30 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abominable transgressions, alive and kicking, all the gods of the nations are idols, and on my worst, as far as the east is from the west, as the heaven is high above the earth, believers also need to wake up and smell the coffee, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, divine aid, every hour you watch over me, eyes have they but they see not, faith, Father You see me on my best days, Friday chant, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, give our leaders wise guidance, God commendeth his love toward us, God demonstrated his LOVE for us.', God gives us new grace and mercy every morning, God is LOVE, God so loved the world, God's generous help, God's heartfelt love and compassion for humanity, great is thy faithfulness, have ears but hear not, have everlasting life, he gave his only begotten son, he hath not dealt with us after our sins, he the loveth not knoweth not God, help us to be responsible, his compassions fail not, holy spirit, human flaw, I want my life to show others the great love you shown me, in Jesus' name, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mercy, neither is there any breath in their mouths, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, plenteous in mercy, real love and compassion, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, rewarded us according to our iniquities, salvation, scriptures that proclaim God's undying love for man, serious problems are escalating, slow to anger, smell it sweet and strong, so far hath he removed our transgressions, so great is his mercy to them that fear him, stand strong and steadfast, take time from our busy schedules to communicate with God, teach me to reflect your faithfulness, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the beginning of the weekend, the breath of life only comes from God, the gifts of salvation and eternal life, the gospel truth, the idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the joyful shout, the judgemental hand of God, the Lord is merciful and gracious, the Lord made the heavens, the prayer from the October In Touch Devotional, the supreme sacrifice of both Father and Son, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, the work of men's hands, therefore have I hope, they are new every morning, they have mouths but speak not, this I recall to mind, to handle these unexpected storms properly, trusting faith, truth, two dyas to do what we want, unconditional LOVE, went up to heaven, what a wonderful God we serve, when I stumble you don't condemn me, while we were yet sinners christ died for us, whosoever believeth in him should not perish, wisdom, with your omnipotent help, worthwhile ambassadors for Christ, you love me the same through it all, you reach out your hand and lift me up, you see my victories and my failures
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 October 2026 John 3:16.
John 3:16. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’
‘It’s Friday, it’s Friday! TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at last!’ Yes mih bredrin, that was the joyful shout that went up to heaven from numerous workers this last Friday morning in October 2026. And why not eh? We’re alive and kicking, it’s a warm, sunshiny, autumn day, and much to our surprise, the cold weather has not seriously weighed in on us as yet. And above all, it’s the beginning of the weekend, when we get two whole days to do whatever we want to do, not what some fuddy-duddy old boss tells us to do! No wonder we’re so excited that it’s Friday! (smile)
Anyhow, despite all the happiness we’re currently experiencing, we still need to take some time from our busy schedules to communicate with Almighty God, our Creator and Controller. And today we’ll do that through the prayer from the October In Touch Devotional. So please pray with me: ‘Father, You see me on my best days – and on my worst. And You LOVE me the same through it all. Every hour You watch over me. You see my victories and my failures. When I stumble, You don’t condemn me. You reach out Your hand and lift me up. Teach me to reflect Your faithfulness. I want my life to show others the great LOVE You’ve shown me. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
What a wonderful God we serve my fellow believers! He’s constantly watching over us, so He knows all about us; both the good and the bad, but yet He still LOVES us with a fiery, undeniable, unalterable LOVE! And there are so many scriptures that proclaim God’s undying LOVE for us, that we can spend the whole day looking at them, and still not cover them all. (smile) But let’s cover a few of the more well known ones, to stir up our own LOVE. And I have to put my favourite here first, as stated in the words of Bruh Paul. ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8)
Now if that doesn’t show real LOVE and compassion, I don’t know what does. As one overviews explains: ‘It highlights unconditional LOVE given even before human flaw was removed.’ And that’s the gospel truth, because the Lord didn’t wait for us to become as sin free as possible under our own strength, He went right ahead and gave us the opportunity to do so through His awesome LOVE and power. That brings us to this next awesome scripture that emphasizes God’s great LOVE for His human creation.
