02 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a chance to serve Jesus, Absalom, against mine enemies, anxiety, asthma, aura of love, blessings, Bruh David, Comforter, confidence, encourager, eternal life, evil, faith, fear, fellowship, glorious kingdom, God's promise, God's protection, Guide, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, I am the Lord thy God, I will be with thee, I will not be afraid, if God is for us who can be against us, invincible, Isaiah, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, loving kindness, Monday Morning, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Oh Lord God Almighty, Panaorama, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, saints of Jesus, sense of purpose, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, Super Bowl, tarred and feathered, the fire shall not scorch thee, the Holy One of Israel, the only redeemer, the rivers shall not overflow thee, thou wilt revive me, though I walk in the midst of trouble, thy right hand shall save me, ungodly world, when thou passest through the waters, while there is life there is hope, wisdom
Psalm 138:7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
And so it is Monday once again Friends! That beautiful day that we are all beginning to like, (smile) because we finally realize that it is a big day in our lives, with a return to work and also an expanded chance to serve Jesus; to tell others about Him, and to show the wonderful things that He stands for, by the way we behave and react to the outside world.
All glory be to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Yes my people, it’s a brand new day, with brand new blessings and mercies specifically prepared and planned for today, so let’s gratefully accept them, so that they can enable us to be useful ambassadors of Christ, because that’s one of the reasons they’ve been granted to us.
Let’s go out today without too much grumbling and complaining, and don’t forget to put on our spiritual armour so that we can stand strong against the enemy.
And as we do every Monday morning, to get our motors running, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with full, sweet and strong voices now. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was decent friends, good enough to get the adrenalin flowing, so let’s get up and get a godly move on nuh. As the song on the radio’s saying: ‘I’m going to have a good day, be glad, and have a good day!’ And that’s a fact!
As per adventures, the ole fella didn’t do much yesterday. We went for lunch at the Magdalena Grand, where I did better justice to the food than a couple days before. Then we came back home and rested. Was I ever glad to get back inside because of the heat and the asthma nonsense!
But praise the Lord, this morning the ole chest is not as tight and I’m feeling better. And for that I have to burst into song: ‘Oh I’m getting better! Thank the Lord, I’m getting better!’ (smile) But it’s true Friends! Yeah, it’s taking an inordinately long time by my reckoning. But remember in the Lord’s eyes, it’s merely a blink, for a thousand days is like a single one to Him.
The duchess went in the pool and hung around the deck, while poor me rested in air conditioned comfort, wheezing like an old accordion. (smile) In the evening we watched the Panorama Steelband Competition Semi-finals from the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad, in conjunction with the Super Bowl.
For once it wasn’t a bad game, but that last passing play call, with the Seahawks driving for the winning touchdown, almost at the Patriots goal line with less than a minute left in the game… Steups! Pure foolishness! It had a right to be picked off.
You had a running back, Lynch, just running wild all game, and now, with a couple yards to go, you refuse to put the ball in his hands. Chuh! The Seattle coach or coaches who made that call should all be tarred and feathered though town!
Anyhow, all that nonsense is now over for another year. It’s time to get on with constructive stuff. And our Bit is a perfect guide, comforter and encourager for that purpose: ‘Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.’
Ah Friends, Bruh David is speaking there from personal experience, and if we are obedient to God’s will, we will be able to say the same thing. Therefore it’s something to which we should all gladly aspire.
Yeh mih brethren, Bruh David was so confident in God’s protection that even when he ran from his rebellious son, Absalom, he was still able to declare: ‘I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.’ (Ps.3:6) Now that is what yuh call confidence mih people!
Meanwhile, Isaiah tells us of this wonderful promise of the Lord, the only redeemer: ‘When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle (scorch) thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee (in thy place).’ (Is.43:2-3)
Ah Friends, with strong, faithful promises like those we should not face the cruel and evil world with fear and anxiety, but with a strong confidence and sense of purpose. Remember Bruh Paul’s contention to the Roman church. ‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom.8:31)
And the answer to that question is an unequivocal ‘NOBODY!’
Let’s remember that, and go home with these refreshing, encouraging and comforting words of Bruh David from Psalm 16 – when he sought preservation and blessing, just like we are doing today.
‘I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope.’ (Ps.16:8-9)
Yes Friends, wonderful words of hope and wisdom! Please let them guide us as we continue our pilgrim’s journey today. Have a safe and blessed day, all you saints of Jesus! Much LOVE!
…while there is life…there is always hope…in Jesus Christ…
26 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, aura of love, confidence, counsel, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, gospel truth, holy spirit, hope, Jesus Christ, lies, LOVE, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, peace, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, righteousness., saith the Lord, salvation, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, understanding, ungodly world, wisdom
Proverbs 21:30. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
Well Friends the second most important day of the week is here. Yes, unfortunately it’s Monday, the day we all despise so much, because it means we have to go out and labour once again. But what else can I say mih people, but that’s life! (smile) Yeh, we got to work for the worldly things we need, not necessarily those we just desire through our natural lustful nature.
But that doesn’t mean we have to go overboard on either side of the continuum – too much or too little work. We have to find the right balance, with the things of God prominently featured in the mix. But I’m not in a preaching mood this morning (smile) because the old cough is acting up. Right now I’m afraid to cough; I’m holding it back as best I can, since every time I cough, it feels like my chest is tearing apart with a racking pain. All the stuff I’m taking doesn’t seem to helping much at all. But once again, that’s life!
So without further ado, let’s get to our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, for I know that we still need it to get our motors started and our engines revved up. Now let’s have a wonderful rendition, one that will stir up the inhabitants of heaven, including our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father.
On three: one, two three! ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days.
It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour.
We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh mih breddren, that was a classic! All work stopped in heaven as the sweet and harmonious strains of our prayerful music rose to those blissful heights! Jesus was clapping and singing along with us, while smiling at the Father who couldn’t help tapping His toes and keeping the beat with His hands on the arms of His throne. Wow! And after writing that, I began chuckling and had to quickly stifle a coughing spell that wanted to break forth.
