13 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adoration, arise o Lord, atrocities, author and finisher of our faith, bow before you, Christian persecution, Christians, cruel and unjust punishment, dilly-dally, enemy, evil influence, evil ungodly world, fateful wednesday morning, fellow believers, fellowship, fight tooth and nail, float up prayers to heaven, for my name's sake, forget not the humble, freedom, goodness, grace, grace to stand strong, heartfelt, heathen, horse of a different dolour, humble servants, inroads, Jesus Christ, lift their sagging spirits, Lord and Saviour, lord jesus christ, loving kindness, misery, mitigate, onslaught, overthrow of the wicked, persecution, physical realm, power and glory, praise, pray in faith, prayer, prayer is the most powerful tool in the universe, protective arms, reality of the situation, rectify the situation, resolve, reward, sanctions, soldiers in battle, spiritual battle, spiritual realm, steadfast faith, suffering, take freedom for granted, thanks, tribulation, trust in jesus, unfortunate believers, why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble, why standest thou afar off o Lord, worship
Psalm 10:1. Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
Oh Friends, oh Friends, on this fateful Wednesday morning in mid August 2014, I would like to open our deliberations with a prayer for the thousands of Christians being cruelly and unjustly persecuted for their religious beliefs in the Middle East, Africa and several other parts of the world.
The situation is reaching epidemic proportions now and simply cannot be allowed to continue. And it’s all simply because of their faith and trust in Jesus Christ! Ah my brethren, our fellow believers are suffering such cruel and unjust punishment like we couldn’t even begin to imagine!
And though most of us can’t do much to help in the physical realm, we certainly can in the spiritual world, through prayer, for remember that prayer is the most powerful tool in the universe.
So please pray with me: ‘Dear Lord Jesus Christ, author and finisher of our faith, this morning, we, your humble servants come before you with praise and adoration, gladly acknowledging you as our Lord and Saviour.
We give you sincere thanks for your goodness and LOVING-kindness, but Lord there are many of our brothers and sisters in faith, all around this evil and ungodly world, who are being cruelly and unjustly persecuted simply because they profess belief in your name.
Lord Jesus Christ, as your body here on earth, we ask, we plead with you to rectify the situation for those unfortunate believers.
Oh Jesus, you’ve said that when we pray in faith, you’d hear and answer our requests. This morning Lord, we beg you to strengthen our persecuted brethren, keep their resolve to serve and worship you unbroken, lift their sagging spirits, give them your grace to stand strong in the face of such unjust persecution.
Father in heaven, we pray that you will not stand idly by and see your children suffer the atrocities they are being put through. Please work on their persecutors; either help them to see the evil in their ways, or if necessary Jesus, strike them down.
We know that suffering and persecution are parts of this earthly life, and no one knows that better than you from your earthly experience. But Father God, this persecution of your people is so unjust, unfair and uncalled for, all because of their faith in you.
Please reward their faith and trust with strong sanctions against their evil persecutors, and continue to fill them with steadfast faith. Please hide them safely under your protective and everlasting arms, so that they won’t have to endure the unjust tribulation any longer.
We know that you have the power to mitigate their circumstances, and that we prayerfully ask you to do today Father in heaven.
Please release them from their persecution, however you see fit Lord, so that the heathen will see your might, your power and your glory, and eventually come to bow before you too. This we pray in the holy and sinless name of your Son, and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.’
Oh my people, those words may not be spectacular, but our great and wonderful God knows that they are sincere and heartfelt. Now, in your own time and manner, please keep on praying for those unfortunate brethren on the other side of the world who are facing such cruel injustice, all because of their trust in Jesus.
We, in these parts, are free to worship as we like, and sadly take that freedom for granted, but millions of other believers are not so lucky. They have to hide and pray and worship and fellowship with each other.
Let’s make it a habit to float up prayers to heaven on their behalf, as well as taking our freedom to worship more seriously, because if the infidel has his way, their evil influence will be spread all over the world. And that we can NEVER allow to happen my brethren!
So let’s get truly serious about our faith nuh, and take steps to see that it is firmly entrenched in these parts, for while we foolishly dilly and dally, the enemy is making serious inroads into our positions. Remember Friends, we’re soldiers in a battle, a spiritual battle that is growing more heated with each passing day, and we need to step up and be counted.
Oh my fellow believers, this is not just some idle fairy tale, this is serious business, life defining business, and unless we want our descendants to face such unjust persecution, we need to come together and fight tooth and nail for what we proclaim to believe in.
Oh Friends, we can no longer stand idly by and see other believers being unjustly persecuted, because if that is successful, then we’ll be next in line for the evil onslaught. And if you haven’t noticed, it’s already begun.
Oh Friends, I know that Jesus warned us: ‘Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.’ (John 15:20-21)
But still my people, when the reality of the situation really occurs, it’s always a horse of an entirely different colour, one for which we’re never really prepared. And I can just picture those persecuted brethren, in their great misery, like the psalmist of old, calling out for the overthrow of the wicked, in the sorrowful words of our Bit.
‘Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute (hotly pursues) the poor: let them be taken in the devices (plots) that they have imagined (devised).’ (Ps.10:1-2)
And on their behalf my people, we sincerely declare: ‘Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble… Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness till thou find none.’ (Ps.10:12, 15)
Yes Friends and fellow believers, that’s our hope and prayer for today! Much LOVE!
…when persecution comes…as it must…only the grace and strength of Jesus can help us to bear it…
11 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a smiley kind of day, arduous task, aura of love, blessings, Bruh Paul, bugler's call, christ jesus, common sense, Corinthians, Creator of the universe, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, fun, get with the programme, give thanks, glorious kingdom, goodness of god, grace, heavenly hosts, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, invincible, irony, Jesus Christ, joy, justified, laughter, lord jesus christ, LOVE, military training, miserable, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Oh Lord God Almighty, peace, Philippians, pray without ceasing, rejoice, rejoice evermore, rejoice in hope, Rejoice in the Lord, Rejoice in the Lord always, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, reveille, righteousness., rise and shine, Romans, salvation, smile, sour, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, summer, the glory of God, the vine and the branches, the will of God, times of sorrow, truth, wisdom, your joy might be full
Philippians 3:1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. to write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous (tedious), but for you it is safe.