Words from the mouth of Jesus Himself, the one who put the Father’s amazing LOVE into action. He said to Nicodemus the Jewish leader who came to him by night seeking answers. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16) Ah friends, that shows the supreme sacrifice of both the Father and the Son, who were willing to forego their own pleasure to enable us to have the gifts of salvation and eternal life.
Now it could be nothing else but LOVE that caused them to make such an amazing, very much needed sacrifice. For as John says in his first epistle: ‘He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE.’ (1 John 4:8) And that’s the glorious truth! If you don’t know LOVE, you cannot know God, because that’s His major attribute! Now listen to these verses which show that although we are not perfect and make mistakes, ofttimes too many unnecessary ones, the Lord doesn’t denigrate or belittle us for them, but instead helps us to get up and do better the next time around.
The prophet Jeremiah, remembering the tough times he faced under the judgemental hand of God, (Jer. 3:1-20) solemnly declares in his Lamentations. ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:21-23) Yes friends, if the Lord so desired, He could wipe us out every day for our abominable transgressions, but because of His compassion and overwhelming faithfulness, we’re still around. Instead, He gives us new grace, and mercy ever morning that we are alive.
As Bruh David says in Psalm 103: ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS)… He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-KIDNESS) toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.’ (Ps. 103:8, 10-12) Wow! What other God have you ever heard about that’s so generous to his subjects like ours eh?
There’s none! For as the psalmist says in Psalm 96 – God’s Greatness: ‘For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.’ (Ps. 96:5) That’s for sure! And as it so rightly says in Psalm 135 -Praise the Lord. ‘The idols (gods) of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.’ (Ps. 135: 15-17) And how could they ever have breath eh, when they are made by human hands, and the breath of life ONLY comes from Jehovah God?
And although many of us desire to show or reflect that amazing faithfulness of God in our lives, it’s not an easy task, but we can certainly do better than we’re currently doing, by going to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, for divine aid to do it. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land.
So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, please note that it’s not only the heathen, but also we believers, who need to wake up and smell the coffee, if we want to be worthwhile witnesses and ambassadors for Christ! Much LOVE!
…there is nothing greater in this world…than God’s heartfelt LOVE and compassion for humanity…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a legend of West Indian culture, ambassadors of Christ, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, are not able to kill the soul, are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, be renewed and refreshed, be witnesses unto me, believers also need to wake up and smell the coffee, Calypso Rose, Caribbean culture, carnival celebrations, Christ employs us to spread His gospel around the world, claypso rivalry, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, divine help, do a better job of witnessing for Christ, even the smallest most insignficant details, faith, fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell, fear not them which kill the body, fear ye not therefore, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship and relaxation, give our leaders wise guidance, God takes an interest in everything in our lives, God watches over us with tender loving care, God's omnipotent help, gone home to be with the Lord, grateful for the two day work break, help us to be responsible, him will I confess before my Father in heaven, holy spirit, iin soul body and mind, Jesus Christ, keep God first place in our lives, legacy of calypso, Lord Kitchener, Lord Melody, Lord we desperately need your help, LOVE, mercy, no place in a Christian's life, one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, put calypso on the world stage, recuperate from the Thanksgiving celebrations, salvation, serious problems are escalating, Slinger Francisco, smell it sweet and strong, stand strong and steadfast, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Birdie, the Calypso King of the World, the good example that we your faithful believers set, the good outweighed the bad, the Mighty Sparrow, the social conscience of the nation, the throne of grace, the very hairs of your head are all numbered, the weekend's here at last, to handle these unexpected storms properly, took politicians to task, trusting faith, truth, unto the uttermost part of the earth, whosoever shall confess me before men, wisdom, with your generaous help, ye shall receive power when the Holy ghost is come upon you
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 October 2026 Matthew 10:31.
Matthew 10:31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
And yes, it’s truly Friday, so although it’s a wet, cloudy, windy, chilly day, our Friday Mantra was still offered up with a loud, thankful voice: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at last!’ We’re all grateful for the two day break from work, but some of us badly need it to recuperate from all the Thanksgiving celebrations at the beginning of the week, and then the horror of work right on top of it. (smile)
And today I want to offer a short tribute to one of the world’s greatest entertainers, Slinger Francisco (1935-1926); better known as the Mighty Sparrow, who recently died in New York, the place he’s called home for several years now. Sparrow was one of the men who put Calypso on the world stage, along with other performers like Kitchener, Melody, and Calypso Rose. What’s not as widely known though is that Sparrow was also a wonderful balladeer as his album of ballads proves. Sparrow was indeed an all-round performer, who kept the legacy of Calypso alive for some seven decades.