Yes Friends, that’s the way we need to operate, so that we can go out and do Jesus proud. Yuh see how we had Him clapping and singing there just now, that’s exactly how we need to have Him all day long, with a broad, contented smile on His glorious face, and a song of joy in His heart, because His people on earth are effusively and diligently doing His will. So let’s get to our Bit, a rather interesting statement by Cousin Sol.
Oh Friends, I just had a coughing bout that I couldn’t stifle. Steups! And it did feel as though my chest was tearing apart. Anyway, here’s our Bit: ‘There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.’
And isn’t that the awesome truth my people! There is no one who can reason with the Lord, for His wisdom and understanding are way above those of man. How did He put it in 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.’ (Is.55:8-9) And there’s no disputing that Friends, for since when can the created become wiser than the creator eh?
And Jeremiah, in relating that knowledge of God is man’s glory, puts it like this. ‘Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise LOVING-kindness, judgement (justice), and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:23-24)
Ah mih people, we can’t fight with that, because it’s the gospel truth! The Lord is El Numero Uno in everything!
And here is a brief note on those verses from the scholars. ‘9:23-24. Having lamented the folly of his faithless people, Jeremiah turns their attention to the true source of wisdom – the Lord Himself (9:23 -10:25). True wisdom was to be found in the consistent following of three central qualities of spiritual life. LOVING-kindness (the exercise of true covenant loyalty), judgement (the consistent application of true justice for all), and righteousness (the maintenance of what was right in the sight of the Lord in all of life).’
All of that also applies to us today my brethren. And we’ll close with these wise words from Cousin Sol in his role as the Preacher, that seal the deal. ‘I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.’(Eccl.9:11)
Yes Friends, man’s wisdom etc. cannot guarantee results in any area because time and chance crop up in everyone’s life when we least expect them to, and drop a spanner in the works. The only sure wisdom is of the Lord! Let’s remember that as we go out today and fight for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…stand up, stand up for Jesus…the trumpet call obey…till every foe is vanquished…and Christ is Lord indeed…
25 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a free gift of God, a true child of God, appreciation, awesome truth, bless His name, by grace are ye saved, child of God, christ jesus, covered me in my mother's womb, created in Christ unto good works, doing good works, enter his gates with thanksgiving, evil ways, faith, faith strengthened, fear the God of Israel, fearfully and wonderfully made, forgiveness, formed my inward parts, give me understanding, Glory Halleujah, grace, greetings, hope, inner beauty, into his courts with praise, Isaiah, it is meet and right to do so, it is the gift of God, Jesus Christ, knives through the darkness, lest any man should boast, look to the future, LOVE, marvellous are thy works, mercy, my life will be beautiful, new creations, not of works, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, positive actions, power of God, praise, recreated by Christ, s bright spotlight, Sabbath Day, salutations, salvation, sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, saturated with Christ, Something Beautiful, spirits renewed, spiritual life, Sunday, the living truth, the Lord he is God, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the redemption of Israel, the sheep of his pasture, the work of mine hands, they shall sanctify my name, token of love, we are his people, we are his workmanship, worship
Ephesians 2:10. For we are his workmanship (creation) created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath before ordained (prepared) that we should walk in them.
Greetings and salutations my people, in the glorious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on this blessed but damp and foggy Sunday morning! All power and glory be to the One who sacrificed His holy and sinless life for us disgusting sinners.
And to show our grateful appreciation of that wonderful token of LOVE, let’s gather together in His sanctuary on this Sabbath Day, as He desires, to praise and worship Him, give Him the thanks that He so rightfully deserves, and in return receive His grace, mercy and forgiveness, so that our spirits can be renewed, our faith strengthened, and our actions positive and LOVE-filled!
And all God’s people said a loud and sincere: ‘Yes, let us do that, for it is meet and right so to do!
And now, from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin, here is ‘Something Beautiful!’ ‘Here I am dear God Your Child A member of Your Family Asking You To make something beautiful of my life. Yet, even as I ask I am convinced That the one beautiful thing About a child of God Is You, Jesus Christ. So, dear Lord As You saturate me with Yourself My life will be beautiful.’
And isn’t that the living truth Friends! There’s nothing as beautiful as a human being saturated with Jesus Christ! That inner beauty and LOVE of a true child of God just shines through the darkness of this world, knives through it like a big, bright spotlight closely focused on a performer on a stage! Oh my brethren, there’s no better state for us to be in, than to be filled with the beauty and joy of Jesus Christ! For we become new creations, old, evil ways are forgotten, and we look to the future with hope and faith.
And the Bible promise for that poem is our Bit today; fateful words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘For we are his workmanship (creation), created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ Friends, that’s truth to the nth degree!
And here are some explanations from the scholars to enlighten us. ‘2:10. For verifies the assertion of man’s good works having no part in obtaining salvation. (vs.8-9) Workmanship refers not to our original or physical birth, but to our spiritual birth: what we are spiritually in the good sense is due to God, not ourselves.
Created in Christ Jesus unto good works means “having been (morally) re-created by Christ Jesus for good works,” that is, Jesus remade our spiritual lives so that we could then do good works. The apostle’s thinking is this; since the Christian has been given spiritual life for the purpose of doing good works, there could have been no good works by him prior to conversion that would merit salvation. Good works follow – do not precede – salvation.’
And I’ll be my usual nice self (smile) and quote the two verses we mentioned above, re good works having no part in salvation. ‘For by grace are ye (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.28-9)
Yes Friends, part of the reason why salvation is not achieved by good works is so that men can’t boast about obtaining it on their own strength or merit. Remember, it is a free gift of God!
Now let’s look at a couple scriptures that reflect the theme of our Bit. Hear the palmist declare from Psalm 100 – A call to praise the Lord. ‘Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.’ (Ps.100:3-4)
Oh my people, if we’d only follow that wise advice of the psalmist, our lives and our world would be a much better place than it currently is!
Now listen to Isaiah, as he talks about the redemption of Israel. ‘But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify (hallow) my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.’ (Is.29:23)
Without a doubt Friends, we are God’s handiwork, His greatest creation! Glory Hallelujah!
