13 Sep 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sense of deep communication, according to the fruit of his doings, all my members were written, before you came out of the womb, blaspheme God, covered me in my mother's womb, curiously wrought, deepen my breath, desperately wicked, devilish times, divine scrutiny, faith, fearfully and wonderfully made, formed my inward parts, God is omniscient, God's holy purposes, heart throbs, hidden motives, hiding our true feelings and works from God, holy spirit, honour me with their lips, human motivations, I knew thee, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I sanctified you, I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, in all sincerity and truth, in thy book, in vain they do worship me, increase my awareness of you today, inner intentions, Jesus Christ, know you all the more, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, lead us into the arms of Christ, lie abed as late as possible, lip service, Lord I want to be with you now, LOVE, made in secret, man's sinful ways, marvellous are thy works, mercy, more lazing around, my soul knows that very well, my substance was not hid from thee, ordained thee a prophet, our entire being relaxes, outward actions, possessed my reins, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, salvation, seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, seeking intimacy with God, skillfully made, slow my thoughts, suffer the consequences, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, test the minds, thank you for this tenderness, the heart is deceitful above all things, the tension drifts into outer space, their heart is far from me, their works are in the dark, this people draw near to me with their mouth, thou art acquainted with all my ways, to give every man according to his ways, to our detriment, truth, understand my thought afar off, when ye shall search for me with all your heart, who can know it, who sees us, wisdom, woe unto them, words of praise, wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, ye hypocrites, ye shall seek me and find me, you are here with me, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Jeremiah 29:13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
And then it was our lazy-day Saturday! Thank You Lord! It’s the time to just lie abed as late as possible, then get up, have a cup of coffee, and retire to the couch for more lazing around. (smile) After five frustrating and draining days of work, we’ve earned the right to relax, to just be quiet and allow our bodies to catch themselves. And there’s no better way to accomplish that desired situation than by offering up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer.
So, with all sincerity and truth, let’s pray: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And as we say those simple words of praise and communion, we feel the peace and calm of the Lord just flowing into us and with a deep sigh, our entire being just relaxes, and all the tension of the past five days just drift right into outer space. (smile) Yes friends, that’s what seeking intimacy with our wonderful God can do!
Remember, that’s what He desires from us; that sense of deep and sincere communication. He says it very clearly in His Word, through the prophet Jeremiah. ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ (Jer. 29:13) Now isn’t that a marvellous promise? It certainly is! But it requires seeking the Lord with all of our hearts. We cannot go seeking Him with just lip service and no heart throbs, for He will not answer us. And sadly, that’s what many of us are doing today, simply running to God with our mouths and asking for all sorts of unwise things, and when we don’t get them, we wonder why, and then bad talk and blaspheme the Lord.
But it’s like Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias (Isaiah) prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh (near) unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ (Matt. 15:7-9) Yes my fellow believers, unfortunately that’s very true of many of us in these dreadful and devilish times.
And I like this verse of promise from Isaiah’s prophesy. ‘Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?’ (Is. 29:15) Now that’s exactly how many of us behave; foolishly trying to hide our true feelings and works from the Lord. But remember our God is omniscient, all seeing, all knowing and wise as ever, so there’s nothing we can ever hide from Him.
Especially when He checks the motives of our hearts before He even considers our prayers. And He says it quite plainly through the prophet Jeremiah. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (incurably sick): who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try (test) the reins (minds), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.’ (Jer. 17:9-10)
And I like what this commentary says about that last verse: ‘It explains that God not only examines human motivations but also rewards individuals according to their deeds and the fruit of their actions. This divine scrutiny extends beyond outward actions to the inner intentions and thoughts of every person, revealing hidden motives and ensuring judgment aligns with their true desires and ways.’
Oh my brethren, we cannot get away from the close scrutiny of our all knowing God. He made us and knows exactly what we’re all about. And it’s like the Lord said to Jeremiah when He called him into ministry. ‘Before I formed thee in the belly (womb) I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee (set thee apart), and ordained (appointed) thee a prophet unto the nations.’ (Jer. 1:5) So the Lord knows what’s happening with us right from the very beginning.
It’s also like Bruh David says in that magnificent Psalm 139 – Praise to the All-Knowing God. ‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou comapsseth (comphendest) my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. …For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well. My substance (bones) was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me) when as yet there was none of them.’ (Ps. 139:1-4; 13-16)
Oh my people, all of that just shows how our God is deeply involved in our creation even before we’re created. He doesn’t just create us, He plans it all out before putting it into action. That ought to tell us that there’s nothing we can hide from Him, nothing about us He doesn’t know, and nowhere we can go where He won’t find us. (Ps. 139:7-12) So why are we still foolishly trying to hide things from Him and escape His LOVING embrace eh? Who knows?
But it is certainly time to stop doing it, for it will only be to our detriment. Remember all the Lord is doing is not for Himself, but for us, and if we don’t show the proper wisdom and appreciation, we will have to suffer the consequences, which can be very heartrending. So, on this somewhat cloudy, lazy-day Saturday in mid-September, let’s seriously consider all we’ve said, and let it sincerely lead us into the arms of Christ, where we were created to be! Much LOVE!
