25 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a refresher course, a sense of urgency, able to withstand, against principalities, avail ourselves of God's provision, be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, be strong in the Lord, common sense, conquer Monday, demonic onslaughts, demons, departed from him for a season, destroy our Christian witness, divine aid, efficient weapons, evil schemes of Satan, face a formidable foe, faith, faithfully promised, fallen angels, flesh and blood, flex our muscles, hand to hand combat, have the victory through Christ, having done all to stand, holy spirit, humble servants, immediate action, in the evil day, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, keep the ball rolling, life-saving obligation, logic, LOVE, meat and potatoes, mercy, never give up, never say die, powers, pray, proper protection, put on the whole armour of God, resist the enemy, salvation, Satan himself, sincere repentance, sincerely seek your face, sinned and disobeyed your Word, spiritual warfare, spiritual wickedness in high places, strong faith in Christ, the church's adversary, the devil had ended all the temptation, the devil's strategy, the God who heals, the individual nature of spiritual warfare, the lion of the work week, the Lord's armour, the mass confusion in our world, the milk of the word, the power of his might, the power to solve our problems, the power to tame lions, the rulers of darkness, the throne of grace, the wiles of the devil, to alleviate our problems, to hear and answer our prayers, tools to fight, truth, turn from our evil ways, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, wisdom, wisdom for the ages, wise guidance
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.
Welcome to Monday friends; the lion of the work week! But please remember that through Jesus Christ, we have the power to tame even the most ferocious lion, which means we can conquer Monday, without any trouble, if we put our minds to it. So, let’s do just that nuh; by getting out there and showing Monday that we have it all together, and there’s nothing it can throw at us that we cannot handle.
However, before we can flex our muscles on Monday, we need to fulfill one important, life-saving obligation; that’s putting on the Lord’s armour before we go out to battle with Monday, for if we don’t, he will certainly come out victorious, since it’s the Lord’s armour that keeps us protected and gives us the tools to fight. Consequently, it will do us a lot of good to have a brief refresher course on the armour of God. (smile) And we find that master fighter, Bruh Paul, talking about it in his letter to the church at Ephesus.
This is what He says to them: ‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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. 6:10-13)
That my people is the general why of the situation. The fight is not against human flesh but against spiritual wickedness, especially those in high places, that are controlling our world. And the scholars give us some interesting and important explanations, like ‘Put on, denotes a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action.’ And we do need to get the ball rolling with no hesitation whatsoever.
Then, ‘to stand, means to resist the enemy and hold a critical position in the battle. While the wiles of the devil (the Devil’s strategy): means that Satan carefully devises schemes and tactics against believers. And as per ‘wrestle, used of hand-to-hand combat, emphasizes the personal and individual nature of spiritual warfare waged against each local church and Christian. Flesh and blood refers to humanity.
Such is not the church’s adversary. Instead, she opposes principalities (rulers), powers (authorities), rulers (world rulers), spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings), that is fallen angels, demons, and Lucifer himself.’ So friends, you see the powerful consortium of evil and wickedness that we are up against.
That’s why Bruh Paul wrote ‘Wherefore, meaning 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 attacks. 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 mih bredrin, that’s one thing about Satan and his evil cronies, they don’t ever give up, they keep coming back again and again. It’s like when the Devil tempted Jesus unsuccessfully, the Bible says: ‘And when the devil had ended all the temptation (testing), he departed from him for a season.’ (Luke 4:13) That means he did not go away forever, but just to recover himself and come up with some more evil schemes.
And that’s the way we Christians ought also to be, never give up, never say die, especially when we know that we already have the victory though Jesus Christ, but we do need to protect it. And please note that Bruh Paul keeps talking about putting on ‘the whole armour of God.’ Yes, that’s all of it, not bits and pieces, because it’s only with the complete armour that we can ever fight any battle victoriously.
Now that was the milk of the armour of God, (smile) understanding why it’s necessary to be protected, and from what. And I believe that we will leave the meat and potatoes of the situation for tomorrow, if God spares life, because we have enough heavy stuff to understand today, and the rest of it is also difficult to understand and will only make the Bit long and unwieldy. So, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help in these evil and ungodly times.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems.
Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.
Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’
And as we can see from our prayer, there are things we first need to do before divine aid is forthcoming; like turn from our evil ways, pray, humble ourselves, and sincerely seek the Lord’s face. So why don’t we concentrate on doing those things eh my people, beginning right now, so that heaven will shower down blessings on us. It’s wisdom for the ages! Much LOVE!
…it’s simple logic and common sense…one cannot go into battle without proper protection and efficient weapons…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Sep 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crown of life, American Civil War, armour, be never wanting, breastplate of righteousness, brethren of the ministry, Christians, demonic attacks, Dudley Atkins Tyng, duty calls, evangelical revival, every foe is vanquieshed, farming accident, fellowship, flesh and blood, George Duffield Jr, George James Webb, helmet of salvation, him that overcometh, in high places, in his strength alone, indispensable, loins girt about, mortal toil, Pennsylvania, prayer, precautions, principalities, put on with prayer, put the foe to rout, receptive to His word, reign eternally, rest, rhema, shame and fear, shield of faith, slavery, softens our hearts, soldiers of the cross, song of praise, spiritual combat, spiritual wickedness, Stand up Stand up for Jesus, strife, Sunday, supplication, sword of the Spirit, the arm of flesh., the evil day, the fiery darts, the gospel armour, the gospel of peace, the house of God, the kng of glory, the noise of battle, truth, victory, well armed, whole armour of God, wiles, worship, ye dare not trust your own, YMCA meeting
And once again it’s Sunday friends: our day of rest from mortal toil. A day where we are expected to spend time in worship and fellowship with other believers in the house of God, so that our souls and spirits can be renewed and refreshed and our Creator praised and exalted.
And as always, each Sunday we begin the proceedings with a song of praise and worship, because there’s nothing the Lord likes more than hearing His praises sung, and it also softens our hearts, enabling them to be more receptive to His Word. And the song we’re going to sing is an ole favourite, the American Christian Hymn, ‘Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.’
