30 Aug 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: count your blessings, forgiveness, grace, how great is the sum of them, how precious thy thoughts unto me, LOVE, mercy, peace, spiritual benefits, the many blessings of God
Psalm 139:17. ‘How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Grace and peace, mercy, LOVE and forgiveness to you my fellow saints in Christ from God our Father, this last Sunday of August in this crazy year of 2020! Our heavenly Father desires that we use all those gifts to withstand whatever adversity we’re going through, assured in the knowledge that He cares for us and won’t forsake us under any circumstances. Faith friends, faith, that’s what those gifts ought to grow in us. But enough of me, (smile) it’s Sunday morning, which means it’s time to celebrate the Lord’s Day with some praise, thanksgiving and worship.
And plenty of us still can’t go to the physical sanctuary and worship together, so we’ll do it by technology, as we’ve been doing for the last how long. Hn! Did you ever imagine there’d come a day when we couldn’t gather together physically and hug and kiss and worship our God? But that’s what faith is all about; even in adversity we find a way to get the job done.
And to open our worship I decided that the most appropriate hymn for today would be our old favourite written by Johnson Oatman Jr. titled ‘Count Your Blessings!’ That decision was made because yesterday we spoke about having an attitude of continuous prayer and giving thanks in all circumstances, as well as counting our blessings. And you ask, what’s the purpose of counting our blessings? Well it’s simple: ‘to be grateful for the good things in your life, often to stop yourself becoming too unhappy about the bad things.’
Yeh mih people, to keep us joyful in the Lord our God, remembering that the joy of the Lord is our strength. And the website http://www.godtube acclaims: “Count Your Blessings” is a wonderful song to sing any day of the year as a reminder of the many blessings of God, even during hardships. You will feel joy and contentment after joining in with this hymn!’ Wow!
So since we counted our blessings yesterday, and got such a great number (smile) we should have no problems in bursting out in sacrificial praise this morning. So all together now, in perfect harmony, in an up-tempo beat, let’s remember our many blessings and give our wonderful God much thanks and praise for them.
‘When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. (Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.) Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]
When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings, money cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain] So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.’
Yes friends, we did find joy and contentment after singing that song! Oh mih bredrin, when we spend time counting our blessings, we really see what God has done and is still doing in our lives! The website http://www.godtube expresses it this way: ‘God truly gives us so many blessings each and every single day. Some may even be so small that we might overlook them. The classic hymn ‘Count Your Blessings’ truly reminds us to stop and give thanks for all God has done in our lives. This is definitely a pause we all need to take. Amen.’ And in this increasingly busy, confused and uncertain world, we all need to make that pause every so often, when the cares of the world start closing in on us.
Now here’s an amazing scripture form Bruh David from Psalm 40 – Praise for answered prayer – describing just how marvellous and generous our God is to us. ‘Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order (recounted) unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.’ (Ps. 40:5) And that’s the awesome truth my brethren, for as godtube says above, some of them are so small that we tend to overlook them.
And in Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God – Bruh David declares (yesss!): ‘How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.’ (Ps. 139:17-18) And if you think that’s all, please listen to Bruh Paul’s greeting to the Ephesians. ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.’ (Eph. 1:3)
Yes friends, Bruh Paul is praising the Lord because He has bestowed all spiritual blessings on His people. And the scholars offer this synopsis of that verse. ‘These spiritual benefits are granted to the believer and are retained in heaven for him, being progressively dispersed to him on earth in accord with his need and spiritual growth….This verse, therefore, makes five points: (1) What has God done? He has blessed us. (2) With what? With every spiritual blessing. (3) When? In eternity past. (4) Where are these blessings? In heaven. (5) How did God do this? By Christ.’
Oh precious people, what a marvellous God we serve, one who has our wellbeing uppermost in His mind and blesses us accordingly. I don’t know what more we can ask for nuh. And we’ll end with this interesting quote from whom I don’t know (smile), but it is very relevant. ‘If you always find yourself numbering your troubles, you will never find time counting your blessings. There is no use becoming frustrated in your difficulties while you have all opportunities hiding in them for a turnover.’
Let’s ponder those words today nuh, as we enjoy the Lord’s day. Much LOVE!
…if you are a believer…counting one’s blessings…ought to come naturally…
24 Aug 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a word to the wise is sufficent, be not afraid, be strong and of a good courage, blessed is the man, courage, day and night, evil forces, evil influences, grace, his delight is in the law of the Lord, humble servants, in his law doth he meditate, indelibly written, LOVE, make thy way prosperous, meditate therein day and night, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, negative consequences, neither be thou dismayed, not depart out of thy mouth, our Father who art in heaven, pandemic, ponder, sincerely seek your face, sinned, sitteth in the seat of the scornful, standeth in the way of sinners, standing in faith, strife, strong faith, the Lord thy God is with thee, the rich man and Lazarus, this book of the law, too big for our britches, walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly
Psalm 1:2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder by talking to oneself) day and night.
And moving along in strong faith this Monday morning, we prime ourselves to do whatever the Lord has called us to do; be it work from home, or get out there and face the unknown, lurking evil forces, or just do nothing at all. (smile) The important thing is that we don’t worry, for we are assured that He will give us, the grace, courage and mercy to do His will. But they don’t occur automatically, we have to let His promises that are indelibly written deep in our hearts, souls and minds from much study and meditation, rise to the forefront and propel us forward.
And that puts me in mind of one of the most powerful passages of scripture in the Good Book; the Lord’s instructions to Joshua when he took over from Moses as the leader of the Israelites. Our God was quite clear and very explicit in His instructions. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8)
What’s in that to misunderstand eh my people? Absolutely nothing! It spells it out loud and clear: if you want to be prosperous and successful, then you need to learn my Word and then live it. But you can only learn it if you keep feasting on it. Unfortunately though, in these modern times, we have not done that, no wonder our society is in deep distress. Instead of learning the Word, we have chosen to disregard it, throw it on the junk heap, make it of no account in our lives.
So what can we expect from that ungodly and unwise behaviour eh? Serious negative consequences, for our God doesn’t make idle promises. If He says to do something or else something negative will happen, then that’s exactly what He means. But we’ve become so big for our britches with our advanced technological society that we think we don’t need Him any longer. What foolish wisdom! And the necessity for delving deeply and constantly into the Word and living by it is again highlighted right at the beginning of the Psalms.
