11 May 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious day, abase, able to humble, be merry, be required of thee, be righteous, birds' claws, break off thy sins, covetous, Daniel, delivers from death, drink, drinks, driven from men, eagles' feathers, eat, eat grass, extol, extremes, fellowship, food, fool, foothold, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, generous help, give an inch, God's great earth, gorgeous weather, gospel truth, greedy, his ways justice, honour, humiliation, in Jesus name, indisputable truth, iniquities, LOVE, much goods, Nebuchadnezzar, not rich toward God, on the outside looking in, one helluva weekend, party scene, praise, profit nothing, recovery state, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, righteousness, shark0like lawyers, showing mercy, spring weather, stronghold, take a nail, take thine ease, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the dew of heaven, the King of heaven, the weekend, the workingman, thy soul, tighter guidelines, toehold, tranquility, treasures, walk in pride, week of work, wickedness, works are truth
Proverbs 10:2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Welcome to another glorious day on God’s great earth friends! Wow! They are happening so fast and furious that I don’t know what to do with them, especially in my recovery state. I certainly can’t go out and about as I’d like to, so I just have to enjoy them in and around my li’l area. And by the way, yesterday did turn out to be bright and sunshiny too, just a bit of a strong breeze in the afternoon.
And this beautiful spring weather is just falling right into the lap of the workingman this Friday morning, as he sings his song: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! The weekend is here at last mih people! And can you imagine the gorgeous weather, what that will do for our party scene? Brother! I can’t wait to get into the food and drinks and whatever else there is to get into! (smile) This will surely be one helluva weekend! Thank God for Fridays and weekends oui!’
And believe you me, not only the workingman is glad to see this glorious weather, we believers are equally as glad to see it, we just don’t plan on going to the extremes that he does – at least I hope so. (smile) And as we know, the major difference in our positions is one of extremes. We have tighter guidelines per Jesus’ standards than the workingman. And our Friday Chant certainly reflects it. So let’s chant up a storm now nuh:
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh friends, as believers and followers of Christ, we’re not allowed to get into the licentious behaviour that the workingman values. We have to keep our wits about us and prepare to go back out next week to work diligently for Christ again.
Now that doesn’t mean we can’t or don’t have enjoyment. It just means that we don’t go overboard with it and allow the enemy even a toehold in our souls, for then he’ll take a foothold and before you know it he’s developed a stronghold in our lives. As the old people would say, ‘you give him an inch, he’ll take a nail.’ And that’s the gospel truth! Haven’t heard that one in along while (smile)
That brings us to an interesting Bit. The wise words of Cousin Sol. ‘Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.’ More indisputable truth friends!
Stuff acquired through wickedness doesn’t give us any real benefit. We might be able to enjoy some of it down here, but in the long run, we’ll surely be left out of the kingdom of heaven. And as I keep saying, there’s no situation worse for a human being than to be left on the outside looking in when Jesus comes again.
However, when we aspire to be righteous, we’re assured of eternal life with Christ, the most blessed situation there is in all the world. Glory to God my people!
And we have a couple of examples to share. Listen to Jesus, as He tells the parable of the rich fool. This fellow had so much earthly possessions that he didn’t have space to store them. And his solution to the problem: ‘And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.’ (Luke 12:19)
Oh friends, that’s how too many of us behave! We consider the treasures of the world more important than they really are, and run behind them too much. But look what happens to this rich fool. ‘But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’ (Luke 12:20)
Ah mih people, that happens all the time. We store up much earthly treasure, then we die and leave those behind to fight over them, and the shark-like lawyers end up getting most of it. Does that make sense? Certainly not! And what is Jesus’ solution to that problem? ‘So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’ (Luke 12:21) Yeh friends, believers cannot be covetous and greedy, for our lives aren’t only about possessions.
Now here is an example from the other side of the coin. Remember when King Nebuchadnezzar had this dream and Daniel eventually interpreted it for him? Hear Daniel’s advice: ‘Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness (being righteous), and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening (prolonging) of thy tranquility).’ (Dan.4:27)
But yuh think king Neb listened to Daniel? No way! Twelve months later while walking in the palace and admiring all that he had done, patting himself grandly on the back, the edict from heaven came down, and immediately, ‘he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like the birds’ claws.’ (Dan.4:33)
Yeh mih breddren, for seven years king Neb was a mad man! But our God is so great and merciful, that He eventually restored Neb to sanity. And finally Neb got it, as he declared: ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the king of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble).’ (Dan.4:37)
Friends, please, let’s not forget who and whose we are, and take no great credit for our doings, because if we do, we will eventually suffer the ultimate in humiliation. Much LOVE!
…living right is the only sensible way to live…
26 Feb 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a generation, a useful purpose, Agur, all things are possible with Jesus, arrogant, changes, communicate with God, complain, confidence, curse words, curses their father, dep darkness, devour the poor, disservice, does not bless their mother, energizing prayer, expletive deleted, fight for Jesus, filthiness, for Jesus' sake, gifts, go out to labour, greedy, grumble, hard labour, honour thy father and mother, humble servants, incriminating charges, inroads, jobs, join the battle, knives, laid at the feet, laid down His life, lamp shall be put out, lies, lift up Jesus name, lifted up in arrogance, make life easy, mitigate the situation, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, niceties of society, on a golden platter, our blessings, rejuvenation of spirit, rewards, rude to parents, ruthless, sacrifices, selfish, sinners, sufferation, taunts, teeth are as swords, the current generation, the enemy's ranks, the human animal, the trump of Jesus, thy days may be longput to death, to no avail, to work for Jesus, ungodly world, weary souls, went to the cross, wiles
Proverbs 30:11. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
One more time friends, one more time, the trump of Jesus is calling us to come out and join the battle for the world in His name! This Monday morning is another precious and purposeful day in our earthly sojourn, where we put our blessings and gifts to work for Jesus. So let’s not grumble and complain because we have to get up and go out to labour nuh.
Jesus didn’t grumble and complain when He went to the cross and laid down His sinless life for us. It was rough yes, and He pleaded with the Father to mitigate the situation, but to no avail, because that’s the ONLY way we useless sinners would ever be able to communicate with a most holy God. So though things might be rough with us, let’s remember Jesus’ sacrifices on our behalf, and do whatever we can to lift up His name on the earth, without feeling too put out or sorry for ourselves.
And since we know that getting up on a Monday morning is difficult for many of us (smile) we have that wonderful, energizing prayer, our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to raise our spirits and get us going. Let’s sing it out as one voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour.
We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Yeh friends, that just gets the adrenaline flowing, which enables us to staunchly and confidently fight on for Jesus in this evil world. And today we have a rather interesting Bit from Proverbs, but not from Cousin Sol. These are the wise words of Agur, possibly one of the sages of Cousin Sol’s day. And he tells us that ‘There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.’
