01 Mar 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: apostles, bond of peace, Christian virtues, christianity, Christians, edifying, enthusiasm, evangelists, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, gifts, glorious kingdom, harmony, LOVE, maturity, ministry, northern climes, one faith, one God, Oneness, pastors, prophets, relaxation, rest, saints, teachers, TGIF!, Thank God it's Friday, united believers, unity, weekend
Ephesians 4:3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Aloha Friends and neighbours! It’s Friday March 1st… And a joyful shout of ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes!’ rings out from the jubilant work force, realizing that this is the last day of the workweek. And I guess nobody’s happier than the folks in the northern climes, who have been battling the nasty, treacherous weather all week. It’s bad enough to have to endure traffic jams everyday, both morning and evening, you definitely don’t want slippery, slushy roads to further aggravate the situation. And fortunately, the weekend looks like it will be sunny, but cold. So to set the right tone and mood for it, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much enthusiasm and perfect harmony. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Wonderful chanting my people! Jesus was pleased. And having laid the foundation for the right perspective on the weekend, let’s turn to our Bit: ‘Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ Yes Friends, it’s the same as yesterday, because unity, spiritual unity in particular is such an important aspect of Christian fellowship, one in which we’re definitely lacking. Now yesterday we saw where Bruh Paul talked about the Oneness of believers, united in One faith, One Saviour, under One God, the Father. (Eph.4:4-6) After that, he goes on to talk about some of the spiritual gifts given to members of the church after Jesus’ ascension, so that His church would be well equipped to minister to those who needed it, to grow and be self-sustaining. ‘And he (himself) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.’ (Eph.4:11) And why did Jesus do that? ‘For the perfecting (equipping) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.’ (Eph.4:12) Now hear the scholars’ comments on that verse. ‘This verse discloses the purpose for the gifted individuals of verse 11. Their responsibility is the perfecting of the saints, that is, to train and equip the rank-and-file Christians to do the work of the ministry. The aim of this ministry of Christian service is for the edifying of the body of Christ, that is to build up the church numerically and spiritually.’ And all of that will continue: ‘Till we all come in (into) the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (mature) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’ (Eph.4:13) Yes my brethren, the edifying, the learning and the building of the church is to continue until we all attain spiritual maturity. But as the scholars point out: ‘Since new believers are constantly being added to the church, this objective will not be realized until the Lord returns.’ Ah Friends, I simply can’t understand why it’s so hard for us who claim to believe in the same three in one God-head, have such trouble in being unified. I guess it’s because we don’t have what Bruh Paul so emphatically said to the Colossians, re Christian virtues. ‘And above all these things put on charity (LOVE), which is the bond of perfectness.’ (Col.3:14) Yes my brethren, the bond of LOVE, betwixt and between us is definitely not strong enough! I like how the scholars describe it: ‘Charity is LOVE, here called the bond of perfectness. LOVE is the crowning grace completing the list of virtues required for perfectness or spiritual maturity. As a “bond” it binds all other virtues together in harmony and unity.’ And by that definition, as I said before, we obviously don’t have enough spiritual maturity, especially in the area of LOVE, the main bonding agent in Christian brotherhood and fellowship. That’s why we’re so divided and so easily conquered, which is certainly displeasing and disappointing to our Leader and Saviour, Jesus. We’re simply not doing a good enough job. Don’t you feel badly about that Friends? Don’t you feel badly when we disappoint Jesus? We all should! But it’s obvious that we don’t, otherwise we’d do better. And we’ll end with some wonderful words of wisdom and truth from Psalm 133, where Bruh David proclaims the joy of brotherhood, the preciousness of family unity. ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!’ (Ps.133:1) Oh my people, we all know that verse, but it’s plain to see that we don’t follow it. So today, I’m asking us all to ponder on the case of unity, or disunity, in Christ’s church, and let’s seriously try in our individual efforts to bring about that harmony and unity that Jesus sacrificed His life for, and wants His followers to continue, until He comes again. I pray, in Jesus’ name, that all of us will step up to the plate and do better than we’re presently doing, re Christian maturity and unity. That’s wisdom in its highest form! Much LOVE!…only through real unity of believers…will Christ’s church attain the success…He desires of it…
22 Feb 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affirms God's justice, all who forget God, bide time, Bildad, blessings, body, caught in their own net, christianity, communion with god, earthly pilgrimage, endurance, fasting, fellowship, fool's folly, forgiveness, fun, glorious kingdom, grace, heathen, hypocrite's hope, hypocrites, Job, LOVE, mercy, mind, mire, patience, perish, praise and thanks, relaxation, remember God, rest, sorry lot, soul, spirituality, torn in pieces, traffic hassles, wisdom
