23 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, aura of love, baubles and bangles, be not conformed to this world, be transfromed by the renewing of your mind, Christians, confidence, decisions, devotion, direction, eternity, glorious kingdom, God's Word, gospel truth, guidance, Hades, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, invincible, Jesus, Jesus Christ, living sacrifice, lord god almighty, LOVE, loving kindness, loyalty, meet the enemy in battle, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, rejuvenation of spirit, serve a useful purpose, spiritual armour, spirituality, St. Francis, steadfast faith, stop loving the world, sure conquerors, the will of God, trust, truth, ungodly world, wealth of this world, wisdom
Romans 12:2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
‘Monday, oh Monday, how beautiful you are to me! Monday, oh Monday, how I do LOVE thee!’
No Friends, I’m not under the influence of anything but life – life with Jesus, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and cool breezes blowing across Paradise, with the frothing waves rushing up to the shore as the tide comes in! (smile) The only sad part is that this is my last Monday on Paradise for a while. The cold North Country calleth.
But Friends, we have to like Mondays, because it means that we’re out and about for another week, intermingling with others; other believers, as well as unbelievers, who are ideal, fertile soil on which to sow good seeds for Jesus!
That’s how we ought to be looking at Mondays, or any other day for that matter, instead of being foolishly and selfishly caught up in our own problems, re getting up and making our way to work. Please remember too that in these trying and poor economic times, a whole lot of us don’t have jobs, and thus are suffering serious deprivation and want.
So those of us who have jobs, ought to be very thankful and grateful that we do, rather than indulge in the morbid self-pity that we tend to indulge in on Mondays. Again, I want to remind us that if we treat Sundays, the Lord’s Day, as it is supposed to be treated, then we won’t have any problems rising and shining on Mondays.
But enough with the preaching now, (smile) because many of us still aren’t listening, aren’t buying it, and are yet allowing the wicked ways of the world to hold sway over us. Let’s get to our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get our adrenaline running. In loud, harmonious voice now, like the congregation at St. Francis down here does it.
‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was good my people! The St. Francis congregation would be proud of us. (smile) Jesus was clapping and tapping too, looking at the Father and smiling, intimating with His look; ‘Yuh see how mih people bright and energetic this Monday morning?’ The Father answered with an indulgent smile, nodding His head in assent.
But He knew that as soon as we got out into the world, we’d allow the ways of the world to confound us. We won’t be following Bruh Paul’s advice in our Bit, as closely as we should. ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’
Yes my people, it’s not all fun and games in this crazy, dangerous and evil world. But we, as believers in Jesus Christ, fortified by His strength, power and guidance can handle whatever comes against us. We just have to keep Jesus at the forefront of our lives.
Now hear this explanation from the Scholars, re ‘Dedication to the Will of God.’ ‘12:1-2. God’s will refers to His purpose for the life of the believer. It implies His guidance or direction in all of life’s decisions. Dedication is an act of surrender or submission to His will for our lives whereby we become a “living sacrifice.” Daily dependence on God results in our transformation into the image of Christ.
Illustration: When we seek to discern the will of God we must also be committed to doing the will of God as it is revealed in the Word of God (John 7:17). Application: The believer should evaluate EVERY decision on the basis of biblical principles, knowing that obedience brings God’s blessing. (First Reference, Gen. 22:12; Primary Reference, Rom. 12:1).’
Yes Friends, ALL the decisions we make should first be tested against God’s Word, regardless of whether they are very big or very small! Remember too that oft times it’s the small, seemingly unimportant decisions that start our trending away from God’s Word and His Will for our lives.
And we’ll end with these immortal words of gospel truth from John. ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:15-17)
And here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘2:15. LOVE not the world is a command implying that action now in progress must cease: “Stop LOVING the world!” There is, of course, one sense in which Christians should LOVE the world, since God Himself did and does (John 3:16). But in the sense of pledging personal loyalty and devotion of one’s whole being and means, Christians are to “LOVE” God first and foremost (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:30).’ ‘2:16. World for John signifies the evil desire and sin so much a part of human existence.’
What else can I add to all that eh mih bredddren? Nothing really. Except to tell us to pay serious attention to all that’s been said, if we truly want to dwell with Jesus in eternity. Much LOVE!
…the baubles and bangles, the wealth of this world…are of NO use even in Hades…much less in heaven…
20 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abraham, blessings, educate, encourage, eternal separation from Almighty God, eternity, fasting, followers of Jesus christ, forgiveness, friends, furthering God's kingdom, Galilee, glorify the Father, God's will, God's Word, gospel truth, Guide, handmaid of the Lord, help, I can do all things through Christ, is anything too hard for the Lord, Jesus Christ, Lent, Mary, mercies, Nazareth, one truth from the Bible, piligrimage, reflection, Sarah, Scrip-Bit, steadfast faith, the angel Gabriel, the mother of Jesus, the word of the Lord, Thursday, time of prayer, true believers, wisdom, with god nothing shall be impossible, worth more than all the wisdom of man
Luke 1:37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Well a good Thursday morning to all you beautiful followers of Jesus Christ, and avid readers of the Scrip-Bit; a sure help in time of need, a catalyst to help us stay focused on the Word of God, especially in this time of prayer, fasting and reflection called Lent! Yeh Friends, the Bit is here just to help, to encourage, educate, and guide us some, re the Word of the Lord on this earthly pilgrimage. You still have to read and study the Word for yourself. And while we’re on the subject of God’s Word, let me remind us of two invaluable things that we should all know and remember. The first one is ‘The Bible is God’s Word to us, still fresh through all the ages. And if we read it, we will find God’s wisdom on its pages.’ And the second very invaluable thing is that ‘One truth from the Bible is worth more than all the wisdom of man.’
Oh Friends, those are two indisputable facts, and if we keep them at the forefront of our lives, they will serve us with the utmost faithfulness and fill us with a strong sense of purpose!
So on this second day of Lent of 2015, let’s promise ourselves to read and study God’s Word more than we‘ve been doing thus far, and also believing its many truths, so that we can attain to greater wisdom in God’s kingdom. And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful, ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Yes my people, thanking and praising our mighty, magnificent, majestic and magnanimous God are constant lifetime actions and activities of a true believer! Every day we ought to thank Him for the breath of life He’s allowed us to have, the new mercies, blessings and forgiveness He’s prepared to shower down on us to enable us to do His will.