Psalm 1 – Blessed are the righteous tells us in no uncertain terms. ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder by talking to oneself) day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’ (Ps. 1:1-3) I think that’s self-explanatory.
And the scholars explain: ‘Psalm 1. The key word in the psalm is the word blessed. It serves here as a pronouncement upon a man – but a certain kind of man. The happy man avoids evil influences, deeds, and attitudes (vs.1); he delights in God’s Word (vs.2); therefore God causes him to prosper (vs.3).’ Yes friends, when we walk seriously and sincerely with the Lord our lives will be enriched, not necessarily with material possessions, although that is very possible, but with a spiritual experience that trumps everything else.
Obviously, the ungodly, the wicked are not so. And don’t ask why so many ungodly are so wealthy and so many godly people so poor? The answer is simple; ‘the way of the ungodly shall perish.’ (Ps. 1:6b) Oh they might wax rich and fat and powerful here on earth, but in the next life they will be on the outside looking in, like in Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus, where the rich man is being tormented in hell, but the earthly poor Lazarus is living it up in heaven. (Luke 16:19-31) Please read it, it will give you a good idea of how ungodly earthly living is a very dangerous and foolish thing.
So let’s come before our wonderful God now nuh, and lay our earthly concerns confidently, but humbly before Him, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. All together now. ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive and standing in faith despite the mass confusion that’s currently prevailing in our world.
We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems; the pandemic of Covid -19, the racial, political, and religious strife that’s ignited worldwide, plus the natural disasters like storms, famine, drought, plagues, climate change, wildfires, earthquakes and erupting volcanoes that suddenly seem to be blossoming more and more as time goes by.
Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction to bring our problems under control.
And for those who are currently suffering from the many negative situations, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
Now let’s go home reminding ourselves of this other powerful verse of the Lord to Joshua, and ultimately to all believers. ‘Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:9) There’s no more to say my brethren, for a word to the wise is sufficient. Much LOVE!
…he who does not hear…will most certainly feel…
15 Aug 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a learned behaviour, adventurous persons, all members have not the same function, aspires to inspire, be contented, be grateful to people who make us happy, broke in no time flat, charming gardeners, Christ's church is one body, complain, courageous, dead in sins, do what you can with what you have, dominating our activities, fearful individuals, fine fettle, for a better tomorrow, Friend Anselm, function in sync, gifts differing according to grace, God who is rich in mercy, gospel truth, grace, great things are born, greed, gripe, handle situations with aplomb, hath raised us up together, his great love, I am the true vine, in christ Jesus, in heavenly places, in respect of want, in the ages to come, in whatsoever state I am, keep our eyes on heaven, let's play, LOVE, made us alive, made us sit together, make our souls blossom, many members in one body, much thanks and praise, my Father is the husbandman, pandemic, pilgrims, power, power is not revealed by, pride, quickened us, Saturday, stay attached to Jesus, strife, striking hard or often, testify, the alliance of one, the exceeding riches of his grace, the faithfulness of God, the Holy Trinity, the living truth, the Lord God Jehovah, there will your heart be, therewith to be content, treasure, trepidation, what you do not have, where your treasure is, work together as one, working with the other
Ephesians 2:6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Come on friends, let’s play! It’s Saturday, and that means it’s play time! Yeh, that used to be true, but not so much again. Our world has changed up so much in the last few months, that most of us wouldn’t recognize it if we truly saw it. (smile) But it’s still our world; it’s all we have, so let’s make as good a time as we can out of it nuh! Our great God didn’t make us to be wimpy, fearful individuals, but strong, bright, courageous and adventurous persons, who are able to take the bad with the good and handle both situations with aplomb under His watchful power!
Wow! Like the ole fella in fine fettle this Saturday morning. (smile) Ah just hope he’ll still be in fine fettle when it comes to deciphering the quotes that our friend Anselm sent us this past week, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. So let’s check out the first quote nuh: ‘Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.’ And is that ever a most useful quote for these perilous, unprecedented and uncertain times in which we’re currently living!
Yeh friends, in this pandemic and strife filled time, we cannot afford to gripe and complain about what we don’t have, our normal course of affairs, but instead we need to be thankful for what we do have and make do, be contented with it. Remember these oh so important words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians, when they sent him a financial gift. ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (in regard of need): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ (Phill. 4:11)
Oh my people, that is something we need to learn so badly in these controversial times; be contented with what we have. But please note it is a learned behaviour. It doesn’t just happen automatically. We have to consciously apply ourselves to learning it. So let’s start doing so today, right now nuh. Consequently, I believe that this next quote is rather appropriate. ‘Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.’
And isn’t that living truth? We ought to be grateful to those who make us happy because they are the ones who cause us to rise up and do productive stuff. And I like how the quote puts it: ‘charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.’ Friends, without that kind of people in our lives, we would be simply lost and adrift in an uncaring world. And it puts me in mind of Jesus’ historic comment: ‘I am the true (genuine) vine, and my Father is the husbandman (vinedresser, gardener). (John 15:1)
Isn’t that wonderful. Jesus is the vine to which we need to stay attached, and the Lord God Jehovah is the charming gardener who makes our souls blossom with all Hie wonderful blessings and gardening skills. I LOVE it! (smile) And this next quote fits quite nicely with the first two. ‘One man may hit the mark, another blunder; but heed not these distinctions. Only from the alliance of the one, working with and through the other, are great things born.’ Now that’s certainly gospel truth right there mih bredrin! No man is an island!
And though we may do great things separately, we can always do greater things together. Yuh see how Christ created His church – like a human body with many different parts, but all forming together as one. Hear Bruh Paul to the church at Rome. ‘For as we have many members (parts) in one body, and all members (parts) have not the same office (function): So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…’ (Rom. 12:4-6a).
Yes my people, our Creator gave us different individual gifts because He wanted us to work together, be one, like the Holy Trinity that we serve and worship. It’s ONE deity, divided into three parts, each part having a different function, and if the parts don’t function in sync with each other then the whole body won’t function properly. And that’s why Christ’s church is not functioning properly here on earth, we, the believers in Christ, are not working together, but against each other, as unto the world, with greed and power and pride dominating our activities.