Job 8:13. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday; the second Friday in Lent! But the joyous ‘TGIF’s’ and ‘Thank God is Friday,’ are not as plentiful or powerful as normal. I don’t know if that’s happening because it’s Lent, but as I recently said, though Lent should be a serious time of reflection, contemplation and communion with God, there’s no need to lose our joy, whatever season it is. And remember those joyous shouts on Fridays are for the ending of the week of labour, the traffic hassles and all the other worldly distractions. It also gives us more time to spend with God, which should make us even more joyous. So please let’s keep our joy going, don’t let Lucifer fool us into thinking that we have to be so pious and holy we can’t have mucho joy in our souls. Remember, it’s that joy we get from being in sync with God that gives us the strength to bear the burdens we all face on our earthly pilgrimage. And to help us with that, let’s chant our Friday Chant with plenty power and sweet harmony. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ That was awesome my people! Let’s do it for real now. Oh, by the way, the ole fella aced the fasting test yesterday! I got to the lab around ten thirty-five, but was it ever crowded. I knew though that I wasn’t leaving, because I had no desire to go through the fasting situation again. So I sat down and patiently bided my time, reading a novel. Jesus was surely proud of me, because I didn’t whine and complain. (smile) I didn’t leave there until eleven thirty, which meant I fasted for over 13 hours. Mama Mia! Hopefully that’s it for the year. Anyway, let’s turn to our Bit: ‘So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish.’ That my Friends, is the living truth, as declared by our living God! Before we get into it though, let’s get some background info. Those words come from Job’s buddy Bildad, as he affirms God’s justice. And just before our Bit, he’s talking about the demise of certain herbs. ‘Can the rush (papyrus) grow up without mire (marsh)? Can the flag (reeds) grow without water? Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.’ (Job 8:11-12) Then he brings up our Bit, comparing those who forget God and lead hypocritical lives to the demise of those herbs. Bildad further declares after our Bit: ‘Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web (house). He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.’ (Job 8:14-15) That’s oh so true my brethren! Those who forget God and play the hypocrite, their hopes shall eventually be dashed to the ground. Though they build their houses, intricate, pretty and supposedly strong like a spider builds its web, they will not endure. Like a house of cards, they will be easily blown down and destroyed. Now let’s look at some scripture that corroborates our Bit, starting with words of Bruh David, from Psalm 9; Praise for God’s justice. ‘The heathen (nations or gentiles) are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken (caught). The Lord is known by the judgement which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion (meditation or song) Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.’ (Ps.9:15-18) Yes Friends, that’s the sorry lot of all those who don’t revere and worship the ONE TRUE GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! And if you don’t believe Bruh David, then listen to that other great psalmist, Asaph, as he righteously proclaims in Psalm 50; God is the judge. ‘Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation (conduct) aright will I show the salvation of God.’ (Ps.50:22-23) Oh my people, we certainly don’t want to be torn in pieces, do we? So let’s not foolishly forget Almighty God, the ONE who created the universe and all therein. Instead, let’s wisely offer Him praise and thanks, so that He may be glorified, and walk steadfastly in obedience to His Word, so that we’ll see His salvation. That is the wisdom of the righteous! More on this tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, let’s remember our God and spend worthy time with Him, so that He’ll continue to LOVE, bless, forgive, protect and show us His wonderful grace and mercy. Much LOVE!…a fool in his folly…says there is no God…but what happens then…as the wise man believes…that there is a God…
15 Feb 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: be joyful always, blessings, curses, death, disobedience, divorce, eternal separation from God, famines, fellowship, fun, further God's kingdom, God's natural blessings, homelessness, iniquities, introspection, Jesus has defeated Lucifer, joy, Lent, magnanimity, mercy, negative stuff, pay a price, poverty, rebellion, refreshed soul, relaxation, removing God from society, rest, serve, sickness, sins, spend time with God, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Lord is our strength, wages of sin, worship, wretched truth
Jeremiah 5:25. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! And suddenly I’m inundated by silence? No ‘TGIF’s! No ‘Thank God is Friday!’ Why is that eh? Is it because it’s the first Friday in Lent that we’ve lost our enthusiasm for the weekend? That shouldn’t be so my Friends. We should be happy and rejoicing every Friday, whether it’s Lent or not. That’s because the rejoicing is for the end of the labouring week. We finally have time to rest and relax, and spend even more time with our heavenly Father, than we do during the work-week. And anytime we get the chance to spend more time with the Father, oh mih people, that’s a serious cause for rejoicing! So let’s not stop being joyful, whatever the circumstances, for remember the joy of the Lord is our strength, (Neh.8:10) and if we allow the ‘thiefing’ Lucifer to steal it from us, then half of our life is lost. Remember Lucifer can’t take it unless we allow him to. In fact he can take nothing whatsoever from us unless we let it go, for he has no power over us, since Jesus has already won the war and defeated death, the grave and hell, Lucifer’s domains. So having all of that in mind, let’s enthusiastically chant our Friday Chant to get us in the right frame of mind for this first weekend in Lent. Like one big choir 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.’ And let’s keep that fire burning all weekend please Friends! Get introspective, but with a good demeanour, not the sour, draggy, despondent, woe is me attitude so many of us believe is called for during Lent. Now let’s turn to our Bit: ‘Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.’ Oh my people, my people, those words are even truer today than they were when Jeremiah spoke then about Judah. And why are the good things withholden from us? It says right there in the Good Book: ‘But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone (departed).’ (Jer.5:23) And isn’t that more wretched truth again! In the last generation we have removed God so far from our lives that a great portion of the society has no idea of whom He is or what He stands for. And the sad part is that despite all the turmoil in our lives, we insist on further removing God from the small space He now occupies, instead of running to Him with open arms and repenting of our folly. As the scholars’ say of Judah’s rebellion: ‘Theirs was a stubborn willfulness that could only be termed utter folly (v 21). Accordingly, their lives are marked by deceit. Therefore, they have deprived themselves of God’s natural blessings. (cf.Deut.28:15-68)’ And that chapter of Deuteronomy is where the first 14 verses deal with blessings, and the remaining 54 deal with the curses that will ensue for disobedience. Oh Friends, that should be a telling tale to us today, because foolishly and proudly we have also deprived ourselves of God’s natural blessings through our constant rebellion and disobedience. Listen to the basic blessings of which we have deprived ourselves: ‘Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season; he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’ (Jer.5:24) Please note the many horrible natural and man-made disasters that have been striking our tragic world in unusual numbers over the last few years. Also the widespread famine, poverty, homelessness and sickness that’s uncharacteristically overtaken our world at the very height of its powers. No other generation on the face of the earth has ever been as advanced as ours, yet our world is suffering in the same areas of our prowess, much more than some of the lesser advanced generations ever suffered. We just have to look at the enormous strides we’ve made in agriculture, wealth, construction and medicine, to shake our heads and sadly wonder why in all those areas we’re still suffering immensely, when there’s no real need for it. And why is that, you wonder my brethren? Jeremiah gives us some insight into the problems by telling us how Judah turned from the Lord. ‘They say, if a man put away (divorces) his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall (would) not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord. Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lain with (violated). In the ways thou hast sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s (harlot’s) forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.’ (Jer.3:1-3) Ah Friends, that should speak severely to our consciences, because we have behaved, and are still behaving just like Judah did. But please remember the disastrous punishment they received; their cities devastated, and their people taken away captive to other lands. The Lord might not use the same punishment for us, but we WILL be punished if we continue in our rebellion and disobedience! And if you look around, you’ll see a whole lot of unusual negative stuff already happening in our society. So please let’s start paying serious attention to what’s happening around us, for the Lord is no respecter of persons or societies, and if we’re continually disobedient we’ll eventually pay. But the good news though is that with our wonderful and magnanimous God, while there’s life, there’s always hope. And that hope can be found in Jeremiah 3:4. ‘Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?’ Yes Friends, if we cry unto the Lord in sincere repentance and change our wicked ways, and once again begin worshipping and serving Him in word and deed, then He’s merciful and magnanimous enough to forgive us. It’s our ONLY HOPE my people. And it’s the wisest bit of wisdom we can ever attain in this evil, ungodly world. So let’s get to it nuh! Much LOVE!…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…otherwise he’ll surely suffer the wages of sin…death…eternal separation from Almighty God…
01 Feb 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: corruption, current-events, deprive the needy, energy, enthusiasm. thankful hearts, fellowship, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, gratefulness, gun-lobby, heartfelt affection, human-rights, joyous shouts, lobbying, pevert justice, poison, politics, prey on widows, refeshed soul, relaxation, rob the fatherless, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thankfulness, unrighteous decrees, Woe to the wicked
Isaiah 10:1. Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed.
Oh Friends, Friday has come around once again, with the pleasant anticipation of rest from our weekly labour. Please note though, that it is also the first day of February, meaning that the days are passing quickly, so please don’t put off stuff for later. And as the joyous shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ resonate in the atmosphere, sighs of gratefulness and thankfulness also emanate from the many hearts affected by the situation. And since there’s no better means of saying thanks and giving praise to our wonderful Creator than by offering heartfelt affection in song, let’s chant our Friday Chant with all the energy and enthusiasm that’s filled our thankful hearts to bursting. Let’s open the floodgates of our hearts and send the contents swiftly and sweetly up to heaven. As one harmonious choir 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.’ Yeh mih people, that was marvellous! Heaven felt its sincerity. But as we come back down to Mother Earth and her hard scrabbled life, we encounter too many situations as described by our Bit. ‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed.’ Oh Friends, that’s calling down judgement and justice on the administrators who pervert God’s justice. Those who have abused their power and authority. As Isaiah further describes it: ‘To turn aside (deprive) the needy from judgement (of justice), and to take away the right (what is right) from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!’ (Is.10:2) And sadly we all know that in the halls of government and industry today, the righteous administrator is more the exception than the rule. It’s amazing how everyday we read or watch the news we see some new, unexpected angle of corruption raising its ugly head to further defame our governments and captains of industry. Oh by the way, corruption is also rampant in the church too, so don’t think it’s all righteousness in Christ’s body, for in far too many cases the church leaders also have their own agendas to look after. It seems as though no transaction or administrative procedure can take place without bribery or some other unjust activity also involved. Hear how Bruh David describes the transgressors in Psalm 58 – the denunciation of the wicked. ‘Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation (ye silent ones)? Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder (cobra) that stoppeth her ear. Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely (ever so skilfully).’ (Ps.58:1-5) Oh my brethren, what an appropriate description of our leaders and rulers today eh! And possibly the biggest and most invasive form of modern day corruption is the legal activity termed lobbying. Hn! That’s because it’s out and out bribery, however you try to legally justify and classify it! One group pays another group to influence those in power, to make laws and decisions that are in their favour. Meanwhile the poor man doesn’t have that kind of leverage, neither monetary power nor influential clout to do the same. So the scales of justice are immediately biased in the favour of the rich and powerful. No wonder the corrupt, mickey-mouse, greedy politicians and administrators, in all levels of government are lining their pockets and making pronouncements that favour the already well-heeled upper class. Right now the gun lobby is the best example of that. The recent spate of gun violence in North America calls undeniably for stronger gun control laws. But the big guns, speaking both literally and figuratively, are spending billions of dollars to fight the wishes of the people, the ones who are suffering mightily from the gun crimes. And don’t fool yuh fat, many of the representatives in Washington are going to bow to the evil perpetrators of lax gun rules, because they will be afraid for their plush jobs, knowing that the gun lobby will work tirelessly to unseat them in the next election, if they don’t stand with them now. But hopefully Friends, there will be enough people with righteous consciences and strength of purpose to defeat the wicked on that score. Enough for today though. We’ll continue this interesting but unpleasant topic tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, please ponder the untenable corruption so rampant in all walks of our lives, and see if there is anyway that you can make a difference, regardless of how small, cause it’s only when we all get together and fight in unity, do whatever we can, that good results are had. Much LOVE!…the wicked shall not prosper for long…in the world of a righteous God…that’s a proven fact…
25 Jan 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: be glad, fellowship, fun, furthering God's kingdom, glitzy facade, God's glory, God's righteouness, joyful shouts, losers, LOVE Revolution, loving kindness, praise and thanks, psalm 67, rejoice, renewed and refreshed, rest, Selah, sing for joy, spirituality, sweet voices, TGIF!, Thank God it's Friday, the Lord reigns, United body of Christ, who is the boss
Psalm 67:4. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon the earth. Selah.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! And all the joyous shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ surround and envelop me like a warm cloak. Even in my somewhat muted way, I too can utter thanks because I’m on the mend. I’m not out of the woods yet, but I’m getting there, slowly but surely. And that’s the important thing. So let’s all give thanks and praise to our Creator and Provider for just being alive this Friday morning in January 2013, by chanting our Friday Chant. Let’s let Him know, in no uncertain terms, that we truly appreciate His LOVING-kindness, mercy and forgiveness. Now you all will have to help me here by raising your sweet voices above my croaking one. (smile) As one powerful, united, body of Christ then, let’s chant. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ That was excellent Friends! Jesus chuckled when he heard my croaking, off-key tones, but He is so wonderful, He will accept genuine praise and thanks in any shape or form. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just come from a sincere heart. And so, having reminded ourselves of how we ought to handle the weekend, let’s look at our Bit. ‘O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon the earth. Selah.’ It’s the same one from yesterday because I never exhausted all the relevant Psalms. And up first is Psalm 97 – The Lord is far above all gods. From the opening verse the psalmist makes it abundantly clear, who is the boss. ‘The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitudes of isles (coastlands) be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgement are the habitation (foundation) of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.’ (Ps.97:1-6) Oh Friends, NO other God has those omnipotent attributes! And that’s an acknowledged fact, because they have been constantly proven from the very beginning of time. Now listen to some of Psalm 98 – Praise to God for His salvation. ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise (break forth in song). Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm (sound of a song). With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) before the Lord, the King. …Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity (in uprightness).’ (Ps.98:4-6, 9) Yes Friends, we need to boldly proclaim the wonders of our omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present Creator, God, Father, King and Righteous Judge! Yuh see how many things He is to us? So if we don’t serve and faithfully worship Him, we’ll simply end up with the evildoers, eternally separated from Him and His majestic kingdom. And I keep reminding us that that’s the worst thing that could ever happen to a mortal being! But this present world isn’t listening; we’re still running behind the foolish clown prince of darkness Lucifer, even though the world is going to hell in a hand basket by following his evil inclinations. Please remember Friends that Lucifer believes in God, He knows more about God and His awesome powers than us, because he was once one of God’s right hand men. And furthermore, he can’t touch a child of God without asking God’s permission, like he did with Job, or unless we foolishly fall for his wiles and lies. And to heap even more coals of fire on Lucifer’s head, Jesus came to earth and conquered death and the grave, and also set us free from them if we believe on His Holy Name. So why in heaven’s name, are we still so caught up in Lucifer’s nonsense eh, when everything points to the undeniable, indelible fact that he is a loser? And like most losers, he’s a sore one, just trying to get back at Almighty God. But here’s how we thwart him. ‘Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield (produce) her increase; And God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.’ (Ps.67:5-7) And that’s not rocket science, it’s what we’ve seen and heard been done over the ages. So Friends, please let’s use the brains, the wisdom, the spiritual insight that the Creator has so LOVINGLY placed in each of us to rise up and see Lucifer’s fallen world for what truly is nuh; a glitzy facade behind which hides death, destruction and eternal separation from the Lord God Jehovah. Until we rise up in revolt against Lucifer, in a LOVE Revolution, as one united body of Christ, we’ll continue to exist as simple-minded minions in his fallen world. And that’s surely not something to write home about! Much LOVE!…it’s so sad to see those made in God’s image…bow to a fallen being…when all reason shouts otherwise…
14 Dec 2012
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: christmas celebrations, commitment to God, cry out to God, deliverance from the wicked, enemy is always on the prowl, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, hope, praise, preservation, ps and qs, rest and relaxation, serve, targets, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks, times of celebration, true perspective, trust, unrighteous man, worship
Psalm 71:4. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday; the penultimate one before Christmas! And there were joyful shouts of: ‘Yesss, TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ Then the parang section started up; ‘Maria, Maria. Aye Maria…’ Ah mih people, the ole fella’s feeling better than he has in several days. Thank the Lord! Though I’m not completely over the stupid cough and cold yet, at least I can breathe much easier today. Anyway, we all know that life is rough and not often fair, but we also know for sure that our God IS GOOD! And all God’s people said a loud and thankful ‘Amen.’ And since it’s Friday, that means we have to chant our Friday Chant to put the weekend in its true perspective. Therefore as one voice, let’s chant sweetly: ‘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, hopefully, that will keep us minding our ps and qs, so that we don’t go overboard this weekend, especially with all the Christmas celebrations in the air. Please remember Friends, that the enemy is always on the prowl for captives, (1 Pet.5:8) more so in times of celebration, when he knows that we let our hair down and are most susceptible to his advances. Today though, we ask for help for those of us in our mature, advanced years, and who are still besieged by Lucifer and his evil cronies, who don’t necessarily distinguish targets by age, all believers are worthwhile targets. The problem however, is that the older we get, the more feeble in mind and body we also become, thus often making us an easier mark for the powers of darkness. We have a very good example of that in the numerous frauds now being carried out against the aged in our society. Consequently, the psalmist writing in Psalm 71, a prayer for help in old age, solemnly implores the Lord in our Bit: ‘Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.’ Yes my people, it doesn’t matter whether it’s in our old age or our youth, when our enemies pressure us, we need to cry out to our ever-faithful God for deliverance. As the psalmist continues: ‘For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb (upheld from birth): thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels (womb): my praise shall be continually of thee.’ (Ps.71:5-6) Please note my brethren, that this old psalmist has been a staunch believer from his youth, and though he has seen some rough times, he’s made up his mind to keep on praising the Lord, come what may. Oh Friends, have we made that monumental commitment to Almighty God as yet? Have we already declared, or are willing to declare, like the old man, beset round about by enemies, that come hell or high water we’ll keep praising, thanking, serving, and worshipping the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Now that’s a very important question we need to sit and seriously ponder, and hopefully decide in the affirmative, because there’s none other than Jehovah God, who can successfully deliver us from the hands of our enemies. Oh mih breddren, I just had to plead with the Lord for escape from my enemy, as a coughing spell suddenly attacked me. (smile) And believe me, a cough is my deadliest enemy. There’s no sickness I despise as much as a cough, because it activates my asthma, and in my youth and early manhood, I coughed enough to last me several lifetimes. But thank the Lord that doesn’t happen too often anymore, so my life is fairly smooth in that respect. And just to show that it’s not only us old fogies who cry out to God for help, we’ll end with some verses from Psalm 140, where Bruh David, at the height of his manhood, implores the Lord for deliverance from evil men. ‘Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs (plan evil things) in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders (asps) poison is under their lips. Selah (Ps.140:1-3) Yes Friends, ponder that for a moment, see if you know anybody like that. Then later, like the old psalmist in our Bit, Bruh David gives his reasons for crying out to the God of his fathers. ‘I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered (provided a shelter for) my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device (scheme); lest they exalt themselves (be exalted). Selah.’ (Ps.140:6-8) That just goes to show people, that there’s no shame or disgrace in crying out to God when evil comes against us. In fact that’s just what the Lord of hosts desires, so that He can truly and faithfully show that He is indeed our protector and deliverer. So if any evil stuff is coming against you today, fellow believers, please don’t be afraid to cry out in faith and sincerity to Almighty God, cause protection and deliverance are His forte. Much LOVE!…only a proud, arrogant fool…refuses to cry out to God…in times of real need…
