12 Dec 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future, association with Jesus, cymbals, encouragement, every creature, every tongue shall confess, everything that breathes, excellent greatness, firmament of power, four and twenty elders, four beasts, gifts and joys of heaven, glad, glad to be alive, glory, grin and bear it, hands on the plough, honour, in heaven, in the face of adversity, in the Lord's time, Jesus christ is Lord, looking straight ahead, loves, not looking back, on earth, organs, people pray, power, praise, Praise ye the Lord, riches, sanctuary, shout Hallelujah, song of praise, stand strong and steadfast, stringed instruments, surgery postponed, the Big Day, the breath of life, the Good Book, the joyfulness of our hearts, the Lord is still in control, to the glory of the Father, Top o' the morn, under the sea, Wednesday Wail, worthy is the Lamb
Psalm 150:1. Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah). Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power (mighty firmament or expanse).
Top o’ the morn my wonderful friends and Scrip-Bit family! It’s indeed a new day and are we ever grateful for having been allowed to see it. But fortunately or not, this IS NOT going to be the Big Day! Steups! Ah Lord eh, as the old people would say, ‘the best laid plans of mice and men usually go astray,’ as well as, ‘while man plans, God laughs!’
Hn, hn, hn! I can only laugh yes! But the long and short of the story is that yesterday afternoon around two o’clock, while waiting for a call from the hospital to let me know what time to come in today, I got a call from them saying that they had been forced to postpone the surgery until next Wednesday because of some unspecified emergency. So I have another week to wait.
I’m laughing here wondering whether I’m really to do this surgery, because it’s the second time it’s been postponed right at the last minute. I don’t know how many of you remember that way back in March, I went in there to have it done, and after some tests they claimed that my heart was much better and I didn’t need the device, so they sent me home the next day without it. Then 8 months later, they called and said I needed it. Now this!
But not to worry friends, the ole fella is doing okay, I know that I just need to grin and bear it, for the Lord is still in control, so if He wants it done, it will be done…but just in His time! However, I am very grateful for all your prayers and words of encouragement that I’ve received, and please don’t stop praying, because I need the encouragement to stand strong and steadfast in the face of this adversity. (smile)
And I know that the Lord is glad -Chuh! like glad is my new misspelled word – because many people prayed, who might not have ordinarily done so, and we know that heaven is always overjoyed when people pray, so let’s keep it up nuh. And where do we go from here? I really don’t know nuh. But give me a minute or two, let me see where the Good book will guide us. Soon come!
And would you believe I opened that most memorable and worthy tome to the last page of the psalms, where I read from the last one: ‘Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah). Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power (mighty firmament or expanse).’
And is that ever the best thing we can do, especially when in doubt friends! The Lord our God LOVES to hear His praise being sung by His people, because that’s one of the reasons why He created us in the first place! When praise rises up to heaven, especially to just praise Him from the joyfulness of our hearts, there is great celebration in that majestic place! Glory to God!
Hear the psalmist continue nuh: ‘Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet (cornet): praise him with the psaltery (lute or lyre) and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah!)’ (Ps.150:2-6)
Ah mih people, praise to our great God is not only becoming, but it’s expected! Hear what the scholars say: ‘As the final song of praise, it appropriately answers four key questions about praise. (1) Where should God be praised? Everywhere, from His sanctuary on earth to His heavenly creation (v.1). (2) Why should God be praised? For His powerful deeds on behalf of men and for His inherent greatness (v 2).
(3) How should God be praised? With every suitable instrument man can offer with His God-given creativity and artistry (vs.3-5). (4) Who should praise God? Everything that breathes (v.6). Though every verse of the psalm is cast in the form of a call to praise, the hymn is certainly prophetic of a day when every creature will in fact bow in praise to the Almighty God. (Phil.2:11; Rev.5:8-14).’
Yes my faithful brethren, EVERYTHING that moves in this God created universe, ought to praise God and give Him the glory He so deservedly desires! And it will happen one glorious day, as Bruh Paul tells the Philippians: ‘And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:11)
And John the Revelator describes how ‘the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb…And they sung a new song, …Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
And EVERY creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and ALL that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.’ (Rev.5:8; 12-13).
