18 Mar 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a call to praise God, a great King above all Gods, a lose-lose situation, a psalm of praise, appreciate each day, appreciative, bless His name, blessings to brighten our way, build up thy throne to all generations, burst out in song, come before his presence with thanksgiving, covenant, Each day is a gift from God, Ethan the Ezrahite, faith, faithfulness, flowers, followers of Jesus, forgiveness, Friday, fulfilled, glorify His holy name, god's great mercies and loving-kindness, gospel truth, green beer, hands of our dear ones, his mercy is everlasting, his truth endureth to all generations, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord, it is meet and right, jehovah god, joyfully singing, laughter to share, lighten our hearts, LOVE, loving kindness, magnificent and magnanimous God, make a joyful noise, mercy, natural reaction, O come let us sing unto the lord, passed down, praise, prayer, preamble, promises, Psalm 100, Psalm 95, rainbows, rightful due of thanks and praise, Selah, serve the Lord with gladness, shortchange ourselves and God, shout joyfully, singing, song, spirits and souls, St. Paddy's Day, sworn unto David, take for granted, thankful, thanksgiving, the beauty of nature, the blessings of God, the gift of another new day, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the joy of God, the Lord he is God, the Lord is a great God, The Lord is good, the middle day of the workweek, the Most High God, the rock of our salvation, the sheep of his pasture, the weekend, thy seed will I establish for ever, to all generations, troubled, troublesome hour, true believer, trust, we are his people, Wednesday, wisdom, with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness, wreak havoc
Psalm 89:1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Oh Friends, please sing this ode to Wednesday with me. ‘Wednesday, oh Wednesday, the middle day of the workweek. Wednesday, oh Wednesday, you make me forget Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday, oh Wednesday, you show me that there’s no going backward, only forward. Wednesday, oh Wednesday, you bring me ever closer to Friday and the weekend. Oh how I LOVE you Wednesday!’
Yes mih people, just a little fun to stir up our souls on this chilly Wednesday winter’s morn, after a hectic St. Paddy’s Day. Hope the green beer and other strange coloured beverages didn’t or don’t wreak too much havoc on you all. (smile) Thankfully I stayed away from it all, but not from the late night, hence my late awakening.
Now what shall we preamble about today eh? And I just saw the perfect preamble for today! It’s a poem on a birthday card I received last year. It was just sitting at the edge of my desk, and I was wondering why it was there. But after reading the words that covered the outside, I realized why.
Listen to these beautiful words and sentiments. I don’t know if I’ve shared them before, but I must have, because they’re so beautiful and appropriate for our time. But like most beautiful words and sentiments, they are definitely worth sharing again. The poem’s titled: ‘Each Day Is a Gift from God.’
Please say with me: ‘He has given us morning, brightness, and sun, Laughter to share, and work to be done. He has given us rainbows, flowers, and song, And the hands of our dear ones to help us along. He has given us prayer, with its wonderful power To lighten our hearts in a troublesome hour. He has given us blessings to brighten our way, And always – the gift of another new day.’
Wow mih people! It’s all so wonderful and true! But do we really appreciate it all? I don’t think so nuh, otherwise our spirits and souls would not be as troubled as they are. And many of us unfortunately just take the beautiful things of nature and blessings of God for granted.
However Friends, we shouldn’t be doing that, because then we foolishly shortchange ourselves of the joy of God, and also shortchange the Lord in giving Him His rightful due of thanks and praise, so it just turns into a lose – lose situation.
Instead, we ought to be doing as our Bit so wisely declares: ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.’
What wisdom Friends! And why should we do that? Ethan the Ezrahite, author of the psalm tells us why, as he continues: ‘For I have said, Mercy (LOVING-kindness) shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.’ (Ps.89:2-4)
Yes my people, for all those wonderful promises, which have been fulfilled and passed down to us, we too should be joyfully singing of God’s great mercies and LOVING-kindness!
Now let’s check out a couple of other scriptures that encourage us to sing praises and thanks unto the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
In Psalm 95 – A psalm of praise to the great God – the psalmist joyfully proclaims: ‘O come let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto him with psalms (songs). For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all Gods.’ (Ps.95:1-3)
Oh Friends, there’s nothing but gospel truth in those statements, statements to which we should all be adhering to!
Then in Psalm 100 – A call to praise God – the psalmist also proclaims with great wisdom: ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all ye lands (the entire earth). Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps.100:1-5)
Oh my people, with all the good things we have coming from our magnificent and magnanimous God, how can we not be thankful and appreciative eh, and make us just want to burst out in song, to sing His wonderful praises, and glorify His holy name!
It ought to be the natural reaction of a true believer, one who has put their sincere faith and trust in Jehovah God, and is enjoying His blessings, mercies, forgiveness and LOVING-kindness!
Oh my fellow believers, please, oh please, let’s try and rectify that situation nuh, by increasing our appreciation of God’s goodness, and thus being ever more willing to break out in song, giving thanks and praises to the Most High God, for all He’s done, is doing, and has promised to do for us.
That is certainly the wisdom of the truly wise! Much LOVE!
…it is meet and right…for followers of Jesus…to break out in praiseful song…every time they consider His goodness…
17 Mar 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abominable sins, be filled with the Spirit, beloeved son, bounden duty, breathtaking knowledge, Calvary, calypso on the radio, Catholicism, Christ's Church, Christians, communing with Jesus, Cousin Sol, demonstrate undying love, dissipation, doubt, driving the snakes out of Ireland, drunk with wine, encourages, epitome of wisdom, eternal declarations, Ethan the Ezrahite, evil times. Beelzebub, faithfulness, fellow believers, followers of Jesus, foolish and fleshly lusts, forgiveness, giving thanks always, glorious green colours, God's sure promises to David, grace, grateful, gratitude, heavenly Father, hell-bent for destruction, hope, hymns, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord, inferiority complex, Ireland's patron saint, it's a good thing to give thanks, It's Good, it's good to be loved by you, Jesus Christ, joy, kaiso, lazy, Lent, lethargic attitudes, life-giving love, LOVE, majestic life symphony, make them known to our children, making melody in your heart to god, mercies, miserable, misery, mortal lives, nothing compares to god's love for us, One Year Book of Bible promises, playing both ends against the middle, praise, protective umbrella of Christ, psalms, pseudo followers, reconciliation, reverence, rings chimes in my tremulous heart, sacrificed on the cross, Saint Patrick, scripture, sentiments, shouting the Lord's goodness from the rooftops, sing about them, sing and make merry to God, sinners, sitting on the fence, sour, St.Patrick's Day, thankfulness, Thanks be to God, thanksgiving, the assembly of saints, the fear of God, the heavens shall praise thy wonders, the Lord's loving-kindness, the Love Revolution, the new generation, things that flow from God, this wicked world, triumph in the work of thy hands, true believers, trust, unconditional, understanding, unsettled questions, we're alive and kicking, wisdom, wishy-washy, with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness
Psalm 89:1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Well Friends, Thanks be to God, we’re alive and kicking this Tuesday morning; especially on this 2015 St.Patrick’s Day! A Happy St. Paddy’s Day to all and sundry!
