joy of the season, the peace of God which passeth all understading, the rush is on, the undeserving children of men, the unsurpassable peace of Jesus, to a glorious future with Jesus, to fellowship and give thanks God's greatest gift to mankind, truth, visit the Lord's sanctuary, when all men are equal, wisdom
John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
And then it was Wednesday… a bright and sunshiny Christmas Eve my fellow believers! And it’s also a good day to catch our second wind, because the rush is on to get everything ready. But even if everything is not ready, please don’t sweat it and get anxious and irritable. Remember Bruh Paul’s wise words to the Philippians: ‘Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:6-7)
Yes friends, the one thing we definitely need this Christmas season is PEACE, with a li’l LOVE thrown in for good measure, for that’s what Christ came to bring to our strife-filled earth. So don’t lose the joy of the season because everything’s not as you’d like it to be, just make sure to appreciate the time of Christ’s birth in the next twenty four hours, and both Christ and your family and friends will understand that you tried your best but you simply could not get everything you wanted done in time.
Remember, it’s the occasion of Christ’s birth we’re celebrating, and that doesn’t necessarily mean food or gifts; but simply joy and friendship, peace and LOVE on this marvellous occasion. And don’t forget to MAKE TIME to visit the Lord’s sanctuary at some stage in the next couple of days, to fellowship and give thanks for God’s greatest gift to mankind; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
And all of God’s people said a loud, joyful and grateful: ‘Thank You Lord for giving us Your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Glorious Light and Magnificent Redeemer! We LOVE You and praise Your Holy Name for Your wonderful LOVING-KINDNESS to the undeserving children of men!’
And that reminds us of this marvellous and ever so appropriate song written many years ago by Bryan Wells and Ronald Miller, then made popular by Stevie Wonder in 1967. It’s aptly titled, ‘Someday at Christmas.’ So please sing with me: ‘Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys Playing with bombs like kids play with toys One warm December our hearts will see A world where men are free Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars When we have learned what Christmas is for When we have found what life’s really worth There’ll be peace on earth
Someday at Christmas we’ll see a land With no hungry children, no empty hand One happy morning people will share A world where people care Someday at Christmas there’ll be no tears When all men are equal and no man has fears One shining moment one prayer away From our world today Someday at Christmas man will not fail Hate will be gone and LOVE will prevail Someday a new world that we can start With hope in every heart, yeah Someday all our dreams will come to be Someday in a world where men are free Maybe not in time for you and me But someday at Christmastime…Maybe not in time for you and me, But someday at Christmastime…’
Yes friends that ought to be our fervent hope, prayer, wish, supplication, whatever; that at some Christmastime there’d be true peace and LOVE in our world, with all the hate and anger, and the many other numerous evil influences no longer supreme, or better yet existing, just like our Saviour meant it to be when He came to earth on Christmas Day. And though life seems to be getting rougher and more uncertain with each passing day, we must never forget these wonderful and most encouraging words of Jesus: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27)
And my fellow believers, that ought to be our motto for this Christmas season; not being troubled or afraid, because we have the unsurpassable peace of Jesus and the joy which comes with it, steadfast and strong within our hearts, souls, bodies and minds! Now, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) 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 please don’t forget the promise that those who endure with Jesus right down to the very end will enjoy a future even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. That therefore means we must be wise and strong in faith to endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the birth of Christ is a time of joy, peace and LOVE…so let’s not mar it this year with evil influences and behaviour…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
17 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all the hil country of Judea, among a people, barren women face shame and scorn, called him Zacharias after his father, came to circumcise the child, chastened for his apparent skepticism, eight days to christmas, Elisabeth's full time came, endure to the very end with Christ, eyes fixed straight ahead, fear came on all that dwelt round about them, fulfilled in their own time, God knew his heart, God spared our lives, halfway home, hands on the plough, he beckoned unto them, he shall be called John, he spake and praised God, her neighbours and relatives heard, his mouth was opened immediately, his tongue loosed, holy spirit, I am an old man, I am Gabriel, in the days wherein he looked on me, Jesus Christ, John's birth caused consternation in the camp, keeping christ first place, kept them in their hearts, LOVE, marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple, mercy, my wife well advanced in age, not able to speak, not looking back, on the eight day, remained speechless, salvation, shall be fulfilled in their season, she brought forth a son, shew thee these glad tidings, sincere belieivng, so glad to be alive, stand in the presence of God, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord had showed great mercy on her, the nature of the human animal, the ole hypocrites, the people waited for Zacharias, the working of God produced a unique sensation, these sayings were noised abroad, they marvelled all, they perceived that he had a vision in the temple, they rejoiced with her, this good news, thou believest not my words, thou shalt be dumb, thus has the Lord dealt with me, to a glorious future with Jesus, to take away my reproach among men, truth, until the day these things shall be performed, Wednesday Wail, what manner of child shall this be, when he came out he could not speak to them, where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries, whereby shall I know this, wisdom, Zacahrias wrote His name is John
Luke 1:64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.
It’s down to eight now my people….only eight days to Christmas! Hope the preparations and celebrations are coming along well, but we’re keeping Christ first place, remembering that His birth is the ONLY reason for this Christmas celebration, and paying the respect and admiration that He’s due. And since it seems that God has spared our lives so we can see another day on His glorious Planet Earth, (smile) then we should continue with the story of Zacharias as promised.
Now, yesterday we stopped where the angel told Zacharias about all the joy and gladness that John would bring and like Elijah, turn the people of Israel back to God. (Luke 1:14-17) And having heard all of that wonderful news, ‘Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken (advanced) in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings (this good news). And, behold, thou shalt be dumb (mute), and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season (in their own time).’ (Luke 1:18-20)
Oh my people, you see what little or low faith can bring. If anyone was expected to believe Gabriel’s words, it would be the priest who was constantly dealing with faith and godly situations, not a young unmarried girl. But that’s how it happened, and thus Zacharias became dumb until his son, John the Baptist was born. Meanwhile the Bible tells us that as Zacharias was being made dumb in the temple… ‘And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried (delayed) so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had had a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.’ (Luke 1:21-22)
And I like how the scholars explain the situation. They say ‘Zacharias speechlessness serves to chasten him for his apparent skepticism. One may think it a harsh measure, but God who dispensed this judgement knew his heart. And the promise remained secure. Zacharias was merely prevented from easily spreading the news around.’ That shows us the contradiction with Mary’s situation. She believed, and was able to spread her news around, although her news was not something she desired many people to know about, since it would cause her great heartache and scandal.