…man was made by God…for God’s holy purposes…not for man’s selfish, sinful ways…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
28 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a great family, a prophet unto the nations, abundance, all things work together for good, as yet was none of them, be not afraid of their faces, before I formed thee in the belly, before thou camest out of the womb, Christians, clear direction for my life, courage, covered me in my mother's womb, creativity, curiously wrought, curse, divine protection, faith, favour, formed my inward parts, frustrating, fulfillment, good friends, he also did predestinate, health, holy spirit, How high Lord, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I am not eloquent, I am slow of speech, I am with thee to deliver thee, I have put my words in thy mouth, I have this day set thee over nations, I knew thee, I ordained thee, I sanctified thee, I set thee apart, I was made in secret, I will be with thy mouth, I will praise thee, in continuance were fashioned, in thy book all my members were written, it's best to say, Jesus Christ, LOVE, marvellous are thy works, mercy, my soul knoweth right well, my substance was not hid from thee, negative word, of a slow tongue, promotion, prosper and succeed, salvation, say I am not a child, Scrip-Bits Blog, showers of blessing, success, supernatural wisdom, talent, teach thee what thou shalt say, testify to the Lord's faithfulness, the BIBLE, the firstborn among many brethren, the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth, the word of the Lord came unto me, them he also called, therefore go, thine eyes did see my substance, thou hast possessed my reins, time consuming, to be conformed to the image of his Son, to build and plant, to destroy, to pull down, to root out, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, truth, undeserved blessings, whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak, when the Lord says jump, who hath made man's mouth, who maketh the dumb the deaf the seeing or the blind, whom he did foreknow, whom he did predestinate, whom he justified he also glorified, wisdom, womb, wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, yet being unperfect
Jeremiah 1:8. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
Now, this last Thursday of August, the penultimate day of our work week, is definitely a cloudy one. No sign whatsoever of the morning sun. But that’s okay, cause it might mean we will finally receive some showers of blessing. And we do need it because the earth, at least in my area, is desperately calling out for refreshment. (smile)
So, what’s on the agenda for today? Well I just opened the Good Library and it fell open at the first chapter of Jeremiah, where the Lord called him to be a prophet. Therefore, I guess that’s what the Lord wants us to talk about today. (smile) And it’s a very interesting situation, so applicable to many of our own lives. It seems, as the book opens Jeremiah prophesied under three kings, Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. That means he had a long prophetic career.
But getting to God’s call on Jeremiah. He writes: ‘Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly (womb) I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee (set thee apart), and I ordained (appointed) thee a prophet unto the nations.’ (Jer. 1:4-5) Yes friends, that’s how the Lord operates. He calls some of us even before we are formed in our mother’s womb.
As Bruh David so eloquently writes in Psalm 139: ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well. My substance (frame, bones), was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me), when as yet was none of them.’ (Ps. 139:13-16)
Oh my people, you see the majesty and wonderful works of our great God. He knows everything about us, has a plan for our lives before we’re even formed in our mother’s womb. It’s also like Bruh Paul wrote to the Romans. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and who he justified, them he also glorified.’ (Rom. 8:28-30)
Wow mih bredrin! Our God is so good and great, that when He calls us to do his work, He gives us all we need. But we often respond to His call in a negative manner. We behave similarly to Jeremiah, who after the Lord called him, responded thus. ‘Then said I, Ah Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child (youth). (Jer. 1:6) Now, many of us have behaved the very same way eh, finding some foolish excuse to refuse the Lord’s call.
It’s like when Moses tried to refuse the Lord’s call to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. ‘And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore (before), nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow (heavy, dull, stuttering) tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.’ (Ex. 4:10-12) But Moses persisted in asking for help, then the Lord in His anger finally promised to send Aaron his brother with him as the spokesperson. (Ex. 4:13-16)
And I’m chuckling here because I know exactly how both Jeremiah and Moses felt, for when the Lord initiated a conversation with me, some eighteen years ago, about writing what turned out to be the Scrip-Bits Blog, I also excused myself by saying I didn’t know enough scripture to write such a thing. But just like Moses and Jeremiah, I found out that the Lord does not give up when He wants us to do stuff for Him. Consequently, He kept after me, making my life so difficult, that final I had no choice but to relent and do it. And you’d notice, the first few Bits are merely pieces of scripture, without anything much added.
Now, it wasn’t easy, very time consuming and ofttimes frustrating, and several times I wanted to give up. However, as the years went by, with the Lord’s help, I got more involved with the Word, until now I’ve reached the stage where I write too much. (smile) But through it all, I can certainly testify to the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in helping me do what He desired.
