The Importance of Understanding the Futility of War on this Remembrance Day!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   11 November 2026   Isaiah 2:4b.

Isaiah 2:4b.       nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

And it’s a mostly cloudy Wednesday, this Remembrance Day 0f 2026., originally established as Armistice Day in 1919 to remember World War I soldiers. The date marks the official end of the First World War hostilities, which ceased at the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918 (when the armistice between Germany and the Allied forces took effect). However, its meaning expanded after World War II to honor all military personnel who have died in conflicts, wars, and peacekeeping missions worldwide. What a waste of young lives it all was, but the claim is that we were fighting for freedom, for democracy.

Hn! What a joke that’s turned out to be now, when all the political leaders are fighting for dictatorial power, doing their best to consolidate power in their own hands, so they can do whatever they desire. And it’s sad that many people around the world are allowing them to do just that, not realizing or understanding that freedom is never free; it’s something you continually have to fight for, and you can never trust those in power to fight for, or even respect your democratic freedom, because it means lessening their own power.

Some leaders are seeking total power by blatant means, while others are being more underhanded, like enacting big laws, with small ones hidden in them, laws that curtail your freedom and rights, while giving those at the top more leverage to build their hidden agendas. So what freedom did all those soldiers die for eh, when things are rolling right back to either the far right or far left, leaving the populace at the mercy of their greedy and unprincipled leaders. The sad part is that too many of us don’t listen and/or pay attention to what the politicians and other powerbrokers are doing, for they say one thing, then turn around and do something else.

It’s all promises; vain and futile promises, as Cousin Sol would describe them. But as one of my friends would no doubt tell me, ‘that’s progress!’ Well if that’s progress, then you can keep it yes, I certainly don’t want any part of it! And that concludes my rant for today! (smile)

Now let’s turn to poem we recite every Remembrance Day, titled In Flanders Fields.’ It was written in 1915 by Canadian physician and soldier John McCrae. And according to one commentary, “In Flanders Fields” is a poignant war poem that reflects on the sacrifice of soldiers in World War I and the red poppies growing over their graves.’ And it’s become so popular because ‘it deeply captured the collective grief of World War I and transformed a natural image into an enduring symbol of remembrance.’

So, please read the poem with me. ‘In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, LOVED and were LOVED, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.’

Ah friends, it is a touching poem, but it also carries some controversy. The last word of the first sentence was apparently written ‘grow’ but it was changed to ‘blow’ later on to describe the poppies blowing in the wind, giving a more dramatic effect. And the last verse is also claimed as being a warmongering effort, inciting us to keep on fighting, and if we don’t, we’ll be letting down those who died in the war, causing their deaths to be in vain. But despite the controversy, the poem remains popular all over the world and is still recited each Remembrance Day.

And as per the main culprit in it all, ‘WAR?’ Hn! What can we say? Mankind has always had warmongering tendencies, but we don’t think there’s been as many wars going on at the same time in our world as right now. For there are wars all over the universe; both international – between different countries, as well as civil, that’s within individual nations. Strife is so prominent that you have to be very careful where you’re going these days, even for a short vacation. And there are all sorts of references to war in the Bible, even some that God sanctioned to help Israel conquer the promised land. And Cousin Sol in his wisdom even spoke of ‘ a time of war, and a time of peace.’ (Eccl. 3:8b)

Meanwhile Jesus warned us thus: ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers (various) places. And all these are the beginning of sorrow.’  (Matt. 24: 4-8)

Oh my people, this certainly is a time when there’s strife in many different places, and is it ever sorrowful! For so many are unnecessarily suffering from this strife. They don’t have anything to do with it, yet the fall out from the strife is being felt worldwide. And if this is just the beginning of sorrows, per Jesus, then what will it look like as it gets closer to the end eh? I hope I won’t be around to find out.

And Revelation 19:11-16, does speak about Jesus preparing for war, ‘called Faithful and True, sitting on a white horse, eyes as a flame of fire, with many crowns on his head and in righteousness, judging and making war. Clothed in a robe dipped in blood, called the Word of God. And the armies of heaven follow him on white horses, clothed in fine white, clean linen. In his mouth is a sharp sword, to be used to smite nations, then rule them with a rod of iron, while treading the winepress with fierceness and the wrath of Almighty God. And on his robe and thigh was written KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’

But the best scripture on war comes from Isaiah. ‘And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.’ (Is. 2:4b) Oh my brethren, that’s the day we all long for, and it will happen, but only in the Lord’s time. So until then, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the world know of our wonderful position in Jesus Christ.

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 for those who endure to the very end with Jesus, they will experience a future so glorious, that their minds cannot comprehend it. So please, let’s endure to the end with Jesus, so that we can enjoy that incomprehensible glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…war…what is it good for…absolutely nothing…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Knowing and Understanding God’s Great LOVE and Compassion for Them!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   28 October 2026   2 Timothy 1:12b.