The Bible continues: ‘And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration (service) were accomplished (completed), he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.’ (Luke 1:23-25) In other words, when Zacharias finished his time of service, he went back home and impregnated Elisabeth, (smile) much like the story of Abraham and Sarah, a hundred and ninety years old respectively when they conceived Isaac.
Now that last verse from Elisabeth is quite important for in Jewish culture a woman who could not bear children, like Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s mother, were looked upon with much scorn and disgrace. Thus Elisabeth was thanking the Lord for at last giving her freedom from the shame and scorn she had suffered in her earlier barren years. Sadly though, up to this day, some societies still look at barren women with scorn and disgrace. And for some reason, it’s always the fault of the woman, very seldom, if ever, of the man. But unfortunately that’s the way this male centred world goes.
However, moving on with our story, we finally come to John the Baptist’s birth. The Bible tells us: ‘Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins (relatives) heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.’ (Luke 1:57-58) As the old people would say; the ole hypocrites and them. They heaped so much scorn on her before when she was considered barren, but now that she has a child, they want to rejoice and celebrate with her. But I guess that’s the nature of the human animal.
Anyway, the story continues: ‘And it came to pass, that on the eight day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by that name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.’ (Luke 1:59-64)
Ah friends, the Lord surely knows how to dramatize a scene to be the most effective. For after that, the Bible relates it thus: ‘And fear came on all that dwelt around about them: and all these sayings (things) were noised abroad (discussed) throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid them up (kept them) in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.’ (Luke 1:65-66) Yes mih bredrin, the Lord does move in mysterious but very powerful and successful ways His purpose to accomplish.
Today we concentrate mostly on Jesus’ birth, but the birth of John the Baptist, His forerunner, also caused consternation in the camp. And the scholars explain the words ‘Fear came,’ by saying: ‘The working of God produced a unique sensation among a people where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries.’ But the Lord was able to wake them up though with birth of John the Baptist! (smile)
Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And yes, it will be an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine, for those who endure to the end with Christ. It therefore behooves us to endure to the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…with Jesus…it’s all about faith…about sincerely believing…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 Nov 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a model for all leaders, accept Him down here on earth, act as a servant to others, adds a different flavour, be cast away, became obedient unto death, being in the form of God, but to serve, come in his own glory, common sense dictates, defeating the whole purpose of our association with God, disciples should not seek to be served, earth is an extension of heaven, emptied himself of his privileges, empty ourselves of all selfish ambitions, end up with Christ in eternal life, endure to the end, eternal destiny, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, fighting the good fight, find true life, flowing through me, for what is a man advantaged, found in fashion as a man, God likes to control everything, God you are relentless, halfway home, hands on the plough, hit home to the truth, hold back some things, holy spirit, humbled himself, if any of you wants to be my follower, if he gain the whole world, if you give your life for me, in truth, it is invariably, Jesus Christ, Jesus is our example in everything, just like Jesus did, keep on keeping on, let him be your servant, let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, logic, lose himself, LOVE, made himself of no reputation, made in the likeness of men, mercy, not turning back, of him shall the son of man be ashamed, one small exception, One Year Book of Bible promises, our second wind day, put aside your selfish ambition, Relentless, Ruth Harms Calkin, sacrifice, salvation, shoulder your cross daily, so glad to be alive, surrender our all to God, take up your cross daily, technological age, thank God, the author and finisher of our faith, the breath of life, the death of the cross, the kingdom of God has come to the earth, the son of man came not be ministered unto, the Son of man came not to be served, thought it not robbery, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be equal with God, to give his life a ransom for many, to work all things out for our good, took upon him the form of a servant, truly amazed, truth, try to keep your life for yourself, what does a man benefit, whosoever shall be ashamed, whosoever will be chief among you, why does it matter so much to you, wisdom, yielded everything to you, you keep bringing me back, you will lose it, you would even take notice
Luke 9:25. For what is a man advantaged (benefited), if he gain the whole world, and lose himself (is destroyed), or be cast away (lost)?
Aye friends, it’s Wednesday, our second wind day, and we are not doing too badly in terms of time, for we’re not quite on the late bus, although I did run around and do some errands after my church group meeting. (smile) Anyway, let’s hope and pray that we will all catch our second wind today and keep on keeping on, fighting the good fight in the most blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!
And today we’re going to look at an interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkins. It’s a poem to which all of us can relate because we all do it in one form or the other. The poem’s simply titled ‘Relentless.’ And I believe we have studied it before, but like I always say, some of these poems hit home to the truth in us so well that it’s to our benefit to study them time and time again.
So, please read with me: ‘God, You are relentless. I have yielded everything to You – Everything but one small exception – An exception so small I’m truly amazed You would even take notice. Yet it is invariably To that one small exception That you keep bringing me Back, and back, and back. Why does it matter so much to You? My Child why does it matter so much to You.’
Now that’s a very good question that the Lord asked in return. If it’s so small an exception why does it matter so much to us, that we don’t want to turn it over to Him? But that’s the way most of us are; we say we surrender our all to God, but in truth, we hide or hold back certain things that we either don’t want Him to know, or to control. However, that’s defeating the whole purpose of our association with Almighty God, for He likes to control EVERYTHING, EVERY PART of our lives, since that’s the ONLY way He can truly work all things out for our good.
That’s pure logic with a touch of common sense, (smile) although I know that logic and common sense are not in vogue in this overvalued and wrongly used technological age. And the Bible verses for today’s poem are some from the lips of Jesus that we ought to know and ought to practice every day. It’s His discourse on following Him, or being His disciple. And we’ll read it from the New Living Translation (NLT) that the book uses, because it differs somewhat from the King James Version, using more of today’s language, and it does add an interesting and different flavour to the scripture.
‘Then he said to the crowd, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give your life for me, you will find true life.’ (Luke 9:23-24) Yes friends, that’s stating it simply, but very clearly. If you desire to follow Jesus then you must empty yourself of all selfish ambitions and do what He desires. It’s just like He did when he came to earth.
As the Bible tells us: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (He emptied Himself of all His heavenly privileges). And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil 4:5-8)
Oh my brethren, if Jesus could give up His heavenly life to come to earth to be a servant, why can’t we do the same eh? No reason whatsoever! But problems arise when we see words like ‘put aside your selfish ambition,’ and others that include sacrifice and taking up our crosses DAILY! Now that just drives us to the proverbial drink! (smile) Because we believe that we’ll have no control over our lives, and we won’t be able to enjoy all the earthly lusts and pleasures that we desire to experience.