Born in Grenada, Sparrow grew up in Trinidad and did the country proud. He wasn’t an angel, and there are numerous stories about his bad side. But I believe the good outweighed the bad, and that’s about all any of us can ask for in this complicated and oftentimes tough life. However, I remember the days of the rivalry between himself, Kitchener and Melody, always fighting to win the Road March, the most popular tune played on the road at the Carnival celebrations, while constantly provoking each other in song.
Those were the days when the calypsonians were the social conscience of the nation, because they sang about the problems of the nation, took politicians to task, and generally kept the nation alive to some of the things that were happening, be they good, bad or indifferent. Sadly, today that social consciousness has been lost, as the young performers don’t seem to care about what’s happening in their country, their songs are now about sex, alcohol and having a good time, while the nation flounders under poor governments. But I guess I’m just an ole fogey, as one friend would call that progress.
Anyhow, Sparrow, Dr. Slinger Francisco, the Birdie, the Calypso King of the World, the Supreme Serenader, amongst his many names, was given a major send off today in Trinidad, on the road obviously, as only Trinidadians can do, and his awesome legacy to Caribbean Culture will live on forever. Yes friends, one of the legends of West Indian culture has gone home to be with the Lord, for he was not only a singer of Calypso, but I believed he found religion in his later life and also has a compilation of religious songs in his wide and amazing repertoire. Rest in peace Sparrow.
Now let’s look at an interesting scripture where Jesus teaches about fear and worry, and just happens to talk about sparrows. (smile) He warns: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him (God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:28-31)
Oh my people isn’t that ever so reassuring to know that our God watches over us with tender, LOVING care. And though sparrows were sold for only a small price, making them insignificant in the market place, God still sees and knows when they fall, and we are valued much more than many sparrows. So much so that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. (smile) Therefore we don’t need to live in fear or anxiety because our marvelous God takes an interest in every single thing that happens in our lives; yes even the smallest and most insignificant details.
The problem though is that we need to keep God first place in our lives, if we expect Him to pay serious attention to all that happens to us and then help us solve whatever problems we encounter. Jesus addressed that situation right after making the above statements. He said; ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 10:32-33)
There we have it my brethren, accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour doesn’t mean just doing so and then keeping quiet about it. No! It means talking to others about Jesus, because we are in effect His ambassadors, His representatives, His disciples on the earth, the means He employs to spread His gospel around the world. As he said to the disciples before His ascension: ‘But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ (Acts. 1:8)
And it’s obvious that we’re not doing a very good job of being His witnesses all over the world, because the world is now in such an uproar of hate and strife, that would not be happening if we were better ambassadors. But all is not lost, we can still go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, to obtain divine help to do a better job.
Altogether: 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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Let’s remember though, that we believers also need to wake up and smell the coffee, so that we can do a better job of witnessing for Christ! Much LOVE!