2 Timothy 1:12b.       for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.

Oh my people, please don’t get anxious or traumatized because I’m here with you so early on this cloudy, catch our second wind Wednesday morning! There’s a simple reason for this early bus. (smile)  I have to take the duchess to a medical  appointment in the early afternoon hours, that means I don’t know when I’ll be back here, and I didn’t want that interruption to cause us to be on another late bus, to have you waiting for the words of wisdom that come from my puny mind with God’s help. (smile)

And today we’ll look at the wonderful poem for October 28, from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s simply titled ‘I Do Know!’ Now, I don’t know whether I’ve ever shared it before, and when I read it just now it didn’t seem familiar, but it certainly touched my soul and I’m overjoyed to share it, and once you read it, you’ll see why. So please pray with me. ‘There is much I cannot begin to fathom concerning the vast, indescribable universe created by our majestic God. There is much I will never comprehend. I want to sing and shout, so utterly overwhelmed I am with the magnitude of God.

But I do know with confident certainty that I belong to the God of the universe – the Creator of all that exists. I know that I, a mere mortal, am forever linked to divine destiny. I know that my life has purpose and dignity. I know that God has chosen me as the object of His lavish LOVE; that His thoughts toward me are thoughts of kindness and mercy; that He has inscribed me in the palms of his hands. I know that all the LOVE of the Father, and the life of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit are freely, inseparably mine – now and throughout all eternity. This I do know!’

And now you understand why it touched me. It just puts what we know in a somewhat different perspective. And by the way, it wasn’t written in poem form, but in ordinary prose with proper paragraph indentations. (smile) And that might be one of the reasons it’s so effective, because it just flows freely on. And are the sentiments ever so wonderful, beginning with the idea that our minds are too small to comprehend the vastness of the ‘indescribable universe created by our majestic God.’

Now we all know that to be true, as stated in so many scriptures like: ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament (expanse of heaven) sheweth his handywork (the work of his hands).’ (Ps.19:1) Then Isiah declares: ‘Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth (is missing).’ (Is. 40:26) Yes friends, the universe is all God’s creation!

And what about that ‘constant certainty’ that we belong to the God of the universe – the Creator of all that exists? Unfortunately, that’s something a lot of us believers still don’t understand or can’t even imagine, how this great God, Creator of the universe can acknowledge mere mortals like us seemingly insignificant beings. But we’re not insignificant. Certainly not to the God who created us. And because He created us from a deep and abiding LOVE, we are ‘forever linked to divine destiny.’

Wow! And because of that our lives have purpose and dignity, and He has chosen us as objects of His lavish LOVE. What could be more important that that eh? And it’s borne out by one of my favourite scriptures, that from Romans 5:8, where Bruh Paul confidently declares: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrates) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ What a wonderful God! He didn’t wait for us to clean up ourselves to show His awesome LOVE for us. No! He did it while we were yet filthily clothed with sin!

No wonder ‘His thoughts toward me are of kindness and mercy,’ as He says in His Word. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity) to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) That clearly shows God’s heart for us. But my fellow believers, what can show greater LOVE than ‘inscribing us in the palms of His hands?’ Nothing really! As Jesus says in the gospel of John: ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.’ (John 15:13-4)

Yes, Jesus was so into us, that He was willing to sacrifice His sinless life for those who believe in and willingly follow Him. As He said to Thomas when he doubted. ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing.’ (John 20:27) And the scripture verse on which the poem was based is a most reassuring one from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.’ (2 Tim. 1:12)

So should we also be trusting of Christ for the assurance of salvation on that day when we stand before Him at the judgement seat. And all of the above can only draw us to one conclusion: ‘that all the LOVE of the Father, and the life of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit are freely, inseparably mine – now and throughout all eternity.’ Now there could be no better feeling, nothing more uplifting and reassuring than knowing that we belong to the Creator of the universe and will share the wonderful LOVE of the Holy Trinity, now and forever!

So with that wonderful feeling of divine LOVE and assurance flowing through our souls, spirts and bodies, 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 please remember that to all who endure with Jesus to the very end, an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine has been promised. So let’s be wise and endure right to the end with our wonderful Lord and Saviour, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…God’s amazing LOVE for mankind…has been shown both in His Word and His actions toward us…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians NOT Worrying, NOT being Afraid, and KEEPING Anger under Control!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   21 October 2026   Proverbs 14:29.

Proverbs 14:29.       ‘He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit (impulsive, short of spirit) exalteth folly.’

And it’s another beautiful autumn day in my neighbourhood! The Lord’s certainly blessing us with good weather, and let’s hope we catch our second wind on this glorious Wednesday, so we can continue doing good work for Him. Now, since the Lord blessed us life again today, let’s keep yesterday’s vow to continue looking at the scriptural attributes of the Christian D. Larson poem ‘Promise Yourself.’ And yesterday, we’d stopped at the last verse of the poem, which says to promise ourselves ‘To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.’

Oh boy, that verse points to all kinds of scriptures. ‘To be too large for worry,’ coincides with Jesus’ teaching on the subject in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for (do not worry about) your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat (food), and the body than raiment (clothing)? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought (worrying) can add one cubit unto his stature (height)?

And why take ye thought for (worry about) raiment (clothing)? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed (clothed) like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe (clothes) the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought (do not worry), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow (don’t worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient into the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt. 6:25-34)

There we have it friends; Jesus’ treatise on worry. And I know it’s difficult not worry, especially in these oppressive and turbulent times, but if we follow Jesus’ formula, we will not be consumed by worry, and that will give us time to concentrate on the necessary things, like God and His righteousness.