‘Spah na na na na na na nah!’ Hey Friends… ‘Spah na na na na na na nah!’ It’s the bugler’s call to reveille! That means it’s time for all able bodied persons to rise and shine and get with the program on this glorious Monday morning, in the final days of the wonderful summer of 2014! (smile)
Yes Friends, I believe that if we all had some military training early on in our lives, waking up on a Monday morning would not be such an arduous task. But as we said yesterday, the time and place to begin preparations for Monday is Sunday, fellowshipping with other believers. And if you don’t believe me, then just try it. I dare you. (smile)
Anyway, let’s get our usual adrenalin rush from our Monday Morning Battle Hymn; loud and clear and harmonious my people.
‘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 wonderful my brethren! So wonderful, that the heavenly hosts felt the magnetic pull of the riddim and sang along with us. Yuh see how powerful we can be when we put our minds to it! (smile)
Now let’s turn to our Bit, from Bruh Paul’s epistle to the Philippians, re continual pressing towards the mark. ‘Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous (tedious), but for you it is safe.’
And I just had to chuckle as I realized the irony of the similarity of the situation; meaning that writing to you my fellow believers is not tedious for me, while it is safe and sensible for you. (smile)
And the scholars’ note on this verse is very educational. ‘3:1. Finally is a transitional word that might be rendered “as for the rest” or “in addition to.” It turns from the old subject just discussed in 2:19-30 (i.e. the coming visits of Timothy and Epaphroditus) to a new subject in 3:1-4:1 (i.e. the readers’ religious enemies).
To write the same things refers to matters that Paul touches on again and again, namely the call to rejoice found throughout the epistle, and the repeated warnings about their adversaries (1:28-30; 3:1-4:1).’
And today I just want to reiterate to us Bruh Paul’s advice re rejoicing in God. Ah mih people, that is such an important part of a believer’s life that we can never overestimate its importance. Without a sense and purpose of rejoicing in our hearts, souls, bodies and minds, we’d be like…like… I can’t even find the words to describe it.
We’d be so serious and inhibited that there’d be little or no laughter, fun or joy in our lives. And unfortunately that’s how some believers live their lives, always sour and miserable, unwisely believing that to have a pleasant and laughing personality goes against the dictates of Jesus. But that’s ever so wrong my brethren.
Remember Jesus’ words to the disciples when talking about the vine and the branches? ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ (John 15:11) Now you can’t be full of joy and be sour and miserable.
Now let’s look at some scriptures where Bruh Paul advises us to rejoice. And we’ll begin with the most famous one to these same Philippians. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.’ (Phil.4:4)
Oh Friends, there are so many things in our lives to rejoice about that we should indeed be continually rejoicing in our wonderful and merciful God!
Then to the Corinthians, when summarizing his ministry, he declares: ‘As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Cor. 6:10)
So even in his times of sorrow, he rejoiced because he knew and experienced the miraculous grace of God, which is to this day still available to all who sincerely believe.
Hear what he told the Romans: ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’ (Rom.5:1-2)
Oh my brethren, if we have faith in Jesus Christ, then peace, joy, grace and all the other goodness of God is open to us! Now if those aren’t overwhelming reasons to rejoice always, then I don’t know what is!
And we’ll end with some of Bruh Paul’s simple but mighty and memorable words to the Thessalonians: ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess.5:16-18)
Oh Friends, those three simple statements cover God’s entire will for us! So let’s do them nuh. I won’t even go as far as calling it wisdom, because it’s only common sense… that is if you consider yourself a believer. Much LOVE!
…regardless of our earthly trials…when you have faith, peace, joy, LOVE, forgiveness, mercy, grace and faithful promises of salvation and eternal life from a mighty and magnanimous God…rejoicing ought not to be a problem…but should come automatically…
P.S. It’s certainly been a smiley smiley kind of day! (smile) But you can’t help but smile when you’re rejoicing! Much LOVE!
08 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accoding to their deeds God will repay, adversaries, another week of work, baptizing, brought to Jesus, christianity, communication revolution, contemplative sigh, corrupt ways, corruption, diligently spread God's Word, enemies, enthusiasm, eternal life, even to the end of the world, ever-LOVING God, evil, fear, fear the name of the Lord, fellowship, Friday chant, from the rising of the sun, further God's glorious kingdom, generations, generous help, Glory be, God's children, God's Word, Hallelujah, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, I am with you always, I will make thy name to be remembered, in the name of the Father, incense, Internet, Jesus Christ, lethargy, looking up to heaven, lord of hosts, lost souls, LOVE, loving kindness, loving nature, magnificent, Malachi, mercies, my name shall be great among the heathen, observe all things I have commanded you, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, pandemic, praise, praise God, Psalm 45, purpose, recompense, relaxation, renewed and refeshed, rest, salvation, Scrip-Bit, servants of the lord, sincerely live our faith, suffering, teach all nations, Thank God is Friday, thanks, the Great Commission, the Lord's anger, the Lord's decree, the people shall praise thee for ever, the rising of the sun, the SON, the Sprit of the Lord, tired eyes, truly love our God, ungodly world, wisdom, worship
Psalm 45:17. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Well Friends, at last it’s that fateful day – Friday!
And surprisingly, instead of the usual raucous and joyful shouts, I hear a tired, contemplative sigh and a less than enthusiastic ‘Thank God is Friday yes… Don’t think I could have handled one more day nuh…Thank God is Friday oui…’ tired eyes looking up to heaven.
Yeh mih people, it’s been a short work week for many of us, but the tiredness from the recent Caribana celebrations lingers on. Hopefully then, this weekend we’ll take our Friday Chant a little more seriously than usual.
Let’s chant: ‘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, some of you will definitely understand this weekend, the need for rest, relaxation and fellowship! (smile)
And our Bit for today comes from the last verse of Psalm 45, a psalm dedicated to and celebrating the king’s marriage, where a powerful affirmation is made. ‘I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.’