Another psalmist joyfully proclaims: ‘Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.’ (Ps.119:73) Words of awesome truth my brethren! And we’ll end with Bruh David’s version from Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God. ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well.’
My substance (frame, bones) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me), when as not there was none of them.’ (Ps.139:13-16)
Yes Friends, Jehovah God was the planner, designer, architect and builder of every human being that was ever made. Therefore He knows all about us. We are definitely His, for He is our Creator, our Provider and our God. Without Him, we would not exist. Please, let’s remember that and give Him the appropriate level of praise, worship and thanks He deserves. That’s the duty of a sincere child of God. Much LOVE!
…without the Most High God Jehovah…nothing that was made…would be made…
23 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bed of roses, a roof over our heads, all over the world, all things work together for good, almighty god, assurance, attitudes toward work, cacophony of sound, communications technology, confident, divine perspective, ease up the pressure, equal rights, evil, faith, faithful work, fellowship, followers of Jesus christ, food on our tables, forgiveness, Friday chant, friends and neighbours, generous help, glorious kingdom, good news, good news of Jesus christ, grace, great commission, harmony, holy spirit, human perspective, in Jesus' name, Jesus Christ, justice, lasting joy, living for Friday, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, passing happiness, peace, proactive outlook, purpose in life, relationship with Jesus, relaxation, rest, right this fallen world, salvation, sense of purpose, slave labour, spinning out of control, surrender, take up our cross, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the called, the characteristics of Jesus Christ, the elect, the message, the weekend, tired and hurting, to the ends of the earth, to them called according to His purpose, to them that love God, truth, turst, ungodliness, work, work keeps us going, worldly attitude
Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Well my fine Friends and neighbours, please don’t all gladly shout out at the same time, but it’s that magical day called Friday!
And do you think they listened to my plea? Steups! No way! For immediately a cacophony of sound erupted in my ears.
‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday yes! The week’s been a li’l rough, and we need a break from the slave labour right about now! Thank the Good Lord it’s finally Friday oui, and the weekend soon here to ease up the pressure!’
Ah mih people, I know that some of us are tired and hurting, and just dying for the weekend to come. And nothing’s really wrong with that, because we all deserve a couple days off after several days of labouring.
But we shouldn’t just have this worldly attitude of living for Friday and the weekend to come around. We ought to have a higher and deeper purpose in life.
The message we’ve been enjoined to share as followers of Jesus Christ is one LOVE, peace, harmony, justice, equal rights, truth, trust, surrender to and faith in Almighty God through His most wonderful son, Jesus Christ!
That’s the message we need to share with, reveal to the world, not just a bout of passing happiness on a Friday, because we’ve gotten a break from work. As true believers, we have to rise to a higher level than that.
Work should not be our enemy, but our friend, because it’s what keeps us going, gives us the broad and varied interaction with others that we need to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. And it also keeps food on our tables, as well as a roof over our heads.
So work should play an important part in our lives. We have to look at it not as the same old, same old, mundane way of life, that’s just a revolving circle with no end. Instead, we have to develop a bigger, brighter and better sense of purpose; one that will bring us the lasting joy that we so desperately need and desire, every day, rather than just on the weekends.
Now let’s chant our Friday Chant, which helps us to have a better perspective on the use of the weekend. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes Friends, it’s short, but to the point! Let’s hope that it will cause us to look at our individual attitudes towards work and the weekend, and encourage us to come up a bit higher in the overall scheme of things.
And talking about purpose Friends, there’s no better scripture to call to mind on the topic than our Bit. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’
And there’s no disputing that statement my people, because that’s exactly what our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God does! He works out everything for good to those whom He has called, and who have responded with a deep and sincere LOVE for Him.
And I can personally testify to that, because since He’s called me to do His work, some eight years ago, my life has improved in numerous ways. Now it’s not a bed of roses, for I still have my human and earthly ups and downs.
But with His assurance and faithful work in my life, I now go about with a more confident and proactive outlook. And He can do the same for you, if you’ll only look to Him with sincere trust and faith.
Now let’s get some explanations on our Bit from the scholars. ‘8:28. To them that LOVE God is the human perspective. God is working all things together for good, but those who LOVE God are best able to appreciate that fact because they LOVE Him no matter what. (cf. Job 13:15) To them who are the called is the divine perspective. Scripture often refers to believers as “the called” or “the elect.”
Yes my brethren, we are indeed “the called, the elect” who are supposed to bring a brighter and better perspective to the world, one that reflects the characteristics of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
But are we doing that? To some extent, I suppose. But certainly not enough, for the world’s spinning further and further out of control, getting deeper and deeper into evil and ungodliness. And we, the followers of Jesus Christ, are the only people capable of stopping and righting it.
And that’s our basic purpose Friends; to right this fallen world of ours. That’s what Jesus died for. He gave His sinless life as a sacrifice to bring us into His fold, so that we can have fellowship together and a wonderful relationship with Him.
But once we’ve found that grace, mercy and forgiveness that He pours into our hearts, we’re also supposed to tell others about it, so that they too can find the joy, the peace and LOVING-kindness that comes with being a believer. Remember Jesus’ last words to the disciples were to go and spread the good news of His salvation all over the earth. (Matt.28:19-20)
Now my people, that Great Commission has been passed down to us. This is our time to spread the Word. And more than any other generation before us, we have the tools to do so with the recent explosion in communications technology.
So please, let’s get ourselves together nuh, in peace and harmony, as Jesus desires, and live up to our purpose as “the called, the elect” of God. That’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…it’s time to take up our cross and follow Jesus…wherever he may lead…even to the ends of the earth…
P. S. It’s late because I had a bit of a struggle this morning, both physically and mentally. And just as I was about ready to send it out, the finicky computer froze on me. Ah Lord eh! But as you can see, the Lord eventually worked all things out for good as He promised. (smile) Much LOVE!