Then, there’s ‘too noble for anger.’ And there are so many scriptures that talk about not letting anger control us, that we can only address a couple of the more well known ones. Like this one from Bruh David in Psalm 37. ‘Cease (refrain) from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm).’ (Ps. 37:8) Then Cousin Sol offers this gem from Proverbs. ‘He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit (impulsive, short of spirit) exalteth folly.’ (Prov. 14:29) That means we need to control our tempers and thus our anger, otherwise we’ll look and be considered foolish.

Now, here’s this other practical gem from Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:’ (Eph. 4:26) And that’s wonderful advice my brethren, as the scholars say: ‘Sinful anger is to be replaced by (briefly held) righteous indignation, that the devil may not be given an opportunity.’ Yes, our anger ought to be short lived, and never go to bed angry, because it will disturb our sleep and we’ll most likely also wake up angry, thus starting our day on the wrong foot.

And when we come to promising ourselves to be ‘too strong for fear,’ well there are even more scriptures on that than on anger. So let’s quote a few of them, beginning with this well known verse from Isaiah, where he encourages his people Israel. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ (Is. 41:10) Then there’s this marvellous verse from Bruh David in Psalm 23. ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ (Ps. 23:4)

Meanwhile, the author of Hebrews, having relayed the Lord’s promise to never to leave nor forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) then confidently declares: ‘So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall (can) do unto me.’ (Heb. 13:6) And we have the gumption to not fear also based on these 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 it’s worthwhile to note that during His time on earth Jesus was always chiding those around Him about their fear, or encouraging them not to fear, like these two scriptures illustrate. The first one deals with Jesus and His disciples  crossing the sea of Galilee and a big storm suddenly arises, while Jesus sleeps in the stern of the boat apparently unaware of the storm. In terrible fear, the disciples awaken Him. Jesus gets up, rebukes the wind and calms the sea, then says to the disciples: ‘Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?’ (Mark 4:40)

Then, on the way to heal the daughter of the synagogue leader Jairus, Jesus hears him being told that his daughter had died, He turns and simply says to Him: ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’ (Mark 5:36) Those are words we all ought to take  to heart in these evil and ungodly times. Now, please note that fear is a natural human occurrence, and the Lord expects us to be afraid at times, however, the problem is what do we do, and where we go when we’re afraid? The Lord expects us to come to Him in times of fear, because He is able to handle any fear that consumes us, as He so assertively says to Joshua.

‘Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:9) And that’s a wonderful scripture for us to ponder on today, as we go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous 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 for those who endure to the very end with Jesus, it’s been promised they’ll enjoy an even more glorious future than our finite brains can comprehend. So please, let’s endure to the very end, so that we can endure that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…in living for Jesus…we don’t need to worry, be angry, or fearful…for He has us well protected…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding the Major Role that Faith Plays in Their Lives!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   14 October 2026   Hebrews 11:1.

Hebrews 11:1.         Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.

Ah mih people, we’re on a bit of a late bus today, because I was up early, then went out to my Wednesday church group and ran a couple of errands afterwards, so by the time I got back home, I was tired and had to rest a spell to catch my second wind. (smile) Let’s hope we all do that today, so we can keep on doing good work for Jesus.

And today we’ll look at an interesting prayer from the Hour of Power 50th Anniversary Book of Daily Motivation and Inspiration, with writings by the late Dr. Robert H. Schuller. It’s a short prayer simply titled, ‘Faith.’ Please pray with me: ‘Lord, I believe in the sun, even when it’s behind the clouds; in the seed, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground; in faith, even when I have been betrayed; in LOVE, even when I have been rejected; in hope, even when I have been hurt; in God, even when you do not answer my prayers. Amen.’

And to be a true Christian you must believe in al those things, even when you don’t see them, or when you feel them, or when God’s says no. That’s because we have faith; faith in Almighty God and the truth of His word and His promises. And why do we have faith? We have faith because we simply need to believe that what God says is true, since we don’t see everything He says or does in our time frame. Remember His thoughts and ways are both higher and different than ours, (Is. 55:8-9) therefore not everything He does or doesn’t do we’ll understand, so something is necessary for us to believe Him and His doings. We call that thing faith.

And what is faith? Hebrews tells us that ‘Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1) Now all that basically means is believing for things that you don’t see, but expect them to happen, because God promised them. The world says ‘seeing is believing,’ but God says, ‘believing is seeing,’ or you see it when you believe it. That’s why we can believe in the sun, even when we don’t see it on cloudy days, because we know it’s still there, just not visible because of the clouds.

God promised the Israelites, through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light, which divideth (disturbs) the sea when (and) the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.’  (Jer. 31:35-36) Yes friends, the Lord promised that if the sun, moon and stars ever disappear, then so will the nation of Israel. And it takes faith to believe in the faithfulness of God!