How sad that is my people, because one of God’s Ten Commandments is: ‘Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’ (Ex.20:12) And the Good Book goes on to say: ‘And he that curseth his father and mother, shall surely be put to death.’ (Ex.21:17)
That means a lot of this current generation ought to be put to death, because I believe this generation perfectly fits the bill described in our Bit. Some of the things I’ve personally heard children telling their parents just drives me bonkers. Hn! In my time I’d never dream of being rude to my parents, much less cursing them real curse words; words of the expletive deleted variety. And the sad part is that they get away with it. But that’s we, the parents fault. For whatever reason, we allow them to talk to us how they want, with little or no respect.
And Cousin Sol’s contribution to the subject is this: ‘Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure (deep) darkness.’ (Prov.20:20) And so it should be! Now hear these words of Agur after our Bit. ‘There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up (in arrogance). There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.’ (Prov.30:12-14)
Now those are certainly serious and incriminating charges and unfortunately I believe they can all be laid at the feet of this current generation. They are indeed selfish, arrogant, greedy and ruthless. Other generations have been bad, but I don’t think they can touch this one for their blatant disregard for the niceties of society.
But again, my contention is that we the parents reared them that way. In trying to make life easy for them, we did them a great disservice, because now they feel the world owes them a living, they are entitled, and they don’t appreciate all that they’ve been so sweetly and easily handed on a golden platter. And the human animal in general only seems to appreciate stuff when he/she personally has to work or suffer to acquire it.
However my faithful brethren, all is not lost. As we say, while there is life there is indeed hope, and that ALL things are possible with Jesus. That means we can still bring about some changes, if not in our children, certainly in our grandchildren. But we need to get serious and begin doing it NOW! So please, for Jesus’ sake, let’s get a move on with it nuh. Much LOVE!
…only through hard labour…or ‘sufferation’…do we truly appreciate our rewards…
04 Oct 2017
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: anxiety, apply it to my life, backing out of the garage, bear witness, believers, but my words shall not pass away, calamity, christian heritage, composure, confident, contemplate, day after day, diligence, directives of God, disaters, divine help, eternal life, excellence, faith, faithful, faithfulness, fear, forgiveness, forgiveness of sins, gentleness, glad to be alive, glory hallelujah, god, god head, God is in control, God's Word, grab a bite, greedy, halfway home, hang in, hardships, heaven, heaven and earth shall pass away, hope, Jeremiah, Jesus, joy, Leaders, Let there be light, LOVE, meditate, midway point, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, nothing has changed, obedience, obey, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, peace, politicians incompetent, ponder, power hungry, rejoicing of my heart, returning to God, sacrificial lamb, salvation, scriptures, selfish, shout for joy, sinless Son, So demanding, steadfast, steady attention, stretches of time, strife, strong, that passes all understanding, the breath of life, the dishwasher, the Holy Spirit, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the SON, the spoken word, the steering wheel, theFather, to a glorious future with Jesus, transforms, triumvirate, true, turmoil, Wednesday Wail, working for Jesus, workweek, year after year
Matthew 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
And then it was Wednesday; the midway point of our workweek!
But yuh know what friends, nothing much has changed overnight nuh. Our world is still caught up in serious turmoil, with oodles of disasters, unbelievable strife and numerous greedy, selfish, incompetent, power-hungry leaders and politicians.
And what does all of that say? Hn! That we’re nowhere closer to returning to God and the divine help that we need to overcome our problems.
But luckily for us Christians, we still sincerely believe that our wonderful omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God is in control of the universe He created, thus we have the hope and faith to believe that things will turn out okay eventually, and that all the calamity and strife will pass one day, when He is ready for it to do so.
Consequently my fellow believers, we need to hang in there strong and steadfast, faithful and true, doing our best to bring Jesus to those who don’t know and accept Him. But that’s not easy, and we’ll see why, as we check out this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled ‘So Demanding.’
Now read with me: ‘God, Your Word is so demanding. It demands great stretches of my time – Not just occasionally But day after day, year after year. I can’t just grab a bite of it With one hand in the dishwasher Or on the steering wheel While I’m backing out of the garage.
Your Word insists that I ponder That I contemplate and meditate That I seriously apply it to my life. It insists on obedience and forgiveness On gentleness and LOVE. Its claim upon me is absolute. Only as I obey Can I know the peace that passes all understanding.
But God Its very insistence transforms me For it proclaims Your faithfulness In superlative terms. As I give it my fixed, steady attention My composure increases My anxiety decreases And I am supported on every side.
Jeremiah said, “…your word was unto me The joy and rejoicing of my heart.” And in the margin of my Bible Next to the words of the prophet There is my own personal notation: “My heart, too!”
Oh friends, what a wonderful description of our Christian heritage! Yes, it is demanding, asks a lot of us, including, diligence, excellence, stick-to-itiveness, trust and surrender! But the benefits are even more glorious and wonderful!
We see God’s faithfulness in all its splendour and truth! Enjoy His overwhelming and endless support in ALL that we do. We are strong and confident, with less anxiety and fear dogging our everyday lives! And best of all, there is exceeding joy in our hearts, just like Jeremiah said so many moons ago.
Wow! What a pleasure and a joy to undergo the hardships associated with believing in and working for Jesus! The world’s treasures can in no way compare! Especially when we add salvation, forgiveness of ALL sins and eternal life with Him in heaven!
Oh my brethren, that ought to make us all jump and shout for joy, and harmoniously sing ‘Glory Hallelujah! All thanks and praise be to our most wonderful, merciful, generous and forgiving God! A God who LOVED us so much that He gave His sinless Son to be our sacrificial lamb, so that we could become His children and live with Him forever!’
And all of that is based on His true and faithful Word which keeps on being handed down from generation to generation. As the Bible verse for the above poem, and our Bit declares: ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’
And how can it eh, when it was through the Word that the universe and all therein was created? Listen to John, the one sent to bear witness, expound on the subject. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.’ (John 1:1-2)
Yes friends, from the very beginning the Word of God existed, and it’s particularly important to note that the Lord created the world though the spoken word: ‘And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.’ (Gen.1:3)
So the Word of God is like a three part action: The first part refers to Jesus, who IS the Word and was with God in the beginning. Then we have the Word as the written directives of God, the Scriptures. And finally, there is the power that’s contained in the Word when it’s spoken!
So all in all friends, we couldn’t have a better faith, a better place and/or persons to turn to than our triumvirate Godhead of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, all connected through the Word! Now let’s go home then, with joyful hearts and souls as we enthusiastically and sincerely declare our Wednesday Wail.
As one faithful and harmonious body: ‘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!’
What more can I say eh friends…? Much LOVE!