But before we get into it, let’s look at its supposed history, a rather interesting one. Apparently it was written by a Presbyterian Minister, George Duffield Jr. in 1858, who at that time was an associate of one Dudley Atkins Tyng; a Pastor recently ‘removed from his local Episcopalian community for speaking against slavery. Duffield assisted Tyng in supporting an evangelical revival in Pennsylvania.
In March 1858, Tyng gave a sermon at a YMCA meeting of over 5,000 men on Exodus 10:11, “Go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord”, converting over 1,000 men listening in the crowd. The following month, Tyng was maimed in a farming accident. Before he died a few days after the accident he told his father “Tell my brethren of the ministry, wherever you meet them, to stand up for Jesus.”
Duffield then wrote the hymn based on those words. At a memorial service for Tyng, Duffield gave a sermon based on Ephesians 6:14, “Stand firm, wearing the whole armour of God”, and ended it by reciting the new hymn he had written as a tribute. After first publication, the hymn was popular and was sung by both the Union and Confederate soldiers in the American Civil War.
The hymn also became popular among British revivalists and within public schools in England. As a result of the images of Christian militarism in the hymn, some people object to the hymn, and some people do not stand to sing it’ With such a colourful and controversial history, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
And furthermore, ‘Several melodies have been written for “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”. The one used most often now was written by George James Webb, who had originally composed it in 1837 for “Tis Dawn, the Lark is Singing”, a song in a secular musical show performed on a ship travelling across the Atlantic Ocean.’
Now let’s belt it out like we truly mean it. ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross! Lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory his army he shall lead, till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the solemn watchword hear; if while ye sleep he suffers, away with shame and fear. Where’er ye meet with evil, within you or without, charge for the God of battles, and put the foe to rout.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armour, each piece put on with prayer; when duty calls or danger be never wanting there. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song. To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of glory shall reign eternally.’
Yeah friends, that’s exactly what is required of us as followers of Jesus. We’re in a battle against the spiritual forces of evil and we must acquit ourselves as brave, courageous and loyal soldiers of Jesus. And the best words in the Good Book to describe our situation comes from the pen of Bruh Paul in his missive to the church at Ephesus, re putting on the whole armour of God. So let’s read and inwardly digest those fighting words nuh.
‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (spiritual hosts of) wickedness in high places.’ (Eph.6:10-12)
Oh my people, you might not see our enemy, but believe me, he and his cohorts are real, and they reside in many who hold high office in this realm. And as loyal Christians, we need to battle them to the death, or until Jesus returns. But like any soldier going into battle, we have to take serious precautions: ‘Wherefore take unto you (take up, put on), 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)
Fellow believers, only when we’re wearing God’s armour are we able to withstand the powerful foe that will keep on coming against us with evil schemes and demonic attacks. But we need to ‘Stand therefore, having your loins girt about (girded your waist) with truth, (the knowledge of God’s Word), and having on the breastplate of righteousness (holy character and moral conduct). And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (a sense of eagerness or willingness to advance against the devil and take the fight to him).
Above all, taking the shield of faith, (trusting God and believing His promises), wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of (dispel all doubts induced by) the wicked (one). And take the helmet of salvation (the assurance of salvation), and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (rhema; selected verses of Scripture): Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph.6:14-18)
Yes my brethren, we need to have all the accoutrements of war, but without prayer, it’s all in vain. Prayer is indispensable to our cause, and we must be vigilant in praying for all our fellow believers. ‘Spiritual combat is both an individual and corporate matter.’ There you have it friends, a quick discourse, or hopefully, to some of us, a jolting reminder on Spiritual Warfare 101. Now let’s go out and put it into action! Much LOVE!
…soldiers of Christ…be well armed…stand strong…and pray always…
12 Dec 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Antoine de St. Expury, avocations, beloved of God, born to be free, breastplate of righteousness, cast off the works of darkness, christianity, darkness, demanding, dictating, dominating, dr robert h schuller, examples, faith, figuratively, fleeting sense of pleasure, flesh and blood, friend of Jesus, gadgets, girdle of truth, gospel of peace, helmet, helmet of salvation, Hour of Power Devotional, human beings, human passage, human realtionships, in high places, Jesus, leading the way, literally, LOVE Revolution, main focus, married to a mortgage, material stuff, materialism, money, overboard, powers, prayer, precepts, principalities, push back, put into action, put on, reason for the season, rulers, salvation, secular, selfish times, share His love, shield of faith, shovelling, slaves, snowfall, spiritual armour, spiritual wickedness, stand, stranglehold, supplication, sword of the Spirit, the armour of light, the day is at hand, the evil day, the light of Jesus, the night is far spent, trudging, true believers, truth, Tuesday Mantra, tyrannical, tyranny of things, unsullied, working for things, wrestle, write with one's life
Romans 13:12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Oh friends of mine, it’s a beautiful white Tuesday morning in my area. Hn! Yes, we’ve finally registered our first significant snowfall of the season! It’s not too big a snowfall, and as always, it looks beautiful when unsullied by human passage through it. But trudging through it is something else…and so is shovelling it. Good thing I won’t be doing either of those activities today! (smile)
Anyway, there’s lot’s of stuff I want to share this morning, so let’s get right to it nuh. And the first one is something called ‘The Tyranny of Things,’ from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional. I don’t remember if I’ve ever shared this before, but it’s ever so appropriate for these secular and selfish times, especially this time of year.
Please read with me: ‘Materialism does not satisfy because it is tyrannical, and the human being was born to be free! We all know about the tyranny of things. We find that we don’t own a house – the house owns us. We are married to a mortgage. We become slaves to gadgets and garments.
After we have all our “things” purchased, delivered, and installed, and have enjoyed a fleeting sense of pleasure, we find that they are still dominating, dictating, and demanding. “Press me, polish me, patch me, paint me, prune me, plaster me, repair me,” they shout.
So we spend the best years of our lives and the bulk of our money working for the “things,” until, discouraged and depressed, we discover that we have no time left to pursue life’s really enjoyable avocations: visiting friends, having fun, and, yes, even going to church regularly. Thus mastered by materialism, tyrannized by things, we have no time left to do the deeds, or see the places, or visit the people, that would really give us great inner joy.’
And isn’t all of that the living truth friends? It certainly is! In this materialistic, highly commercialized society, it’s all about things and stuff, especially at this season of Christmas. And in a couple weeks time, we’ve forgotten about all the stuff we bought – on credit; even get annoyed when we see some of the stuff, as we struggle to pay for them. Hn! Hn!