Yes friends, if the Lord says it’s going to happen, then believe…it will happen…in His glorious and perfect time! Now let’s go home declaring our position in Christ to all and sundry by broadcasting our Wednesday Wail in strong voice, with sincere hearts (smile). Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday!
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Yeh mih people, let’s just keep fixating on that glorious future we’ll spend with Jesus till eternity! Glory Hallelujah indeed!
Much LOVE!…only by association with Jesus…can we enjoy…all the wonderful gifts and joys of heaven…
17 Feb 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a faithful Creator, another week of work, blessed are ye, busybody, but as thou wilt, cast not away your confidence, christ jesus, Christian, dancing, dominion, done the will of god, eating, endurance, energy, evildoer, exceeding joy, faithful, fiery trial, force meets resistance, Friday chant, friends, fun, generous help, glad, glorify God, glorify Jesus, glorious kingdom, glory, Glory Halleujah, God's grace, good works, he fell on his face, He is faithful that promised, Hebrews, hold fast the confession of our faith, if it be possible, in Jesus' name, insulted, judgement, let this cup pass from me, LOVE, make you perfect, meddler, murderer, not as I will, o my father, optimum way, patience, prayed, pushing the envelope, rebelled, receive the promise, recompense, rejoice, relaxation, reproached, rest, reward, rewards, righteous, romancing, settle you, singing, something's got to give, spirit of glory, stand strong in Faith, stewards, strengthen, suffering, talents, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the God of all grace, the keeping of their souls, the Lord's will, the name of Christ, the workingman, thief, time, to try you, wavering, ye are partakers of Christ's suffering
Matthew 26:39. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Oh friends, can you believe it? My body rebelled against me again to day! Hn, hn! But what can I expect eh, when I keep pushing the envelope?
What’s it they say about when force meets resistance – one of them has to give? Well I’m the one who’s been giving these last couple days! (smile)
Meanwhile, the workingman is all excited, loudly declaring: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend’s here! The weekend’s here at long last! Is our time now! Glory Hallelujah! And we going to use it just as we please; drinking and eating, dancing and romancing! Thank God for Fridays and the weekend!’
Ah mih people, I know that after a hard week’s work, that’s the way many of us feel, but that’s not the optimum way to use our short time off. Our Friday chant presents a much better alternative. So let’s chant it out loud and clear, like how the workingman belted out his song of freedom.
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.’
Yes my brethren, it’s all about using our time, talents and energy in the best manner that glorifies our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Our thoughts should constantly be permeated by, ‘will this glorify Jesus?’ for that’s why we were so wonderfully made.
Just as Jesus was made to glorify His heavenly Father, and did so above all else, as we see from our Bit. ‘And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’
So ought we to consider the Lord’s will before we do anything at all in this earthly life.
And today we’ll continue looking at the words of some of the saints on the topic. Listen to the author of Hebrews: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works: …
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:23-24; 35-36)
Yes my fellow believers, we have to stand strong in faith, in LOVE and good works and concentrate on doing God’s will, so that we can receive His faithful promise afterwards. If we don’t do His will, there won’t be any rewards later on. It’s as simple as that.
Now hear Peter as he talks about being good stewards of God’s grace. ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as (to the extent that) ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached (insulted) for the name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of (blasphemed), but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody (meddler) in other men’s matters.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf (matter). For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.’ (1 Pet.4:12-19)
Ah precious people of God, although our earthly circumstances may be painful and difficult, it’s only in doing God’s will, and with His help, bearing up under the pressure, that we will reap joy when Jesus returns.
I know it sounds unfair and whatever else, but that’s the way our God operates, and we know that He is a good God, and will work everything out for our benefit in the end. So let’s not lose faith while we wait.
And we’ll end with this admonition from Peter. ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen!’ (1 Pet.5:10-11)
What more can I say eh friends? Not a whole lot. Doing God’s will is just the lot of Christians. Much LOVE!
