10 Mar 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all fear is gone, an empty grave, appearance, as a man, awful pain, became obedient, because He lives, calm assurance, Calvary's cross, came to love, Daylight Savings Time, death, died to buy my pardon, everlasting life, every knee should bow, every lash, every tongue should confess, face tomorrow, fight, forgive, found in fashion, gives way to victory, happy in Jesus, he holds my future, he humbled himself, heal, hell death the grave, honoured Jesus, I'll cross the river, inconvenience, Jesus, Jesus is Lord, joy, justice, life is worth living, life's final war, newborn baby, obedience, righteousness, rose from the grave, see the lights of glory, selflessly sacrificed himself, solcae, Standard Time, thanks and praise, the death of the cross, the Good Book, the pride, the wages of sin is death, to prove my Saviour lives, to the glory of the Father, trust and obey, ungrateful sinners, unto death, with pain
Philippians 2:8. And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Well it’s here right early again! And no, I’m not talking about Sunday, but Daylight Savings Time where we push our clocks ahead one hour and screw up everybody’s timetable. So at some time this morning it was two o’clock, then all of a sudden it became three o’clock! Wonder how many people remembered to do that before they went to bed and are going to get up late for church and work?
Then somewhere down in November we revert to Standard Time, setting the clocks back an hour, and again screwing up everybody’s timetable! One minute it’s two o’clock, then the next it’s one o’clock! Steups! I’ve yet to see anyone who likes the inconvenience, but the powers that be say they think it helps, so we do it.
We are one of a number of fewer and fewer areas who are doing it still. You then have to unnecessarily readjust to the time difference in different parts of the world. Even in Canada, not all the provinces do it. And they don’t suffer because of it! Chuh!
But let’s not get too worked up about that this Sunday morning nuh, let’s go to the Lord’s house and fellowship; have a good time as we give Him praise and thanks, cleanse our souls, renew a right spirit within our hearts and say the Lord be praised! And as always, we begin our praise and worship with a heartfelt song. Today’s song is one we all know, titled ‘Because He Lives,’ written by the Christian writing tandem of Gloria and William Gaither.
And since the lyrics are ever so true my fellow believers, let’s do them justice nuh, let’s allow our voices to ring out powerfully and in sweet sincerity as we joyfully declare (wrong again): ‘(Chorus: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds my future And life is worth the living Just because He lives.) (Repeat)
God sent His Son they called Him, Jesus He came to LOVE, heal and forgive He lived and died to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. (Chorus) How sweet to hold a newborn baby And feel the pride and joy he gives But greater still that calm assurance This child can face uncertain days because He lives And then one day I’ll cross the river I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds my future And life is worth the living Just because He lives And life is worth the living Just because He lives And life is worth the living Just because He lives.’
Ah mih people what truthful words of solace, joy and assurance! And it’s all possible just because our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ lives! Glory Hallelujah! Just imagine that nuh; because He is alive and well we can face tomorrow without any fear, and knowing that He holds our future in His mighty hands, life is worth living again!
Oh friends, give Him much thanks and praise nuh, because He didn’t have to do what He did for us, He could have even gone against the Father’s wishes. But no, as the Good Book says: ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’
Yes my people, Jesus selflessly sacrificed Himself for us on Calvary’s cross. Imagine that nuh: the Son of God becoming man and giving His life for a bunch of ungrateful sinners, all because His Father asked Him to. Yuh think those nails that pierced Jesus’ body didn’t pierce the Father’s heart too? And believe you me, every lash and awful pain He felt, the Father felt them too. But that was the ONLY way the Father could save us sinners and retain His righteousness and justice.
The wages of sin is death, which means somebody, some sinless body had to pay to set us free, and Jesus was the only sinless soul besides the Father. Sacrificing His only Son for us, just goes to show how much the Father LOVED us back then, and still LOVES us even now, even though we are such ingrates!
Yes friends, it was all based on LOVE! Jesus came to LOVE, to heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon. And an empty grave is now there to prove that my Lord and Saviour Lives! Glory be my people! He won the victory over hell, death and the grave, and rose to everlasting life, so that those of us who believe in Him, will die, but also rise again and experience life eternal with Him!
And for that unstinting, willingly given obedience, the Good Book tells us: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:9-11)
Mama Yo! Yes people, the Father honoured Jesus with the greatest honours at His disposal! The only thing He didn’t lavish on Him was His own throne! And the Father has promised to also lavish us with honours and rewards if we remain steadfastly obedient to His will. So there you have it, the choice is ours to be obedient or not. And you can’t say you didn’t know. (smile) Much LOVE!
…trust and obey…for there’s no better way…to be happy in Jesus…than to trust and obey…
28 Jan 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a different take, a fish, a serpent, accustomed, all things, ask, ask amiss, ask for in prayer, ask god for help, aura of love, awesome power of prayer, believe the best, believers, believing, confidence, contented, covet, earthly pleasures, enthusiasm, evil, experience the worst, faith, fervent prayer, fight, find, frequent prayer, friends, genuine prayer, get into your blood, give good gifts, glorious kingdom, have not, heartfelt pleas, heavenly Father, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, invincible, James, Jesus Christ, joy, kill, knock, lies, lifted spirits, LOVE, lust, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, motives, no excuse for failure, northern climes, overcome all odds, perseverance, prayer, receive, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, right motives, sad, Seasonal Affective disorder, seek, shall receive, sincere heart, smiles, spiritual armour, spiritual success, steadfast faith, striving with each other, sullen reply, the power of the Holy spirit, tired with it, treat others, trust, truth, ungodly world, war, will be opened, wisdom, work for Jesus, wrestling with God, ye ask not
Matthew 21:22. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Well my Scrip-Bit brethren, in these northern climes, it’s a chilly Monday morning out there! Yes, it’s winter, so what else do you expect eh? ‘Oh we tired with it!’ comes the sullen reply. ‘Chuh! We tired with the snow and the ice…and the cold…and all the other problems that winter bring!’ But that’s nothing new eh? It’s something you ought to be accustomed to by now…
‘Foolishness!’ is the angry reply. ‘Who could ever get accustomed to that nonsense eh, much less like it? That’s why they call it the winter of our discontent! Every blooming time it comes around we discontented, so much so that we get sad and miserable and develop the winter blues, what they now call some big name…can’t even remember the blooming thing…Oh…Seasonal Affective Disorder! Yes, it happens every winter season, so how you could tell me about being accustomed and contented eh?’