So please, let’s take this advice to heart this Christmas season nuh, and not go overboard with the material stuff. Instead, let’s focus on the human relationships and spiritual processes that truly are the reason for the season, with Jesus being the main focus.
That brings us to our Bit: ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’ More words of truth and wisdom, my brethren, whether you take them literally or figuratively!
Time is flying by, and none of us knows how much we have left, so we need to use each second economically, purposefully and usefully, both in the human and spiritual realms. Darkness and evil have taken a stranglehold on our world, and as true believers in Christ, we can’t afford to let that happen. We need to push back…and push back hard too, if we want to make a difference in this crucial fight.
And we have a quote ascribed to Antoine de St. Expury (1900-1944) the French author, poet and aviator. It says: ‘In these times one must write with one’s life. This is the challenge to all of us.’
And is that ever so true friends, especially for us Christians! We need to show the dark, evil and cruel world what true Christianity is like through the way we live our lives, rather than the way we talk. For one doesn’t always reflect the other. As the saying goes; ‘examples work more forcibly than precepts.’
So please let’s concentrate on living our lives as good examples of Christ’s LOVE Revolution nuh, so that the unbeliever will see our sincerity and want to follow Jesus too. That’s the whole point for our being here yes friends.
Now let us take a quick look at the second part of our Bit; putting on ‘the armour of light.’ And all we have time for is Bruh Paul’s notable warning and brief description of God’s spiritual armour to the Ephesians. ‘Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers of darkness of this world (world rulers), against spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings) in high places. Wherefore take unto you (take up, put on) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Eph.6:10-13)
Yeh friends, only when we’re dressed in God’s armour, can we stand strong and resist the evil one, for He will attack again and again. That means we have to be continually ensconced in our ‘girdle of truth, and breastplate of righteousness, shod with the gospel of peace, bearing the shield of faith, having on our heads the helmet of salvation, and waving the sword of the Spirit in our right hand, with prayer and supplication’ driving us ever onward and forward! That’s our spiritual armour, and how we defeat the enemy.
Now let’s go home declaring as we do on Tuesdays, our Tuesday Mantra, singing out loud and clear to the evil world who and whose we are. In full voice and sincere heart now: 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!’
Mama Mia! How blessed we are eh! Now let’s go out and put it all into action; share the LOVE of Jesus! Much LOVE!
…dark and evil times…call for Christians…showing their light…the light of Jesus…and leading the way…out of the darkness…
01 Feb 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, action, against the wiles of the devil, be above the earth, Be thou exalted, Christians, daily routines, delays, demons, disappointments, dreams, dwelling in our hearts, emergencies, emotional responses, evil schemes, exalted in heaven, failures, fallen angels, false, fight fire with fire, flesh and blood, glad to be alive, glorious morn, glory, glory hallelujah, glory to God, goals, God's great earth, halfway home, hand to hand combat, hands on the plough, hypocritical, in high places, in thine own strength, LOVE, Lucifer, motives, my day-by-day agenda, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my heart, natural disaster, not turning back, powers, praise, praise thy power, prayer for deliverance, principalities, priorities, put on the whole armour of God, rulers of darkness, Ruth Harms Calkin, Satan, secret thoughts, singing, sobbing, spiritual armour, spiritual growth, stepping stones, strategy, thanks and praise, the breath of live, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the Son of God, to know Him, urgency, we can handle anything, Wednesday Wail, wickedness, wiles, will we sing, worship, wrestle, ye may be able to stand, your home
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.
Aye mih people, it’s another wonderful day on God’s great earth! Give Him thanks and praise!
And though I’m somewhat tired from running around between hospitals yesterday, was I ever glad to open my eyes to another glorious morn, even if it’s cold and snowy. (smile) But then, the physical aspects of the day don’t really matter that much, once it’s not a devastating natural disaster.
And even then, with the SON of God dwelling deep in our hearts, minds and souls, we can handle anything. Let’s never forget that! Glory to God!
Now here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, which fits in quite nicely with those sentiments. It’s titled ‘Be Thou Exalted.’
Please pray with me. “Be thou exalted, Lord In thine own strength; So will we sing And praise thy power.” Yes, Lord, Yes! David’s prayer is my prayer. Be exalted in my day-by –day agenda In my motives and dreams My priorities and goals. Even in my failures, Lord As you turn them into stepping stones Toward spiritual growth.
Be exalted in my worship and praise In my sobbing and singing. Be exalted in my secret thoughts My emotional responses. Be exalted in my daily routine The delays, the unexpected emergencies The disappointments that often come. Lord God, as You are exalted In heaven and on earth Be exalted in Your home – my heart.’
Oh friends, isn’t that beautiful? It surely is! And I especially like the last line, where, if we are to be exalting God continually, His home must be in our heart. That must be where He truly resides continually, otherwise all our outward actions are false and hypocritical.
And the Bible Promise for that poem comes from Psalm 57 – Bruh David’s Prayer for deliverance when he fled from Saul in the cave. ‘Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.’ (Ps.57:11)
Yes mih breddren, that’s exactly what we need to happen in this evil world! But that can only begin and remain steadfast when we do as our Bit advises. ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.’
Oh friends, oh friends, as Christians, we can’t successfully fight the evil spiritual forces that exist in this world without the protection of the Lord’s spiritual armour. And before we get into the whys and wherefores of all that, let’s check out this explanation of our Bit by the scholars.
‘6:11. Put on (Greek ingressive aorist imperative)??? denotes a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action. To stand has military overtones. This verb was used in classical Greek meaning to resist the enemy and hold a critical position in battle. The wiles of the devil (or, “the Devil’s strategy”): Satan carefully devises schemes and tactics against believers.’
So you see my fellow believers that our situation is dire! In order to fight a good fight, we need to put on our spiritual armour IMMEDIATELY! And then stand strong against the enemy’s evil schemes, not giving an inch of the ground we’ve won!
Oh, I know some of you are not taking me seriously, but this not my message, but Bruh Paul’s from the Lord our God! And he explains, as he continues after our Bit.
‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places.’ (Eph.6:12)
Oh people, that is one of the things we Christians badly need to realize and understand; we’re not engaged in a flesh and blood war, but a spiritual encounter against the powerful forces of evil that exist in the high places of our world. And until we fully understand that, all our efforts will be in vain.
You have to fight fire with fire, which means you can’t fight a spiritual battle with flesh and blood, but with spiritual elements. And the first strategy in any battle is to arm oneself with the proper weapons of war, hence the need before all else for our spiritual armour.
Now here is some useful info from the scholars on that least verse. ‘6:12. Wrestle, used of hand-to-hand combat, emphasizes the personal and individual nature of spiritual warfare waged against each local church and Christian.
Flesh and blood refers to humanity. Such is not the church’s adversary. Instead she opposes principalities (rulers), powers (authorities), rulers (world-rulers), spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings), that is, fallen angels, demons, and Lucifer himself.’
Yuh see friends, the battle is being fought both on an individual basis as well as collectively. Once you proclaim yourself a Christian, then the evil spiritual hordes will automatically come against you. However, when we are dressed in our full battle armour and have Jesus as our Leader, we are guaranteed success! Glory be!
And we’ll go home with further encouragement by loudly declaring our Wednesday Wail with the utmost sincerity and truth. Let’s wail: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday!
I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Oh my people, our Jesus is oh so wonderful! There’s absolutely no doubt about it! Much LOVE!
…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…
18 Sep 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adultery, be never wanting there, Christians, courage, crapaud smoke we pipe, crown of life, danger, death itself is gain, diligently, disharmony, disunity, divide and conquer, duty calls, ephemeral character, evil minions, flesh and blood, fornication, fulfill the lust of the flesh, idolatry, impunity, in the wild blue yonder, inherit the kingdom of God, jealousy, life and death, LOVE Jesus, prayer, purposefully, put on the Gospel armour, reign eternally, sexual impurity, sincerely, sins, spiritual wickedness, stand strong and steadfast, stand up for Jesus, straight and narrow path, strength, strife, the arm of flesh., the evil one, the good fight of faith, the Holy Spirit, the king of glory, the noise of battle, the trumpet call obey, the victor's song, the whole armour of God, vices, victor's crown, walk in the Spirit, witchcraft, words of warning, works of the flesh, wrath, ye dare not trust your own
Galatians 5:16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Oh friends, let’s begin this Sunday morning, the last of summer 2016, with some very appropriate praise and worship for these difficult times.
Please sing with me: ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory His army shall He lead, Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the solemn watchword hear; If while ye sleep He suffers, away with shame and fear; Where’er ye meet with evil, within you or without, Charge for the God of battles, and put the foe to rout.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day. Ye that are brave now serve Him against unnumbered foes; Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer; Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, each soldier to his post, Close up the broken column, and shout through all the host: Make good the loss so heavy, in those that still remain, And prove to all around you that death itself is gain.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song. To those who vanquish evil a crown of life shall be; They with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.’
Ah mih people, in these evil days, Christians are more than ever needed to stand strong and steadfast in Jesus, if we truly want to wear that victor’s crown! Unfortunately, as individuals, as well as the body of Christ, the church, we are not doing as good a job as we should.
And why is that eh? Who knows? I figure we are still too enthralled by the wealth and material possessions of the world, and a lot of us don’t take Jesus and his Word as seriously as we should. To many of us, He is still some ephemeral character out there in the wild blue yonder, and not the true living force that’s supposed to dwell within us.
But whatever the reason(s) friends, the fact remains that we are definitely not fighting as sincerely, diligently and purposefully as we ought to. We are allowing the enemy to take the Lord out of our society with impunity. Then the disharmony, disunity, strife, jealousy and all the other negative things which are currently found in the church, does nothing to help the situation.
Look at the amount of denominations we have, all supposedly preaching the same Jesus Christ, yet all going in different directions, and not ever seeming to meet. Are there denominations in heaven? I doubt it. So why are we splitting up, allowing the enemy to divide and conquer us with nary a whimper eh?
I don’t know. But I know for sure that if we don’t pick up the intensity and desire to truly LOVE Jesus and fight for our faith, we will not be the victors in this ongoing war with the evil one and his powerful and predominant evil minions.
Friends, this is no joking matter, it is a serious one, one of life and death! And not only the physical, but more so the spiritual aspect.
Remember the words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you (put on) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Eph.6:12-13)
Yes friends, that’s how serious the fight is. And even when we have on the armour of God, we still need to walk carefully, and do as our Bit dictates. ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’
Oh my people, the Holy Spirit was sent to dwell within us, so that it could lead and guide us in a godly direction. But something is obviously wrong somewhere because we’re not fighting the good fight of faith, as we ought to. The works of the flesh are still too rampant within the supposed community of faith. And what are those works of the flesh?
Hear Bruh Paul. ‘Now the works of the flesh are manifest (evident), which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness (sexual impurity), lasciviousness (licentiousness), Idolatry, witchcraft (sorcery), hatred, variance (contentions, discord), emulations (jealousies), wrath, strife (selfish ambitions), seditions (dissensions), heresies (divisions, cliques),
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings (excessive eating, gluttony, carousing) and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.’ (Gal.5:19-21)
Oh my brethren, if we look around our world, the unfortunate fact is that all those things are rampant throughout it – even in supposed Christian circles!
And we’ll end with these words of warning from the scholars. ‘The person whose life is habitually characterized by the sins and vices of verses 19-21 shall not inherit the kingdom of God, that is, he will not be in heaven because he is not a Christian.’ It’s as simple as that my people.
So please, I implore us to thoroughly check ourselves to see if any of those lusts of the flesh are habits of ours, and if so, pray sincerely to God to help us get rid of them, otherwise, crapaud smoke we pipe, we’ll be on the outside looking in, come the big day. Not only that, we also have to lessen the unchristian behaviour that’s happening within and between our churches. Nuff said!
Now may the good Lord bless us and keep us safe from harm and help us to walk the straight and narrow righteous path that leads to Him and His heavenly sanctuary. Much LOVE!