…with God closely watching over us…constant fear and anxiety…have no place in a Christian’s life…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cry for help, a long weekend, according to His abundant mercy, amidst all the anxiety and confusion, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, another beautiful autumn day, as good as some but better than many, be able to comfort them which are in trouble, be joyful O earth, better than an ox or bullock, blessed be God, blossomed up to heaven, break forth in singing O mountains, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God, Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, come into deep waters, covered on all sides by our wonderful God, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, divine aid, don't let your hair down too much, end of sermon, faith, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, give our leaders wise guidance, God will have mercy on the afflicted, God will save Zion, God's omnipotent help, God's generous help, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, help us to be responsible, holy spirit, horns and hoofs, I am poor and sorrowful, Jesus Christ, keep our faith strong, kept by the power of God, let the heaven and earth praise him, let thy salvation O God, LOVE, mercy, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God, my throat is dried, neck deep in problems, no leaves fell off the trees, no need to worry, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, our trusting faith, preparation for the upcoming celebrations, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, requirements of our daily walk with christ, reserved in heaven for you, salvation, save me O God, serious problems are escalating, set me up on high, sing o heavens, sink in deep mire, stand strong and steadfast, tall trees caught up in an exhilarating dance with the wind, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that fadeth not away, that's when serious problems occur, the crazy moments of the dance, the Father of mercies, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the floods overflow me, the God of All Comfort, the good example that we your faithful believers set, the gospel truth, the humble shall see this and be glad, the Lord hath comforted his people, the Lord hears the poor, the only one who can solve our problems, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the seas and everything that moves therein, the seed of his servants shall inherit it, the strong wind that's cavorting through the area, the throne of grace, the trees endured the dance quite well, the trees stood resilient, the waters are come in unto my soul, the weekend is here at last, they that love his name shall dwell therein, through faith unto salvation, to be revealed in the last time, too comfortable Christians, truth, underperfoming Christians, unexpected storms, ungodly times, we're never short of mercy or comfort, weary of my crying, where there is no standing, who comforts us in all our tribulation, who gives us life and health, wisdom, won't concentrate on our hurts, your heart shall live that seek God
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 October 2026 Psalm 69:30.
Psalm 69:30. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Oh my people, it’s another beautiful, sunshiny autumn day in my neighbourhood, though with seemingly a little less heat from the sun, (smile) possibly caused by the strong wind that’s again cavorting through the area. But surprisingly, I just watched some tall trees in my neighbour’s backyard caught up in an exhilarating dance with the wind, however they endured it quite well, with no leaves dropping off in the crazy moments of the dance. The trees stood resilient, like we believers in Christ ought to stand when strong provocation and temptation from the enemy comes our way.
And is this kind of weather ever so welcome as we celebrate our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Yes, this is the big weekend of thanks in our wonderful country of Canada. We’re not perfect, possibly as good as some, but certainly better than many. No wonder our Friday Mantra blossomed like it did up to heaven earlier this morning. ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last!’ And a long weekend to boot! So you know the busyness that’s taking place in preparation for all the upcoming celebrations. And I would be amiss if I didn’t warn us to be careful in those celebrations, don’t let our hair down too much, because that’s when serious problems occur. End of sermon! (smile)
Now what does the Lord want us to talk about today? Well the Good Book opened at Psalm 69, Bruh David’s cry for help: ‘Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck). I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.’ (Ps. 69:1-3) Yes my fellow believers, many of us are now in a situation like Bruh David was back then, but we won’t concentrate our hurts today, no, not on this Thanksgiving weekend.
Instead, we’ll go to the end of the psalm where Bruh David, despite his sad and sorry state, decides to offer thanksgiving and praise to our great God. He solemnly declares: ‘But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed (descendants) also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that LOVE his name shall dwell therein.’ (Ps. 69: 29-36)
Yes friends, though we are neck deep in problems, we must never forget our great God who gives us life and health and the many other benefits we enjoy, and who oftentimes is the only One who can solve our problems. Thus, thanks and praise are necessary requirements of our daily walk with Christ. And on this Thanksgiving weekend when the world is in such a topsy-turvy state, with strife, hate and anger being so prevalent, it’s of the utmost importance that we give thanks and praise to our Creator. It’s like the prophet Isaiah said so long ago to his people Israel. ‘Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on the afflicted.’ (Is. 49:13)
And that’s the gospel truth my faithful brethren! Our God will indeed be merciful and comfort us in time of need, because, as Bruh Paul writes to the Corinthians in his second letter. ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:3-4) Meaning that God is not only merciful, but also comforts us, and furthermore, enables us to comfort others with that same comfort He bestows on us. So we’re never really short of mercy or comfort.
And, as Peter in his wisdom reminds us: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet. 1:3-5) That means, though we suffer tribulation in this evil and ungodly world, we’re covered on all sides by our wonderful God, and there’s no need to worry, but let our faith keep us strong.
And for divine aid to do that, let’s go confidently, but humbly to the throne of grace. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let’s remember that it’s not only the ungodly who need to wake up and smell the coffee, but also we underperforming, too comfortable Christians! Much LOVE!