And remember to come out bedecked in your glorious green colours today, drink your green beer and other beverages, celebrating the life and death of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, the man credited with driving all the snakes out of Ireland. (smile)
And I always remember St. Patrick’s Day fondly, for growing up in T&T that was the only day that you heard a calypso on the radio during Lent. Such was the staunch Catholicism and the inferiority complex that our local music wasn’t good enough to be played during Lent.
That however has now come full circle, with kaiso been played everyday of the year, even some of those that should not be played at all. But that’s the new generation, and you either like it or leave it.
Now here is a little ditty from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that suitably acknowledges and gives thanks to our wonderful heavenly Father. It’s simply titled ‘It’s Good.’
Please say with me: ‘Oh God, it’s good to be LOVED by You! The breathtaking knowledge of Your life-giving LOVE rings chimes in my tremulous heart. It fashions eternal declarations Out of unsettled questions. It creates a majestic life symphony From a solitary note. God, it’s good to be LOVED BY You!’
And is it ever my fellow believers! There is NOTHING in this world that even comes close in comparison to the LOVE that our heavenly Father has for us! It’s unconditional, it’s pure and true…it’s everything we can ask!
But unfortunately too many of us don’t seem to recognize and/or appreciate it. Neither do we return that LOVE, opting instead to rush and grab for the foolish and fleshly lusts of this wicked world. That’s why there’s so much doubt and misery in our souls in these trying times.
Oh Friends, if we’d only consider the great LOVE that God has for us, and it’s not only talk, for He showed it by sending His only BELOVED Son, Jesus Christ to be sacrificed on the cross of Calvary for our abominable sins, so that we could find hope and reconciliation through Him.
And that while we were yet sinners, hell-bent for destruction. So if that doesn’t demonstrate His great and undying LOVE for us, then I don’t know what does!
And our Bit for today is the promise to which our poem is devoted. ‘I will sing of the mercies (the LOVE) of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.’
Wow! What wonderful sentiments my brethren! They are the opening words of Psalm 89 – God’s sure promises to David – the contemplation by Ethan the Ezrahite; one of the wise men and great songwriters of Bruh David’s time.
He was even used as a comparison for Cousin Sol’s wisdom. ‘For he was wiser than all men; Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol:’ (1 Kin.4:31)
And yuh know what Friends? If we are indeed grateful for the unconditional LOVE, the mercies, forgiveness, grace and all the other good and wonderful things that flow from our great God, then we ought to sing about them constantly and make them known to our children and grandchildren!
But we obviously don’t do that as much as we ought. Is it because we don’t truly appreciate the Lord’s LOVING-kindness, or do we just take it for granted? Either way, we’re wrong. My fellow believers, we ought to be shouting out the Lord’s goodness from the rooftops, each and every day of our mortal lives!
Now let’s look at some scripture that encourages us to do just that. Ethan himself, later on in Psalm 89, wisely declares: ‘And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord?
Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had (held) in reverence of all them that are about him.’ (Ps.89:5-7)
Yes Friends, there’s none as mighty and as faithful in this universe as our Lord and Creator! Therefore we ought to acknowledge Him with much praise and thanksgiving!
Now listen to the words of the psalmist from Psalm 92 – Praises for the Lord’s goodness. ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To show forth (declare) thy LOVING-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery (lute or lyre); upon the harp with a solemn (harmonious or melodic) sound. For thou, Lord hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.’ (Ps.92:1-4)
Oh what a joy to be living under the protective umbrella of our most faithful God! And my people we need to make that known much more than we currently do. Most of the time we just sing and make merry to God when we go to church, but we ought to be doing it all the time, every day.
As Bruh Paul so wisely put it to the Ephesians, when talking about the ways of the believer. Hear him: ‘Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation), but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph.5:18-21)
Yuh see Friends, if we consider ourselves a part of God’s flock, then we ought to be always singing and making merry in His name, not going about sour and miserable like so many of us supposed Christians do.
We have been granted a great and wonderful life through Jesus Christ, so let’s be thankful and show that thankfulness and gratitude nuh, so that the unbelievers can see the joy and faithfulness that communing with Jesus truly brings!
If we’re not joyful and thankful for the great mercies and blessings being daily bestowed on us by God, then we’re not true believers or sheep in His flock, just pseudo followers, sitting on the fence, trying to play both ends against the middle.
Ah Friends, at no time in the life of Christ’s church has the necessity for our sincere display of joy and trust in the Lord’s goodness been more important.
Sadly, in these evil times, Beelzebub’s power is on the rise and we desperately need to counteract it with the singing of songs of praise and thankfulness to Almighty God, if we ever hope to regain the running of our world and the success of Christ’s LOVE Revolution.
So please, my brethren, let’s wake up and smell whatever we need to, and do whatever we need to, so that we can rise above the lazy, wishy-washy and lethargic attitudes we currently display. That my people, is the epitome of wisdom! Much LOVE!
…if we’re truly glad to be followers of Jesus…then we need to show it outwardly…so that others will come to Him…and find the joy that we have…that’s our bounden duty…
12 Mar 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a habitation of God, a holy temple, access by one spirit, alienated from God, all praise and glory to God, apostles, avid, behaviour, beliefs, bonding, Bruh Paul, chief cornerstone, children of the divine family, Christian Gentiles, Christian Jews, Christians, digest, disinterest in life, divine structure, Dr. Orison Swett Marden, dwelling place, Ephesians, failure, faithfully, family, feeling of malaise, fellow citizens, fit shape, fitly framed together, followers of Jesus, for other foundation can no man lay, foreigners, foundation, friends, Greek city-state, harmonious blending, harmoniously joined together, have life more abundantly, holding together, holy spirit, household of God, illness, in the Lord, inspirational, intimate realtionship, introspection, Jesus Christ, Jesus' philosophy, Jews, Lent, lifestyle, live obedient to God's will, Lucifer, negative pictures, Oriental architecture, Orison Swett Marden, physical pain, ponder, positive imagery, privileges, problems, prophets, read, reconciled to God, rest, review our convictions, saints, shadows, shall not be ashamed, sincerely, spiritual blessings, spiritual spring-cleaning, steal our joy In Jesus Christ, storms, strangers, success, sunshine, sunshine where others see shadows and storms, superstructure, the church, the hopeful man sees success where others see failure, the living truth, the Lord's wisdom., truth, understanding, unity, unity of all believers, walk with Jesus Christ, weaknesses, which is Christ Jesus, whosoever believeth on Jesus, wisdom, work diligently
1 Corinthians 3:11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, it seems that a late night has begotten an even later morning. Hn, hn! You know I was up at around five a.m, even before the duchess’ alarm went off. And even if I don’t get up just then, I usually get up and see her safely off to work shortly after six.