…if ye suffer with and for Christ…you will rejoice and be glad with Him…when He returns…
30 Nov 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a coward, a glorious future with Jesus, a part of our lifewalk, a youngster, according to His purpose, all things work together for good, an open heart, are called, arthritic bones, baffling, become like christ, believers in Christ, beloved, blasphemed, Christ's glory be revealed, Christ's sufferings, Christ-like, come first, conformed, crying out, deep cutting pain, difficulties, emotional trauma, escape the testing, evidence, evil, evil spoken of, exceeding joy, faith, fiery furnace, fiery ordeals, fiery trial, forgiveness, friends, frightens, get out of bed, glad, glorified, glory, glory hallelujah, God's people, God's will, goodness, grieves, growth, honesty, hope, hungry hope, I ask God to steady me, incredible lessons, insulted, joy, joyful note, loneliness, losing someone, LOVE, medication, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not looking back at the past, One Year Book of Bible promises, out and about, overwhelming, pain, partakers, plead for help, positive, Praise the Lord, pray for it, praying, promise, pruning, rejoice, reproached, Ruth Harms Calkin, saltwater, some strange thing, strong faith, sunshine, sweet Tobago, teaching me, testing, the BIBLE, the breath of life, the children of men, the cross of Christ, the Garden of Gethsemane, the image of His Son, the Lord's plans, the spirit of glory, think it not strange, to them that love God, to try you, trials, tribulations, trying times, warmth, warning, we shall overcome, Wednesday Wail, willingness, without relief, yielding
1 Peter 4:12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.
Oh my fellow believers in Jesus Christ, this morning the ole fella is pleading for mercy and forgiveness in accordance with our Christian faith. (smile)
Ah friends, it seems like I’ve forgotten that I’m no longer a youngster, and after being out and about a fair amount yesterday, I also had a pretty late night… or morning. Thus, I was unable to get out of bed at a decent enough hour to write the Bit.
And to make matters even worse, the arthritic bones are crying out some this Wednesday morning…. Oh for the warmth, the sunshine, salt water and LOVE of sweet Tobago! (smile)
But not to worry, between some man-made medication and the cross of Christ, we shall overcome all our difficulties.
And all God’s people said a loud and appreciative, ‘Praise the Lord for his goodness to the children of men!’
And now that I’ve gratefully received your mercy and forgiveness so graciously offered, (smile) here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, which I think is very appropriate for many of us in these trying times.
It’s titled ‘Fiery Trials.’ And it says: ‘God is teaching me incredible lessons regarding growth. I see with undeniable evidence that growth means pruning, and pruning means pain. I confess, I’m actually a coward about pain.
I certainly never pray for it. I don’t anticipate or look for it. I do only one thing. I ask God to steady me, since the Bible so clearly states that trials are a part of our lifewalk with Him. In all honesty I would prefer to escape the testing.
I don’t like the pain of emotional trauma, which can be so overwhelming and baffling. I don’t like the deep cutting pain that goes on and on without relief. The pain of loneliness frightens me, the pain of losing someone dear to me grieves me.
Nevertheless, I am praying for an open heart. I can’t begin to contemplate what fiery ordeals God may choose for my testing and growth, but I do long for my yieldedness to prove my willingness to be conformed to the image of His dear Son.’
Oh my precious people in Christ, I am sure that each one of us have thought and prayed something like that on numerous occasions when we’ve been put through our paces by Almighty God!
No, the testing is never ever very nice, but as believers in Christ, we do need to keep an open heart and try our best to yield willingly to the trials and tribulations that come against us. We obviously don’t know the Lord’s plans for our testing, but we must also remember that He’s promised to see us successfully through each and every one.
Please remember these great and promising words of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom.8:28)
So friends, if you are one of those called by God, and you LOVE Him, then please believe that eventually He will work everything out for your good as He has promised.
And the promise for today’s ‘Fiery Trials’ writing is also our Bit, a scripture that we all know but DON’T LOVE! (smile)
‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.’
And a lot of us ask if Peter is mad or what! How can we not think it strange when those trials and tribulations suddenly come upon us, usually without any warning?
But here is Peter’s logic as he continues after our Bit. ‘But rejoice, inasmuch as (to the extent that) ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached (insulted) for the name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of (blasphemed), but on your part he is glorified.’ (1 Peter 4:13-14)
Yeh mih breddren, it is hard to accept trials, moreover to rejoice in them is extremely difficult. But please remember they are come upon us for testing, we’re being put thought fiery furnace so that we may become like Christ.