…though the evil world tries to get me down…my Christian faith continuously bolsters me…through the Word…
04 May 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, accumulation, anger, blessings, choice, cold spells, contribution, curse, divine protection, earthly wealth, freely give, freely you have received, give and it shall be given to you, good measure, greed, greedy, hatred, it is more blessed to give than to receive, it shall be measured to you, lends to the Lord, Lucifer, men give into your bosom, negative repercussions., negative word, pressed down, promotion, Province of Ontario, resentment, running over, self-control, shaken together, shortsighted, shortsightedness, strife, success, the Arctic, the same measure you use, treasure in heaven, war
John 6:38. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom (pocket). For with the same measure ye mete (use) withal (with that) it shall be measured to you again.
Welcome friends to a somewhat cloudy and chilly Thursday morning in my area; no brilliant sunshine like yesterday. And if that isn’t bad enough, we’re supposed to be having a sizeable amount of rain today and over the next few spring days.
Hn! Spring days you say? Well in the next few days of May, our friendly province of Ontario is forecasted to be hit with cold spells that haven’t been seen around this time for decades. The temps are not even forecasted to reach double digits. Yeh!
And some northern parts of the province might also see a few fluttering flakes of the white stuff. (smile) Yes friends, snow in May! These days anything is possible yes! Meanwhile, they are having problems up in the Arctic with stuff up there melting too fast.
And yet, there are still people who adamantly refuse to believe that something is seriously wrong with our weather patterns. But until the big boys, those in government and industry, stop being greedy and shortsighted, and truly decide to look into the problem, it will just continue to get worse.
The sad part is that it might not affect us in this generation, but our children and their children will surely inherit another problem caused by our shortsightedness and greed.
Ah mih people, unfortunately there’s not much most of us can do about the big aspects of the problem, but we can all make a contribution by doing the little we can, diligently and sincerely. That’s all Jesus asks of us.
Now let’s turn to our Bit; immortal words of Jesus that ought to be making a big positive splash in our world, but unfortunately are not.
‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom (pocket). For with the same measure ye mete (use) withal (with that) it shall be measured to you again.’
Oh friends, if we’d only follow those simple but true principles, our world would be such a wonderful place!
But instead we concentrate on greed and accumulation of earthly wealth, which only breed strife, anger, hatred, resentment, war and a host of negative repercussions. Steups! But that’s how mankind uses the choice that the Lord his Maker has given him.
Anyway, let’s look at some scriptures that highlight the act of giving, beginning with the words of Bruh David from Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked. ‘The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again (does not repay): but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.’ (Ps.37:21)
Yeh friends, that’s just the way the righteous operate; according to the principles of Jesus! Now hear Cousin Sol. ‘He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.’ (Prov.19:27)
Remember my faithful followers, that Jesus came to save the lost, the sick, the poor, the prisoners and those in bondage, so anytime you help any of those lost souls, you are helping the Saviour, and He will always repay your help.
And then there are these fateful words of Jesus, as He sends out the disciples on a missionary journey. ‘Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils (demons): freely ye have received, freely give.’
Ah mih breddren, please let us pay serious attention to those last two instructions, for many of us receive free stuff, but refuse to give freely, instead wanting to hoard it all for ourselves. That’s not Jesus’ way my people, that’s Lucifer and the greedy world’s way!
And we have a most vivid example of how difficult it is to give of our earthly wealth. Listen to Jesus’ reply to the young, rich ruler who wanted to know what he had to do to enter heaven.
‘Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be (want to be) perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.’ (Matt.19:21-22)
Yeh friends, we all want to have much treasure stored up in heaven, but right now we’d much prefer to have it here on earth. We can’t have it both ways people. Now hear this last scripture, one from Bruh Paul, as he addresses the Ephesian elders.
‘I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Gospel truth friends!
And with that quote of our Saviour Jesus Christ, we can now go home sincerely declaring our Thursday Blessings. All together now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection!
I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
And since a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken over someone or something, let’s go out and bless others, as we have been blessed nuh! Much LOVE!
…sincere giving…brings generous blessings…
03 Sep 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a figment of our imagination, a good man, after one time is two, Anselm, at the mercy of, Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, children of God, Christians, common sense, consciences, cruel and unjust punishment, deceit, deceitful times, discretion, do good, do not repay, drunk or sober, Eastern Parkway, followers of Jesus, forgiveness, fraudulent, generous, gracious, Granny's wisdom, greedy, guide his affairs, hands slapped, he is kind to the unthanksful, indisputable truth, Jesus, labour day weekend, lend, lends, Love your enemies, merciful, mercy, mince words, mind yuh business, our duty, peace, perpetrate fraud, piddling things, prioritize our efforts, put it into action, reward, righteousness endures for ever, rocket science, show mercy, shows favour, sorry comment, strife, talk to your enemies, tattooed to your heart, the Big Apple, the children of the Highest, the evil, the righteous, the righteous show mercy and give, the wicked borrow, want to make peace, with the help of God, you reap what you sow, your reward shall be great
Psalm 37:21. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again (does not repay): but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth.
Well friends and neighbours, it’s Saturday; Labour Day Saturday to boot! You know I didn’t even remember that this was the long, Labour Day weekend. That just goes to show how things and times have changed. As my Auntie Anne told me the other night when we were talking on the phone; ‘After one time is two yes nephew!’
And that’s ever so true. I never used to miss a Labour Day in the Big Apple. And my Auntie thought I was calling to say that I was coming down this weekend, because that’s how it would happen. I would say that I wasn’t coming, then last minute I’d call and say, I’m on my way. But unfortunately, that’s no longer in vogue. I can’t even handle the walking in Toronto’s Caribana street parade, much less that on the Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.
And besides, the parades and them not as good as they were; the mas and the music are of inferior quality compared to earlier times. That brings to mind my last Labour Day in New York, I believe it was in 2007. My Auntie Anne and I had to park miles from the parade because there were no parking spots to be had close by, and then walk to the Parkway. Hn!
The walk there in the afternoon hot sun was bad enough, but walking back later in the evening after the parade ended…Steups! That was murder; cruel and unusual punishment! (smile) Anyway, with the help of the Good Lord we made it back in one piece, but certainly aching in the joints and body.
However, before I forget, let me dispense Granny’s wisdom, for it’s on occasions such as this, that it’s ultra-important. ‘Sonny Boy, a beg yuh please…when yuh go out there… drunk or sober…please mind yuh business, because is times like these, when the devil is most likely to pounce unsuspecting…!’ Oh my people, this Labour Day weekend, as you celebrate, please don’t leave home without that critical piece of advice tattooed to your heart, mind and soul!
And now, since it seems to have become a Saturday routine, let’s check out a couple of quotes from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. The first quote says: ‘If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.’
