15 Mar 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new flock of believers, agitate a complaining spirit, Bible, blameless and harmless, bless your Holy Name, climate change, compassion, complaining, crying our for help, do all things without murmurings and disputings, do not allow discontentment to fester, faith, Friday chant, give you thanks, god, grace, great is thy faithfulness, handle the unexpected storms, his compassions fail not, I may prove them, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, Jesus, Jesus Christ, lack of meat, LOVE, mercy, omnipotent help, problems escalating, rain bread from heaven, rain from the skies, restoring faith in you, return backsliders to your fold, stand strong and steadfast, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the example we faithful believers set, the right attitude, the simmering unrest, the sin of complaining, the sons of God, they are new every morning, wake up and smell the coffee, walk in my law, wisdom, wise guidance, without me ye can do nothing, without rebuke, ye shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14. Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings:
Well, we were disappointed in the sun yesterday because it never won the battle with the dark clouds, and instead of blinding sunshine, those dark clouds poured down rain from late afternoon to late night. Now, today, when everyone’s shouting ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ it appears to be another cloudy day, with li’l hope of the sun’s appearance. But as the ole people would say, ‘be thankful for small mercies,’ since it could have been snow and not rain pouring down from the heavenly skies. In fact, without the startling effects of climate change, at this time of the year, it ought to be snow and not rain.
And we’re not really complaining nuh, (smile) we’re saying, ‘Thank You Lord for life and LOVE this Friday morning, be it cloudy, sunshiny, rainy or snowy! As always, we give You Thanks and bless your holy name! Amen’ Now, that’s the proper attitude to display, regardless of our circumstances, although it’s much easier said than done, and we do need the Lord’s help to do it. As Jesus so rightly said, ‘For without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) At least nothing worthwhile or substantial. And as Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.’ (2 Cor. 3:5)
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! It surely is, for without the mercy and grace of God we cannot do anything, and without His awesome breath of life, we won’t even be alive! That just goes to show how much we owe to our wonderful God Jehovah! As Jeremiah so wisely said in his Lamentations: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) Yes friends, every day we get a new batch of grace, mercy and compassion! It’s like how Jesus taught us to pray: ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ (Matt. 6:11)
And that’s how the Lord dishes out His largesse, just enough for every day. It’s like when the Israelites were complaining about food in the wilderness and the Lord, angered by their complaining, said unto Moses: ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day (only eneough for one day), that I may prove (test) them, whether they will walk in my law. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.’ (Ex. 16:4-5)
In other words, every day, they would collect just enough for that day, except on the day before the sabbath, when they would collect twice as much, so they wouldn’t have to go and gather any on the sabbath. And for forty long years the Lord provided the Israelites with manna which they abhorred. But although it might not have tasted or looked as good as the food they had back in their bondage in Egypt, that manna kept them going strong and healthy in the wilderness, because it was food from Almighty God. And sadly, it’s the same way so many of us complain today about what we don’t have, forgetting all that we do have.
We could have ninety nine good things, but we’d rather complain about the hundredth thing that we’re lacking, instead of enjoying the ninety and nine that we already have. But I guess that’s the nature of the beast, especially in these selfish and greedy times, where it’s all about ‘Me, Myself, and I.’ And one of Israel’s greatest sins was complaining. Remember what we spoke of yesterday when they complained about the lack of meat, being tired of the tasteless manna. The Lord rained down so much quail flesh on them, that they got sick of it, then He smote them with a great plague. (Num. 11:18-33)
Oh friends, the Lord knows that sometimes things are difficult, and what we’d like, we don’t have, or are not getting, but He expects us to always have a good attitude and not complain as though life were so tough and He wasn’t looking after us. And it’s not that He doesn’t want us to come to Him with our problems, real or perceived, but it’s how we come to Him; not in anger and defiance, casting blame, where it doesn’t belong. Technically speaking, it’s not wrong to complain, but it’s how we do it, and if there’s really something to complain about.
Nowadays, most of what we complain about are either petty or nonsensical. As this commentary so wisely advises: ‘The sin of complaining is a sin that God deals with swiftly and severely. The example recorded for us in Numbers 11 reminds us of the awful, wicked sin of complaining in our own lives. Don’t minimize what God has provided for you, and do not allow discontentment to fester and agitate a complaining spirit.’
No my people. That is one of the worst things we can ever do. Instead, let’s remember this memorable advice from Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil. 2:14-15) Yes my fellow saints, if we heed that wise advice, we will never go wrong…at least where complaining is concerned. (smile)
Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant with confidence and humility, to ask for the divine help we so badly need to handle our earthly problems. Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ And right there in our prayer, we have the beginning of the answer to it; ‘by the example, we, your faithful believers set.’
Yes friends, we need to set a good example for the unbelievers to see, if we expect God to help us. Much LOVE!
…be careful how you complain…and what you complain about…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
20 Jan 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: cease from anger, compassionate, delight thyself also in the Lord, doesn't play favourites, doesn't spare the rod to spoil the child, drink of the river of thy pleasures, evildoers shall be cut off, faith, faithful, for the salvation of the Lord, God never gives up on us, great is thy faithfulness, holy, how excellent is thy lovingkindness, I may know you all the more, increase my awareness of you, it is good that a man, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, Jesus Christ, just, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, LOVE, loving, mercy, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, remembering mine affliction, rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him, righteous, salvation, should both hope and quietly wait, slow my thoughts, the Lord is good unto them that wait for him, the wormwood and the gall, therefore I have hope, those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds, truth, we serve an intimate God, wisdom, your unceasing nearness
Lamentations 3:26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Well, I guess it’s what we will now refer to as a anormal day; cold and cloudy. And although there is a li’l daylight showing through the cloudiness, I won’t hold out much hope for bright sunshine. (smile) But, as we like to say, regardless of the weather and all our other disturbing circumstances, we will do very well, because we have the Lord Jesus Christ on our side! And all God’s people gave a grateful shout of ‘Praise the Lord!’