And there is a point to be made there my people. When the dark, gloomy, often sunless, snowy and slippery days get into your blood, it’s hard to be enthused about the weather, especially if you have to be getting around on P2 (on foot). But as believers in Jesus Christ we have a somewhat different take on the situation (smile).
We are encouraged to believe the best, even when we experience the worst. Now that’s not easy to do, or even comprehend, but with the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, if we’re serious, we can overcome all odds.
And for those of us who are shaking it rough this Monday morning, let’s apply some salve to our wounds nuh; let’s declare our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, call upon the omnipotence and mercy of our heavenly Father to give us some succour down here on a turbulent and ungodly earth.
All together 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!’
And yuh see friends, our prayer has barely reached up to heaven when it’s quickly answered! Note the smiles on our faces now; the lifting up of our spirits, and the desire to get out there and work diligently and excellently for Jesus! That’s what we call the awesome power of prayer! With sincere heart, right motives and strong belief, any and everything is possible in Jesus’ realm!
But the responsibility to call out for help, through prayer, remains solely in our hands. If we don’t ask in prayer, we won’t get. And that needs the power of belief, both to get us to pray, and also for us to expect whatever we’re praying for to happen. And Jesus says it quite plainly in our Bit: ‘And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’
Oh my people, please remember that TWO conditions are necessary there; asking for in prayer, and believing. If those two aren’t present, then all bets are off. As Jesus also said earlier on: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?’ (Matt.7:7-11) What an interesting question my people! And yuh see how Jesus builds up to it, ever the logical philosopher! (smile)
Now hear these explanations from the scholars: ‘7:7-10. The three imperatives ask, seek, and knock are in the present tense of the original language, suggesting both perseverance and frequent prayer. Fervent and continued prayer is to be made on behalf of those for whom we are concerned. God promises to answer all genuine prayer (vs.8). Everything we need for spiritual success has been promised to us. God leaves no excuse for failure.’
Yes friends, we have no excuses if we don’t pray, or if our prayer requests fail. As James, in his two cents worth on the topic declares, (wrong again): ‘Ye lust, and have not: ye kill (murder), and desire to have (covet), and cannot obtain: ye fight and war (battle), yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (earthly pleasures).’ (James 4:2-3)
It couldn’t be any plainer than that nuh my fellow believers. We either don’t ask, or ask for the wrong things, for the wrong purposes, and ‘instead of wrestling with God in prayer,’ we ‘are striving with one another.’
So today, let’s consider our lives nuh, both our earthly relationships as well as our prayer life. Let’s ponder on how we treat others and the things we ask for and the motives behind them. Then as always, let’s ask God for His help to do better. He will NEVER refuse such heartfelt pleas! Much LOVE!
…if the heart and the purpose are not right…then Lord will obviously say NO…
14 Nov 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: agents of Jesus, anxiety, ask, ask amiss, asked nothing, aspects of living, believing, beloved of God, communicating with God, confrontational, covet, daily bread, day to day, defeated, dissatisfied, dread, fight, flesh rebelling, for good measure, forgiveness, friend of Jesus, glorified in the Son, God's presence, greater works, have not, hurry, in everything give thanks, in my name, in turmoil, inhospitable, intolerant, Jesus Christ, joy, kill, knock, live life too busily, lust, multitasking, mutiny, of sins, One Year Book of Bible promises, pray so little, pray without ceasing, protest, rebellion, refused to get up, rejoice, resources, rest, restless, rolled over, seek, selfish needs, sensual pleasures, share His love, susceptible to temptation, temptation, the conduit, the Father, the reason, the will of God, the works of God, troublesome, Tuesday Mantra, undisciplined, walk that talk, weak, well rested, went back to sleep, worldly lusts, worry, ye shall receive, you joy may be full
John 16:24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Aye mih people, there’s been rebellion in the camp this Tuesday morning; a strong sense of mutiny is in the air. My aging, aching and apparently weary body bluntly refused to get up this morning when I commanded it to.
Steups! It simply stated that it was not well rested enough to get up and perform the duties I desired, then calmly rolled over and went back to sleep. What is our world coming to eh, when our own flesh is rebelling against us eh? (smile)
I obviously had no choice but to roll over and go back to sleep with it… That is until it felt rested enough to get up and perform its duties in the excellent manner that our Leader, Jesus Christ requires of us.
Ah mih friends, yesterday was indeed a bit rough on the body, and not because of any great doings nuh, just the simple day-to-day aspects of living, but without the required rest thrown in for good measure. And that’s what’s killing many of us; we try to live life too busily, what with all the amenities we have, multitasking and what not.
But that’s not how God made us to go about this earthly life. And here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises titled ‘The Reason,’ which accentuates what I’m talking about.
Please pray with me. ‘God, why am I so often defeated? Why am I so full of dread and anxiety? Why am I so lamentably weak – So perilously susceptible to temptation? Why am I so often inhospitable So intolerant of the needs of others? Why am I so undisciplined So restless and dissatisfied? Why do I protest so violently? Above all, God Why do I so frequently lose The sense of your shining Presence? God, why? Why?’
Oh my fellow believers, too often, too many of us cry out to the Lord with words and feelings akin to those. But you know what God replies. It’s so simple and true: ‘Because you pray so little.’ Amen!
Yeh friends, if our souls and spirits are always, or too often in turmoil, then it simply means that we’re not communicating with our heavenly Father enough.