Now that’s not rocket science, but strictly common sense, for you and your friends should always be at peace. Unfortunately though in today’s strife –filled world, not too many enemies are seriously and sincerely talking to each other, consequently peace is mostly a figment of our imagination.
And the second quote from Anselm tells us that: ‘Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.’ That’s also not rocket science but simply common sense. In this crazy and busy world of ours, where so many things call for our attention, we must prioritize our efforts and plans on those things which are more important to the successful running of our lives.
However, too many of us tend to get tied up in the small, unimportant things and thus make our lives harder than necessary. Time is of the essence my brethren, so we need to use it wisely, don’t waste it by getting too involved in the piddling things of life. (smile)
That brings us to our Bit, some interesting words of Bruh David from Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked. ‘The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again (does not repay): but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth.’
And isn’t that indisputable truth my brethren? Of course it is! And it’s indeed a sad and sorry comment on the state of our society, especially in these fraudulent, greedy and deceitful times, when consciences seem to have disappeared, where honour and truthful dealings have apparently been turfed out, and we lie and deceive with impunity.
White collar crime has certainly been on the rise in the last decade or so and seems to be getting worse with each passing day. And the sad part is that many of the people who have been defrauded by the wicked, don’t ever see a penny of their money again and are basically left to suffer while the defrauder merely has his hands slapped. But that’s our modern-day society for you!
Meanwhile the righteous, of which there are never enough, are the ones who show mercy and give to those in need. And so it should be friends, if we’re to be true followers of Jesus. Christians ought to be amongst the most merciful and generous, although I’m not so sure that we are, for we perpetrate a lot of fraud and deceit on one another too.
But nonetheless, let’s check out a few scriptures that encourage us to be merciful and generous. From Psalm 112 – Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord – come these two beautiful verses. ‘A good man showeth favour (is gracious), and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion… He (a good man) hath dispersed (distributed abroad), he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn (strength) shall be exalted with honour.’ (Ps.112:5, 9)
Yes my people, that’s how a true believer in Christ ought to behave. But how many of us really behave that way eh? I’d venture to say, certainly not enough, otherwise the hunger, poverty, sickness, and other negative things that are currently engulfing our world would not be half as bad.
Now let’s end with some words from Jesus Himself. ‘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)
Aye friends, Jesus didn’t mince any words there, He spelled it out as simply and straightforwardly as possible. Now it’s our duty to go out and put all that He said there into action, if we want to be true children of God. Much LOVE!
…he who wants mercy and forgiveness…must also mete out mercy and forgiveness…for what you sow…is what you will reap…
19 Aug 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's game, a negative wedge, abundance, abundantly, adversity, another week of work, balance, be abased, believers, Belzeebub, care of, circumspection, circumstances, commuting, comparing ourselves to others, concern for, confusion, contentment, debt, different, discipline oneself, dissuade us, envious, fellowship, financial aid, fishbowls, flourished, frail human shoulders, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, go without, greedy, have life, hurrah for the weekend, I have learned, I speak in respect of want, in Jesus' name, in whatsoever state I am, jealousy, Jesus Christ, keeping up the Joneses, learned in a classroom, level of power, lies, life lessons, live in prosperity, mama yo, material possessions, miserly, need, opportunity, overnight, P.S. I Love You, peace of jesus, perspective, practical life experiences, pretensions, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, sacrificed, show off society, social standing, sold their souls, strain, stress, stringently, suffer need, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the weekend, to abound, to be content, traffic jams, trials, tribulations, unhappiness, want, wisdom, work
Philippians 4:11. 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.
Aye mih people, another bright, sunshiny day is in the offing… And it’s Friday to boot! So you can imagine the raucous shouts worldwide of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Hurrah for the weekend! Get yourselves together to party! No more slaving for two, whole big days! Mama yo! We going to mash up the place! Thank God for Fridays and the weekends yes!’
Ah friends, you can’t help but voice those sentiments after facing the endless traffic jams, both morning and evening, that result from everybody commuting to work these days and working in the li’l fishbowls that so many of us toil in, five days a week.
But we have a better perspective on the usage of the weekend. It’s called our Friday Chant. So let’s chant it and raise the stakes to a higher level nuh. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers in Jesus Christ, that is a much better way to spend the weekend. It provides some semblance of balance and circumspection, along with some godly intentions, not merely a free for all of worldly lusts and pleasures.
Now here is an interesting quote from my ‘P.S. I LOVE YOU’ Poster. It says, quite straightforwardly; ‘Almost all of our unhappiness is the result of comparing ourselves to others.’
And there is indeed a lot of truth in that statement friends! Comparing ourselves to others is one of the big problems in our current society. Keeping up with the Joneses causes more confusion, debt and jealousy than we can ever imagine.
The world’s wrong definition of who and what we are, which depends on our material possessions, social standing and level of power, drives too many of us to levels of debt, work, lies and pretensions that we cannot safely manage.
I thank the Lord everyday, that though I may desire some of the things and standards of living that others have, I’m not envious, neither do I try my level best to become like them. And the sad part is that oftimes we don’t know what others have sacrificed to get what they have and where they are.
And if we knew, we wouldn’t be so quick to want to be like them, because many have sold their souls to Beelzebub for their power, social standing and material possessions. So friends, let me strongly dissuade us this Friday morning from comparing ourselves to others, because it’s just a fool’s game.
The Lord in His absolute wisdom made us each different for a purpose. If He wanted us to be all the same, He would have done so. And trying desperately to be like others only drives a negative wedge in our lives. So please stop it! End of sermon. (smile)
That brings us to our rather appropriate Bit. ‘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.’
Oh my brethren, learning that, takes so much stress and strain off of our frail human shoulders, especially in this show-off society of ours.
Hear the scholars take on our Bit nuh. ‘4:11. Not that I speak in respect (because) of want: Paul’s ability to be content despite the circumstances assures the readers that his joy of verse 10 is not solely over his “need” being met at their expense. He implies that he could have done without their financial aid. For justifies this implication.
I have learned …to be content: The Greek here suggests that contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom nor overnight, but through many practical experiences in life.’
And indeed so it is my people! Contentment is a learned way of life, through many trials and tribulations. Bruh Paul was here acknowledging the financial aid he’d received from the members of the Philippian church.
‘But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of (concern for) me hath flourished (revived) again; wherein ye were also careful (though you surely did care), ye lacked opportunity.’ (Phil.4:10) They were concerned about him, but lacked the opportunity to minister to him.
That leads Bruh Paul to continue after our Bit. ‘I both know how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity): everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.’ (Phil.4:12)
And we’ll end with some interesting explanations from the scholars. ‘4:12. By listing some specific examples, this verse elaborates upon the very general and broad “in whatsoever state I am” of verse 11. Be abased means literally to discipline oneself, that is, to tighten the belt in lean times.