22 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fight to the death, a fresh cold, a high priest, after the order of Melchizedek, an intense longing for god, ascended into heaven, atone for our sins, breakthrough, Bruh David, Bruh Paul, cast not away your confidence, courage, cure a simple cold, disregard the darkness, don't give up, done the will of god, endurance, eternal life, eternal separation from God, faith, feel miserable, feeling, fight against them that fight against me, fighting tooth and nail, future, God's plans for us are all for good, God's promises, God's promises stand firm, God's ways are higher than ours, going down to the wire, gospel truth, hang in there, hope, hope thou in God, I am thy salvation, I shall yet praise him, jehovah god, Jesus is the answer, joy, keep hoping in God, lie down and rest, lost, malaise in my spirit, Mars, negative circumstances, obedience, omnipotence, One Year Book of Bible promises, patience, perseverance, Plead my cause, put a man on the moon, receive the promise, recompense of reward, rely on God's immutable Word, reward, run its course, salvation, Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, salvation comes from God, Selah, selfless acts, shed blood, sinful souls, stand in faith, stand up for mine help, stop those who pursue me, Thank you Jesus, the author of eternal salvation, the darkest hour is the one before the dawn, the help of his countenance, the right medication, the sons of Korah, them's the breaks, thursday morning, thy blessing is upon thy people, times of questioning, trial, trust, trust God, ungodly world, unsaved, Venus, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me
Psalm 3:8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Aye mih people, is Thursday morning, another chilly one, and the ole fella fighting this cold tooth and nail! (smile) We going down to the wire with it, we not giving up! It’s a fight to the death!
Oh I know that it has to run its course, but while it’s doing its thing, I’m also doing my own, trying not to let it make me feel too terrible, because you know that nothing in this world makes you feel as miserable as a simple fresh cold.
Ah Lord eh! We can put man on the moon and voyage out to Venus and Mars, but we can’t cure a simple cold! Steups! But I guess them’s the breaks! And believe me, it was difficult to get up this morning, although I wasn’t sleeping. But a certain malaise in my spirit just said lie down and rest. (smile)
And I did for a short while. But knowing that the Bit had to go out, I eventually forced myself out of the bed. And I believe I have the right medication for whatever is ailing us this morning, in the words of The One Year Book of Promises, with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin.
This passage is titled ‘God’s Promises,’ and it says: ‘With increasing joy I am discovering that God’s promises do not suddenly disappear when our courage fails and our fears become overwhelming. Feeling or no feeling, when God gives a promise that speaks directly to our need, it stands firm regardless of negative circumstances.
There may be times of questioning, and we may not understand God’s timing, but His promise remains certain during our deepest trial. If we consistently rely on His immutable Word, we can disregard the darkness.
Oswald Chambers says, “Are you in the dark right now regarding your circumstances? Then listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you are in the light.” God waits for us to trust Him when trusting seems the most difficult thing to do.’
Ah Friends, the cruel, evil and ungodly world that we’re currently living in, is certainly making it hard for us to trust God and rely on His promises. But if we want to succeed, we have to truly stand in faith on His word, even though we may seem completely surrounded by darkness.
And as the Bible promise for that passage so truthfully declares: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance, perseverance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36)
Yes mih breddren, the one thing we CAN’T DO, is GIVE UP! And it’s when life seems the darkest that we need to hold on to God’s promises the strongest. For as the saying goes; the darkest hour is the one just before the dawn. And that’s no lie! We experience the roughest times just before we experience our breakthrough.
So please, let’s hang in there with Jehovah God, for He knows what He’s doing. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours that we don’t, and can’t always understand what He’s about. In His omnipotence He created us, and still controls the universe, and sincerely promised that all His plans for us were all for good, for peace, with hope for a bright future. (Jer.29:11)
And as our Bit so wisely and rightly declares: ‘Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’ And of that my people, there is absolutely no doubt! That’s why so many people of great faith in the Bible declared it.
Now let’s look at a few more of those scripture passages that declare salvation comes from God, as we’ve been doing for the last few days. And we’ll begin with words of Bruh David, who called out to God so often and so seriously in his writings. Listen to how he begins Psalm 35 – A prayer for rescue from enemies.
‘Plead my cause (contend for me), O Lord, with them that strive (contend) with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler (a small shield), and stand up for mine help.
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me (stop those who pursue me): say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.’ (Ps.35:1-3)
And we all know the turbulent and tumultuous life that Bruh David lived, but he never forgot or gave up on the God of his fathers, who faithfully saved him from his enemies whenever he cried out for help.
Now hear the author of Hebrews, whom I can’t help but think is Bruh Paul, with all the similarities of speech and mannerisms.
‘Though he (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.’ (Heb.5:8-10)
And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends! Jesus died, rose from the grave and ascended into heaven so that we could have eternal salvation! Without those wonderful, selfless acts of His, there would be no general salvation. Many of us would stay lost and unsaved.
So let’s give Him a big shout of praise and thanks for saving our sinful souls from eternal separation from Almighty God, the worst fate that can befall a human being.
And all God’s people declared a loud and heartfelt: ‘Thank You Jesus! Thank You ever so much for sacrificing Your holy, sinless life on the cross, so that Your shed blood, precious as it was, could pay for, atone for our abominable sins. We praise You, bless and glorify Your holy name! Amen.’
And now Friends, we’ll end with this well known verse from Psalm 42 – An intense longing for God – a contemplation from the sons of Korah.
And it simply says: ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps.42:5)
Yes my people, I implore us to keep hoping in God, though our souls might not feel like doing it, for regardless of what anyone else says, only from Him is true salvation and eternal life possible. Much LOVE!
