06 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit, a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, a new week of work, an unholy mess, apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age, believe not every spirit, beware of false prophets, blasphemers, boasters, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, born of God, bounden duty, brutal, check the conformity of their teaching with the scriptures, Christ's return to earth, christianity, come to you in sheep's clothing, conquerors, covetous, deceitful workers, denying the power thereof, despisers of those that are good, disobedient to parents, distort the truth of the gospel, dog eat dog world, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus is come in the flesh, face the rat race our world has become, faith, false accuser, fierce, figs of thistles, fill us with steadfast faith, from such turn away, furthering your glorious kingdom, gather grapes of thorns, get our act together, greater is he that is in you, haughty, have it more abundantly, having a form of godliness, heady, hereby know ye the Spirit of God, highminded, holy spirit, humble servants, in the last days perilous times shall come, incontinent, invincible, inwardly they are ravening wolves, irreconcilable, Jesus came the we might have life, Jesus Christ, keeping lives and families together, know them by their fruits, live a godly and abundant life, look like innocent lambs, LOVE, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, many false prophets are in the world, meet the enemy in battle, men shall be lovers of their own selves, ministers of righteousness, money lovers, over the weekend, proud, rat race, ravenous wolves, reckless, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan transforms himself, serve a useful purpose, slanderers, such are false apostles, surrender our all to you, than he that is in the world, thankful for jobs, the angel of light, the BIBLE, the devil only comes to steal and destroy, the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit, the nature of the beast, the omnipotent omniscient omni-present God, the spirit of antichrist, the throne of grace, the ushering in of the church age, time to turn up the heat on the devil, to lead and guide all your servants, traitors, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, truce breakers, truth, try the spirits whether they be of God, turning away from the faith, unholy, unthankful, we have all the tools to handle it, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whose end shall be according to their works, wisdom, without natural affection, without self-control, wrought in our weary souls, ye are of God little children, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 July 2026 Matthew 7:15.
Matthew 7:15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves.
It’s Monday my brethren… and that means work! Yes, we’ve got to get out there and face the rat race that our world has become. But the good news is that we have all the parts and all the tools to handle it through the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ that indwells us. We just have to get our act together and make use of what we’ve been given to live a godly and abundant life. And I believe the rat race and dog eat dog situation that our world has become was well described by Bruh Paul in his second letter to Timothy, when he solemnly warned him: ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.’ (2 Tim. 3:1)
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘The last days began with the birth of Christ, (or the ushering in of the church age), and will culminate in Christ’s return to the earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy (turning away from the faith) will characterize the final days of the church age.’ And there are indeed a lot of people turning away from the faith in these evil and ungodly times. Our world today is exactly like Bruh Paul describes it to Timothy.
‘For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), highminded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more than (rather than) lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’ (2 Tim. 3:2-5)
Oh friends, if we go through all those categories, we’ll find that our world is indeed overwhelmingly full of each one, consequently why it’s in such a disastrous and chaotic state. For a world filled with so much ungodliness and evil cannot help but be disastrous and chaotic; it’s just the very nature of such a beast. So, we should not be surprised that some think that these are truly the last days, because our world is in such an unholy mess. And per the term, a form of godliness, the scholars explain that as having mere religion without power or spiritual life. That’s why Paul commands Timothy to stay away from those false teachers.
And Bruh Paul also warns about them in his letter to the Corinthians, where he writes; ‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed (transforms himself) as the angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.’ (2 Cor. 11:13-15)
And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Himself warned about these false people. ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil (bad) fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil (bad) fruit), neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.’ (Matt. 7:15-18)
Those false prophets and teachers distort the truth of the gospel, and although they look like innocent lambs, they are instead ravenous and destructive wolves hiding under the umbrella of Christ’s gospel to lead people astray. And most of them preach one thing but live another. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that we check the conformity of their teaching with that of the scriptures. That’s why John in his first epistle also asked his readers to test the doctrine of those who come pretending to be teachers of the gospel.
‘Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:1-4)
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Christ who dwells in us believers, is greater than Satan who dwells in the followers of the world. And our strength to overcome lies in the fact that we are born of the omnipotent, omniscient, and omni-present God! So, although the antichrist and his cronies might be somewhat powerful and very deceitful, they are no match for those who believe in Christ. However, as we said at the beginning, we must be careful and use all the tools we’ve been given, if we want to be successful in this chaotic world.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, with humble confidence, (smile) seeking divine aid in these troubled times. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time we turn up the heat on the devil and his evil cronies! That’s our bounden duty! So let’s get to it nuh! Much LOVE!
…the devil only comes to lie and steal and destroy…but Jesus came that we might have life…and have it more abundantly…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fine family, a job to go to, a new week of work, a powerful creative God exists, a roof over their heads, a short work wek, a state of chaos, alive and kicking, allow your incredible aura of love, be acceptable in thy sight, be in such a disastrous state, big celebration, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, by them is thy servant warned, Canada Day, Christ is alive and kicking, cleanse me from my secret faults, clothes on their backs, converting the soul, don't have the opportunity to work, enduring for ever, enlightening the eyes, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, food on the table, furthering your glorious kingdom, give their eye teeth, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God's Law, God's law is authentic, God's preachers in the sky, God's special revelation, have dominion over me, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I shall be upright, innocent from the great transgression, invincible, Jesus Christ, keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, keeping lives and families together, keeping the law brings great reward, kept from hidden sins, kept from willful sins, lack of knowledge, let the words of my mouth, look at it realistically, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, making wise the simple, man's thinking be pleasing to God, mercy, more to be desired than gold, my redeemer, my strenght, objective proof, one twenty-four hour spin of the clock, opens the eyes of those in darkness, over the weekend, proclaim 24 hours a day that God exists, rejoicing the heart, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve a useful purpose, speak a universal language, stop looking at any day with distaste, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, sweeter also than honey, take umbrage, the amenities we enjoy, the commandment of the Lord is pure, the drippings of the honeycomb, the fear of the Lord is clean, the heavenly bodies, The Heavens Declare God's Glory, the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous, the law of the Lord is perfect, the man of faith, the meditation of my heart, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the reverence of God, the statutes of the Lord are right, the testimony of the Lord is sure, to lead and guide all your servants, took the Lord's law seriously, truth, unfair jobs, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, who can understand his errors, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 June 2026 Psalm 19:7.
Psalm 19:7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
And one more twenty-four-hour spin of the clock brings us back to that wonderful day called Monday! Some people will take umbrage at calling Monday wonderful, but if we look at it realistically, we’ll discover that we’re alive and kicking, we have a job to go to, a fine family with a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food on the table, and we’re going back out to work on this Monday so we can keep all of that good stuff happening…and even possibly improving.