So, in keeping with that sentiment, let’s turn to our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer and declare it with all sincerity and truth. As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And as always, when we say those few words with heartfelt feeling, we experience the presence of the Lord moving in and around us, doing exactly what we asked for, calming our souls and refreshing our spirits, while increasing our intimacy with Him. What a LOVING and intimate God we serve my fellow believers! There’s none other like Him! He’s holy, righteous, just, faithful, LOVING, compassionate, doesn’t play favourites, and doesn’t spare the rod to spoil the child. (smile)
That means He is the perfect Father! And although many of us have become rebellious children, He NEVER gives up on us, always has His eye on our situation, so that when we finally reach rock bottom, and in all sincerity, cry out to Him for help, He’s right there to save us and bring us back into His fold. What a wonderful, marvellous, caring and compassionate God we serve! We can never say it too often.
Bruh David said it thus in Psalm 36: ‘Thy mercy (LOVING-kindness), O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains (of God); thy judgements are a great deep (ocean): O Lord, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent (precious) is thy LOVINGKINDNESS, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness (fulness) of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.’ (Ps. 36:5-9)
Oh my people, what a beautiful and true discourse on the wonderfulness of our great God! That’s why, despite the tough times Jeremiah went through doing the Lord’s work, he could still so rightly describe it in his Lamentations. ‘Remembering (I remember) mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness). My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled within me (bowed down). This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:19-23)
And those words of truth we cannot ever doubt, for without God’s compassion and mercy, we would have been long ago consumed in our sin and unrighteousness. But the Lord is ever so faithful that even in Jeremiah’s tough times in doing the Lord’s work, he doesn’t give up, because he knew that the Lord would eventually come through for him. And because of that he had hope in the rough times, and likewise, we who claim to believe in God and His faithfulness, ought to have hope and not give up during the stormy times.
Just like the Lord is faithful to us, we are expected to be faithful to Him. Consequently, Jeremiah continues: ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.’ (Lam. 3:24-25) Yes friends, when we sincerely seek the Lord, His blessings flow down on us even more than normal. As the Lord says in Jeremiah 29:13. ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’
That says it all! If we don’t actively and sincerely seek the Lord, we won’t find him, and therefore He won’t hear us. Then Jeremiah gives us this wonderful verse of scripture: ‘It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam. 3:26) Truer words were never spoken my brethren!
And Bruh David acknowledges them in Psalm 37. ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on God’s faithfulness). Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm). For evil doers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps. 37:3-9)
Oh my fellow saints, there’s nothing in those heartfelt words to doubt, because Bruh David lived them. He wasn’t perfect, and like us made many mistakes, but all through the long and dangerous years when he was anointed to be the next king of Israel but spent them running for his life from the current King, Saul, he never took matters into his own hands or turned away from the Lord, but waited patiently and always sought Him for advice and comfort. And if we are going to be true believers in Christ Jesus, then that’s how we also ought to live in these trying and turbulent times. Much LOVE!
…godly wisdom says to…earnestly seek the Lord…and then faithfully wait on Him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
31 Dec 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a covenant keeping God, a peace that endureth, all I have needed, bright hope for tomorrow, chameleon qualities, eternal separation from Almighty God, faith, fellowship, God never changes, God works in our lives daily, God's faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, heart-wrenching stories, his compassions fail not, holy spirit, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mercy, morning by morning, new mercies I see, New Year's Eve, no shadow of turning, pardon for sin, strength for today, the commercial aspect rules, the dark night of the soul, the facade, the Father of lights, the unfailing faithfulness, Thomas Chisholm, thy hand hath provided, truth, whose hope is in the Lord his God, William Runyan, wisdom, with whom is no variableness
Lamentations 3:22. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! New Year’s Eve Sunday! Another damp and cloudy day! Time for the year’s biggest party, as all around the world the old year will be rung out and the new one rung in with all the hoopla we can manage. And I don’t know why we continue to fool ourselves with the façade of the big New Year’s Eve bash nuh, because nothing much, if anything changes. We keep on doing the same evil, ungodly things; the wars won’t stop, hunger and poverty won’t be eliminated, or even greatly reduced. We might even get more hunger and poverty with all the displaced people from the strife torn parts of our world.
And I don’t mean to be a spoilsport or killjoy, but as always, the commercial aspect of it all rules the roost. Thankfully though, it’s also Sunday, which means a fantastic gathering of believers in the Lord’s sanctuaries, singing, praising and worshipping His Holy Name. And to help us get started we’ll sing this most appropriate hymn titled ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness.’
Apparently the song was written as a poem in 1923 by one Thomas O Chisholm (1866-1960) born in Franklin, Kentucky, who held several jobs including teacher and newspaper editor until he entered the ministry in 1903. He eventually sent the song to William Runyan in Kansas who was affiliated with both the Moody Bible Institute and Hope Publishing Company. Runyan set the poem to music, and it was published that same year by Hope Publishing Company and became popular among church groups.
It seems that Chisholm’s ‘aim in writing was to incorporate as much Scripture as possible and to avoid flippant or sentimental themes.’ And I like how Gregg Scheer explains it in his commentary. He says: ‘Unlike many hymns that have heart-wrenching stories behind them (for instance “It Is Well With My Soul”), “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is inspired by the simple realization that God is at work in our lives on a daily basis. He (Chisholm) wrote, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now.
Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.” The hymn reminds us that God doesn’t only work in dramatic or miraculous ways, but also in simple, everyday ways. It also reminds us that Jesus has never failed us in the past, so we have no reason to doubt his faithfulness in the future.’
And all true believers know that! So, having some insight into the history of the song, lets offer it up with sincere sacrifices of praise, in a mid tempo, joyful version. Singing: ‘Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. (Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!)
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and LOVE. [Refrain] Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!’
Oh my people those are indeed true and marvellous words, and we sang them beautifully. (smile) Right in the opening verse we see one of the great statements about our wonderful God; ‘there is no shadow of changing with thee. Thou changest not… as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.’ That’s His immutability, His unchangeability, as stated by James in his epistle. ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning.’ (James 1:17) And because of God’s unchanging nature we can comfortably and safely place our trust and faith in Him, unlike mankind who displays chameleon-like qualities; erratic, unpredictable and constantly changing.