And remember He has a plan, a good one, (Jer.29:11) for each and every life that He has created, and once you awaken to a new day, it means that He still has a purpose for you to pursue, otherwise you wouldn’t be alive and kicking. That means we have to be constantly aware of what God is doing and wants to do in our lives, or we’ll miss the glory train bound for heaven. (smile)
And that would be the saddest thing, for it will mean eternal separation from Almighty God. Oh Friends, right now I can’t even bear thinking about being separated from my heavenly Father for all eternity!
So as true followers and believers in Jesus Christ, let’s be wise nuh, let’s step up to the plate, to the wicket, put our best foot forward and do the things we know that will please Him and simultaneously glorify the Father, furthering His wonderful kingdom. That’s all He’s asking us to do yes. And is that so difficult to do? NO! Not if we read God’s Word and wisely follow it.
As our Bit says: ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And we all know that, or at least claim to know it. So if we are diligent in reading, studying and obediently putting God’s Word into action in our lives, we will be well able to do whatever is necessary.
And that’s faithfully borne out by the true and famous words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13) That’s gospel truth Friends, and should be wrapped around our hearts with unshakeable belief and steadfast faith!
The words of our Bit were spoken by the angel Gabriel to Mary, the mother of Jesus, when he came to tell her of the impending incarnate birth of her son. And Mary’s faith always amazes me! Now hear how this betrothed teenaged virgin, from a backwater town in Galilee called Nazareth, answered the angel Gabriel after a few minutes of conversation.
‘And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.’ (Luke 1:38)
Wow! Oh Friends, how many of us today, even in these supposedly enlightened times, would respond so calmly if we were faced with such a situation eh? Not too many, even though we claim to have the highest faith and believe that nothing is impossible to God! And all that shows is that we are not as truly mature and strong in the faith as we claim.
We saw that happen with Sarah when the angel of the Lord visited her and Abraham and promised they’d have a son of their own loins despite their rather advanced ages (between 80 and 100). Sarah laughed within herself, God obviously heard and was displeased.
So much so that He asked: ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.’ (Gen.18:14) And it came to pass; only much longer than Abraham and Sarah expected.
But please remember my brethren, that our God is ALWAYS faithful to His promises. They may not happen when and how we desire them, but in God’s own way and time ALL of His promises will be fulfilled!
And we shall end today with a solid reminder of that from the prophet Habakkuk. ‘For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’ (Hab.2:3)
Yes Friends, whatever God has promised us, WILL come to pass, please let us wait patiently, with true and expectant faith for it, and we will NOT be disappointed. That’s the wisdom of God! Much LOVE!
…how patiently and expectantly we wait on God’s time and ways…shows the true extent of our faith…
16 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cool breeze, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, aches and pains, adrenalin flowing, aura of love, be generous, bless, blessings, bondservant, Carnival Monday, cold weather, confidence, conquerors, Cousin Sol, Crown Point, curse, cut to the chase, doing it like a boss, don't fool yuh fat, enthusiasm, eternal life, every man shall give as he is able, evil, glorious kingdom, God's little Acre, God's LOVE, godly, gospel truth, greedy, heat, holy spirit, hot like hell, humble servants, increase, invincible, J'ouvert, Jesus Christ, joy, li'l bit, lies, LOVE, Lucifer, Machel Montano, mas, miserly, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, New Orleans, North country, Oh Lord God Almighty, Paradise, poverty, Proverbs, ramped to the gills, rejuvenation of spirit, Rio, Roxborough, Scarborough, scatter, smile, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, Store Bay, T&T, therapeutic treatment, tinnitus, trust, truth, wisdom, withhold
Deuteronomy 16:17. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
Well Friends, it’s Monday once again, but a Monday unlike any other, because while most of you around the world have to get up and go out and labour, in places like Rio, New Orleans and T&T, where I am, it’s supreme party time; Carnival, with all its attendant street parades filled with costumed bands, pounding, blasting music and revellers everlasting!
Yes Friends, in T&T it was J’ouvert morning, or the opening ceremonies for the party on the road. I got up about 3 a.m. having slept through most of the night, and after having a cup of caffeine, went down to the j’ouvert parade with the duchess.
The main road was blocked off by the police so we had to go through the back road. We found a decent spot on the grass shoulder to park, right down Crown Point, next to Store Bay, then went walking along the road back towards the Main Road.
This was about four o’clock and still dark, but the place was already hopping with people, ordinary revellers as well as those playing mas, with music blasting out from business places and trucks ramped to the gills with big speakers.
Brother! I had to get out of range of most of them, for when they passed you, or you passed them, you could feel your soul tremble from the loudness! (smile) Is a wonder I don’t have tinnitus, the music was so loud on my ear drums.
But the duchess seemed to be enjoying herself, taking pictures and grooving to the music, while I was somewhat sour because the music was so loud and nothing was happening to get the parade underway. I thought it was supposed to start at four, but it didn’t get underway till five.
And then there weren’t too many bands; most of them small, with a couple of them between fifty and a hundred participants, one of those being the white people’s band. And don’t fool yuh fat, the white people, both local and foreign, enjoy their mas. Numerous white tourists were also mixed in with the crowd.
Anyway to cut to the chase, when the bands began moving we went back towards where the car was parked since that was where the judging of the bands was taking place. We finally sat down in a bus shelter, just getting up to see the bands when they entered the park. And would you believe it, the ole fella’s body was aching all over from the little exertion.
All told we hadn’t walked more than a quarter of a mile, and I hadn’t been doing any jumping, yet my thighs, my knees and my back were aching, while the duchess was standing strong and partying, especially when she heard her favourite song, ‘Doing it like a boss’ by Machel Montano. That probably will win the Road March title for the tune most played on the road during the two days of carnival.
Anyway, by seven o’clock everything seemed quiet, so we left and came home. As we were leaving, we spoke to a policeman about the situation, and he said that mas in Tobago, in particular Scarborough and Crown Point had seriously deteriorated over the years, and if I wanted to see any of the older stuff, I had to go to Roxborough, where the real mas apparently now takes place.