Oh my people, I surely hope that we ALL know that that’s the major purpose of all God’s children on planet earth – to make His mighty and glorious name known to all and sundry, throughout each generation, and thus have the people praise and glorify Him right through eternity?
That’s the ‘Great Commission’ Jesus gave to the disciples, and consequently us, before He departed this earth. ‘Go ye therefore, and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
And it does us a whole lot of good to remember that every so often, so that we don’t fall into a perpetual state of lethargy and/or fear, and diligently talk to others about our omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present, magnificent and ever-LOVING God!
Now let’s check out a few passages of scripture which corroborate our Bit. Listen first to the prophet Malachi, as the Lord rebukes the priests through him.
‘For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen (Gentile nations), saith the Lord of hosts.’ (Mal.1:11)
Yes Friends, the Lord has decreed that His name, and holy, LOVING nature will be known throughout His universe! And you know that whatever He decrees, it ALWAYS comes to pass, in His time.
And right now we’re witnessing, thankfully experiencing a communication revolution like the world has never seen before, which makes it so much easier to spread God’s Word all over the entire world. And this Scrip-Bit message over the Internet is a perfect example of that.
And all God’s children gave out a joyful shout of ‘Glory be!’
Yes my brethren, God’s name and glory need to go to the ends of the earth, so that He can be magnified and the numerous lost souls out there brought to Jesus, so that they can receive the most wonderful gifts of salvation and eternal life!
Now hear the prophet Isaiah, as he warns Israel on national corruption and the consequent suffering thereof… Oh my, my! Isaiah must have been here checking out our time too, because corruption is so rampant all over the globe that it’s become pandemic.
Anyway, here is what Isaiah promises: ‘According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands (coastlands) he will (fully) repay recompense.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard (banner) against him.’ (Is.59:18-19)
Oh Friends, I wouldn’t want to experience the Lord’s true anger nuh. But if we persist in our evil, ungodly, corrupt ways, at some stage of the game, we will certainly feel it.
And we’ll end with these wonderful verses from Psalm 113, which deals with the many mercies of our most wonderful God. ‘Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah), Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!’ (Ps.113:1-6)
And the correct answer to that my brethren is NOBODY!
So today, my fellow believers, let’s remember the greatness, the faithfulness, and the LOVING nature of our God and go forth in appropriate praise, thanks, and worship, so that we can bring everlasting glory to His name, as He desires, for that’s our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…the three do’s of Christianity…truly LOVE our God…sincerely LIVE our Faith…and diligently SPREAD God’s word…
04 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, Caribana, christianity, cry out for mercy, do unto others as you want them to do to you, doctrine, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith, fellowship, forgive your trespasses, forgiveness, friends, frogive men their trespasses, further God's glorious kingdom, golden rule, harmonious choir, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, hypocrites, inner motives, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, judge not, long weekend, LOVE, make Jesus proud, mercy, Monday, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, new week of work, Ontario, party like there's no tomorrow, pound of flesh, prejudicial info, refuse to forgive, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, Scrip-Bit followers, selfishness, smile, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, taunts, the shoe is on the other foot, tomorrow, trespasses, ungodly world, what you give out you will get back, wiles, wisdom
Matthew 6:15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Aye Friends, it’s Monday… and the ole back is aching from too much rest. (smile) It’s also late enough that many of you are already up and out the door to begin a new week of work.
Luckily though, for us here in Ontario, it’s a civic holiday, so many places are closed and the Caribana celebrations are moving ahead full throttle, with all sorts of activities scheduled for today, before it finally winds down tonight.
That means most of you out of the province couldn’t care less, because you can’t join in the fun and frolic. (smile) But don’t feel too badly, for not all of us are participating in the festivities. I for one, will most likely spend another quiet day at home with the Duchess, hopefully catching up on some paperwork I’ve been shunning for the last few days.
Anyway, let’s acknowledge the concerns of the majority and sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with much enthusiasm, even you Scrip-Bit followers here in Ontario, whose eyes may be bleary and voices scratchy from too much partying over the weekend. (smile)
Please encourage your brothers and sisters who have to go out and labour today, while we can party like there’s no tomorrow. Don’t forget though, that our tomorrow will come tomorrow, Tuesday, when we have to get ourselves into the work arena after this long, exhausting weekend. So please be careful today, don’t overdo it.
Now let’s sing our song like the big harmonious choir we are: ‘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 fantastic Friends! Even the bleary eyed, scratchy voiced Ontarians sounded good! (smile) Now let’s run with that enthusiasm and passion all day long, in whatever we do, and make Jesus proud.
That brings us to our Bit. And it’s interesting how Matthew has Jesus tacking on these most important verses right after teaching us the Lord’s Prayer. I guess that’s because all of what went before is immaterial, if we don’t follow these dictates.
‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’
Ah my fellow believers, those two verses are extremely important in the proper functioning of Christianity. The doctrine is so simple, and so powerful… but yet we ignore it…obviously at our peril. What’s so difficult to understand about, ‘Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Don’t forgive, and you won’t be forgiven eh?’
Now it’s not always easy to forgive, but many of us REFUSE to forgive, and instead are always looking for our pound of flesh in return. However, when the shoe is on the other foot, we all are quick to cry out for mercy and forgiveness.
Unfortunately Friends, it doesn’t work like that. Jesus says it again in the next chapter of Matthew, though in a slightly different form. ‘Judge (condemn) not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement (condemnation) ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete (use), it shall be measured to you again.’ (Matt.7:1-2)
And here we have some pertinent info from the scholars. ‘7:1-4. Judge not refers to an unfavorable and condemnatory judgement. This does not mean that a Christian should never exercise judgement of any kind under any circumstances.
The point being made here is that we are not to judge the inner motives of another. We are not to render a verdict based upon prejudicial information.
Nor are we to use ourselves as the standard of judgement for with what…ye mete (measure) you shall be judged. That ye be not judged refers to the ultimate judgement of God rather than our own judgement.’