Now, we’d be surprised to know how many people don’t have that opportunity to work, or the amenities we have, but don’t truly appreciate, and they would give their eye teeth to have them. So please let’s stop looking at Monday, or any other day for that matter, with distaste, because it disturbs and disrupts our poor work ethic. (smile) And are we ever so blessed here in Canada, that this will only be a four-day work week since we are celebrating Canada Day on the first of July. Wow! The week’s not only short, but we get a big celebration right in the middle of it! What more can we ask for eh? Not much.
Today, we’ll look at a few verses from Psalm 19, titled, ‘The Heavens Declare God’s Glory.’ In the first six verses, Bruh David talks about how the heavens continually show us God’s power. It’s like the scholars explain: ‘The point of the first six verses is that the heavenly bodies are objective proof that a powerful, creative God exists. The heavens are God’s preachers in the sky who proclaim 24 hours a day the truth that God exists, and furthermore, they speak a universal language.’
Those six verses, you can read for yourself, but today we’re concerned with the next few, which tell us about God’s special revelation, His law, which Bruh David describes thus: ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (the drippings of the honeycomb). Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.’ (Ps. 19:7-11)
Oh my people, you see how wonderful and valuable the law of our God is for living this earthly life! And Bruh David uses five different synonyms to describe it: law, testimony, statutes, commandment and judgement. But however you term it, in its perfection; it has the awesome power to convert or restore our souls. It’s sure, no dispute whatsoever over it’s authenticity, plus it’s able to add wisdom to the simple and unenlightened. Then it’s so right that it causes our hearts to rejoice when we contemplate it. The Lord’s law is also pure, so pure that it can enlighten the eyes, that’s open the eyes of those consumed by darkness and lack of knowledge.
And don’t’ talk about the fear or reverence of our great God; that is clean and endures forever! Meanwhile His judgements, or justice are always true and righteous. Furthermore, God’s law also warns us when we’re doing wrong, better still, keeping God’s law, offers plenty rewards. Oh friends, the law of our God is so precious and desirable that it’s more desirable than gold, and it’s even sweeter than honey, or the drippings of the honeycomb! Wow! Can you imagine that? Most likely not, otherwise we would be obeying His law much more than we’re currently doing, and our world would not be in such a state of chaos and uncertainty.
That’s why Bruh David continues: ‘Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great (much) transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (rock), and my redeemer).’ (Ps. 19:12-14) That’s all a sinful man can ask.
And the scholars explain those last verses thus. ‘The man of faith can respond only with a prayer that he be kept from both hidden sins (vs. 12) and willful sins (vs.13); and that even what he thinks may be pleasing to the Lord.’ And that’s the truth; we can’t keep the law without God’s help, and in His awesome generosity, He’s invited us to approach the throne of grace in confidence and humility to seek His divine aid in troubled times. And we are in troubled times right now, so let’s take Him up on His offer through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And if our prayer was sincere, God will keep His promise and do what we asked. Then it’s up to us to keep our promise by going out and successfully engaging the enemy in battle! Much LOVE!
…if we only took the Lord’s law seriously…our lives and our world…would not be in such a disastrous state…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
22 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all whose works are truth, allow your incredible aura of love, an idol, be disobedient to God, before the God of his fathers, begin a new week of work, besought the Lord his God, better relations can blossom from interaction, better to have some interaction than no interaction, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, bound him with fetters, brings estranged fathers and children together, bronze chains, brought him again to Jerusalem, built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the temple, built altars in the house of the Lord, carried him to Babylon, caused his children to pass through the fire, children must make their own personal choice for God, constantly buffeted, consulted mediums, dangerous jobs, dealt with a familiar spirit, desecrated the Lord's temple and the grounds, divine aid, do as we promised, don't depend on their parents relationship to God, Dr. Charles Stanley, emphasizes the need, faith, Father's Day celebrations, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gives it to whom he will, giveth it to whomsoever he will, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God abases those that walk in pride, he built again the high places, he did that which was evil in the Lord's sight, his ways judgement, holy spirit, humble servants, humbled himself greatly, I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the king of heaven, in affliction, in Jerusalem shall my name be for ever, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, justice, keep us on the straight and narrow path, keeping lives and families together, know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, lead and guide all your servants, like unto the abominations of the heathen, LOVE, made groves, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, man is naturally stubborn and rebellious, Manasseh made Judah and Jerusalem to err, mercy, Nebuchadnezzar's boast, nose hooks, obey God and leave all the consequences to him, observed times, parents need to communicate personal godliness to their children, places for pagan worship, practiced soothsaying, prayed unto him, provoked the Lord to anger, put an idol in the temple, reared up altars for Baailim, refused to listen, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, sentenced him to seven years of madness, serve a useful purpose, set a carved image in the house of God, sorcery, spiritists, spiritual armour, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, the Lord brought upon them, the Lord heard his supplication, the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, the number one rule for earthly living, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the son of the godly Hezekiah, the throne of grace, the wickedness of Manasseh, then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God, they would not hearken, those that walk in pride He is able to abase, to do worse than the heathen, took Manasseh among the thorns, truth, used enchantments, was intreated of him, weak and puny, wisdom, witchcraft, wizards, wooden images, worshipped all the host of heaven, worshipped the gods of the Assyrians, wrought in our weary souls, wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 June 2026 2 Chronicles 33:13b.
2 Chronicles 33:13b. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
So the Father’s Day celebrations are finished now, and it’s back to work on a somewhat wet and cloudy Monday. But there are questions as to whether the celebrations are necessary because of the many unused, not needed or wanted gifts the occasion produces. However, using that same argument you can cut out almost every major celebration we currently enjoy. And we certainly do have too many celebrations nowadays, for almost every day something is being celebrated. The important thing about Father’s Day though is that it brings children and fathers together who might not see, talk to, or associate with each other very often during the year.
What we’re trying to rebuild is the rather poor connection that exists today between too many children and their fathers, because of the unfortunate prevalence of divorce, separation and single-family homes At least on a day like that there’s some interaction and better relations can blossom from it. It’s always better to have some interaction than no interaction at all. So, the vote is against repealing Father’s Day! (smile)
And friends, today we’ll look at a very interesting story that deals with the reign of King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah. The Bible tells us first off that ‘Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.’ (2 Chr. 33:1) So he had a long reign, but was it profitable?
Not to begin with, for the Bible continues: ‘But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places (places for pagan worship) which Hezikiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves (wooden images), and worshipped all the host of heaven (the gods of the Assyrians) and served them.’ (2 Chr. 33:2-4.) Yes mih bredrin, Hezkiah had broken down all the pagan worship places and forbidden them during his reign, but unfortunately his son Manasseh restored it all.