To abound means to live in prosperity. Everywhere and in all things I am instructed (or, “in all circumstances I have learned the secret of how”) to be full, that is, “well fed.” To abound means to have plenty. To suffer need means to go without.
Paul has acquired the skill required for successful living with little and with much, the latter being harder. “For one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.” (Thomas Carlyle).’
Yeh friends, for many of us, living in prosperity is indeed harder than living in adversity. When we have plenty, we often don’t know what to do with it. However, when we only have a little, we just have to make do.
Now please don’t get the idea that we’re supposed to live miserly or stringently, because Christ said He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly, but by the same token, we also need to know how to live when we don’t have abundance, and not be greedy or envious of those who have.
So let’s go out there today and begin learning the life lessons we need to live as we ought nuh. (smile) Much LOVE!
…contentment can only be had through the peace of Jesus…
06 Aug 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fearful heart, a negative direction, Anselm, awesome power, be strong, big eyes, bounden duty, Christ, communications network, Creator of the universe, diligent, disciples, encouragement, evil minions, faithful promise, faze, fear not, focus, foot soldiers, get on our horses and ride, God will come with vengeance, God with recompense, greedy, in victory, jealous, Jesus Christ, Job, land of love, less fortunate, let my lord speak, life is how we view it, Lord God Jehovah, LOVE Revolution, Loveland, Lucifer, missionaries, negative day, O man greatly beloved, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, open the other eye, P2, paint the world, peace be unto thee, positive, promise, reassurance, recompense, rejoice in his salvation, say to them, seek first the kingdom of God, seize the bull by the horns, sincere, song of praise, superiority, supremacy, swallow up death, technology, the appearance of a man, the good news of Jesus' love, the Great Commission, the living God, the Lord God Jehovah, the Love of Christ, the lusts of the flesh, the rebuke of his people, the redeemed, this is our god, vengeance, we will be glad, wipe away tears, word of mouth, world oriented
Isaiah 35:4. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.
Well a good Saturday morning to all you wonderful believers out there in LOVELAND! (smile) Yes friends, by the time we are finished with this world it will indeed be a land of LOVE, per Jesus and His LOVE Revolution!
But you know what? To achieve that glorious aim, we, His foot soldiers have to truly be sincere and diligent and without further delay, seize the bull by the horns and just keep spreading the good news of His LOVE all over the universe! That’s the only way to ensure that the world is won for Christ!
Now it is indeed a tough situation to handle, what with Lucifer and all his evil minions also fighting for world superiority and supremacy, but look at what the handful of original disciples did with nothing but P2 (walking) and word of mouth.
It’s obvious therefore that with all the new technology available to us now, we can do umpteen times better than them! We just have to make up our minds to do it, then get on our horses and ride… (smile)
And the wonderful thing is that nowadays you don’t have to even send out as many as missionaries as before, though they are still necessary, because a lot of the work can be done right where you are through the wonderful communications network we now possess.
So please, my brethren, let’s get really serious about spreading the LOVE of Christ nuh. Remember it’s our bounden duty, per the Great Commission. (Matt.28:19-20)
Now let’s turn to some interesting words from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us. And in his first statement today, he seriously and wisely declares.
‘Do not let another human decide whether you are going to have a positive or negative day. You’re in charge of that decision, so make the decision to have a positive day regardless of how other people try to steer you in the negative direction.’
Ah friends, what awesome words of wisdom! We all know the controlling temperament that is predominant in today’s world, but as true believers, and strong individuals, we cannot afford to let others control us. Christ wants us to go in a positive direction, and that’s how we must go, regardless of what others think, say or do. We must make up our own minds.
And the second quote from our wise friend Anselm, is even wiser than the previous one. Listen up; it’s titled “Life is how we view it.” And it asks these rather important questions.
‘In your life, do you focus on those who have more than you or those who are less fortunate than you? Do you focus on how bad your job is or that you have a job? Do you focus on the smallness of your closet and house, or do you see that you have so many clothes you don’t have room to store them?
What eye are you looking out of? If you want the world to look differently, it may be easier for you to open the other eye than to paint the world.’
Well my people, I do hope that our answer to each question was the second half and not the first, because the first means we are too world oriented, with big eyes (greedy and jealous), allowing the lusts of the flesh to control us. And sadly, under those circumstances it’s not conducive to work sincerely for Jesus.
So please let’s ponder our situations, re that quote above, and make sure that we bring our focus into line with that of Jesus, seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, after which all those other things will be granted to us. (Matt.6:33)
And before we run out of space and time, let’s turn to our awesome Bit for the last time. ‘Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense: he will come and save you.’
Oh my fellow believers, that one sentence is packed with so much encouragement, reassurance and promise, that if we truly believe it, there’s nothing in this evil, ungodly world that will faze us or make us fearful!
And why is that? Because it’s the solemn and faithful promise of our omnipotent God, the Creator of the universe and all therein, who never makes idle promises, and furthermore, He has the power to make each and every one come true.
Now listen to an example of the great power invoked in a promise, it concerns the strengthening of Daniel to receive his vision by the great river. “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.
And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.’ (Dan.10:18-19) What awesome power eh friends! And only the Lord God Jehovah, our wise and great God has it!
And we’ll close with some more awesome words, from the song of praise by the redeemed. Hear Isaiah tell it like it is. ‘He will swallow up death in victory (forever); and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:8-9)
Yes friends, that is the wonderful God that we worship! Therefore there is no need to be afraid or anxious for anything, because He will always look out for us, once we remain under the safe and protective umbrella of His everlasting wings! Much LOVE!
…all glory and honour be to the LIVING GOD…omnipotent…omniscient…and omnipresent…there’s none other like Him…
30 Jul 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a rose by any other name, achievement oriented, Afro Pan, aiming too high, aiming too low, angry, Anselm, Beelzebub, Caribana, castoffs, Christians, Civic holiday, confound, controversy, crooks, death, disciples, do his bidding, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, evil power, excellence, gospel truth, Granny's advice, greedy, Hades, hapless band, hell, high intellect, high performance, I am alive for evermore, I am he that liveth, jealous, Job, judges decisions, litigation, Lord and Saviour, lowly backgrounds, Lucifer, Macoumeh Fifi, make you, mighty conqueror, negative sentiment, nonentities, our witness for christ, Pan Alive Steelband Competition, Pan Elite, Pan Fantasy, ps and qs, scamps, Silhouettes, stiff back, stiff neck, the devil, the evil one, the grave, the keys of hell and of death, the Old Testament, the powers that be, the things hereafter, the things thou hast seen, the things which are, the Tribulation, the vision of Christ, the wonders of Jesus, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, vengeful, was dead
Revelation 1:18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell (Hades) and of death.