…to EVERY problem in our lives…Jesus IS the answer…
15 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a closer walk with Jesus, almighty god, anger, best year of our lives, blasphemy, blessings, brand new day, Bruh Paul, Christ is all, Christ is n all, Christ-like character, circumcision, cloud of witnesses, Colossians, despising the shame, endured the cross, evil ungodly world, excellence at all times, faith, falsehood, filthy communication, Greek, heroes of faith, high ideals of Jesus, I am the truth, I make all things new, impediment, January, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Number One, Jew, just a closer walk with thee, let us lay aside every weight, lie not, lighten our load, living our christian faith, lofty goals, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, malice, mercies, new life in christ, New Year's resolutions, One Year Book of Bible promises, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, patience, pay the bills, perseverance, positive examples, put off the old man, put on the new man, put sin to death, realign our priorities, rejoice and be glad in it, renewed in knowledge, run the race that's set before us, run with patience, saviour jesus christ, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, slave, so great a cloud of witnesses, steadfast, the author and finisher of our faith, the busyness of life, the gift of life, the grace of Almighty God, the joy that was set before Him, the redeemed, the sin which doth beset us, uncircumcision, vices, wrath
Hebrews 12:1. Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us.
All hail my fine Friends in Jesus Christ! It’s a brand new spanking day! Yes my brethren, we’ve been granted the fabulous gift of life on a new day through the wonderful grace of Almighty God, so please, let’s rejoice and be glad in it!
Let’s joyfully enjoy (smile) the new mercies and blessings that have been specially prepared for us for this day. Let’s also do our best to live up to the high ideals of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose motto is excellence at all times.
And having said all of that, on this chilly Thursday morning, the 15th day of January 2015, I have this most appropriate passage for this time of year to share from the One Year Book of Promises, with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s simply titled ‘January.’
Read with me: ‘It’s January, Lord – The drab, dreary middle – And my thoughts are as drab As the miserable month. Does everybody hit a January slump Or am I the only one? The first week wasn’t too bad: There were Christmas thank-yous to write A few resolutions to store away The huddle of year-end sales.
But thank-you notes bring no returns And resolutions are quickly broken And marked-down trinkets fast lose appeal. When you said Behold, I make all things new Did you forget January, Lord? Or in January do I sometimes forget You?’
Oh my people, those sentiments are so true, for many of us feel that way at this time of year. I guess we can call them the ‘dog days’ of January, where we’re somewhat lost in the middle of it all. The celebrations are over and done with for the old year, and the new one hasn’t quite taken shape or hold as yet.
Plus we’re wondering and contemplating how we’re going to pay the bills that we’ve amassed over the Christmas season. (smile) But yuh know what my fellow believers in Christ? In this time of uncertainty, we can all hold on to the promise attached to that passage, which we’ll use as our Bit.
‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us.’
Yes Friends, there are so many heroes of faith that have gone before us that we don’t lack for good and positive examples in living our Christian faith. But we need to do certain things if we’re going to be successful.
First of all we need to throw off any weight, both literally and figuratively, any impediment at all that is holding us back from running our race. We also need to throw off any sin, large or small, that’s entangling us, that has us struggling or keeping us back from reaching the lofty goals that Christ has planned for us.
And above all, we need to do those things with patience and perseverance, keep a steadfast and true pace. Yes my people, we need to be always trying to improve as we run this race of life.
And as the author of Hebrews so wisely and rightly continues, we ought to be: ‘Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Heb.12:2)
Oh Friends, what an encouraging and uplifting picture! Jesus is the best example of earthly living we can, and will ever have! He both began and finished the course of our faith. So we need to look to Him for proper guidance and strength to face this rat-race world that we’re currently living in.
We’ll never be perfect as Him, but the important thing is to try, to do our best to get as close to a Christ-like character as we can. That brings us to our New Year’s resolution of endeavouring to have a closer walk with Jesus.
I do hope that we haven’t already forgotten it as we get caught up again in the busyness of life. And I believe that if we’re feeling like the passage above from the Book of Promises, then we have indeed forgotten that resolution.
Please, let’s realign our priorities, with Jesus as NUMBER ONE, so that we can have a fruitful and successful 2015, for I firmly and faithfully believe that this will be the BEST YEAR in many of our lives!
Now let’s look at a scripture passage that adds weight to our Bit and empowers us in our faith. Hear Bruh Paul’s advice to the Colossians, where he’s talking about the new life in Christ. Here are some weights that we might need to throw off to lighten our load in running this race of life.
‘But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond (slave) nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.’ (Col.3:8-11)
Truly words of wisdom, my people! Now let’s close with some interesting and important notes from the scholars re those verses. ‘3:9. Seeing means “since.” The old man is all that a person was prior to salvation: his worldly thinking and sinful acts. Since all this was renounced at conversion, one should lie not. Falsehood ill becomes the person claiming to be a disciple of Him who said, “I am the…truth.”
3:10. The new man is the person one becomes after conversion: he possesses a new nature, values, aspirations, and a new life-style. This “new man” is constantly being renewed or developed until he attains a mature knowledge of the God who (re)created him. The more a believer knows and understands of God, the more he will be like God in character and conduct.’
‘3:11. Not only is the “new man” to put sin to death, he is also to put away man-made barriers that divide people and that nourish the vices of the old life. Among renewed humanity there are no national, ceremonial, cultural, or social distinctions. To the redeemed Christ is all; that is, He is everything, and He is what matters most to them. And Christ is…in all; that is, He dwells in all believers.’
Oh my people, it’s not easy trying to live a truly Christian life in this evil and ungodly world, but if we stick like glue to Christ, He will empower us to run this earthly race successfully, and that’s no lie! Much LOVE!
…just a closer walk with thee…grant it Jesus…is my plea…daily walking close to thee…let it be…dear Lord…let it be…
14 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, asaph, Beelzebub, computers, cry out to God, dash thy foot against a stone, encouraging words, faith, fall down in our faith, fandangles, Father, friends, go to God with everything, God is a refuge and fortress, halfway point of the week, he hath set his love upon me, he shall give his angels charge over thee, help, hope, I hope in thy word, in the arms of Almighty God, in times of trouble, it's toast, Jehovah, Lord God in heaven, LOVE, meditate on God's Word, mercies, mighty God we serve and worship, Mountain Mover's Prayer, poison my mind, Possibility Thinker's Creed, protection, proud, redeemed thy people, refuge, refuse to heed God's call, remember the works of God, Selah, show him my salvation, smile, stand strong, stubborn, success, succour, the dragon shalt thou trample, the Most High, thou art my hiding place and my shield, to our detriment, trying my spirit, Wednesday, who is so great a God as our God, wisdom, with long life will I satisfy him, words of faith
Psalm 119:114. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Well Friends, it’s another chilly but fine day in my area! And it’s Wednesday to boot! That means we’re already at the halfway point of the workweek, so there’s no turning back now, just all engines open full throttle and straight ahead to week’s end. (smile)
Now I don’t know if it’s me or the computers I have, but for some reason they both began acting up this morning. I have a desktop where I usually write the Bit, but that’s running a back-up program that’s sorely trying my spirit.