And furthermore, ‘Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. (2 Chr. 33:4-5) He even desecrated the Lord’s temple and the grounds, thus destroying all the good work that his father Hezekiah had done. And the scholars make an interesting statement here. They say, ‘The wickedness of Manasseh, the son of the godly Hezekiah, emphasizes the need for parents to communicate personal godliness to their children. Children must make their own personal choice for God and not depend simply on their parents’ relationship to God.’
And it’s obvious that Manasseh did not make his personal choice for God, but for Satan. For as the Bible continues: ‘And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times (practiced soothsaying), and used enchantments (witchcraft), and used witchcraft (sorcery), and dealt with a familiar spirit (consulted mediums), and with wizards (spiritists): he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.’ (2 Chr. 33:6)
That would drive anybody to anger. But to make things even worse, the Bible tells us: ‘And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God (the temple), of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever.’ (2 Chr. 33:7) Now imagine that nuh, putting a carved image in God’s sanctuary. And what was the consequence of all that?
The Bible says: ‘So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the Lord spake to Mannaseh and his people: but they would not hearken.’ (2 Chr. 33:9-10) And my fellow believers, we all know that when the Lord speaks to you about your disobedience, and you fail to listen, then the eventual consequences won’t be very pleasant.
And they certainly won’t for Manasseh and the people. The Bibe declares: ‘Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns (with nose hooks), and bound him with fetters (bronze chains), and carried him to Babylon.’ (2 Chr. 33:11)
Now I don’t think that made Manasseh very happy, but it did do wonders for his wisdom. For as the Bible relates: ‘And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.’ (2 Chr. 33:12-13)
Oh my people, why do we have to be disobedient to God, and thus put ourselves through so much distress, when we can easily do His will in the first place? Because we’re naturally stubborn and rebellious, thinking that we are powerful and know it all, when we’re weak and puny, and don’t know anything.
That’s another story like the Babylonian king Nebuchadnnezzar, who felt he had built a mighty palace through his own power, but before he could even finish speaking, the Lord had sentenced him to seven years of madness, living with beasts in the field and eating grass like the oxen, ‘until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.’ (Dan. 4:32) And Neb did achieve wisdom after the seven years of madness, as he subsequently declared: ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble).’ (Dan. 4:37)
Now let’s hope that delves deep into our hearts and keeps us on the straight and narrow path. And for help to do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that, we now need to get out there and do as we promised. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley)…so wisely declared…the number one rule for earthly living is…obey God and leave all the consequences to him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
15 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a God that forgavest them, allow your incredible aura of love, as far as the east is from the west, begin a new week of work, between the two cherubims upon the ark, bounden duty, buffeted by the enemy's wicked taunts, christianity, commune with thee from above the mercy seat, consequences of their evil deeds, divine aid, exalt ye the Lord our God, executest judgement and righteousness in jacob, faith, far from our goals, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, God has absolute power, God is omnipotent, God is worthy of our complete devotion, God LOVES justice, God's capacity for forgiveness, God's in a category of His own, God's perfect in goodness and righteousness, god's perfect sense of justice and righteousness, he is high above all the people, he sitteth between the cherubims, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, keeping lives and families together, let the earth be moved, let the people tremble, let them praise thy great and awesome name, limitless power, LOVE, make hay while the sun shines, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, Moses and Aaron among his priests, need to be alert, our God is holy, put out the effort, rejuvenation of spirit, sadly lacking, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve a useful purpose, so far hath he removed our transgressions, spake unto them in the cloudy pillar, stick to God's plan and purpose for our lives, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, thank you for our jobs, the ark of the covenant, the BIBLE, The Holiness of God, the indisputable truth, the king's strength also loveth judgement, the living truth, the Lord exonerates our human transgressions, the Lord is great in Zion, the Lord reigneth, the magnanimity of God, the mercy seat, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, them that call upon his name, they called upon the Lord and he answered them, they kept his testimonies, thou dost establish equity, to lead and guide all your servants, to meet the enemy in battle, tookest vengeance of their inventions, truth, uprightness, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, what's propelling the time, wisdom, worship at his footstool, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 June 2026 Psalm 99:5.
Psalm 99:5. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
So, Monday’s come around again my brethren… and so quickly too. Yes, it’s a somewhat cool though sunshiny Monday. And can you imagine we are also in the middle of June? Another couple of weeks and June is toast, as well as half of the year. I don’t know what’s propelling the time to move so quickly, but, unfortunately, we cannot do anything about the speed with which the days and months are passing, so we therefore need to be alert and stick to the purpose and plan that God’s set out for our lives. Or, as the old people would say, make hay while the sun shines. (smile)
And today, we’ll look at a passage of scripture that we don’t pay much attention to, that’s Psalm 99, titled The Holiness of God. The psalmist begins it thus: ‘The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved (shaken). The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible (awesome) name; for it (he) is holy.’ (Ps. 99:1-3)
And all of that’s the living truth my fellow believers! Our God is indeed great and mighty, with power that surpasses that of all others put together; meaning He is omnipotent, or has absolute, limitless power. Therefore, the people ought to sing His praises, and exalt His awesome and holy name, for He is indeed worthy of our complete devotion. Or as this overview says: ‘Our God is set apart, for a special purpose; is perfectly pure, unique, and in a category of His own, thus perfect in goodness and righteousness.’ And we certainly cannot doubt any of those descriptions of our wonderful Sovereign Deity!
But before we move on, here’s this interesting info, per ‘he sitteth between the cherubims.’ It comes from when God gave Moses the instructions for constructing the ark of the covenant. He told him: ‘And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune (speak) with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.’ (Ex. 25:21-22) So it’s no lie; the Lord definitely sits between the two cherubims. (smile)
Then the psalmist continues: ‘The king’s strength also LOVETH judgement; thou dost establish equity (uprightness), thou executest judgement and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.’ (Ps.99:4-5) Ah friends, the Lord’s LOVE of justice and righteousness certainly cannot be denied. It’s renowned throughout the universe, for it’s one of the foundational elements of who He is. And He is most definitely worth exalting and being worshipped at His footstool on account of His perfect sense of justice and righteousness.
So the psalmist continues singing God’s praises: ‘Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance (statute) that he gave them. Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions (on their evil deeds). Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill: for the Lord our God is holy.’ (Ps. 99: 6-9) And isn’t that the indisputable truth? It surely is!