Then the chorus itself is amazing as it reflects the words of the prophet Jeremiah, when he was going through a rough time. One commentator puts it thus. ‘Chisholm led a pretty ordinary life. He did not write this hymn during a period of intense grief or after encountering God in a profound way. Instead, he found truth in the words he encountered in Lamentations 3:22-23: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’
Jeremiah, on the other hand, was in tumultuous circumstances when writing Lamentations. The people to whom he prophesied did not listen, and he was ostracized and completely alone because of what God called him to do. He also lamented the consequences of their faithlessness. God allowed them to be conquered by the Babylonians, resulting in their entire world being laid to waste.
But in the midst of that utter devastation, Jeremiah still offers them hope on the horizon: they are not completely destroyed because of the LORD’s compassion and faithfulness, and in the morning, after this “dark night of the soul,” things will be better. So whether we are at a place in our lives where everything is pretty ordinary, or whether we are in a period of grief: no matter what our circumstances, God never changes and is faithful to us, sustaining us in his compassion and faithfulness each and every day.’
Yes friends, it’s because of the Lord’s overwhelming LOVE for us that we have not been totally consumed, been wiped off the earth. His LOVE for us is so great and unchanging that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross so that we could be saved from eternal separation from Him. As the song says: ‘Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!’
And just to make sure that we know how much He truly LOVES us, every day He showers us with new LOVE! Wow! What an awesome God we serve my brethren. We’d certainly be foolish not to appreciate all that He’s done, is doing, and has promised to do for us in the future. So, as we ring out the Old Year and ring in the New One, please let’s concentrate on counting our blessings, and stop complaining about what we lack, while being obedient to His will, so that God has a good reason to keep showering us with mercies, compassion and LOVE, each and every day! Much LOVE!
…happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help…whose hope is in the Lord his God…. (Ps. 146:5)
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
04 Dec 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glowing example of faithfulness, abundant in goodness and truth, all men have not faith, do Jesus' work, faith, faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers, faithfulness, forgiving iniquity and transgression, Glory to God for his faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness, he is faithful and just, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, He is faithful that promised, hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, humble ourselves, humble servants, if we confess our sins, in thy light we shall see light, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ the same yesterday today and for ever, keep you from evil, longsuffering, LOVE, make a living, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, pray and sincerely seek your face, put our noses to the grindstone, steadfast love and faithfulness, strong faith in Christ, the God who heals, the Lord God merciful and gracious, the Lord is faithful, the Lord shall establish you, the undeserving children of men, thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds, truth, turning from our evil ways, unfavourable weather conditions, with thee is the fountain of life
2 Thessalonians 3:3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil (the evil one).
Oh brother, what a cold, wet, windy, snowy, dreary weekend we’ve had! But thankfully, we won’t have to go out to work today under those same unfavourable conditions. (smile) The day has turned out to be dry with a touch of cloudy sunshine. (smile) Just having to get up and go out to work after a couple of restful, comfortable days is bad enough, but having to do it in such nasty conditions certainly doesn’t enamour us to it. Anyway, the important thing is we’ve got to make a living, as well as do Jesus’ work, so please, let’s get out there, enamoured or not, bad weather or not, and put our noses to the grindstone, knowing full well that Jesus will enable us to do anything He desires of us!
Glory to God for His faithfulness to the undeserving children of men! And there are so many scripture verses that talk about God’s faithfulness to mankind that we can go on for days on end and never completely finish them. (smile). But let’s check out a few anyway to remind us of His ever-faithful attribute. And the first scripture is a most appropriate one, where the Lord passes before Moses on Mt. Zion when He gave Him the two stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments.
The Good Library says: ‘And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him (Moses) there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth (steadfast LOVE and faithfulness). Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.’ (Ex. 34:6-7)
Yes friends, that was the Lord blowing His own trumpet. But who knows better than Him, what He’s about eh? Nobody! Meanwhile Hebrews 10:23, encourages us: ‘’Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)’ And that’s the gospel truth as Hebrews 13:8 reminds us: ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.’ Our Lord and Saviour does not change. If He was faithful yesterday, then He’s always going to be faithful!
Then Bruh David puts it this way in Psalm 36. ‘Thy mercy (LOVING-kindness), O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains (the mountain of God); thy judgements are a great deep (ocean): O Lord, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent (precious) is thy LOVING-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness (fulness) of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see thy light.’ (Ps. 36:5-9)
Oh, what wonderful and true sentiments of our most excellent God! And if those verses don’t convince you that our God is ever-faithful, then try these from the Lamentations of Jeremiah, where he expatiates (elaborates) with full confidence. ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:21-23) Oh my people, truer words were ever spoken, for if it wasn’t for the Lord’s faithfulness and LOVING-kindness, we’d be consumed long ago!
And Bruh Paul said it thus in his second letter to the Thessalonians. ‘Finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course (run, rein), and be glorified, even as it is with you. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil (the evil one). And we have confidence in the Lord touching (concerning) you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts unto the LOVE of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ (patience of Christ.)’ (2 Thess. 3:1-5)
And we’ll close with these words of John on the subject, from his first epistle. ‘If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.’ (1 John 1:8-10) There again friends, the Lord is faithful to do what He’s promised; that’s forgive us of our sins, if we sincerely confess and try to turn away from them!
Now, those verses we’ve quoted are only a few verses on the faithfulness of our God, and if they don’t convince you of the Lord’s faithfulness, then I don’t know what will. But believe me, there are many more scriptures on the subject that you can check out, and I’m sure before you’ve exhausted them all, you will believe, (smile) Now, let’s allow our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to take us to the throne of grace, as we seek divine help in these desperate times of need.
As one voice: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face.
So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’
And if we truly expect to see divine help, then we need to get the ball rolling by turning from our evil ways. No divine help will come until that matter is sincerely addressed! Much LOVE!