27 Nov 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: awake, darkness, evil, faith, faithful efforts of believers, fight, fun, Gentiles, God's work, happy medium, hymn of praise, light of Christ, LOVE, make a difference, New Testament, Old Testament, opportunities, Paradise, prophecies, Redeem the time, relaxation, rest, spiritual enlightenment, teachings, time flies, walking carefully, walking foolishly, Word of God
Ephesians 5:14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Ah Friends, I can’t believe that I’ve already been in Paradise for a whole week! Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! I can’t say that I had much fun though yesterday, because all I did was write, eat, sleep, talk on the phone, read, eat and sleep again. But that’s good, for sometimes the body does need a day of rest and relaxation. However, too much of that is just as bad as too little. We need to find a happy medium, so we can both rest and rejuvenate our bodies and minds, but also be up and doing God’s work. As our Bit today warns: ‘Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’ Yes Friends, we’re still on the very important topic of getting out of the Lucifer induced darkness to the brilliant, salvation filled light of Christ. Hear the scholars on our Bit: ‘Since exposing sin is beneficial, God invites the unbeliever (thou that sleepest) to turn from his sin (arise from the dead), with the promise that he will be granted the spiritual enlightenment and help needed (Christ shall give thee light). And is that ever so true! The enemy just delights in keeping us in darkness, so that we can’t see and rejoice in the glorious light of Jesus. But Friends, we need to fight, with all our might, that evil, cloud-like darkness that wants to keep us in subjugation to Beelzebub and his wicked cronies. And though many of us consider the Old Testament to be like its name; old, out of date, and of no use, that’s a terrible fallacy. It’s there to be an important example to us, a reminder of how it used to be. Both Jesus and Bruh Paul quoted the Old Testament extensively. And in today’s Bit, Bruh Paul is referring to Isaiah’s hymn of praise, where he confidently declares: ‘Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.’ (Is.26:19) Bruh Paul was also quoting from Isaiah’s future glory of Zion. ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.’ (Is.60:1-3) And according to the scholars: ‘Isaiah foresees a time when Israel will arise out of her darkness and shine with God’s glory. Then the Gentiles shall come to her light. Thus the sons of strangers described in this chapter will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.’ And my people we’ve lived to see that prophecy come to pass with Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection! Yes Friends, we cannot ignore the teachings and prophecies of the Old Testament, but must use it in conjunction with the New Testament, for if you don’t know where you’ve been, or are coming from, you cannot plot a good and wise path for your future. And the Old Testament gives us the rich history of our faith, which in these days we desperately need to build on and keep going. Wherefore, Bruh Paul challenged the Ephesians to; ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise.’ (Eph.5:15) Unfortunately though my brethren, too many of us are not walking circumspectly these days, but walking as certain fools, ignoring the rich Word of God, to foolishly embrace the worldly pleasures that Lucifer is tempting us with. However our need to walk carefully is becoming more important every day, especially with the recent explosion of the communications media and the ease with which every Tom, Dick and Harry can put forth their own biased, false and conniving views. We can be so easily led astray in these modern times it’s not funny, but sadly, many of us are not taking the situation as seriously as it warrants. Fellow believers, I’m imploring us to wake up and smell the roses, see the destruction and disgrace that both the spiritual and physical forces of evil are planning and perpetrating upon our faith and those who embrace it. No wonder Bruh Paul continued by cautioning the Ephesians: ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ (Eph.5:16) And I like what the scholars say about that verse: ‘Redeeming the time (or, “making the most of every opportunity”): Contextually, the specific opportunity in view is that of exposing the sins of the lost and being a witness to them. Because the days are evil assigns a reason to seize each opportunity. It is because the sins being committed these days are so evil.’ Oh my people, that’s pure, pure gospel truth! These are some of, if not the most wicked and evil days in the entire history of mankind. In times gone by, we were rough and barbaric and didn’t know any better. Hn! But now…now when we’re claiming to be civilized, we’re even more brutal and evil than before, if that’s at all possible. We just do it in a more underhanded, subtle manner. We’ve turned evil into both an art and a science, a field that too many are desirous of studying and becoming very accomplished in. Friends, oh Friends, it’s only through the strong, diligent, faithful and continuing efforts of believers that this world will ever see any positive changes. So if we truly desire to see it improve, if we truly desire a better world for our children and theirs, then let’s work together in the name of Jesus nuh, with each one of us, really trying to make some small difference in our own way, beginning in our own neighbourhood. That’s the only way any positive changes will ever come about. Much LOVE!…it’s time for ALL true believers…to stop the fruitless talking…and instead step up to the plate…and make a worthwhile, even though small difference…
21 Sep 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: deep roots, Divine One, false teachers, false teachings, Friday chant, frolic, fun, God's glory, Messiah, personal glory, receive Christ, refreshed, renewed, salvation, submission, TGIF!, Thank God it's Friday, ungodly, walk with Christ, warnings, weekend
Colossians 2:6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.