Thus, when Jeremiah claimed to be a child and unable to do the Lord’s bidding, he writes: ‘But the Lord said unto me, Say not I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down (tear down), and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant.’ (Jer. 1:7-10)
And we all know that Jeremiah’s life was not an easy one, but the Lord stuck with him through all the tough times, just like He will stick with whoever He calls to do a job for Him. Meanwhile, let’s not forget God’s general goodness in generously bestowing our undeserved Thursday Blessings on us, so that we may do His earthly work. So, let’s declare and thus activate them right now.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made those declarations (yesss!!!), it now behooves us to go out and use those underserved blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed then on us. Much LOVE!
…when the Lord says jump…it’s wisest to quickly say…Yes Lord…how high…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 May 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all my members were written, bring backsliders back to your fold, comparative attributes of God, confusion, covered me in my mother's womb, Covid-19 virus, curiously wrought, defeat the virus and the unrest, embrace your love and compassion, faithful believers, formed my inward parts, Friday chant, havoc, how precious thy thoughts unto me, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I was made in secret, in thy book, introduce a whole new flock, know my heart, lead me in the way everlasting, marvellous are thy works, my substance was not hid from thee, omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, our sinful world, racial strife, search me O God, see if there be any wicked way in me, show them the error of their ways, stand strong and steadfast, thou hast possessed my reins, thou wilt slay the wicked, try me and know my thoughts, Victoria Day weekend, wake up and smell the coffee
Psalm 139:23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts (anxious thoughts).
Well friends, it’s the weekend! A long and hot one too! Although if I heard right yesterday, the weather people were forecasting snow and cold times for some of the western parts of the country. Now, I sympathize with their plight, but my natural human selfishness is going to show forth, when I say better them than me yes! (smile) And the good weather in my area has already brought out all the summer stuff; topless cars, loud motorbikes and lawn-mowers, not to forget half-naked people, and this Victoria Day Holiday on Monday is going to bring out even more.
I believe the authorities will have their hands full with all the illegal gatherings that are going to take place during the next few days. It’s one thing to keep the human animal cooped up during the winter, but it’s an entirely different story in the summertime. But let’s get to keeping our recent promise of continuing to look at the magnificent Psalm 139, where Bruh David gushes forth on the everlasting presence and power of our great God. And as we pick up where we left off, at verse 12, Bruh David writes some of his most momentous words on the making of man.
He proclaims: ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (very well). My substance (frame) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days were fashioned for me), when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.’ (Ps. 139:13-18)
Yeh mih people, what a mighty discourse on God’s creation of man, especially when, back then, they had no real idea of how it all worked in the specific. But even now, when we know most of the ins and outs of the process, it’s still a miraculous process. And the wonderful thing about it all is that our God was there each and every moment in our development; nothing escaped His omniscience back then, and it still doesn’t now. From before our birth, to long after our mortal death the Lord knows all about us, because we are His most wonderful creation! And for that we ought to give Him much thanks and praise.
Then, having praised God for our wonderful creation, Bruh David turns to taking up His cause. ‘Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody (blood thirsty) men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? And am not I grieved (do I not loathe) those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect (complete) hatred: I count them mine enemies.’ (Ps. 139:19-22)
Yeh friends, the wicked are still fighting against God, and it’s our duty to fight back. But despite all the wonderful words and sentiments of Bruh David in the earlier parts of the psalm, I believe these last two verses are the most important, because they are so practical and apply to all of us. Let’s pray them together nuh. ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts (anxious thoughts). And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ (Ps. 139:23-24)
And it’s because of prayers, of requests like those that Bruh David was considered a friend of God and a man after His own heart. He never shied away from the difficult positions, but wisely took them all to God, and let Him, in His omnipotence and omniscience deal with the problem. And that’s how we also ought to be my fellow saints; not be afraid to take everything to our wonderful and faithful God. And as I keep reminding us, it’s not for God’s benefit nuh, but for ours! So, if we’re not interested in our own welfare, what does it say about us eh? I’ll leave that for us to each answer to ourselves. (smile)
Now here are some scholarly explanations on the Comparative Attributes of God found in Psalm 139. ‘The comparative attributes of God contrast human abilities with the divine nature. Everyone has some knowledge, but only God has all knowledge (omniscience). Everyone has presence, but only God has presence at all times everywhere (omnipresence). Every person has some degree of power, but only God has unlimited power (omnipotence).
Illustration: Psalm 139 lays the foundation for understanding the comparative attributes. The omniscience of God is seen in verses 1-6. The omnipresence of God is seen in verses 7-11. The omnipotence of God is seen in verses 12-16. Application: A Christian’s response to the comparative attributes of God should be to surrender to His leadership because He is wise, He is able to protect us, and He knows the true way to life with Himself. (first Ref. Gen. 3:8; Primary ref. Ps. 139:1; cf. Eph. 1:8).’
Yes my fellow saints, though we have some power, presence and knowledge, combined with free will, we still are subject to the sovereignty of the Lord our Creator, who has ALL knowledge, power and presence. So it’s wise to bow to Him in most, sorry, in ALL aspects of our lives if we want to live successfully. And we need to put that theory to the test right now, by going to Him through our Friday Chant and asking for His eternal wisdom, presence and knowledge to help solve our many problems.