That’s the main reason, and it follows that if we suffer in His name, then we will also be glorified when He is glorified. So please hang in there and don’t be afraid to ask the Lord for help.
If Christ could plead for help in the Garden of Gethsemane before undergoing His fiery trial of crucifixion, so can we. But the important thing to realize is that God’s Will must always come first.
It’s not easy, but like Jesus did it through hungry hope and strong faith in His Father, so can we with God’s ever-present help. Now let’s go home on a more positive and joyful note, as we wail our Wednesday Wail.
Wailing… as one: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday!
I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Yes friends, instead of focusing on our trials and tribulations, let’s joyfully focus instead on the wonderful future we have to look forward to with Christ! That makes much more sense. Much LOVE!
…through the fiery furnace we go…but more Christ-like we come out…
P.S. It’s late, but great! (smile) Please keep on praying for our bubba Scotty. Much LOVE!
20 Sep 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life of sin, a Prayer fo Confidence, almighty god, blessed, bountiful, calmly, Christ-like behaviour, Christian character, common sense, confidence, conversion, crucified the flesh, difficult times, dr robert h schuller, earthly pilgrimage, face problems, faithful walk with God, fears, forget who brought us to the dance, friend of Jesus, frustrations, fulfill the lust of the flesh, glad, God is behind me, God will help me, God will rescue me, gospel truth, Hour of Power Devotional, if god is for me, leading, live by the Spirit, mu conscience is clear, new life, not afraid of problems, passions, problems, promptings, rejoice, renounced, self-assurance, serenely, share His love, share it twice, spirit of confidence, sunshiny morn, surging in my heart, Thank You God, the beloved of God, the right decision, the Son shining, this is the day the Lord has made, trip us up, trust, Tuesday Mantra, uncertainty, vices, virtues, walk in the Spirit, walk of faith, we will rejoice and be glad in it, who can be against me
Galatians 5:16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Oh my beautiful Scrip-Bit friends and families, how goes it this bright and sunshiny morn eh? We’ve gotten through Monday, despite our fears and frustrations, and Tuesday has dawned blessed and bountiful, with both the sun and the Son shining out in all their wonderful splendour!
It’s a new day, so let’s treat it like such nuh, and deliriously declare: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps.118:24) Yes friends, it’s the only sensible way to face each and every new day that we’re blessed to see!
But we can’t do that successfully without the supreme trust and confidence in Almighty God, so here is something that will help us build that confidence. Quite appropriately it’s called ‘A Prayer for Confidence,’ and it comes from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional. I’m sure I’ve shared it before, but as we say, when it’s nice, we can share it twice, and even thrice. (smile)
So please pray with me. ‘It is flowing into me now, for my conscience is clear: I have made the right decision. I am not afraid of problems. I will face challenges calmly and serenely for God is behind me. He will help me. If I must go through difficult times, He will rescue me.
I feel His spirit of confidence surging in my heart now. With Him I cannot possibly fail. “If God is for me who can be against me?” I have a strong feeling that everything is going to work out just beautifully. Thank you, God. Amen.’
Ah mih people, I do hope that prayer of confidence truly brought a surge of confidence into our hearts, bodies, souls and minds this Tuesday morning, and will enable us to go out and do a fine job for Jesus today, because it’s usually self-assurance and uncertainty that trip us up in our walk of faith.
Now let’s turn to our Bit. ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’
Oh I know some of you might be tired of it, but it’s one of those scriptures that are rather essential to our successful and faithful walk with God. We can’t do it without the successful guidance of the Holy Spirit that’s sent to dwell within us for that specific purpose, so please open your hearts wisely to it.
Now we’ve already seen what the lusts of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit are, today we’ll check out the last part of Bruh Paul’s exhortation on the subject. Yes, today’s the last day for this Bit. (smile)
After detailing the fruit of the Spirit, Bruh Paul continues thus: ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (its passions) and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:24-26)
Yes mih breddren, that’s how we ought to live if we’re a new creation in Christ!