…thanks and praise are essential…in our walk with God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
22 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a desperate half crazed man, all Israel and Judah loved David, allow jealousy to eat away at our souls, an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, become the king's son in law, by the good example we your faithful believers set, christianity, Christians, Christians also need to wake up and smell the coffee, consummate trickster, David avoided out of his presence twice, David behaved wisely in all his ways, David did not repay evil for evil, David escaped twice from Saul's javelin, David played with his hand, David's killed his ten thousands, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, even to the wall, faith, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, give our leaders wise guidance, God's omnipotent help, God's aweseom grace and mercy, help us to be responsible, holy spirit, how does jealousy affect us, I will smite David, if God spares our lives, in soul body and mind, intriguing and explosive realtionship, it came to pass, jealousy, jealousy destroys one's soul and mind, jealousy flared in Saul's soul, jealousy is running rampant, jealousy over petty stuff, Jesus Christ, life passing by like a blur, live each day as it was our last, live to see the weekend, LOVE, mercy, no man can touch you, not a healthy situation, on the morrow, one day we'll breathe our last, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, problems are escalating, renewed and refeshed, salvation, Saul became David's enemy continually, Saul cast the javelin at David, Saul disobeyed the Lord's command at Gilgal, Saul prophesied in the midst of the house, Saul removed David from his presence, Saul schemed to have Daid marry his daughter Michal, Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines, Saul was afraid of david, Saul was yet more afraid of David, Saul's daughter Michal loved David, Saul's killed his thousands, smell it sweet and strong, stand strong and steadfast, Sual made David a captain over his men, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, the green eyed monster, the Lord had departed from Saul, the Lord was with David, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, today's greedy and selfish world, top dog in the pound, trusting faith, truth, two short days off, two thousand Philistine foreskins, unique relationship, when the hand of the Lord is upon you, wisdom, with God's generous help
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 May 2026 1 Samuel 18:29.
1 Samuel 18:29. And Saul was yet more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.
It’s Friday friends, the long awaited day. And though it’s somewhat cloudy and windy, our Friday Mantra nonetheless was sent up to high heaven with much zest: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last!’ And unfortunately, some of us just live to see the weekend, the rest of the week just passes by like a blur. But that is not a healthy situation, as it means most of your life is also passing by like blur. And if you’re a believer in Christ Jesus, then that’s the worst thing that can happen, for it will mean not doing a good job for Jesus, as well as missing out on a lot of the good stuff He has in store for you.
So please, let’s smarten up and live each day as though it was our last, for one unknown day, we’ll certainly breathe our last. And seeing that in God’s awesome grace and mercy, it’s not today, (smile) let’s keep yesterday’s promise to continue looking at the unique relationship between king Saul, Bruh David and Saul’s son, Johnathan. Now yesterday we stopped at where the women came out dancing and singing about Saul killing his thousands in battle, but Bruh David his ten thousands. And that really had the green eyed monster, jealousy, flaring in Saul’s soul, because he interpreted that to mean the people viewed Bruh David with greater affection, and as a superior warrior to him.
Now that’s not anything new, for all of us are besieged or overwhelmed by jealousy at some time in our lives. The important thing though is how we allow it to affect us. That leads us to question the effect this jealousy had on Saul? Remember Bruh David was also Saul’s harp player, so they interacted closely not only on the battlefield but also in the palace. Consequently, the Bible tells us: ‘And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it.
And David avoided out of his presence (escaped) twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from him (from his presence), and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways (not repaying evil for evil); and the Lord was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely (not repaying evil for evil), he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah LOVED David, because he went out and came in before them.’ (1 Sam. 18:10-16)
Ah mih people, Saul knew that he was on the way out, because Samuel had told him that after he disobeyed the Lord’s command at Gilgal. (1 Sam. 15) So now, he was a desperate, half crazed man, as we usually become when we learn that we’re no longer needed, or no longer the top dog in the pound, and he spent the rest of his life unsuccessfully trying to kill Bruh David. But as we know, when the hand of the Lord is upon you, no man can touch you. And Saul tried all manner of trickery to get his evil desire. He inveigled Bruh David to marry first his daughter Merab, then his other daughter Michal, on discovering that she LOVED Bruh David.