As one sincere voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We can’t seem to fix it on our own Lord, that means we desperately need your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets.
So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, and avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways.
And please introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And the obvious corollary to that is for us to go out now and be faithful believers. That’s what the Lord is going to look for before He answers our prayer. Much LOVE!
…the created…can NEVER be greater…than the Creator…it’s time for the created to learn that…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
18 Sep 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bit of freedom, a good and godly attitude, all my members were written, anxiety, avoid any more serious setbacks, belief in christ, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, bring backsliders back to your fold, confusion, covered me in my mother's womb, Covid-19, curiously wrought, do His will, establish His covenant, for his own inheritance, forgiveness, formed my inward parts, Friday chant, give them a li'l leeway, give them an inch, God created man in his own image, grin and bear it, handle the situation, havoc, heralds the upcoming weekend, humble prayer, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I was made in secret, in godly and righteous fashion, in the lowest parts of the the earth, in the name of Jesus, in thy book, introduce a whole new flock, loss to life and property, marvelous are thy works, never teach them obedience, omnipotent help, our sinful world, people under forty, racial strife, reconciliation, repentance, restoring faith in you, restrictive embrace, righteousness exalteth a nation, run about like leggo beast, safety precautions for the pandemic, show forth godly action, showing up with the deadly virus, sin is a reproach to any people, sincerely seek God, start restricting things again, take advantage of it, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, Thank You Lord, that's life, the Bible is God's truth, the chickens coming home to roost, the government looking to, the Lord gives thee power to get wealth, the many tentacles of work, the ordinary workingman, the people whom he hath chosen, the stranglehold, they get stupid, they take a nail, thou hast possessed my reins, time to stop talking, unexpected storm, wake up and smell the coffee, we praise and bless your holy name, we to blame, welcome to friday, what people need to make them listen
Psalm 33:12. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Welcome to Friday at last friends! And everybody shouted: ‘Thank the Lord for that yes!’ Ah mih people, in this, our modern society, we can’t seem to get away from the stranglehold Friday has on us nuh. As we said yesterday, it heralds the upcoming weekend and a bit of freedom – never enough though – (smile) from the restrictive embrace of the many tentacles of work that has us uncomfortably wrapped up during the week.
But that’s life, and God has put us here for this specific time, so we just have to grin and bear it and do what He asks of us with a good and godly attitude. Matter fix! And the beauty of it all is that when we sincerely seek God and do His will, our lives are ever so wonderful! And all God’s people said a loud, proud and grateful: ‘Thank You Lord! We praise and bless Your Holy Name!’ Now that’s more like it! (smile)
So let’s hear what the ordinary workingman has to say for himself today nuh, as he always has some interesting tidbit to impart. And though his knowledge and understanding of God might be merely elementary, he knows to always give thanks to the Creator in his opening remarks. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! And the weekend comes! Not going to be much of a weekend though because it starting to get chilly and the blooming people an’ them out there not observing the safety precautions for the pandemic so the Covid-19 seems like it coming back again! The numbers slowly creeping back up again! Steups!
Ah don’t know what people need to make them listen nuh? Ah guess is only when the darm thing hit them themselves that they going to smarten up. Chuh man! As soon as yuh give them a li’l leeway, they get stupid and take advantage of it. As the old people would say, yuh give them a inch, they take a nail, or sometimes even a mile! Now they have the bloody government looking to start restricting things again. Ah Lord eh!
And it look like is the young people an’ them who causing the nonsense now yes, because is people under forty who showing up with the deadly virus now! But we the old folks don’t have nobody but we selves to blame because we never teach them obedience when deh young; we just allow them to run about as they want, just like leggo beast. Now we paying the price for it. The chickens and them coming home to roost now, as we parents always told we they will. But ah still thanking God that ah have life, an’ health, an’ a job, an’ a decent family, as the weekend rolls around!’
Oh friends, those of us who can say the same thing, better believe that we truly blessed yes, because it have plenty people out there who don’t have them things at all. So we too had better remember to say, ‘Thank God!’ Remember He is the One who created us, in His own spiritual image to boot.
As Bruh David says in Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God – ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well. My substance (frame, bones) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me), when as yet they were none.’ (Ps. 139:13-16)
Yes my people, the Lord knew all about us before He even created us in our mother’s womb! And furthermore, as Moses told the people of Israel long long ago: ‘But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish (confirm) his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.’ (Deut. 8:18)
Oh mih bredin, the Lord God Jehovah did not only create us, but He is also the cause for the power that we have to gain wealth, to live a rich and fruitful and joyful life! But this power only lasts for any length of time when we sincerely reverence Him and are obedient to His holy will. The psalmist said it quite clearly: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.’(Ps. 33:12) And Cousin Sol echoes that sentiment, that solemn truth, when he proclaims: ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach (shame, disgrace) to any people.’ (Prov. 14:34)
And if the Bible is God’s truth, then what do we expect when we live in such a sinful, evil and ungodly world like ours now eh? Nothing but adversity, trials, tribulation and disaster, for that’s what the Good Book decrees! But the wonderful thing about our great God is that forgiveness and reconciliation are available through belief in His atoning Son Jesus Christ, with sincere repentance and humble prayer! Wow! So let’s get right to it, through our Friday Chant nuh.