And the Bible verse for that promise is the middle verse of these simple and basic instructions from Bruh Paul to the Thessalonians. ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess.5:16-18)
And yuh know my brethren, if we’d simply adhere to those three, simple basic things, ‘rejoicing, praying and giving thanks’ continually, our lives would be amazingly less troublesome and confrontational.
Now that is exactly what Christ is saying to the disciples, and to us in our Bit. ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’
He’s telling them that up to that time, they hadn’t asked anything of God in His name, but that they should begin doing so, because He is the conduit between mankind and the Creator. You can’t get to the Father except through Him. And if you ask, you’ll receive.
And isn’t that the general way things happen? When we want something we ask for it? And hopefully we’ll receive it. Obviously Jesus wasn’t talking about blatantly selfish needs or worldly lusts and sensual pleasures, but stuff that it would please the Father to give us, like our daily bread, and forgiveness of our sins.
Now yesterday we looked at the ‘joy’ aspect of our Bit, today let’s look a little at the asking and receiving part of it. Jesus said it several times; the most famous being: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt.7:7-8) As always, simple instructions from our Leader.
And after He had cursed the fig tree and told the disciples about having faith, He reiterated. ‘And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ Matt.21:22)
And the last quote from Jesus, after He tells the disciples about His going back to the Father. ‘And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:13-14)
The scholars explain: ‘13-14: In my name means “as My agent.” The promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus’ will (cf. 16:23-26). It is also linked here especially in the accomplishment of the “greater works,” (vs.12). The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.’
However friends, there is one proviso scripture to all of that. Listen to James. ‘Ye lust, and have not: ye kill (murder), and desire to have (covet), and cannot obtain: ye fight and war (battle), yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (worldly pleasures). (James 4:2-3)
Yeh mih people, that just shows that a lot of the times we ask for the wrong things for the wrong reasons, and the Lord will not grant them to us. We need to ask for the things of God, so we can do His work.
That brings us to our Tuesday Mantra. Let’s declare it as though we truly mean it. ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Now it’s time to walk that talk! Much LOVE!
…if you don’t ask…you won’t get…simple as that…
13 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, abundance, bend their tongues, controversy, courage, creativity, current incumbent, curse, demise, destroy yourself, destruction, divine protection, downfall, drizzle, evil, faith, farewell speech, favour, fight, followers of Christ, from evil to evil, hatred, heavenly blessing, hold my peace, humidity, Jeremiah's lament, Judah, learned the lesson, lies, like their bow, LOVE Revolution, negative backlash, negative word, not valiant for truth, others may hate you, overcome evil with good, pained at heart, piece of the pie, plundered, Praise the Lord, prosper, Richard Nixon, scratch, self-control, self-discipline, spoiled, strife, succeed, success, talent, the alarm of war, the sound of the trumpet, they don't know the Lord, Thursday Blessings, uncertain times, ungodly, weather prognosticators, wisdom, you don't win, you hate them
Jeremiah 9:3. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.
Ah mih breddren, at last a cloudy day! Yeh, so we can get a li’l rain, a li’l heavenly blessing to water our land. My area hasn’t seen any rain in almost two weeks, although the weather prognosticators have been daily promising it.
But rain has been falling in other areas. I guess the Lord’s been doing some selective blessing. Let’s hope today is our day, for the short drizzle we got yesterday afternoon was almost immediately dried up by the humidity.
And I do hear a few drops falling outside, and a rumble of thunder in the distance. Hopefully some meaningful rain will happen soon. Praise the Lord!
Moving on to other matters, I want to share a transcript from an old newspaper clipping I recently found amongst some papers on my desk. I shared it a long time ago, but is it ever so appropriate for these evil and uncertain times.
Now, according to the newspaper clipping, on August 9, 1974, the day ex-President of the U.S, Richard Nixon left the Presidency, he ‘gave an emotional farewell speech in the East Room to his staff, his friends, and his Cabinet. His family stood with him.
Near the end of his remarks, he waved his arms, as if to highlight the most important thing he had to say. “Always remember,” he said, “others may hate you, but those who you hate you don’t win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.”
His hatred had brought about his downfall. Nixon apparently grasped this insight, but too late. He had already destroyed himself.’
Ah friends, such words of immortal wisdom eh! But as the paper says, Nixon learned the lesson too late. I think we can all take that lesson for ourselves today. When we hate, we destroy ourselves! It’s as simple as that.
And I believe that’s a very valuable lesson that the current incumbent of the U.S Presidency, ought to heed, because he is causing such unnecessary strife and controversy with his untoward behaviour that it can only lead to a severe negative backlash.
And sadly, it all fits in so smoothly with our Bit. ‘And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.’
Ah precious people of God, I sometimes wonder if our society can get any more evil and ungodly than it already is. And it shakes me to my very soul when I discover that the answer is yes, because I just can’t imagine our society getting worse than it is right now. But it surely seems possible.
That brings to mind Jeremiah’s sad lament over Judah so long ago. ‘My bowels, my bowels (inner parts, soul)! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled (plundered): suddenly are my tents spoiled (plundered), and my curtains in a moment. How long shall I see the standard (banner), and hear the sound of the trumpet (sounds of war)? (Jer.4:19-21)
Likewise friends, I am lamenting over our present world because it is filled with the same disgusting sounds of war and disaster all over. And the sad part is that those who really seem to care about its possible demise are in the minority, as the majority scratch and fight for their own li’l piece of the pie.
But that unwise activity also recalls one of Jeremiah’s most astute proclamations on behalf of Almighty God. ‘For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish (stupid, silly) children, and they have none (no) understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.’ (Jer.4:22)
Ah my fellow believers, it’s so sad that the saying History repeats itself is ever so true, because we are living the same kind of evil, ungodly life that Judah and so many others have lived down through the ages and eventually felt their sad demise. It’s just that ours is on a much bigger, wider and more intense scale because our world is larger than theirs..
Oh friends, as followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, the Patriarch of LOVE, I’m imploring us to do our best, in our li’l corner of the world to promote the oh so necessary LOVE Revolution of our infallible Leader, because that’s the only way our world can, or will be saved from imminent destruction.