But this morning I didn’t even know when she left the bedroom, much less the house. The Lord in His everlasting wisdom obviously realized that I was in no fit shape to write such a profound document as the Bit. (smile) And the ole body obviously needed more rest, so He allowed me to sleep in.
And I was quite surprised when I opened my eyes and saw that it was already eight o’clock. I haven’t gotten up at that hour here at home in ages. But who am I to query the Lord’s wisdom eh? (smile) And the body does feel much better for the unexpected rest. All praise and glory be to Him!
And in this third week of Lent, on this bright and balmy Thursday morning– the sun is shining beautiful and bright outside and it’s not too cold – I want to remind us that this is a season of introspection, where we sit down with God and review our convictions, beliefs, behaviour, and all the other things associated with our lives, which help us to live obedient to God’s will.
This is a time for a spiritual spring-cleaning, where we get rid of all the junk that’s cluttering up our lives and making it difficult, if not impossible to walk sincerely and faithfully with Jesus Christ.
And to help us do that here is this interesting and inspirational quote, which I believe I’ve already shared some time before, but is most worthy of sharing again, from Dr. Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924), an American inspirational author who wrote on success in life and how to achieve it.
Dr. Marden wisely declares: ‘The hopeful man sees success where others see failure, sunshine where others see shadows and storm.’
And isn’t that the living truth, my people! Ofttimes we get lost and caught up in our problems and weaknesses, physical pain and illness, whereby we end up with a general feeling of malaise and disinterest in life. But we can’t allow that state of affairs to exist for long my people, especially if we are followers of Jesus Christ.
We need to get back as quickly as possible to the positive imagery outlined in Jesus’ philosophy and lifestyle. He said He came so that we could have life, and have it even more abundantly. ( John 10:10) And being down in the dumps for too long a period is surely not having life, much less abundantly.
So my brethren, it’s in our best interest to try and get the negative pictures out of our lives almost as soon as they appear, because they are only the wiles and lies of the enemy coming to try and steal our joy in Jesus Christ. We can’t work diligently and sincerely for Jesus if there’s no joy in our souls.
That’s where our Bit comes in. ‘For other foundation can no man lay that that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’
And I want to apologize for saying that yesterday was the last day for the Bit. Lucifer must certainly have gotten in to my mind, for there is till stuff concerning it, to say today. And we’ll kick it off with Bruh Paul writing to the Ephesians about the unity of all believers.
‘For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together (being joined together) groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord; In whom ye also are builded (being built) for a habitation (dwelling place) of God through the Spirit.’ (Eph. 2:18-22)
Oh Friends, that scripture is so convoluted, and could be so confusing, that I would be greatly amiss if I didn’t give you some of the fine explanations of the scholars.
‘2:19-20. Now therefore draws a conclusion from verses 14-18: Christian Gentiles are no longer alienated from God, but now enjoy the same intimate relationship with Him and the same spiritual blessings as do Christian Jews.
Three figures express this unity and equality existing between believing Jews and Gentiles. (1) A city: This figure comes the Greek city-state political concept whereby all inhabitants of a particular city-state were fellow citizens enjoying the same privileges.
(2) A family: Since Gentiles have been reconciled to God (v.16) and to His people (v.15), they are now members of the household of God, that is, children of the divine family.
(3) A building: Believing Jews and Gentiles are part of the same divine structure, the church. The church’s foundation is composed of the apostles and prophets, its chief corner stone is Christ, and its superstructure is composed of Christians.
Oriental architecture placed greater importance on the cornerstone than on the foundation, for it connected the walls and concentrated the weight of the building on itself, thus bonding and holding together the whole structure.’
‘2:21. Paraphrased, this verse would read, “By whom the whole building, being carefully and harmoniously joined together, rises into a holy temple for the Lord.” Fitly framed together is translated above as “being carefully and harmoniously joined together.” This implies the harmonious blending of the Jewish and Gentile believers in the church.’
‘2:22. Ye also in Greek, is emphatic. It stresses that Christian Gentiles, as well as their Jewish counterparts, are part of the church. Christians are viewed as a habitation or dwelling place in whom God lives through His Holy Spirit.’
Ah mih people, I know that is a lot of explanation, but I believe we all need it, possibly some more than others, and I do hope that it clarifies any problems we have with understanding the relevant scripture.
Consequently, we’ll end there today, so that we can have time to read, ponder and digest all the wonderful information we’ve shared today. For that’s the only way we can truly become avid and true followers of Jesus Christ.
So my fellow believers, until tomorrow, the Lord willing, may we all walk hand in hand with Him, safely, wisely, LOVINGLY, and at peace with ourselves and all mankind! Much LOVE!
…for the scripture saith…whosoever believeth on Him…shall not be ashamed (put to shame)… (Rom.10:11)
06 Mar 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversity, and shall we not receive evil, another week of work, at the hand of God, attitudes, Be not thou envious of evil men, be thankful for all things, blessed is the man, bringeth forth his fruit in season, build our faith, calamity, chaff, congregation of the righteous, Cousin Sol, curse God and die, deeds, disassociate, endurance, evil, evildoers, faith, fellowship, followers of Jesus, Friday chant, friends, fun, generous help, God gives, God takes away, gospel truth, grow in righteousness, his delight is in the law of the Lord, if thou faint in the day of adversity, influence, influences, Jesus Christ, Job, judgement, live by faith not by sight, LOVE, neither desire to be with them, planted by the rivers of water, relaxation, righteousness., running rampant, shall we receive good, sinners, sitteth in the seat of the scornful, storm, succumb to evil, tentacles spread far and wide, test our mettle, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the ungodly shall perish, the way of the righteous, the weekend, Though he slay me, thy strength is small, time of tribulations, trust, truth, understanding, ungodliness, ungodly world, unquenchable faith, walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, whatever he does shall prosper, wickedness, wisdom, woes of labour, yet will I trust him
Proverbs 24:1. Be not thou envious against (of) evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Ah Friends, once again the ever-turning wheel of life has turned, and it’s fallen on that beloved day we call Friday!
And the working people rose up with a great shout of joy. ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and our woes of labour will soon be over for a couple of days! Thank God for Fridays yes!’
Yes my brethren, we have to thank our wonderful God for ALL things, both good and bad! As Job so wisely reminded his wife in the time of his tribulations. ‘What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept calamity)?’ (Job 2:10)
Oh Friends, whatever happens to us, happens with God’s full knowledge. He might not send a particular storm our way, but He allows it to test our mettle, our faith and trust in Him. And life becomes much easier when we acknowledge that everything comes through Him.