For the last two days we’ve been trying to get it to back up my files, but it seems to be taking forever. I think I’m giving it enough time, the time it says it needs, but my tech seems to think otherwise.
Now this morning I come downstairs to write the Bit, I’m already late as it is, then it won’t allow me to do my business, taking ages to make stuff happen, but all the while it still seems to be transferring files to the back-up drive.
But I have news for it. Today is the last day for this nonsense! Regardless of what anyone says, if it doesn’t finish backing-up today, then it’s toast. I’ve been getting along fine for years now without it, don’t need that hassle now in my old age. (smile) And then when I got my laptop, that took ages to boot up doing all sorts of fandangles’ re updates etc.
Awright, so that’s my vent and part of my excuse for the Bit being so late today. So to give us some sort of boost and encouragement to face the day and the year ahead, let’s recite together the Possibility Thinkers Creed or Mountain Mover’s Prayer as written by Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller).
As one now: ‘Lord, when I face a mountain, do not let me quit. Give me the strength to keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, or tunnel underneath. And if my best efforts fail, give me the patience to stay and the perception to see the possibilities of turning my mountain into a gold mine with your help. Amen.’
Ah Friends, that’s exactly what I need this morning to face the pressure these computers are putting on me! (smile) But seriously though, those are strong, encouraging and faith-filled words that we ought to take to heart and put into diligent practice.
And that’s a direct companion to the saying that our task is to take hold of God’s grace to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary. Knowing that in time, our great and wonderful God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. We must wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
Oh Friends, this morning I really do need all of those encouraging words to stand strong and do what I need to do. And I know that I will be encouraged shortly, that I will make peace with my man-made computers who are trying to drive me into the arms of the lying and deceitful Beelzebub. (smile)
Anyway, let’s turn to our Bit, more encouraging and resourceful words of faith. ‘Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.’
Yeh my brethren, there’s no place of help, hope, refuge, protection and succor like in the arms of Almighty God! From day one, He’s been telling us to come to Him for whatever we need, but like the proud, stubborn animals that we are, we consistently refuse to heed His call, to our detriment of course.
When are we going to learn to go to God with EVERYTHING eh my people? From the smallest problem, to the largest one, God has the answer and He is also the answer!
Now listen to these brave and bold words of Asaph, the psalmist, from Psalm 77 – Who is so great a God as our God? In his infirmity and times of trouble, Asaph remembers and faithfully declares, rightly so too: ‘I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.’ (Ps.77:11-15)
Oh my people, that is one of the ways in which we fall down in our faith; we forget what the Lord has done for us before, not believing or even thinking that if He’s helped us before in times of trouble, there’s no reason why He won’t do it again. That’s where and how our faith is built; by remembering all that God has done for us.
In this new year of 2015, please let’s remember all the wonderful things and times that God has intervened successfully on our behalf, because doing so directly boosts our faith.
By the way Friends, I just checked on the desktop computer and I got the big word that we’ve been waiting for all along; SUCCESS! My tech will be happy. I’m going to call him right now with the good news!
And that’s just what we’re talking about. I know that God has come through for me before in all sorts of situations, but yet still I allowed the computer difficulties to poison my mind. And the fact is that it’s so easy to forget our past mercies when times of trouble arise.
Now let’s close with these powerful faith building words of Psalm 91 – God is a refuge and fortress. ‘Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear (lift) thee up in their hands, lest thou dash (strike) thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder (cobra): the young lion and the dragon (serpent) shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his LOVE upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life (length of days) will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ (Ps.91:9-16)
Oh Friends, oh Friends, what magnificent and magnanimous promises God makes in that scripture for all those who turn to Him, for all those who know His name and cry out to Him for whatever reason; Lord God in heaven, Jehovah, Father, Almighty God!
Yes my brethren, it is indeed a most wonderful and mighty God we serve and worship! Please let’s never forget that and thus cry out to Him at all times, be they good or bad. That’s wisdom at its highest level! Much LOVE!
…who is a God so great as our God eh…NONE WHATSOEVER…!
13 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a mind of its own, almighty god, Bruh David, business acumen, chilly Tuesday morning, cold weather paraphernalia, divorce, Euripides, exhortation of obedience, faith, family feuds, family life, finicky behaviour, foolish, friends and neighbours, God is a refuge for us, God only is my rock and my salvation, God so near, hatred, hope, I hope in thy word, I shall not be moved, Internet conncetion, Israelites, jehovah god, judgements, live our faith, LOVE, Love our God, loving, Moses, my neck of the woods, no fan of computers, pour out your heart before God, Promised Land, reputation for wisdom, resentment, righteous, Selah, smile, Spread God's Word, statutes, success, surrender, tardiness, that state of affairs, the computer acted up, the law of the jungle, the Lord God of Abraham Isaac and jacob, the rock of my strength, the values of god, the values of the world, thou art my hiding place and my shield, true test of wisdom, trust, unwise, windchill factor, wisdom, wisdom and understanding
Psalm 119:114. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
A good chilly Tuesday morning, Friends and neighbours! And believe me, it is a chilly morning out here in my neck of the woods, something like minus 19 Celsius! And that’s without the wind chill factor, which usually makes it seem a few degrees colder.