It’s all so simple my brethren; whatever you give out, will, generally speaking, be the same that you receive. Jesus even went further, broke it down to the nitty gritty and gave us what we call ‘the golden rule. ‘Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.’ (Matt.7:12)
Ah mih people, it couldn’t be put any simpler and/or clearer than that! But somehow or the other, that message is completely lost in today’s world, where selfishness and the I, myself and me principle are the prevailing standards and culture of this age.
Steups! How foolish can we get eh Friends? Apparently very foolish.
So on that most provocative and important note we’ll end today. Hopefully it will seep into our minds and consciousness, and give us cause and pause for thought.
Yes my people, I want us to ponder to day, consider very seriously our own reaction and behaviour to that golden rule. Do we practice it? And if so, how much, because it can easily lend itself to very selective times? However, it’s not meant to be selective, but general, to everybody, on every occasion!
So let’s analyze our lives today, and try to bring our lives into sync with that golden rule. For if we don’t, then we’re no better than the hypocrite Pharisees of old. And I’m sure we don’t want Jesus referring to us like how He referred to them.
So let’s get with it nuh, and do unto ALL others, as we would like ALL others to do unto us! That’s eternal wisdom my brethren! Much LOVE!
…the golden rule is the motto by which…EVERY believer ought to live his or her life…
03 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christian's cloak, a new song, allegations, almighty god, Amen, an even place, another day, bless the Lord, browbeat, Bruh David, BruhDavid, call upon the Lord, debts, discontent, enemy, evil felons, evil tentacles, Examine me, faithful, family, family gatherings, fear, fellowship, forgiveness, fractured by work, give thanks, glorify God's holy name, go to church, grace, grievances, guilt, heaven, I shall not slip, I waited patiently for the lord, information, injustice, innocent, innocent cry, integrity, intimidated, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, Jesus is mine, judge, keeps us away from God, labour, lies, life or death, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, magnify, malice, merciful, mercy, minions, nature of the beast, one day of rest, Our Father, pit, power, praise, privileges, proud, push back, railroad, revered, sing, So let it be, special day, stand strong, stand strong and steadfast, steps, Sunday, take it to the limit, the Lord's Day, toil, true, true believers, trust, truth, unforgiving, upon a rock, vengeance, vindicate, worship
Psalm 26:12. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.
Oh Friends, it’s Sunday – the Lord’s Day! That means it’s time for all true believers to gather in His sanctuary and fellowship; sing, praise, worship, give thanks, magnify and glorify God’s Holy Name!
And all God’s people said a loud, grateful and sincere. ‘Praise the Lord! Let His light so shine before us that we may walk worthy of Him! Amen.’
Ah mih people, Sunday used to be such a blessed day; a day for family and worship, but as in so many other areas of life, the world has stretched its evil tentacles into Sunday too. Now the family and worship have been seriously fractured by work.
So many more places of business are now open on Sundays, it makes it difficult for many of us to have time for family gatherings, or time to go to church. And the sad part is that it’s getting worse!
Sunday is no longer a revered or special day. It’s now become just another ordinary day, another day for doing business. Steups!
Ah Lord eh! My people, we have to stand strong and push back some. The Lord said there should be at least one day of rest from toil and labour every week, but if we don’t look sharp, we won’t even have the little we now have. Lucifer and his evil felons are just trying to draw us away from Jehovah God in any which way they can.
They don’t care what it is, it could be life or death, once it separates or keeps us away from God, they’re happy. We can’t allow that to happen my brethren.
So please, let’s get up and go out and worship Almighty God in droves, let’s take it to the limit, and let the evil one and his foolish minions know that we will not be intimidated, we will not be railroaded into giving up our Sunday privileges, or stop worshipping our most wonderful God on His special day!
And all the children of God gave a mighty shout of ‘Amen! So let it be!’
Oh my fellow believers, we need to call upon the Lord as Bruh David did in our Bit, when he was falsely accused. ‘But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.’ (Ps.26:11-12)
Yes my Friends, a Christian’s cloak is his integrity, and we ought not to fear acknowledging and publicly blessing and praising the Lord for His goodness to us. And I know these days it’s easier than ever to be wrongly accused, with the great amount of false information that’s swirling around in our information age.
And the sad part is that once the allegations are made, they stick in people’s minds, even though we may be eventually found to be innocent of them. Unfortunately, that is just the nature of the beast, of the unforgiving society in which we currently live.
But Friends, regardless of what comes against us, we always need to stand strong and steadfast with the Lord, especially when we are falsely accused. Don’t allow the enemy to browbeat us into wrongly admitting guilt.
Hear how Bruh David opens Psalm 26, from which out Bit is taken. ‘Judge (vindicate) me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide (slip).
Examine me, O Lord, and prove (try) me; try my reins (test my mind) and my heart. For thy LOVING-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.’ (Ps.26:1-3)
Oh my people, if we can truthfully say those words, then there’s no need to worry. Our gracious God will certainly hear our innocent cry and justify us before men.
Listen again to Bruh David as he offers praise for answered prayer in Psalm 40. ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings (steps).
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ (Ps.40:1-4)
Oh my fellow believers, truer words were never spoken! If we make the Lord our faithful strong tower, and walk in integrity according to His dictates, we have nothing to fear. The Lord will address our needs and our grievances in His own time; we just need to wait patiently on Him.
Now that’s not always such an easy thing to do, especially when the waters of discontent, injustice and/or malice are swirling madly around us. But it’s what we need to do as true believers, for remember that the Lord has designated vengeance and justice as His domain. Ours is not to reason why, just to trust in Him; His tender mercy, grace and forgiveness, that He administers with unconditional LOVE.
Oh Friends, our heavenly Father is the most powerful force in the universe! No other being can thwart His pronouncements unless He allows it. So please let us stand strong, faithful and true in our belief in Him.
And this Sunday morning, I believe it’s ever so appropriate that we end with the memorable words that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ taught us.
Please pray with me: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.’ (Matt.6:9-13)
That says it all my brethren! Please have a blessed day as you walk sincerely with our Father in heaven. Much LOVE!