And having said all of that, let’s go home on a more positive and productive note, as we declare our Thursday Blessings. With one loud voice now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!
I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Yes friends, that’s the wonderful kind of life we have to look forward to when we live for Jesus! And since blessings need to be spoken to be most effective, let’s go out and speak them over others nuh, as our Lord and Saviour Jesus so avidly desires of us. Much LOVE!
…do not fight evil with evil…but overcome evil with good…
10 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sad state, abyss, advantage, another week of work, answer for his own deeds, appetites, at any time, be prepared, begrudgingly, believer, benefits, blame, by the scruff of the neck, cares of this life, carousing, choice, cold white stuff, come to pass, condemnation, deny Christ, disciples, drunkenness, emotionally, employee, employer, enthusiasm, excessively, fellowship, fight, foolish virgins, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, God's universe, good paying, Hades, hard labour, in Jesus' name, indulge, infighting, Jesus, jobs, judgement day, lies, like a thief in the night, oil in their lamps, permanent jobs, physically, poorly paid, potent, power struggles, powerful force, pray, prayer, punching a clock, rational, readiness, relaxation, rest, rights, sense of purpose, sensible approach, signs, simple, slackness, small pay, snare, stand before, straightforward, surfeiting, take heed, taunts, temporary jobs, temptation, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the day of the Lord, the face of the earth, the second coming, the Son of man, the Thessalonians, the weekend, the working world, the workingman, thief, trials, unawares, under pressure, valour, warns, watch, weighed down, wiles, winter, wisdom, your hearts be overcharged
Luke 21:34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged (weighed down) with surfeiting (carousing), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
So friends, like we gone back to winter now, with highs in the minus bracket and promises of that fluffy, but everlastingly cold white stuff! (smile) But that doesn’t matter as much to the workingman as the fact that it’s Friday, glorious Friday!
And he just goes about his merry way rejoicing, while loudly mouthing: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Thank God is Friday and the weekend here at last! No more hard labour for small pay! No more punching a stupid clock! The next whole two days is mine, to do as I please! Oh, thank God for Fridays and the weekend yes!’
And who can really blame him eh, since the working world out there is such a sad state; transitioning from good paying permanent jobs with benefits, to poorly paid temporary jobs with no benefits.
The modern day employer has the employee by the scruff of his neck as it were, with little choice but to accept whatever he begrudgingly hands out. Like we’re going back to the bad old days of employer advantage, where workers had to fight, both physically and emotionally for their rights.
But be that as it may, that excessive, overly emotional reaction is not the best, especially in these lean, rough and tough times. Our Friday Chant provides a much more rational and sensible approach. So let’s chant it out now nuh, with just as much enthusiasm and sense of purpose, as the workingman did his song.
Altogether 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 my fellow believers, that is the kind of response we need to have towards our two days off on the weekend, otherwise we’d just keep digging ourselves further down into the abyss of Hades every week.
And my people, our God is wonderful in His awesome and mysterious ways, that He pointed out a most fitting Bit for us today.
‘And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged (weighed down) with surfeiting (carousing), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.’
I just had to chuckle when I was led to it, because it defines our weekends so well. Jesus was here talking to His disciples about some of the signs of His Second Coming, warning them to be prepared, to not be deceived by the wiles and taunts and lies of the world.
The scholars add this explanation about our Bit. ‘21:34. Surfeiting means “to indulge one’s appetites excessively.” No believer is beyond the temptation to fall into sin. Jesus warns against slackness and lack of daily readiness in the Christian walk.’
In other words my brethren, we have to be always ready, daily prepared to walk the good daily walk, as well as be prepared for Jesus’ Second Coming, which can happen at anytime.
And Jesus continues His warning after our Bit. ‘For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.’ (Luke 21:35-36)
Ah friends, I couldn’t put it any simpler or more straightforward than that! That’s one thing about Jesus; His words are always simple and straightforward. And here He purposely warned us: WATCH and PRAY!
Consequently, I can’t understand how there’s not much more watching and praying amongst the brethren, instead of the infighting and power struggles, which currently manifest themselves to a large degree in the Lord’s church.
But yuh know what? Each man will have to answer for his own deeds come the judgement day, and then we won’t be able to say we didn’t know, or point the blame at someone else. It will all fall squarely on our shoulders. So the wisest move for all of us right now, is to get prepared, and stay prepared!
And we’ll close with this explanation re verse 36, by the scholars. ’21:36. Prayer is the better part of valour when persevering for Christ under pressure. Prayer alone will enable one to stand before the returning Son of Man, when those all around are falling, whether in condemnation before Christ or to temptation to deny Christ under the trials of the hour.’
There’s no more left to be said my friends! So please let’s begin seriously watching and praying nuh, for remember what Bruh Paul said to the Thessalonians: ‘For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.’ (1 Thess.5:2)
So let’s be prepared for when Jesus comes. Let’s not be like the five foolish virgins who ran out of oil when the bridegroom came, because they were not prepared. (Matt.25:1-13). Let godly wisdom reign amongst us my breddren! Much LOVE!
…PRAYER…the most potent and powerful force in God’s universe…
02 Feb 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, abundance, against the wiles of the devil, ambassadors, arrows, arsenal, broken right now, Christian witness, clear direction, courage, creativity, curse, demonic onslaughts, divine protection, evil schemes, faith, favour, fight, formidable foe, fulfillment, having done all, in high places, in the name of Jesus, ministry, negative word, one of those days, patience, President Trump, promotion, put on the armour of god, resisting Satan, self-control, self-discipline, slings, soldiers of Christ, spiritual wickedness, stand up, strong will, success, supernatural strength, supernatural wisdom, talent, the devil, the whole armour of God, Thursday Blessings, to stand, to the very end, to withstand in the evil day, withstand, ye may be able to stand
Ephesians 6:11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.
Oh my beautiful fellow believers, please accept my heartfelt apologies, but it was just one of those days!