Ah Lord eh! And it’s not supposed to get much warmer during the day either. So if you have to go out at all today, please make sure that you are dressed very warm, with hat and gloves and scarf and all the other cold weather paraphernalia. (smile)
And let me apologize for the tardiness of the Bit. I was first tardy in getting up, just one of those days when the ole body would not respond to my wishes, it has a mind of its own you know. (smile) And then, for whatever reason the computer acted up.
Although I had perfect Internet connection and it was doing some background backup, I still had a hard time opening the browser and getting to the net itself. Steups! That’s why I’m no fan of computers!
Don’t get me wrong, they are useful in their own way, but they are too finicky, like ….! No, I’m not going to say it (smile), and our world is so dependent on them now that when they fail or choose to act up, a whole lot of heartache follows. Remember though that they are man made, and thus not perfect.
Anyway, there’s not a whole lot I can do about it, so I’ll just have to learn to live with the finicky behaviour, as I’ve learned to live with that of you know whom. (smile)
Now here is an interesting quote attributed to Euripides (480-406 B.C) the ancient Greek dramatist born in the Athens area. It simply says: ‘Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom.’
And in today’s world, that is very true. We all consider successful people – as the world defines it – as persons endowed with wisdom. But the reality is that’s not always true, especially when defined by the values of God.
However Friends, that’s where the true test of wisdom is to be found – in the values of God, not in those of the evil and lustful world!
Just look at the track record of some of the world’s supposed successful people, and you’ll find that their personal lives are, or have been a complete mess. But their business acumen and their worldly success have them at the top of the list of wise people.
Their own lives though are filled with bitter family feuds, nasty divorces, lots of hatred and resentment; all of the things that are not considered wise under the values of Almighty God.
Consequently, the opposite is also true; the failed and unsuccessful business person, looked at by the world as foolish and unwise, might have a very LOVING and godly family life and relationships, which makes him wise using God’s values.
So, technically speaking, like a lot of other things, our take on success and wisdom depends on what values we base them on; the world’s, or the Lord’s. Let’s hope that we all use the values of the latter in ALL of our doings, for that’s where TRUE success and wisdom are to be found!
That brings us to our Bit, the same wise and encouraging words as yesterday. ‘Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.’
And right there my brethren, is where true wisdom lies! There is indeed no greater wisdom in all the earth than faith, hope, surrender and trust in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
Now let’s look at a couple more scripture passages that cry out to us in that regard. And we’ll begin with words from Moses’ exhortation of obedience to the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness, en route to the Promised Land.
‘Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgements, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh (a God so near) unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?’ (Deut.4:5-8)
Wonderful questions my brethren? And the correct answer is none? Even to this day, there is no greater nation on earth than one that espouses the law of Jehovah God!
But it’s also very sad that those nations which have hitherto espoused God’s law, are now moving away from it to the law of the jungle that’s the world. Hopefully though, with our sincere and diligent efforts on God’s behalf, that state of affairs will change soon.
Now listen to Bruh David from Psalm 62 – God only is my rock and my salvation. ‘My soul, (silently) wait thou only upon God; for my expectation (hope) is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense: I shall not be moved (shaken).
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times: ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’ (Ps.62:5-8)
Oh my people, truer words were never spoken! God is indeed our be all and end all! And thus there’s no better note to end on than that one. Yeh Friends, if God is our Creator and Provider, then it only stands to reason that He is the One we should be in tune with ALL THE TIME! That’s true wisdom!
Now let’s go out and practice it nuh, and show the evil and ungodly world a thing or two about our Mighty God! Much LOVE!
…our bounden duty is to…truly LOVE our God…sincerely LIVE our Faith…and diligently SPREAD His holy Word…
12 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a refuge, aura of love, blessings, Bruh David, busyness, confidence, death, enthusiasm, faith, for we walk by faith not by sight, further God's glorious kingdom, heart attack, holy spirit, humble servants, I hope in thy word, invincible, Jesus Christ, lies, longevity, LOVE, loving kindness, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, rejuvenation of spirit, salvation, seek ye first the kingdom of God, Selah, six feet under, songs of deliverance, sons of Korah, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, stress, stronghold, taunts, things of the world, thou art my hiding place and my shield, trust, we will not fear, wiles, wisdom, words of faith
Psalm 119:114. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Well hello there mih breddren! The big, beautiful day called Monday is here! (smile) That means it’s time to be up and about Jesus’ business. If you rested over the weekend, as you were supposed to, then getting up and out should be no problem.
Oh I know it’s not as easy as it sounds with all the busyness that our world now contains, but that’s why it’s even more important for us to control that busyness and get sufficient rest and rejuvenation.
Ah mih people, though I tend to be a bit lighthearted about it, looking after ourselves is no joke, it’s a very serious matter. It’s a proven fact that being on the go continually with insufficient rest and relaxation and improper eating habits produces stress, and stress is one of the biggest killers nowadays.
And unfortunately it’s no respecter of people, so whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, if you don’t look after yourself properly, you are a very high risk candidate for stress related problems. Now those problems can range anywhere from a mild headache or tiredness to numerous other health problems, even to a heart attack and sudden death.
And the sad part of the matter is that a lot of problems diagnosed as one illness or another, generally originate from stress. It’s also been proven that this generation gets much less rest and is much busier than any that’s gone before it. So please let’s get serious about the matter and do something constructive about it nuh.
Very few of us really like to get up and go to work on Mondays, but we just have to, because that’s the nature of our society. Therefore Friends, let’s be wise and give ourselves the best chance possible chance of longevity, for success by the world’s standards are not really all that they are advertised to be.
And furthermore, when we’re hospitalized, or six feet under, those worldly things that we’ve literally killed ourselves to get, will be of no use to us. We cannot take them with us to the hospital or to the grave. Remember what our Lord and Saviour Jesus said; ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)
Yes Friends, seek the things of God first, and He will bless you with the things of the world that you need. End of sermon! (smile)
Now, since many of us are suffering from the ill effects of the weekend, let’s raise our spirits by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with as much gusto as we can generate.
As one harmonious body now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Ah Friends that wasn’t bad, but not as good as it could be if we had rested properly. (smile) But the Lord won’t hold that against us, because He LOVES us however we are.