But please note that living for Jesus excludes many of those worldly pleasures, for they only lead us down the path to destruction and damnation. And that’s partly why we cannot give up our all to the Lord; for though we know it’s wrong, we still want to enjoy those lustful pleasures. (smile) But let’s go back to the King James Version for this most important reasoning of Christ, where He explains why we should follow Him the way He desires. ‘For what is a man advantaged (benefited), if he gain the whole world, and lose himself (is destroyed), or be cast away (lost)? For whosever shall be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.’ (Luke 9:25-26)
Oh my people, it’s all about our eternal destiny, where we will end up after this earthly life. And you cannot end up with Christ in eternal life if you don’t accept Him down here today, and live the way He desires us to live! Remember, the kingdom of heaven has now come to earth with the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. So technically speaking, we’re simply an extension of heaven and need to live by the decrees thereof. And let’s remember these poignant words of Jesus, after the mother of James and John begged for them to be placed on His left and ride side when He came in all His glory.
‘And whosoever will be chief (first) among you, let him be your servant (slave):Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (be served), but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (Matt. 20:27-28) And I like what this commentary says re those verse. ‘Jesus taught that those who wish to be great in his kingdom should not seek to be served, but should instead act as a servant to others. This is a model for all leaders, as well as for the disciples. Jesus exemplified this through his actions, such as washing his disciples’ feet, healing the sick, and feeding the thousands.
These were not acts of someone who came to be served, but acts of humble service from the “Son of Man”.’ And having seen what Jesus did, and what our lives should be like as His disciples, let’s now 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!’
That brings to mind the promise of anyone enduring to then end with Jesus, will receive an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine. Therefore, let’s be wise and endure to the end with Jesus, so we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…Jesus…the author and finisher of our faith…ought to be our example in EVERYTHING…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
05 Nov 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a dysfunctional family, a man after God's own heart, a plea for cleansing, a plea for forgiveness, a sensitivity to sin, according to thy loving kindness, against thee only have I sinned, an ambassador for God, be clear when you judge, bearing the guilt that stole his joy, blameless, blot out all mine iniquities, blot out my transgressions, brought God's name into disrepute, cast me not away from thy presence, catch our second wind, cleanse me from my sin, confessing our sins to God, create in me a clean heart, done this evil in thy sight, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, flowing through me, get away scot-free, glad to be alive, guilt and sorrow in our souls souls, halfway home, hands on the plough, have mercy upon me O God, hidden sins, hide thy face from my sins, holy spirit, I acknowledge my transgressions, in sin did my mother conceive me, in the hidden part, Jesus Christ, LOVE, make me to hear joy and gladness, make me to know wisdom, mercy, my sin is ever before me, Nathan, negative consequences to pay, not looking back, occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, purge me with hyssop, renew a right spirit within me, repentance, restore unto me, salvation, serve as a deterrent to willful sin, shapen in iniquity, sin is a normal human frailty, sin with Bathsheba, sincere confession, take not thy holy spirit from me, thank God, the bones thou hast broken may rejoice, the breath of life, the guilt that stole his joy, the joy of my salvation, the Lord also hath put away thy sin, the multitude of thy tender mercies, thou might be justified, thou shalt not die, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, truth in the inward parts, unconfessed sin, uphold me with thy free spirit, wash me, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, when thou speakest, whiter than snow, wisdom
Psalm 51:1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy LOVING-KINDNESS: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Oh friends, is it Wednesday already? Just a couple days ago it was Monday! (smile) Yes, the days are quickly moving along, not waiting for anyone or anything, so we’ve best get with the programme, or we’ll get lost in the big muddle that’s our world. And sadly we’re on the late, late bus on this windy, chilly, starting to drizzle, catch our second wind day, because after coming from my church group I had to take the duchess out to do some stuff, and you how that is? It always takes longer than you expect. But not to worry, we’re in full swing now, just waiting for the Lord to show or tell me what to write about. (smile)
And a few minutes after having opened the Good Library, I was drawn to one of the great psalms, Psalm 51, where Bruh David offers up a Plea for Forgiveness, after the prophet Nathan, on the Lord’s directive, had admonished him over his sin with Bathsheba. He begins with a heartfelt plea. ‘Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy LOVING-KINDNESS: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified (be found just) when thou speakest, and be clear (blameless) when thou judgest Behold, I was shapen (brought forth) in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.’ (Ps. 51:1-6)
Ah mih people, I know that many of us have hidden sins that we’ve been agitating over, but refuse to, or are afraid to take them to the Lord in prayer, falsely believing that the Lord will not forgive you. But that’s the furthest thing from the truth. For if the Lord forgave Bruh David for his terrible shortcomings, then He will also forgive us of ours. But the only way to stop them eating away at us, and causing immense guilt and sorrow in our souls, is by openly confessing them to the Lord.
And the scholars offer some interesting explanations on the psalm. They say: ‘The psalm gives expression to why David was “a man after God’s own heart”: he was not perfect but he had a sensitivity to sin that few knew about. Notice especially the use of the first person singular: mine iniquity, my sin (vs. 2), my transgressions (vs.3), and so on. The first two verses are an introductory petition, rich with meaning in the use of four figures for forgiveness.’
The problem though is that Bruh David was somewhat late with the confession. His sin had taken place about a year before Nathan confronted him, but he refused to confess it, and kept bearing the guilt that stole His joy, and it only came out because the Lord sent Nathan to confront him. And according to the story in the Book of 2nd Samuel: ‘And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die,’ (2 Sam. 12:13-14)
And we all know that prophecy came true, and also Bruh David never knew much peace in His life after that, and eventually had a very dysfunctional family, with one son Ammon, raping his half-sister Tamar, then her brother Absolom having Ammon killed, and later on the same Absolom rebelling against his father and causing him to flee for his life. The point here friends, is as the scholars tell us; ‘David’s sin had brought the name of God into disrepute. Such knowledge ought to serve as a deterrent to willful sin on the part of believers. (cf. 1 Tim. 5:14; 6:1)’
And that’s the awesome truth! Oh, we will all sin, and some might be worse than others, but the important thing is to confess them as soon as possible, and though we will be forgiven, there most likely will be some negative consequences to pay, for we can’t just sin willy-nilly, then confess it and expect to get away scot-free. Especially if you’re such a an important ambassador for God, as Bruh David was.