Anyway I came home, had breakfast then went back to bed and woke up a few hours later, aching all over. I guess the Lord’s sending me a message that I’m not as strong as I think. That means I have to go to the beach later to get some more therapeutic treatment. (smile)
But enough about my aches and pains, let’s sing out our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with as much enthusiasm and verve as we can manage. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Ah mih people, that wasn’t such a hot rendition nuh, but it at least got our adrenalin going, and I’m sure the Lord will understand, for He is very good that way. So there’s no excuse for not doing as we just sang, especially when we add our Bit to the sentiments. ‘Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.’
Oh my people, if we are truly children of Jehovah God, then we should be living to give, to give generously and of a free will, for that’s what is expected of us. And if you don’t believe me, then listen to Cousin Sol from Proverbs.
‘There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet (right), but it tendeth (leads) to poverty. The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat (rich, prosperous): and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.’ (Prov.11:24-26)
And the scholars give an excellent, succinct explanation to all of that. ‘11:24. Scattereth means to be generous in your giving. It can lead to prosperity, but miserliness can lead to poverty.’
And that my brethren is nothing but gospel truth! So therefore I once again encourage us to be generous, share whatever we have with others less fortunate. And regardless of how little we have, there’s always somebody with less than us, so we can’t use the excuse that we only have a li’l bit.
Anyway Friends, that’s it for today. Blessings and God’s LOVE from Paradise, where it’s about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with the sun truly blazing down. But I guess most of you in the North Country would trade your extremely cold weather for this extremely hot one any time. And I wouldn’t blame you. It’s hot like hell, but a cool breeze is always blowing here on God’s Little Acre which minimizes the heat! (smile) Much LOVE!
…to give generously is godly…but to be greedy and miserly is to be Lucifer’s bondservant…
13 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, Apollos watered, basic law of God's kingdom, blessed, blessings, Carnival, Carnival Friday, enough, every man shall give as he is able, favour, fellowship, forgiving, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generosity, giving, giving from the heart, go with God, God gave the increase, God is the giver of all things, gospel truth, greatest pleasure, I have planted, I pray in Jesus' name, idyllic, in the eyes of our God, l, LOVE, magnanimous god, mas in yuh mas, Ole Mas, opulence, play mas, principle, relaxation, religious camps, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, rest, retreats, serene, share, standards, Store Bay, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the Lord shall give that which is good, the Lord thy God, the sons of Korah, therapeutic waters, tourist traffic, tranquil scene, wine store
Deuteronomy 16:17. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
And then it was Friday… and the jamming began: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! Carnival Friday to boot! Is going to be one big ruckus in the town this weekend! Mas for so! Mas in yuh mas! Play mas! Yes, thank God is Carnival Friday oui, and we going to party down the place!’
Oh Friends, that’s not me, but the vibe of the general population and the thousands of visitors who’ve come to enjoy the spectacle, the bacchanal, of two days – Monday and Tuesday – of partying in the streets like leggo beast. Better them than me yes. My days for all that nonsense done. I can’t handle it physically, and in my opinion the standards have fallen so drastically, that it turns me off.
It’s no longer a display of beautiful, innovative costumes, but mostly nakedness and wining. The music doesn’t thrill me any longer either, for that too has degenerated to simply ‘hands in the air’, and ‘jump and wine.’ As far as I am concerned, the whole substance of Carnival has now been downgraded to an even more ungodly spectacle than it ever was.
And it seems that a lot of Christians over here usually go to religious camps and retreats at Carnival time. Anyway to each his own! I’ll just spend my time in my serene retreat in Tobago; possibly go out the street for Ole Mas on Monday morning, but not much else.
So let’s chant our Friday Chant to give us a better perspective on how to use the weekend. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
That’s how we ought to handle the weekend my brethren! Now re adventures; yesterday I didn’t have any really. I just went to the beach, Store Bay, where it was nice and calm, with beautiful light green water. The duchess wasn’t feeling too hot, so she stayed in the car, while I enjoyed the therapeutic waters and did some walking along the golden sandy beach.
Oh the beach was packed with people, and therefore umbrellas and beach chairs, you could hardly find space to walk between them. I just don’t like how Store Bay has become so commercialized. But I guess that many of the locals make their living from the tourist traffic.
After the beach, we just came home, the duchess cooked some food, then retreated to her usual spot on the deck. Uh oh! On the way home from the beach we stopped at a wine store in a small plaza nearby. I didn’t go in, but when the duchess came back, was she ever excited. She raved about the opulence of this wine store; with its comfortable, upscale chairs, like in your living room, etc.
She had never seen anything like it in any other wine store in all her travels. I had to laugh, the way she was carrying on, but when the duchess raves about something, it must be fairly decent, because her standards are pretty high. One day I must go into this wine store myself and check out its opulence.
Later in the evening, as we were sitting on the deck, watching the sun go down, not so spectacularly because of a heavy cloud cover, I was harassing her about the beauty and tranquility of the scene, when she surprised me by suddenly saying; ‘It’s i-d-y-l-l-i-c!’ spelling the word idyllic for me.
Hn, hn! I almost died laughing from her introducing the word by spelling it. And Friends, the word ‘idyllic’ fits the surroundings to a T! It’s truly idyllic! And like the duchess is on a roll, for she came up with ‘serene’ the other day, then with ‘idyllic’ yesterday, and I’m supposed to be the wordsmith.
And children, I understand that you all are worried about getting me to come back to the cold North Country. But on that point, I think it’s the duchess you should be worried about, for a little while after hitting me with ‘idyllic,’ she hit me with another gem, telling me that it was her greatest pleasure to wake up and open the front door every morning and look out on the serene, idyllic scene.
I think it’s gotten to her more than me. She can definitely handle it! (smile) Anyway, when it got dark, we came inside and watched some of the Carnival activities on the television till bed time. That’s one good thing about down here, a lot of the shows are broadcast live on the television. And that’s possibly where I’ll view the majority of my mas.
Now it’s time for our Bit, dealing with another basic law of God’s kingdom. ‘Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.’
Oh Friends, I can’t begin to tell us how true and important that principle is in the eyes of our God! We want Him to give to us, and He does, but He also expects us to give some of what He’s so generously blessed us with to others less fortunate.