…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…for ALL the time…Jesus is mine…
01 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's wisdom, a toe hold, adversary, afflictions, as the deer longs for water, be extra careful, bounden duty, buy wine and milk without money, Caribana, carnival time, celebration, Christ's ambassadors, come to the waters, devour, direction, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, easy pickings, error of their ways, eternal life, everlasting covenant, everlasting life, fantabulous, fellowship, freely, Friday chant, friends, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gay abandon, generous help, Gentiles, God's free offer of mercy, God's invitation, grace, Granny's advice, guidance, heaven's doors, heavenly succour, holy spirit, Isaiah, Israel, Jacob's Well, Jesus is the Light, leggo-beast, light, long weekend, LOVE, Lucifer, mistake, my soul's thirsty for God, no one comes to the Father but through Jesus, Peter, relaxation, renewed and refeshed, resist steadfast in faith, Revelation, rivers of living water, roaring lion, salt, salvation, Samaritan woman, seek ye the Lord, sober, spiritually hungry and thirsty, steadfast faith, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the devil, the Truth, the water of life, the Way, true believer, ungodly world, vigilant, vulnerable, wisdom, without money
Psalm 42:1. As the hart panteth after (the deer long for) the water brooks, so panteth (longs) my soul after thee, O God.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday – Caribana Friday! And the joyful but raucous shouting begins: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! Caribana Friday to boot! The partying in T.O is going to be fantabulous this long weekend, with everybody drinking, smoking, doing whatever, behaving like real leggo beast…!’
Hold down mih people, hold down! Wait a minute here! This leggo beast behaviour is not a wise move at all nuh, for you know it is at times like these, when we are at our most vulnerable, that that ole crook and rapscallion, Lucifer, is busiest, at his most zealous, because he knows when we start carrying on with gay abandon, we’re easy pickings.
So please check yuhself from the very start. For if is one time you truly need to heed Granny’s wise advice; ‘drunk or sober, mind yuh business,’ is at Carnival time. And if you don’t believe me and Granny, then listen to Peter.
‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world.’ (1 Pet.5:8-9)
Yes Friends, it is in times of great celebration that we have to be extra careful not to open ourselves up to the enemy and allow him to get even a toe hold in our lives. Now let’s chant our Friday chant with as much gusto as we were just shouting, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now please take that to heart my people, because it will save us a whole lot of heartache later on. And having said all of that, let’s finally turn to our Bit: ‘As the hart panteth after (the deer long for) the water brooks, so panteth (longs) my soul after thee, O God.’
You know Friends, I had considered that Bit finished yesterday, but on further research, I found a few more scriptures that also complement it. Listen to Isaiah with God’s free offer of mercy to all. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’ (Is.55:1)
And the scholars have this to say about that offer: ’55:1-7. God’s free gift of salvation is offered to all who will receive it. Those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty may come to eat and drink without money (or freely). He promises an everlasting covenant to the Gentiles (vs.3) like the one He established with Israel. His invitation to all men is clearly stated by the appeal, Seek ye the Lord, and call ye upon him (vs.7).’
Ah Friends, you see that from way back when, our wonderful and magnanimous God was freely offering food and drink to hungry and thirsty travellers. But, for whatever reason, people just refused to accept it.
And then along comes Jesus, many years later, making essentially the same offer. As He says to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well: ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well (fountains) of water springing up into everlasting life.’ (John 4:13-14)
And later on, Jesus again makes this incredible offer: ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (heart) shall flow rivers of living water.’ (John 7:37-38)
But even then, the multitudes refused His offer. And unfortunately my brethren, two thousand years later, Jesus’ offer of heavenly succour is still on the table, and millions of earthlings are still unwisely refusing it. What can we say to that eh? Not much, other than it’s a fool’s wisdom!
Refusing Jesus’ free offer of grace, salvation and eternal life is the biggest mistake any human being can ever make. But sadly Friends, many many of us are doing it. And it is the job of the true believer to try and show them the error of their ways. To let them know that Jesus is indeed the Truth, the Light and the Way, and no one can come to the Father; enter heaven’s hallowed doors unless they do so through Him!
And John in his Revelations of Jesus’ plans, again offers this great invitation to all and sundry. ‘And the (Holy) Spirit and the bride (the church) say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst (thirsts) come. And whosoever will (desires), let him take the water of life (eternal life) freely.’ (Rev.22:17)
Oh Friends, it’s all available simply through belief and faith in Christ, our wonderful Lord and Saviour!
So today, let’s remember that we are Christ’s ambassadors, the salt and the light of the world, the ones He left to do His work here on earth. That means we have to go out and show the evil, unbelieving, ungodly world what Jesus is truly like, by being our best, most excellent selves, putting forth our best efforts on Jesus’ behalf, so that the unfortunate others can also see the light and add salt to richly flavour their lives too.
That’s our bounden duty that Jesus bequeathed to us. (Matt.28:19-20) So please, let’s go out and do it nuh, for it is wisdom, guidance and direction from on high! Much LOVE!
…too many people are living in the waterless desert… foolishly suffering from thirst…while right in front of them…rivers of living waters abundantly flow…from the free offerings of Jesus…
28 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a call to praise, Abraham Isacc and Jacob, adoration, almighty god, Amen, aura of love, blessings, bow in praise, brothers and sisters in christ, christ jesus, complaining, cymbals, dance, doxology, enthusiasm, everything that breathes praise the Lord, evil, exaltation, excitement for Jesus, expressions of praise, faith, fellow believers, fellowship, glorifying God, Glory Halleujah, have a blessed day, hemming and hawing, holy spirit, human soul, humble servants, inferno, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, keeping lives and families together, light a fire, LOVE, loving kindness, maturing in our faith walk, merciful and blessed Creator, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Oh Lord God Almighty, one true God, organs, passion, passionate manner, praise, Praise the Lord, prophetic, renewed vitality, salvation, sanctuary, serve a useful purpose, sing Hallelujah, So let it be, song of praise, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, stinged instruments, thanks and praise, timbrel, trust, truth, understanding, ungodly world, walking in faith, weary souls, wisdom, wisdom of heaven, works miracles
Psalm 150:6. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye (sing Hallelijah to) the Lord.