Now let’s turn to our Bit, a beautiful and encouraging verse from the longest chapter in the Good Book; Psalm 119. ‘Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.’
Oh my people, so many others have uttered sentiments of that nature that they must be substantial truth to it. If the Lord is our God, our Creator and Provider, then it stands to reason that He is powerful and of a generous nature, so what better place to look for help and succour eh?
Not to mention that His Word encourages us to come to Him for all our needs. And who should know that better than Bruh David eh, with all the problems he faced, but was wonderfully provided for by the Lord?
Let’s listen to some of Bruh David’s words on the subject, beginning in Psalm 9 – Praise for God’s justice. ‘The Lord also will be a refuge (stronghold) for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.’ (Ps.9:9-10)
Strong and true words my brethren! Now hear this gem of faith from Bruh David’s Maschil (contemplation) – The blessedness of forgiveness. ‘Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about (surround me) with songs of deliverance. Selah.’ (Ps.32:7
Note Friends, Bruh David is talking there from personal experience, not hearsay. And this now from the sons of Korah: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (the heart) of the sea. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps.46:1-3)
Powerful words of faith my people! And the good thing about it is that it’s all true, because our great God has proven it time and time again, and will continue to do so even through to eternity!
It is therefore in our best interest to come to serious and mature faith in the Lord God Almighty if we desire the kind of protection that the Old Testament people had, and Jesus died to give us even more. You can never have too much of a good thing! Now may the Lord bless and keep us safely as we go out today to do His work in faith, trust, truth and LOVE!
Much LOVE!…for we walk by faith…not by sight… (2 Cor.5:7)
09 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heartfelt sigh, a hymn of praise, a thankful look up to heaven, actions, Alexandre Dumas, almighty god, another week of work, awareness, be of good courage, Bruh David, expectant faith, faith, Friday chant, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Glory Halleujah, he shall strengthen thine heart, he will save us, hope lets me face each day, hope renews me, hoping, human wisdom, hungry hope, I desired thee in the night, I have waited for thy salvation, in Jesus' name, in the land of the living, inspiring verses, Isaiah, Jacob, Jehovah, joyful spirit, judgements, LOVE, maturity, Old Testament, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, party animal, plans, promise of God, relaxation, remembrance, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, rest, righteousness., salvation, set priorities, song of the redeemed, take stock of our lives, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the best possible attitude, the eyes of faith, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Good Book, the goodness of the Lord, the Lord is my light and salvation, the Lord will swallow up death in victory, the Lord's salvation, the weekend, this is our god, to fall into place, trust, truth, wait and hope, wait I say on the Lord, wait on the Lord, waiting, waiting for and hoping in God, walking in closer harmony with Jesus, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation, wipe aways tears, wisdom
Genesis 49:18. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
Oh Friends, we’re awesome! Yes indeed we are! We have successfully made it through the first real week of work in 2015! Glory Hallelujah!
Yes my people, it’s Friday and the weekend looms large and very inviting. And with a heartfelt sigh and a thankful look up to heaven, God’s people declared, with more reverence than usual: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Thank God it’s Friday, and we’ll get some much needed rest!’
Now that’s how I like to see us behave; more attuned to the rest and restoration factor than to the party animal attitude. (smile) I guess some of the partying exuberance for the weekend has worn off because we’re still suffering the after effects of the Christmas celebrations, and a week of work hasn’t helped matters any.
Anyway, to get us into the right frame of mind, let’s chant our Friday Chant with more maturity and awareness than we’ve hitherto done. As one harmonious chanter now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes Friends, now that everything has wound down, it’s time to take serious stock of our lives and set the priorities for this new year. Of course the first and foremost one will be to walk in closer harmony with Jesus, and that will bring certain things into line.
But then there are a host of other things that we need to seriously consider doing or not doing. These are the days to make a sincere and serious plan, and then without much hesitation, put it into action, for plans that are not actioned are dead and useless.
And today I have an interesting quote to share from the famed French playwright and author, Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), the writer of such acclaimed novels as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. Alexandre is reputed to have said that ‘All human wisdom is summed up in two words: wait and hope.’
And there is a lot of truth in that statement my brethren, because that’s what we spend a large portion of our earthly existence doing; waiting and hoping. Most things or plans of action don’t happen right away, so after putting them into motion, generally speaking we then have to wait for all the necessary pieces to fall into place.
And while we’re waiting, we’re hoping that they will fall into place as we hope, expect and desire. In fact, life is one long journey of hoping and waiting; especially in regard to our great and wonderful God Jehovah! The Good Book tells us innumerable times about waiting for and hoping in God.
And Jacob, in our Bit, made one of the earliest statements of hoping and waiting, when he prophesied about the fate of his sons and their offspring. ‘I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.’
Simple, but true words my people, words which we all ought to be able to say in sincere truth. The only difference is that we have seen the Lord’s salvation in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
But the Old Testament people weren’t that lucky, all they had was the promise of God’s salvation. They had to wait and hope through the eyes of faith.
As Isaiah says in the song of praise by the redeemed: ‘He will swallow up death in victory (forever); and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:8-9)
Then again, in chapter 26, a hymn of praise, Isaiah declares: ‘Yea, in the way of thy judgements, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.’ (Is.26:8-9)
Yes my brethren, hoping and waiting and trusting in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is indeed a large part of our lives! And it’s something we ought to do with a joyful spirit, otherwise we’ll just be miserable most of the time.
And as I read somewhere, this wise and sensible person declared: ‘I reached out to God in expectant faith and hungry hope.’ Now that, my people, is exactly how we ought to reach out to Almighty God.
And we’ll close with one of the best known Bible verses on hoping and waiting for God; fateful words of Bruh David from Psalm 27 – the Lord is my light and my salvation. Bruh David ends that psalm with these awesome and mightily inspiring verses.
‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith) I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:13-14)
Oh Friends, that’s the best advice we can take in these tense and troubled times, for they are words of veritable truth and wisdom! Much LOVE!
‘…hope renews me…and let’s me face each day…with the best possible attitude…’
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