The Absolute Necessity for Believers to Concentrate on Heavenly not Earthly Things!

07 Nov 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

And then it was Thursday; sunny and bright, but windy and somewhat chilly, with the warm weather of the last few days disappearing, the same way it surprisingly occurred. (smile)  And today we want to share an interesting and most appropriate prayer from the pamphlet of Prayers Through the Ages, recently put out by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, that we sampled last week. This prayer is credited to one John Henry Newman, 1801-1890. 

So please pray with me: ‘Give me grace, O my Father, to be utterly ashamed of my own reluctance. Rouse me from sloth and coldness, and make me desire you with my whole heart. Teach me to LOVE meditation, sacred reading, and prayer. Teach me to LOVE that which must engage my mind for all eternity. Amen.’ 

Now my brethren, wouldn’t you say that many of us surely need the stuff that Mr. Newman was asking for way back when? We surely do! Talk about sloth and coldness…we supposed believers exhibit that behaviour oftentimes more than the unbelievers! And it’s obvious that we don’t desire God with our whole hearts. In fact too many of us don’t desire Him at all. Otherwise our world would not be in such a disastrous and disgraceful state.  

And talking of meditation, sacred reading and prayer…Wow! Too many of us don’t even know what they are, much less to practice them continuously and fervently! Again, that’s one of the reasons why our world is sin such shambles; not enough sincere time spent in God’s word, neither enough communication with Him through prayer. 

For as we spoke yesterday, a society that doesn’t have the moral and spiritual direction of Almighty God will surely end in chaos and destruction before too long, for it’s the moral and spiritual fibre of a society that keeps it working in harmony and longevity. And it’s obvious that too many of us don’t keep our minds on the things that ought to ‘engage our minds for all eternity,’ that’s keep our thoughts on things above instead of on the lustful and prideful things of the earth. 

Bruh Paul wrote it thus to the Colossians: ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.’ (Col. 3:1-3) Yes friends, if we died to our sins with Christ, then we can’t continue to live for the things of the earth.  

And to the Philippians Bruh Paul gave some practical examples of what those things ought to be. ‘He writes: ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest (noble), whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (anything praiseworthy), think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.’ (Phil. 4:8-9) 

So there we have some of the better things to think on while we live with and for Christ here on this fallen earth. And isn’t the conversation between Peter and Jesus interesting, after He told the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things at the hands of the scribes and Pharisees, be killed, then be raised on the third day. (Matt. 16:21) 

The Bible tells us: ‘Then Peter took him (aside), and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord (God be merciful to you): this shall not be unto thee. But he turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not (are not mindful of) the things that be of God, but those that be of men.’ (Matt. 16:22-23) 

And the scholars offer these explanations on those verses. As per His remark about ‘Satan: The Lord recognized in Peter’s words a repetition of the temptations to avoid the cross that He had undergone in the wilderness. The word translated offence means a “trap” or “snare.” Savourest means “You don’t look at things from God’s point of view, but from man’s.” It occurs in Romans 8:5 and Philippians 2:5, meaning to adopt and maintain an attitude of mind upon which one’s life and actions are based.’ 

And too many of us are certainly guilty of looking at the things of men rather than those of God. As Bruh Paul said to the church at Rome: ‘For they that are after the flesh do mind (set their minds on) the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.’ (Rom. 8:5-9) 

That says it loud and clear my fellow believers; we can’t be both of the flesh and the Spirit at the same time, riding the fence, like so many of us try to do. It’s either one or the other. And we do have so many things that enable us to think of the things of God, if we use them. For instance these undeserved blessings that we call our Thursday Blessings, which the Lord has generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. So let’s declare them right now, so that they can be activated in us.

 Altogether: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

And having activated those blessings, we’re now duty bound to go out and use for the benefit of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!

…if we intend to spend eternity in heaven…then we ought to keep our minds on the things of heaven…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Christian Life is all about Jesus and His Amazing Work on Mankind’s Behalf!

23 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 Corinthians 15:57.        But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the weekly merry-go-round of workdays, begins again with another Monday on our plate. But we’re not afraid, worried or anxious about it in the least, for we have been well rested and renewed in the strength of our faith through worship and fellowship. That means we have every confidence that we can handle Monday and whatever it brings against us, like the rainy and cloudy start to the day! And Jesus reminds us of that awesome power when He says: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) 

And so He has! His death, resurrection and ascension assure us of victory over the world. And this commentary gives us a brief, insightful look into what that means. ‘Jesus proved then and there that He was victorious over death. The grave could not hold him. Acts 2:24 says it this way: “But God raised Him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” No one should be surprised. Jesus had been saying this all along.” 