Now that last section of the psalm deals with the magnanimity of our God; His awesome and amazing capacity for forgiveness! And yes, there are consequences for our wrongdoing, but the wonderful thing about our outstanding God is that He doesn’t hold our disobedience against us, but casts them away and totally forgives us. ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.’ (Ps. 102:12) That’s how completely the Lord absolves or exonerates us of our human transgressions.
Wow! Isn’t He the greatest! He surely is! So, basically the psalm is about making known to all and sundry, God’s greatness, His heightened sense of justice and righteousness, as well as His awesome ability to forgive. That makes Him pure, perfect, unique, holy and worthy to be exalted and worshipped! And now, since we’re so far from those goals, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning battle hymn, seeking divine aid to make us more like our wonderful God.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And friends, we won’t improve ourselves or our situations unless and until we put out the effort to do so, an effort that’s so far been sadly lacking. So let’s get up and turn things around nuh, for we have all the tools to do so! Much LOVE!
…it’s our bounden duty…to exalt and worship our heavenly Father…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer's day, all the upright in heart shall follow it, allow your incredible aura of love, another work week, As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, be not among the winebibbers, be ready to accept corrections from God, be thou in fear of the Lord all the day long, be wise and guide thine heart in the way, be zealous therefore and repent, Blessed is the man whom the Lord chastens, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, chasteneth him betimes, chastening, chastens him promptly, child abuse, Christians, completely congruous with human practices, conquerors, corporal punishment, dangerous jobs, deliver his soul from hell, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, discipline, don't envy sinners, drive it far from him, drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags, drunkards, erred in their upbringing, evil and ungodly ways, faith, fighting to stay alive, fill us with steadfast faith, foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, forgotten the exhortation, forsake his inheritance, freedom to do what they want, furthering your glorious kingdom, futile, get serious about living in righteousness, give him rest from the days of adversity, gluttons, god, God's principle of discipline, he that loveth him, he that spareth the rod hateth his son, hear thou my son, holy spirit, humble servants, if thine heart be wise, if you beat a child with a rod he will not die, invincible, irresponsibility, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, jobs we sometimes don't like, judgement shall return unto righteousness, judgement will prevail in the end, keeping lives and families together, lawlessness, let not thine heart envy sinners, LOVE, love and corporal punishment are not incongruous, make progress, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, minor hardships, my heart shall rejoice, my innermost being shall rejoice, my reins shall rejoice, no sense of responsibility, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him, over the weekend, parent like God, parental advice, prosper with the Lord's help, relief from adversity, reverence the Lord all day, riotous living, sally forth with confidence, salvation, scourgeth every son he receives, self-correction, speaketh unto you as unto children, surrender our all to you, teaches him out of thy law, tend to spoil those we love, thanks for our jobs, the church at Laodicea, the correction of a child, the current level of misbehaviour, the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty, the hustle and bustle of our crazy world, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, the Lord will not cast off his people, the Lord's mysterious movements, the pit be digged for the wicked, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the riotous eaters of flesh, the rod of correction, the thoughts of man are vanity, the throne of grace, there is a hereafter, there is an end, thine expectation shall not be cut off, this evil and deceitful world, time to tune in and listen to God's wisdom, to lead and guide all your servants, to meet the enemy in battle, tough love, truth, try to live as righteously as possible, two complimentary aspects of trianing, we're not afraid, wearing your protective spiritual armour, when thy lips speak right things, whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, wisdom, withhold not correction from the child, wrought in our weary souls, your hope shall not be cut off
Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 June 2026 Revelation 3:19.
Revelation 3:19. ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’
Another work week has opened my fellow believers, meaning it’s Monday, a beautiful summer’s day, and we’re back in the hustle and bustle of our crazy world, fighting to stay alive and prosper with the Lord’s help. Let’s remember we cannot make any progress in this evil and deceitful world without His awesome help, so it’s time to tune in and listen to His wisdom through the Holy Spirit that indwells us for that purpose.
And in keeping with the Lord’s mysterious movements, I opened the Good Book just now, looking for something to write on, and lo, and behold, it opened at this interesting scripture in Revelation, where Jesus is sending His message to the church at Laodicea, stating: ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’ (Rev. 3:19) And that’s a known fact, one that’s referred to several times in the scriptures.
The Lord is the original implementer of the system of tough LOVE. Unlike some of us earthly parents, when we LOVE a child or somebody else, we tend to spoil them, allowing them to get away with stuff you’d not let someone you don’t LOVE to get away with. And that’s one of the big reasons today’s children are so spoilt, have no sense of responsibility and cannot handle even minor hardships because their parents or someone who LOVED them erred in their upbringing. But that doesn’t work with our heavenly Father. If you want to be LOVED by Him, then you must be ready to accept corrections, discipline or chastening.
The author of Hebrews puts it quite plainly. ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children (sons), My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord LOVETH he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ (Heb. 12:5-6) And that’s a direct quotation from Cousin Sol’s wisdom in Proverbs 3:11-12.
And the scholars offer this interesting explanation: ‘God’s principle of disciplining His own people is completely congruous with human practices. This quote from Proverbs 3:12, stating God’s practice corresponds to the commands God gave to fathers: ‘He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him chasteneth him betimes (promptly).’ (Prov. 13:24; cf. 22:15; 23:13). LOVE and corporal punishment are not incongruous; they are two complimentary and necessary aspects of training.’
But try telling that to some of the parents and administrators of today nuh. Many of them claim that corporal punishment is child abuse, no wonder the current level of misbehaviour and irresponsibility is so high in our society. But there is punishment or discipline, and then there’s’ abuse, or taking the punishment too far. So, we might get away with misbehaviour from our earthly parents, but rest assured, we’ll not get away with it from our heavenly Father.
And it’s certainly interesting that Cousin Sol had so much to say about raising children. Let’s look at a couple of those references from above. The first one says: ‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.’ (Prov. 22:15) Now listen to this passage explicitly on ‘The Correction of a Child.’
Cousin Sol declares: ‘Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with a rod, he shall not die. Thou shall beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Hades). My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine (indeed my own heart shall rejoice). Yea, my reins (innermost being) shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in fear (reverence) of the Lord all the day long.
For surely there is an end (a hereafter); and thine expectation (hope) shall not be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among the winebibbers (drunkards); among the riotous eaters of flesh (gluttons): For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.’ (Prov. 23:13-21)
And you cannot find better parental advice than that. But our society has gotten so into evil and ungodly ways that many parents repudiate such advice, and thus allow their children absolute freedom to do what they want and give them whatever their little hearts desire. That only leads to the lawlessness and riotous living that’s become such a large part of our culture.