Now listen to some explanations from the scholars. ‘5:24. At conversion every believer crucified the flesh, that is, in repentance he turned from and renounced his life of sin and all its wicked passions. This verse then implies that the virtues of verses of 22-23, rather than the vices of verses 19-21, should characterize them that are Christ’s.’ And that’s gospel truth!
‘5:25. This verse means “Since we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.” That is, since the Spirit gave us new life at conversion, we then should stay in step with His leading and promptings throughout life.’ Now that’s simple common sense my people; we shouldn’t forget who brought us to the dance.
Oh, I’ve just noticed another scholarly exposition on the Fruit of the Spirit, which I don’t want to deprive you of, so here it is. ‘5:22-23. In contrast to the works (plural) of the flesh, which any individual is capable of performing, the fruit (singular) of the Holy Spirit can be produced only by God. Christian character thus results from “Christ living in me (2:20). For this fruit to develop, all nine aspects of the fruit of the spirit must mature.
Illustration: The character of Christ is the fullest manifestation of this fruit in the New Testament. Though Jesus did not recognize the traditions of men, His enemies were unable to prove any charge against Him.
Application: So today, Christians should allow the Holy Spirit to develop this character within them, so they might be blameless before others and not hinder the testimony of Christ. (First Ref. Ex.35:31; 36:2; Primary Ref. Gal.5:22-23; cf. Phil.1:6).’
Now I won’t spoon feed you all today, (smile) so please look up those reference scriptures, they are very interesting and will help you better understand the topic.
And my people, having been through all the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit; a Christian’s character traits, over the last few days, let’s hope that it refreshes and renews our inner man, and brings out more Christ-like behaviour in us as we walk this earthly life, because this is the undoubted will of our heavenly Father.
Now let’s go home with great confidence and trust, loudly and soulfully declaring our Tuesday Mantra. ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Yes friends, that’s indeed who we are! Let’s never forget it! Much LOVE!
…as a true believer…our earthly pilgrimage …should constantly exude Christ-like traits…fruit of the Spirit…
03 Jun 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a fine time, be sober, beginning work, believers in Christ, blasphemed, calm, Christ's sufferings, circumstances, difference, distraught, dominion, duty, ending work, fellowship, fervent charity, fiery trial, focused, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glad, glorified, glorify your Father, glorious kingdom, glory, glory to God, God's child, God's grace, good cheer, good stewards, good works, grumbling, heavenly Father, hobnobbing, hospitality, in Jesus' name, in the midst of the storm, Jesus Christ, joy, let your light shine, LOVE, magnanimous, magnificent, mature Christians, minister, multitude of sins, oracles of god, overcome, parents, peace, perspective, praise, prayer, refreshed, rejoice, relaxation, renewed, rest, sing psalms, sing unto him, suffer, talents, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the ability, the end of all things, the nature of the beast, the weekend, things of the world, tribulation, understanding, watch unto prayer, week of work, wondrous works, work, worthy to be praised
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.
Oh friends, oh friends, it’s the big day…Friday!
And everybody burst out into song: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Thank God for the weekend! We’ve waited all week for this! A fine time will be had by all! Thank God for Fridays and the weekend yes!’
Oh my brethren, it’s certainly interesting how Fridays make such a big difference in our lives. I just wish we could get Monday to make such a difference. (smile) But I guess, because of the nature of the beast, a time for ending work will always be more welcome than one to begin work.
In any case, let’s chant our Friday Chant so than we can get a better perspective on the situation. Chanting: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers in Christ, furthering God’s kingdom is our duty, and we can’t perform that duty properly unless we’re well rested and properly focused. And that we definitely can’t get from hobnobbing a whole lot with the things and people of the world.
Now here’s an interesting little poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that shows the amazing difference between man and God. This one is titled ‘You’re in My Way.’
And it reads thus: ‘This morning, Lord I heard a distraught mother Say to her lively son “You’re in my way – move.” This very same morning You said to me “You’re in my way – stay.” How good it is to be your child.’
And that’s no lie my people! It is truly awesome to be a child of God! Whereas earthly parents want us to get out of their way, our heavenly Father wants us to be in His way! Glory to God!