Well friends, it’s Saturday; Caribana Saturday in the big T.O! Mama Yo! (smile)
Although it’s now officially known as something like Toronto Caribbean Carnival, brought on by all the litigation and controversy over the name in the last few years. But in most people’s minds it will always be Caribana.
Anyway, just like a rose by any other name is still as sweet, likewise Caribana by any other name still is a big festival. And you can imagine the city is hopping with all the functions slated for this long holiday Civic weekend.
Well to cut a long story short, I did my hopping last night at the Pan Alive Steelband Competition. Unfortunately, over the last couple of years that has been my sole Caribana venture, because the big parade on Saturdays is more than I can physically handle, I can’t party like I used to. Chuh! (smile)
And in any case what passes for mas down there doesn’t thrill me any more. But I’m not complaining. I had a good time at the pan competition, as I usually do. But also, as any of you who has ever been to a pan competition will know, there’s always controversy over the judges decision.
And there certainly was some of that last night as the judges’ declared Pan Fantasy the winners for the fifth consecutive time. Steups! Now they might have deserved the accolade over the last couple years, but definitely not last night in the minds of most people.
They looked good and their playing wasn’t bad, but it lacked the little something that makes a winner. A couple of bands like Silhouettes and Afro Pan sounded better. I’m not a big Afro Pan fan, but last night they played well and should have beaten out Pan Fantasy, instead of taking second place.
One good thing though, this year there were fewer bands than normal, ten, and the Competition was better organized and was more of a show, with one pan side on stage at a time, and the judges no longer moving around. It also began on time and finished before midnight as the city dictated.
Our own Calypso Monarch, Macoumeh Fifi, as well as a one pan side (one pan in each category) called Pan Elite from Arima in T&T performed during the intermission and after the bands performed. So some kudos go out to the organizing committee. And that’s that for Caribana…
Oh, except to send out Granny’s advice: ‘Sonny boy, please, ah beg yuh, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business!’ Yes friends, we definitely have to be on our p’s and q’s during these big festivals as the enemy excitedly comes out on the prowl, looking for spirits and souls to invade with his evil power. And we definitely can’t allow him to do that. So please be careful this Caribana long weekend.
Now here are a couple of quotes from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us. The first one says: ‘It’s better to have a stiff neck from aiming too high than to have a stiff back from aiming too low.’
And that is quite true, especially for Christians, since our Leader, our Lord and Saviour expects excellence from all His followers. His is a not necessarily a high intellect organization, as you can see from some of the people He originally chose as His disciples, and the ole crooks and scamps the Lord used to do His bidding in the Old Testament.
But you’ll certainly notice that all His choices were high performance and achievement oriented. They did great things through the Lord’s help, even though they came from lowly backgrounds. The Lord takes pleasure in using the world’s castoffs and nonentities to confound the powers that be.
And the second quote declares: ‘No one can make you jealous, angry, vengeful, or greedy — unless you let them.’ And that’s the gospel truth my people!
Technically speaking, no one has that sort of power over us, unless we allow them to. So when we say that so and so made us angry, or jealous, or whatever negative sentiment we choose to display, it’s technically incorrect. In truth, we are the ones allowing them to make us whatever.
It’s the same thing when we declare that the devil made us do something. Of a fact, the devil has absolutely no power over us unless we allow him to. Remember our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ defeated hell, death and the grave, Lucifer’s dominions, when He died, and rose from the grave on the third day. So please, let’s stop allowing people to have such power over us, because it detracts substantially from our witness for Christ.
And that brings us finally to our Bit. ‘I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell (Hades) and of death.’
That says it all my fellow believers! Our Leader Jesus has conquered the forces of evil, which means there is nothing that we need be afraid of from the enemy, because in reality he is like a toothless dog, just barking his foolish head off, with no real power to bite or harm us. Whatever he does to us, is what we allow him to do.
Yuh don’t see, even when Beelzebub wanted to harm Job, he had to first go to Almighty God for permission. (Job 1:6-12) The same applies to us today my brethren; whatever happens to us, the Lord allows for reasons He alone understands. But the evil one can’t just get up and hurt us because he feels like.
And we’ll end with these awesome words of Jesus as He says to John after our Bit. ‘Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be (take place) hereafter;’ (Rev.1:19)
And according to the scholars: 1:19. This is the key verse of the book. Revelation has three major sections: (1) the things which thou hast seen – chapter 1, especially the vision of Christ (c.f. v.11 – “what thou seest”); (2) the things which are – chapters 2 and 3, the conditions in the churches; and (3) the things which shall be hereafter – chapters 4-22, beginning with the judgements of the Tribulation period (cf. 7:1 –“after these things”).’
Yes friends, there’s a whole lot to come, and we’ll be wise to be on Jesus ‘s side, for He is indeed the Mighty Conqueror! Much LOVE!
…only fools will bypass the wonders of Jesus…to join the hapless band in Hades…
P.S. I know it’s long and late, but you have to cut the ole fella some slack as this is Caribana weekend. (smile) Much LOVE!
24 Jul 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: acrostic psalm, Ahimelech, archangels in glory, at all times, be glad, bled, blessed is the name of Jesus, boast in the Lord, carries them all day long, crown him, deliverance, died, exalt His name, excellent greatness, faith, faithful, faithfulness, fellowship together, gave up on God, God sits at the conference table, Goliath, great expectations, greedy, guard his children, hail him, hallowed, hear his word, his praise shall continually be in my mouth, his sinless life for us, honour, hope, hope of eternal salvation, hounds, I will bless the Lord, in his arms, in our lives, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer., joyful song, like a shepherd, lose faith, LOVE, loverly days, magnify the Lord, no peace, Nob, our rock, peaceful agreement, power hungry, praise, priest, proclaim, prophet, reassurance, reinvigorated, revitalized, sacrificed, Saul, showbread, sincerity, sins, soul body mind spirit, strengthened faith, strife filled, suffered, testimony, the crucified, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the humble, trials, tribulations, truth, victorious, walking with Jesus, war mongering, wisdom, worship
Psalm 34:1. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Aye mih breddren, loverly days are here again… as if they ever went anywhere eh. (smile)
That’s because every day is a loverly day when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is in our life. Especially on a Sunday, when we get to fellowship together in great numbers, to praise and worship Him in sincerity and truth, to hear His word and be revitalized and reinvigorated in soul, body, mind and spirit, so we can face the new work week with great expectations, strengthened faith, and reassurance that we will be victorious walking with Him.
And all God’s people loudly and proudly declared: ‘Blessed is the name of Jesus, who sacrificed His sinless life for us! Praise His holy name!’
Now let’s continue in praise mode by singing this beautiful hymn written in His honour by Fanny Crosby. In one, strong and harmonious voice now: ‘Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth, His wonderful LOVE proclaim! Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory, strength and honor give to His holy name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children; in His arms He carries them all day long:
{Refrain :} (Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness! Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!)