Oh my beautiful Friends in Christ, it’s Friday, and I hear you expressing that fact in a most joyous fashion, by you exclaiming ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Yeh, even the really tired ones get a second wind come Friday, and are able to perk up because they know that the weekend is about to unfurl. And as always, we’ll remind us that the weekend is not merely for fun and frolic, but also for some serious face time with God, through fellowship and meditation. So let’s put it all in proper perspective by chanting our Friday Chant. With much verve and mucho gusto now. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Yes my people, we have to use our free time wisely and not let Lucifer and his evil minions make any inroads into our lives by doing ungodly stuff. And that warning fits right in with our Bit today. ‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.’ Words of ultimate wisdom and absolute truth my fellow believers! Bruh Paul is there warning the Colossians about false teachers and teachings cropping up to destroy and /or destabilize their faith in Jesus Christ. Hear the scholars explain it: ‘The verse may be paraphrased thus: “Therefore, just as you accepted the teaching that presents Jesus as both Messiah and Lord, so continue to maintain this relationship with Him.” The recipients had been taught that Jesus is (1) Messiah (the One divinely anointed to secure man’s salvation), and (2) Lord (the divine person to whom man submits in obedience). The heretics denied Jesus’ atoning death and Lordship. So the Colossians are urged to keep Him just as they were initially taught – as Messiah and Lord. They are continue to look to Him for salvation and continue in submission to His authority.’ And without a doubt Friends, all of that also applies to us today! Possibly even more so than to the Colossians, because the days now are so evil and ungodly, don’t know if they have ever been this bad. That makes it very difficult for the ordinary man to discern friend from foe and truth from falsehood. Everybody’s peddling something, and much of it for personal gain. Thankfully I don’t count myself amongst that lot, since I’m not making any physical gains, like money from what I’m doing. However I am benefiting from my studying and writing in the sense that I am becoming more aware of and mature in Christ, and hopefully helping others to do the same. That’s why true believers have to be oh so careful about whom and what they listen to, for all sorts of scam artists are out there pretending to preach and teach the word. Plenty are sincere, but too many are using it for their own glorification and not God’s. That’s why we believers today have to be just like Bruh Paul advised the Colossians: ‘Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you (plunder you or take you captive) through philosophy and vain (empty) deceit, after (according to) the tradition of men, after (according to) the rudiments (basic principles) of the world, and not after (according to) Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (rule and authority).’ (Col.2:7-10) And we’ll end with an informed explanation of that last verse by the scholars. ‘Ye are complete in him (or, “you are filled by Him”); Believers have been filled by Jesus with all the spiritual blessings they need; hence they are “complete” and lacking nothing. This, too refutes the heresy that denied the sufficiency of Christ and encouraged Christians to look to other spiritual beings for help. Five of these blessings, with which believers have been filled, are listed in verses 11-15. They are (1) spiritual circumcision, verse 11; (2) being raised form the old life verse 12; (3) new life, verse 13; (4) the removal of the curse of the law, verse 14; and (5) the conquering of Satan and his demonic forces, verse 15.’ And that’s the gospel truth Friends! Believers lack nothing that’s needed to live successfully in this world. All the necessary seeds have been planted in us from the day we received Jesus and His Holy Spirit that then came to dwell in us. Now we just need to allow that Spirit to raise and grow the seeds of righteousness that are planted in us. Let them develop strong, sturdy roots, so that we can resist the vicious attacks, lies and deceits of the enemy. Therefore my brethren, let’s all contemplate and ponder our individual situations today nuh, re our ‘rootedness’ in Christ. Then let’s take serious action to improve it, for we all can use some improvement in our spiritual lives, especially in these rough and troubled times. Much LOVE!…without the basic principles of Jesus’ teachings…deeply rooted in our souls…believers will not make much headway against Beelzebub…
31 Aug 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: Christian fellowship, faith walk, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, God's glorious kingdom, God's Spirit, Jesus Christ, Labour Day, Lord and Saviour, man's law, mother's passing, relaxation, rest, T&T 50th anniversary
Galatians 5:1. Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Oh Friends, sorry the Bit’s a bit late, but I had a late night last night, which made it all the more difficult to get up this morning. In any case it’s Friday… And a glorious chorus of ‘Hallelujahs’ burst forth from God’s people and rise to heaven! Yes, we know the weekend is here! And this a special Friday my people. First off, because it’s the 50th anniversary of the Independence of that wonderful Republic of Trinidad and Tobago! Yes Friends, T & T has now gone through a half century of self-rule! Wow! I remember the early heady days when Independence was on the tip of everybody’s tongues, was all that mattered. Never thought I’d live to see 50 years of it. Today is also the 1st anniversary of my Mother Molly moving on to be with the Lord in the green pastures in the sky. I also remember hearing of her passing while on vacation in California. But as the Lord promised, He helped me to get through it without too much emotional upheaval. Now I was grieved and all that, but early in the proceedings my spirit took on a sort of calm that I didn’t understand at the time, and I was comforted by the realization that she had gone to a better place, where she was free of all pain and tears. I still talk to her every day though, especially when I’m reading the prayers I read for her over the phone. In hindsight, I now realize that that was one of God’s mysterious movements, preparing me for writing the Bit. You can’t write about what you haven’t read. This Friday is also the beginning of the Labour Day weekend, the last real weekend of the summer. I miss the good times I once had on the Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, every Labour Day. But I also remember the last time I was there, about five years ago, when my Aunty Anne and I had to walk miles to the parade route, after luckily finding a parking spot in the afternoon way off the beaten path. We also had to walk it back later that night after all the festivities, when we were both dead tired and the night had gotten somewhat chilly. I don’t know what it is about Labour Day and the weather, but as soon as it’s over, a noticeable chill develops. Anyway, to get us off to a good start on this special weekend, let’s chant out Friday Chant, in loud, sweet voice, give the angels a run for their money. Hn, hn! I LOVE it when we do that. (smile) All together 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.’ And having put the right perspective on the weekend… oh don’t forget too, that drunk or sober, to mind your business this long weekend, so Beelzebub doesn’t get a chance to infiltrate our defences. Now, belatedly, let’s see what our Bit has to offer. ‘Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Yesterday we saw that basically it meant that using the law of man to get into God’s good grace was impossible, because the two operate in opposite realms. The law of man is fleshly, demon inspired, while that of God is spiritual and depends solely on the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, with the resultant indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And we need to stay strongly attached to the Holy Spirit so that we walk in faith and derive the numerous blessings involved in following Christ. Hear how Bruh Paul tells it to the Philippians: ‘Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.’ (Phil.4:1-3) Yes my people, it’s all about standing strong in Christ in fellowship with each other. We won’t always agree, but there shouldn’t be anything that causes us to disagree so strenuously that it negatively affects Christ’s church. But sadly, a lot of it is happening in the local, as well as national and international church. Oh Friends, there’s more to be said on this sad topic of wrangling amongst Christ’s followers, but we’ll leave that for tomorrow, God willing. I don’t want to burden our short attention spans with too much stuff this long weekend. So till tomorrow, provided we don’t see our names in the obits, pleas walk safely with God and in harmony with each other. That’s my prayer for us today. In Jesus Name. Amen! Much LOVE my people!….to truly walk with Christ…we must also walk as one body…one church… P.S. The Bit’s not as late as I thought it would be. (smile) All praise to God whose miraculous hand was certainly involved. Much LOVE!