But the greatness of Bruh David lies in not being afraid of laying open himself to the Lord. For after his Plea of Forgiveness, He delivers A Plea for Cleansing. ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right (steadfast) spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free (generous) spirit.’ (Ps. 51:7-12)
Oh my people, when we come to the Lord with those pleading words that come from a sincere heart, He will never turn us down. But we must have the necessary assurance to know that God will never turn down sincere confession, and will always help us to restore our lost joy. And scholars make an important statement here re ‘The prayer take not thy Holy Spirit from me: (vs.11) need never be offered by a New Testament saint, since the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian permanently (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19). David’s cry here may reflect only the fear, not the reality, of losing the Spirit, and being rejected by God. Thus, he asks God to restore the joy of his salvation, not salvation itself.’
Yes friends, it easy to lose the joy of our salvation, but we can never lose salvation itself. Now, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) 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 added to that is the promise that whoever endures to the very end with Jesus, will enjoy a more than glorious future, one which we can never comprehend or imagine. So let’s be wise, and endure to the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…sin is a normal human frailty…but it should quickly be followed by confession and repentance…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 Oct 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a happy wife makes for a happy life, an option of turning away from sin, ate of the forbidden fruit, be more obedient in the future, because of God's great love, behind the eight ball, better late than never, endure to the end with Christ, Eve beguiled by the serpent, even our faith, everyone that loves him who begat, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, for loving me enough to die for me, get down to brass tacks, glad to be alive, God's commandments are not burdensome, halfway home, hands on the plough, hang all the law and the prophets, he that believes Jesus is the Son of God, help me to discern your voice, his commandments are not grievous, holy spirit, I experience true joy, if you love me keep my commandments, in living colour, Jesus came and died for us, Jesus Christ, keep me close, let your love grow as you follow him, Lord jesus, LOVE, love the Lord with all thy heart soul and mind, Love thy neighbour as thyself, loves him also that is begotten, mercy, not turning back, obedience, on these two commandments, ponder the words of Jesus in scripture, salvation, sin and death entered the world, thank God, thank you, that we keep his commandments, the awesome grace and mercy of Jesus, the biggest misunderstanding between God and man, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the first and great commandment, the Garden of Eden, the late bus, the second is like unto it, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, this is the love of God, this is the victory that overcometh the world, to a glorious future with Jesus, to resist distractions that draw me away from you, truth, we love the children of God, Wednesday Wail, whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, when I obey you, when my eyes are fixed on you, when we love God and keep his commandments, which is the great commandment, who is he that overcometh the world, whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, wisdom, your burden is indeed light, your commands are a pleasure, your fellowship my greatest reward
John 14:15. If you LOVE me, keep my commandments.
And the rain ceased, although it was mostly drizzle, and therefore Wednesday opened bright and sunshiny once more, though somewhat windy and cool, with a small bit of cloud cover. But the important thing is seeing the sun and feeling at least some of its effects. Unfortunately though friends, today we’re on the late, late bus, because I went to my church group this morning, then immediately after went out to breakfast with the Duchess, because today is her Special Day. And it’s obvious after all that activity, the ole fella needed to rest and recoup his energy, before I could tackle writing the Bit. (smile)
However, when I got up, the Duchess insisted on me doing a couple of chores she felt could not wait, and although I disagreed, I went along with her contention. You know the old adage; a happy wife makes for a happy life. And to make matters worse, just as I sat down to write the Bit, a sick friend called to inform me of his illness. Obviously I had to sit and talk with him for a while, which set me even further behind the eight ball. But as they say, better late then never. So now that you know the story of my life, (smile) let’s get down to brass-tacks and see what the Lord wants us to talk about today.
And His desire seems to be the biggest obstacle or misunderstanding between Him and his human creation; that’s the subject of OBEDIENCE! Yes friends, from day one, obedience has been the major disagreement between God and man. We see it in Genesis 3, where our first mother was beguiled by the evil serpent into eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the Garden of Eden, which the Lord forbade them from eating. And her foolish husband, Adam, allowed her to lead him astray into also eating the forbidden fruit, when he should have known better.
And I have to chuckle at Eve’s excuse when God asked her about her disobedience. She said, ‘The serpent beguiled (deceived) me, and I did eat.’ (Gen. 3:13) And unfortunately from that day to this, sin and death and all the negative evils we now suffer, invaded our world. But eventually, the Lord, because of His great LOVE for us, sent His Son Jesus to die on our behalf and thus give us an opportunity, an option of turning away from sin. But before we get into the meat of the subject, here’s an interesting prayer on obedience, as offered by the In Touch People on the prayer cards they recently sent out.
Please pray with me: ‘Lord Jesus, thank You for LOVING me enough to die for me. I owe you everything, and I want to show You my LOVE through obedience. Keep me close. When my eyes are fixed on you, Your commands are a pleasure. Help me to discern Your voice and to resist the distractions that draw me away from You. For when I obey you, I experience true joy. Your burden is indeed light, and your fellowship my greatest reward.’ And all God’s people said a loud and sincere ‘Amen!’
Yes my fellow believers, joy and good fellowship with Christ is exactly what we receive when we are obedient to his commands. And all through His earthly sojourn, Jesus was adamant about people being true to what He desired. And the scripture verse attached to the above prayer was none other than Christ’s simple, but oh so important declaration to the disciples, and consequently to all believers: ‘If you LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15) Now that says it all my brethren! If we truly LOVE Jesus, then we’ll do as He says.
And John, in his first epistle, clearly spells it out, when he writes. ‘Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that LOVETH him that begat LOVETH him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we LOVE the children of God, when we LOVE God, and keep his commandments. For this is the LOVE of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome). For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?’ (1 John 5:1-5)
There we have it in living colour friends! LOVING Jesus means keeping His commandments, which also includes LOVING ourselves and our fellow human beings. Remember when the foppish Pharisee lawyer, trying to tie up Jesus, asked, ‘Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt LOVE the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (Matt. 22: 36-40)
In other words, all that the prophets had been teaching, and all the laws they had proclaimed, basically called for the keeping of those two commandments. Yes my fellow believers, the Bible is simply a means of God showing us how important it is to keep His commandments. And most of us who try to keep them know that they can sometimes be tough, but they are definitely not burdensome, for Jesus in His awesome grace and mercy aided by His Holy Spirit, helps us to keep them.