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets.
So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways.
It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
So faithful believers, what are we waiting for eh? Let’s get out there and handle the situation in godly and righteous fashion nuh! Much LOVE!
…time for believers to stop talking…and instead…show forth godly action…
04 Aug 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a chosen generation, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a temple of the Holy Ghost, bought by the Lord, called you out of darkness, covered me, different characteristics, disease, distinct, enough sleep and exercise, feel undue pressure, for a specific purpose, formed my inward parts, God has created you for a reason, God has for each individual, grow in wholeness, guide the life energy, hurry, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I will praise thee, I'm not what I do, in god's eyes, intelligence, into his marvellous light, line up right well, mental health, my soul knoweth right well, not what I have, on a rainy note, profound significance, purity among beleivers, realing all negative thoughts, respect for God, reverence, right eating, roll off and assembly line, saints in Christ, sanctified, set aside for God's special purpose, share His love with the world, spiritual faith, take comfort, teach my body, the beloved of God, the specific plan, thou hast possessed my reins, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, unique, weakness, weaved me in my mother's womb, web site what Christians want to know, Wholeness, with the precious bllod of His son, worry, your body
Psalm 139:14a. I will praise thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Well it looks like this summer Tuesday has begun on a rainy note. Wonder if we’re going to have a recurrence of yesterday with rotating rain and sunshine? It’s an interesting situation if you have nowhere to go or no weather restricting duties to perform. (smile) And thankfully I don’t have anywhere to go, or any weather restricting duties to perform… Chuh! I just remembered I have a church meeting to attend later, but that’s not until the evening time. So I should be fine with whatever happens during the day.
And do we ever have some interesting facts apparently on ‘Wholeness’ to share with you this morning. And I say apparently because there is no title to the stuff on the piece of paper and no mention of where I got it from. I just found it in my ever-growing, untidy bits of paper with great info. (smile)
And today’s info goes like this: ‘Your intelligence can guide the Life Energy in your body – I began to teach my body and got marvellous results. Speaking words of Strength and Power. Raise the life in every part of your body. Pray, asking for strength to think only kind, LOVING and sincere thoughts about your body. Release all thoughts of weakness or disease. In steadfast faith, praise and bless the life energy, the cells of your body and mind. Realize Wholeness!!! See Wholeness!!!’
That’s it friends! A teaching moment: one to raise your Life Energy and bring Wholeness to your body! But to grow in Wholeness, just like growing in spiritual faith, we have to not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. It won’t happen on its lonesome, but through our actions. So let’s begin teaching our bodies today nuh: releasing all negative thoughts of weakness and disease, while embracing wholesome ones of health in mind, body and soul. Yes, thinking only kind and LOVING thoughts about our wonderfully and marvellously made bodies!
How did Bruh David put it in Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God? ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered me (weaved me) in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well).’ (Ps. 139:13-14) Yeh friends, the Lord made each one of us to be a unique and different individual! We didn’t roll off an assembly line, all one size or kind or whatever. But we each have different characteristics that line up right well with the specific plan God has for each individual.
And the web site ‘What Christians want to know,’ per David Peach, says these very true and interesting things about verse 14 above. ‘Verse 14 praises God because God created the psalmist, as well as each one of us, in a wonderful way. God made us the way we are and for a specific purpose. When we understand that, then we can have peace that whatever ailments or perceived problems we have in life are there because God ordained them. Let’s look at some beautiful truths that we can learn from this short verse.
While these truths apply to everyone, only people who have accepted Christ and have become a child of God can truly appreciate all the meaning in these verses. As you grow more in your Christian life you will probably enjoy this verse even more as you look back and see how the Lord has uniquely made you. Are you completely happy with your body and mind? What about your mental health? Take comfort in knowing God has created you the way you are for a reason. You don’t have to feel undue pressure to be like other people because God didn’t make you like other people.’
And isn’t that an awesome truth! You were made ‘fearfully’ – with reverence and respect for God, and also ‘wonderfully’- distinct or unique, which means we have to be thankful and respectful to God for our bodies as well as look after them. For as Bruh Paul says in talking of purity among believers: ‘What? Know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.’ (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
Yes mih bredrin! We have been made in the spiritual image of God, so that means our bodies are very important since the Spirit of God lives within them. We don’t even belong to ourselves anymore because we have been bought by the Lord with the precious blood of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and this ought to have profound significance for all believers.