That way, if something untoward happens, then we can see it as a kind of test, which He is allowing, but at the same time will help us through it. That’s the wonder of our eternal God! He gives and he takes away, but He never causes harm. But nonetheless, as Cousin Sol reminds us in Proverbs: ‘If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.’ (Prov.24:10)
Yes my people, adversity is the true test of our endurance, and our reaction to it shows the strength or weakness of our faith. Note that though Job was obviously upset in his time of adversity, he didn’t curse God and die, as his wife suggested. (Job 2:9) Instead, he stood strong during his time of trial, even to the point of declaring: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust him…’ (Job 13:15)
That, my Friends, is the kind of unquenchable faith those of us who live by faith and not by sight, need to handle the trials of our earthly journey. And to help us in that respect, let’s chant our Friday Chant with the enthusiasm it deserves, knowing that the weekend is nigh, and we’ll have a short break from our labour.
As one harmonious voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Hopefully Friends, those words will resonate in our spirits this weekend, and cause us to use that free time wisely. (smile) And today we have a rather appropriate Bit for these extremely wicked and ungodly times. It comes from the wisdom of Cousin Sol. ‘Be not thou envious against (of) evil men, neither desire to be with them.’
And that my people is gospel truth! But for those of you who wonder why cousin Sol made that statement, he answers it in the next verse. ‘For their heart studieth destruction (devises violence), and their lips talk of mischief (trouble).’ (Prov.24:2)
Ah mih breddren, wickedness, evil, ungodliness and all sorts of negativity are currently running rampant through our world, but as followers of Jesus we need to disassociate ourselves from it as much as possible, otherwise we’ll become evil and ungodly too.
Now it’s really impossible to completely disassociate ourselves from everyone and everything that’s evil and ungodly since its tentacles are spread far and wide, high and low. However, when we do need to come into contact with that kind, we must ensure that it’s our godly and wholesome influence that’s ruling the day, not their ungodly and evil traits. We should always attempt to influence the evildoers, rather than let them influence us.
And there are indeed a whole lot of scriptures that advise us against hanging out with evildoers. Let’s look at a couple of them. And the first one comes rather appropriately from the first Psalm in the Psalter.
‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder) day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (channels) of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.’ (Ps.1:1-6)
Oh my people, it’s laid out plain as day, there for us. We have no excuses now for being ungodly and evil.
Now the scholars have some explanations that we should hear. ‘Psalm 1. The key word in the psalm is the word blessed. It serves here as a pronouncement upon a man – but a certain kind of man. In essence, the psalm is teaching that the blessed or happy man is the righteous man.
The happy man avoids evil influences, deeds, and attitudes (v.1); he delights in God’s Word (v.2); therefore, God causes him to prosper (v.3). On the other hand, the ungodly is worth no more than chaff (v.4), and his destiny is judgement (v.5). Finally, the evaluation by the Lord himself is described (v.6).
There is an ellipsis (omission from sentence of words needed to complete construction or sense) which is understood with both clauses in verse 6: For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous (and it will be blessed), but (He also knows) the way of the ungodly (and it) shall perish.
The psalm forms an appropriate introduction to the Psalter since it sets before the readers the three characters who will figure mostly in the psalms: the righteous, the ungodly, and God.’
That says it all Friends! And since we certainly have plenty food for thought, let’s end here, then go and ponder it all. Let’s write the important things in our hearts, minds and souls, then put them into practice, into action in our lives, so that we’ll become stronger in faith and understanding. That’s heavenly wisdom, my people! Much LOVE!
…to not succumb to evil…we have to build our faith in God…to grow in righteousness…
05 Mar 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abide in me, against all odds, almighty god, because of mine enemies, blessings, bolsters our spirits, breath of life, brings us joy, Bruh David, cherish every moment with those you love, Clark Gable, confidence, destruction, do God's will, faithfulness, followers of Jesus, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gospel truth, gratitude, guidance, guilt, heavenly Father, hope, I am the vine, I lift up my soul to thee, image of Jesus, improvement, in league with the Creator of the universe, in thee do I trust, Jack Layton, jehovah god, lead me in a plain path, learn God's word, Lent, lessen's regrets, LOVE, loving kindness, make thy way straight, meditate, mercies, misleading, moving onward and upward, my help cometh from the Lord, O Lord, omni-present, omnipotent, omnisicient, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, prayer for protection, privilege, read, remakes us into the image of Jesus, righteous and godly life, righteousness., saviour jesus christ, Spread God's Word, strength, study, teach me thy statutes, Teach me thy way O Lord, thanks and praise, the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, the land of uprightness, the potter's wheel, the Spirit of Jesus, the ungodly world, the wonderful God we serve, Thursday, thy spirit is good, unconditional LOVE, walking with Jesus, wickedness, wisdom, without me ye can do nothing, ye are the branches
Psalm 27:11. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain (smooth) path, because of mine enemies.
Aye Friends, it’s Thursday, and we’re moving onward and upward with our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Wow! What a great privilege that is my people! To be in league with the Creator of the universe and all therein is truly something else!
So let’s give Him some thanks and praise this Lenten Thursday morning nuh, for first imbuing us with His awesome breath of life, then for the new mercies and blessings He has specially prepared for us today, and finally ask for strength and guidance to go out into the ungodly world that surrounds us and do His will; that of attracting souls to Him and thus furthering His glorious kingdom. Now that is indeed a mouthful, but not an impossible one. (smile)
Please pray with me: ‘Oh heavenly Father, we sincerely thank You for the breath of life You’ve breathed into each of us at our birth, and has allowed it to continue to this day. We thank You for all the wonderful work You’ve done in us, and are still doing. Being on Your potter’s wheel can sometimes be rough, but we understand the need for it. It’s the only way you can remake us into the image of Jesus.
Lots of thanks are also forthcoming for the many gifts of grace, mercy and forgiveness that You’ve bestowed on us. Your unconditional LOVE also calls for expressions of gratitude. Please help us this day to LOVE You as we ought to, and grant us your undying peace and wisdom, so that we can go out and diligently do Your Will, spread Your Word and Your LOVE! This we pray in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!’
Yeh mih breddren, it’s ALL about Jehovah God! And I found this quote on a piece of scrap paper yesterday. Don’t know if I’ve shared it before, but even if I have, it’s certainly worth sharing again. It’s attributed to Jack Layton (1950-2011) the late leader of the Federal Opposition party, the N.D.P. Jack has been reputed to advise: ‘Cherish every moment with those you LOVE, at every stage of your journey.’