And just like with forgiving, if we don’t give, He won’t give to us. It is therefore in our best interest to share His bounty with others not so blessed. And besides, He gives us more than enough for ourselves, so that we have enough to share.
Now let’s check out some scriptures that show the giving, the generosity of our wonderful and magnanimous God. Remember yesterday we said that God is the ultimate giver, and you can’t outgive Him. Listen to these scriptures that support those truths.
In Psalm 85 – God has removed His anger from Israel – the sons of Korah wisely and truthfully declare. ‘Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps (make his footsteps into a way).’ (Ps.85:12-13)
Then Bruh Paul, in his first missive to the Corinthians, when they were arguing about whom they should follow; Apollos or Bruh Paul, tells them straight up: ‘I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.’ (1 Cor.3:6-7)
Now that’s gospel truth my people! Everything we have, belongs to and comes from God. He is the giver of ALL things! Please let’s remember and ponder on that, as we go about our business today. It will only enhance our lives and godliness. More on that tomorrow, God willing. Till then, please go with God, for He is the best guide and protector there is! Much LOVE!
…giving from the heart…is one of the best ways to receive favour and blessings from Almighty God…
06 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accomplish the work of Jesus, bottom line, capital city, caring, Carnival, Christian, Christian beliefs, circumspection, coconut water, compassion, cruel governments, cutting costs, don't give a damn, Esplanade, fat fannies, floundering, Friday chant, friends, generous help, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, homelessness, hunger, Jesus, Jesus began to teach them, Jesus Christ, Jesus was moved with compassion, joy, Last Lap, Library, light under a bushel, lost, market, May the Lord be with him, modus operandi, poverty, pray ye thereofre, profits, salt, saving grace, Scarborough, stuffed our faces, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the harvest is truly plenteous, the labourers are few, the Lord of the harvest, the poor are getting poorer, the rich are getting richer, the wisdom of heaven, they were as sheep not having a shepherd, tourists, ungodly world, unsaved, unwashed
Mark 6:34. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Aye mih Friends, is Friday, the Friday before Carnival Friday…! And you know the standard response to that:
‘Oh TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Work soon finish for this week, then is party time on the weekend! Mama Yo! Next weekend is Carnival, so we playing mas from now till then! Thank God for Fridays yes!’
And you better believe that statement of playing mas from now to next week, because that’s what many people are going to do; party every night from now till Last Lap, when Carnival finishes, two Tuesdays from now. That’s the standard modus operandi from way back when. And I can tell you from personal experience that it’s a very interesting situation. Hn, Hn!
Anyway, we all know that’s not the godly way to carry on, so let’s chant our simple Friday Chant which gives us a better perspective. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that’s the approach we ought to use towards the weekend! So please let’s rein in our ungodly lustful appetites and have some circumspection re our behaviour, for that’s what the Lord desires of us.
And as per the lateness of today’s Bit, I really can’t be blamed, that lies at the duchess’ door. Just as I was about to start writing it this morning she woke up and asked if I was ready to go to the market. Now I had promised to take her, but didn’t really expect her to get up so early, so when she surprised me, I had no choice but to keep my promise. (smile)
Would you believe that we’ve been here for over a week and this is the first time we were going into town? Hn! We left home around 9 o’clock to go into the bustling capital city of Scarborough. And believe me, it was truly bustling today, it being Friday and a big tourist ship had recently docked in the port.
We encountered a traffic jam just outside of town, which slowly wended its way down to Wilson Road where I turned to go into the market. Now to me that’s the new market, although it’s been there for many years.
When I talk about the market, I mean the old one up town. Obviously there was no parking anywhere close by and I drove around until I found a spot behind the Library, to me the new Library, because my Library was uptown too, near to the old market. (smile)
Anyway, we walked around the market, looking for my half-brother Hamer, who sells in there, and whom we had been unsuccessful in contacting, but apparently he wasn’t there today. So we just continued walking around buying stuff, half of which we had never intended to buy, but once we saw it, decided we needed it.
An hour or so later, after having a coconut water, we finally exited the market, loaded down with several bags. It was now a bit of a jam to get out of the city, but we stopped at the Esplanade to check out my sister’s-in- law flower shop.
Thankfully, we found her there, and there was much joy in the reunion, though it was somewhat reduced when we learned that my brother was in the U.S preparing to undergo surgery for some vein problems in his legs. May the Good Lord be with him, and cause the surgery to be successful.
We visited for a while, then when we were leaving, we asked her about a good place to eat, and she pointed to a place, Jattan’s, just over the street. We walked over there and stuffed our faces, then left for home, where we arrived around one o’clock, and obviously the ole fella had to rest from such exhausting activity. (smile)
I even managed to talk the duchess into lying down, which she usually doesn’t do during the day. Next thing yuh know, we’re both fast asleep, and I’m getting up after three, and the duchess just woke at four. And that’s why the Bit is so late.
‘And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people (a great multitude), and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.’ And like Jesus did, I’m expecting you all, in your Christian belief, to have compassion on me. (smile)
Ah Friends, as we’ve been saying for the last few days, compassion is one of the biggest things, if not the biggest thing, that we’re lacking in this cruel, evil, ungodly world. We don’t seem to care a whole lot about people again. Just look at the hunger, poverty and homelessness that surrounds us, in a world where there is more than enough for everyone! Steups!
But as the old adage goes, the rich are indeed getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer. And unfortunately, the rich don’t seem to give a damn about the poor! Just look at how they are throwing people out of work every day, to improve their bottom line, their profits.
No one’s thinking about increasing productivity to increase profits, just cutting costs, which means cutting employees. Ah Lord eh! But they still expect those people to exist, to eke out some low level of subsistence and to buy their products.
Chuh! The cruel governments are also making it harder for unemployed people to receive Unemployment Insurance by increasing the time line for qualifying for it. What evil jerks!
That’s why Friends, as a society, we have to very seriously think about turning back to our godly roots, finding Jesus and putting Him back at the forefront of our lives where He belongs. For He is the only one who seems to have compassion for the lost and floundering.
Listen to this heart-moving scripture nuh. ‘But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.’ (Matt.9:36) And isn’t that the gospel truth my Friends! We’re all running around like chickens with our heads cut off, like dumb sheep without a guiding, caring and compassionate shepherd. And the best shepherd there is, is none other than Jesus!