Apparently Bruh David like the idea, but told the servants Saul sent to convey it, that he was too poor and lightly esteemed to marry the king’s daughter. And consummate trickster that he was, Saul devised this evil and immoral scheme. The Bible relates it this way: ‘And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law: and the days were not expired.
Wherefore David arose, and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale (count) to the king, that he might become the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter LOVED him. And Saul was yet more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.’ (1 Sam. 18:25-29)
Ah mih people, how sad and sick we become when we allow jealousy to eat away at our souls! And unfortunately, many of us in today’s greedy and selfish world are allowing jealousy to run and thus ruin our lives, and oftentimes, not even over important but petty, trifling stuff. And all of that just brings our world closer to death and destruction, for a society like ours, where jealousy is running rampant, cannot survive the destruction it causes. And if God spares our lives again tomorrow, then we’ll continue looking at this intriguing and explosive relationship between King Saul, Bruh David and Jonathan.
Now let’s go to the throne of grace through our Friday Chant, seeking help to cauterize and cut out all the evil stuff in our world. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And let’s remember that it’s not only the unbelievers who need to wake up and smell the coffee, but also we supposedly faithful believers. So let’s do just that nuh, so we can keep up the good work for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…jealousy…does nothing else but destroy one’s soul and mind…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a big storm arose, a directive from God that we don't like, always obey God's directive, another week of work, arise, be renewed and refreshed, by the good example we your faithful believers set, call upon thy God, cast lots, cast me forth into the sea, Christian witness leaves a lot to be desired, christianity, Christians, cry out against it, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, disobey the Lord's directive, disobeying God also causes others to be hurt, divine aid, faith, flee from the presence of the Lord, for my sake is this great tempest upon you, found a ship going to Tarshish, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship and relaxation, getting me safely through another week of work, give our leaders wise guidance, go to Nineveh that great city, God is omnipotent omniscient and omni-present, God working in His mysterious ways, God's omnipotent help, green foliage, help us to be responsible, holy spirit, how foolish was that, hurt ourselves and others when we intentionally disobey God, if God spares life, in these two short days off, Jesus Christ, joah rose up to flee unto Tarshish, Jonah was fast asleep, Jonah went to Joppa, lay not upon us innocent blood, let us not perish for this man's life, LOVE, made vows, make multiple excuses, mercy, offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, others suffer for our disobedience, our sinful world can wake up, paid the fare thereof, problems are escalating, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, salvation, so shall the sea be calm unto you, spring, stand strong and steadfast, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that God will think on us, that we perish not, the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, the BIBLE, the long and short of the story, the lot fell on Jonah, the men feared the Lord exceedingly, the rebirth of our dead world, the safest wat to avoid trouble, the sea ceased her raging, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, the word of the Lord came unto Jonah, their wickedness is come up before me, these troubled times, they took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea, thou O Lord hast done as it pleased thee, to handle unexpected storms properly, trusting faith, truth, wake up and smell the coffee, we beseech thee O Lord, we cannot escape god's presence, we cannot run from God without consequences, what meanest thou O sleeper, wherefore they cried unto the Lord, wisdom, wise guidance, with your generous help
Jonah 1:2. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry (out) against it; for their wickedness is come before me.
And after the rain comes the sun … that’s the Lord’s decree. And so it’s been this Friday morning in early May, when the trees are blooming with new life and a picturesque colour of green foliage. That tells us that it’s surely spring, the rebirth of our dead world in the northern climes. And with that breath of freshness in the air, our Friday Mantra rose gaily to heaven: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at long last!’