And that is certainly wisdom for the ages my people! LOVING those around us not only bolsters our spirits and brings us joy each day, but it also lessens the regrets when a LOVED one passes away, whether suddenly or after a long illness. We don’t have the guilt and those negative feelings of not having told or shown them how much we LOVED them. And that takes a lot of pressure off of us when circumstances don’t go the way we want them to.
So Friends, starting NOW, let’s truly cherish those around us, as much as we can. Let’s both show and tell them that we LOVE and appreciate them. I’m sure we’ll see a big improvement in all the lives involved. And your luck’s in today Friends. (smile) Here’s another quote, this from Cark Gable (1901-1960), the famous American movie star of yore. Clark says: ‘The things a man has to have are hope and confidence in himself against all odds.’
And I quote this because though there’s some truth in it, those words ‘in himself’ can be quite misleading, for basically our hope and confidence is supposed to come from our union with our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God.
As Jesus warned His disciples, and consequently us: ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5-6)
Now that’s truly telling it like it is! It’s gospel truth my people! Without the Spirit of Jesus working in and walking with us, we can do nothing really worthwhile. That’s why I took issue with Clark’s comment. Only when we’re walking sincerely with Jesus, and only then, does that hope and confidence truly blossom in our souls!
That’s why our Bit is so necessary and so powerful. Bruh David truly lays it on the line. ‘Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain (smooth) path, because of mine enemies.’
Yes my brethren, it’s only by doing it God’s way that we can truly live a righteous and godly life, despite the enmity that surrounds us. And Bruh David knew this from hard experience and used it to his advantage. Listen to him from Psalm 5 – A prayer for protection.
‘Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness (uprightness) in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness (destruction); their throat is an open sepulcher (an open tomb); they flatter with their tongue.’ (Ps.5:8-9)
Ah mih people, our world is so full of wickedness and flattery, that if we’re not careful, we can fall for some ungodly stuff every minute of every day. And the writer of Psalm 119, in the Daleth section – Make me to understand thy way- prayerfully beseeches God:
‘My soul cleaveth unto (clings to) the dust: quicken (revive) thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest (answered) me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of (meditate on) thy wondrous works.’ (Ps.119:25-27)
Oh Friends, that’s only logical! We can’t talk about God and His wondrous works if we don’t know anything about Him! That’s why it’s ever so important, necessary and essential that followers of Jesus, read, study, meditate on and learn His Word. And having done that, we can then explain, expound and talk about the wonderful God we serve!
And we’ll end this series of messages on calling out to God for direction and help to learn His statutes, with these fateful, faithful and fruitful words of Bruh David from Psalm 143 – Teach me to do thy will.
‘Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me (unto thee I take cover). Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.’ (Ps.143:8-10)
Oh my fellow believers, please let those words lift us up today, and keep us centred and focused on Almighty God as we go out to do His will, for it’s only from Him, can true hope and confidence come. Much LOVE!
…I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills…from whence cometh my help…my help cometh from the Lord…which made heaven and earth… (Ps.121:1-2)
09 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin level, almighty god, anxieties, aura of love, be ye kind to one another, bitterness, boost our spirits, bounden duty, Bruh Paul, Calvary's cross, confidence, contentment, courage, enemy's wicked taunts, enthusiasm, even as Christ forgave you, evil, faith, fears, first day of work, followers of Jesus, food on our tables, forbearing one another, forgiveness, forgiving one another, forgiving ourselves, friends, glorious kingdom, grace of God, gratitude, guilt, harsh knocks of life, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, keeping a roof over our heads, law of nature, LOVE, loving kindness, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, Monday Morning, negative response, practical experiences in life, rejuvenation of spirit, responsibility, righteousness., saving grace, seeds sown on stony ground, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strength, sure conquerors, tenderhearted, truth, unforgiveness, weary souls, wisdom, wrath
Colossians 3:13. Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Well Friends, it’s the second day of the week, but the first day of work. And I know that many of us are not happy about having to get up and go to work on this beautiful Monday morning.
But as I keep reminding us, we have no choice, if we want to make a living and keep a roof over our heads and food on our tables, so the sooner we stop giving ourselves heartaches over it, and become contented and peaceful, the sooner we’ll understand and appreciate the joys of working.
And I know some of you are querying the term ‘joys of working,’ assuming that there can be no joy in work. But I’m here to tell you differently Friends. Many of us don’t enjoy our jobs because we come to them with the wrong mind set; a negative rather than a positive one. Granted, many of them don’t ingratiate themselves to us, are not really likeable in the natural.
But as Bruh Paul told the Philippians: ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (regard of need): for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ (Phil.4:11)
Yes my people, the ability to be content in whatever situation we might find ourselves is one of the great tools of living. However, as the scholars tell us: ‘The Greek here suggests contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom nor overnight, but through practical experiences in life.’
And that’s a fact my brethren! Contentment is learned through experiencing the harsh knocks of life, and we have to consciously accept it, if we’re to be rid of most of our fears and anxieties, especially if we are followers of Jesus.
Anyway, let’s get to our Monday Morning Hymn that boosts our spirits, raises our adrenalin level and gives us the wherewithal to go out and fight the enemy, and thus bring souls to Jesus for saving.
So as one big, bold and harmonic choir, let’s sing: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was a good rendition my people, but not good enough to move heaven, (smile) but our motors are running and that will enable us to face the day with faith, strength, courage and forgiveness.
Yes Friends, forgiveness must be a major part of our day, as so many things and people are out there to annoy us and bring negative emotions to our spirits, but we have to rise up over them by forgiving where forgiveness is called for. Because remember, forgiveness is for our health; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Unforgiveness usually does nothing to the unforgiven, but it ALWAYS affects the ‘unforgiver’ negatively. So basic wisdom calls us to forgive as quickly and completely as possible. As our Bit so wisely and rightly tells us: ‘Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’
And the aspect of forgiving that I want to talk about today is extremely important, but one to which we don’t pay much, or definitely enough attention to; that’s forgiving ourselves.
Yes Friends, too many of us hold on to guilt and unforgiveness against ourselves. We tend to forgive others much quicker and more completely than we do ourselves. But that’s also wrong my brethren. Forgiveness is for everybody, including ourselves.
A good example of our negative response to ourselves, is in cases where we do things that we regret, and we even ask God for forgiveness, which He ALWAYS grants, but we still walk around with guilt and unforgiveness. Friends, it’s a basic law of nature that when we are given something, we have to receive and accept it, otherwise we won’t have it.
And the forgiveness, mercy, LOVING-kindness and saving grace of God are amongst those wonderful things that we need to receive with joy and gratitude. For if we don’t, we are doing ourselves great injustice, in fact negating the death of Jesus, making it of no account, for those are the things which He sacrificed Himself on Calvary’s cross to give us.