Oh my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, it’s another beautiful Monday morning on God’s wonderful planet earth! And would you believe there was no hemming and hawing, complaining, ‘steupsing’ or ‘chuhing’ from the penny section. (smile) Glory Hallelujah Friends, like we’re finally maturing in our walk of faith. And it’s high time too.
So please give our great God much thanks and praise for bringing us through the long and lonely, dark and dreary night, into the bright, scintillating, friendly, uplifting and LOVING light of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
And all God’s children joyfully shouted: ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His holy name! Hallelujah! Amen… So let it be!’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s the kind of praise and adoration we ought to bring to our merciful and blessed Creator each and every day, because it just fills His heart with joy, knowing that His most precious creation adores and gratefully acknowledges His LOVING-kindness!
As we said yesterday, it’s passion my brethren… passion for the ONE TRUE God; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Now let’s continue showing that passion, that verve and fervour, enthusiasm and excitement for Jesus, as we boldly and loudly sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn! Let’s light a fire, an inferno, on earth as well as in heaven with our exaltation! (smile)
On the count of 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!’
Most excellent my people, most excellent! Both heaven and earth were moved!
Now let’s turn to our Bit that exhorts us to praise our heavenly Father: ‘Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye (sing Hallelujah to) the Lord.’
Oh my people, that is such an awesome truth because our God is so wonderful to His creation that He deserves unlimited praise!
Now hear how the psalmist writes it- and as pieces of music have written at the top to designate speed and mood, like allegro, fandango, andante etc. this psalm has written at the top – with much passion.
So let’s do it like ordained. ‘Praise ye, (sing Hallelujah to) the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power (his mighty firmament). Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet (cornet): praise him with the psaltery (lute or lyre) and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye (sing Hallelujah to) the Lord.’ (Ps. 150:1-6)
Ah Friends, what beautiful and passionate expressions of praise!
And we’ll end with a most fitting acknowledgment from the scholars. ‘Psalm 150. The first psalm contains only six verses and speaks of the man who is blessed. The last psalm (150) also contains six verses but speaks of the God who is praised. No more fitting conclusion to the book could have been written.
While the other four books of the Psalms end with a brief verse or two of doxology, ‘a short expression of praise sung during Christian worship) Psalm 150 in its entirety forms the doxology to consummate the fifth book. As the final song of praise, it appropriately answers four key questions about praise.
(1) Where should God be praised? Everywhere, from His sanctuary on earth to His heavenly creation (v.1). (2) Why should God be praised? For His powerful deeds on behalf of men and for His inherent greatness (v.2). (3) How should God be praised? With every suitable instrument man can offer with his God-given creativity and artistry (vv.3-5). (4) Who should praise God? Everything that breathes. (v.6).
Though every verse of the psalm is cast in the form of a call to praise, the hymn is certainly prophetic of a day when every creature will in fact bow in praise to the Almighty God (Phil.2:11; Rev.5:8-14).’
Oh Friends, as the scholars say, the perfect way to end the Psalms! Please read those reference verses my brethren, for they are very interesting and important to our understanding of what the scholars have written above, and also to our understanding of scripture in general.
Now let’s go out and have a blessed day, walking in faith, LOVE and truth with Christ, in a most passionate manner, for that’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…there’s nothing that works miracles in a human soul… like praising and glorifying God…
27 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a song of praise, abundance, acceptance, adore, all knees will bow, all tongues confess, apologetic, Ark of the Covenant, ashamed of Jesus, Author and Finisher, be glad and rejoice, Bruh David, christ jesus, Christ's blood, convincing, Creator, embarassed, enjoyment, exalt, exalting Jesus, extol, exuberance, faith, faithful, fellowship, good news of Christ, grateful fellowship, honour and glorify God's name, ice-cold, Jesus Christ, joy, joyful worship, just what the doctor ordered, King of Kings, life, Lord and Saviour, Lord of Lords, loving, lukewarm, manifestation of joy, marvelous works, partaking of the cup, passion, passionate, praise and thanks, red hot, rejoice, rejoice always, sacrifical flesh of christ's body, sacrifice of Jesus, sharing, sing and dance, singing praises to God, sins, so-so, spit, step up to the plate, stodgy, Sunday, thanks always on our lips, time to worship, truth, venerate, vomit, walk of faith, with my whole heart, witness, wonderful feeling in our souls, worship Almighty God
Psalm 9:1. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (tell of) all thy marvelous works.
And then it was Sunday… And all the people joyfully sang: ‘Sunday, oh Sunday; time to go to the sanctuary; time to give praise and thanks; time to let the Lord know how much we LOVE Him; time to worship in true and grateful fellowship with my brethren, partaking of the cup of Christ’s blood, and the sacrificial flesh of His body, to let Him know that we remember Him in faith and truth, and also honour and glorify His holy name, for ever and ever. Amen!’
Oh Friends, at the rate we’re going, we’ll soon have a song of praise for every day! (smile) And that’s definitely not a bad thing, but rather it’s wonderful! For waking up each and every day and singing praises to our awesome God is just what the doctor, and God Himself have ordered.
And believe you me, we can never praise and glorify our omnipotent Creator too much. So let’s get ready to go to His house and worship Him this Sunday morning nuh, with plenty passion and truth.
However Friends, one of the unfortunate things I’ve discovered about us Christians; is that we’re not as passionate and convincing about Jesus as we should be. Most other faiths seem to continually extol, exalt and adore the object of their veneration, but we seem to be merely lukewarm about our Lord and Saviour, who has done so much for us.
Oftimes we seem even ashamed to call His name in public, or let others know that we believe in the Mighty King and Warrior known as Jesus Christ; King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, to whom all knees will eventually bow, and all tongues confess and acknowledge Him as Lord.
Yes, in the church buildings we sing and dance and praise His holy name, but once we’re out of the buildings we seem to adopt a stodgy, embarrassed and even apologetic attitude.