24 Aug 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: earthly things, fellowship, free from sin, Friday Morning Chant, fun, habits, heavenly things, heretical phiosophies, legalistic practices, relaxation, rest, risen in Christ, the right hand of God, vices, ways
Colossians 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! And I hear all the tired and weary sighs of ‘Thank God.’ Yes my people, a beautiful weekend is in store for us. But before we get to that, I’m a little worried about all these beautiful sunny summer days we’ve been getting recently, sans rain. I sure hope we’re not going back to the drought situation we had a short while back. My grass though is green and beautiful, as it should be, with the constant watering it’s been getting. Almost every morning at 4.a.m. I hear this swishing noise, and it takes me a few seconds to realize that it’s the grass been watered. It’s out there swishing now. Since we’ve put in this automatic, in-ground watering system, we’ve used approximately a quarter more litres than we’ve ever used. And the Water Bill certainly wasn’t wallet friendly! (smile) But wonder of wonders, I never got angry and made a fuss about it. I just mentioned that it was unacceptable. Wow! I must be getting old, or more mature in the faith! Let’s hope it’s the latter yes. (smile) Anyway let’s hope and pray that we don’t regress to that drought like situation we had earlier, cause it took a serious toll on everything; from grass to flowers to fruits to the negative emotions of many. And to help assuage all our doubts and fears this Friday morning, let’s chant our Friday Morning Chant with glowing enthusiasm and sincerity. As one 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.’ And now that we’ve set the right pattern for the weekend, let’s turn to our Bit: ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.’ My Friends, that’s just a simple, logical, though powerful truth. If we have a new life with Christ, then shouldn’t we be concerned with the things of Christ? And if Christ is sitting at the right hand of God in heaven, then that means the things of Christ are in heaven, therefore those are the things we should be mostly concerned with, not the disposable things of the earth. And Bruh Paul clearly states that to them in the next verse. ‘Set your affections (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.’ (Col.3:2) Now let’s get some deeper insight into our Bit from the scholars. ‘If ye then be risen (or, therefore since you were raised): The word therefore infers a corollary truth from 2:20 (“you died with Christ”) – not only have the Colossian believers been freed from sin, they have also turned to a new life, leaving behind old ways, habits, values, vices, interest and sins. Seek those things which are above: These “things” include deeper knowledge of Christ, closer fellowship with Him, experience of His resurrection power, victory over sin (vv.5-11); the development of godly virtues (vv.12-17); the fulfillment of domestic and social responsibilities (3:18-4:1); an effective prayer life (4:2); fruitfulness in witnessing (4:3-6) – in a word, the attainment of Christian maturity, and all the spiritual benefits God has for His people during their days on earth. To have been raised with Christ and not to seek these blessings would be a contradiction.’ A great contradiction indeed Friends, like the way we still say one thing and do another. Oh my people, I implore us to turn to Colossians, preferably right now, while reading this, so that you can follow along with the scholar’s statements, and thus get a fuller understanding of those things above that we’re supposed to pay close attention to. And I’m chuckling here because I’m going to end with some more info from the scholars, which some of us are definitely not going to like. This time they are detailing some of the things of the earth from verse 2, with which we should not be overly concerned. ‘Set your affection on things above: The Greek word literally says, “Set your mind on things above.” The readers are not to be preoccupied with things on the earth, such as current heretical philosophies (2:8), legalistic practices (2:16, 21-23), and vices (v5); nor are they to dwell on things that are not wrong in themselves (houses, jobs, careers, ambitions, etc.), but can be wrong should they become priorities above Christ.’ That least part is of vital importance my brethren, since many of us place those earthly things before Christ. We turn the acquisition of these material things, like cars, houses, jobs etc. into idols because we make them the be all and end all of our lives. We chase them with such a burning desire and passion, that if we only used a small portion of that drive we have for earthly things, in pursuit of Christ, we’d be so much further ahead. Remember Christ’s admonition on this topic: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33) True Words of Wisdom! Anyway Friends, that’s enough for us to think about today. And please, let’s seriously think on them nuh, and check the verses the scholars quoted against those in your Bible. That’s the only way we’ll ever improve our Biblical knowledge and mature our faith walk. Much LOVE!…wherever your heart and mind are…there shall your treasure be…
Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
SCRIP-BITS 