So if we don’t accept what Jesus died to give us, then we’re not His true followers, just seeds sown on stony ground with no real roots planted in the church and body of Jesus. The same goes for when other’s beside God forgives us. We have to learn to accept it with kindness and mercy and gratitude, else we’re still not doing ourselves any good.
And we’ll end with these wonderful and wise words on the subject; words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven (in Christ forgave) you.’ (Eph.4:31-32)
Words of everlasting wisdom my brethren! So let’s go out and put it all in to practice today nuh my people, obviously with the help of Jesus, because that’s our earthly responsibility, our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…we must learn not only to forgive…but also to receive and accept forgiveness…for it is the grace of God…
02 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a challenge, believers in Jesus, depression, destruction, evil doers, followers of Jesus, fractured, from the bottom of my heart, going to say hello to my neighbour, greet him with a smile, he that dilgently seeks good finds favour, he that seeks trouble it shall come to him, i've made my resolution, in our own neighbourhoods, Johnny Reid, make sure my children know right from wrong, one day at a time, opened up my eyes, positive change, right up our alley, run and hide, shake the hand of a stranger, tell someone I love them, today I'm going to try and change the world, troubled world, turn our world around, war-like, warmongers
Proverbs 11:27. He that diligently seeketh good procureth (finds) favour: but he that seeketh mischief (trouble), it shall come unto him.
Oh Friends, on this Thursday morning in early October – yes, it’s already October – as the leaves begin to change colour and fall, I believe we need a challenge that’s right up our alley, right in our faces, one to which we cannot say no, from which we cannot run and hide.
Our world is becoming increasingly more fractured and war-like every single day, and we believers are the ONLY ONES who can change it for the better. The warmongers and evil doers are happy to see it slide into further depression and eventual destruction, so it’s up to us sincere followers of, and true believers in Jesus Christ to do whatever it takes to turn our world around.
And today we’re going to do it in song, one I shared with you some time aback. I just found it amongst some other papers in my Bible and thought it was a sign to share it again. (smile) That’s because it details such simple and workable ideas that all of us can do in our daily lives, to bring positive change to a seriously troubled world, starting right in our own neighbourhoods.
And it’s a song by Johnny Reid, which advocates: ‘Today I’m going to try and change the world. Gonna take it one day at a time. I’ve made my resolution, opened up my eyes, Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m gonna say hello to my neighbour, going to greet him with a smile, and shake the hand of a stranger, sit and talk to him for a while.
Gonna tell someone I LOVE them, from the bottom of my heart. Today I’m gonna try and change the world. I’ve made my resolution, opened up my eyes; Today I’m gonna try and change the world. Gonna make sure my children know right from wrong; Never turn my back on those in need.
Always gonna try to see myself through another’s eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world. I made my resolution, opened up my eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world.’
Oh my fellow believers, what heart-warming sentiments! And the beauty of it all is that they are simple, everyday things that we all can do to make our world a much better place in which to dwell!
Now that segues very nicely into our Bit: ‘He that diligently seeketh good procureth (finds) favour: but he that seeketh mischief (trouble), it shall come unto him.’
And isn’t that generally how life goes my brethren? If we sincerely seek good, then we find favour, while if we look for trouble, it usually finds us. That’s why I’m asking us today my people, to seek good, and not evil.
As Bruh David advises in Psalm 34 – the Lord hears the righteous: ‘What man is he that desireth life, and LOVETH many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (deceit). Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it.’ (Ps.34:12-14)
Oh Friends, that is so plain and simple and straightforward that it truly amazes me when we find it difficult to do! And many of us blame our naturally sinful nature, but that’s just a convenient cop out. We can all stop doing evil and do good if we so desire. We’re just too fascinated by the evil doings of the world.
And you’ll notice how over the last few years the things of darkness, in books, movies and games are ruling the roost as best sellers and award winners. What do you think that does to the minds of our children eh, when they become comfortable with the things of the dark side, including war and violence at such an early age?
They either become enamoured of them, or comfortable and undisturbed, possibly concluding that that’s the norm. And sadly my brethren, that’s the kind of children we’ve raised in this generation. They have come to learn of and glamourize the things of darkness, because that’s what the evil powers are raising up.
Meanwhile, things of the light, things of Jesus, are being portrayed as inferior nonsense. But Friends, that’s a fool’s wisdom! For whatever we seek or sow, that is what will boomerang back to us. And a wonderful biblical example of that is the story of Haman in the book of Esther.
Haman is the king’s right hand man, boastful and arrogant as so many of us in high positions are. But as the Lord would have it, one old Jewish fellow, Mordecai, Esther’s guardian, refuses to bow and scrape to Haman. And when Haman discovers that the king is about to honour Mordecai, his hatred increases, and he sets up a plot to have the Jews killed.
However, through the good works of Esther and Mordecai, it was Haman who met a terrible end. The Good Book describes it thus: ‘So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified (subdued).’ (Esth.7:10)
Oh Friends, please let’s learn from Haman’s example, and don’t plot to do evil against anyone, for there is a very great chance that it will backfire, and we will then be on the receiving end of the evil we had meant for others. Wisdom my people, let’s practice wisdom today nuh. Much LOVE!
…that which a man sows…he will reap…therefore it’s only a fool…or a madman…who will consciously set out to do evil…
03 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: about the Lord's business, answering the bell, apostasy, awesome wisdom, be of good cheer, blasphemers, bleary eyed, boastful, brighter tomorrow, Bruh Paul, brutal, closer to the Father, corrupt minds, covetous, death, defeat, destined to undergo trials, disobedient, divers lusts, early rains, esoteric quest for truth, ever learning, everlasting glory, exhorting them to continue in the faith, false teachers, fires of this earthly life, followers of Jesus, forgiving, Glory Halleujah, God's Word, godliness, haughty, high-minded, horrific testing of Jesus, i have overcome the world, inherit everlasting life, invite Jesus into our eharts, irreconcilable, Jambres, Jannes, joy, kind, last days, lovers of pleasure, magnanimous, merciful, money lovers, more than lovers of God, Moses, muggy, overcome our trials, perilous times, proud, rain, rainy day Tuesday, reckless, redeeming grace, regneration, religion without power, reprobate, respite from heat, rewards, shall receive a hundredfold, silly women, slanderers, Son of man, sorrow, strengthening the souls of the disciples, success, tales of joy and sorrow, testimony, testing, the church age, the first shall be last, the kingdom of God, the knowledge of truth, the last shall be first, the will prevailed, throne of his glory, through tribulation we enter into the kingdom of God, Timothy, traitors, tribulations, triumph, troubled times, truth, Tuesday, twelve tribes of Israel, uncomfortable, unconsciousness, undeniable truth, understanding, undisputed wisdom, unholy, unthankful, wisdom, with God all things are possible, with the Lord's help, without self control, wonderful ideal
Acts 14:22. Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Oh Tuesday, oh glorious Tuesday! What tales of joy or sorrow, success or defeat will you bring? Let’s hope that there are many more tales of joy and success than sorrow and defeat.