And now that we’ve had an overview of obedience and what it entails, let’s promise ourselves and our God that we will indeed try to be more obedient in the future. That means we can now go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been further promised that all who endure with Jesus to the very end, will indeed experience such a glorious future, that their finite minds cannot think or imagine. So, wisdom dictates that we are obedient, and endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…ponder the words of Jesus in scripture…and let your LOVE grow…as you follow Him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
01 Oct 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bribe, a bright and sunshiny day, a double heart, all lie in wait for blood, an inconsistent mind, as silver tried in a furnace, be careful whom you listen to, catching our second wind, deceitfulness, do evil with both hands successfully, don't give up hope, endure to the end, enter into peace, everyone with their neighbour, evil has a stranglehold on our world, evil tendencies, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, find comfort in the Lord, flattering lips, flowing through me, fraudulence, from among the children of men, from him that puffeth at him, God shall preserve the Godly, greater than he that's in the world, halfway home, hands on the plough, He who is in us, Help Lord, holy spirit, hunt every man, hunt every man his brother with a net, insincere flattery, Jesus Christ, just a matter of time, looking forward to a glorious future with Jesus, LOVE, materialism, merciful men are taken away, mercy, no one takes it to heart, not looking back, now will I arise saith the Lord, on a large scale, our lips are our own, preserve them from this generation, prideful speech, purified seven times, pursue the Lord's work, rampant in our world, reinvigorated, rest in their beds, resting in peace, salvation, Schemers don't take a break, set him in safety, so they scheme together, spiteful speech against the righteous, stay strong and persevering, taken away from the evil to come, thank God, the breath of life, the faithful disappear from amomg the children of men, the faithful fail, the first day of October, the godly man ceaseth, the good man is perished out of the earth, the great man utter his evil desire, the judge asks for a reward, the Lord shall destroy all flattering lips, the oppression of the poor, the prince asks for gifts, the righteous, the righteous perish, the sighing of the needy, the tongue that speaketh proud things, the vilest men are exalted, the wicked walk on every side, the words of the Lord are pure words, there is none upright among men, they speak vanity, to escape the ongoing fraudulent schemes, truth, walk a fine line, walking in his uprightness, Wednesday Wail, who is lord over us, wisdom, with a productive excellence, with our tongue we will prevail
Psalm 12:1. Help (save), Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail (disappear) from among the children of men.
Wow mih bredrin, October has opened this Wednesday morning just like September closed yesterday; bright and sunshiny and fairly warm! Glory be! Let’s hope that October gives us a bit more of that summer-like weather before the cold season comes in, because it will, for as Brook Benton so wisely said in his song: ‘It’s just a matter of time!’ (smile) And I also hope that we are catching our second wind this middle day of the work week, and thus be reinvigorated to pursue the Lord’s work with an aggressive, productive excellence, as He desires of us.
Now, today I want us to look at another interesting psalm, Psalm 12, titled ‘God Shall Preserve the Godly.’ In it Bruh David speaks of the effects of vain, proud and spiteful speech against the righteous. So please read with me as Bruh David pleads: ‘Help (save), Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail (disappear) from among the children of men.’ (Ps. 12:1)
And friends, those words written so long ago are still ever so true today…if not truer than they’ve ever been, since evil and ungodliness have taken such a stranglehold on our current world. Godly people are surely disappearing from our societies at a rather rapid rate, as materialism and evil tendencies daily increase amongst the populace.
Then Bruh David continues: ‘They speak vanity (idly, falsely) every one with their neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart (an inconsistent mind) do they speak).’ (Ps. 12:2) That’s also ever so true on a very large scale in our society today. Deceitfulness, fraudulence, insincere flattery, prideful speech, all these things are rather rampant in our world, and you have to be oh so careful of whom you listen to and how you respond to them.
And to make matters worse, today’s schemers don’t ease up, they don’t take a break. Like Beelzebub, they just keep attacking you with a merciless regularity. I can personally testify to that, as every day, at all hours, my phone keeps ringing with long distance numbers I don’t know, and my junk e-mail is also filled with invitations from veritable strangers. It’s a fine line we need to walk to escape the many ongoing fraudulent schemes.
And sadly Bruh David was not the only one who wrote on the subject, the prophets Isaiah and Micah also had something to say about it. Isaiah puts it this way. ‘The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth (takes) it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come (presence of evil).’ (Is. 57:1)
Meanwhile Micah says it thus: ‘The good (faithful, loyal) man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly (successfully), the prince asketh (asks for gifts), and the judge asketh for a reward (bribe); and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous (evil) desire: so they wrap it up (scheme together.) (Mic.7:2-3)
Oh my people, it seems like Micah is still living today, for he paints the picture exactly how it’s happening. And that means we need to walk a very fine line to escape the many ongoing fraudulent schemes. But thankfully Bruh David gives us some encouragement for the detestable situation, when he writes: ‘The Lord shall cut off (destroy) all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud (great) things: Who have said, With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?’ (Ps. 12:3-4)
Now that’s a good question, and the vain and proud and deceitful ought to take notice, because their tongues do not belong to them; they belong to their Creator, Almighty God. Thus: ‘For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety (the safety for which he yearns) from him that puffeth at him.’ (Ps. 12:5)
Yes friends, the Lord God is indeed our deliverer, and we need to believe that with all of our heart and soul, if we expect His help. For as Bruh David continues; ‘The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.’ (Ps. 12:6-8)
And isn’t that the gospel truth! We see it in spades in our current world, where some of the vilest men ever have been exalted, and beside them are walking evil doers of every race, creed and class. What a sad situation. But let’s remember what Bruh David says above there; ‘the Lord shall keep them, and preserve them from this generation for ever.’ And that’s the indisputable truth, for as Bruh Daivd also says, the Lord’s words are as true as silver that’s been purified seven times. Can you imagine how pure that silver is after being purified so often. Well, that’s how true the Lord’s word is also.
And we’ll end with this reassuring verse from Isaiah, re the righteous perishing: ‘He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.’ (Is. 57:2) Yes my people, that’s the reward the Lord has for the righteous…walking in uprightness and resting in peace. So please don’t give up hope because evil and evil doers are running rampant in our world. Let’s remember that He who is in us, is greater than he that’s in the world, (1 John 4:4), so we shall conquer them eventually, if we only stay strong and persevering.
Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And fortunately, it’s been promised that all who endure with Jesus right to the very end, will see a future even more glorious than they can ever ask or imagine. So please, let’s endure to the end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the righteous may suffer…but they’ll find comfort…in the Lord and His infallible, comforting Word…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Sep 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crying shame, a gentle mist of rain, a rainbow, a sparrow perched on a tree branch, after the storm - a rainbow, ask countless questions, became heir of the righteousness which is by faith, being warned of God, by faith, call upon his name, came to an end, Can You Sing in the Rain, carry them in his bosom, climbed rolling hills, consider ourselves warned, could you sing in the rain, cracking bouts of thunder, days of joy, days of tears, destroy the world by water, disobedient sheep, during the most severe storm, endures to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, feed his flock like a shepherd, gather the lambs with his arms, gently lead those that are with young, glory ye in his holy name, God did it for Noah, God's enabled me to sing in the rain, God's reminded me that, halfway home, hands on the plough, having a good time, he is the Lord our God, his judgements are in all the earth, holy spirit, if nobody saw and nobody heard you but God, in the darkest night, in the distance, in the shelter of God's arms, Jesus Christ, Jesus is our Good Shepherd, let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord, lightning and thunder show, LOVE, loved to take long walks, make known his deeds among the people, mercy, moved with fear, Noah found grace in his sight, not turning back, O Give thanks unto the Lord, of things not yet seen, on a country road, one sunny day, One Year Book of Bible promises, pay the consequences of disobedience, prepared and ark, remember His marvellous works, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, seek his face evermore, seek the Lord and his strength, sing psalms unto him, sing unto him, singing away, stories of my father's childhood, talk ye of his wondrous works, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the coming of the Son of man, the longest strom the world's ever known, the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, to a glorious future with Jesus, to the saving of his house, trudged through meadows, truth, Wednesday Wail, when I was a child, when nobody saw and nobody heard but god, wisdom
Psalm 105:2. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of his wondrous works.
It’s no wonder that after the rain last night, that Wednesday has opened cloudy, damp and somewhat humid. And to tell the truth, the rain wasn’t so plentiful or powerful, but it’s accompaniment by the extravagant lightning and thunder show, with the heavenly rock drummer, Thor, putting on an especially rollicking performance made the show spectacular. Yes, I haven’t heard such cracking bouts of thunder in a long while.
At one stage when the rain lightened, I went out on my porch to enjoy some peaceful moments out there, but within two minutes I was back inside after several lightning displays and a couple cracks of thunder chased me away. (smile) That brings us to today’s question: ‘Can You Sing in the Rain?’ It’s the title of an interesting story from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin.
So please read with me: ‘When I was a child I LOVED to take long walks with my tall, LOVING father. We trudged through the meadows, we climbed rolling hills, and often we walked through tree-lined parks. As we walked, Dad would tell me stories about his childhood, and I would ask countless questions about my grandparents. One day on a country road we walked under a gentle mist of rain. In the distance we saw a sparrow perched on a tree branch. The tiny bird was just singing away.
My father asked a question: “Could you sing in the rain if nobody saw and nobody heard you but God?” Years have passed since that long-ago day. There have been wonderful days of joy. and there have been days of tears, too. Sometimes in the darkest night, during the most severe storm, God has enabled me to sing in the rain when nobody saw and nobody heard but God. Even through tears God has reminded me that the longest storm the world has ever known came to an end one sunny morning. And after the storm – a rainbow! God did it for Noah…and He does it for us!’
And that’s a wonderful fact that we should all be so very thankful for! Yes friends, even the longest and most powerful storm has to end sometime, and all the while it’s going on, our great God will hold and protect you in the shelter of His arms. It’s like Isaiah said of the Lord: ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 41:11) Now that’s what our great and wonderful God is about! Shepherding His people! Like Bruh David says so eloquently Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.’ (Ps. 23:1)
And that’s what shepherds do; provide for their sheep, in both food and safety. And that’s what our God has promised to do and has indeed done. Remember the story of Noah, (Gen. chap. 6-9) when the Lord decided to destroy the earth by water, for the wickedness of man was so great in the earth, and his thoughts and intentions of his heart were continually evil. And God was sorry that He had ever made man on the earth. It sickened him, or grieved him at his heart. (Gen. 6:5-6)
‘But Noah found grace in his sight.’ (Gen 6:8) And He was instructed to build a great ark and take in his family and two of every of God’s creations, for the Lord was going to destroy the world by water And as the author of Hebrews tells us in the Heroes of Faith chapter: ‘By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear (reverence), prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.’ (Heb. 11:7) Another great man of faith friends!
But yuh know what? As Jesus reminds us: ‘But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be….before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered the ark.’ (Matt. 24:37-38) Yes sir! In those evil and dreadful times, it was all about having a good time…just like it is now. That means the Lord will return when we least expect Him. Consequently, we need to be on constant alert, and have everything in readiness, as though He was coming back today. And we have to do our best to bring a lot of souls to Him before that awesome day.
And to help us in doing so, Psalm 105 leads the way. From which our Bible Promise for the poem and Bit for today comes. It gently remind us: ‘O Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth; O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. He is the Lord our God: his judgements are in all the earth.’ (Ps. 105:1-7)
Now, unfortunately, too many of us, don’t seem to remember or value the advice given in the psalm, but if we don’t wake up and get our act together very soon, like immediately, we’re likely to be caught unawares, and thus lose out on all the good things when Jesus returns unexpectedly. And that would certainly be a crying shame! So, let’s consider ourselves warned.
Now, it’s time to go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been promised that whoever endures with Jesus to the every end, will experience an even more glorious future than they can imagine or comprehend. So, let’s be wise and endure to the end nuh, so we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…Jesus is our Good Shepherd…but too many of us are disobedient sheep…and eventually…will pay the consequences of disobedience…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
03 Sep 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a core Christian belief, a lifelong journey, a progressive change in character values and behaviour, a renewal of the mind, an ongoing metamorphosis, apostasy is unwise, are changed into the same image, beholding as in a glass, beholding the glory of God, being confident of this very thing, by the Spirit of the Lord, changing from a caterpillar to a butterfly, conforming believers to Christ's image, conforming believers to God's will, endure to the very end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, freeing believers from the patterns of the world, from glory to glory, from one degree of glory to another, God has spared our lives, God testing believers, God's Master Plan, gossamer wings, grow in spiritual maturity, halfway home, hands on the plough, he that endureth to the end shall be saved, he which hath begun a good work in you, holy spirit, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mercy, not turning back, our second wind day, salvation, shaping us into the image of His son, spiritual maturity, thank God, the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Christian life is not an easy journey, the fragility of modern technology, the genuineness of our faith, the glory of the Lord, the goal of reflecting Christ's character in the world, the potter's wheel, the process of transformation, to a glorious future with Jesus, to see another day on Planet Earth, tough circumstances befalling all, tough times, transforms believers into the likeness of Christ, truth, we all with open face, Wednesday Wail, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake
Matthew 10:22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
And then it was Wednesday, the second wind day of our work week, another beautiful summer’s day! And much to my surprise my key board is working properly and I haven’t done anything to it since yesterday, when it began acting up. Ah Lord eh! Who knows about this modern technology eh? It’s all so fragile and finicky, and suspiciously fails and falls down when you truly need it.