It’s the same thing with the seed that remains unsprouted in the ground. Jesus tells it thus: ‘So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast his seed into (upon) the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (grain in the head). But when the fruit is brought forth (ripens), immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.’ (Mark 4:26-29)

Yes friends, we sow the seeds, and they eventually sprout, how, we don’t know, but we believe by faith that they will sprout and produce a harvest, because God’s promised that when we sow good seeds in good soil they will grow. It’s also like James remind us about the value of patience and prayer. ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and later rain. Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (comes nearer every day).’ (James 5:7-8)

Ah mih bredrin, patience plays a large part in faith, for we oftentimes have to wait for things we desire, just like the farmer waits long months for the seed to grow and produce a harvest. In other words, faith is impossible without a large dose of patience. (smile) And as Christians, even when we’re betrayed, rejected or hurt, we’re still expected to stand strong in faith, hope and LOVE, for the Lord has promised that He will repay, comfort and restore us in times of trouble.

Remember Bruh Paul’s words from Romans. ‘Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire (shame) on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom. 12:19-21) That means we’re not to take personal revenge against those who do us wrong, but leave it all in God’s hand. And the ‘it was written,’ pertains to Deut. 32:35, when Moses first told that to the Israelites.

Remember also, the Lord’s promise in Isaiah: ‘To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, (console them) to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.’ (Is. 61:3)

And I like how this overview breaks down that promise. ‘Beauty for Ashes: Replaces dust and ashes—ancient symbols of grief, mourning, and repentance—with a crown, garland, or diadem of beauty. Oil of Joy for Mourning: Replaces sorrow and weeping with gladness and comfort. Garment of Praise for Heaviness: Replaces a spirit of despair, heaviness, or faintness with festive praise and thanksgiving. Trees of Righteousness: Describes those who receive this restoration as strong “oaks of righteousness” planted by the Lord for His glory.’

And friends, we’ve left the best for last; that’s LOVE; God’s greatest attribute. And Bruh Paul rightfully testifies to the values and worth of LOVE in 1 Cor. 13:, then finally makes this declaration: ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity (LOVE), but the greatest of these three is charity (LOVE).’ (1 Cor, 13:13) Peter then puts it all together by saying: ‘And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.’ (1 Pet. 4:8) And that’s why LOVING God and LOVING ourselves and our neighbours are the greatest commandments! (Matt. 22:36-40)

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 those who endure to the very end with Jesus, will experience such a glorious future that it will boggle our finite minds. So let’s be wise and endure to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…the essence of a Christian’s belief system…is rooted and grounded in faith…in Almighty God…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Being True Disciples of Christ in all Walks of Life!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   16 September 2026   Matthew 10:38.

Matthew 10:38.        And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

And then it was Wednesday; our second wind day. Let’s hope we all catch our second wind, so that we can go on doing good work for Jesus, because that’s our bounden duty as His disciples. Now some of you might query the use of the word disciple with our modern day roles in Jesus, but if we look at the meaning of the word as provided by the Cambridge dictionary, we’ll see that it’s still totally appropriate to these modern times. And the dictionary defines ‘a disciple as a dedicated learner, student, or follower who accepts and tries to live according to the teachings of a leader or master.’

And isn’t that what we’re doing today; living and learning according to the teachings of Jesus Christ? At least that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. And this overview describes discipleship in Christianity thus: ‘A disciple is a committed follower of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, it most often refers to the people who walked, learned, and lived with Jesus during his ministry, which included his twelve core Apostles. Today, it describes any Christian striving to follow Christ’s example.’ And as supposed Christians in today’s world, that’s exactly what we’re supposed to be striving for!

Now, just for good measure, let’s see what Jesus had to say on the topic. He declared: ‘If any man will follow (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) Ah mih people, there’s nothing to misunderstand in Jesus’ statement. He made it quite clear that following Him, or being His disciple was a daily duty, embracing whatever challenges might come our way, as we strive to live the way He desires us to live. So, if we’re not embracing our challenges every day, taking up our crosses daily and doing as He desires, then we’re not truly disciples or followers of Christ.

And according to Christ in the gospel of Matthew: ‘And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.’ (Matt. 10:38) Another very clear statement. If we cannot take up our cross on a daily basis and follow Christ, then we’re certainly not worthy of His name or benefits. And the scholars raise an interesting point here about ‘Taketh not his cross: This is the first mention of the cross in the New Testament. It was the custom for the condemned man to carry his cross on the way to his execution. There is plenty of evidence that our Lord anticipated the mode of His death.’

Thankfully though, very few, if any of us will die by such sadistic and tortuous means today. So that’s one less thing we need to worry about. (smile) And I like how this Overview draws from several different documents and authorities, the key reasons for Jesus calling the disciples. Those reasons were: ‘To be with Him: Jesus wanted a personal, relational community. They lived, traveled, and ate together so the disciples could learn His teachings and observe His way of life. To preach and teach: He trained them to share the message of the kingdom of God with others.

To have authority and power: He empowered them to heal the sick and cast out demons as visible signs of God’s work. To become “fishers of people”: He called them to transition from their everyday jobs, like fishing or collecting taxes, to drawing people into faith. To build the foundation of the Church: The twelve chosen apostles symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel. They served as eyewitnesses to His resurrection and future leaders who would carry the Christian Message worldwide.’

And yuh know what friends, those are the same reasons for our partaking in discipleship today. We still need to have a personal relationship with Jesus so that we can learn His teachings and His ways, so that we can share the message of His good news gospel, with the Holy Spirit that dwells within each believer, enabling us to have the extraordinary power of Christ, so that we can do extraordinary things in His name. Unlike those first disciples though, we don’t all have to give up our regular jobs to become ‘fishers of men’, for today we are expected to fish for people in whatever regular job we do.