…faithfulness…one of God’s great, unchanging attributes…and also a must for true believers…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
23 Oct 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all I have needed thy hand hath provided, dark night of the soul, For I am the Lord I change not, forgave their iniquity, God being full of compassion, God is at work in our lives daily, great is thy faithfulness, his compassions fail not, It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, LOVE, manifold witness, morning by morning new mercies I see, Praise the Lord!, the children of men put their trust, the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant God, they are new every morning, Thomas O Chisholm, tumultuous circumstances, under the shadow of thy wings, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed
Lamentations 3:22-23. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Here it is again my people, Sunday, The day of the Lord! The Sabbath Day, that we should keep holy and gather in sweet fellowship to praise and give thanks to Almighty God our Creator and Provider for all that He’s done, is doing, and has promised to do for us. And all God’s children gave a mighty and grateful shout of ‘Praise the Lord!’
Now, today’s song is a very popular one amongst the brethren, and is aptly titled ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness.’ And would you believe we’ve never sung it in our Sunday worship. I was most amazed when I decided to sing it today and went looking for it amongst the archives. But it was nowhere to be found, so I had to research it from scratch. The song was written by Thomas O. Chisholm born in Franklin, Kentucky – (1866-1960). He wrote the poem in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime and sent it to William Runyan in Kansas, who set it to music. It was published the same year by the Hope Publishing Company with which Runyan was affiliated and soon became popular among church groups.
So let’s put our hearts and voices together and sing a rousing, mid-tempo, soulful, but oh so scintillating version of this amazing song, so that heaven will have no doubt that we are indeed grateful for God’s awesome faithfulness. Singing: ‘Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. (Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!)
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and LOVE. [Refrain] Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain] Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!)’
That was wonderful my brethren! Now there’s no doubt in heaven about our sincerity. So let’s look at some background info on the song. It seems that Chisholm’s life was ordinary. He grew up on a farm, was converted to Christianity at age 26, then became a minister in 1903, and according to one article ‘His aim in writing was to incorporate as much Scripture as possible and to avoid flippant or sentimental themes.’ And He’s certainly done that in this one.
Then, in 1994, Greg Scheer wrote these words about the song and it’s author. ‘Unlike many hymns that have heart-wrenching stories behind them (for instance “It Is Well With My Soul”), “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is inspired by the simple realization that God is at work in our lives on a daily basis. He (Chisholm) wrote, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.” The hymn reminds us that God doesn’t only work in dramatic or miraculous ways, but also in simple, everyday ways. It also reminds us that Jesus has never failed us in the past, so we have no reason to doubt his faithfulness in the future.’
And isn’t all of that the God-awesome truth my fellow saints! It certainly is! For we serve a marvellous God filled with compassion and faithfulness. And apparently it’s these heart opening words of truth found in Jeremiah’s Lamentations that the song is based on. ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) And believe me, that’s the gospel truth, for if our God wasn’t merciful and compassionate, we’d have been destroyed long ago.
And I like how this second commentator compares Chisholm’s experiences to that of Jeremiah. He says: ‘Jeremiah, on the other hand, was in tumultuous circumstances when writing Lamentations. The people to whom he prophesied did not listen, and he was ostracized and completely alone because of what God called him to do. He also lamented the consequences of their faithlessness. God allowed them to be conquered by the Babylonians, resulting in their entire world being laid to waste.
But in the midst of that utter devastation, Jeremiah still offers them hope on the horizon: they are not completely destroyed because of the LORD’s compassion and faithfulness, and in the morning, after this “dark night of the soul,” things will be better. So whether we are at a place in our lives where everything is pretty ordinary, or whether we are in a period of grief: no matter what our circumstances, God never changes and is faithful to us, sustaining us in his compassion and faithfulness each and every day.’
More gospel truth friends, for which we should be eternally grateful. Now let’s look at a few scriptures that corroborate and solidify what we’ve been saying. And I like this first one from the prophet Malachi, when talking to his people about the payment of tithes. ‘For I am the Lord I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein, (in what way) shall we return?’ (Mal. 3:6-7)
And yuh know what friends? It’s the very same thing the Lord is saying unto us today. We have turned away in great droves from Him, being sinful and disobedient, but He’s still pleading with us to return to His fold, where we will find goodness and mercy, rest and peace. And do we ever need those things in these turbulent times. But we stubbornly refuse to accept His call, despite the serious problems in which our world is currently floundering and going down for the count.
Then, there’s this verse from the pen of the psalmist Asaph. He writes: ‘But he (God), being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.’ (Ps. 78:38) Oh my people, we cannot dispute those sentiments of Asaph, because they are totally true. How many times have we turned away from the God of our forefathers eh, and He has not completely destroyed us? We shouldn’t even be alive to tell the tale right now, but for His mercy and compassion for his frail and foolish creation. And yet we claim that He does not LOVE us. Hogwash!
And we’ll end with these words from Psalm 36, where Bruh David declares: (yesss!!!) ‘Thy mercy (LOVING-kindness), O Lord, is in the heavens, and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains (mountains of God): thy judgements are a great deep (ocean): O Lord, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent (precious) is thy LOVING-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.’ (Ps. 36:5-7)
And if we want to alleviate the sure destruction that seems in store for our world, if we continue on our current path, I can assure us that there is no better place for mankind to put their trust right now, than in the Lord God Jehovah! So please my people, I am pleading with us to take time and sincerely and seriously ponder that wisdom today. For it will do us a world of good. Much LOVE!