And the Bible verse associated with that poem is: ‘Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of his wondrous works.’ (1 Chr.16:9) And is that ever what we should be about my people!
Now let’s get to our Bit, which should be finished today…no promises though, because one never knows what can crop up at the last minute. (smile)
Here is Jesus’ positive directive. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’
And this morning we’re going to look at some scripture from 1 Peter where he talks about being good stewards of God’s grace. ‘But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.
Use hospitality one to another without grudging (grumbling). As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (utterances) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in ALL THINGS may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet.4:7-11)
Yes friends, that is how we ought to behave as mature and true Christians; in LOVE, in prayer and hospitality, sincerely using the talents granted unto us, so that whatever we do, our heavenly Father will be glorified. Remember, it’s ALL about Him, not about us!
And Peter continues: ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as (to the extent that) ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached (insulted) for the name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of (blasphemed), but on your part, he is glorified.’ (1 Pet.4:12-14)
Oh my people, I know those are some hard scriptures to accept, but accept them we must if we want to be true believers and truly glorify God! It’s a simple philosophy; if you suffer for and with Christ, then when His kingdom comes you will rejoice with Him.
And remember Christ didn’t say that bad or wrong things wouldn’t happen to us down here on earth, but rather He warns of tribulation. ‘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)
However my brethren, if we stay in Christ, we can have peace despite our tribulations, despite the fiery trails that try us, because He has already overcome the world. So although times will occasionally be rough, let’s not focus on our circumstance, but on our magnanimous and magnificent God, who is able to give us peace and calm, even in the midst of the storm.
And all God’s people declared, loud and proud! ‘Praise His Holy Name, for He indeed worthy to be praised!’
Yes friends, our God is indeed worthy to be praised, so let’s go out today and do whatever He’s called us to do nuh, with a song of praise in our hearts and mouths and His wonderful peace in our souls. Much LOVE!
…our God offers such a high level of peace…that it verily surpasses our finite and limited understanding…
19 Jan 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a day in the life, a second chance, a son is given, action, Adam and Eve, alive and kicking, anxious, beauty, belief, blessings, children, Christ, dire circumstances, Dr. Robert H. Schuler, Everlasting Father, faith, fate, flavour of life, for God so loved the world, For unto us a child is born, generosity, glad, glory hallelujah, glory to God, grateful, guiding light, he gave his only begotten son, he that doeth the will of my Father, holy spirit, Hours of Power Devotional, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, life, life after death, lost, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, make a way, mercies, mighty god, miserable, misguided, natural beauty, not everyone shall enter the kingdom of heaven, obedience, Praise the Lord, prince of peace, prophecy, repentance, separation from Christ, shall not perish, share His love with the world, sin, take for granted, the children of men, the dayspring, the raison d'etre, Tuesday Mantra, unhappy, whosoever believeth on Jesus, wisdom, Wonderful Counselor, work it out for our good
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.
Well friends, it’s another day in the life! Glory to God! And are we ever glad and grateful that on this cold, snowy, Tuesday winter’s morn that we’re alive and kicking, filled with the bright guiding light of the Holy Spirit.
Yes my brethren, it’s ever so wonderful that the Dayspring, the bright morning star that’s Jesus is operating within us, bringing us all the blessings and mercies that the Father has appointed for this particular day.
And all God’s children sang out loud and proud: ‘Praise the Lord for His everlasting goodness, His LOVING-kindness to the children of men!’
Now that’s something we should never forget or take for granted my people, because without the Lord’s goodness we’d be lost, misguided and headed straight for the fiery furnace that’s Lucifer’s domain.
Anyway, on a more uplifting note, check out this poem from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hours of Power Devotional. I must have shared it with you before, since it’s too beautiful for me to have passed up. (smile)
And rather appropriately, it’s simply titled ‘BEAUTY.’ And it says: ‘Thank you, Father, for filling the world with beauty. I thank you for the beauty of life, the beauty of LOVE, the beauty of children, and the beauty of old people. I thank you for the beauty of Christ and for the beauty of any life when Christ is invited through the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Father, that you have made my life beautiful too. Amen.’