And is it ever so nice to see leaves on the trees again. By the way, that tree in my neighbour’s backyard still has the old leaves that survived the winter, blowing along with the new ones. You can see their light brown colour amongst the light green of the new leaves. Will keep you informed on that unusual scenario. (smile)
And today, we’ll also look at another interesting story, that of the prophet Jonah. The Bible tells it thus: ‘Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah (Dove) the son of Amittai (Truth), saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry (out) against it; for their wickedness is come before me.’ (Jon. 1:1-2)
Now, that’s how it usually begins; with a directive from the Lord that we don’t care for. So what happens then? We make multiple excuses and then disobey the Lord’s directive. And Jonah was no different. The Bible continues: ‘But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.’ (Jon. 1:3)
How foolish was that eh? Did Jonah really expect to escape from the Lord’s presence? Likewise, do we really expect to escape from His presence when we run and hide from Him? Oh friends, hiding from Almighty God is impossible, because He’s omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present. Meaning, He’s all powerful, all knowing, and all present, or present everywhere. So, I don’t know if Jonah really thought he could run from the Lord without any consequences. But hopefully we know that. (smile)
And during the journey to Tarshish, a big storm arose, that wanted to break up the boat. So the voyagers were all afraid, and cried out to their own god, while casting out stuff to lighten the boat. ‘But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.’ (Jon. 1:5b) Like Jonah was doing a Jesus routine; fast asleep during the storm, while the boat was about to break up. (Mark 4:35-41) But like Jesus, his restful sleep was unfortunately disturbed.
‘So the shipmaster (captain) came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil (trouble) is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.’ (Jon. 1:6-7) How amazing eh mih people for the lot to fall on Jonah! But we all know that was the hand of the Lord working in His mysterious ways.
And there’s one important thing to note here; in our disobedience, or running from God, we don’t only hurt ourselves, but very often innocent people too. The other people on the ship didn’t do anything to warrant the trouble, but Jonah’s disobedient presence amongst them, forced them to withstand unnecessary trouble. So please, let’s think seriously about what we’re doing when we try to get away from God, for some of our LOVED ones might end up suffering for our disobedience.
The long and short of Jonah’s story is that he eventually told his shipmates what was happening with him. And when they asked what they could do so that the sea would be calm; ‘And he said unto them, Take (pick) me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto (for) you: for I know that for my sake (because of me) this great tempest is upon you.’ (Jon. 1:12) But the men didn’t take him seriously and still rowed hard through the storm trying to come to land.
But the storm was too powerful for them. ‘Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us (do not charge us) with innocent blood: for thou O Lord hast done as it pleased thee.’ (Jon. 1:14) And there was absolutely no doubt about that; the Lord had indeed done as He pleased. (smile) ‘So they took up (lifted) Jonah, and cast him forth (hurled him) into the sea: and the sea ceased her raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord and made vows.’ (Jon. 1:15-16)
Now, it doesn’t always happen thus, but fortunately in this case, Jonah’s disobedience might also have created some believers, as they witnessed God’s immense power. However, the safest way to stop potential trouble from happening, is always to obey the Lord’s directive. And tomorrow, if God spares life, we will continue with Jonah’s story, and see what other valuable lessons we can learn from it. Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant seeking divine aid to help in these troubled times.
Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And as we keep saying, it’s not only the unbelievers who need to wake up and smell the coffee, but also we supposedly faithful believers, because our Christian witness still leaves a lot to be desired. Much LOVE!
…oh…how we hurt ourselves and others…when we intentionally disobey God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
26 Sep 2025
by randyobrien50
in Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new flock of believers, Abraham prayed for Ahimelech, Abraham wavered not from God's command, Abram did not learn his lesson, Abram twice claimed Sarai was his sister, Abram's behaviour, be not afraid of them that kill the body, because of the Pharisees, by the example we faithful believers set, can do no more after that, Christians often live by fear not faith, crying out for God's help, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, discontent, dissatisfaction, divine aid, embrace your love and compassion, escalating problems, faith, favourite day of our work week, fear God who can kill both body and soul, fear him who after killing, Friday chant, give our leaders wise guidance, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, God made the women of Ahimelech's household barren, God's omnipotent help, God's amazing grace, hath power to cast into hell, him will I also deny before my Father in heaven, him will I confess before my Father in heaven, holy spirit, improved witness for Christ, in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, lest they be put out of the synagogue, LOVE, many believed on Jesus, mercy, more than the praise of God, our sinful world, refused to publicly acknowledge Jesus, restoring faith in you, return backsliders to your fold, safe in the protection of God, salvation, show them the error of their ways, slay me for my wife's sake, stand strong and steadfast, standard of witness for Christ, stop fearing man, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the anxiety and confusion, the fear of God is not in this place, the fear of man bringeth a snare, the last weekend of September, the Lord healed the women's barrenness, the Lord plagued Pharaoh, the Lord provided a ram for the sacrifice, the promised child Isaac, the throne of grace, these ungodly times, they loved the praise of men, trusting faith, truth, unexpected storms, wake up and smell the coffee, we of little faith, whoso puts their trust in the Lord shall be safe, whosoever shall confess me before men, wisdom, wise guidance
Proverbs 29:25. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe (secure).