…a word to the wise…is usually sufficient…
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22 Apr 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: an attitude of total trust, bring backsliders back to your fold, commit thy way unto the Lord, defeat the virus, Easter Season, faith is a condition of the soul, faith is more than inner belief, for a witness unto all nations, Friday chant, great is thy faithfulness, have our hearts reflect what our mouths have spoken, he shall bring it to pass, his compassions fail not, I wait for the Lord, imbued with consistent and responsible service to God, in his word do I hope, introduce a whole new flock, It is of the Lord's mercies, LOVE, many shall come in my name, marked by a stable character, more than they that watch for the morning, my soul doth wait, my strength and my hope is perished from the Lord, no greater love, preached in all the world, take heed that no man deceive you, TGIF!, Thank God it's Friday, the beginnings of sorows, the believer's whole life, the gospel of the kingdom, then shall the end come, therefore I have hope, they are new every morning, this I recall to mind, trust also in him, unrest in our streets, wake up and smell the coffee, we are not consumed, we will rejoice and be glad in it, with him is plenteous redemption, with the Lord there is mercy
Lamentations 3:22. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
And so, Friday has opened bright and sunshiny, but somewhat chilly, not as warm as it ought to be at this time of spring. But that’s okay, we can handle anything that comes against us because of the Holy Spirit of Jesus that indwells us. It gives us the boldness, the confidence to declare: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
And since it’s a day He has made, we shall therefore rejoice and be glad in it! So, please give our great God some thanks and praise for His wonderful works to us undeserving children of men. Let’s gratefully remember, as Jeremiah said in his Lamentations: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23)
Oh my people, it is indeed because of the Lord’s compassion, His mercy and faithfulness that we are not totally destroyed. And He especially showed His great LOVE and compassion for us in this past Easter Season when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross so he could justly and righteously have reason to forgive our sins! No greater LOVE than that can ever be found!
And in explaining ‘faithfulness,’ the scholars tell us that: ‘The word root from which it comes stresses that real faith is more than inner belief, even more than whole-souled committal. It is a condition of the soul marked by such a stable character and an attitude of total trust that the believer’s whole life is imbued with consistent, responsible service to God (c.f. 1 Sam. 26:23; Ps. 37:3-6). From the biblical standpoint, true faith results in faithfulness in one’s life.’
Yes friends, just like God has been faithful throughout His long existence, so we His creation and joint-heirs with Christ need to be faithful in all walks of our lives. And I believe that shows up positively in Jeremiah’s life when he remembers how he was mistreated, locked up and derided for preaching God’s word, and though he tried to get rid of it, the fire of the word still burned in his belly. ‘And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness). My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled (bowed down) in me. This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope.’ (Lam. 3:18-21)
That’s when he talks about the Lord’s compassions and mercies that we’ve spoken of above. Yuh see, once you’ve been associated with our wonderful God, and seen His faithfulness, it’s difficult to lose faith in Him, even when you go through real tough times on His behalf. That hope He imbues within us just doesn’t die, because deep down, we know that He is Almighty God; omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present, to whom all things are possible, the One who can bring us through any untoward situation if He so chooses.
Sometimes though, unfortunately, He doesn’t choose to make us escape the difficulty, because He has some good reason for us experiencing it. But the wonderful thing about our God is that He will NEVER allow us to go through something alone; He is always beside us monitoring our progress through the particular situation and through life itself.
That’s why the psalmist could also confidently declare in Psalm 130. ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING-kindness), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Ps. 130:5-8)
Wow! What hope, and trust in God the psalmist shows there! His soul is waiting more deeply for God, than those who are keeping watch for daybreak. And he says it twice, for us to know how deep His trust and faith are in the God of his forefathers! Now that’s the kind of faith that we modern day believers ought to be showing, especially in these contrary and oh so difficult times, which seem to mimic the beginning of the last days that Jesus spoke about.
‘Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ: and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers (various) places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows (birth pangs)…And the gospel must first be published among all nations.’ (Mark. 13:5-8, 10)
But Matthew is more explicit per that last verse. He recalls Jesus saying: ‘ And the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’ (Matt. 24:14) And we are indeed seeing the beginnings of those sorrows for all that Jesus spoke about is currently happening, with wars and rumours of wars, famines in a world with wonderful farming skills and technology, deception everlasting, pestilence, sickness and natural disasters like we’ve never seen before.
And above all, with our wonderful technology the gospel has already been preached or proclaimed to most of the world, and it should not take very long to do as Jesus desires; proclaim it to ALL the world. But in the meantime, we the faithful, must remain faithful and true to His name, and do what He desires of us. And the first thing in our arsenal is always prayer, that awesome method of communication between us and our heavenly Father. So let’s go to Him in prayer right now nuh, through our Friday Chant, seeking His divine help in these rather difficult times.
As one strong, but humble voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and our many other problems are causing. We can’t seem to fix it on our own Lord, that means we desperately need your help. Oh 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 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, and avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways.
And please introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. 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!’
Now that means cleaning up our act and having our hearts sincerely reflect what our mouths have just spoken. That is, if we want to receive a positive response from Almighty God! Much LOVE!
…commit thy way unto the Lord…trust also in him…and he shall bring it to pass… (Ps. 37:5)
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
12 Apr 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: deliver us from the heathen, don't have to hurry, don't have to worry, ever-saving grace, fear before him all the earth, frail fickle and finite ability, glory and honour are in his presence, great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, great is thy faithfulness, heart is made of stone, his compassions fail not, his mercy endureth for ever, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, in god's eyes, It is of the Lord's mercies, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, moving and grooving, my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, our devilish souls washed clean, sacrificed His only Sn, save us O God of our salvation, share His love with the world, sing unto the Lord all the earth, strength and gladness are in his place, the cocoon of God's love, the cross of Calvary, the depths of Hades, the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ, the price we pay, they are new every morning, to whom we belong, Tuesday Mantra, unconditional LOVE, wallowing in the Love of God, we are not consumed, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
1 Chronicles 16:34. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
And it’s a bright and beautiful spring Tuesday…getting warmer every minute too! (smile) Oh yes, it’s high time that we are blessed with some of the sun’s real warmth after such a long winter of hibernating. But that’s just the price we pay for living in the cold northern climes. Nothing that we can’t handle though with the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ moving and grooving with us. And one of those marvellous moves happened just now. I’m talking about where the Good Book opened this morning; at 1 Chronicles 16, which contains this beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving from the mighty pen of Bruh David.