I know for one thing, Tuesday’s brought rain, some of the early rains that we’ve so far been lacking. The rain began late yesterday evening and fell on and off during the night. So it looks like it will be a rainy day Tuesday.
But the rain didn’t seem to be the refreshing type that brings respite from the day’s heat, and yesterday was hot in my neck of the woods. The rain just caused the night to be muggy and uncomfortable, which made sleeping, even with all my windows open, a somewhat rough experience.
So much so that when the Lord called this morning, I had a hard time answering the bell. The old body just wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, feverish though it was. However Friends, I’m glad and proud to say that on this occasion the will prevailed, the will triumphed… Glory Hallelujah!
And here I am about the Lord’s business, though still somewhat bleary eyed. (smile) But as I always say, I have no doubt that our great, wonderful, forgiving, merciful and kind, magnanimous and understanding God and Creator will eventually bring me unto myself and unto Him, so that I can write something sensible in His Holy Name.
And that’s my testimony for this Tuesday morning, my people! (smile)
Yes Friends, the ole fella’s shaking it a bit rough this morning. But as we like to say, nothing but unconsciousness or death must stop the Bit from going out. Oh, it’s indeed a wonderful ideal, and so far, obviously with the Lord’s superior help, I’ve been able to live up to it.
Now that leads us nicely into our Bit. ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.’
Unfortunately my brethren, followers of Jesus, just like our Leader, have been destined to undergo some trials and tribulation, some testing in the fires of this earthly life. Obviously most of us won’t be tested as hard and as horrifically as Jesus was, but some testing is indeed our lot.
And just like it brought Jesus closer to the Father, because He had to depend on Him for the wherewithal to do His bidding, even so our trials and tribulation ought to draw us closer to our Maker. For it is only through His redeeming grace and power that we can ever hope to successfully overcome our trials.
Now listen to these words of awesome wisdom and undeniable truth, re the coming apostasy (abandonment of religious faith), written by Bruh Paul to Timothy so long ago, but which are currently being fulfilled in these troubled times in which we live.
‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), high-minded (haughty), lovers of pleasure, more than (rather than) LOVERS of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate (disapproved) concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs was also.’ (2 Tim.3:1-9)
Ah mih people, like Bruh Paul’s living today and writing about us! It’s definitely not a pretty picture of our world, but it is indeed a very truthful one.
And to help us understand those verses, here is some info from the scholars. ‘3:1-4. The last days began with the birth of Christ and will culminate in Christ’s return to the earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age.
3:5-9. A form of godliness is mere religion without power or spiritual life. Paul commands Timothy to turn away from these false teachers who prey upon silly women laden with sins, who are especially susceptible to false teachers.
Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth condemns not intense study but some esoteric quest for truth apart from God’s Word. Jannes and Jambres, according to Jewish tradition, were the two magicians in Pharaoh’s court who attempted to duplicate Moses’ miracles (cf. Ex.7:11; 9:11).’
Oh Friends, I know that all we’ve been hearing about so far are trials and tribulations, but listen now to the rewards of living for Christ, as explained by our Saviour Himself.
He had just finished telling the disciples about it being ‘easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or fathers, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (Matt.19:24-30)
Now Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, I ask you, are those rewards worth the testing and trials of this earthly life? I humbly submit that they certainly are!
But the Lord’s left it up to each individual to make that life changing decision to follow His Son or not. Please, I implore us to make the right one today, and invite Jesus into our hearts and souls right now, so that we can enjoy a much brighter tomorrow with Him in everlasting glory!
Why? Because that’s the undisputed wisdom of this earthly life! Much LOVE!
…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world…
14 Apr 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversaries, aura of love, blessings, Bruh Paul, church, circumstances, confidence, end of all things, enemy, enthusiasm, evil, faith, faithful, fellowship, followers of Jesus, forgiveness, foundations stones, further God's glorious kingdom, glorifying God, God has heard me, God's glory, grateful hearts, gratitude, heavenly wisdom, Holy Name, holy spirit, Holy Week, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, lies, live action, LOVE, loving kindness, man's honour, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, multitude of sins, persevere, Praise the Lord, prayer, preach the gospel, problems, real world, rejuvenation of spirit, religion, renewed vitality, revitalization, sins, steadfast in faith, thanksgiving, the gospel, trials, tribulations, twin peaks, ungodly world, week of work, wicked taunts, wickedness, wisdom, words of prayer, worthwhile inroads, zeal
Psalm 66:19. But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Oh Friends, on this Monday morning, the first day of Holy Week, I have a rather interesting comment for you from the comics section of the newspaper. It’s from the Family Circus strip, depicting a family; husband, wife and four young children of varying ages coming out of church, when the young girl suddenly pipes up: ‘Grandma says this is where our religion begins – when we come out of church.’
And is she ever so right! As Bruh David declared in Psalm 8, God’s glory and man’s honour. ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings (infants) hast thou ordained (established) strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still (silence) the enemy and the avenger.’ (Ps.8:2)
And why is that first statement so right? Because it is indeed after we walk out the church doors that we need to put our religion into practice! While in church we are all of the same faith and belief, all enthusiastically glorifying God!
And that’s very easy to do because there are no adversaries in our faces in church, but once we leave the building, that’s where our adversaries pounce on us, and that’s also where we need to show our mettle, what we’re truly made of, if we can put all the stuff we just finished spouting in church into live action!
Ah mih people, it’s not inside the church that we show our faith to best advantage, but outside its doors, in the real world of trials and tribulations, anxieties and fears. Going to church just helps us to renew our faith as a group, thus enabling us to stand up strong to those problems and circumstances we face in the real world. And it’s on days like Mondays that we’re definitely called on to walk our talk of faith.
So on this Monday morning of Holy Week, the most important week in the calendar of our faith, because it’s when Jesus died for us, then was raised from the dead in glory, providing us with resurrection power and finally reconciliation with Almighty God. Therefore let’s go out to work with the right attitude and frame of mind, that we bring glory and not disgrace to God.
Let’s now sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with the appropriate gusto it so richly deserves. (smile) ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was most excellent my people! And we need to carry that enthusiasm and zeal and LOVE for Jesus with us into the ungodly world that awaits us.
Our Monday Morning Battle Hymn is also an excellent example of our Bit: ‘But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.’ Whenever we sing it, God hears and answers our requests with a revitalization of our spirits.
And yes, it was one of God’s mysterious workings that led me to leave today as the last day for our Bit. It’s rather appropriate since Holy Week is a week of intense prayer. So what better way to begin it than with sincere and faithful words of prayer eh? None really.