But hear this next quote nuh: ‘Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true.’ And if you don’t believe that, then yuh don’t know nothing about real power! The fearful, or the tyrannical think they need to strike hard and often at whatever displeases them, but the person who truly knows about power, strikes at the right place and at the right time. That’s why so many people grab power and lose it just as quickly, because they don’t know how to handle it. Just like most of those who win the lottery and are broke in no time flat. They don’t know how to truly handle money!
And that leads us to this last quote. ‘I believe that if one always looked at the skies, one would end up with wings.’ Now in reality, that might not be true, but as a believer in Jesus Christ, there is much substance to it. When we look to the heavens, where Christ is seated, having defeated the devil in His earthly sojourn, we come to realize how blessed and triumphant we truly are. Why?
Because Bruh Paul says it in spades. ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great LOVE wherewith he LOVED us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are (have been) saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through (in) Christ Jesus.’ (Eph. 2:4-7)
Oh precious people of God, how can you ever beat that eh? God has not only raised up Christ to sit in heavenly places, but will do the same for us who believe and sincerely worship Him! That’s why it’s oh so important to keep our eyes on heaven, since it’s our home, the place where our real treasure, our indestructible, incorruptible treasure is stored, and we’re just pilgrims passing through here on earth, working to bring others to Christ. Much LOVE!
…for where your treasure is…there will your heart be also… (Mat.6:21)
P.S. Oh friends, I have to testify today yes. Every Saturday when I look at the quotes, there’s a li’l trepidation as I wonder how I’m ever going to pull them together to make some sense. And I usually do, with the Lord’s help obviously. But sometimes there’s a struggle to pull it off. Today however, the usual trepidation was there, but the faithfulness of God, His awesome grace seemed to be even more prevalent than normal.
Why do I say so? Because today’s Bit came together ever so smoothly, one thing led right into another, even the scriptures came up sort of automatically, and I did not have to pull out my hair, (smile) to put the words and thoughts together. I hope it all makes sense though. (smile) So, under those wonderful circumstances, how can I not sincerely serve and worship the Lord eh, and give Him much thanks and praise for His faithfulness? Much LOVE!
12 Aug 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good and godly attitude, a powerful tool, a righteous man, agree in prayer, ask, ask in prayer, at noon, availeth much, Ayphia, belieiving, cast thy burden upon the Lord, confess your faults to each other, Covid-19, cry aloud, engage in sincere prayer, evening, eyes fixed straight ahead, give ear to my words, giving thanks, God searches our hearts, grace, great expectations, guidance, halfway home, hands on the plough, he shall hear my voice, he shall sustain thee, He will never allow his children, healing balm, heaven is our home, I will call upon god, in the name of Jesus, it shall be given you, it shall be opened, keep looking up, knock, magnificent and magnanimous God, morning, my god, my King, never ceasing prayer, not turning back, peace, pray always, pray everywhere, pray for one another, prayer, prayer meister, saints in Christ, seek, strength, the assurance, the breath of life, the effective fervent prayer, the Good Book, the great and awesome friend, the Lord shall save me, the surety in his voice, the voice of my cry, those who love and trust you, timely guidance, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be taken, true motives, unto thee will I pray, Wednesday Wail, will I pray, will look up, wisdom, work everything out for good, ye may be healed, ye shall find, ye shall receive
Psalm 55:17. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Well a good morning to you my fellow saints in Christ! I do hope we’re all prepared to receive and enjoy all the new mercies, grace, forgiveness and unconditional LOVE that our wonderful God has to offer today! There will be a surfeit of blessings; an abundance, such excess like we’ve never seen before, and much much more than we can ever use! Wow! What a magnificent and magnanimous God we serve!
Anyhow, on to more serious matters. One of our Scrip-Bit family members wrote me yesterday asking for prayer for her 2 ½ year old granddaughter Ayphia, who was born with several medical complications. This morning she’s going from Atlanta to Philadelphia to see a specialist about her blood sugar situation, which is always low. The grandma says that Ayphia has come a long way and she knows that it’s because of prayers offered on her behalf. But she is very nervous this time because of the Covid-19 situation, thus she is asking for our prayers to be sent up to heaven on Ayphia’s behalf.
Now, prayer is that marvellous action in which the saints of Christ ought to be rather adept at, since it’s the way we communicate with our Creator and heavenly Father and it is also a very powerful tool. As James, Christ’s brother so powerfully puts it: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16) And since we’re all righteous in the eyes of the Lord, it means that our prayers can be very effective. Thus, I’m asking all of us to pray privately for Ayphia, but also to join me in corporate prayer here.
Please pray with me. ‘Dear Father in heaven, you’ve said in your Word that when your children come to you agreed in prayer, that you will hear and grant their request. So right now we come in agreement, with concerned hearts and minds for your daughter Ayphia, asking that You heal her, apply your healing balm to her sick and hurting body and soul. And if that healing is not in your plans for her young life, then please give her and her family the strength, wisdom, grace and peace to handle the situation with a good and godly attitude, knowing that you’ve faithfully promised to eventually work everything out for the good of those who LOVE, trust and surrender their all to you. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour, your wonderful Son, Jesus Christ!’
Ah friends, there’s nothing else on earth as powerful and soul building as prayer! That’s why the Good Book entreats us so much to engage in sincere prayer as often as possible…. Bruh Paul says to pray always (Eph. 6:18); without ceasing, (1 Thess. 5:17); pray everywhere (1 Tim. 2:8) So, in other words, prayer ought to be a constant in our lives. As we go about our daily tasks, our communication with our heavenly Father should not be neglected, but rather, we should involve Him in all that we do; asking for timely guidance and wisdom, giving thanks, and just talking to Him like the great and awesome friend that He is.
Remember what Jesus said: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ (Matt. 7:7) And He further stated: ‘And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ (Matt. 21:22) So I don’t know why so many of us forsake the wonderful opportunity to pray always, everywhere, and sincerely. (smile) And that’s why Bruh David, despite all his faults and foibles could still be known as a friend of God and a man after His own heart. He never stopped calling on the Almighty, regardless of time and/or circumstance.
Hear that great prayer meister. (smile) ‘Give ear to my words, O Lord; Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.’ (Ps. 5:1-3) Now how can a good and LOVING God refuse or refute such prayers eh?