…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…
24 May 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a friend of Jesus, a summer's day, adversary, apologies, armour, be able to stand, beauty of the day, belief, caring, celebrations, Christians, compassionate, deep down inside, eternal life, faith, fallen angel, flesh and blood, focused on God, foe, forgiveness, glad to be alive, glory to God, god, God's armour, God's protection, God's provision, grace, having done all, he that is in the world, He that is in us, how good god is to me, humanity, I've got a joy, Iam, inspiration, invincible, Jesus Christ, joy, just one of those days, LOVE, loving, Lucifer, makes me want to shout, mercy, ministry, miserable, my friend Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, overwhelmed with joy, planet earth, powers of darkness, practice what we preach, put on the whole armour of God, rebelled, reggae riddim, resisting Satan, sacrificial death, salvation, schmes, share His love, shout, sincerity, spirit, spiritual warfare, the beloved of God, the happiest people, the Holy Spirit, the whole armour of God, the wiles of the devil, tiredness, to stand, trust, truth, Tuesday Mantra, unconditional LOVE, unhappy people, witness, wrestle
Ephesians 6:11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.
Oh friends, oh friends, my sincerest apologies for the lateness of the Bit, but it’s just been one of those days. Hn! One of those days when my body rebelled, refused to get up before it was good and ready.
Believe me, I had no idea that the ole bod was so tired nuh, since I didn’t do anything tiring yesterday, and the celebrations didn’t cause me to get to bed any later than usual. I guess though that it was just a residual tiredness from my earlier activities.
Anyway, though I’m still physically groggy, when I went outside just now and experienced the wondrous beauty of the day – like a perfect summer’s day – my spirit was overwhelmed with joy. It made me feel truly glad to be alive.
And consequently, it brought to mind one of my favourite songs that I heard yesterday. It’s an easy lover’s rock reggae riddim that I’ve shared before, but as they say, these gems are never too tiring or old to be heard again and again, because they lend great inspiration to our souls.
It’s a song titled ‘I’ve got a joy,’ sung by a lady named Mounia Sahara. Please sing this very inspirational chorus with me. ‘I’ve got a joy deep down inside, that makes me want to shout, how good God is to me! Yes, I’ve got this joy deep down inside that makes we want to shout how good God is to me!’
And isn’t that the awesome truth my brethren! All Christians ought to feel that way because our wonderful God has indeed been exceedingly good to us all!
Yuh know, Christians ought to be the happiest people in the world because of all that we have; God’s unconditional LOVE, mercy, grace and forgiveness, plus salvation and eternal life paid for by the sacrificial death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
But unfortunately we are some of the most miserable and unhappy people on planet earth. Steups! Ah Lord eh, when are we going to learn to practice what we preach eh?
Anyhow, it’s a beautiful Tuesday, God is still on His heavenly throne, and still in control of His world! So let’s sing our Tuesday Mantra with true sincerity, strong faith and total belief.
All together now: ‘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.’
Oh isn’t that just wonderful my fellow believers? It surely is! What can be better than being a beloved child of God and a friend of Jesus eh? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
And we certainly don’t have to worry about what the world says about us or how it defines us, because greater is He that’s in us – the Holy Spirit of Jesus – than he that’s in the world – the foolish, fallen angel Lucifer. (1 John 4:4)
And to help us prove that, let’s turn to our Bit, that remarkable verse of scripture, which so rightfully declares: ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.’
And that my people, is indisputable truth! When we are wearing the whole armour of God, we are invincible! Glory to God! And please note that it requires the whole armour, all of it, not bits and pieces.
And before we get to what that armour consists of, I’m going to repeat a couple verses from yesterday because there are some interesting and important explanations from the scholars that I did not get to share.
After our Bit, Bruh Paul declares: ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world (age), against (hosts of) spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you (take up, put on) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Eph.6:12-13)
Now here are the scholars’ explanations of those verses. ‘6:12. Wrestle, used of hand-to-hand combat, emphasizes the personal and individual nature of spiritual warfare waged against each local church and Christian.
Flesh and blood refers to humanity. Such is not the church’s adversary. Instead she opposes principalities (rulers), powers (authorities), rulers (world-rulers), spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings), that is, fallen angels, demons, and Lucifer himself.’
Yes friends, a lot of powerful spiritual enemies are lined up against us. And per ‘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 that’s no lie friends! The evil powers of darkness will continue to come at us, time after time, wave upon wave, trying to gain serious entry to our souls.
However, once we are clothed in God’s protective spiritual armour, and our minds are focused on God, rather than the world, those evil spirits won’t be able to harm us. And on that upbeat note, we’ll close today. (smile)
Now let’s put on that spiritual armour of God and walk strong, tall and proud, caring, compassionate and LOVING, about God’s great earth, because that’s what He expects of us. Much LOVE!
…as Christians in an evil world…God’s protection is ALWAYS necessary…
20 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abundance, acceptance, affirmation, ailments, alive and kicking, as the heaven is high above the earth, behave appropriately, benefits, bless the Lord, blessings, burden, chameleon, Creator of the universe, crowns, deity, destruction, diseases, dust, enjoy your life, ever-faithful God, ever-LOVING God, faith, flesh and blood, forget, frail, friends, give yourself to God, glory hallelujah, glory to God, goodness, gospel truth, human nature, incomprehensible God, iniquities, inner being, Jesus Christ, living God, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are higher than yours, One Year Book of Bible promises, pains, plans, pray, redeems, revere, Ruth Harms Calkin, satisfies, Saturday, serve, slow to anger, so great is his mecry, the east is from the west, the Exception, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, top of the line, toward them that fear him, transgressions, truth, turn away from God, wisdom, worship, your ways, youth is renewed like the eagle's
Psalm 103:11. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-kindness) toward them that fear him.
Saturday, oh Saturday! What a great day thou art! And isn’t that the awesome truth friends? It surely is! But what’s even better than that, is that every day that God makes is a great one! Glory Hallelujah!
That’s because He has great plans for those who LOVE and sincerely seek Him and dispenses His blessings and mercies in abundance to them each and every new day! Glory to God!
Ah mih people, I can’t impress upon us enough the fact that we worship a most mighty, awesome, generous and ever-LOVING Deity! The ONE and ONLY TRUE and LIVING GOD, Creator of the Universe and all therein!
Yes Friends, all the other supposed Gods are dead, ours is the ONLY ONE who’s alive and kicking! So why worship something or someone that’s dead eh? No good reason at all my brethren.
And in response to the quote from our friend Anselm yesterday, here’s one similar to it that another friend sent me. Thanks Keith.