As Peter puts it in describing God’s own people: ‘ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (God’s own special people); that ye should show forth (proclaim, manifest) the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.’ (1 Pet. 2:9-10)
Oh my fellow saints in Christ, we are indeed special; in body, soul, spirt and God’s individual as well as corporate plans! We have been sanctified, set aside for God’s special purpose to proclaim His sovereignty and thus we need to keep ourselves, bodies, souls, and minds as clean and healthy as possible, so that we can do the job to which we have been called in a diligent and excellent manner. That means right eating, enough sleep and exercise, right thinking, reading and meditating on the Word, and generally doing good and showing compassion like our leader and example Jesus did. (Acts 10:38)
So let’s get all of that going on from today nuh, or improve it with God’s ever-available help. Now it’s time to go home, declaring (steups!) our Tuesday Mantra, boldly and confidently telling the world who and whose we are. In strong voice with sincere hearts: ‘In God’s eyes, 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!’
And the natural consequence of such a bold statement is for us to now go out and share that wonderful and amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with those who don’t know or recognize Him as their Lord and Saviour! Much LOVE!
…it’s time to concentrate on wholeness…of body, soul and mind…
05 Dec 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future, absolute truth, all is well, Alpha, awesome attributes, believe, breath of life, chided, conception, Conquering Lion of Judah, covered me, Creator and Controller of the universe, darkness, don't deserve it, enfolds me, ever-faithful God, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, fearfully, First and Last, formed my inward parts, glad to be alive, God is, gospel truth, hairs on our heads, hands on the plough, harangued, jehovah god, King of Kings, knees bow, light, Lord God of hosts, Lord of Lords, loving kindness, made in secret, mercy, my mother's womb, not looking back, Omega, one sparrow, our everything, possessed my reins, protects me, skillfully wrought, surrounds me, take it for granted, thank you, the Holy One of Israel, the light of God, the LOVE of God, the lowest part of the earth, the power of God, the real Boss, the rough times, to give God thanks, weaved me, Wednesday Wail, wherever I am, wonderfully made, Yahweh
Psalm 139:13. For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered me (weaved me) in my mother’s womb.
Aye friends and Scrip-Bit family… is Wednesday…and all is well! The ole fella’s somewhat tired though after a long day yesterday in the city, then going to bed fairly early, but not being able to rest properly, and wanting to sleep when I should be getting up. Hn! Yuh think it easy! Then not knowing what to say to you this cold morning doesn’t help matters either. (smile)
But as always, our ever-faithful God just put this in my spirit to share with you. It’s a prayer I first discovered in the flyleaves of my mother’s Bible after her death. And though I’ve shared it before, these kinds of prayers are always useful, especially in the rough times, and it’s ever so appropriate for a morning like this.
Please pray with me: ‘The light of God surrounds me. The LOVE of God enfolds me. The power of God protects me. The presence of God watches over me. Wherever I am…God IS…And ALL IS WELL! Amen!’
And that is the gospel truth my fellow believers! Whatever we’re going through, and wherever we are, our great and faithful God is right there walking with us, before and behind, beside, and in us! Glory Hallelujah! No other faith can make that statement with the absolute truth that we can! Give God some of the much praise He deserves nuh my brethren!
Yuh know for all that our heavenly Father does for us, we certainly don’t give Him enough thanks and praise nuh. Sometimes we get so accustomed to His mercy and LOVING-kindness that we just take it all for granted and forget to say ‘Thank You Father! Thank You for all You’re doing for me, even though I don’t deserve most of it!’
Yuh know friends, one of the things our God likes to hear from us is thanks and praise and exaltation. In fact that’s one of the reasons why He made us; so we could glorify His Holy Name, lift up His wonderful and awesome attributes, and let the evil heathen world know who is the real BOSS!
Not Beelzebub, who the Lord just allows to run this sinful earth; but the Lord God of Hosts, the Holy One of Israel, Yahweh, Jehovah God! Now He is the real sahib: the Conquering Lion of Judah, Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Creator and Controller of this amazing universe!
That’s whom our knees should bow to and our voices declare as our Alpha and Omega; our First and our Last, our EVERYTHING! For He made us… and controls our very destiny from the moment of our conception to the time we return to the dust from which we were created!
And trust Bruh David to have the right words for us this morning: ‘Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered me (weaved me) in my mother’s womb.’ (Ps.139:12-13) Ah friends, how can we not glorify such a wonderful Maker and Creator eh?
Listen further to Bruh David: ‘I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (very well).’ (Ps.139:14) Ah mih people, I have to pause here and ask this very important question: do our souls truly know the extent of God’s marvellous works and how masterfully we were made? I doubt it yes, else we wouldn’t have to be harangued and chided and often forced to give God great thanks and praise.