And hear Bruh David again in Psalm 55, his cry against deceitful friends. ‘Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick (alive) into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.’ (Ps. 55:15-17)
Oh mih people, that’s why Bruh David prospered! As I keep saying, he knew on which side his bread was buttered! And did you notice the surety in His voice, like Jesus said, the belief that God would hear his cry? Now do we come to God with such assurance? I don’t think so. That’s possibly why many of our prayers are not answered. Remember too that God searches our hearts for our true motives before He answers our prayers, so if our motives aren’t right and our belief isn’t strong then our prayers are likely to go unanswered.
But listen to these oh so true words of Bruh David that brings the full picture to life. ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer (permit) the righteous to be moved (shaken).’ (Ps. 55:22) Now that encapsulates the whole thing; just cast your care on God, believing that He will never allow His children to be taken! And with that divine assurance, we can therefore go home now declaring (yeahhh!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
So in strong voice, with sincere hearts: ‘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!’
Now let’s hold on strong and steadfast to the plough, keep focusing on the future, and we’ll be more than pleasantly surprised at the eventual outcome. Much LOVE!
…heaven is our home…so let’s keep looking up…with great expectations…
P.S. Please remember Ayphia in your prayers. Much LOVE!
03 Aug 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: answer our prayers, belong mercies and forgiveness, captives to Babylon, Civic holiday, compliance to God's Word, confusion of face, contracted the virus, Covid not making joke, Daniel's prayer, disobedience, drunk or sober, faithfully promised, foolhardiness, grace, gracious God, Granny's warning, heal our land, humble servants, imprisoned in our homes, injured in the strife, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mind yuh business, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, obeyed the voice of, of the Lord our God, our Lord and Saviour, pandemic, protests, put that in pipe and smoke it, repentance, shame, sinful rebellion, sonny boy, stage 3 opening, strife, the best remedy for a sinful soul, the God of many chances, the Lord our god, the throne of grace, to walk in his laws, tough consequences, turn from our evil ways, Usain Bolt, we have rebelled against him
Daniel 9:9. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him;
Oh my people, I had to chuckle just now when I realized a very pertinent fact. Today is the 3rd of August and with the way the days are quickly flying by, it means that August, as well as summer, will soon be over. Hn! But we’ve been so taken up with the pandemic and racial protests, too busy to notice that our favourite season has sprinted by, like Usain Bolt, while we were unfortunately cooped up, imprisoned in our homes. And come September, the cold winds will start to blow and the leaves will begin to lose their green colour and fall lifeless to the chilly earth.
And I know that those of you fortunate to not have winter will be chuckling at our sad situation, but don’t laugh too much, because just as we were locked down for the summer and couldn’t enjoy the good weather the way we are accustomed to, you were also locked down and couldn’t enjoy your tropical weather. And furthermore, when we are locked down for the winter, you will be locked down too, so that your tropical weather won’t do you any good! So put that in yuh pipe and smoke it nuh! (smile) Covid-19 have all of us in jail, regardless of the weather.
And our current situation puts me in mind of Daniel’s prayer on Israel’s behalf when they had sinned against God and were carried captive to Babylon. Listen to Daniel. ‘O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face (shame), to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.’ (Dan. 9:8) Now that’s something none of us can argue is untrue, for we have done everything in our power to make Jehovah God of little or no account in our modern society. No wonder the tough situation in which we now find ourselves.
Regardless of what the world says, we cannot deliberately disobey God for any length of time and not suffer serious consequences. And the reality is that He doesn’t even need to intervene; because our foolhardiness will cause our own demise. But yuh know what friends, Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is so magnanimous and merciful that although we rebel against Him, He will not allow us to be completely destroyed. Hear how Daniel puts it nuh. ‘To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him; Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.’ (Dan. 9:9-10)
Both statements are awesome truths my people! Our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have sinned against Him. And how do we change, correct our situation? By falling on our knees, our faces, prostrating ourselves in sincere repentance before the Creator of the universe, and asking for mercy and forgiveness for our sinful rebellion, and grace not to make the same foolish mistake again. But yuh know what, although the Lord knows that there’s a rather high probability that once we get back on our feet, we’ll do the same thing, He will forgive us. That’s why He’s called the God of many chances.
But please, let’s not forget that there will always be tough consequences to our disobedience, just like Israel discovered way back then. So let’s come to the throne of grace with humble confidence nuh, and express our heartfelt sorrow and repentance through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
All together now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive, and hopefully haven’t contracted the virus that’s causing havoc around our world. And our anxieties have been recently deepened because some restrictions have been lifted in the lockdown, so more of us are going out to work now without any guarantees of safety. Then to complicate matters Father, suddenly, and unexpectedly, just like the virus, worldwide strife and protests have also struck us in this sad time of pandemic, and we don’t have a clue how to handle either situation properly.
Mass confusion is currently prevailing in our world, and we desperately need your help to solve both problems, as You are the ONLY One with the power and insight to successfully handle them. Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face.
That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction. Please show us how to successfully handle these scourges that are currently plaguing Your beautiful earth. Please help our leaders to wisely quell the strife and protests, thus bringing unity, peaceful consensus and real improvement in the areas that are now sadly lacking. Please help the scientists to also find a positive solution, a sure antidote to the virus as quickly as possible.
And for those who have already contracted the virus, or been injured in the strife, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
Yes my people, we sounded good, and the Lord heard us, but right now He’s investigating every heart that made that prayer to make sure its motives were right and sincere and not just mere words spoken to try and appease Him. So let’s hope enough of us were truly sincere, so He will take us seriously and help us. And for those of us who don’t have to go to work today on this Civic Holiday in the stage 3 opening of the lockdown, a word of warning, please go easy on the celebrations. And as Granny would say: ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business because Covid still out there, and it not making joke! Much LOVE!