So, since God has spared our lives to see another day on Planet Earth, let’s keep our promise of yesterday, to continue looking at the tough times we can expect when we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. And as we said yesterday, God has an overall Master Plan for all Believer’s lives; that’s conforming or changing us into the image of Christ, so we can become more like Him with each passing day. As Bruh Paul writes to the Corinthians: ‘But we all. With open (unveiled) face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed (being transformed) into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ (2 Cor. 3:18)
And what does all of that mean? This commentary explains it thus: ‘The statement “the Lord changes us into the image of Christ” is a core Christian belief found in the Bible, particularly in 2 Corinthians 3:18. It describes a supernatural process where the Holy Spirit transforms believers into the likeness of Jesus, fostering a progressive change in their character, values, and behavior as they behold God’s glory. This transformation is a lifelong journey, with the goal of reflecting Christ’s character in the world.’
And it is indeed a lifelong journey friends, as the Lord is constantly at His potter’s wheel forming and shaping us into the image of His Son, bit by bit, reminiscent of Bruh Paul’s words to the Philippians on the subject. ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Yes mih bredrin, the Lord will continually work to transform us into the image of Christ until He returns, or He takes us home.
And believe me the Christian life is not an easy journey, for in the first place others will dislike us just because we’re Christians. As Jesus warned the disciples: ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt. 10:22)
Then there are the normal ups and downs of life, with tough circumstances falling on all of us at some time or the other, plus the tests that God Himself will take us through or allow to happen, so He can test the genuineness of our faith, as well as grow us in spiritual maturity. And I like how the above commentary breaks down the Process of Transformation:
‘By the Holy Spirit: The transformation into Christ’s image is a work of the Holy Spirit. From Beholding to Becoming: By continuously “beholding the glory of the Lord” (through God’s word and worship), believers are changed. Progressive Change: The process is not instant but occurs from “one degree of glory to another,” indicating a continuous, ongoing metamorphosis. Renewing the Mind: This spiritual change involves a renewal of the mind, freeing believers from the patterns of the world and conforming them to God’s will.’
And we do go through a metamorphosis like the butterfly changing from a caterpillar to the beautiful creature with gossamer wings. Now, there’s lot’s more to be said, but it would only make the Bit too long and somewhat confusing; just too much to take in at one sitting. (smile) So, again, if the Lord spares our lives, we’ll continue looking at this very important topic of transformation by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ.
And with that final word, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) 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 to encapsulate all of that (smile) there’s an unwritten promise that all who endure to the very end with Jesus, will enjoy an even more glorious future than they can ever imagine or comprehend. So lets’ be wise and endure to the end, so we can enjoy that most glorious future together nuh! Much LOVE!
…it’s unwise to accept Jesus…and not continue with Him to the very end…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
13 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a little of something good is better than none at all, believe in thine heart, believeth on him that sent me, by grace are ye saved through faith, Christ died on the cross to provide salvation, Christ rose for our justification, christianity, confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, cramping my style, endure to the end with Christ, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, faith in Christ, God made a way where there was no way, God raised him from the dead, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn it, God's divine sovereignty, halfway home, hands on the plough, hath everlasting life, he hath not believed, he that believeth not is condemned already, he that believeth on him is not condemned, he that heareth my word, holy spirit, human responsibility, in the name of the only begotten Son of God, in thy mouth and in thy heart, is passed from death into life, it is the gift of God, Jesus Christ, lest any man should boast, LOVE, mercy, no difference between the Jew and the Greek, not of works, not of yourselves, not turning back, prideful person, salvation, salvation by grace through faith, second wind day, shall not come into condemnation, so glad to be alive, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord died for our sins, the parched earth, the same Lord is rich, the scripture says, the word is nigh thee, the word of faith, the world through him might be saved, thou shalt be saved, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, unto all that call upon Him, Wednesday Wail, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, wisdom, with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Romans 10:13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Well hello there Wednesday, you glorious summer’s day! Thanks for showing up and allowing us to catch our second wind in this hot and frustrating work week. And for once the forecasters were right; we did get about ten minutes of rain yesterday afternoon and a lot of noise from Thor on his drums. But unfortunately it made little difference to the parched earth or the temperature, for later in the evening I went outside, intending to sit on my porch and watch the populace go by with their many dogs and few children, but had to come right back inside because it was still too hot to sit out there.
Chuh man! This extremely hot weather is cramping my style. I can’t get to indulge in one of my summer pastimes of sitting on my porch in the evenings and enjoying whatever scene unfurls before me. (smile) I also believe we might have had a little rain sometime during the night, because the streets were wet when I looked outside.at dawn. That didn’t do much to ease the drought either, but we’re surely thankful for what little we got, since the great minds say, a little of something good, is better than none at all. And who am I to challenge them eh? (smile)
Anyway, we’re also very thankful for the breath of life that’s still flowing through us today, so let’s keep our promise of yesterday and continue looking at Bruh Paul’s writing to the Romans on the word of faith, after skillfully using Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 9:4, and 30:10-14, to amplify his own conviction. The last thing we saw yesterday is where he writes: ‘But what saith it? The word is nigh (near) thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.’ (Rom. 10:8)
So, the word of faith, faith in Christ is what Bruh Paul is preaching. Thus he continues: ‘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 is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rom. 10: 10-13)
Now that fact was first prophesied by the prophet Joel, in Joel 2:32. And was later corroborated by Jesus in His talk with Nicodemus. He said to him: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:17-18) So you see friends, condemnation is a must, a certainty, if you don’t believe.
And later on Jesus told the Jews, who were desperately looking for something negative to prosecute Him with. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgement); but is passed from death into life.’ (John 5:24) So why would we be foolish and choose not to believe eh, when all the good things are in believing? Only a foolish, arrogant and very prideful person would do that! And thankfully, we’re none of those things. (smile)
But getting back to that last passage from Romans, the scholars offer some explanations on some of the things said therein. As per Confession is made unto salvation: They say: ‘One is not saved by his mouth’s confession, but rather, the mouth testifies readily of the grace of God in Christ which has been received by faith.’ Remember what Bruh Paul says in Ephesians? ‘For by grace are ye saved (you have been saved) through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ (Eph. 2:8-9)
So all of the grace and saving is not from our strength or power, but as this excerpt from a commentary tells us: ‘By grace, we receive the faith that enables us to believe that He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and provide the salvation … The Lord died for our sins and rose for our justification, and He forgives, freely and fully, those who accept His gift of grace in Christ—and that acceptance comes through faith. This is the meaning of salvation by grace through faith.’