Oh Friends, when last have we given thanks for the beautiful world and people that God in His wisdom and generosity has surrounded us with eh? Long time nuh! I know that many of us don’t appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us, but it’s truly our loss, because it takes away from, depreciates the true flavour of life.
And now, since it’s Tuesday, let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra, or the Prayer of the Beloved. All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Oh what a blessed day when Jesus came into our lives, my fellow believers! So much so, that now we don’t have to hurry or worry, or concern ourselves with what people say about us, because we know that we are the beloved children of God and the friend of Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!
So why are some of us so miserable, anxious and unhappy eh? With Jesus in our hearts, that’s not necessary my brethren, even in the most dire circumstances, since if you truly believe, then you will know that He will ALWAYS make a way, even where there seems to be no way, and will ALWAYS work everything out for our good.
Ah mih precious people, we have to start believing all the stuff that we talk about and claim as ours through Jesus, otherwise we’re just wasting our time, mouthing inane nothings. (smile)
That brings us to our Bit, possibly one of the most, if not the best known passages of Scripture. ‘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.’
Oh my people, my fellow believers, that is probably the whole basis for the scriptures, the raison d’etre behind it all! For God’s intent from the very beginning was to give us a second chance to come into His holy fold after our forefathers Adam and Eve messed up and brought sin into the world.
The sad part though is that too many of us don’t believe, and even of those who believe, many don’t take this passage and the entire scriptures seriously enough. They seem to think they can just float through and all will be okay.
But that’s not entirely true, for remember Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. ‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.7:21)
Yeh friends, mouthing the words doesn’t mean anything unless there is action and true belief to back it up. And we’ll turn to the scholars here for some info on the subject.
‘7:21-23. Not everyone professing Christ is genuinely saved. Even the outward verbal acknowledgement of His lordship is in itself not enough to save the unbeliever apart from true repentance and faith. A genuinely saved person is one that doeth the will of my Father, the Greek present tense suggesting that he is continually living in obedience to the will of God as the normal course of his life.’
That’s what it’s all about my brethren! And some of you might remember we shared this info from the scholars recently, but it is of such importance to our understanding and our life after death, that it can never be shared too much.
And I think we’ll end, most fittingly with a passage of scripture which presaged, gave promise of our Bit. It’s also a scripture we know very well and have been hearing it a lot during the recent Christmas season.
It’s Isaiah’s great prophecy. ‘For unto us a child is born, a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ (Is.9:6)
And that prophecy turned out to be none other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Glory to God!
So please, let’s get truly serious about Jesus nuh my people, otherwise our eternal life with Him might be in serious jeopardy, and that’s the worst thing that can ever happen to us. Much LOVE!
…man’s worst fate…eternal separation from Christ…
12 Dec 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: action, body of Christ, Christ, Christ's Church, Christian Church, Christian relationships, Christian unity, church's benefit, comparison, contribute to the church's growth, dissension, diversity, divine ruler, divine wisdom, Ephesians, eradicate, fact of life, Father of all, feeling good, fit of anger, further His righteous kingdom, future certainty, gift of Christ, glad, glorify God, grace, grateful, heavenly destination, hissy fits, Holy Communion, holy spirit, human nature, individually, inferior, jealousy, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, many members, measure, mecahnical things, negative consequences, one baptism, One Body, one faith, one God, one hope, ONE Lord, one spirit, Oneness, oneness among Christians, option, problem, proud, purpose, rampant, rant, rebellious children, resentment, root in our hearts, salvation, serious rot, serve God, software, spiritual gifts, spiritual life, splendour, spoiled brats, superior, tantrums, temperamental equipment, the body is one, thrives, totality, Triune God, trust in Christ, understanding, unity of the Spirit, yesteryear
1 Corinthians 12:12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Ah Friends, as I keep saying, when it’s not one thing, it’s always another! The past few days the main C.P. unit of my computer has been acting up, throwing hissy fits and tantrums, and having solved that, now today it’s the printer.
Earlier on, it kept telling me that the yellow cartridge was empty, or it couldn’t detect it. But I know it’s full, and only a couple of days ago I printed stuff. So I put something to print, but it kept telling me the same nonsense. Then, like it asked, I took out the yellow cartridge a few times and put it back in ‘slowly’ as advised. But I kept getting the same result.