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins, He suffered and bled and died; He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the crucified. Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows, LOVE unbounded, wonderful, deep, and strong: [Refrain]
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! crown Him! prophet and priest and King! Christ is coming, over the world victorious, power and glory unto the Lord belong:
[Refrain] Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness! Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!’
Yes friends, what a joyous hymn of praise to Christ Jesus! That ought to have lifted our spirits considerably and opened up our hearts, made us totally receptive to the reading of His word. But before we get into that, let me share something I heard on the radio yesterday. It was an old song by the Chi-lites titled ‘There will be no peace until God sits at the conference table.’
Oh precious people, I never knew the song in its heyday, but when I heard it yesterday I was consumed by both joy and sadness. Joy, because someone long ago realized the seriousness of the situation and turned it into a song. And sadness, because it is just the God awesome truth!
We WILL NEVER have peace on this fallen earth until we bring Almighty God, our Creator and Provider back into the equation, for He is the ONLY ONE powerful enough to bring all the dissenting, strife-filled, greedy, selfish, foolish, war-mongering, power-hungry leaders and nations to a sensible and peaceful agreement! And until that time comes, there’ll be no peace…just constant war.
Anyhow, enough of the negative vibes. It’s Sunday and we’re supposed to be praising and thanking and worshipping and glorifying our heavenly Father, so let’s get back to a more positive and joyous state nuh. (smile) Let’s introduce our Bit; wise, powerful and faithful words of Bruh David. ‘I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.’
Oh friends, that’s wisdom to the nth power! For who else is there for us to look up to, to praise and worship eh? NOBODY but Jehovah God!
And what we have to realize here is that Bruh David has just escaped death at the hands of his nemesis King Saul, and is running from Saul for his very life without food or weapons. He arrives at Nob, to the priest Ahimelech, who is suspicious of Bruh David’s sorry state and enquires of it.
Bruh David spins him a nansi story about being on secret business for the king and didn’t have time to get bread nor weapons. Whether Ahimelech believed him, we’ll never know, but he’s obviously scared that Saul finds out about his liaison with Bruh David, and finally gives him the showbread (hallowed bread) because that was all he had, as well as Goliath’s sword.
I like Bruh David’s remark when Ahimelech told him that Goliath’s sword was in the temple. ‘And David said, There is none like that; give it me.’ (1 Sam.21:9) Yeh friends, that sword must have brought back long ago memories to Bruh David, as he took it and hightailed it away from the hounds of Saul, baying hungrily at his back. (smile)
Ah mih people, Bruh David didn’t have an easy life, but he NEVER gave up on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because over the years, despite his trials and tribulations, the Lord had proven faithful to him.
The scholars tell us thus about Psalm 34 – The Lord hears the righteous. ‘Psalm 34. The historical background of this acrostic psalm is related in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. It bears all the marks of the testimony of one who narrowly escaped death, just as the passage in Samuel describes. As such, it contains the praise and testimony of the one who was redeemed (vv.1-10) and the seasoned instruction that can stem from such deliverance (vv.11-22).’
Yes my brethren, it was only because of the Lord’s faithfulness to him over the years that Bruh David could declare the words of our Bit, and the ones following. ‘My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.’ (Ps.34:2-3)
Oh friends, those are also my sentiments this Sunday morning. So please, magnify the Lord with me, and let’s exalt His holy and righteous name together, for that is indeed wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…despite the troubles that come with life…believers ought never to lose faith in Jehovah God…
18 Mar 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: allegations, almighty god, another week of work, attuned to God, balanced weekend, calypsos, celebrate, change, chastize, Christ-like, Christian's life, confidence, discombobulated world, dogs, economic slavery, enthusiasm, faith, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, generous help, give ear, give thanks, glorious kingdom, greedy, hear, hypocrite, I the alligator, joyful, LOVE, loving kindness, lusting for power, material things, merciful outlook, mercy, moderation, o ye kings, o ye princes, party, perspective, Philippians, pittance for pay, prayer, Rejoice in the Lord always, relationship, relaxation, resentful, rest, sing and praise, sing praise, slave master, slave work, spiritual image, St. Joseph's Day, St.Patrick's Day, supplication, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, thankfulness, thanksgiving, The God of Israel, the heathen, the Lord is at hand, the peace of God, truth, unbeliever, whips, wine women and song, wisdom
Judges 5:3. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes: I, even I, will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Aye mih people, how it going this cloudy Friday morning eh?
The somewhat snotty reply was: ‘But what yuh expect eh brother? Is Friday. That means it going beautifully! Yuh don’t hear everybody joyfully declaring, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’
The weekend is upon us, and everybody’s just holding their breath, can’t wait for evening to come, so that they could party, celebrate another week of slave work over, with only a mere pittance for pay, under the greedy slave master and them.
The only difference now is that they don’t have no whips nor dogs to keep you in line, now is economic slavery. That is why everybody so happy when Friday come, and joyfully shouting ‘Thank You Lord for Friday!’
Now who am I to dispute those allegations eh? I’m certainly not going to jump up and say ‘I the alligator sir!’ as a politician in Tobago was reputed to have said in the House of Assembly many moons back. (smile)
I can only say that spending too much time partying and wasting away the supposed pittance you’re paid on wine, women and song is not a very wise move. We’d all be better off with a balanced weekend as our Friday Chant advises. So let’s chant it up with plenty enthusiasm and thankfulness nuh.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that line of thinking provides a much better perspective on the matter my people. And before I forget, let me make some apologies. In yesterday’s Bit I talked about growing up in T&T celebrating St. Paddy’s Day, but apparently I was wrong. A friend wrote and told me that instead we celebrated St. Joseph’s Day on March 19.
To tell the truth, I really don’t remember what day we celebrated back then. I only remember that we’d be anxiously waiting for that one day in the middle of Lent when you could drink and party and hear calypsos on the radio with a free conscience. (smile)
And on the other hand, I’ve been celebrating St. Paddy’s Day up here for the last forty something years, so the memory of down south in that respect is somewhat dim. (smile)
Now yuh see friends, that is the kind of feedback I require, that I need. Please, when I make mistakes, as I’m won’t to do every so often, being an ageing human, let me know nuh. I very much dislike putting stuff in the Bit that isn’t true. Anyway, thanks for that Miss T. (smile)
Now here’s our Bit. ‘Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes: I, even I, will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
And yes, our Bit is the same one as the last couple days, because thanks and praise are such integral aspects of a Christian’s life, and I don’t believe that we’re doing it as well as we ought to. Our hearts don’t really seem to be in that space where we’re happy to seek God; to sing and praise Him for His LOVING-kindness and His most merciful outlook upon us.