Oh my people, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about or to apologize for in exalting Jesus! For He is indeed the author and finisher of our faith! The one who selflessly and willingly gave up His ease and comfort in heaven to come to this mish-mash earth and die for our abominable sins, so that we could be granted salvation and eternal life.
Now isn’t that something to jump for joy about, and shout from the rooftops and mountains to all the world? It certainly is my brethren! For what other supposed deity has done anything even closely resembling Jesus’ sacrifice for his followers eh? NONE WHATSOEVER!
Oh Friends, please remember what Jesus said to the church at Laodicea: ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would (wish) thou wert (were) cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew (spit or vomit) thee out of my mouth.’ (Rev.3:15-16)
Yes my people, we either have to be red hot, meaning passionate, or ice-cold, not merely so-so in our acceptance and following of the greatest teacher who ever lived, Christ Jesus!
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time we all rose up and passionately do like Bruh David says in our Bit and the verse following: ‘I will praise thee, O Lord with my whole heart; I will show forth (tell of) all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.’ (Ps.9:1-2)
And my people, we ought to do that not only in the churches or wherever we officially worship Almighty God, but in all our doings, wherever we go; at home, at school, at work, at play, the thanks and praise to our wonderful Creator ought always to be on our lips.
How did Bruh Paul put it? ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.’ (Phil.4:4)
And remember too how Bruh David danced before the Lord when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. (2 Sam.6:14) He wasn’t ashamed to exalt and extol His ever-faithful and ever-LOVING God in public, like so many of us sadly are.
But we shouldn’t be ashamed of our Saviour, my brethren. Jesus said that He came to earth to give us life and joy, and give them in great abundance. (John 10:10) And joy is such a wonderful feeling in our souls that it usually just comes pouring out of us and we are glad to share it.
Therefore Friends, if we have joy in Jesus, then why aren’t we sharing it passionately with all and sundry eh, instead of foolishly and selfishly keeping it locked up inside of us? We should be exceedingly glad to share it with everybody, to noise it all over the world!
So today my people, when we’re finished joyfully worshipping in church, let’s come outside and continue that joyful worship nuh. Joyful worship does nothing for the inanimate buildings; it’s meant to be partaken of, to be spread amongst people. And how can we expect believers to come to Jesus through our witness, when we are only lukewarm in our walk of faith, in our exuberance, our manifestation of joy eh? That won’t ever happen!
It’s time we step boldly up to the plate and witness with true joy, so that others may belief. It’s what we’ve been placed here to do, therefore let’s do our duty with relish and verve and fervour nuh! It’s the ONLY way to go! Much LOVE!
…merely talking in hushed tones about the good news and deeds of Christ…and not showing real enjoyment in, and passion for them…will never endear Him to others…
25 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abonormalities, accumulate earthly wealth, acknowledge Almighty God, assurance, awesome advice, backbreaking labour, be content with what you have, confide in god, contented, correct scriptural procedure, corrupt, covetousness, destroy, distractions, don't be proud, don't look down on the poor, earthly realm, eccentricities, envy, eternal life, evil, fellowship, fervour, financial resources, foolish pride, Friday chant, frivolous, further God's glorious kingdom, generous help, glory hallelujah, God gives us richly all things to enjoy, God will never forsake us, good foundation, greed, haughty, heed the warning, highminded, holy spirit, human nature, I will not fear, instill a joy, jealousy, Jesus Christ, joyful shout, keep up with the Jones', kudos, last day of the workweek, lay not up earthly riches, laying up in store, light of eternity, LOVE, moth and rust, peaceful, Praise the Lord, purveyors of evil, ready to give, reality of one's faith, refreshed in body and soul, relaxation, renewed strength, resentment, rest, rich in good works, ruin, sad tale, salvation, show-boating, sinful nature, sniffing noses, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, The Lord is my helper, the time to come, the weekend, thieves break in, treasures, trust in the living God, trust in uncertain riches, ungodly things, verve, voracious pursuit, willing to share, wisdom, wisdom of heaven, worldly riches
Matthew 6:19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin, destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.
And then it was Friday… ‘Oh praise the Lord! Glory Hallelujah! Thank God the weekend is upon us! Backbreaking labour soon cease! Oh Thank God is Friday yes!’
Now that’s the kind of joyful shout that’s being heard around the world this Friday morning. And it’s really amazing and amusing that though we still have to go and labour on Friday, just the thought of it being the last day of the workweek, seems to instill a joy, an expectation that promotes a sense of – ah well, it soon over – and we get a renewed strength to bear this one day.
However, the question is, why can’t we get that renewal of strength to bear all the working days and non-working days alike eh? I guess it just has to do with the eccentricities, abnormalities, or whatever of our human nature. (smile)
Anyway, to gain some added insight into the proper use of the weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant with the same verve and fervour that we shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
As one chanting voice 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, that’s a much better way to handle the weekend. And we’ll continue today with that most significant Bit of advice from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the subject of worldly riches. ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin, destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.’
Ah mih people, if only more of us would just heed that august warning, so many more lives would be peaceful and contented. Our world would also see so many less problems, like the insatiable greed and the crazy, hurtful distractions that the rush to accumulate earthly wealth bring with it.
As the author of Hebrews so wisely declares in these two memorable verses of scripture. ‘Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall (can) do unto me.’ (Heb.13:5-6)
But unfortunately too many of us listen to our naturally sinful nature, as well as the siren call of the purveyors of evil, who dangle the frivolous possibilities of earthly wealth under our always sniffing noses, at every turn we take.
In the earthly realm, the more wealth we accumulate, the more we’re considered successful. And the foolish pride and show-boating of that wealth only makes matters worse, leading to jealousy and envy, resentment and others killing themselves to earn that wealth, to keep up with the Jones’.
What a sad tale we weave by the voracious pursuit of earthly wealth my people!
Now nothing’s wrong with having earthly wealth, in fact most of us could use some right now, (smile) but it’s the way we accumulate it, and then the way we use it that sets us apart.