Now let’s get to our scriptural examples. The first comes from Bruh Paul in his missive to the Colossians, where in his opening remarks he advises them: ‘Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal (meanwhile) praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance (for the word), to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.’ (Col.4:2-4)
And this is how the scholars explain those scriptures: ‘4:2. Continue in prayer means “persevere in prayer.” Watch in the same means that the Colossians are to be mentally alert and spiritually sensitive to the needs for which they pray. With thanksgiving signifies that gratitude is the attitude in which prayer is offered. So the readers are to persevere in prayer with alert minds and grateful hearts.
4:3-4. The Colossians are asked to make two prayer requests for Paul and his associates: (1) that God would grant them opportunities both inside and outside of prison to preach the gospel (v.3); and that (2) the evangelists would make the truth manifest as they ought to speak, that is, to preach it with courage and clarity. Withal praying also for us means praying for Paul “together with” the prayer commanded in verse 2.’
Oh my fellow believers, those very things are also required of us today, possibly even more so than in Bruh Paul’s day since the world is much larger, in terms of number of people and settlements, and the evil and wickedness that abounds is surely greater and more perverse.
So with that observation, let’s end these messages on prayer with this most apropos scripture from Peter. ‘But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.’ (1 Pet.4:7-8)
That, my Friends, is the best advice we can get this Monday morning, or on any morning at all. So let’s show our heavenly wisdom and graciously and gratefully accept it nuh! Much LOVE!
…without the twin peaks…the foundation stones of prayer and LOVE…we cannot truly claim to be followers of Jesus…
02 Apr 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all the love in your heart, assurances, be not afraid, benefits of following Jesus, Christ, Christ experience, Christ is always with us, clouds, confidence, Cousin Sol, depart from your eyes, desolation, dew, different levels of maturity, discretion, elementary school, embrace Jesus, encouraging, everlasting, everlasting truth, fail tests, failures, faith, favour, fear, focused, focused on Jesus, followers of Jesus, following Christ is ongoing, for His name's sake, forgiveness, glory hallelujah, God's LOVING-kindness, goodness, grace, healing, helping, high school, hope, immature, interesting, Jesus Christ, Jesus will embrace you, journey with Christ, joy, keep on having hope, kindergarten, knowledge, life to thy soul, lifelong journey, like Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, loving, maturation, mature, maturity, mercy, most awesome expereinces, motivation, never ending experience, not stumble, not to give up, paths of righteousness, personal experience, promises, refuse to accept Jesus, repeat tests, right with Jesus, sleep shall be sweet, something new to learn, sound wisdom, strength, successes, terror, testify, Thank you Jesus, the Lord shall be thy confidence, the path that Jesus trod, through to eternity, trouble, trust, truth, turn to Jesus, unconditional LOVE, understanding, university, walk safely, wisdom, works in progress
Proverbs 3:23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Well hello there mih lovelies! (smile) What have you all got to say for yourselves this blessed Thursday morning in early April 2014 eh? Whatever it is, I do hope it abounds with LOVE, joy hope, faith, mercy, grace and forgiveness, as Jesus desires of His followers.
Now, as I was coming downstairs a short while ago, I began wondering what subject we could preamble with, as we perambulated through life today. (smile) And the Lord, in His wisdom and LOVING-kindness, put this idea in my mind.
You know how we like to talk about things being works in progress? Well how many of us realize that we too are works in progress eh? We are works in progress on the lifelong journey to be like Jesus Christ.
The interesting thing though is that we are all at different stages of completion… Oh, I believe completion might be the wrong word there, because as long as we are alive, we can never be completed in Christ. I guess the better word might be maturity, or even maturation.
Yes my fellow believers, we’re all at different stages or levels of maturity in Christ. It’s just like school. Some of us are in Kindergarten, or Elementary School level, while others have graduated from High School, and moved on to University. It all depends on when we began our journey with Christ and how much effort we’ve put into it.
Again, it’s just like school. Sometimes we fail tests and have to repeat them, or we just don’t put in enough effort, haven’t applied ourselves sufficiently and have to repeat the whole year in the same class.
But the important thing my fellow believers, is that no matter how old or young, mature or immature we are in Christ, there is always something new for us to learn and experience each and every day. That’s because following Christ is an ongoing, never ending experience, right through to eternity!
And the real beauty of the whole Christ experience Friends, is that Christ is ALWAYS with us! Regardless of our failures and successes, Jesus is ALWAYS there, healing, helping, LOVING, encouraging us not to give up, to keep on having hope, courage, faith, strength and trust in Him.
Oh Friends, what a wonderful Lord and Saviour we have in Jesus Christ!
The unfortunate part though is that those who refuse to accept Him and work with Him to come maturity, are missing the most awesome experience(s) this life has to offer!
And I testify to this from personal experience my brethren, because everyday something happens to keep me focused on Jesus. Be it good or bad, whatever it is, it always brings me right back to Jesus. And as I keep saying, it’s not always easy following Jesus, but it surely is always interesting!
So if you want to have the most interesting life available on this great planet earth, then TURN TO JESUS, embrace Him with all the LOVE your heart can produce, and He will in turn, embrace you with His everlasting, unconditional LOVE, and lead you in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
And all God’s children shouted a joyful; ‘Thank You Jesus! We LOVE You, and praise Your Holy Name! Amen!’
Now my brethren, hear these wise words of Cousin Sol on the subject: ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace (favour) to thy neck. (Prov.3:19-22)
Words of everlasting truth, my brethren! And our Bit, smoothly and strongly continues Cousin Sol’s wisdom. ‘Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.’
And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Praise the Lord for His overwhelming and undeserving goodness to the children of men!’ That’s for sure mih people!
And that’s not all. Cousin Sol continues to lay down the wonderful benefits of following Jesus. ‘When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.’ (Prov.3:24-26)
Oh Friends, oh Friends, what blessed and sincere promises and assurances! But they only accrue to us when we sincerely and faithfully try to tread the path that Jesus trod, and we truly aspire to emulate Him. We will never come up to His excellence, but it’s all in the motivation Friends, it all depends on what truly is in our hearts.
So please, let’s try and make our hearts, minds and souls right with Jesus TODAY, so that we can begin to enjoy more of His wonderful blessings. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…
P.S. Oh mih people, sorry for the Bit being so late, but Internet Explorer and /or Outlook decided they were going to make changes they thought were better, but which screwed up my writing process. And unfortunately when I tried to fix it, I screwed it up even more and had to go to a different server.
So the whole process took much longer than necessary. Yuh see what I’ve said above is true. Everyday with Jesus brings some new challenge. But with His help I got through it with only a few deleted expletives. (smile) Much LOVE!
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