Ah Lord eh! I had to go into the big city of T.O. for an early doctor’s appointment, and after handling the traffic and waiting for the doctors and waiting for unscheduled blood tests, I did not get back home until minutes to one.
Obviously by then the ole bod was tired and crying out for rest and I did not get up until minutes to five. And it was only after about half an hour that it struck me that I had not yet written the Bit.
The good thing about it all though is that we did make some headway in the medical realm today. At least the major problems have been sorted out under one team, and hopefully no more running from pillar to post.
Enough about my woes though, let’s get straight to our Bit. ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.’
And I’m chuckling here friends, because I must have had it on today, otherwise I would not have been able to successfully handle the slings and arrows that were thrown against me, especially in the patience realm. (smile)
All praise and thanks be to our great and wonderful God!
Now yesterday we had stopped where Bruh Paul was talking about ‘spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places,’ so let’s continue with his admonishment from there. ‘Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Eph.6:13)
Now this is a very important verse in the whole scenario, so let’s look at what the scholars have to say about it. ‘6:13. Wherefore means “because of this,” that is, because we face such a formidable foe, we must avail ourselves of God’s provision lest the enemy destroy our Christian witness and ministry.
The evil day refers to the periodic demonic onslaughts and Satanic assaults. Having done all includes both dressing oneself in God’s armour and resisting Satan. Having done all these, be ready, for the Devil will attack again and again.’
Yes friends, as a beautiful Christian soul the enemy will NOT stop attacking you, and the only way to resist Him is by being dressed in the total armour of God.
Fellow believers, I can’t stress how important this aspect of our Christian walk is, for without God’s protective armour we don’t stand a chance against the enemy, or as they would say, a snowball’s chance in hell!
So please, please, I’m imploring us to take this very seriously, especially with the crazy state of our world, which is apparently getting crazier everyday under the leadership of President Trump.
Ah mih people, I don’t even pay much attention to his antics these days, but we have to be concerned because everything he does seems to just cause more strife, anger, resentment, fear and anxiety around the globe.
As I said a few days ago, the Lord must have put him there to wake us up from our dreadful complacency. That’s why this message about putting on God’s total armour is so important at this particular period in time when the elements of evil are rising even higher than they were before.
I won’t belabour the situation, but I’ll just remind us that we are Christ’s ambassadors down here on earth. He is depending on us to conduct His affairs with righteousness and justice, but we can’t do that until we wake up and get serious about His LOVE Revolution, and stop all the aimless talking and instead take some positive action.
The enemy should never be where he’s at right now, and wouldn’t have been there without our lack of interest and complacency where we allowed him to remove things like prayer and the Ten Commandments from our schools, and put God on the back burner in most other parts of what was once a mostly godly scene.
But it’s not too late to wrestle it all back from him if we COME TOGETHER and seriously start pushing back, let him know that we’ve finally woken up and now mean business. Yes friends, it’s time to start pushing back, if we ever hope to win this earthly battle for Jesus!
Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings. Yuh see, we have so much good stuff in our arsenal, if we would only use them. The Lord’s already given us everything we need to battle the enemy and win, we only have to take them and put them to full use.
Chuh man! What’s wrong with us eh? We’re letting the good earthly life spoil us. So let’s bless ourselves. And remember that a blessing isn’t a blessing until it’s been spoken over someone.
All together now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!
I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
What more can we ask than all that eh mih people? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! So let’s go out and bless others now nuh. Much LOVE!
…as true soldiers of Christ…we must first be dressed in battle gear…then stand up and fight bravely…right to the very end…
29 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a shock of corn, afraid of destruction, allergies, anxiety, arrogance, be at peace with the beasts of the field, be in league, behold the beauty of the Lord, blessing, chant our Friday Chant, come to thy grave in a full age, desperate yearning, disagree, dwell in the house of the Lord, Eliphaz, encouraging words, everlasting joy, evil schemes, evil way, faith, famine, fear, fellowship, fight, freedom from work, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, gentle reminder, God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, God's goodness, has our back, hate, have a covenant, he shall redeem thee from death, in Jesus' name, in the time of trouble, joys, loss of interest, LOVE, love and cherish each other, lustful and evil things of the world, mercy, my hiding place, no evil shall touch thee, our heavenly Father, perverse mouth, plentiful, plots, preserve me from trouble, pride, prideful, proud, put that in your pipe and smoke it, relaxation, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, rest, right path, safe keeping, schemes., scourge of the tongue, secret place, shelter, smiley face, songs of deliverance, spirit of unity, strife-filled words, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks for getting me through another week of work, the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, the Lord is my light and salvation, the stones of the field, the strife of tongues, the upcoming weekend, thy descendants shall be great, trust, walk worthily of Jesus, wisdom, worry
Psalm 31:20. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence (secret place) from the pride (plots and schemes) of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (shelter) from the strife of tongues.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday… the day that has morphed into one which the workers, as well as the non-workers, have come to look forward to with a desperate yearning. It’s a day we now glorify with the dubious moniker, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
And though looking forward to Fridays, after which we get some freedom from work, isn’t in itself a bad thing, I believe that because we place such emphasis on it, we consequently end up with a loss of interest, and therefore productivity and enjoyment of the other days in the workweek.
So please, let’s cut back a little on the glorification of Friday nuh, and thus increase our joy and achievements in the more under appreciative days from Monday to Thursday. Why do you think the Lord made them all? It’s for us to enjoy them all!
And for those of you who think I’m mad, crazy, or just plain foolish and stupid for making that suggestion, I’m truly sorry for you all, because you don’t know the joys you’re missing by concentrating on the coming of Friday.
Anyway, we’re not here to fight and disagree, but to LOVE and cherish each other in Jesus’ name, so in the spirit of unity, let’s chant our Friday Chant, so that we can see the right and proper way to picture the upcoming weekend.
Chanting… ‘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 let that guide us on the right path for the weekend. And our Bit for today is the same as yesterday. Today though, we’ll focus more on God’s safe keeping of His people, rather than the proud and prideful aspect which we concentrated on yesterday.