In fact, wherever we go we must be on the lookout for opportunities to spread Christ’s good news and try to attract people to His wise and most worthwhile cause, which is all a part of building His church and taking the Christian message worldwide. And one last thing about Christ’s call to discipleship. The Overview tells us about the nature of Christ’s selection. The disciples were intentionally chosen. ‘Jesus did not pick the religious elite or the most educated scholars. He chose ordinary, flawed people—including fishermen and a tax collector—to show that God works through unexpected people.’ And believe me people, God is still doing that today, working through flawed people like you and me!

It’s like Bruh Paul writes about Preaching Christ Jesus the Lord in 2 Corinthians. ‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God who commanded light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’ (2 Cor. 4:5-7)

As the scholars say: ‘In the wilderness under the old covenant, God’s presence dwelt in a tent. Today He dwells in the believer’s heart. This is unspeakable truth and forms a theological basis for holy living (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 – our bodies are not ours, but the temples of the Holy Ghost, that we were bought with a price, so live to glorify God in our bodies and spirits). But the stress here is on earthen. An earthenware jar is brittle. It depicts humanity in its weakness. The gospel is not a product of human genius or clever intellect (humanity in its strength). Yet it resides in men of clay, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’

Yes mih bredrin, although we are fragile and brittle, God still cherishes us so much that He allows His wonderful Word to live in our bodies. And that’s why we can 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 if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then it’s promised that we will experience an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine. So let’s be wise and stick with Jesus right to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…being a true disciple of Jesus…is the wisest decision a human being can ever make…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Knowing They Now Belong to God, through the Shed Blood of Christ!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   2 September 2026   1 Corinthians 19b-20a.

1 Corinthians 19b-20a.        and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price:

It’s a cloudy, rainy, second wind Wednesday morning, but most importantly, it’s a warm day! Yes my faithful brethren, the early days of September have stayed warm, so we have no need to be aggrieved. (smile) A little rain and dark clouds never hurt anyone yet, so let’s be glad that we’re alive and living in a fairly, strife-free society, and give the Lord much thanks and praise for the many blessings He’s bestowed on us. And all God’s children said a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His holy Name! Amen!’

And to help us catch our second wind, we’re going to check out an interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, simply titled ‘Indelible Ink.’ Now, it’s the poem dedicated to September second. Remembering that the last poem we did was on the actual day dedicated to it, I decided to see if today’s poem would also be suitable and it was not one we had recently used. And to tell the truth I don’t know if we have used it before, (smile) but we’ll do so today.

So please read with me: ‘I LOVE her exuberance, Lord, Her refreshing spontaneity. I smile when I think How she rushed into the house (Blue eyes aglow) And thrust her new book Into my hands: “Please write my name on my book In great big letters So everybody knows It belongs to me.” Yes, Lord Yes. I want that too. Write Your name On the chapters of my life – My thoughts Motives Secret dreams … Write Your name On my total being So everybody knows I belong to You. And Lord Indelible ink, please.’

Oh friends isn’t that a most wonderful sentiment! It surely is! Just like a young child is exuberant when they get new book and wants their name written in it, so that everyone knows it’s theirs, we should also want the Lord’s name written on our lives, on each and every chapter, so that everyone knows we belong to Him, lock, stock and barrel! And please note we want it written in indelible ink, meaning it cannot be erased. (smile)

The truth though is that many of us don’t want anyone else to know that we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, for although we claim to believe in Him, there’s still that little fear of what people will say if they know. Perhaps they’ll call me a ‘Jesus freak,’ or laugh at me and don’t invite me to their gatherings because they fear that I will only want to talk about Jesus and scriptures, and/or expose their sinful habits. It’s like Bruh Paul says in Ephesians. ‘And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them.’ (Eph. 5:11)

Yuh see friends, it works both ways. We’re afraid of what others would say, but they are also wary about how we’ll affect them. However, we should never be ashamed of proclaiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour for remember what Jesus said to the disciples when He was sending them out to preach: ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 10:32-33)

That’s how it is! If you are proud to talk about Jesus before mankind, then He’ll also put in a good word for you to His heavenly Father. But if you’re too afraid to talk about Him to unbelievers, then He’ll not put in a good word for you with His Father in heaven. Yes, working for Jesus can be hard and dangerous, but He’s asking us, His followers, to stay brave and openly admit our faith, even when people around us are hostile.

And we do have a great responsibility to do that as noted by the Bible verses for today’s poem which come from 1 Corinthians. ‘What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.’ (1 Cor. 6:19-20) That says it all my fellow believers! Once we claim Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we no longer belong to ourselves, but to Him, because He paid for our sins and salvation with the awesome price of His shed blood on Calvary.  

And in the next chapter, when talking about marriage, Bruh Paul again makes the point. ‘For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.’ (1 Cor. 7:22-24)

And Peter is also forceful and adamant on the subject. ‘Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible (perishable) things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (aimless conduct) received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who was verily foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest (revealed) in these last times to you. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.’ (1 Pet. 1:18-21)

Ah mih people, Christ gave His all for us, and the least we can do is give our all for Him. So lets’ go home now 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 it’s promised that if we endure to the end with Christ, we will enjoy a future so glorious that we cannot ever comprehend or imagine it. So please, let’s stay faithful to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…you can’t be a Christian…and deny or be ashamed of Christ…the One who saved you…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians having a Heart that’s Sincerely Right and True with God!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   5 August 2026   Psalm 78:37.