And Psalm 94 puts it this way. ‘The Lord knoweth the thoughts of a man, that they are vanity (futile). Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth (instructeth), O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law: That thou mayest give him rest (relief) from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off (abandon) his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But the judgement shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.’ (Ps. 94:11-15) Yes friends, the Lord offers us self-correction, but in the end, He will surely judge. Let’s remember that and thus try to live as righteously as possible.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us do just that. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time to get serious about living in righteousness, so the Lord doesn’t have to correct us too much. Much LOVE!
…if we’d parent like God…with tough LOVE…half of today’s problems wouldn’t exist…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
01 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer Monday, a little folding of the hands to sleep, a little slumber, a prowler, a society is only as strong and productive as its people, a spirit of diligence, a wonderful work ethic, allow your incredible aura of love, another mistake, as good Christian folk, as one that travelleth, asking for forgivenss, be wise, begin a new week of work, beginning to decay, bring about positive change, christianity, Christians, Christians need to unite, colonies of ants are always busy, consider her ways and be wise, constantly buffeted, crazy idea, deeper and deeper, dire want, divine aid, do good work for Jesus, do nothing productive, do our duty, encouragement, enthusiasm, eventual poverty, expect forgiveness, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gathereth her food in the harvest, get serious and come together, getting on in age, glorify Jesus' awesome name, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go to the ant thou sluggard, God has not given us a spirit of laziness, habitual laziness, having no guide leader overseer, holy spirit, hope and pray, how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard, humble servants, industriousness, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible conquerors, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, leads to destruction, learn two important lessons from the ant, LOVE, make another apology, make living too easy, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mankind, many who choose to sit on our fannies, May only had thrity days, mercy, numerous separate entities, ONE body in Christ, one of the lowliest of God's creations, only human, our Father who art in heaven, over the weekend, perseveraance, poverty will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber, prepare for predictable circumstances, provideth her meat in the summer, quicksand, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-starter, serve a useful purpose, sluggard, so shall thy poverty come, somebody looking over their shoulder, standing over it to make it work, suffeing from a lack of positive production, surrender our all to God, the ant has no taskmaster, the apple of God's creation, the BIBLE, the enemy's evil schemes, the first day of June, the habitually lazy person, the last of my mistakes, the mind sometimes gets fuzzy, the poor are getting poorer, the result of laziness is dire poverty, the rich are getting richer, the society begins going downhill, the throne of grace, the wisdom and knowledge imbued in man by God, this wealthy comfortable society, thy want as an armed man, to, to lead and guide all your servants, too many amentities, truth, turbulent and uncertain times, unfortunate circumstances, we're not afraid, wealth distributed more equitably, wealth is consolidated in too few hands, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep, wisdom, wise enough to, wise words that seem appropriate, work ethic, wrought in our weary souls, yet a little sleep
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 June 2026 Proverbs 6:9.
Proverbs 6:9. How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Oh friends, the first day of June 2026 has turned out to be a beautiful summer Monday, which ought to give us encouragement and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Jesus! (smile) But, unfortunately, I need to make another apology for another mistake, don’t know how many of you noticed it, but this one was in Saturday’s Bit, where I claimed that that was the last day of the month … and I did it twice to boot, at the beginning and at the end. I don’t know where I got the crazy idea that May only had thirty days. My mind must be going on me.
And it seems like I had forgotten the old rhyme that they taught us back in the old days: ‘Thirty days have April, June and September; the rest have thirty-one, except February which has twenty-eight, but in leap years twenty-nine.’ But somehow or the other I got it in my mind that May only had thirty days. So again, I’m asking for your forgiveness, and as good Christian folk, expect you to give it to me most willingly, (smile) for the ole fella is only human and is also getting on in age, and you know the mind sometimes gets fuzzy when that happens. So, let’s hope and pray that will be the last of my mistakes for a while. (smile)
And on this marvellous Monday in June, let’s look at some wise words of Cousin Sol, that seem rather appropriate for these turbulent and uncertain times, and can only benefit us if we follow them. Now, Cousin Sol’s first admonishment in this passage is: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide (leader), overseer or ruler, Provideth her meat (grain or bread) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:6-8)
Oh my people, what wise and wonderful words and ever so applicable to many of us in this wealthy, comfortable society, who choose to just sit on our fannies and don’t do anything productive. It’s as the scholars explain: ‘The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. He is admonished to learn two important lessons from the ant: (1) the ant has no guide, overseer, or ruler (vs. 7), meaning that the ant does not have to have a taskmaster standing over it to make it work; it is a self-starter. (2) The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances (vs.8).’
Yes mih brethren, we’ve all seen how colonies of ants are always busy, especially in the summer months, when they go about collecting food and storing it away for the winter months when food is hard to come by. And they don’t need to be told to do that, or have somebody looking over their shoulder prodding them to do it. So, if ants, one of the lowliest of God’s creations, are so wise and have such a wonderful work ethic, why can’t mankind, the apple of God’s creation, with all the wisdom and knowledge imbued in Him by His Creator, react the same way to life eh?
Possibly because our society has gotten too wealthy and we have too many amenities that make living too easy. But wait, Cousin Sol isn’t done with the sluggard, for he continues: ‘How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (a prowler), and thy want (need) as an armed man.’ (Prov. 6:9-11)
And what’s that all about you ask? Listen to the scholars’ explanation: ‘Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard (vs.9). His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little bit more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dire poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber (v.11).’ And isn’t that the awful truth! Habitual laziness only leads to dire want and eventual poverty. No wonder there are so many needy people in our society. Now let’s note that all needy people are not lazy, but some have indeed endured genuine unfortunate circumstances.
However, there are indeed too many lazy people in our society, from which the work ethic is quickly disappearing, and once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before the society itself begins going downhill. That’s because a society is only as strong and productive as its people. And when we look around our world, despite our total wealth, which unfortunately is consolidated in too few hands, many societies are suffering from a lack of positive production and are thus beginning to decay.
Who knows if the wealth was distributed more equitably, if the situation would change, but for sure right now, the rich are getting insanely richer while the poor are getting inhumanely poorer, and that’s not a good situation for our world. So what can be done about it? We Christians, supposed believers in, and followers of Christ, are the only ones who can bring about positive change. But before we can do that, we desperately need to unite as the ONE BODY in Christ that we were created to be, not the numerous separate entities that we’ve become. And if we don’t unite soon, our world will just keep getting deeper and deeper in the quicksand that leads to total destruction.
And to help us do all we need to do to turn the situation around, let’s confidently, but humbly, approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s get serious and come together, so that we can do our duty and glorify Jesus’ awesome name! Much LOVE!