Listen up: “As you grow older, there are ailments and pains that beset you. Some will stay with you forever. But as you pray and give yourself to God, He gives you ways in which to deal with the aches, and in doing so, He makes them so much less a burden to you that you can still fully enjoy your life.”
And again I say: What an awesome God we serve and worship!
Now here’s some more indisputable truth, this time from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. Today’s writing is called ‘The Exception.’ Please pray with me, because we all need to come to this rather significant conclusion.
‘Lord, too often I demand From my family and friends More LOVE More affirmation More acceptance Than they are capable of giving. Today, dear God I ask You to burn this truth Into the depth of my inner being: Nobody in all the world Can ever LOVE me As much as I need to be LOVED – Except You!’
Ah mih breddren in Christ Jesus, I won’t even comment and say that that is the gospel truth! (smile) But we do expect a lot more from others than some of them are capable of giving.
Sometimes we need to remember that they are only flesh and blood, and though made in the image of God Almighty, yet are but frail and not as top of the line like Him. Thus we can only do so much and give so much, even though we may want to do and give more. Our human nature in other words is rather finite and at a very low level.
As the Lord has so rightly reminded us in His Word: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8-9)
Now that’s telling us friends! We can in no way truly comprehend the length and breadth of our incomprehensible God! But some of us still foolishly try.
Anyway the promise for today’s writing is also our Bit: ‘For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-kindness) toward them that fear him.’
More gospel and indisputable truth my people! The Lord’s goodness and mercy are unlimited towards those who serve and worship Him faithfully. And I can give testimony to that wonderful fact. Oh, all praise and glory be to our magnificent and magnanimous God!
Hear how Bruh David puts it in Psalm 103 – Thanksgiving for God’s mercy – from which our Bit is taken. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’ (Ps.103:1-5)
Oh friends, oh friends, how can I not serve and worship and LOVE and revere such a wonderful God eh! And the most important part of all that is ‘forget not all his benefits.’
And all God’s children gratefully shouted: ‘Oh praise and thank the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for His undeserved kindness to the children of men!’
And that we should truly do my brethren; much more than we actually do, because too many of us forget His benefits, especially when times get rough.
Now that is something I can’t understand; when times get rough, a lot of us forget or turn away from God. But the truth is, that’s when we most need the affection and caring of our heavenly Father, because ofttimes, He is the ONLY ONE who can set our matters right.
We tend to quickly forget what the Lord has done for us in the past. But friends, if He’s helped us in the past, why would He refuse to do the same in the present, if we’re still being obedient and faithful to Him eh? No reason whatsoever.
Remember that we also serve an ever-faithful God, who does not change, is not a chameleon; one moment this, another moment that, but is ever constant.
Listen to Bruh David again. ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-kindness). He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-kindness) toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear (revere) him. For he knoweth our frame (understands our constitution); he remebereth that we are dust.’ (Ps.103:8-14)
Oh my fellow believers in Christ, in ending, all I ask, is that we too remember that we are mere dust; nothing but dust, and behave appropriately. Much LOVE!
…all flesh shall perish together…and man shall turn again unto dust… (Job 34:15)
10 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sense of urgency, against powers, ambassadors of Christ, battle of wits and wills, be strong in the Lord, Bruh Paul, but against principalities, cease-fire, cessation of hostilities, chaos, Christians, dark and desperate world, death, deceit, demonic onslaughts, demons, destruction, Easter morn, Ephesians, fallen angels, fear not, fighting a losing battle, flesh and blood, formidable foe, get a foothold in our souls, God's protective armour, God's provision.Christian witness, hand to hand combat, having done all, immediate action, in high places, Jesus conquered hell death and the grave, lies, Lucifer, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, put on the whole armour of God, resist the enemy, resisting Satan, rose triumphant, ruthless and wicked, Satanic assaults, spiritual battle, spiritual wickedness, stand against the wiles of the devil, stand up strong, the armour of God, the brilliant light of jesus, the evil one, the Good Book, the nature of spiritual warfare, the powers of darkness, the rulers of the power of darkness, the Son of God, the spiritual light of the world, to stand, truce, truth, warning, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, withstand in the evil day
Ephesians 6:12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of ) wickedness in high places.
Welcome to a terrific Thursday my brethren! The sun is shining brightly, though it’s still a tad cool in my area. And don’t even talk about the Son, the spiritual light of the world, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…Oh my people, His light is just a-blazing! It’s so brilliant that if you aren’t careful, it will blind you! (smile)
But such is the amazing and awesome characteristic of the Son of God! And do we ever need the brilliant light of Jesus to shine in this dark and desperate world of ours Friends, because the powers of darkness are ramping up their activities to try and drive the Lord out.
But fear not Friends, they are fighting a losing battle, since our Redeemer has already conquered death, hell and the grave. When He rose triumphant on that Easter morn, all hold that death held over us was simply blown away. But the problem is that we have to sincerely believe that and consequently fight the powers of darkness with all our might.
Remember, if we let them into our souls at all, they will only cause chaos, destruction and death. And they will do anything at all to get a foothold in our souls; from simple lies to complex deceit. So we have to be very careful when we come into contact with them or their representatives.
For just like we are ambassadors of Christ, the evil one also has his ambassadors, and they are just as ruthless and wicked as him, taking no prisoners, destroying everything that’s godly in their path.
No wonder Bruh Paul in his message to the Ephesians, seriously warned them. ‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (deceptive schemes) of the devil.’ (Eph.6:10-11)
And my people that warning is still viable today, possibly more so, since the devil has grown stronger and more devious, deceitful and wicked over the years. Now let’s get some explanations from the scholars on those verses.
‘6:10. Finally may be rendered “from now on” or “henceforth.” The spiritual battle Christians are engaged in exists “from now on” until the Lord’s return: there is no quarter given: no cease-fire, no temporary truce, no cessation of hostilities. “From now on” till the end there is all-out war.
The remainder of the verse may be paraphrased, “Let yourselves constantly be strengthened by the Lord, more precisely by His mighty power.’ Yes Friends, we are involved in a spiritual battle right to the end times.