…repentance…the best remedy for a sinful soul…
27 Jul 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a very present help in trouble, anxieties, asaph, behold the works of the Lord, call upon me, come short in obedience, compliance to your word, delivers them from their troubles, evil, exalted in the earth, faithfully promised, forgiving, get up and give thanks, God is our refuge and strength, grace, gracious God, havoc, heal our land, heal our wounded souls, his calming influence, humble ourselves, humble servants, I will deliver thee, in the day of trouble, Jehovah Rapha, keepeth all his bones, maketh wars to cease, merciful, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, no guarantees of safety, offer unto God thanksgiving, our many flaws and weaknesses, pay thy vows unto the Most High, redeemeth the soul of his servants, repenetance, restrictions been lifted, rocking and rolling, Selah, sincerely seek thy face, slay the wicked, still loves us, the afflictions of the righteous, the believer's strength, the god of jacob is our refuge, the God who heals, the joy of the Lord, the Lord hears, the One who made us, the righteous cry, the sons of Korah, the stroms of life, thou shalt glorify me, to hear and answer our prayers, turn from our evil ways, under his mighty wings, we run for refuge and comfort, we will not fear, wise guidance and direction, worldwide strife and protests
Psalm 50:15. And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Oh friends, please sing with me: ‘Monday morning is come, so we rocking and rolling; That’s how we do it, when Monday morning comes. We get up and give thanks, and prepare to enjoy the day, whatever the weather… whatever the circumstances. That’s because, the One who made us…and still LOVES us, despite our many flaws and weaknesses, is looking out, for all those who call Him Lord and Saviour!
Under His mighty wings, we run for refuge and comfort, when the storms of life assail us, assured that He will calm them, and heal our wounded souls, because all storms respond to His calming influence. So that’s why we sing: Is Monday morning…and we rocking and rolling. Yes, is Monday morning, and we rocking and rolling…we rocking and rolling…forever…with Jesus… yes forever…with Jesus…!’
Ah mih people, I do hope that you all like my li’l ditty! (smile) And it’s how we ought to greet Mondays – with joy and great promise… As Asaph the psalmist says: ‘Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’ (Ps. 50:14-15) It could not get any clearer and more straightforward than that my friends.
So since we’ve offered thanksgiving, now let’s call upon the Lord in our time of very serious trouble. Let’s take our concerns to the heavenly throne, where Jesus, our intercessor is waiting to plead our case before the Father. In confident though humble voices and spirits, let’s declare (steups!) our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive, and hopefully haven’t contracted the virus that’s causing havoc around our world. And our anxieties have been recently deepened because some restrictions have been lifted in the lockdown, so more of us are going out to work now without any guarantees of safety. Then to complicate matters Father, suddenly, and unexpectedly, just like the virus, worldwide strife and protests have also struck us in this sad time of pandemic, and we don’t have a clue how to handle either situation properly.
Mass confusion is currently prevailing in our world, and we desperately need your help to solve both problems, as You are the ONLY One with the power and insight to successfully handle them. Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face.
That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction. Please show us how to successfully handle these scourges that are currently plaguing Your beautiful earth. Please help our leaders to wisely quell the strife and protests, thus bringing unity, peaceful consensus and real improvement in the areas that are now sadly lacking. Please help the scientists to also find a positive solution, a sure antidote to the virus as quickly as possible. And for those who have already contracted the virus, or been injured in the strife, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them.
Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
And now that we’ve placed our problems in Jesus’ capable hands, let’s get some further reassurance from the Lord’s Word. Hear the sons of Korah. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (abundantly available help). Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried away into the midst (the heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps. 46:1-3)
And if you don’t believe the sons of Korah, then listen to Bruh David nuh. ‘The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit (crushed in spirit). Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate (condemned or held guilty). The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate (condemned).’ (Ps. 34:17-22)
Oh Bubba! How much more assurance do we need before we put our absolute trust in Almighty God eh? But just in case we do need some more, (smile) let’s hear from the sons of Korah again. ‘Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.’ (Ps. 46:8-11)
Now with all of that confidence and assurance ringing in our hearts and souls, let’s go out and enjoy the day the Lord has made, as we do good and worthwhile ambassadorial work in His holy and wonderful name! Much LOVE!
…the joy of the Lord…is the believer’s unfailing strength…
24 Jul 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sacrifice to God, a sweet smelling savour, all manner of conversation, aroma, as dear children, as your Father is merciful, at the revelation of Jesus, be merciful, be sober, be ye holy, bring backsliders back, confusion, do good, followers of God, gird up the loins of your mind, grace, havoc, hope for nothing in return, hope to the end for grace, in ignorance, intoxication, justified, lead the way, lend, lockdown, Love your enemies, made righteous, mercy, new mercies and compassions, not conforming to former lusts, obedient children, offering prayer, omnipotent help, outward conduct, pandemic, peace, persoanl discipline, physical distancing, physical labour, racial riots, redeemed, sanctified, serious setbacks, smell the coffee, stand strong and steadfast, strife, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the blood of Jesus Christ, the longed for weekend, the ordinary workingman, the saints of Christ, the saints of God, the undeserving children of men, troubled times, trusting faith, unexpected storm, wake up, walk in LOVE, wearing masks, wise guidance, your reward shall be great
Ephesians 5:1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Welcome to another beautiful day on God’s great earth my fellow saints in Christ! And grace and mercy and peace to you from our heavenly Father as we spend the day doing His wonderful work, redeemed, sanctified, justified and made righteous by the awesome blood of His Son Jesus Christ!
Mama Yo! What a bountiful privilege! And all God’s children said a loud, proud and grateful: “Praise the Lord our great and merciful God, who sends us new mercies and compassions every single day! Who looks after the undeserving children of men! Bless His holy name! Amen!’
And I know it’s Friday, the day so many of us look forward to, when our weekly tasks will end for two lousy days, but nonetheless it fills us with happiness. (smile) Look at it this way nuh, the Lord worked six days to create the universe, we’re only working five, which means we’re one up, that should lessen our antipathy to the work week. (smile)
But let’s hear what the ordinary working man has to say for himself on this bright and sunshiny Friday. And he gushes today: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday and that longed for weekend is here! It was the best week for a while now. It wasn’t so hot, and some rain fell and mih body getting used again to the hard, physical labour in the slave master fiery furnace so nicely called a machine shop, so it not hurting so much again! Thank God for that oui, because it not easy to do all the things we need to do, at the speed and consistency we need to do it when every move yuh make hurts like hell!