But before we get to that, allow me to quote one scripture on the prideful aspect that I didn’t get in yesterday. It comes from the wisdom of Cousin Sol. ‘The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward (perverse) mouth, do I hate.’ (Prov.8:13)
Oh my people, that’s just a gentle reminder of the distaste the Lord holds for the lustful and evil things of the world. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! (smile)
Wow! Is that really the first smiley face for the day? Chuh! We have to do better than that. Please excuse the sneezing, (smile) my allergies seem to be acting up.
And now our Bit ought to bring not only a smile to our faces, but rather a deep and everlasting joy to our hearts, souls, bodies and minds! ‘Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence (the secret place) from the pride (plots and schemes) of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (shelter) from the strife of tongues.’
Oh my brethren, that’s what happens when we place our sincere trust and faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! He shelters us from the plots, plans and evil schemes of wicked men, along with their strife-filled words.
What a joy and blessing it is to know that our heavenly Father has our back! That’s why Bruh David was ever adamant about it. Hear him from Psalm 27 – the Lord is my light and my salvation.
‘One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty (delightfulness) of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle, shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock.’ (Ps.27:4-5)
And now listen to his convincing declaration in Psalm 32 – 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.27:7)
Oh my people, a body couldn’t get any surer and more convinced of God’s goodness, mercy and safe keeping than that!
Now let’s close with some thoughtful and encouraging words on the subject from Eliphaz, as he rebukes his buddy Job. ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up, he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power (hand) of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league (have a covenant) with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle (tent) shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin (find nothing amiss).
Thou shalt know also that thy seed (descendants) shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth (many, plentiful). Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it (for yourself) for thy good.’ (Job 5:17-27)
And that says it all Friends! Know it for yourself, for your good, that whatever happens, our great and wonderful God will look after us, through both the good and bad times! You can take that to the bank like money! (smile)
Now please let’s go forth this fateful Friday morning, the last one in August 2014, the one so fittingly before the long Labour Day weekend, and walk worthily of Jesus, for that’s all He desires of us, and furthermore, it’s wisdom at its everlasting best! Much LOVE!
…when Jesus truly comes into our hearts…He drives out all fear, worry and anxiety…
P.S. It’s long and late, but sweet, provocative, heartwarming and encouraging nuh! (smile) And would you believe that just as I was about to send out the Bit, the foolish, so and so computer froze on me, and I had to waste even more time on rebooting! Oh Lord eh! The trials we have to bear to do the Lord’s work! (smile) Much LOVE!
24 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a dry morsel, a fool's wisdom, affect one's health, brother shall betray brother, brought to their knees, bulwark, children shall rise up against their parents, Cousin Sol, crooked lawyers, dysfunctional family, estranged, family, family life, family relationships, father shall betray son, fear of the Lord, feasting, fight, glorifying God's name, glory hallelujah, God chooses our family, godly family, gospel truth, hateful lives, hatred, heavenly wisdom, irascible, jealousies, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, material dreams, material riches, material wealth, negative emotions, our heavenly Father, quietness, resentments, riches, sacrifices, short tempered, signs of the end times, spiritual riches, storing up treasure in heaen, stressed, strife, strife torn world, strive, strong fortress, success in family life, success in the world, supportive, the fatted calf, the things of God, the things of the world, tight knit, treacherous times, truth, ungodly world, walk in the world, we choose our friends, wisdom
Proverbs 17:1. Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s physically tired this Saturday morning… but the brain is as quick-witted as ever! (smile) And that’s no thanks to me, but to our heavenly Father. In His vast wisdom, He’s enabling my mental faculties so that I can write a decent Bit, glorifying His Holy Name. And my humble response to that is a lusty: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’
And what do we have on tap for this glorious day eh? Well good stuff as usual. And today we’re going to talk about the family, starting with this quote attributed to Randall Jarrell (1914-1965), an American, poet, author and literary critic. Here is Randall’s observation: ‘The dark, uneasy world of family life – where the greatest can fail and the humblest succeed.’
Words of indisputable truth my brethren! For we all know supposedly great and successful people in the world in various professions and walks of life with very terrible family histories.
Success in the world doesn’t automatically transfer to success in family life, but more often than not success in family life can translate into a successful walk in the world. That’s because when a family is tight, is standing together and supporting each other, without petty resentments and jealousies, then the individuals are free to rise up without the weight of those negative emotions.
How many wealthy families are brought to their knees by poor family relationships eh? Countless numbers!
Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that poor families are always a tight knit and supportive group either. But it is possible for poor families to have very strong relationships. It just goes to show that material wealth doesn’t always mean good family ties. In fact it’s usually the opposite.
I guess a lot of that can be attributed to the fact that we choose our friends, while God chooses our family for us. Unfortunately we don’t have much choice in the situation, so we just have to put up with whom He’s given us, or, as so often happens, live estranged and hateful family lives.
No wonder, Cousin Sol in our Bit, so wisely and warily informs us: ‘Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices (sacrificial meals or feasting) with strife.’
And that’s the living truth my people! However, in these modern times where the family is no longer the bulwark, the strong fortress of our society, strife is sadly rampant in too many of our families. The dysfunctional family seems to be more the norm today than the exception. It certainly seems as though Jesus’ statements, re signs of the end times, are coming true.
Mark puts it this way: ‘Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.’ (Mark 13:12)
Meanwhile Luke says it thus: ‘And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.’ (Luke 21:16)
Oh Friends, how true that is in this ever more strife torn world. Families are falling apart daily because of the stress and strain being put on them by this busy, ungodly world. So where are we to find help eh my people?
Cousin Sol gives us an idea: ‘Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.’ (Prov.15:16) Now that’s the gospel truth! Only in strong, serious and sincere communion with Almighty God can families withstand the pressure to fight and strive against each other in these treacherous times.
As the scholars in great wisdom tell us: ’15:16. Spiritual riches are better than material riches.’