Oh my fellow believers, that is just such a sorrowful statement on our part. And I do believe it’s true. Just look around us and you’ll see the way we Christians behave, almost as badly as the heathen, as the unbelievers; greedy, resentful, lusting for power and the material things of the world.
Now that has got to change, if we ever hope to make any significant change(s) in our crazy, discombobulated world. I know several people who refuse to go to church because of the unchristian way those already in the church behave. But I keep telling them to go and add one more hypocrite to the bunch already there.
Oh friends, we’re all hypocrites to some degree, because we all do things we’re not suppose to, then chastise others for doing the same stuff. So what does that make us eh? Definitely not a true Christian! And besides, it’s more difficult trying to change things from the outside. You stand a much better chance if you’re on the inside too.
Anyway, that’s just my take on the situation. Let’s get to some appropriate scripture. And there’s none more suitable then this admonishment of Bruh Paul to the Philippians. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand,
Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.4:4-7)
Oh my people, what true and wise and wonderful advice! Actually, it should be a no-brainer for even the elementary Christian because from day one we’re advised to sing and praise and give thanks to God in ALL circumstances, and bring EVERY problem to Him in prayer, be they large or small.
For whatever reason though, we just are not doing those things sufficiently, that’s why our individual lives and the lives of our churches are not as joyful and Christ-like as they should be.
So let me plead with us this morning to get back to the basics of our faith. Remember, it’s all about our relationship with Almighty God; seeking Him, praising and glorifying Him. That’s the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!
…man was made in the spiritual image of God…so that his spirit would be closely attuned to God….
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SCRIP-BITS 
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 September 2016 Psalm 37:21.
03 Sep 2016 Leave a comment
by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a figment of our imagination, a good man, after one time is two, Anselm, at the mercy of, Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, children of God, Christians, common sense, consciences, cruel and unjust punishment, deceit, deceitful times, discretion, do good, do not repay, drunk or sober, Eastern Parkway, followers of Jesus, forgiveness, fraudulent, generous, gracious, Granny's wisdom, greedy, guide his affairs, hands slapped, he is kind to the unthanksful, indisputable truth, Jesus, labour day weekend, lend, lends, Love your enemies, merciful, mercy, mince words, mind yuh business, our duty, peace, perpetrate fraud, piddling things, prioritize our efforts, put it into action, reward, righteousness endures for ever, rocket science, show mercy, shows favour, sorry comment, strife, talk to your enemies, tattooed to your heart, the Big Apple, the children of the Highest, the evil, the righteous, the righteous show mercy and give, the wicked borrow, want to make peace, with the help of God, you reap what you sow, your reward shall be great
Psalm 37:21. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again (does not repay): but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth.
Well friends and neighbours, it’s Saturday; Labour Day Saturday to boot! You know I didn’t even remember that this was the long, Labour Day weekend. That just goes to show how things and times have changed. As my Auntie Anne told me the other night when we were talking on the phone; ‘After one time is two yes nephew!’
And that’s ever so true. I never used to miss a Labour Day in the Big Apple. And my Auntie thought I was calling to say that I was coming down this weekend, because that’s how it would happen. I would say that I wasn’t coming, then last minute I’d call and say, I’m on my way. But unfortunately, that’s no longer in vogue. I can’t even handle the walking in Toronto’s Caribana street parade, much less that on the Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.
And besides, the parades and them not as good as they were; the mas and the music are of inferior quality compared to earlier times. That brings to mind my last Labour Day in New York, I believe it was in 2007. My Auntie Anne and I had to park miles from the parade because there were no parking spots to be had close by, and then walk to the Parkway. Hn!
The walk there in the afternoon hot sun was bad enough, but walking back later in the evening after the parade ended…Steups! That was murder; cruel and unusual punishment! (smile) Anyway, with the help of the Good Lord we made it back in one piece, but certainly aching in the joints and body.
However, before I forget, let me dispense Granny’s wisdom, for it’s on occasions such as this, that it’s ultra-important. ‘Sonny Boy, a beg yuh please…when yuh go out there… drunk or sober…please mind yuh business, because is times like these, when the devil is most likely to pounce unsuspecting…!’ Oh my people, this Labour Day weekend, as you celebrate, please don’t leave home without that critical piece of advice tattooed to your heart, mind and soul!
And now, since it seems to have become a Saturday routine, let’s check out a couple of quotes from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. The first quote says: ‘If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.’
Now that’s not rocket science, but strictly common sense, for you and your friends should always be at peace. Unfortunately though in today’s strife –filled world, not too many enemies are seriously and sincerely talking to each other, consequently peace is mostly a figment of our imagination.
And the second quote from Anselm tells us that: ‘Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.’ That’s also not rocket science but simply common sense. In this crazy and busy world of ours, where so many things call for our attention, we must prioritize our efforts and plans on those things which are more important to the successful running of our lives.
However, too many of us tend to get tied up in the small, unimportant things and thus make our lives harder than necessary. Time is of the essence my brethren, so we need to use it wisely, don’t waste it by getting too involved in the piddling things of life. (smile)
That brings us to our Bit, some interesting words of Bruh David from Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked. ‘The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again (does not repay): but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth.’
And isn’t that indisputable truth my brethren? Of course it is! And it’s indeed a sad and sorry comment on the state of our society, especially in these fraudulent, greedy and deceitful times, when consciences seem to have disappeared, where honour and truthful dealings have apparently been turfed out, and we lie and deceive with impunity.
White collar crime has certainly been on the rise in the last decade or so and seems to be getting worse with each passing day. And the sad part is that many of the people who have been defrauded by the wicked, don’t ever see a penny of their money again and are basically left to suffer while the defrauder merely has his hands slapped. But that’s our modern-day society for you!
Meanwhile the righteous, of which there are never enough, are the ones who show mercy and give to those in need. And so it should be friends, if we’re to be true followers of Jesus. Christians ought to be amongst the most merciful and generous, although I’m not so sure that we are, for we perpetrate a lot of fraud and deceit on one another too.
But nonetheless, let’s check out a few scriptures that encourage us to be merciful and generous. From Psalm 112 – Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord – come these two beautiful verses. ‘A good man showeth favour (is gracious), and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion… He (a good man) hath dispersed (distributed abroad), he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn (strength) shall be exalted with honour.’ (Ps.112:5, 9)
Yes my people, that’s how a true believer in Christ ought to behave. But how many of us really behave that way eh? I’d venture to say, certainly not enough, otherwise the hunger, poverty, sickness, and other negative things that are currently engulfing our world would not be half as bad.
Now let’s end with some words from Jesus Himself. ‘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)
Aye friends, Jesus didn’t mince any words there, He spelled it out as simply and straightforwardly as possible. Now it’s our duty to go out and put all that He said there into action, if we want to be true children of God. Much LOVE!
…he who wants mercy and forgiveness…must also mete out mercy and forgiveness…for what you sow…is what you will reap…