Psalm 78:37.        For their heart was not right (steadfast) with him, neither were they steadfast (faithful) in his covenant.

Oh boy! Another bright, sunshiny, cool summer’s day in my neighbourhood! August so far has just been marvellous, except for the one rainy day on Sunday. Let’s hope and pray that it stays this nice for all of the month, because you know after this, it’s all downhill to the cold months. But as children of the Most High God Jehovah, those minor things like cold months and winter weather don’t bother us, for we can handle any situation that comes against us, through the outstanding grace and mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who strengthens and directs us! Therefore, like the psalmist, we will say every day: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps;118:24)

And I’m chuckling here, as I think how bold and brave we’ll be until Mother nature blasts us with a winter storm and we get caught in the middle of it, struggling to get home or to work. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, until then let’s be brave and bold and confident in our wonderful God. And all God’s children said a loud and grateful, ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His Holy Name, for He has certainly been good to us, the undeserving children of men!’

And that’s for sure my faithful brethren, Almighty God has been good to us when all He had was reason to destroy us, and we should be ever so thankful for His grace and mercy, His compassions to us His sinful creation, which like Jeremiah says in his Lamentations: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) And Jeremiah’s statement is corroborated by the prophet Malachi, when he declares on the Lord’s behalf. ‘For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.’ (Mal. 3:6)

And that faithful compassion of our God is seen even more in this passage from Psalm 78, where the psalmist Asaph describes his people’s sinful behaviour in the wilderness and God’s response. He says: ‘But he (God), being full of compassion forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. How oft did they provoke (rebel against) him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand (his delivering power), nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.’ (Ps. 78:38-42)

And yuh know what my people, sadly, in these comfortable and wealthy times, we are behaving the same way the Israelites did back in the wilderness. We’ve either forgotten what the Lord did for us, or simply take Him for granted, and only seem to remember Him when troubles come against us, then we’re quick to cry: ‘O God, help me!’ But other than that we only pay lip service to Him. We again behave like the Israelites did.

‘When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early (sought diligently) after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right (steadfast) with him, neither were they steadfast (faithful) in his covenant.’ (Ps. 78:34-37) And when we look around today’s world that is exactly what we’re seeing too much of; supposed believers not being faithful and true to Almighty God, only paying lip service, while their hearts are rampaging after the things of Satan and this odious world.

And foolishly, many of us think that the Lord doesn’t know what we’re truly about when we come to Him with insincere pleas and requests, forgetting what he said to Samuel so long ago, when He sent him to anoint Bruh David to be the future king of Israel. Samuel saw the eldest of Jesse’s son, Eliab, looking strong and handsome and thought that he must be the one. ‘But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused (rejected) him; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ (1 Sam. 16:7)

Yes my people, the Lord looks at the state of our hearts before He does anything else, so although we can fool each other with our external looks and talk, we cannot fool Almighty God. And the sooner some of us recognize that colossal fact, the better off we will all be. That reminds us of this other difference between us and the Lord, as He says through Isaiah. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void (empty, without fruit), but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.’ (Is. 55:8-11)

That’s the truth in spades my fellow believers: the Lord’s thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours, and His word will never return to him fruitless, but will do whatever He desires it to. Those are a couple more lessons that we either need to learn or remember in these lawless and deceitful times. 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 if we endure to the end with Christ, then it’s been promised that the future will be even more glorious than we can ask 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!

…we cannot fool the Lord…for He is our Creator…thus He knows everything about us…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Unity in Christ’s Church if It is to be Successful!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   29 July 2026   John 17:22.

John 17:22.         And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one:

So it’s Wednesday, our second wind day; another beautiful, hot, sunshiny, summer’s day with a cool breeze rustling through the trees, and hopefully it will reenergize us all to go out and do good work for Jesus. And all God’s people said a loud and grateful, ‘Bless His Holy Name, for He is indeed the Greatest!’ And so He is my people, Jesus, the one and ONLY Superstar in this vast universe! For He created it, then He turned around and sacrificed His sinless life to save it. What more can we ask eh? Absolutely nothing!

But Jesus, in His awesome generosity gave us more, when He prayed to His heavenly Father on our behalf. Halfway through the prayer, He declares: ‘And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil (the evil one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes, I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.’ (John 17:13-19)

Yes friends, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be set apart for God’s purposes, and kept out of the evil one’s reach, while going into the world to carry out their mission as the church, which corresponded to Christ’s mission, of saving souls, bringing them to God the Father. But that wasn’t all. Jesus in His amazing foresight prayed for us too, those who would come after. He says to the Father: ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.’ (John 17:20-21)

Oh my fellow believers, please notice that last statement; ‘that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.’ That means Jesus is depending on us, His supposed loyal followers, to live and behave in a certain manner so that the world can believe through us, that the Father sent Him to save the world! Yuh see the great responsibility we have; Jesus as a physical man, could not be all over the place at the same time, but through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, He can be in numerous places at the same time. That’s why He called us the salt of the earth and the light of the world, bequeathing His properties to us so that we can do His work. In other words: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:16)