Yes, He had been telling the disciples that He must die, then rise again, although they did not fully understand His meaning, and Peter quite boldly told Him that that would never happen. Then Jesus famously rebuked Peter: ‘Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not (are not mindful of) the things that be of God, but those that be of men.’ (Matt. 16:21-23) 

Then there are these famous words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians re Jesus’ victory over death. ‘So, when this corruptible (body) shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal (body) shall have put on immortality (through the Rapture of the church), then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain (futile) in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 15:54-58) 

Yes, my fellow believers, that victory of Christ over hell, death and the grave ought to encourage and reassure us to stand strong and steadfast in Christ, doing His work with all diligence and excellence! That’s sacrificing where necessary, being generous, merciful, compassionate, LOVING and kind, fighting against oppression and inequality, for justice and human rights, because when we live that way, when we allow the fruit of the Spirit to flourish in us, then are we true disciples, and will be well rewarded in due course of time. 

And just to show how Bruh Paul was a master of putting scriptures together to suit his purpose, that verse above ‘Death is swallowed up in victory,’ comes from Isaiah 25:8. And the one about ‘O death, where is thy sting?’ comes from Hosea 13:14, which simply means that in many cases, the New Testament is a reflection of the Old Testament, except that in the former, Jesus is formally introduced to fulfill the Old Testament Prophecies. 

One of which was to conquer sin and death. As Isaiah so confidently tells us of Jesus’ birth: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ (Is. 9:6-7) 

And the zeal of the Lord certainly gave us the incarnate Son of God, the Messiah, when the time was right! And Isaiah also prophesied of Jesus tough earthly days and His excruciating death characterizing Him as a Man of Sorrows. ‘Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm (power) of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form (stately form) nor comeliness (splendour); and when we shall see him, there is no beauty (appearance) that we should desire him. 

He is despised and rejected of (forsaken by) men; a man of sorrows (pains), and acquainted with grief (sickness): and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs (sickness), and carried our sorrows (pains): yet we did esteem (reckon) him stricken, smitten of (struck down by) God, and afflicted. But he was wounded (pierced through) for our transgressions, he was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities: the chastisement (correction, discipline) of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes (the wounds he suffered) we are healed.’ (Is. 53:1-5) 

And we know that all of that was fulfilled in Jesus’ life, as well as the other verses that we don’t have time for, that explained Him being like A Lamb to the Slaughter (Is. 53:6-9), and An Offering for Sin, verses 10-12. So, from the beginning of the Bible, right to the very end, it’s all a Testament to Jesus and His marvellous work on mankind’s behalf. Therefore, with that in mind, let’s go to the throne of grace seeking divine aid. 

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. 

So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And as our prayer reminds us, the necessary requirements for divine aid are humbling ourselves, praying, sincerely seeking God’s face and turning from our evil ways! Much LOVE!

…to God the Father be the glory…for giving us redemption through Christ Jesus…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   24 October 2023 Esther 4:14b.

24 Oct 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Esther 4:14b.       and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

So what’s new on this Tuesday morning in late October eh friends? Not a whole lot nuh. All the disasters that are currently enveloping our world are still there; none of them have faded away during the night, which means that mankind is still at each other’s throat, behaving like wild animals instead of the civilized human beings we’re supposed to be. 

Our only hope is to remember that the Lord is still on His throne, still controlling things, and in His time, when He is good and ready, that He will settle the problems in His own way. Until then, we need to be strong and steadfast in our faith, do our best to promote His Name and Word in our li’l area, like He expects of us, running our Christian race to the best of our ability with God’s grace and mercy leading and guiding us through the auspices of His Holy Spirit! 

We can’t all be big powerbrokers of the world, but we can all be true believers doing our small part in the big picture. And truthfully, that’s all the Lord is asking of us yes. He doesn’t expect us all to get up and run the world, but just to do the li’l bit that He’s asked of each of us. Like the Jamaicans say; ‘one one cocoa full a basket.’ And it’s the truth; every li’l contribution grows the whole structure. So please, let’s just concentrate on doing our parts nuh, and don’t allow the untold disasters to steal our joy and crush our spirits, for if we are not the strong, salty flavour of the earth and the bright light shining through our dark world, what will become of it eh? 

As these famous words of Mordecai to his guardian and cousin Esther, when the Jews were about to be slaughtered in Babylon by official proclamation through the cunning of Haman the Agagite so vividly remind us. ‘For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time (remain completely silent), then there shall enlargement (relief) and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ (Esth. 4:14) 

Yes friends, who knows whether we were all born for this time, so that we can make a significant difference in the lives of those around us.? And what does it all mean eh? As one commentary puts it: ‘it speaks to stepping up to fulfill the purpose God has for each of us, even if it could cause our earthly death.’ The Lord has a plan for each of our lives and we haven’t been just placed in these trying times by accident. No! Our God does NOTHING by accident; He always has a plan for every move He makes. Consequently, we are expected to grow and mature right where we are planted. 

And yes, like Esther we can fear for our lives, but if we claim to be true believers in Christ Jesus then we simply have to do whatever is necessary to promulgate His kingdom, though it costs us our earthly lives. Let’s remember these very important words of Jesus to the disciples, after telling them about His upcoming demise, and Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him, then Jesus in turn rebuked Peter, telling him, ‘Get thee behind me Satan.’ 