I just hope to heaven though that the pandemic and strife business would get settled and be over with, because they still casting a dark cloud over mih life and the world. Yeh, is good to see that they easing the lockdown, but how many people going to pay serious attention to wearing masks and physical distancing when everything gets more open eh? That is the big question, especially since those seem to be the only options we currently have for holding the virus in some sorta check.
Ah Lord eh! Some of us real dense and stupid yes! We still mouthing off about freedom and trampling of rights, but when we go out there not careful, what yuh think going to happen eh? The same blooming foolishness that happening in the U.S. now! But what do I know eh? I’m just a lowly, ordinary workingman, giving thanks to God for the li’l weekend rest ah going to get come this evening.’
Ah friends, the ordinary workingman claims not to know a whole lot, but he does know more than a lot of the so-called upper class and educated people who are not taking our current situation as seriously as they ought to. But that’s where we, the saints of Christ come in; offering prayer and assurance that things will get better, we just don’t know when, and these things will pass, when our God decides it’s time. So let’s go to Him now nuh, corporately, through our Friday Chant, with sincere hearts and plead for His awesome help.
All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. It’s been pretty rough…some of it from work, as many of us are now back to work in varied ways, but most of our anxiety still comes from all the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus still causing. We not accustomed to that Lord, and it really telling on us. And now, on top of all that, we have racial riots and protests to put up with. Oh Lord, yuh know we can’t handle it on our own and desperately need Your help.
Yes, heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks.
And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And now that we’ve prayed with sincere hearts my people, what is our next move eh? To put into action what we said above, re God’s faithful people handling the situation with wisdom and compassion. And how do we do that? Like Bruh Paul told the church at Ephesus when he expounded on the ways of the believer. ‘Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in LOVE, as Christ also hath LOVED us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour (aroma).’ (Eph. 5:1-2)
And how do we do all of that? As Jesus said: ‘But LOVE ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again (in return); and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.’ (Luke 6:35-36)
And if Jesus words don’t appeal to you, then try these from Peter nuh, as he talks about the call to Christian dedication. ‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind (prepare your mind for action), be sober, and hope to the end for grace (rest your mind fully upon the grace) that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;’ (1 Pet. 1:13)
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘1:13. The exhortation to set one’s hope involves an inward resolution. Gird up the loins of your mind: The imagery is that of personal discipline and outward conduct. Be sober: (Gr. nephontes): Be free of every sort of mental and spiritual intoxication. The revelation of Jesus Christ is the Second advent when Jesus returns to earth to set up His kingdom.’
Consequently, our behaviour should be: ‘As obedient children, not fashioning (conforming) yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.’ (1 Pet. 1:14-16)
And for our information, that scripture is found in Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; and 20:7. Not only one place, but several, which means the Lord was very serious about it. So please, let’s take holiness seriously too, as we go about doing God’s work each and every day! Much LOVE!
…in troubled times…the saints of God lead the way…
15 Jul 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a broken heart, a contrite spirit, a fatted calf, a good read, allow the Holy Spirit to control us, attentive, be acceptable in thy sight, be sarcastic, belittle you, better is a dinner of herbs, blinding people's thoughts, born of God, break into your thoughts, courteous, cutoffs, defences, endure to the end, faith, glory hallelujah, grace, halfway home, hands on the plough, hatred, hope love, I'm not turning back, icy silences, informative, kind, knoweth god, let the words of my mouth, listening love, love covereth all sins, LOVE is of God, LOVE one another, love that listens, mercy, missing real life, monologues, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my redeemer, not opinionated, now for now decisions, O Lord my strength, objective, One Year Book of Bible promises, overconfidence, patient, Ruth Harms Calkin, shame you, show forth thy praise, sinful nature, stirreth up strifes, surface talk, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith, the best life possible, the breath of life, the greatest is love, the meditation of my heart, the most valuable attribute of God, the sacrifices of God, thou desirest not sacrifice, to a glorious future with Jesus, trite spiritual answers, turbulent times, turn you off, undivided attention, unselfish, We can do all things through Christ, Wednesday Wail, where love is, with the Lord's help
Psalm 19:14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (my rock), and my redeemer.
Well friends, Wednesday has opened bright and sparkling and promises to be a hot one, not like the last two days that have been comparatively cool. But it’s summer and that’s what we expect…until it gets too hot. (smile) And this morning we have something to share from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that will break down all the walls and barriers and impediments that we have built up around ourselves and those with whom we interact. It’s appropriately titled, ‘LISTENING LOVE!’
Yeh mih people, it’s LOVE that listens. So please pray with me: ‘Listening LOVE is one of the greatest gifts we can give our mates, our families, and our friends. Too often we settle for surface talk or icy silences, for monologues or cutoffs, for defences. What a difference when we follow the principles of Listening LOVE. Listening LOVE is courteous. It says… I will strive not to interrupt or outguess you. I will not finish your sentences or break into your thoughts. Listening LOVE is attentive. It says… I will give you my undivided attention. I will not turn you off or leave you isolated.
Listening LOVE is patient. It says… I will not rush you or insist on a right-now conclusion. Listening LOVE is kind. It says… I will not shame you with sarcastic retorts. I will not belittle you. Listening LOVE is objective. It says… I will try to be informative rather than opinionated. I will not attempt to think for you. Listening LOVE is unselfish. It says… I will guard against overconfidence and trite “spiritual” answers. Listening LOVE is prayerful. It says… I will pray for insight, for wisdom, and for gentle reactions.’
Oh my people, Listening LOVE is indeed difficult to practice when all the problems of the world are weighing us down! But please pray that there will be Listening LOVE between the duchess and I today, (smile) because I’ve already turned on the A/C after it was off for the last two days, and that’s usually a source of contention between us. But although practicing Listening LOVE is difficult, it is indeed possible, if we took our time and thought about our reactions before we engaged them. Unfortunately though, that’s also a difficult thing in this new and modern world of speed and now for now decision making.
And I guess that’s why Bruh David prayed this solemn prayer at the end of Psalm 19, which is our Bit and also the Bible Verse associated with today’s writing. ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (my rock), and my redeemer.’ Yes my brethren, it’s only with the Lord’s help that we can truly practice Listening LOVE! The world and the sinful nature that exists within us do not allow us to be patient, thoughtful, kind, courteous and all the other things that Listening LOVE requires.