Then in a small fit of anger I slapped it a couple times. And lo and behold, it finally recognized the yellow cartridge and printed the document without a problem. Oh Friends, I had to chuckle, but it’s the same thing we need to do with some of the spoiled brats we have running around our society.
The funny thing though is it’s now telling me that the yellow cartridge is full and the black one, which was just showing as being full, is now very low.
Ah Lord eh! Now why would I want to have all that temperamental equipment around me eh? Software is now running everything, and like rebellious children, at times it chooses to do its own thing.
Oh for the wonderful mechanical things of yesteryear! At least when they acted up, you knew it was a mechanical problem and had some idea of where to look for it. And that’s my rant for the day! (smile)
Now let’s get to our Bit, the same as yesterday, for there is more scripture to be shared on it. ‘For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.’
Now yesterday we saw where Bruh Paul declared the ONENESS of our great and wonderful Triune God, in both the Holy Communion and the Holy Spirit. Today, let’s listen as he tells the Ephesians about that ONE GOD.
‘There is ONE body, and ONE Spirit, even as ye are called in ONE hope of your calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.’ (Eph.4:4-7)
And here are some of the scholars’ thoughts on the scripture. ‘4:4-6. This passage elaborates on the “unity of the Spirit” (v.3). This ONENESS among Christians refers to having (1) one body – the one body of Christ, the Christian church; (2) one Spirit – the same Holy Spirit who imparts the same spiritual life to all believers;
(3) one hope – all Christians share the same future certainty and are headed toward the same heavenly destination; (4) one Lord – all submit to the same divine ruler, Jesus; (5) one faith – all believers have placed the same trust in Christ for salvation;
(6) one baptism – Holy Spirit baptism at the time of salvation (1 Cor. 12-13); and (7) one God and Father – all believers in Christ have the same God and heavenly Father.’
Oh Friends, I couldn’t put it any better, and I hope that ONENESS that ought to exist in all Christian relationships has finally found root in our hearts, because without that most necessary understanding, and subsequent action, Christ’s church, His LOVE Revolution would simply fail.
Now here is some more info from the scholars’ that ought to help us better understand the scripture that we’ve read. ‘4:7. But draws a sharp contrast with the preceding “unity” (v.3), expressed in the seven fold “one” of verses 4-6 and in the fourfold “all” of verse 6.
The contrast in verses 7-16 shows that there is a diversity within Christian unity: while the church is one, there is a variety of spiritual gifts within, given for the church’s benefit. Grace is a spiritual gift. Every one of us has been granted some spiritual capability to serve God and contribute to the church’s growth.
According to the measure of the gift of Christ: Jesus determines both what gift each believer is given, and the amount (measure) of that gift. Two persons may be given the same gift, but one may have a greater measure of that gift than does the other.’
Oh Friends, that’s just a natural fact of life that as true believers we must learn to accept, and stop letting it build jealousy, resentment and dissension amongst us, because that’s exactly what happens when we look at the gifts of others and compare them to ours.
In the long run we’ll either get too proud and figure that we’re better than them, or feel inferior, thinking we’re not good enough. I know it’s difficult to do, because human nature simply thrives on comparison, and unfortunately each option has negative consequences.
But as fellow believers we must learn to realize that it’s not about us, individually, but about us as a totality, Christ’s church, and resist and let go of whatever negative feelings may crop up. Sadly though these negative comparisons and resentment and jealousies are rampant in the church.
Oh my people, they’re like a serious rot in Christ’s body that we need to eradicate as soon as possible, because if it gets any worse, the church will eventually fall apart, and that’s something we can’t afford to let happen on our watch.
So my brethren, as of today, let’s stop comparing gifts and whatever else that causes jealousy and resentment in the body of Christ nuh. And instead let’s start feeling good and glad and grateful for all the gifts that Christ has given us, so that we can accomplish our purpose here on earth, namely to glorify God and further His righteous kingdom.
Now that’s divine wisdom in all its splendour! Much LOVE!
…in Christ’s church…self…should be a little thought of or used term…
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