Oh Friends and fellow believers, I know that many of you don’t think so, and thus are still striving after much material wealth, but please stand back for a moment and take a look at what that is doing to your family life nuh.
If you’re constantly working that means you don’t have much time for your family, and you’re continually stressed, short-tempered and irascible. Some members of your family might even be afraid to approach you on important matters because of those negative elements. And relentlessly pursuing your material dreams will undoubtedly affect your health at some stage of the game.
And what will you have to show for it then eh? Just a few material things, but nobody to console you. As somebody once said, when our time comes to go to the other side, we don’t ask to see our possessions nuh, we ask to see people. Whichever way you cut it my brethren, seeking material gain above all else is a fool’s wisdom. Please get that buried deep in your conscience.
And all those materially wealthy people, those who built great empires at the cost of a poor family life, where are they now? Either sick and suffering and lonely somewhere, fighting with family over their possessions. Or they have passed on to the next side and left the much prized possessions for the family to fight over, and foolishly have most of it end up in the hands of greedy and crooked lawyers.
You see and hear about those kinds of stories every day, but yet still we run behind the things of the world, rather than the things of God. Let’s wake up and smell the roses nuh my people, and stop running down the inferior and destructible things of the world, and instead concentrate on storing up treasure in heaven, where moth nor rust can destroy it, nor thieves steal it.
And we’ll end with another wise saying from Cousin Sol on the subject. ‘Better is a dinner of herbs (vegetables) where LOVE is, than a stalled ox (fatted calf) and hatred therewith.’ (Prov.15:17)
That’s indeed heavenly wisdom Friends, so let’s try and attain unto it today nuh. Much LOVE!
…only through a return to godly family life…can we ever hope to fuel the LOVE Revolution…and right our wrong leaning world…
01 Jan 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 2014, almighty god, awesome, battle, be glad, beat the air, belly and backbone, body of Christ, Book of the Law, Bruh Paul, built on the rock, castaway, commanded, continual conversation, Corinthians, corruptible, created, crown, crown of righteousness, day and night, death, departure, desires, discipline, disqualified, dissension, division, essential, evil, evil world, exercise, expectant faith, expectations, fellow believers, fight, finished the race, foolishly think, fought as strong, friends, give thanks, glorifying God, godliness, good fight, gumption, Happy New Year, hearts, heavenly Father, help of Jesus, house divided, hungry hope, image of, imperishable, incorruptible, intelligent beings, intimate walk with Jesus, Jehovah-Jireh, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus' church, joining together, Joshua, joy, kept the faith, last testament, leader, leading and guiding, living for God, Lord your God, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, Lucifer, meditate, minds, mirror image of Jesus, New Year's resolution, obtain, one true God, peace, perishable, practice makes perfect, preached, prize, promise, race of life, reading God's Word, righteous judge, run, running the race, self-control, simple, simple formula, souls, stood up, straight and narrow path, straightforward, strive, stronger, success, temperate, the essence of Jesus, The Israelites, to prosper, to the left, to the right, training, training programme, turn aside, ungodliness, ungodly delights, walk with jesus, we will rejoice, wiser, Yahweh
Deuteronomy 5:32. Ye shall (carefully) observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Oh my beautiful Friends and fellow believers, I’m wishing you and yours a Happy New Year; a bright and prosperous 2014, filled with hungry hope, expectant faith and overwhelming LOVE for our great God, our pilgrim selves and neighbours, who have all been created in the image of the ONE TRUE DEITY, Almighty God, Yahweh, Jehovah Jireh!
Yes my people, 2014 will be a wonderful year, because we will all live up much better to our New Year’s resolution of having a closer and more intimate walk with Jesus, than we did in 2013. The whole point of the exercise is to get closer and closer, become a better mirror-image of Jesus every year that we’re alive.
And 2014 will be no different, for we’ll continue to build the LOVE Revolution that is destined to engulf this evil world, with our most able leader, Jesus Christ at the helm. Oh my people, with Jesus Christ leading and guiding us we can NEVER GO WRONG!
So today, let’s all promise that in 2014 we’ll buckle down, take our faith and it’s world-wide spread seriously, develop plenty gumption, plenty belly and backbone, and with the help of Jesus raise the level of godliness in this too evil world.
And the only way we can do that Friends, is by joining together, for remember that a house divided against itself will eventually fall, but one that’s working together, that’s built on the rock, as Jesus’ church is, will stand forever! That means as the body of Christ we have to start working together instead of against each other, as Lucifer is intent on having us do.
And unfortunately in 2013 he has succeeded much more than he should have; the church has seen its fair share of dissension and division, evil and ungodliness has definitely increased, while believers have not stood up and fought as strong a battle as we ought to.
But all of that is going to change for the better this watershed year of 2014 – isn’t it my brethren? I just know that it will, because we’re getting wiser and stronger and more intimate with Jesus each and every day!
Wow! What a year 2014 will be Friends!
And that’s where our Bit comes in, for living for and glorifying God, is what its all about: ‘Ye shall (carefully) observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.’
Yes my people, it’s that straight and narrow path that leads to God that we must concentrate on walking this New Year. And to get us going today, let’s joyfully declare: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps.118:24)
Oh Friends, when we start out with joy, peace and LOVE, the essence of Jesus, in our hearts, minds and souls, how can we go wrong eh? NEVER!
That’s why it’s so essential from the moment we awake, till the moment we close our eyes to sleep, that we give thanks, we keep up a continual conversation with our heavenly Father, who is the ONE that enables us to prosper in this crazy world. And a big part of all that is regularly reading His Word.
As He told Joshua when He anointed him leader of the Israelites: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh.1:8)
Oh my people, as I keep saying, our God keeps it clear, simple and straightforward! What’s in there not to understand eh? You read His Word, do what it says and you’ll be prosperous and successful!
Wow! What a simple formula for success!