But hear Bruh David as he continues to praise God’s mighty work in creating human beings. ‘My substance (frame, bones) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me), when as yet there was none of them.’ (Ps.139:15-16)
Oh my people, how could we not praise and worship our God after reading that kind of truth eh? Our days were numbered in His book even before we were formed in our mother’s womb! Glory to God! And if you don’t believe me, or Bruh David, then listen to Jesus nuh, hopefully you’ll believe Him. (smile)
‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him (God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt.10:28-31)
Chuh mih people! How reassuring is that eh; to know that the Lord knows the number of hairs on our heads and we are more valuable than many sparrows, who don’t fall down without His knowledge, much less the care and concern He has for us, His most precious creation!
Believe friends…please believe in His goodness and mercy; believe that His presence is always watching over us, as His power protects us, and His brilliant light shines over us, while His wonderful, unconditional LOVE enfolds us in His strong embrace!
Now let’s go home wailing our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. In unison and full sincerity: ‘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!’
Now let’s keep that wise position friends! Much LOVE!
…what a marvellous creation…is the human being…
25 Nov 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all my members, animalistic, any wicked way in me, Black Friday, Boxing Day, commercialism, communication, contrived, down on our luck, endearments, everyday lives, false, fearfully, fellowship, formed my inward parts, frailties, Friday chant, friends, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, gracious, how precious thy thoughts unto me, in Jesus' name, indisputable truth, jump to out rescue, know my heart, know my thoughts, lead me, leggo beasts, licentiousness, life plan, LOVE, loving kindness, loving thoughts of God, made in secret, marvellous are thy works, merciful, more in number, motives, my mother's womb, O Lord, on sale, outward behaviour, party hearty, possessed my reins, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, safely, sand, search me, searches our hearts, shop till we drop, shopping in the U.S, sincere, sincerity, skillfully wrought, sopping day, state of our hearts, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, Thanksgiving Day, the sum of them, the way everlasting, think of God, thou hast searched me, treasure chest, true intentions, truth, try me, understand God, unformed, unison, week of work, weekends, wonderfully made, you know me
Psalm 139:1. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
So it’s Friday once again, and the roar of the working people is in full swing: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and in particular Black Friday! We going to shop till we drop, then we going to party most heartily! Shopping and partying…! Oh what a glorious weekend it’s gonna be! Wow! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Ah friends, the commercialism of our society is getting from bad to worse. Steups! We’ve finally integrated another shopping day into the calendar with the woeful name of ‘Black Friday.’
It’s actually become the biggest shopping day of the year, substantially beating out the old Boxing Day affairs. And the behaviour has become downright animalistic, like leggo beasts, as we rush and shove and push and fight each other to get to the items we think we need.
Ah Lord eh! And it’s right after Thanksgiving too. Some stores open at midnight, so a lot of folks don’t even get to finish the Thanksgiving proceedings properly before they rush out to the supposed sales, to line up to buy stuff they often don’t need, and in many cases cannot afford. But it’s on sale! Chuh!
Even in Canada it’s taken on a life of its own; I’ve never heard so many Black Friday ads like this year. I guess that’s because the Canadian proprietors don’t want the Canadians to go shopping down in the U.S.; they’d much prefer them to spend their dollars up here. Hn!
What a life eh! Anyway, for those of us who don’t allow the commercialism and licentiousness to get to us, we have our Friday Chant to bolster our emotions. So let’s chant it in sincerity and unison nuh.
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that’s a much better way to view the weekend, especially this Black Friday madness. And our Bit is the same as yesterday: ‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.’
And that’s indisputable truth my brethren, for our God searches and knows the hearts of all His people, all His creation! It’s on the basis of the state of our hearts that He operates, not from our outward behaviour, since that outward show can quite easily be false and contrived and not reflect the true intentions and motives of our hearts.
And today we’ll look at the section where Bruh David talks about God creating him. ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well. My substance (frame, bones) was not hidden from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me), when as yet they were none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.’ (Ps.139:13-18)
Yeh friends, our magnanimous and omnipotent God originated us in our mothers’ wombs, knew exactly how we’d turn out, wrote down our life plan in His book before we were even fully formed, as He watched us grow in delight.
He knows all of our frailties, because He created us with them. And there’s not a moment that goes by and He doesn’t think worthily and beautifully of us, His most wonderful creation.
As Bruh David says, those kindly and LOVING thoughts of our merciful and gracious God are more than sand in number. Wow! That just goes to show how much He thinks of us.
Now the resulting and very important question is how much do we think about Him? Yes my people, how much do we consider our great and wonderful God in our everyday lives eh?
For many of us, the answer is that we don’t think about Him enough. We only seem to remember Him when we are down on our luck, or want something. Then we rush to Him with all sorts of untrue endearments, and expect Him to jump to our rescue right away.
But unfortunately, that’s not the way our God works. He expects continuous and sincere communication, from a true heart, before He opens up His treasure chest. And we’ll close with the serious and sincere words with which Bruh David closed Psalm 139.
‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my (anxious) thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ (Ps.139:23-24)
Ah friends, this Black Friday morning is a very good time for each of us to pray that prayer individually, and ask God to cleanse us of any evil ways or desires that linger in our hearts and lead us along the right path, the one which leads directly to Him and His LOVING-kindness. We couldn’t ask for anything better. Much LOVE!