Hear the scripture continue: ‘Then saith he (Jesus) unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into the harvest.’ (Matt.9:37-38)
Oh my brethren, Jesus is talking about the great amount of unwashed, unsaved, ungodly in our society, and we, His true and faithful followers, are the ones expected to go in and help reap the harvest of souls that’s there ready for harvesting. So please let’s do what’s expected of us nuh. And the first thing we have to do in reaping the harvest is show care and compassion to the unfortunate and needy ones.
So again, I plead with us to get up off our fat, complacent fannies and do some serious reaping of the harvest as is expected of us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. That’s what it means to be a true follower of Christ, a true Christian.
So let’s throw off the bushels, the shades from our lights, so that they can shine brightly in a darkened world, and increase the salt in our souls so that we can successfully accomplish the work that Jesus has called us to do. That’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…Jesus died to save us…now we need to tell others about His saving grace…
31 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Be thou exalted, delay not to pay it, exalt God, God has no pleasure in fools, gospel truth, heavenly wisdom, Jesus is the best thing, LOVE, loving kindness, lustful desires indisputable truth, number one priority, praise and thanks, Saturday, when thou vowest a vow, when thou vowest a vow unto God
Psalm 63:3. Because thy LOVING-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
And then it was Saturday! Oh Friends, I can’t believe that I’ve been here in Paradise for four days now. Chuh! The time’s passing too quickly. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to enjoy it as much as I’d like because I’ve been sick and having car problems.
The car problems have been solved now, and I got up feeling somewhat better this morning, but the heat outside is crazy. It’s supposed to go to something like 78 % F. That’s surely worth a Mama Mia!
The duchess wanted to go up to the hotel for breakfast, so I just dropped her and came back because between the cold and the heat I wasn’t interested in food. My appetite sure has disappeared. All I feel like doing is drinking stuff in a cool place.
As per adventures. Nothing much happened yesterday as I never went anywhere. But people were coming around to fix stuff and whatever. I did have another dip in my waterhole. This time with my shoes on though. Hn, hn! Never thought I’d ever see the day that I went in the sea with shoes.
As they say, after one time is too time yes! But it wasn’t too bad, and I even found a path into the water that was mud and not stones. So I did have my salt water. All praise to His Majesty!
Then my son that lives in Tobago passed by, we had a good visit and the wife and I had dinner on the verandah afterwards. Then I went to bed leaving her watching her favourite soap, Y&R – Young and Restless. It comes on at night on a channel down here, so she’s happy. And once she’s happy my life’s beautiful. (smile)
Right now as I’m writing, some reggae gospel is playing on the radio. And the announcer on the program called ‘Joyride’ is saying that you should LOVE the Lord with all your heart, soul, body and mind. Gospel truth that my people!
And to help us do that this beautiful Saturday morning, here is a poem from our favourite The One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin, this one titled ‘Be Thou Exalted.
Please say with me: ‘”Be thou exalted, Lord In thine own strength; So will we sing And praise thy power.” Yes, Lord, Yes! David’s prayer is my prayer. Be exalted in my day-by-day agenda In my motives and dreams My priorities and goals. Even in my failures, Lord As you turn them into stepping stones Towards spiritual growth.
Be exalted in my worship and praise In my sobbing and singing Be exalted in my secret thoughts My emotional responses. Be exalted in my daily routine The delays, the unexpected emergencies The disappointments that often come. Lord God, As you are exalted In heaven and on earth Be exalted in Your home – my heart.’
Yes my people, that’s where God should be more exalted than anywhere else – in our hearts, where He’s supposed to live. And as they are saying on the radio; ‘It’s the joy of the Lord that has me dancing so!’ And it should. For if there is joy in your heart, especially from the Lord, then you should be very amenable to dancing. (smile)
Anyway, let’s get to our Bit, same as yesterday, but still serving as indisputable truth. ‘Because thy LOVING-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.’
And if you’re a true child of God, then those words should always be present and revolving in your spirit. For God is our Creator, His breath of life is the power that powers us here on earth, and His providence is what keeps us going. So it’s obvious that He should be our NUMBER ONE PRIORITY!
The things of the world are pretty and nice, and some are useful and necessary, but none of them ought to take first place in our lives. That number one spot is reserved for Almighty God. The problem though is that too many of us put the lustful desire for things of the world first, and relegate Jesus to second place, or even further down the totem pole.
That my Friends will only cause you unnecessary problems later on. So please let’s concentrate on putting Jesus FIRST! Remember is just thirty days ago we promised, faithfully resolved to walk closer with Jesus this year of 2015. And sadly, today is the just the last day of January, and many of us have already reverted to our old selves.
That’s not right, nor profitable my brethren. For remember these fateful and wise words of Cousin Sol as the Preacher. ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ (Eccl.5:4-5)
Words of absolute wisdom in all walks of life my people!
Now let’s end with some wonderful words and sentiments of Bruh David from Psalm 138. Pray with me: ‘I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy LOVING-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
In the day when I cried thou answeredest me, and strenghtenedst me with strength in my soul (made me bold). All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in (of) the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of God.’ (Ps.138:1-5)
Oh Friends I could not say it any better. So please let’s go out today with those words of praise and thanks riding at the top of our hearts, so that we can not only hear them, but even more importantly, LIVE them. That’s heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…God likes to hear our praises…but He also likes to see us live them…living them is just as important…
P.S. And as the song in the background is saying: ‘Jesus is the best thing, the very best thing that ever happened to me!’ Gospel truth Friends!
28 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all things work together for good, blessings, Carlene Davis, friends, God's little Acre, gospel truth, greetings, happy like a pig in mud, heavenly wisdom, indisputable truth, living testimony, Mama Mia, may the Lord bless and keep us, pan music, Panorama, Paradise, Paradise on Earth, prosperous life, Robinson Crusoe's Isle, salutations, smile, stand up for Jesus, still small voice, sweet Tobago, T&T, testimony to god's faithfulness, Thank You Lord, the king of glory, the ole fella, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the strife will not be long, to those that love God, truth, understanding, unequivocal truth, who are called according to His purpose, wisdom
Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’
Oh Friends, oh Friends, greetings, salutations, blessings and all that’s good from God’s Little Acre, Paradise on Earth, Robinson Crusoe’s Isle; sweet Tobago! Yes mih people the ole fella is in his homeland!