…Jesus has not given us a spirit of laziness…but one of diligence…industriousness…and perseverance…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a disciplined mind, add any enthusiasm to the situation, all for the glory of Jesus, all the days of thy life, allow your incredible aura of love, another new work week, as I was with Moses so will I be with thee, be constantly in thy mouth, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed, be strong and of a good courage, but of power love and of a sound mind, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, dangerous and unfair jobs, depend on us to a large extent, divide for an inheritance, divine aid, don't be afraid of any task God gives us, don't turn away from the law, drilled into Joshua's brain, encouragement, face challenges, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, furthering your glorious kingdom, get into the groove, God's conversation with Joshua, have good success, have I not commanded thee, have success, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I praise and thank you God, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, inclement weather, inspire us to rise to greater heights, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keep our promises, keeping families together, living in fear, LOVE, make thy way prosperous, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mano a mano, meditate therein day and night, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, no man shall be able to stand against thee, no partying on Monday, observe to do according to all the law, observe to do all that's written therein, our omnipotent and merciful God, perform like you're capable of performing, positive reassurance of our faith, prerequisites for success, prosper, put it into action, reassurance, regardless of what happens, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, step up to the plate, sudy the law and live by it, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the evil and ungodly world, the fulfillment of promises, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the gospel truth, the Lord thy God is with thee wherever you go, the lustful ways of the world, the throne of grace, this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, to lead and guide all your servants, too comfortable in the pleasures of the world, truth, turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, we're not afraid, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, work all five days, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 May 2026 Joshua 1:9.
Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Another new work week my people. And this time we have to work all five days, no partying on Monday, like we did last week. (smile) And it will undoubtedly be difficult for some of us to get back into the five-day groove, but get back into it we must, if we’re to do Jesus proud. Then the inclement weather we’ve had over the weekend certainly doesn’t add any enthusiasm to the situation, but the bright sunshine and warm weather of this Monday ought to inspire us to rise to greater heights, all for the glory of Jesus! (smile)
And as we face our challenges today, please, let’s remember we can face them mano a mano, because of this most important acclamation, this positive reassurance of our faith: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengetheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13) And that’s the gospel truth, for whatever we need to do on Christ’s behalf, He will enable us to do it. And that reminds me of God’s conversation with Joshua, when He made him the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. He promised him: ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Josh. 1:5)
Yes friends, the Lord gives us all wonderful promises, but sometimes the fulfillment of those promises depends on us to a large extent. And so it was with Joshua. The Lord made sure He pointed out certain things he needed to do to have a successful mission. He warned him: ‘Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance (you shall give as a possession) the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper (have success) whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:6-7)
Please note that the Lord specifies two things in those two verses; that Joshua must stick to the letter of the law, and twice He warned him, to be strong and very courageous. Those were the prerequisites for success. Now that warning hasn’t changed since then. We modern day believers are still required to be strong and very courageous and obey the law in living for Christ. And let’s not say we can’t do it, because Bruh Paul has already declared that we are more than able, for ‘God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) In other words, we need not be afraid of any task we are given.
But the Lord took His commands to Joshua so seriously that He expanded on them in the next couple of verses, when He warns: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (shall be constantly in thy mouth); but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:8-9)
Oh my brethren, you see how the Lord drilled those three things into Joshua’s brain: First we need to study the law and live by it, don’t turn away from it regardless of what happens. Then we need to be strong and courageous, and we have all the tools to do that. And last but not least, don’t be afraid, because the Lord our God is with us wherever we go! What wonderful assurance that is my fellow believers! No other supposed God offers that kind of assurance and confidence to their followers because they can’t fulfill it. They don’t have the power or wherewithal to do so. Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, omnipotent and merciful can make such a promise and fulfill it!
But yuh know what friends, we can have all the encouragement and reassurance in the world from God, but until we believe it and put it into action, it’s all wasted. And that’s what the Lord was trying to push home to Joshua; you can do it, because I’ve given you all you need, and I’m here to back you up, but you need to step forward, step up to the plate and perform like you are capable of performing. The same goes for us today, as so many of us are living in fear, or have simply gotten too comfortable in the lustful ways of the world and thus are not stepping forward to do our duty.
However, we hope and pray that very soon, before it’s too late, we’ll all wake up and see the light and perform the way we ought to. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine help to turn things around. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s go out and keep our promises! Much LOVE!
…it’s not if we can…for we have all it takes…but if we desire to…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heightened desire, a new week of work, a new zest for life, a serious rampage, allow your incredible aura of love, as a lion in his den, be rewarded for your faithfulness, blesses the covetous, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, constantly buffeted, delight themselves in the abundance of peace, diligently consider his place, divine aid, don't give up hope, draws him into his net, evil doers shall be cut off, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, fun-filled weekend, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God has forgotten, God hides his face, God is not in his thoughts, God keeps all His promises, God will never leave nor forsake us, he says in his heart, he sitteth in the lurking places of the villages, heaven is getting ready to quench the fires of hell on earth, his mouth is full of cursing, holy spirit, I shall not be moved, in secret places, into the swing of things, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, lies in wait secretly, lies in wait to catch the poor, look diligently for the wicked, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, murders the innocent, never be in adversity, new insight, one for Jesus all for Jesus, our new best friend, raise our spirits, rejuvenation of spirit, ruling the roost, sally forth with confidence, salvation, stand strong and steadfast for Christ, stay faithful to the end, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, taken in the devices they have imagined, thank you for jobs, the BIBLE, the evil and ungodly world, the hands of the clock turn, the indisputable truth, the poor are getting poorer, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the rich are getting richer, the throne of grace, the wicked are ruling the roost, the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, the wicked in his pride persecute the poor, the wicked sneers at his enemies, the wicked's ways are always prosperous, those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, through the pride of his countenance, to do good work for Christ, to lead and guide all your servants, triumph over the righteous, truth, under his tongue is mischief and vanity, under his tongue is trouble and iniquity, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, when the right time comes, who renounce the Lord, whom the Lord abhorreth, why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble, why standest thou afar off o Lord, will not seek after God, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2026 Psalm 10:1.
Psalm 10:1. Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
And the hands of the clock turn, and the days fly past until they come to our new best friend; Monday! And someone says, Are you crazy? How can Monday ever be our best friend when it suddenly shows up and disrupts and disturbs our nice, fun-filled weekend? Because it gets you back into the swing of things with a new zest for life, with new insight and a heightened desire to do good work for Christ, as the times get more troubled and uncertain. And besides, this Monday is a nice, bright, sunshiny day, so that should also raise our spirits. (smile)
That brings us to this interesting Psalm 10, where Bruh David cries out to God about the oppression of the poor. ‘Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?’ Now that seems to be a very good question to ask of our current times. For as Bruh David continues: ‘The wicked in his pride doth persecute (hotly pursues) the poor: let them be taken in the devices (plots) that they have imagined (devised). For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous (greedy), whom the Lord abhorreth (who renounces the Lord).