I guess that’s why Cousin Sol also wisely proclaimed: ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE covereth all sins.’ (Prov. 12:19) And again why he later on declared (yeahhh!) ‘Better is a dinner of herbs (vegetables) where LOVE is, than a stalled ox (fatted calf) and hatred therewith.’ (Prov. 15:17) Oh my people, LOVE is such a wonderful thing! And it ought to be, since it’s the most valuable attribute of our magnanimous and magnificent God! ‘And now abideth faith, hope, LOVE, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.’ (1 Cor. 13:13)
But since the fall of man, when sin entered our lives, true LOVE seems to be so difficult for us to practice. And the great efforts of the fallen angel Lucifer, now his satanic majesty, against it doesn’t help us in the least. Satan hates LOVE because he knows that LOVE comes from God. and he doesn’t like it one bit when John says: ‘Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God.’ (1 John 4:7)
But as true believers in Christ, that is exactly what we are called to do! All the greed and selfishness of the world should not be showing up in the sons and daughters of Almighty God. Sadly, however, it is showing up to a great extent because we are still too contaminated by the ways of the world and we are not seeking the righteousness of God as much as we ought to. And a very good example of how we ought to behave is given by Bruh David when the prophet Nathan eventually accosted him re his adultery with Bathsheba and the premeditated murder of her husband Uriah.
He prayed: ‘O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else I would give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.’ (Ps. 51) Yeh friends, our sin nature is responsible for a lot of stuff. But please listen to these wise words from the scholars.
‘Sin nature: 51:5. When the word sin appears in the singular, it usually denotes the sin nature of humanity. This sin nature, which everyone possesses, influences us to sin and is the source of lust. It negatively affects people’s minds (Rom. 1:28). Illustration: The sin nature is partially responsible for blinding people’s thoughts and understanding, so that they cannot perceive spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Although our sin nature continues to operate within us, it was judged when Christ died (Rom. 6:6-7).
Application: Until Christ returns, we must live in the strength of the new man, to overcome the sinful desires arising from the sin nature. We cannot eradicate our sin nature, but we can allow the Holy Spirit to control us so that we do not give in to temptation. (First Ref. Gen. 6:5; Primary Ref. Rom. 3; cf. Rom. 5:12).’
Ah friends, life can be somewhat difficult at times, but with Christ in us, and we in Him… Oh we can do any and all things through His most wonderful strength and grace and mercy. So please, let’s not fall or falter by anything evil that comes against us. And please read those scriptures the scholars outlined above, because they are so educational and uplifting, and do we ever need uplifting stuff in these turbulent times! Now let’s go home declaring (oh yeahhh!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our serious, sincere and most excellent position in Christ Jesus!
All together 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!’
And if we endure to the end, we WILL experience that glorious future with Christ! Much LOVE!
…if you don’t know Christ…you’re missing real life…the best life possible…
P.S. Sorry it’s late, but I had to go out the street and do some time sensitive stuff first. But it’s a good read. (smile) Much LOVE!
13 Jul 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lively hope, abundant mercy, an anitdote, an inheritance, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, belief, blessed be god the Father, common to man, consensus, count it all joy, direction, endurance, everything's coming up roses, faith, fall into divers temptations, God uses trouble, grace, handle these scourges, heal our land, hear our prayer, hope, humility, incorruptible, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus has won the victory, let patience have her perfect work, lockdown, manifold temptations, mass confusion, mature His people, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, more precious than gold, my brethren, negative expereinces, pandemic, perseverance, praise honour glory, produces patience, protests, quell the strife, reserved in heaven, run but not hide, scattered diaspora, sincere repentance, strife, temptation, that fadsed not away, the God who heals, the power of God, the resurrection of Jesus, the salvation of your souls, the testing of your faith, the trials of life, through faith unto salvation, to test our faith, trial of your faith, tried with fire, trust, trying times, undefiled, unity, various trials, we have all sinned, wise guidance
James 1:2. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations (various trials),
‘Everything’s coming up roses…’ Well friends, it’s not really coming up nuh, it has already come up! We talking about the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and all that does and says for us poor sinners! Wow! And yes, we might be going through some rough and trying times now, but those are only here to test our faith, endurance and perseverance, because we already know the end of the story; Jesus has won the victory over the enemy! Glory be!
James, the half-brother of Jesus puts it quite succinctly when he speaks of faith and humility. ‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations (various trials), Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing.’ (James 1:2-4)
And the scholars offer these explanations. ‘1:2-3. In this epistle on Christian living, James opens with a most crucial topic: the trials of life. These verses describe the various testings – whether from the world and Satan, or from God – into which godly Christians fall, (Gr. peripipto). These “negative” experiences are to be accepted with great joy, not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can accomplish through the testing.’ Then the scholars note, as per ‘1:4: The natural response to adversity is to escape it. But God uses trouble to mature His people.’
Yes friends, as a true believer in Christ, we WILL experience testing, and it is NEVER easy to accept trials and tribulations with joy, but if we hold on tightly to Jesus, be the branch that’s seamlessly welded to His vine, we can successfully withstand the rigours of those tests. And remember, He promises not to give us more than we can handle.
Bruh Paul explains it thus: ‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13) That doesn’t mean we will necessarily escape the temptation, but He will always assist us to land safely on the other side. So as the old people would say: ‘Yuh could run, but yuh can’t hide from temptation and testing!’ (smile)
And Peter in his first letter to the scattered diaspora of early believers stated it more fully. ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be relieved in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness (distressed) through manifold temptations.’ (1 Pet. 1:3-6)
Yes my people, it’s through God’s abundant mercy, whereby Christ was resurrected, and the faith in Him that we manifest that allows us to look forward to the wonderful indestructible inheritance at the time of ultimate salvation. And though life might be hard for a season, that inheritance down the road helps us to bear these tests.
As Peter continues: ‘That the trial of your faith (the genuineness), being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried (tested) with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing (revelation) of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye LOVE; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.’ (1 Pet. 1:7-9)
Yeh, I know it seems deep and heavy, but remember Christ’s yoke is easy, and His burden light. We not here for child’s play and constant good times, we here to do a job for Jesus which means we have to buckle down and be diligent about it, letting the eventual rewards keep us strong and faithful. Hear what the scholars offer. ‘1:6-9. The problem of salvation looks to the present. Earthly trials constitute a problem of our salvation, but they are only for a season, or temporary. Manifold temptations means diversified trials. True faith cannot be destroyed though God is in the process of refining faith through our trials.’