Listen to Bruh Paul’s advice to Timothy. ‘Charge (command) them that are rich in this world (present age), that they be not highminded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (give), willing to communicate (share); Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ (1 Tim.6:17-19)
Oh Friends, oh Friends, what wonderful advice, what correct scriptural procedure! How can we ever ignore it eh? But sadly we do, at our own peril.
And we’ll end with some good info from the scholars’ re those verses. ‘6:17-18. Paul charges wealthy believers (1) not to be proud and look down on those who are not rich, (2) to confide in God, rather than in unstable riches, (3) to be rich in good works by generously sharing their surplus of financial resources with the needy. To be ready to distribute is to be generous in sharing. To be willing to communicate is to be liberal in giving.
6:19. When wealthy believers generously share (v.18), they secure an assurance (laying up in store for themselves a good foundation) that in the future (against the time to come) they will indeed enter heaven (lay hold on eternal life).
Salvation is not purchased by the giving of money, but generosity demonstrates the reality of one’s faith. Since the believer trusts God and not money, he gives. This giving shows where his heart is and that he views his wealth in light of eternity.’
Oh my people, my people, I couldn’t put it any better! We certainly need to view wealth in the light of eternity! For then and only then will that wealth not drive us to distraction and make us do foolish, unwise, ungodly things.
So please, today let’s sit and ponder, you can also lie down or stand up (smile), let’s consider our deepest and most intimate attitudes towards material wealth, and ultimately turn to Almighty God to help us with any problems we might have in that area. Now that’s the certain wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…what’s the purpose of having wealth if we can’t take it with us eh…and we only leave it for others to fight over…might as well share it… and in the process…get some kudos from heaven…
18 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: appreciate each day, be not afraid, belief, blasphemy, bread, bread of life, disciples, do his bidding, doubters, earthly sojourn, eternal life, faith, feast of the tabernacles, fellowship, Friday chant, furthering God's glorious kingdom, Galilee, generous help, give of our best everyday, god the father, going through the motions, good examples, gospel truth, heavenly wisdom, hunger, in Jesus' name, in the limelight, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, Jesus' help, Jews, Judea, LOVE, miraculous works, no prophet is accepted in his own country, only believe, physical hunger, promise, ramp up our belief in Jesus, salvation, scoffers, show thyself to the world, son of god, souls, spiritual beings, spiritual bread of life, spiritual life, spirituality, testify for Jesus, Thank God is Friday, the Father is in me, the Father's bidding, the weekend, thirst, truth, wisdom, witness for Jesus, works
Mark 5:36b. Be not afraid, only believe.
‘Friday, oh Friday, how I LOVE you Friday! Friday, oh Friday, doh care what nobody says, I will always LOVE you, because you bring the weekend near. That’s why I sing; Friday, oh Friday! Thank God it’s Friday!’
Yes my brethren, it’s that day we all wait and long so badly for, because it signals the end of the workweek. Now there’s nothing wrong with looking forward to the weekend, but technically speaking, we shouldn’t be doing as so many of us are; just going through the motions at work waiting for Friday to come so that we can go home and party the weekend away.
That attitude most certainly detracts from our witness for Jesus, and anything that does that is wrong! We must learn to appreciate each and everyday, and also give of our best each and everyday, for people are watching us; the way we work, the way we behave, and we therefore need to set good examples, if we want to be able to testify for Jesus.
Anyway, let’s chant our Friday Chant, which gives us a little better insight into how we should spend our weekends. As one now; let’s chant! ‘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.’
And Friends, if we’ll take that to heart and follow it, we’ll be much better off when Monday and the new workweek arrives. But as Jesus says in our Bit: ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’
And that’s gospel, my people! For we’re not very good at anything unless we believe in what we’re doing, and also believe that we can do it, with Jesus’ help of course.
Now today we’ll continue looking at scripture passages that call for that act of BELIEF! And we’ll begin with one of the most provocative but important statements Jesus made in His earthly sojourn.
When the people were clamouring for bread to fulfill their physical hunger: ‘Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life, he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.’ (John 6:35)
And the scholars explain that verse this way: ‘6:35. I am the bread of life means the bread that gives life. The life of which He speaks is spiritual and eternal.’
Oh my brethren, it is necessary to have physical bread to quench our physical hunger pangs, but it’s even more important, a vital necessity, to have the spiritual bread of life which only Jesus can give, so that we can attain salvation and eternal life!
We’ll always need worldly bread to quiet our complaining stomachs, but once we have the bread of life that Jesus gives, our souls, our spiritual beings, will never hunger or thirst again!
Now isn’t that a wonderful promise, one that we should all hasten to accept? Indeed it is! So let’s all concentrate on acquiring it today nuh, for it’s certainly heavenly wisdom.
Then Friends, we come to a little noticed passage of scripture, but which I believe hurt Jesus immensely. Now just before the feast of the tabernacles, Jesus’ family urged Him to go up to Jerusalem to celebrate it, but he declined, preferring to stay in Galilee, as the Jews in Judea were out to kill him.
‘His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and (while) he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.’ (John 7:3-5)
Imagine that nuh people, Jesus’ own family didn’t believe in Him! That had to hurt and disappoint Him. This led Him to later say: ‘Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.’ (Luke 4:24) And that’s no lie, for the doubters and scoffers are usually the ones closest to the person in the limelight.
And we’ll close with another interesting episode from Jesus. This time the Jews were wanting to stone Him because they considered His claim to be the Son of God total blasphemy.
But Jesus simply reasoned to them: ‘If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.’ (John 10:37-38)
And the same thing applies to us today Friends. If we believe that Jesus did the miraculous works the Good Book claims He did, then we also have to acknowledge that He could only have done them by working in conjunction with God the Father. For no one could do those kinds of things on or in their own strength.
It therefore behooves us to believe that ALL He said was true; not to doubt, but to BELIEVE!
So this fateful Friday morning my brethren, let’s ramp up our belief in Jesus, and go out and do His bidding, just like He went out and did the Father’s bidding. That’s the best way to show our faith, our true and strong belief in Him. Much LOVE!
…you can’t put forth your best effort…unless your heart believes in what you’re doing…
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