After about twelve hours of going through airports and riding on airplanes made for pigmies, I’m finally ensconced in my bungalow, sitting on my verandah overlooking a beautiful scene of a bay with crystal blue but somewhat choppy sea water running between the two jutting points.
Right in front of me is a swimming pool, but what do I really want with a pool when I have the sea right at my doorstep eh? Yeh, I have a little gravelly spot that I can soak in. I soaked there a couple times last year. It’s the same compound I stayed at last year, but this time I’m on the seaward side, not overlooking the golf course.
I have a wooden deck with deck chairs, and a barbecue too. And right around that are all sorts of trees; almonds, coconuts, and lots of others, plus flowers whose names I don’t know. A cool, gentle breeze is blowing, titillating the leaves of the trees, with sweet music coming from the stereo inside.
Hear the birds singing their beautiful praise to their wonderful Creator nuh! And all of that is overlooked by a big, bright, beautiful blue sky! Mama Mia! I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven!
All thanks and praise to the Lord God Jehovah for bringing me back home for a short stay! It’s exactly what the ole bones were calling for. I’m sorry for those of you I left in the cold, but I really needed to get away from the winter weather; too many aches and pains, and the cold and cough that would not go away.
And would you believe Friends, that I have hardly coughed since getting on the plane, and as soon as I landed in T&T, I felt completely different, alive and strong! The warmth and fresh air just worked its magic on me.
By the way, don’t be surprised if I’m not too coherent because I haven’t slept for the night as yet, and the emotion of being back In Paradise and feeling good is overwhelming and driving me to think quicker than I can write. (smile)
The only blot on the scene is the hedge cutter going in the background. Hn! When I got here the groundskeeper was cutting the hedge around my bungalow, but he’s moved further away now, so it’s not as disturbing as before. The duchess is tired, she’s inside sleeping, but I couldn’t sleep, even if I wanted to.
Some nice pan music is playing there now. Hope to go and here some soon, since this is Carnival time when all the steelbands are practicing for Panorama and the many other functions on at this time of year. Oh mih people, the ole fella’s happy, happy like a pig in mud! (smile)
Yuh see when I say that the Lord our God is a most wonderful God and looks after those who try to be obedient to Him, I wasn’t lying. He’s put me through some rough times in the last few months, and though I wasn’t too thrilled about it, I tried to keep my peace and not complain too much. And now He’s rewarded me with this wonderful trip when I needed it the most.
Oh my people, it’s a gospel true fact that our God doesn’t give us more than we can bear. Take my word for it, for I’m living testimony to it.
What more can I say to You Lord but Thank You! Thank You from the depths of my heart! And You know that’s true, because You can read my heart!
And I was just going to look for and appropriate Bit, but Friends, the still small voice inside whispered there’s only one Bit worthy of this time, and here it is: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’
And that my Friends is indisputable, unequivocal truth! Again, I am living testimony of that! But you will never find it out unless you give it up to Him, put your trust and every faith in Him. Until you look at life through the eyes of faith, and go through the testing that He will put you through, you won’t truly know the good rewards of God!
And I just heard Carlene Davis singing an old standard in reggae, and I was stepping to it, as best as I could, as I went inside to get my Bible. And I think that it’s a most fitting way to conclude this first, of hopefully many more Bits from Tobago for this 2105 season.
Please sing along with me Friends. ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory His army shall He lead, Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the solemn watchword hear; If while ye sleep He suffers, away with shame and fear; Where’er ye meet with evil, within you or without, Charge for the God of battles, and put the foe to rout.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day.Ye that are brave now serve Him against unnumbered foes; Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer; Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, each soldier to his post, Close up the broken column, and shout through all the host: Make good the loss so heavy, in those that still remain,And prove to all around you that death itself is gain.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song. To those who vanquish evil a crown of life shall be; They with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.’
Oh my people, there couldn’t be a more fitting end to today’s Bit, so I hope you’ll take the ole fella’s advice and those of the great men of God and run with it today! It’s heavenly wisdom mih breddren!
Till tomorrow then, our great God in favour, may the Lord bless and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you and give you his peace that passes all understanding and His wisdom that will enable you to live a good and godly and prosperous life down here on earth. Much LOVE!
…to LOVE Jesus…and work sincerely and diligently for Him…is the only thing that makes sense here on earth…
26 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, aura of love, confidence, counsel, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, gospel truth, holy spirit, hope, Jesus Christ, lies, LOVE, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, peace, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, righteousness., saith the Lord, salvation, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, understanding, ungodly world, wisdom
Proverbs 21:30. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
Well Friends the second most important day of the week is here. Yes, unfortunately it’s Monday, the day we all despise so much, because it means we have to go out and labour once again. But what else can I say mih people, but that’s life! (smile) Yeh, we got to work for the worldly things we need, not necessarily those we just desire through our natural lustful nature.
But that doesn’t mean we have to go overboard on either side of the continuum – too much or too little work. We have to find the right balance, with the things of God prominently featured in the mix. But I’m not in a preaching mood this morning (smile) because the old cough is acting up. Right now I’m afraid to cough; I’m holding it back as best I can, since every time I cough, it feels like my chest is tearing apart with a racking pain. All the stuff I’m taking doesn’t seem to helping much at all. But once again, that’s life!
So without further ado, let’s get to our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, for I know that we still need it to get our motors started and our engines revved up. Now let’s have a wonderful rendition, one that will stir up the inhabitants of heaven, including our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father.
On three: one, two three! ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days.
It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour.
We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh mih breddren, that was a classic! All work stopped in heaven as the sweet and harmonious strains of our prayerful music rose to those blissful heights! Jesus was clapping and singing along with us, while smiling at the Father who couldn’t help tapping His toes and keeping the beat with His hands on the arms of His throne. Wow! And after writing that, I began chuckling and had to quickly stifle a coughing spell that wanted to break forth.