‘6:11. Put on (Greek ingressive aorist imperative) denotes a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action. To stand has military overtones. This verb was used in classical Greek meaning to resist the enemy and hold a critical position in battle. The wiles of the devil (or, “the Devil’s strategy”): Satan carefully devises schemes and tactics against believers.’
But why do we need the armour of God? Because as our Bit informs us: ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places.’ Yes my people, we need God’s armour because we’re not in a fleshly but spiritual battle.
‘6:12. Wrestle, used of hand to hand combat, emphasizes the personal and individual nature of spiritual warfare waged against each local church and Christian. Flesh and blood refers to humanity. Such is not the church’s adversary. Instead she opposes principalities (rulers), powers (authorities), rulers (world-rulers), spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings), that is, fallen angels, demons, and Lucifer himself.’
Oh my fellow believers, from all of that we can obviously see that we’re in a serious spiritual battle of wits and wills with an enemy who is not going to easily give up, even though he knows that his defeat is imminent.
‘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)
Yes Friends in our own power we are helpless, we cannot withstand the forces of evil, that’s why we need to put on God’s protective armour, which enables us to stand; to stand up strong against the enemy.
Hear this from the scholars. ‘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.’
Oh my people, those are words of indisputable truth, so please, let’s take them to heart and do what the Good Book says, that is if we want to resist the evil one and his evil cronies. The decision is up to each individual. Let’s hope we all make the right one. Much LOVE!
…it is not wise to go into any kind of battle… without good protective armour…
P.S. Sorry for the lateness of the Bit, but I just got up late and was a tad under the weather. Sister K, hope this epistle is short enough for you. (smile) Much LOVE!
06 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sovereign God, adversity, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, Bruh Paul, church at Corinth, corrupt the word of God, death, death unto death, display of infinite power, easter morning, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, empowered, ever-watchful eye, flesh and blood, Gentiles, get excited, God is worthy to be magnified, gospel truth, helmet of salvation, holy spirit, human race, I can do all things through Christ, in the sight of God, incense, indisputable truth, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, Jesus has promised never to leave us, Jesus occupies first place in our lives, Jesus triumphed over Lucifer, Jesus' sacrificial death, leads us to triumph in christ, life unto life, LOVE, makes known the fragrance of his knowledge, never to forsake us, nothing to worry about, on the cross of Calvary, overcome, perish, plan of action, powers of darkness, praise God, principalities, put on the whole armour of God, resurrection, rise above, sandals of peace, saved, Scrip-Bit, shield of faith, slaves, speak in christ, spiritual wickedness, stand, surrender to the will of Jesus, sweet aroma, sweet fragrance, sword of the Spirit, thank God, thanks be unto god, the fold of Jesus, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the grave, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the universe is unfolding as it ought to, the way the truth and the life, the work of god's hands, there is nothing we cannot live down, triumph, trouble, victory, walk hand in hand with Jesus, wise guidance
2 Corinthians 2:14. Now thanks be unto God , which always causeth (leads) us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour (fragrance) of his knowledge by us in every place.
Well a good Thursday morning to you my Friends and Scrip-Bit family members! And isn’t it wonderful and immensely reassuring to know without a doubt, that the universe is unfolding as it ought to, under the ever-watchful eye and wise guidance of its awesome Creator, Jehovah God?
Ah my people, it certainly is! When we have Jesus occupying First Place in our lives, then there’s NOTHING we ought to worry about, for He has promised to NEVER leave us, to NEVER forsake us, and to ALWAYS lead and guide us through His Holy Spirit which dwells in the body of every single person who believes that He is indeed the Way, the Truth, the Light and the Life, and has surrendered their lives to His will, His wise plan of action for them.
Hn, hn, hn! What a sentence Friends, but one of indisputable truth! That’s why we believers can all genuinely declare: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!’ (Phil.4:13)
And that’s also why American author and poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) could convincingly say that ‘There is nothing we cannot live down, rise above and overcome.’ We become empowered through the Spirit of Jesus Christ, so that we can triumph over whatever adversity or trouble that comes against us.
And that word ‘TRIUMPH’ is one we ought to think about continually, use often and get excited about my people, because there’s been no greater triumph in this world than that of Jesus over Lucifer, death and the grave, obtained by His sacrificial death on the cross, that was then solidified by His glorious resurrection on that joyful and triumphant Easter morn!
No wonder Bruh Paul could say in our Bit to the church at Corinth: ‘Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth (leads) us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour (fragrance) of his knowledge by us in every place.’
Yes Friends, victory is ours, if we walk hand in hand with Jesus!
For as Bruh Paul continues after our Bit: ‘For we are unto God a sweet savour (the sweet fragrance) of Christ, in (among) them that are saved, and in (among) them that perish: To the one we are the savour (aroma) of death unto death; and to the other the savour (aroma) of life unto life.
And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt (peddle by trickery) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of (from) God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.’ (2 Cor.2:15-17)
And the scholars explain all of that thus: ‘2:14-17. Triumph (cf.Col.2:9-15): The imagery conveyed in use of this term is of the Roman general who marched in victory with his entourage, consisting of two groups: them that are saved, and …them that perish.
The former group referred to those allowed to live as slaves of the empire. The latter group comprised the condemned, who were being led to their death. Each group carried burning incense. The one was, verse 16, a savour of death unto death, the other was a fragrance of life unto life.
Calvary was the mighty display of the infinite power of a sovereign God. The human race was divided into two categories: those of life unto life and those of death unto death.’
Thank God, my people, that we are firmly ensconced in the life unto life group, which holds Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, as Calvary was indeed a triumphant display of God’s awesome might and power! And most important of all, it brought us Gentiles into the sphere, the fold of Jesus, a most sacred and holy place where we’d never been before.
And all God’s people gave out with a loud and appreciative shout of: ‘Praise God! Praise His Holy Name, for He is indeed worthy to be praised and glorified!’
Yes Friends, Jesus has triumphed over the powers of darkness and evil! ‘And having spoiled (disarmed) principalities and powers, he made a show (spectacle) of them openly, triumphing over them in it.’ (Col.2:15) That’s for certain sure my brethren!
And here is an interesting explanation of that verse by the scholars. ‘2:15. Having spoiled principalities and powers: By the Cross God disarmed or deprived Satan and all his demonic horde of the power and sway with which they formerly gripped the Colossians. By this statement Paul might well have asked the Colossians, How can you give ear to any doctrine advocating angel worship (v.18), when they are all subject to God?’