Unfortunately though, it doesn’t seem that we’re doing a good job in that respect because our world is becoming more evil and ungodly with each passing day. Our salt appears to be rather flavourless, and our light very dim, therefore the world’s not paying much attention to us. And one of the big reasons for that is because we’re not in unity, as Christ so earnestly prayed that we’d be. Listen, as He continues. ‘And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast LOVED them, as thou hast LOVED me.’ (John 17:22-23)

Yes friends, Jesus emphasized our oneness in spiritual unity, but the truth is we’re neither one in spiritual nor organizational unity, with the many different doctrines we preach and the numerous denominations we have been broken into, all as supposed children of the same One God. That disunity of both spirit and organization will never encourage a disbelieving, evil world to turn to Christ in any worthwhile numbers. And until we can draw closer together, both in spiritual and organizational unity, our chances for being the true salt of the earth and light of the world will indeed be negligible. Meaning our world will continue its disastrous spiral down into the mire of Satan’s evil domain.

Oh my people, Christianity is a Oneness in Christ! It’s like Bruh Paul says, when he compares the church to the human body. ‘For we have many members (parts) in one (human) body, and all members have not the same office (function): So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one (individually) members one of another.’ (Rom. 12:4-5) That means that the members of the church, or body of Christ have different gifts and functions, but are supposed to work together like one, as our human body does.

And until we sincerely believe and begin behaving like one body, working together in both unity of spirt and organization, all our little separate efforts won’t make a whole lot of difference to the overall scene. Let’s remember that where there’s unity, there’s strength, and disunity only breeds futility or ineffectiveness. 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 it’s been promised that those who endure to the very end with Christ will enjoy an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine. Let’s therefore be wise and stick with Christ to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together nuh! Much LOVE!

…the church in Christ is ONE body…let’s make it function like ONE…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Believers Standing Strong In Faith During the Last Days!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   22 July 2026   Luke 18:8b.

Luke 18:8b.        Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Oh, what a month July has been climate wise; from heat warnings, to air quality warnings to thunderstorms and now to windstorms. Yes we had a dilly of a thunderstorm yesterday evening, one very worthy of the name for Thor, the God of Thunder, like a crazy rock drummer banged his whatever incessantly for almost an hour straight. And even after the rain had eased up, Thor was still there carrying on. (smile) It’s the loudest and longest bout of thunder I’ve heard in a long while. And then today, our second wind Wednesday, the temperature has dropped and the wind is causing havoc amongst the trees. So what’s next eh?

Let’s hope that the rain helped to decrease the forest fires up north and thus increase our air quality. And anyone over twenty years of age, who doesn’t believe that climate change is real, had better get their head examined. Anyway, today we’ll look at a rather interesting question Jesus asked when telling the parable of the Persistent Widow. ‘Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?’ (Luke 18:8b) Now that’s a very good question especially with the increasing evil and ungodliness of our times.

It seems that Jesus was encouraging persistent prayer, and possibly warning about spiritual apathy, predicting a period of widespread faithlessness rather than universal belief before the end of the age. And, as per this overview, ‘true, unwavering faith will be exceptionally rare and difficult to find during the turbulent period preceding His return. Rather than a guaranteed mass revival, the scripture points toward a time of widespread spiritual complacency and hardship, though Jesus reassures His followers that He will always find a faithful remnant who have held fast.’

And that’s no lie! Regardless of how evil, ungodly and difficult times become, there will always be a small, surviving, faithful few who will rise above it all and stand strong for Jesus. There’s absolutely no doubt about that! However, all through the New Testament, we find warnings of apostasy; warnings against falling away from the faith due to persecution or deception, and prophetic descriptions of widespread spiritual rebellion in the last days. Jesus Himself warned us when talking about false prophets and teachers.

And having mentioned the wars and rumours of war plus all the other disasters that will befall the earth before he returns, (Matt. 24:4-9) Jesus declares: ‘And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the LOVE of many shall wax (grow) cold. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.’ (Matt. 24:10-13) And we’re certainly seeing a lot of that right now, as our world daily becomes more evil and ungodly.

Meanwhile Bruh Paul mentioned the falling away several times in his letters, especially to Timothy.  In his first letter, talking about teaching no other doctrines but what he’s heard from him (Paul), he says; ‘This charge (command) I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee (previously made concerning you), that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away (rejected) concerning faith have made (suffered) shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.’ (1 Tim. 1:18-20)

And as the scholars explain: ‘Because some rejected their inner moral voice of conscience, they have strayed far from the truth of God into theological heresy. Often religious error has its roots in moral rather than intellectual causes.’  Then later in that first letter Bruh Paul warns Timothy about false teachers. ‘Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing (deceiving) spirits, and doctrines of devils: Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats (foods), which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained (carefully followed).’ (1 Tim. 4:1-6)

Ah mih bredrin, if you think it’s rough out there right now, think again, because it will apparently get even rougher.  And the scholars offer these explanations. As per speaking lies in hypocrisy, they say, ‘the demons of verse 1 expound their doctrines, not directly, but indirectly through such human ministers. These are further described as having their conscience seared with a hot iron, that is branded (scarred) in their conscience. Permanently defaced, the moral life of these hypocrites is scarred by sin as they carry around the awareness of their guilt, yet continue preaching to others. Two examples of demonic doctrines are cited here, prohibition against marriage, and abstaining from certain foods.’ Meanwhile God made man for marriage, and all foods created by God for man are good, sanctified through prayer and thanksgiving.