And you know what means, we’ve got to declare it today. (smile) So, let’s do as Bruh David says nuh. ‘Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared (held in reverential awe) above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols (worthless things): but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Fear (tremble) before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory (triumph) in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.’ (1 Chr.16:23-36)
Oh my people, my people, what beautiful, wise, true and sure sentiments! Bruh David surely knew how to pull one into the Lord’s sphere, to wrap one in the cocoon of God’s LOVE, mercy and greatness! If, after reading those true and worthy sentiments and you have not felt the LOVE, the nearness, the warmth and safety emanating from God’s Holy Spirit then your heart must really be made of stone. For the words just evoke a sense of totality, an all-encompassing serenity, stability and unchangeability that flows from the wonderful Creator of the universe and all therein. ‘For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.’
Now there’s no doubting His greatness if He can merely speak into existence this amazing world and all that’s in it. And just for that He definitely deserves praise and glory! Then when you add His goodness and mercy, His salvation, His saving grace…Oh friends, the honour and glory He truly deserves for all that He is, is way above our frail, fickle and finite ability. No wonder the Good Book tells us: ‘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 higher than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8-9)
We just are not in His league my brethren! And why should we be eh, when He is our Creator, the author of infinity, and we are just lowly, though highly adored minions with a finite existence? And that’s why we should be forever grateful and do like Bruh David says: ‘O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.’ And friends, not only the Lord’s mercy endures for ever, but also His amazing unconditional LOVE and ever-saving grace! Without His mercy, grace and LOVE, we’d be totally destroyed long ago!
Jeremiah said it so succinctly and wisely in His Lamentations. ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful shout of ‘Praise the Lord! Blessed be His Holy Name! Give thanks for His wonderful goodness to the undeserving children of men!’
And so we should my fellow saints, for without the Lord’s abundant faithfulness, patience and long-suffering, we would have already been ignited with hell-fire and damnation! Because He promised, the fire next time, no more simplistic water. (smile) But yet still we refuse to bow to Him, to be obedient to His holy law and live according to the guidelines found in His word. And that’s even after He sacrificed His only Son on the cross of Calvary so that our abominable sins could be forgiven and our devilish souls washed clean.
For whatever reason, the deceitful enemy still holds the reins of too many of our hearts and souls, desiring to take us down to the depths of Hades with him, forever separated from the God of our creation and salvation. But people, that’s the worst decision, the biggest mistake any created being can make, for eternity is a long, long time, and without Almighty God in our lives, for any time at all, much less such a long period, we will endure much ‘sufferation.’
Remember, that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He’s our Creator and keeps the breath of life, His breath of life, going in us. He has the power to do whatever He wants with us through His omnipotence, omniscience, and omni-presence. And above all He is the God of our salvation! So, with all those things going for Him, doesn’t it make sense to bow down and worship Him, to give him much thanks and praise? I certainly think so!
And for those of us who also think that way, let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, proudly telling the whole world to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. Altogether now: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Consequently, we must now go out and share that amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, just as generously as He’s shared it with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Oh what a wonderful task that is my people! Much LOVE!
…there’s nothing better than…wallowing in the LOVE, mercy and grace of God…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
24 Aug 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a God of justice, a personal relationship with jesus, according to the multitude of his mercies, alive and kicking, be of good courage, every tongue that rise against thee, glory hallelujah, God assures us the victory, God is on the throne, God's abiding love, God's never late, great is thy faithfulness, he shall strengthen thine heart, his compassions fail not, hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord, I am the beloved of god, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I had fainted, I will be an enemy to your enemies, I will oppose those who oppose you, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, in God'seyes, in the land of the living, it is good that a man, It is of the Lord's mercies, Jesus Christ lives and owns the future, keep us on an even keel, LOVE, no weapon formed against you shall prosper, share His love with the world, spiritual blessings, the Lord is good unto them that wait for him, the Lord is my portion, the Lord will not cast off for ever, the straight and narrow path, therefore have I hope, they are new every morning, this I recall to mind, this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, thou shalt condemn, though he cause grief, to see the goodness of the Lord, to the soul that seeketh him, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, unless I, wait in faith on the Lord, we are not consumed, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, yet will he have compassion
Lamentations 3:21. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Yes friends, it’s Tuesday; another beautiful summer day in the life! And it’s not only the day itself that’s beautiful and encouraging, but also all the other unseen things like the many spiritual blessings which have been bestowed on us. As the Good Book reminds and reassures us: ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:21-23)
Oh my people, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! Imagine that nuh: Everyday He makes us brand new mercies and compassions! And why is that eh? I guess because He LOVES and cares for us so much. Remember we are His creation, and He doesn’t want to lose even one of us to the enemy, so that’s one way to keep us on an even keel, along the road to righteousness, that difficult, but oh so rewarding, straight and narrow path.
And don’t forget that it was during an especially rough time in his life that the prophet Jeremiah wrote these lamentations. And that’s one of the basic purposes of the word; to give us courage and reassurance, to help us get through the hard times with the hope and faith that those rough times too must pass, because our omnipotent God is on the throne and will not allow them to overcome us. Instead, He will cause us to overcome whatever comes against us.
That’s why the prophet Isaiah so assuredly stated: ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) Wow! What a powerful reassuring scripture my brethren!
And I found this interesting commentary by one Heather Adams on the biblestudy tools.com website. She says: ‘Life presents us with many challenges, but thankfully encouragement can be found literally at our fingertips. Reading God’s Word might not change circumstances in the moment, but our strength can be renewed and our attitude can be adjusted while we walk through a trial. God made a powerful declaration and promise here. He was reminding His people of His might and sovereignty, as well as His abiding LOVE for them.
The idea actually echoes an assurance the Lord gave the young nation of Israel: “…I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you” (Exodus 23:22). Though it evokes images from an older age, this verse has meaning for us today in our struggles, whether small and large. Simply put, God was stating that anyone who is seeking to do evil against believers will fail. Though for a time it may seem that we are defeated in a situation, God assures us the victory.’
And we do have the victory, because our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ lives and owns the future! He’s given us the victory through His death on the cross at Calvary, His resurrection and ascension back to heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father advocating on our behalf! Glory be mih bredrin! And once again I have to declare, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! But like so many other things in this world, regardless of how much someone might rave about it, you can only know the reality, the true experience by undergoing it yourself.