The wicked through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts (all his thoughts are, there is no God). His ways are always grievous (prosperous); thy judgements are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth (sneers) at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity (trouble).’ (Ps. 10 :2-6)
And doesn’t that sound just like the wicked of today? It certainly does, because they believe that they are ruling the roost, and therefore have no time for God nor for the poor. They do whatever they like, with thoughts only for themselves and what they can gain. And we can see that happening all around our world right now, where the rich and powerful are getting richer and even more powerful, while the poor are getting poorer and even more powerless. And that’s not all; Bruh David continues: ‘His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud (oppression); under his tongue is mischief (trouble) and vanity (iniquity).’ (Ps. 10:7)
And is that ever the indisputable truth! For we now hear very blatant base, coarse and deceitful language from our leaders and power brokers, like we’ve never publicly heard before. It seems that they have absolutely no class at all. But how can they, when Bruh David declares: ‘He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily (secretly) set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself (bows down), that the poor may fall by strong ones (strength). He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.’ (Ps. 10:8-11)
And sometimes when things get really bad, when the wicked go on a serious rampage, like we’re seeing right now, we tend to think that God has forgotten us, is hiding His face from us. But we know better than that, for He has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us several times in His word, (Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:8) and we also know that He keeps every promise He makes. In His opinion, it’s just not the right time. But as the song says, ‘when the right time come,’ He’s also promised that the wicked will be destroyed, will perish from off the earth.
As per Psalm 37 when Bruh David declares: ‘For evil doers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider (look diligently for) his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’ (Ps. 37:9-11)
Yes my fellow believers, though times might look pretty bad right now, as though God seems to have permitted the wicked to triumph over the righteous, with the wicked doing all they can to drive the righteous into the grave, the end of the story however, as promised by our faithful God is that the wicked is the one who will pay the eventual price for his unrelenting and perverse iniquity. So please don’t give up hope; stay faithful to the end, and the Lord will reward you for your faithfulness. And to help us hang in there right down to the wire, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to stand strong and steadfast in Christ.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Yes friends, let’s get out there and put it to the enemy for Jesus’ sake! As the late Ernie Smith’s song puts it: ‘one for Jesus…all for Jesus!’ Much LOVE!
…when the fires of hell seem to burn bright and hot here on earth…let’s remember that heaven is getting ready to quench them…
Visit the Scrip-Bit Blog at https://randyobrien50.com
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06 Mar 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crying shame, a true believer, abuse, abusive, before men, born for this time, call it a day, common sense, common task, content to rest on our laurels, daily grind, darkness, do it for Jesus, each step I take, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, further the gospel, furthering your glorious kingdom, glorify your father in heaven, good for nothing, greed, heart and soul truly are, heartless, home, let your light so shine, light, light a candle, lost our passion, LOVE, makes countless thousands mourn, man's inhimanity to man, meet our maker, on a roll, one day one day congotay, oppressive, pitiful platitudes, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, rest, salt of the earth, sense of purpose, sit and mourn, slave labour, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the best place in the world, the light of the world, the party's over, the poor get poorer, the rich get richer, the weekend, the workingman's song, they may see, tread underfoot, week of work, what a sad world we live in, willing to put in the time and effort, your good works
Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Well the party’s over my friends. It sure was nice while it lasted. But unfortunately I had to call it a day! Yes I’m back in my ordinary surroundings called HOME! The best place in the world! Wow! Yuh know, whether it’s a palace or a hovel, home is where you feel most comfortable because home is where your heart and soul truly are. Yes, Jamaica was nice, but there’s something about home that get’s the heartstrings playing ever so sweetly. (smile) And now it’s back to the daily grind and common task – or which ever way they say it – back to the cold and snow and bleak vegetation.
And since it’s Friday – didn’t even realize that until just now, people must be clamouring for the workingman’s song. Well never let it be said that I kept you all from hearing what you want to hear. (smile) So here he is, in all his riotous colour and workingman’s common sense. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday…and time for that much needed break from slave labour, called the weekend! Don’t know what I would do without it nuh. Gosh! It hard enough working five days straight, and I’m really sorry for those who have to work six and seven days straight without a break.
Steups! Mankind really is something else yes. Like greed and abuse of his fellow man seem to be his middle name! No wonder the sad truth found in the saying: ‘Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!’ Chuh! What a crying shame! And we now have to change that to countless millions…and soon to countless billions, since mankind is getting ever more greedy and oppressive as the rich get ever richer and the poor get ever poorer. What a sad world we live in eh Dr. Jack!
And the sad part is that there’s enough in the world for everybody to get sufficient to fill their needs, but the few with plenty, more preoccupied with greedily hoarding rather than generously sharing it. That’s why there’s so much poverty and homelessness and all the other ailments that the disenfranchised suffer. But yuh know this saying is also true…One day, one day congotay … Yes the longest rope have an end…And one day all ah we, have to meet we maker and answer for we wrongs. Till then, all I can say is thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Brother, the workingman was sure on a roll today! But what he says makes sense yes! Mankind getting more heartless, oppressive and abusive, even as we seem to be getting more enlightened. But that seems to be only in the mind, not in the heart, where it really matters. Anyway, as true believers in Jesus Christ, we have the responsibility to try and change that disgusting image of mankind. And no, it’s not easy, but with the help of our Leader we can do it, if we are willing to put in the required amount of time, energy, belief and faith it requires.
And that’s the billion dollar question – are we willing to do what it takes to bring Jesus’ dream for the world to fruition? Apparently not, because right now we’re allowing Beelzebub and his evil cohorts to run away with the race while we sit and mourn and murmur pitiful platitudes. Oh friends, the attitude of those involved in Christ’s organization has got to improve tremendously if we expect to see any real change in our world and leave our descendants a safe and reasonable place to live and sincerely worship Jehovah God.