But we, the great and intelligent beings that we are, or rather foolishly think that we are, just won’t buy it. Why? I don’t know. Perhaps it’s too simple; perhaps we think it will keep us back from enjoying some of the evil and ungodly delights of this evil and ungodly world?
But Friends, whatever is keeping us back from taking hold of God’s Word and running the biggest and best race of our lives, please let’s drop it, or them, this year and concentrate strictly on Jesus and His desires for and expectations of us.
Hear Bruh Paul tell it to the Corinthians nuh: ‘ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown; but we an incorruptible (imperishable). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (be disqualified). (1 Cor.9:24-27)
Yes my people, that’s our biggest problem, bringing our bodies and minds under subjection, into a godly kind of discipline. But as Bruh Paul says, if we want to win the race, we have to put in the training time. It’s like everything else in our world; practice makes perfect.
And if we want to have a last testament like Bruh Paul, then we have to get to work seriously on our training program RIGHT NOW! ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim.4:6-8)
Oh my fellow believers, each and every one of us ought to be able to make that statement when our time to cross over to the other side draws near. But unfortunately we won’t be able to do so, unless we start training properly and seriously for that awesome race of life in Jesus Christ RIGHT NOW!
So I’ll leave us to ponder on all that now, and please, let’s enjoy this first day of 2014, as though it’s the first day of the rest of our lives, for in many ways it just might be. Much LOVE!
…turn not to the right hand…nor to the left…remove thy foot from evil… (Prov.4:27)
27 Nov 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: awake, darkness, evil, faith, faithful efforts of believers, fight, fun, Gentiles, God's work, happy medium, hymn of praise, light of Christ, LOVE, make a difference, New Testament, Old Testament, opportunities, Paradise, prophecies, Redeem the time, relaxation, rest, spiritual enlightenment, teachings, time flies, walking carefully, walking foolishly, Word of God
Ephesians 5:14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Ah Friends, I can’t believe that I’ve already been in Paradise for a whole week! Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! I can’t say that I had much fun though yesterday, because all I did was write, eat, sleep, talk on the phone, read, eat and sleep again. But that’s good, for sometimes the body does need a day of rest and relaxation. However, too much of that is just as bad as too little. We need to find a happy medium, so we can both rest and rejuvenate our bodies and minds, but also be up and doing God’s work. As our Bit today warns: ‘Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’ Yes Friends, we’re still on the very important topic of getting out of the Lucifer induced darkness to the brilliant, salvation filled light of Christ. Hear the scholars on our Bit: ‘Since exposing sin is beneficial, God invites the unbeliever (thou that sleepest) to turn from his sin (arise from the dead), with the promise that he will be granted the spiritual enlightenment and help needed (Christ shall give thee light). And is that ever so true! The enemy just delights in keeping us in darkness, so that we can’t see and rejoice in the glorious light of Jesus. But Friends, we need to fight, with all our might, that evil, cloud-like darkness that wants to keep us in subjugation to Beelzebub and his wicked cronies. And though many of us consider the Old Testament to be like its name; old, out of date, and of no use, that’s a terrible fallacy. It’s there to be an important example to us, a reminder of how it used to be. Both Jesus and Bruh Paul quoted the Old Testament extensively. And in today’s Bit, Bruh Paul is referring to Isaiah’s hymn of praise, where he confidently declares: ‘Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.’ (Is.26:19) Bruh Paul was also quoting from Isaiah’s future glory of Zion. ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.’ (Is.60:1-3) And according to the scholars: ‘Isaiah foresees a time when Israel will arise out of her darkness and shine with God’s glory. Then the Gentiles shall come to her light. Thus the sons of strangers described in this chapter will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.’ And my people we’ve lived to see that prophecy come to pass with Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection! Yes Friends, we cannot ignore the teachings and prophecies of the Old Testament, but must use it in conjunction with the New Testament, for if you don’t know where you’ve been, or are coming from, you cannot plot a good and wise path for your future. And the Old Testament gives us the rich history of our faith, which in these days we desperately need to build on and keep going. Wherefore, Bruh Paul challenged the Ephesians to; ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise.’ (Eph.5:15) Unfortunately though my brethren, too many of us are not walking circumspectly these days, but walking as certain fools, ignoring the rich Word of God, to foolishly embrace the worldly pleasures that Lucifer is tempting us with. However our need to walk carefully is becoming more important every day, especially with the recent explosion of the communications media and the ease with which every Tom, Dick and Harry can put forth their own biased, false and conniving views. We can be so easily led astray in these modern times it’s not funny, but sadly, many of us are not taking the situation as seriously as it warrants. Fellow believers, I’m imploring us to wake up and smell the roses, see the destruction and disgrace that both the spiritual and physical forces of evil are planning and perpetrating upon our faith and those who embrace it. No wonder Bruh Paul continued by cautioning the Ephesians: ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ (Eph.5:16) And I like what the scholars say about that verse: ‘Redeeming the time (or, “making the most of every opportunity”): Contextually, the specific opportunity in view is that of exposing the sins of the lost and being a witness to them. Because the days are evil assigns a reason to seize each opportunity. It is because the sins being committed these days are so evil.’ Oh my people, that’s pure, pure gospel truth! These are some of, if not the most wicked and evil days in the entire history of mankind. In times gone by, we were rough and barbaric and didn’t know any better. Hn! But now…now when we’re claiming to be civilized, we’re even more brutal and evil than before, if that’s at all possible. We just do it in a more underhanded, subtle manner. We’ve turned evil into both an art and a science, a field that too many are desirous of studying and becoming very accomplished in. Friends, oh Friends, it’s only through the strong, diligent, faithful and continuing efforts of believers that this world will ever see any positive changes. So if we truly desire to see it improve, if we truly desire a better world for our children and theirs, then let’s work together in the name of Jesus nuh, with each one of us, really trying to make some small difference in our own way, beginning in our own neighbourhood. That’s the only way any positive changes will ever come about. Much LOVE!…it’s time for ALL true believers…to stop the fruitless talking…and instead step up to the plate…and make a worthwhile, even though small difference…
SCRIP-BITS 