Yes Friends, that’s the way we need to operate, so that we can go out and do Jesus proud. Yuh see how we had Him clapping and singing there just now, that’s exactly how we need to have Him all day long, with a broad, contented smile on His glorious face, and a song of joy in His heart, because His people on earth are effusively and diligently doing His will. So let’s get to our Bit, a rather interesting statement by Cousin Sol.
Oh Friends, I just had a coughing bout that I couldn’t stifle. Steups! And it did feel as though my chest was tearing apart. Anyway, here’s our Bit: ‘There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.’
And isn’t that the awesome truth my people! There is no one who can reason with the Lord, for His wisdom and understanding are way above those of man. How did He put it in Isaiah: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8-9) And there’s no disputing that Friends, for since when can the created become wiser than the creator eh?
And Jeremiah, in relating that knowledge of God is man’s glory, puts it like this. ‘Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise LOVING-kindness, judgement (justice), and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:23-24)
Ah mih people, we can’t fight with that, because it’s the gospel truth! The Lord is El Numero Uno in everything!
And here is a brief note on those verses from the scholars. ‘9:23-24. Having lamented the folly of his faithless people, Jeremiah turns their attention to the true source of wisdom – the Lord Himself (9:23 -10:25). True wisdom was to be found in the consistent following of three central qualities of spiritual life. LOVING-kindness (the exercise of true covenant loyalty), judgement (the consistent application of true justice for all), and righteousness (the maintenance of what was right in the sight of the Lord in all of life).’
All of that also applies to us today my brethren. And we’ll close with these wise words from Cousin Sol in his role as the Preacher, that seal the deal. ‘I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.’(Eccl.9:11)
Yes Friends, man’s wisdom etc. cannot guarantee results in any area because time and chance crop up in everyone’s life when we least expect them to, and drop a spanner in the works. The only sure wisdom is of the Lord! Let’s remember that as we go out today and fight for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…stand up, stand up for Jesus…the trumpet call obey…till every foe is vanquished…and Christ is Lord indeed…
22 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fight to the death, a fresh cold, a high priest, after the order of Melchizedek, an intense longing for god, ascended into heaven, atone for our sins, breakthrough, Bruh David, Bruh Paul, cast not away your confidence, courage, cure a simple cold, disregard the darkness, don't give up, done the will of god, endurance, eternal life, eternal separation from God, faith, feel miserable, feeling, fight against them that fight against me, fighting tooth and nail, future, God's plans for us are all for good, God's promises, God's promises stand firm, God's ways are higher than ours, going down to the wire, gospel truth, hang in there, hope, hope thou in God, I am thy salvation, I shall yet praise him, jehovah god, Jesus is the answer, joy, keep hoping in God, lie down and rest, lost, malaise in my spirit, Mars, negative circumstances, obedience, omnipotence, One Year Book of Bible promises, patience, perseverance, Plead my cause, put a man on the moon, receive the promise, recompense of reward, rely on God's immutable Word, reward, run its course, salvation, Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, salvation comes from God, Selah, selfless acts, shed blood, sinful souls, stand in faith, stand up for mine help, stop those who pursue me, Thank you Jesus, the author of eternal salvation, the darkest hour is the one before the dawn, the help of his countenance, the right medication, the sons of Korah, them's the breaks, thursday morning, thy blessing is upon thy people, times of questioning, trial, trust, trust God, ungodly world, unsaved, Venus, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me
Psalm 3:8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Aye mih people, is Thursday morning, another chilly one, and the ole fella fighting this cold tooth and nail! (smile) We going down to the wire with it, we not giving up! It’s a fight to the death!
Oh I know that it has to run its course, but while it’s doing its thing, I’m also doing my own, trying not to let it make me feel too terrible, because you know that nothing in this world makes you feel as miserable as a simple fresh cold.
Ah Lord eh! We can put man on the moon and voyage out to Venus and Mars, but we can’t cure a simple cold! Steups! But I guess them’s the breaks! And believe me, it was difficult to get up this morning, although I wasn’t sleeping. But a certain malaise in my spirit just said lie down and rest. (smile)
And I did for a short while. But knowing that the Bit had to go out, I eventually forced myself out of the bed. And I believe I have the right medication for whatever is ailing us this morning, in the words of The One Year Book of Promises, with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin.
This passage is titled ‘God’s Promises,’ and it says: ‘With increasing joy I am discovering that God’s promises do not suddenly disappear when our courage fails and our fears become overwhelming. Feeling or no feeling, when God gives a promise that speaks directly to our need, it stands firm regardless of negative circumstances.
There may be times of questioning, and we may not understand God’s timing, but His promise remains certain during our deepest trial. If we consistently rely on His immutable Word, we can disregard the darkness.
Oswald Chambers says, “Are you in the dark right now regarding your circumstances? Then listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you are in the light.” God waits for us to trust Him when trusting seems the most difficult thing to do.’
Ah Friends, the cruel, evil and ungodly world that we’re currently living in, is certainly making it hard for us to trust God and rely on His promises. But if we want to succeed, we have to truly stand in faith on His word, even though we may seem completely surrounded by darkness.
And as the Bible promise for that passage so truthfully declares: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance, perseverance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36)
Yes mih breddren, the one thing we CAN’T DO, is GIVE UP! And it’s when life seems the darkest that we need to hold on to God’s promises the strongest. For as the saying goes; the darkest hour is the one just before the dawn. And that’s no lie! We experience the roughest times just before we experience our breakthrough.
So please, let’s hang in there with Jehovah God, for He knows what He’s doing. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours that we don’t, and can’t always understand what He’s about. In His omnipotence He created us, and still controls the universe, and sincerely promised that all His plans for us were all for good, for peace, with hope for a bright future. (Jer.29:11)
And as our Bit so wisely and rightly declares: ‘Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’ And of that my people, there is absolutely no doubt! That’s why so many people of great faith in the Bible declared it.
Now let’s look at a few more of those scripture passages that declare salvation comes from God, as we’ve been doing for the last few days. And we’ll begin with words of Bruh David, who called out to God so often and so seriously in his writings. Listen to how he begins Psalm 35 – A prayer for rescue from enemies.
‘Plead my cause (contend for me), O Lord, with them that strive (contend) with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler (a small shield), and stand up for mine help.