And so they truly are! But unfortunately these evil powers of darkness refuse to give up the fight, although they know that they have lost the war, and we live in a world where they still rule and control a lot of people and stuff.
That’s why Bruh Paul wisely reminds us to: ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye might be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (spiritual hosts of) wickedness in high places.
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.6:11-13)
Yes my people, everyday when we arise, we need to put on the spiritual armour of God – helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, sandals of peace, belt of truth, shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit – so that we are protected from the enemy’s wickedness.
Otherwise, he is going to find some dark and dismal means to invade, to infiltrate our souls. And we definitely don’t want that to happen. So let’s make sure that we’re clothed at all times in that protective armour!
And we’ll close with a simple statement made by a psalmist long ago, but one which displays great faith and assurance in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In praising God for His goodness, the psalmist unequivocally declares: ‘For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.’ (Ps.92:4)
And that my people is gospel truth! So let’s go out today, and everyday, believing it, so that we can do wonders, be triumphant in the name of Jesus Christ! Much LOVE!
…when the great triumphs of this world are listed…Jesus at Calvary…is ALWAYS NUMBER ONE…
30 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversary, all things work together for good, antidote, armour of god, be sober, be strong in the Lord, be vigilant, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, Bruh Paul, careless, Carnival, cast all your care on god, Chirst -like images, christ jesus, divine aid, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, Ephesians, feet shod with sandals of peace, fiery darts, flesh and blood, glory and dominion, God of all grace, gospel of peace, Granny's warning, helmet of salvation, humble yourself, in high places, indispensable, Jesus Christ, Labour Day, loins girt with truth, long weekend, Lord and Master of the universe, LOVE, Lucifer, naive, never leave or forsake us, New Yok city, peace initiative, perseverance, Peter, powers, prayer, praying always, principalities, reconciled, roaring lion, rulers of darkness, Saturday, sheep skin costume, shield of faith, spiritual combat, spiritual wickedness, supplication for all saints, sword of the Spirit, the whole armour of God, the wicked one, the wiles of the devil, the Word of god, them that love God, undisciplined, unfortunate lot, voracious wolf, window of opportunity, withstand in the evil day
1 Peter 5:10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you.
And then it was Saturday…gaudy, colourful, party-hopping Saturday! And to make matters even worse, it’s the Saturday before Labour Day, the last long weekend of the summer cottage season, and the return to school next week. So you can imagine the amount of activities we will try to get into that small, short window of opportunity.
But all I have to say on that is to remember Granny’s warning: ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’ And I don’t care if you all are displeased at my reminder, because this weekend is a most appropriate time for it, especially in places like New York City, where the Carnival-like celebrations will be taking place, and the leggo-beast behaviour will be on full display.
And don’t fool yuh fat either Friends, that sly ole crook, Lucifer, the voracious wolf will certainly be there in his best sheep skin costume, avidly seeking those undisciplined, naïve, or simply unmindful and careless ones he can capture. Do enjoy yourselves, but please try not to be counted amongst that unfortunate lot.
And my people, the best antidote for Lucifer’s evil forays into our lives is to be fully clothed with the whole armour of God! Read, mark and inwardly digest, as Bruh Paul declares and describes the situation to the Ephesians. ‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Let yourselves be constantly strengthened by the Lord’s mighty power).
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world (age). Against (hosts of) spiritual wickedness in high places.
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. (Having dressed in God’s armour, be prepared to resist Lucifer, for he will continually attack you).
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about (girded your waist with) truth (a knowledge of the truth of God’s Word), and having on the breastplate of righteousness (holy character, moral conduct);
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (eagerness or willingness to take the fight to Lucifer, the gospel gives peace to the believer); Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked (one).
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph.6:10-18)
Yes Friends, we need all those accoutrements of war to fight a successful battle against the prince of darkness and his evil cohorts. Starting with the helmet of salvation to guard our minds, our thoughts, where the war always begins, and can be won and lost right there.
Then the breastplate of righteousness to guard our hearts and souls and spirit, so we can walk in obedience to Almighty God. And we need the sandals of peace so that we can walk in peace bravely, wherever we go, with the gospel as our peace initiative. In addition to that we must have the belt of truth, so that we can live in and by the truth.
The shield of faith is an enormous ally, because it will enable us to stand our ground and deflect the fiery arrows of the enemy as he tries to break through our defences. And last but not least, we definitely need our trusty sword, the Word of God, to mow down the enemy, bring them to their knees and have them acknowledge that Jesus Christ is indeed the Lord and Master of the universe.
But what we often fail to see in our rush to talk about the armour of God, is that last verse we quoted, ‘praying always with all prayer…and supplication for the saints.(vs.18) That’s because my people without prayer, God’s armour is inadequate to bring us victory. Prayer is the thing that cements it all. It’s indispensable and we need to use the Spirit’s help to pray for that divine aid.
And furthermore, we’re not only to pray for ourselves, but for all God’s people, because ‘spiritual combat is both an individual and corporate matter.’ And none of that is a joking matter my Friends, for as you read, Bruh Paul unequivocally states that we are in a constant war against the powers of darkness and spiritual wickedness, which are situated in high places.
That means the enemy is firmly entrenched in the upper echelons of our society, so they have great power and control over the general state of the world. But like ALL enemies of Jesus Christ, they too can be defeated if we stand strong and resolute, protected by God’s indestructible armour and prayer!
Now hear Peter’s take on the subject, with our Bit tacked on at the end. ‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 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.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm) strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:6-11)
Yes my brethren, in this wicked, ungodly world we have to be very careful in our manoeuvres. But NEVER NEVER FORGET that the God who reconciled us to Himself through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ, will NEVER EVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE US, but will LOVINGLY work on us, like the potter with His clay, until He has made us into Christ-like images of His BELOVED Son!
And for all that, we ought to be very thankful. So let’s show our gratitude by truly living for Jesus nuh, because that’s the ONLY philosophy that makes sense on this earth. It is the epitome of wisdom! MUCH LOVE!
…and we know…that all things work together for good…to them that LOVE God…to them who are called according to his purpose… (Rom.8:28)
Previous Older Entries
SCRIP-BITS 