So what can we do? As always, the number one step is prayer. So let’s pray nuh, raise up our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to heaven, in strong voice, with sincere hearts, in true and humble but confident faith. ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive, and hopefully haven’t contracted the virus that’s causing havoc around our world. And our anxieties have been recently deepened because some restrictions have been lifted in the lockdown, so more of us are going out to work now without any guarantees of safety.
Then to complicate matters Father, suddenly, and unexpectedly, just like the virus, worldwide strife and protests have also struck us in this sad time of pandemic, and we don’t have a clue how to handle either situation properly. Mass confusion is currently prevailing in our world, and we desperately need your help to solve both problems, as You are the ONLY One with the power and insight to successfully handle them.
Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction.
Please show us how to successfully handle these scourges that are currently plaguing Your beautiful earth. Please help our leaders to wisely quell the strife and protests, thus bringing unity, peaceful consensus and real improvement in the areas that are now sadly lacking. Please help the scientists to also find a positive solution, a sure antidote to the virus as quickly as possible. And for those who have already contracted the virus, or been injured in the strife, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them.
Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
Now we sit and wait quietly for a while, for God’s wise direction, then we go out and obediently follow it. Much LOVE!
…to endure to the end…we need a combination of…hope, faith, belief and trust…
10 Jul 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a stumbling block, abide in Him, anxiety, assurance, be strong, be yuh best, believers in Christ, book learning, Christ, confusion, damage, enjoy the fruits of your labour, faithful believers, faithfully promised, fight the good fight, flooding, foolishness, formal education, Friday chant, God's thoughts and ways, grace, havoc, he who endures to the end, heatwave, higher than ours, in word and deed, introduce a whole new flock, is stronger than men, is wiser than men, keep on keeping on, life experience, look yuh best, LOVE, no air conditioning, no other name like Jesus, not falter, not give up, nothing is impossible, omnipotent help, our heavenly Father, pandemic, peace, protests, quench the fiery heat, recourse, regardless of the circumstances, restoring faith in you, serious setbacks, show them, sinful world, slaving in the boiling heat, stand strong and steadfast, strength, strife, take courage, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the crown of glory, the error of their ways, the foolishness of God, the Greeks seek after wisdom, the Jews require a sigh, the message, the power of God, the weakness of God, the weekend, the wisdom of God, trusting faith, unrest in the streets, wake up and smell the coffee, we preach Christ crucified, what a hot week, will be richly rewarded, wisdom in spades, wise guidance
1 Corinthians 1:25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Grace and peace and LOVE from our heavenly Father be unto you this Friday morning my fellow believers in Christ Jesus! It’s a new day and His mercies are new! Glory be! And the message is that we must abide in Him, regardless of the uncomfortable and dangerous circumstances that surround us, we must be strong and not falter, not give up, for he who endures to the end will be richly rewarded! And all God’s children said a loud and grateful ‘Amen!’
Yeh friends, there’s no other name in the universe like that of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, to whom NOTHING is impossible and through whom we can do ANYTHING He desires of us! So let’s take courage, strength and assurance from those facts today nuh and keep on keeping on, keep on fighting the good fight for which we were created so that we can eventually win the crown of glory that we’ve been so faithfully promised! Sermon done! (smile)
It’s time to hear what the ordinary workingman has to say. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! And best of all, the weekend is upon us! But what a hot week this has been! Oh brother, both outside and inside, especially in the blooming slave master factory that don’t have no air conditioning! Steups!
What a cheap man! He refuse to spend the few dollars to put it in, even though they tell him it going to make the machinery last longer, not to mention his employees. We all lost a couple pounds this week, including him, slaving in the boiling heat! To tell the truth though, sometimes the AC not even good enough at home to quench the fiery heat during the nights and them. It’s what you call a real heatwave…and it looks like it going to last even longer.
Just hope the weekend not too bad nuh so I can get some much needed rest… And then this pandemic and strife thing still going on, with no end in sight to them either…What a bam bam! Pandemic, strife and heat! What a glorious trio! And not even a drop of rain to put out the fire. Although Toronto got a good deluge this week for an hour or so that cause a whole lotta flooding and damage, but nowhere else on the outskirts had anything but a li’l drizzle.
But what yuh going to do eh? Life’s never been easy…and nobody ever said it was ever going to be either. Yuh just have to live it as best yuh can…look yuh best and be yuh best, enjoy the fruits of yuh labour and say thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Ah mih people, the ordinary workingman might not have a lot of book learning, but he does have life experience that no amount of formal education can ever teach, and it would be very wise of us to pay some attention to his pronouncements, because remember the Lord uses the simple and foolish to upset the applecart of the wise and powerful.
As Bruh Paul so nicely and wisely put it to the fractious, infighting and thus divided church at Corinth. ‘Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer (debater) of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (the message preached) to save them that believe.’ (1 Cor. 1:20-21)
Yeh friends, it wasn’t by wisdom that the world learned of Christ Jesus, but by the message of the cross preached by simple men and women, to those who chose to believe. As Bruh Paul continues: ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.’ (1 Cor. 1:22-25)
Oh my people, even on His worst day, God’s foolishness and weakness is much wiser and much stronger than man’s best! For remember, He said quite plainly that His ways and thoughts are way above ours. (Is. 55:8-9) And logically, they would have to be for Him to do all the awesome things that He’s done. So please let’s pay serious attention to Him nuh, for though it might sound like foolishness to the world’s way of thinking, it’s actually wisdom in spades.
Now let’s go home showing true wisdom, falling on our bended knees and offering up prayerful sentiments to Him in the form of our Friday Chant. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. It’s been pretty rough…some of it from work, as many of us are now back to work in varied ways, but most of our anxiety still comes from all the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus still causing. We not accustomed to that Lord, and it really telling on us.
And now, on top of all that, we have racial riots and protests to put up with. Oh Lord, yuh know we can’t handle it on our own and desperately need Your help. Yes, heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets.
So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks.
And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that, our only recourse now is to be faithful believers, both in word and deed! Much LOVE!
…whether times are good or bad…Christ is ALWAYS the answer…
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