Jesus then continued: ‘If any man will (desires to) come after (follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ (Matt. 16:24-26) 

And those are some very good questions raised by Jesus, my fellow believers! What shall we give in exchange for our souls eh? Unfortunately, a lot of us, too many, are selling our souls to Beelzebub for the perishable and foolish riches of this world, none of which we can carry with us when we leave this world. 

As the patriarch Job says when he was struck down by terrible tragedy: ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ (Job 1:21) And as Cousin Sol so eloquently but plainly puts it in Ecclesiastes: ‘As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.’ (Eccl. 5:15) 

Please my fellow saints, let’s take that verse of wise scripture to heart today nuh and stop running down the destructible wealth of this world, which moth and rust corrupt, and thieves steal, and furthermore, none of which we can carry with us when we depart to the other side. But instead, let’s sincerely seek the indestructible wealth of God’s kingdom, His awesome righteousness, and all that goes with it, where moth nor rust nor thieves can get into steal or corrupt it. That’s the wisdom of heaven my people! And as Jesus so rightly says: ‘For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.’ (Matt. 6:21) 

So if our eyes are steadfastly fixed on the wealth of the world, how can we have any time for the things of heaven? It’s just impossible. And the sorry thing about selling your soul to Satan for worldly wealth, is that you can also get worldly wealth through heavenly sources and not lose your soul in the process. Remember all the things in the universe belong to God, and He is the One who enables us to get wealth. So why run to Beelzebub who can’t do a bloody thing for you, but bring you down to hell fire and eternal damnation, when you can get all the same things and more from Jehovah God eh? 

Please friends, let’s sit and ponder those questions today and see how they line up with the current situations in our lives! It’s high time we take stock of ourselves! Now let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong lock, stock and barrel.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

Now, we ‘re bound by our words to go out and share that awesome LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…if you don’t stand up for something…especially Jesus…you’re standing for NOTHING…and that’s the greatest waste of a human life… 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ          

      

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 September 2017 Psalm 99:5.

03 Sep 2017 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 99:5.   Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Well my faithful brethren in Christ, that wonderful time has come around again; Sunday, the Lord’s Day, when we get to gather in His sanctuary and praise and worship Him while fellowshipping with our fellow believers. That’s such a special time in our faith my people, when we lift up our voices in song and prayer and listen to the Lord’s Word that provides us with spiritual nourishment and strength to keep on keeping on. So let’s begin the proceedings with this old hymn of immense exaltation, ‘Holy, holy, holy.’ 

With voices sweet, harmonious and loud, let’s sincerely offer up the sacrifice of praise with our lips. ‘Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be. 

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in LOVE, and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!’ 

Oh friends, what wonderful sentiments that hymn displays! Our God; holy, merciful, mighty! He is so powerful that it takes three persons, a Trinity to make One of Him! Perfect in power, LOVE, and purity! The whole earth, His awesome creation, shall offer up plenty heart-felt praises to Him! What a magnificent and magnanimous God we serve and worship my people! 

I do hope that we fully understand and deeply appreciate not only His power, and His awesome generosity, but even more so His holiness and righteousness!  As our Bit so gloriously proclaims to all and sundry: ‘Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.’ Words of indisputable truth my brethren as our hymn so deftly shows. 

And that’s why He cannot condone or magnify sin; it just goes against His very holiness. Sin and holiness just don’t mix! It’s like good and evil; darkness and light, total opposites. That’s also why He had to find a way to sanctify us, set us apart and make us holy too, otherwise we couldn’t dwell with Him. And to keep that aura of holiness around us, we have to continually follow the command of our Bit, sincerely exalt and worship the Lord our God. 

Jesus said it in no uncertain terms when Satan tried to tempt Him into devil worship. ‘Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.’ (Luke 4:8) Jesus was there echoing the words of Moses to the children of Israel long before that. (Deut.6:13)  

And Bruh Paul, when carried before the governor Felix by the Jewish council on charges of heresy, solemnly declared. ‘But this I confess unto thee, that after the way (according to the way) which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets. 

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow (accept), that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. And herein (this being so) do I exercise myself (I myself strive), to always have a conscience void (without) offense toward God, and toward men.’ (Acts 24:14-16) 

It’s all about God friends, not about us. And Bruh Paul in his great knowledge of the scriptures would know that was indeed the right thing to do. For example, he must have known the words of the psalmist after our Bit. ‘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.)’ (Ps.99:6-8) 

Ah people, it’s so simple; if we’d only follow God’s laws, everything would be right with us and with our world. There would not be this excessive amount of hatred, strife, war, hunger, sickness, poverty, homelessness, economic misery, etc. etc. that’s currently engulfing it. 

In the long run friends, we only have one wise option, and that’s to do as the psalmist advises: ‘Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.’ (Ps.99:9)  Nuff said this morning friends. Have a blessed Sunday. Much LOVE!

…the holiness of God…calls for nothing less than sincere exaltation…