That’s why, with Jesus, you can only truly know him by accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour, inviting Him into your heart and asking Him to take away your sin, your pain and sorrow. This is a personal relationship; an individual thing, and the numerous witnesses to His wonderful relationship only adds strength, encouragement and flavour, that’s salt (smile) to the abundant light He brings to it. So, life is indeed worth living when you live for Jesus!
But like every wonderful advertisement, it does come with some caveats, with some conditions attached. (smile) And I just want to list one important condition here, that of waiting on the Lord, as so well said by Jeremiah during his rough spell. He rightly declares: ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord… For the Lord will not cast off for ever. But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.’ (Lam. 3:24-26, 31-32)
Yes friends, though the Lord may allow us to go through rough times, for whatever reason, and they are usually good ones, though we may not think so at the time, He will eventually bring us out of those trials, and much stronger and wiser too. That’s because in the overall scheme of things, His LOVE, His mercies and compassions will eventually outweigh everything else! That’s’ why He also sent His One Son Jesus, to die on the cross to pay our sin debt in full and reconcile us back to Him! It’s all about the Lord’s LOVE, forgiveness, mercy and compassion friends. And we’d be oh so foolish not to accept it.
But like another great man of God, Bruh David advised. ‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith), I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps. 27:13-14) Oh my fellow saints, you won’t find truer words than those anywhere. We must expect to see the goodness of God in this life, because that’s why Jesus said He came, so that we could have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
However, at the same time, we need to live by faith and wait, wait patiently, quietly and expectantly on the Lord’s timing, since He does everything in His own time. He’s the Boss and therefore that’s His prerogative. And believe me, He does use that prerogative, (smile) as so many of us have found out. But He’s NEVER LATE! That I can personally testify to, though His timing usually drives me crazy. (smile)
So, all in all, our God is great! There’s none other like Him! He’s wonderful, merciful, LOVING, and compassionate, but because He is also just, that’s a God of justice, He doesn’t put up with foolishness. That means, when you come to Him, you have to be serious. Oh, He does have a sense of humour, but He doesn’t take pleasure in fools! And having sang the praises of our wonderful God, let’s go home now declaring (steupsss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra that contains even more of His praises. (smile)
Altogether now: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Now it’s our bounden duty to go out and share that wonderful LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know His amazing person! Much LOVE!
…today looks like a smiley kind of day…and why not eh…God is on the throne…and we are alive and kicking…Glory Hallelujah…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
17 Jul 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Almighty God sitting sure on His throne, but have everlasting life, cometh down from the Father of lights, controlling ALL things, every good gift, every perfect gift is from above, fainteth not neither is weary, for God so loved the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God, great is thy faithfulness, he gave his only begotten son, his compassions fail not, I am the Lord I do not change, jesus christ our lord, magnanimous gesture on god's part, our God is a rock - a fortress, sleeping-in summer Saturday, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, the counsel of the Lord shall stand, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the God of the Bible never changes, the Immutability of God, the same yesterday today and forever, there is no searching of His understanding, thou shalt endure, unshakeable hope comes from God, wisdom of eternal proportions, with whom is no variableness
Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
One more rainy day, sleeping-in summer Saturday! And we sure are having a few of them. But who’s complaining eh? Certainly not me. (smile) I guess the Lord’s trying to make us appreciate the sunshine more when we do get it. And imagine, at nine o’clock on a summers’ day, the temperature is only 19 degrees. And this the height of summer. The weather patterns sure are changing. But thank God that One situation, or pattern NEVER changes: that’s Almighty God sitting strong and sure upon His heavenly throne controlling ALL things! Glory to God my faithful brethren!
And by the way, I did not receive any quotes from our friend Anselm this week, so we just have to fly by the seat of our pants today. (smile) But the Lord has already pointed out the direction in which He wishes us to proceed; His unchanging and thus stable nature. And on the Pastor’s Corner Website, I found this interesting commentary on the subject by Brian Moore – not the one that some of us know (smile).
It opens thus: ‘The God of the Bible never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That is why He is the only secure place man can put his faith and trust in. The fact that God is eternally unchanging makes Him unlike any other being in existence. Everything and everyone else in life changes constantly. Relationships change, people change, landscapes change, health changes, culture changes, etc. With everything around us changing so rapidly and our immediate future being filled with such uncertainty, we need to find an unchanging place to put our hope in.
Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!”” Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” God is unchanging in His existence, in His Attributes, and in His counsel. That is why He is where unshakeable hope comes from.’
And that’s the everlasting truth my people! Our God never changes, and because some of us don’t believe it, or still have some doubts, today we are going to look at some scriptures that authenticate that statement. We’ve already heard what Malachi and Jeremiah has to say, so let’s move on to Hebrews, and the author of that Book, which many believe was written by Bruh Paul, unequivocally says: ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.’ (Heb. 13:8)
Oh friends, you could not get any closer to unchanging than that! Meanwhile James, Jesus’ brother, tells us in no uncertain terms: ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning.’ (James 1:17) And the scholars add their two cents worth to James’ statement.
On the Immutability of God, which James specifies in that verse, they say: ‘Since all changes are either for the better or for the worse, God is unchanging because He is perfect and cannot get any better nor become worse. The Scriptures describe God’s nature, will and character as immutable or unchanging. Illustration: To be immutable, however does not mean to be immobile. God also has the qualities of personality and can act, think, create, and make decisions. Application: God is unchanging, therefore, Christians can depend on His LOVE and power, because God has not changed since biblical times, (First Ref. Ps. 9:7; Primary Ref. James 1:17; cf. Lev. 19:2).’
Now a tidbit from Isaiah on the subject. ‘The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God will stand for ever.’ (Is. 40:8) Mama O Mama! What constancy and stability we have in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Now hear these remarkable, but oh so true words from the psalmist as he cries out for help to the Lord.