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me (stop those who pursue me): say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.’ (Ps.35:1-3)
And we all know the turbulent and tumultuous life that Bruh David lived, but he never forgot or gave up on the God of his fathers, who faithfully saved him from his enemies whenever he cried out for help.
Now hear the author of Hebrews, whom I can’t help but think is Bruh Paul, with all the similarities of speech and mannerisms.
‘Though he (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.’ (Heb.5:8-10)
And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends! Jesus died, rose from the grave and ascended into heaven so that we could have eternal salvation! Without those wonderful, selfless acts of His, there would be no general salvation. Many of us would stay lost and unsaved.
So let’s give Him a big shout of praise and thanks for saving our sinful souls from eternal separation from Almighty God, the worst fate that can befall a human being.
And all God’s people declared a loud and heartfelt: ‘Thank You Jesus! Thank You ever so much for sacrificing Your holy, sinless life on the cross, so that Your shed blood, precious as it was, could pay for, atone for our abominable sins. We praise You, bless and glorify Your holy name! Amen.’
And now Friends, we’ll end with this well known verse from Psalm 42 – An intense longing for God – a contemplation from the sons of Korah.
And it simply says: ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps.42:5)
Yes my people, I implore us to keep hoping in God, though our souls might not feel like doing it, for regardless of what anyone else says, only from Him is true salvation and eternal life possible. Much LOVE!
…to EVERY problem in our lives…Jesus IS the answer…
21 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a son of Abraham, almighty god, another chilly morning, awesome Deity, be saved, become more important than God's work, Bruh David, come to seek and save, encouraging, enthusiastic, eternity, fit for the kingdom of god, friends, God's direction, God's work, gospel truth, Gramps Schuller, halfway home, he is become my salvation, Hour of Power, human frailty, I am Eager, I will exalt him, idols, Jesus, Jonah, Living Deity, looking back, lost, loving kindness, make the most of today, make the most of yourself, mercy, Moses, move forward, my father's God, neck of the woods, no turning back, omnipotent, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, peace, pledged to change his evil ways, Possibility Thinking, protective wings, put His hand to the plough, repented, restful. rejuvenating weekend, sacrifice, salvation, Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, salvation is of the Lord, Selah, stand strong and steadfast, that which is lost, the giver of salvation, the good shepherd, the lesser things of life, the Lord is my light and salvation, the Lord is my strength and song, the Lord is the strength of my life, the Lord spake unto the fish, the Most High, the Son of man, the voice of thanksgiving, there will never be another now, thy blessing is upon thy people, turn to Jesus, under the weather, vanities, wandering, Wednesday, whom shall I fear, Zaccheus
Psalm 3:8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Well Friends, it’s another chilly morning (-12 C) in my neck of the woods. It’s also Wednesday, which means we are halfway home to the restful and rejuvenating weekend, so please hang in there, stand strong and steadfast in faith, for there’s no turning back.
As Jesus stated so straightforwardly: ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:22) So we’ve got to move forward, not allow the lesser things of life to become more important than God’s work.
And I am a perfect example of that right now, because this morning I’m somewhat under the weather, I seem to be getting a cold. I’m surprised that it’s taken this long to affect me, for the duchess has had it badly for the past week, and I’ve also been around a few other people who are fighting it.
And believe me, there’s nothing I would like better than to have remained in my nice warm bed and sleep it off. But the Bit, God’s work, has to take priority over my runny nose, my sneezing, my aching body and my general human frailty. (smile)
And to help us get going this Wednesday morning, here’s a poem from my favourite Devotional, the Hour of Power by Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller). I just LOVE the way he writes, with such a positive, enthusiastic and encouraging spin. This one’s titled: ‘I AM EAGER.’
Please pray it with me. ‘Lord, you’ve put the whole world together and you’ve put me in the middle of it because you want to say something to me and through me today. May your beautiful peace fall gently, softly, sweetly, and beautifully upon my mind –now.
I am ready to listen and eager to move ahead, today, with “Possibility Thinking.” Amen. There will never be another now – I’ll make the most of today. There will never be another me – I’ll make the most of myself.’
Oh Friends, I do hope that has brought some eagerness for life and God’s direction into our souls today! And as the last part so rightly declares, ‘there will never be another now.’ So please let’s make the most of today, for that’s all we have.
And now we’ll turn to our Bit, which has been running for a few days, but that’s because it’s a rather important and substantial part of our Christian faith. ‘Salvation belongeth to the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’
Ah mih people, those words just ring out loudly with gospel truth! For salvation comes from no other but Almighty God, who also blesses His people with all their earthly needs when they truly and sincerely seek Him. What an awesome Deity He is my brethren!
And here are a few scripture passages to prove the point. Listen to Moses, from the earliest times, declare it in his song. ‘The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation (praise him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex.15:2)
Moses couldn’t put it any simpler and clearer than that Friends! And besides, who would know about God and His ways better than him, since he had so much dealings and experience with the Most High.
Now hear another man of great faith and experience with God, Bruh David, tell it like it is in this popular verse from Psalm 27. ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Ps.27:1)
And the answer to that my people, is NOBODY! For remember that our God is omnipotent and the only true and living Deity in the entire universe! So there’s no need to be afraid of anybody or anything, once we’re safely ensconced under His protective wings.
Meanwhile, Jonah, after coming to his senses in the belly of the fish, wisely declares: ‘They that observe lying vanities (worthless idols) forsake their own mercy (LOVING-kindness).
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon dry land.’ (Jon,28-10)
Yes Friends, salvation is truly from the Lord! Once Jonah acknowledged that, the Lord saved him out of the fish’s belly. And that’s basically what salvation is; saving us.
And we’ll close with these fateful words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to Zaccheus, after He had lunched at his place, and Zaccheus repented and pledged to change his evil ways.
‘And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.’ (Luke 19:9-10)
Yes Friends, ONLY our great God can save, can grant salvation to the lost! And that’s exactly what our Saviour came to earth to do! Let’s sincerely hope that He has found and saved us all, so that we can spend eternity with Him, wherever He might be, for that’s truly the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!
…are you lost…are you wandering aimlessly through life…then turn to Jesus and be saved…for He is the Good Shepherd…the Saviour of the lost and aimlessly wandering…He is the giver of salvation…
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