…to know… and to understand God…one must have frequent and sincere communication with Him…
25 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a free gift of God, a true child of God, appreciation, awesome truth, bless His name, by grace are ye saved, child of God, christ jesus, covered me in my mother's womb, created in Christ unto good works, doing good works, enter his gates with thanksgiving, evil ways, faith, faith strengthened, fear the God of Israel, fearfully and wonderfully made, forgiveness, formed my inward parts, give me understanding, Glory Halleujah, grace, greetings, hope, inner beauty, into his courts with praise, Isaiah, it is meet and right to do so, it is the gift of God, Jesus Christ, knives through the darkness, lest any man should boast, look to the future, LOVE, marvellous are thy works, mercy, my life will be beautiful, new creations, not of works, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, positive actions, power of God, praise, recreated by Christ, s bright spotlight, Sabbath Day, salutations, salvation, sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, saturated with Christ, Something Beautiful, spirits renewed, spiritual life, Sunday, the living truth, the Lord he is God, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the redemption of Israel, the sheep of his pasture, the work of mine hands, they shall sanctify my name, token of love, we are his people, we are his workmanship, worship
Ephesians 2:10. For we are his workmanship (creation) created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath before ordained (prepared) that we should walk in them.
Greetings and salutations my people, in the glorious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on this blessed but damp and foggy Sunday morning! All power and glory be to the One who sacrificed His holy and sinless life for us disgusting sinners.
And to show our grateful appreciation of that wonderful token of LOVE, let’s gather together in His sanctuary on this Sabbath Day, as He desires, to praise and worship Him, give Him the thanks that He so rightfully deserves, and in return receive His grace, mercy and forgiveness, so that our spirits can be renewed, our faith strengthened, and our actions positive and LOVE-filled!
And all God’s people said a loud and sincere: ‘Yes, let us do that, for it is meet and right so to do!
And now, from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin, here is ‘Something Beautiful!’ ‘Here I am dear God Your Child A member of Your Family Asking You To make something beautiful of my life. Yet, even as I ask I am convinced That the one beautiful thing About a child of God Is You, Jesus Christ. So, dear Lord As You saturate me with Yourself My life will be beautiful.’
And isn’t that the living truth Friends! There’s nothing as beautiful as a human being saturated with Jesus Christ! That inner beauty and LOVE of a true child of God just shines through the darkness of this world, knives through it like a big, bright spotlight closely focused on a performer on a stage! Oh my brethren, there’s no better state for us to be in, than to be filled with the beauty and joy of Jesus Christ! For we become new creations, old, evil ways are forgotten, and we look to the future with hope and faith.
And the Bible promise for that poem is our Bit today; fateful words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘For we are his workmanship (creation), created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ Friends, that’s truth to the nth degree!
And here are some explanations from the scholars to enlighten us. ‘2:10. For verifies the assertion of man’s good works having no part in obtaining salvation. (vs.8-9) Workmanship refers not to our original or physical birth, but to our spiritual birth: what we are spiritually in the good sense is due to God, not ourselves.
Created in Christ Jesus unto good works means “having been (morally) re-created by Christ Jesus for good works,” that is, Jesus remade our spiritual lives so that we could then do good works. The apostle’s thinking is this; since the Christian has been given spiritual life for the purpose of doing good works, there could have been no good works by him prior to conversion that would merit salvation. Good works follow – do not precede – salvation.’
And I’ll be my usual nice self (smile) and quote the two verses we mentioned above, re good works having no part in salvation. ‘For by grace are ye (you have been) saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ (Eph.28-9)
Yes Friends, part of the reason why salvation is not achieved by good works is so that men can’t boast about obtaining it on their own strength or merit. Remember, it is a free gift of God!
Now let’s look at a couple scriptures that reflect the theme of our Bit. Hear the palmist declare from Psalm 100 – A call to praise the Lord. ‘Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.’ (Ps.100:3-4)
Oh my people, if we’d only follow that wise advice of the psalmist, our lives and our world would be a much better place than it currently is!
Now listen to Isaiah, as he talks about the redemption of Israel. ‘But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify (hallow) my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.’ (Is.29:23)
Without a doubt Friends, we are God’s handiwork, His greatest creation! Glory Hallelujah!
Another psalmist joyfully proclaims: ‘Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.’ (Ps.119:73) Words of awesome truth my brethren! And we’ll end with Bruh David’s version from Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God. ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well.’
My substance (frame, bones) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me), when as not there was none of them.’ (Ps.139:13-16)
Yes Friends, Jehovah God was the planner, designer, architect and builder of every human being that was ever made. Therefore He knows all about us. We are definitely His, for He is our Creator, our Provider and our God. Without Him, we would not exist. Please, let’s remember that and give Him the appropriate level of praise, worship and thanks He deserves. That’s the duty of a sincere child of God. Much LOVE!
…without the Most High God Jehovah…nothing that was made…would be made…
SCRIP-BITS 