And the final warning from Bruh Paul to Timothy comes in his second letter, as he reminds him to preach the word. ‘I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.’ (2 Tim. 4:1-5)

Yes friends, we’re seeing a lot of that right now; lots of teachers who are appealing to itching ears; that’s telling people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. And it’s so sad that the word of God is being manipulated to give us good feelings rather than the truth we need to hear. But that’s all a part of getting to the end times and Jesus’ return. So let’s make sure that we don’t fall for those demon inspired preachers and stay the course with the truth of God’s Word. Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Jesus Christ.

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 if we stick right to the very end with Jesus, then we’ll enjoy a more glorious future than we can ask or imagine. So let’s stick close to Him like white on rice nuh, so we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…staying in faith is not easy…but the rewards are enormous…and certainly worth the pressure…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding the Need to Speak Blessings over God, Themselves and Each Other!

Today’s Scrip-Bit   15 July 2026   Numbers 6:24.

Numbers 6:24.        The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

So we’ve come to Wednesday, our second wind day, and it’s a completely different day to yesterday; not as hot and very cloudy, as though rain’s in the offing. And wouldn’t that be a wonderful blessing for the parched earth. Unfortunately though, with climate change supposedly in action, you can’t take anything for granted; the day might look one way and then turn out to be entirely different.

Oh, the duchess just informed me that the cloudiness outside was not a harbinger of heavenly blessings, but of smoke from wildfires burning in the province. Hn, Hn! And there I was ever so wisely forecasting rain. (smile) But regardless of what kind of day it turns out to be, let’s make sure and catch our second wind so that we can continue doing good work for Christ! And all God’s children said, ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’

And today we’re going to look at an interesting topic, that of praying for Family and LOVED Ones, as set out in a prayer card from the In Touch Organization. So please pray with me: ‘God, please bless my family and friends. I trust them to Your infinite wisdom and LOVE. Provide for their needs and protect them. Draw them close to You. For those who don’t know You, Please open their eyes to salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Show me where I need to purify my heart or seek forgiveness. Make me a blessing to each one – LOVING, encouraging,, and helping wherever I can. Thank You for all the ways You tenderly care for us. Amen.’

Yes my brethren, praying for friends and families is one of our most important duties, entrusting their lives to God to look after them, like He looks after us. We’re also supposed to bless them. We ought to speak a blessing over ourselves, our families and our friends every day when and where possible. Please don’t allow any of your resident family to go out each day without praying a blessing over them.

And the scriptural basis for this prayer all began way back when the Lord instructed Moses about speaking blessings over the children of Israel. ‘And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee (look on you with favour), and give thee peace.’ (Num. 6:22-26)

Wow! Only a wonderful and LOVING God would ever detail that kind of directive to His people. And that’s the amazing kind of God we serve my people! Give Him thanks and praise for being so wonderful to us the undeserving children of men!

And the scholars offer an interesting explanation of that blessing. They say: ‘The special blessing of the Lord upon His people was pronounced by Aaron, the high priest, and by subsequent priests of the Lord. Known as the “priestly blessings” or “Aaronic blessing”, it was pronounced with hands lifted up (Lev. 9:22). In later Jewish tradition, the blessing was pronounced at the conclusion of the morning and evening sacrifice. The form of the blessing consists of three sentences of two parts each. The Lord bless you, and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you (look on you with favour), and give you peace.

Illustration:  The early church fathers viewed the blessing as a reflection of the Trinity. The first part the work of the Father, the second part the work of the Son, and the third part the work of the Holy Spirit. Application: The significance of the blessing indicates the special relationship between God and His people which is mediated by the one pronouncing the blessing, as can be seen in Jesus’ Beatitudes of blessing (Matt, 5:3-12; cf. Deut. 9:1).’  

And we certainly see the blessedness of Jesus in the 8 blessings of the Beatitudes, describing the spiritual characteristics of one who has been saved and attempts to live a godly life. And blessings were also important to Bruh Paul, who in every letter he wrote in the Bible, except in Romans, early on, he introduces a form of blessing like this: ‘Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Then He gave thanks for them being a part of the church and believers in Christ Jesus.

And there are many other blessings to be found in the scriptures, so let’s look at a couple of them, as space and time permit. And we all know this famous one from Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:7) Then in John’s third epistle, writing to his friend Gaius, he declares: Beloved, I wish above all things (I pray that in all things) that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth.’ (3 John 1:2)

Meanwhile Psalm 1 tells us: ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law he doth meditate (ponder) day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (streams) of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’ (Ps. 1:1-3)

Yes my people, those who live and work for the Lord are indeed blessed, and we must also remember to pour out our blessings on God, on ourselves, our families and LOVED ones, and even those we don’t really know, for we never know what difference a simple blessing can make to a hurting or discouraged soul. Now, let’s declare 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 an even more than glorious future awaits those who endure to the very end with Jesus. I plead with us to be wise and do just that, so we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…God blesses us…so that we can bless others…

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