And how do we get this faith that’s oh so necessary to believe? As Bruh Paul says later in Romans 10: ‘So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Rom. 10:17) So we must be introduced to the Word of God to be able to get faith in Him. And the scholars note that ‘it’s not faith in what is heard, but faith that comes about by what is heard.’ So you can hear the word and not have faith, like so many of us today, but when the word touches us, that’s when faith rises up.
And as per verse 13, the scholars explain about ‘Whosoever: As chapter 9 stressed divine sovereignty in salvation, this passage stresses human responsibility. Scripture does not view these two principles as paradoxical or contradictory, but as mutually compatible truths.’ In other words, the Lord’s job was to make salvation possible, but then it’s our responsibility to accept it. And as the scripture says, that salvation is available to ANYONE who shall call upon the Lord’s name, be ye Jew or heathen! What a wonderful God we serve my brethren, making salvation open to ALL of His human creation!
And since we’ve said enough to give us sufficient food for thought, (smile) let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) 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!’
But that’s not all friends, for there’s the promise that all who endure to the end with Jesus will enjoy a future that’s much more glorious than we can ever think or imagine. So please, let’s be wise and endure right to the very end with Jesus nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…God so badly wanted us to spend eternity with Him…that He made a way…where there seemed to be no way…that’s what He also does…in the individual lives of those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
06 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversity, apocalyptic judgement, behold I make all things new, blameless, catch our second wind, children of God, christianity, cleansed from all effects of sin, come like a thief in the night, divine origin, divine purpose, endure to the end with Christ, enjoy eternity with the Father Son and Holy Spirit, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, filled with the strength of Christ, God himself shall be their God, God himself shall be with them, God's promises are true, growing in spiritual maturity, halfway home, hands on the plough, he is faithful to His word, he that sat upon the throne said, holy conversation and godliness, holy spirit, I saw a new heaven and a new earth, increasing our witness for Christ, indisputable truth, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the only one we need, joy, look for new heavens and a new earth, LOVE, mercy, neither sorrow nor crying, no more death, no more pain, no more sea, not turning back, nuclear holocaust, patience, peace, perseverance, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, salvation, shall be burned up, so glad to be alive, thank God, Thank you Jesus, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people, the day of the Lord, the earth and the works therein, the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the end will be even better than the beginning, the eternal habitation of the saved, the final judgement, the former things are passed away, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the holy city, the Millenium, the new Jerusalem, the tabernacle of god is with men, the thousand year reign, they shall be his people, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, warning to live in righteousness, Wednesday Wail, wherein dwelleth righteousness, wipe away all tears, wisdom, without spot, write for these words are true and faithful, you're the Best
Revelation 21:5a. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
And then it was Wednesday…and many of us need to catch our second wind…if we ever caught our first, (smile) what with all the festivities of the past weekend. But the good thing is that being children of God, we have the capacity to handle a lot of work and adversity, because we’re filled with the strength, joy, LOVE, peace, patience and perseverance of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! And all of God’s children said a loud and grateful, ‘Thank You Jesus! You’re the best! The Only One we need, and will ever need!’
And that’s an indisputable truth! All this world needs is Jesus: Jesus in live and living colour! But the powers of the world seem to think otherwise, that’s why our world is going through so much disaster and chaos. Anyway, the good thing is that we know in His good time, Jesus will return to this God-forsaken earth and make it brand new. Remember what Peter says? ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’ (2 Pet. 3:10)
Now that’s when Christ comes back in judgement, not the Rapture, for that day results in the final apocalyptic judgement. By the way, the heavens that shall pass away with a great noise, is merely the atmospheric heavens above the earth, not where the throne of God resides. (smile) And the noise and heat and burning up that Peter refers to, could even be a nuclear holocaust, which we’re not very far from right now, with all the nuclear posturing that’s currently taking place among the nations of this groaning earth!
And because of that possible apocalyptic situation, Peter therefore warns us to live in righteousness. ‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness. Looking for and hasting (hastening) unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.’ (2 Pet. 3:11-14)
Yes friends, since all that stuff is going to happen, and since the Lord has promised on numerous occasions to destroy the wicked from off the earth, that means we have to live to a high standard of peace, LOVE, righteousness and joy, in other words, show true faith in Christ, so that we won’t be cast into hell fire with the wicked. Now that’s the tough side of the equation, but then, there’s also this glorious situation of a new earth and a new heaven, as John explains in the Book of Revelation, where he enthusiastically declares:
‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great shout out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:1-5)
Yes my faithful brethren, that’s what we have to look forward to! As the scholars tell us, that’s ‘the eternal state, following the Millenium (thousand year reign) and the final judgement, centering in the new Jerusalem as the eternal habitation of the saved (cf. Heb. 11:10). The first heaven and the first earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth, predicted by Isaiah (cf. Is. 65:17; 66:22). The present universe will thus be cleansed from all the effects of sin (cf. 2 Pet. 3:7, 1013). Since there will be no more sea, the increased land space will be fully capable of handling large numbers of redeemed people from all ages.
The New Jerusalem is fully described in Rev. 21:10-22:5. It is a holy city, totally separate from sin. It is being prepared as the habitation of the bride of Christ (cf. vs. 9) . From God shows its divine purpose and out of heaven its divine origin. And, as per the Tabernacle of God: The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people. In the eternal state, there will be no tears, death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Everything will become new. God’s promises are true, and He is faithful to His Word. (cf. 19:11).’
What more can I say eh my fellow believers? It’s been explained as fully and simply as possible. And please look up those references, you will find them very pertinent to the scriptures they reference. I obviously don’t have the time or space to spoon feed us with them, as I am won’t to do. (smile) But seriously though, having gotten all that information as to what will happen in the end times, it is therefore very important to ensure that we’re amongst those who will enjoy eternity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
That means, concentrating on increasing our witness for Christ, while growing in spiritual maturity, doing our best to bring souls to Him, and becoming as much like Him as possible. And to show that we are endeavouring to do just that, let’s declare our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most 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 by the way, it’s been further promised, that those who endure to the end with Christ will enjoy an even more glorious future than our finite minds can even imagine or comprehend. So let’s be wise and stand strong in faith for Christ right to the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the end …will be even better…than the beginning…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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