And then, it was that favourite day of our work week, Friday! And all kinds of shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ obviously rose to high heaven, especially since Friday has turned out to be bright and sunny, not cloudy and damp like the last few days have been. Now, would you believe that we’re also getting into the last weekend of September and we haven’t seen one truly chilly day as yet. That’s certainly unusual, but we’ll take it, and say the Lord be praised. (smile)
Now today, we want to continue along the same path as yesterday, talking about being safe in the protection of Almighty God. And once more, we want to put forward this marvellous advice from Cousin Sol. ‘The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe (secure).’ (Prov. 29:25) And we see the truth of that statement right from the very beginning, when Abram went down to Egypt due to a famine in his land, and feared for his life because his wife Sarai was beautiful, and convinced her to say that she was his sister.
And so it was. The Egyptians indeed saw her as beautiful and Pharaoh took her into his house and paid Abram well for the privilege. (Gen. 12:10-16) But soon thereafter, the Bible tells us: ‘Then the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.’ (Gen. 12:17) When Pharaoh realized what had happened, he called Abram, upbraided him, and sent him away with Sarai and all his possessions.
But he still did not learn his lesson, for later on when he became Abraham and sojourned in Gerar, he again said that Sarah was his sister. This time to king Abimelech, who obviously took her into his household. But thankfully, the Lord appeared to the king and threatened him to give Sarah back to her husband. (Gen. 20:1-10) And when Abimelech rebuked Abraham, his excuse was: ‘Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake (on account of my wife).’ (Gen. 20:11)
And thus again, through God’s amazing grace, he was sent away with more riches. But the interesting scenario is that God had closed up all the wombs of the women in Ahimelech’s household because he took Sarah into his house. However, when all was said and done, Abraham prayed for Ahimelech and his household, and the Lord healed the women’s barrenness. Obviously friends, up to that time, our patriarch, both as Abram and Abraham, did not truly put his complete trust in the God whom he claimed to believe in.
But all of that was greatly improved by the time that Abraham received the promised child of Isaac and then the Lord told him to go and sacrifice the child. Abraham did not waiver, but went and did as the Lord commanded,. And we all know that the Lord provided a ram for the sacrifice instead of Issac. (Gen. 22:1-14) Now that’s the level of trust and faith to which we should all aspire, simply doing whatever God tells us to do, without querying it, knowing that He will eventually work it all out for our good.
Oh my brethren, it’s like Jesus warns in the gospel of Luke: ‘And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kil the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea,, I say unto you, Fear him.’ (Luke 12:4-5) And that’s the best advice we can ever receive; stop fearing man, who can only kill the body, but fear God, who can kill both the body and soul.
And we see that fear of man persisting even amongst the Jewish rulers of Jesus’ time. As John writes about people refusing to believe in Jesus despite all that he had done. ‘Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess (publicly acknowledge) him, lest they be put out of the synagogue. For they LOVED the praise of men more than the praise of God.’ (John 12:42-43)
And to this day, nothing much has changed in that respect. Many of us still refuse to confess Jesus publicly because we’re afraid of what mankind would do. Ah we of little faith! But let’s go home remembering these most important words of Jesus on the subject. ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 10:32-33) Yes friends, those are good words for us to ponder on today, as we go to the throne of grace through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid in these terrible times.
Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times.
We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Oh my people, we pray good prayers, but unfortunately our Christian witness is not up to standard, so our prayers are not answered. Therefore, let’s concentrate on lifting the standard of witness for Christ nuh, for then, and only then will we receive divine aid! Much LOVE!
…many Christians claim to have faith…but too often it’s fear they live by…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