That’s our calling; this is our time to further the gospel and all that it entails. They say we were born for a time such as this, but the reality is that we were born for this particular time. If the Lord wanted us in any other time, He would have put us there. But since He put us in the here and now, that means this is when and where He expects us to make our mark, to obediently and diligently do His will. Jesus said it as clearly and plainly as possible. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour (flavour), wherewith (by what means) shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.’ (Matt. 5:13)
Oh my people, we all know the great benefits that salt provides to our lives, and without it, everything is bland and tasteless and often rendered useless. And sadly too many of us believers have become that way… good for nothing, because we’ve lost our passion, our sense of purpose and are just content to rest on our laurels. But that’s not what Jesus desires of us. Hear Him again nuh: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.’ (Matt. 5:14-15)
Oh my fellow believers, that’s what Jesus expects of us; to be bright and shining and good direction lights in this dark and evil world! But we definitely are not being bright and shining and encouraging enough, since the darkness seems to be growing stronger and wider. Oh my people, my people, come on nuh, let’s do as Jesus so greatly desires of us nuh! Remember we are His ears, eyes and hands, His ambassadors on this dark and evil earth. So let’s take His words to heart and sincerely, diligently and excellently do as He asks nuh. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’
Oh friends, that is definitely not too much for Jesus to ask of us, after all that He’s done for us. So let’s get shipshape and become both the salt and light of the world as He desires nuh, so that we can reclaim the world from it’s dark covering with the wonderful and awesome light of Jesus! And no, I did not forget our Friday Chant, the other stuff just seemed to flow and follow more smoothly. (smile) So let’s chant our chant, in strong voice with sincere hearts, like we’re truly salt and light.
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!’
Let’s do it nuh friends, let’s do it for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…you can’t be a true believer…unless and until…you do what your Leader asks of you…
07 Feb 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a family to mind, as a father, basic things, bills to pay, capitalist society, chouncy pay, concrete jungle, destitute, destroy our witness, disobedience, fear him, fellowship, for the present, Friday chant, furthering your glorious kingdom, God's discipline, greedy slave master, happy is the man, hard work, he binds up, he corrects, he maketh sore, his hands make whole, homeless, joyous, keep the commandments, later than you sow, love for Christ, more than you sow, never leave nor forsake us, ordinary workingman, peaceable fruit of righteousness, praise and bless you, raising the prices, reap what you sow, refreshed in body and soul, relaxation, rest, robber barons, slow down, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, Thank You Lord, the son in whom he delights, the white stuff, treating us well, walk in his ways, whom the Lord corrects, whom the loves
Proverbs 3:12. For whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Ah mih people, I know you’ll be proud to hear that the ole fella made that adventurous trip into the concrete jungle yesterday afternoon, although by then the roads were clean, wet but clean. The only place I encountered snow was in my own lane and driveway. (smile) I was a little miffed though, because thinking that the traffic and road conditions would be bad, I took an early bus, but neither was bad. So I got to my appointment half an hour early, then had to wait a further hour before they dealt with me.
I left home around 1 pm, and did not get back until after six! No wonder going into the city is undesirable, because it eats up most of your day, and by the time you get home, you’re tired and miserable and don’t want to do anything constructive. And though we got another bout of the white stuff last night, I really don’t care because I’m not going out there today! (smile)
Ah friends, who says life isn’t nice eh! We might have all sorts of troubles and problems, but let’s consider them surmountable with our Lord’s help nuh, and remember that many others around the world have it much worse than us. And all God’s people said a loud and grateful: ‘Thank You Lord! We praise and bless your holy name for treating us as well as you do! Amen!’
And since it’s Friday, the ordinary workingman is waiting patiently and quietly in the wings to sing his weekend song. So let’s bring him on stage nuh. And as he enters, he enthusiastically belts out: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! I don’t know what I’d do if I had to work another day nuh! Ah really work hard this week, for the same chouncy pay, and it doh look like the ole body could handle that much hard work again nuh.
Hn, hn! Like we getting old…and the body telling us to slow down. But it don’t realize we can’t really slow down when we have a family to mind and bills to pay in this ever increasing expensive society. Now I understand why it could have so many homeless and destitute people in the world. We get paid a pittance of our real worth, and the greedy slave master always trying to cut back or take back something we work so hard for.
And then they keep raising the prices on the basic things like food, clothing and shelter, so people must fall behind even though they working a lot. Steups! This capitalist society eh! Is just a setta robber barons yes! But let them know one thing for me: they never going to take away my weekend, my two days of freedom! I’ll fight to the death to preserve that! Thank God for Fridays and weekends oui!’
Yuh see friends, even the ordinary working man has stuff that he will fight to the death for, much less we blessed believers in Jesus Christ, for whom God provides all our needs! Shouldn’t there be stuff that we are also prepared to die for? Of course! But the problem is that most of us supposed Christians are a wimpy, shallow and frightened lot. We’ve gotten so accustomed to the good life, that we turn the slightest disappointment into a major happening. Anyway, we won’t get into that now nuh, (smile) let’s get to our weekend song, our Friday Chant, which is so different to the workingman’s offering.
All together now, in strong voice with sincere hearts: ‘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!’
Ah friends, believers (steups!) do have to be more cognizant of their circumstances and surroundings so that we don’t allow the evil one unfettered access to our lives and souls, because all he wants to do is destroy our witness and LOVE for Christ! But I’m sure we won’t give him that opportunity! Now today I want to continue with some wise words of Cousin Sol that I never finished yesterday. And they are some hard words, but truly worthwhile to hear and remember. ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary of (detest) his correction. For whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov.3:11-12)
Yes precious people, those are such great words! We correct our children because we LOVE them, likewise the Lord corrects us because He LOVES us! That’s nothing new, cause it was said way back in Deuteronomy by Moses, on the Lord’s behalf. ‘Thou shalt also consider (know) in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God. To walk in his ways , and to fear him.’ (Deut. 8:5-6)
Oh it’s so simple friends: we punish our children when they disobey us, the Lord punishes us when we disobey him. But for whatever reason we think that’s wrong, because we have free will and ought to do as we like. But please note friends, that free will doesn’t give us the right to sin without punishment, because sin will ALWAYS be punished by the Lord since it’s diabolical and against His very nature! Hear these wise words of Job on the subject. ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.’ (Job 5:17-18)
Yes my people, our God might punish us for disobedience, but He’ll never leave us to suffer unnecessarily, He will heal whatever wounds He causes. That’s the beauty of our God! Although He punishes, He never leaves nor forsakes the punished! How great is the God we worship eh? Mucho great!
That’s why the author of Hebrews could wrap up his dissertation on God’s discipline thus: ‘Now no chastening (discipline) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised (trained) thereby.’ (Heb.12:11) And that’s a fact my brethren; discipline never seems good to us in the present moment, but afterwards, if we’re wise, we’ll surely see its benefits.
So today, let’s take a moment to contemplate our individual lives nuh, and see where the Lord might have disciplined us for disobedience, and how it affected our lives thereafter. That will help us to understand and appreciate the Lord’s doings. (smile) Much LOVE!
…you’ll reap what you sow…more than you sow…and later than you sow… (Uncle Charles – Charles Stanley)
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