‘I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundations of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure (continue): yea, all of them shall wax (grow) old like a garment; as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.’ (Ps. 102:24-27)
Oh my people, my people, how much more do we need to satisfy us that our God is not only good, LOVING, generous, merciful and kind, but also unchangeable eh? And don’t think for one moment that we’ve run out of scripture that attest to that fact nuh. (smile) So listen up. The psalmist declares with sure authority: ‘The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.’ (Ps. 33:11-12)
What wonderful assurance of stability! And doesn’t it make you feel like you’re riding on a cloud of joy, knowing that you are one of those people whom the unchangeable, everlasting, ever-LOVING God has chosen for His own inheritance? It ought to. And we can never leave out these marvellous words of Isaiah. ‘Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.’ (Is. 40:28)
What more can we ask eh friends? But just in case you still have doubts, let’s listen to Moses, who probably had more intimate dealings with God during his lifetime, than any other human being. He says in his only Psalm. ‘Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place (refuge) in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed (given birth to) the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.’ (Ps. 90:1-2)
And yuh know what everlasting means mih people; never-ending, endless, without end, perpetual, undying…that means forever! So, if you want something or someone to hold on to that does not change or die, then the Lord God of Israel is the One to hold on to.
And we are going to end with the best scripture of all time: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16) And that’s the crowning scripture my fellow saints in Christ, for without that magnanimous gesture on the part of our great God, everything else is meaningless.
So please, let’s not allow it go to waste nuh, let’s accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, so that we can dwell with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit right down through eternity. That’s wisdom of eternal proportions! Much LOVE!
…our God is a rock…a fortress… a strong foundation…on which to lean and build on…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
16 Apr 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blessed morning, a sustained state of disarray, answer our prayer in the affirmative, be responsible and safe, comfort ye my people, Covid-19 virus, display the characteristics, embrace your love and compassion, enjoy our days, every valley shall be exalted, faithful believers, Friday chant, give thanks to our Creator, great is thy faithfulness, her iniquity is pardoned, his compassions fail not, humble and repentant heart, in sincere prayer, It is of the Lord's mercies, least amount of loss to life, living for Beelzebub, LOVE, lying promises of satan, prepare ye the way of the Lord, racial strife, sinful children, stay on God's good side, the coming of the Messiah, the gift of God is eternal life, the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, the wages of sin is death, trusting faith, unconditional LOVE, unexpected storm, unforeseen tragedies, wake up and smell the coffee, we are not consumed, wisdom, wise guidance
Isaiah 40:1. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Awright friends, a blessed morning to us all on this big day of Friday…or what used to be the big day of Friday, before the covid pandemic threw everything into a sustained state of disarray and confusion! But regardless of all that’s happening, my people, regardless of the unforeseen tragedies and the uncertainty that now surrounds our lives, it is still of the utmost importance that we enjoy our days and give thanks to the One who created us and still looks after us, having a most serious and unconditional LOVE for His sinful children.
Please remember the golden words of the prophet Jeremiah: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) Yes friends, it’s because of the great compassion of God that we have not been already consigned to the fiery depths of Hades, for as the Good Book says, we have all sinned and come short of God’s glory, (Rom. 3:23) and the wages (penalty) for sin is death, (both physical and spiritual), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23)
So it only makes sense, it’s true wisdom, to stay on God’s good side by revering Him and being obedient to His awesome Word, His amazing roadmap for earthly living! And it’s not like God hasn’t given us good and faithful promises all down through the ages if we keep Him first place in our lives. And I believe this promise made through Isaiah to the people of Israel long ago is rather appropriate for us right now. It’s called comfort through trust in the Lord. And so many of us know it, but still we refuse to put it into practice in our lives, refuse to follow the roadmap the Lord’s set out in His word.
But hear the prophet Isaiah to his sinful and disobedient people nuh. ‘Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.’ (Is. 40:1) Oh my faithful brethren, that’s exactly what the Lord is saying to us today, while we are immersed in the biggest controversy and most difficult time in our lives. And if He’s our Creator and Provider, why is that so difficult to accept eh?
Listen as Isaiah continues. ‘Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished (ended), that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted (lifted up), and every mountain and hill be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain (smooth). And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Is. 40:2-5)
Oh precious people, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! For though the inhabitants of Judah were facing imminent captivity in Babylon, the prophet Isaiah saw a time of salvation coming in their future. And the scholars teach us thus: ‘Comfort ye means both “repent” and “console,” and implies that true repentance must precede divine consolation .My people refers to the people of God who are in a covenant relationship with Him. The voice that crieth in the wilderness is that of John the Baptist. By this voice calling from the desert, the people of Judah are called to make the crooked…straight and the rough places plain in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.’
And furthermore, the prophet Isaiah also decreed on the Lord’s behalf: ‘Behold, the Lord God, will come with strong hand (strength), and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work (wage) before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them gently in his bosom, and shall lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 40:10:11) And as the Lord has always done, He kept that promise with the coming of His Son Jesus Christ years later, to provide salvation for all the world, not just the people of Israel.
So why are we now refusing to accept the salvation He so sacrificially provided through the death of His Son on the cross of Calvary eh? Remember what the scholars told us above, that comfort implies both repentance and consolation. So to get consolation, it implies that we first need repentance and obedience to God’s word. And what I can’t understand is why we so stubbornly refuse to acknowledge His power and glory and bow to him, when all our own efforts to run our lives successfully, and to solve our numerous current problems, are meeting with zero success.
As I understand it, if one thing doesn’t work, then you try another. And living for Beelzebub and his evil deeds is certainly not working for our world. So friends, don’t you think it’s time to try the only other option available to us, that of the Lord God Almighty? I certainly do! How much longer are we going to hold on to the empty, deceitful and lying promises of Satan eh? No longer my brethren! It’s time to turn sincerely to Christ. So, in sincere prayer, with humble and repentant hearts, let’s do that today nuh, right now, through our Friday Chant.
As one strong voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh 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 the next move is now for us to display the characteristics that are found in trusting faith and faithful believers, if we want the Lord to answer our prayer in the affirmative .Much LOVE!
…it’s not wisdom…to follow the evil one who was demoted and destroyed…instead of the righteous One…who demoted and destroyed him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
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