The Necessity for Christians to Retain Strong Faith in Christ, while Persisting in Prayer, and NOT Losing Heart even in the Face of Injustice or Delay!

12 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luke 18:8b.        ‘Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?’

So we’ve come to the first Sunday after Easter… And what now? Well, we keep on being passionate about Jesus; His death, resurrection and the promise of salvation and eternal life those two events made possible! It’s time to be very concerned about our world and the great amount of negative stuff that’s overtaken it. If we truly LOVE and appreciate all that He’s done for us, then it’s our bounden duty to try and reduce the negativity; the evil and ungodliness in our world.

And to help us do that, we’re going to sing a most appropriate song titled, ‘Today I’m Gonna Try And Change The World.’ It’s a song released in 2010 by Canadian Country Music Artist, Johnny Reid, one that all believers’ ought to take to heart right now and staunchly put into action, for that’s the only way we’re going to turn things around. So, without further ado, let’s offer our sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, sincere and heartfelt mid-tempo version of the song. 

And we’ll begin with the ‘(Chorus: Today I’m gonna try and change the world Gonna take it one day at a time I’ve made my resolution I’ve opened up my eyes Today I’m gonna try and change the world.) I’m gonna say hello to my neighbor Gonna greet him with a smile Shake the hand of a stranger Sit and talk for a while Gonna tell someone I love them From the bottom of my heart Today I’m gonna try and change the world.

(Chorus) Gonna make sure my children Know there’s a right and wrong I’ll never turn my back On those of us who need someone Always gonna try to see myself Through another’s eyes Today I’m gonna try and change the world. (Chorus: Today I’m gonna try and change the world Gonna take it one day at a time I’ve made my resolution I’ve opened up my eyes Today I’m gonna try and change the world…Yes,  I’ve made my resolution, I’ve opened up my eyes Today I’m gonna try and change the world Not for me, but for those I’ll leave behind I’ve made my resolution Gonna change it one day at time Today I’m gonna try and change the world. Yes, Today I’m gonna try and change the world…one day at a time.’ 

Oh friends, let’s hope we were not simply paying lip service as we sang that wonderful song, because I’m sure it would break Jesus’ heart, since His great desire is for us to indeed change this evil and ungodly world as much as we can! And my fellow believers, He is depending on us to keep faith very much alive on the earth until He returns, as He asks this question at the end of the parable on the persistent widow. ‘Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?’ (Luke 18:8b)

And as this commentary explains: ‘It is a rhetorical inquiry, suggesting that true, enduring faith will be rare or under severe strain during the end times, encouraging believers to remain faithful and prayerful. The question implies that a large part of humanity may have lost faith, rather than an abundance of it being present. Jesus is encouraging a specific type of faith—one that persists in prayer and does not lose heart, even in the face of injustice or delay. It highlights the necessity of trusting in God’s LOVE and justice, even when it seems absent or delayed. The verse is a warning and a motivation for believers to maintain their faith until His return.’ 

Oh my people, what more can I add to that eh? Not much. Except to say that from the way we’ve allowed the evil one to perpetrate his ungodly machinations without much pressure, with very little resistance or push back on our part, we’re definitely not shaping up to be the kind of followers Jesus truly desires and desperately needs. However, let’s not forget what the author of Hebrews tells us, as he recounts our former days, when our faith was much stronger than it currently is.

‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry (delay). Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction): but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.’ (Heb. 10:35-39)

Now there’s a very inspiring scripture passage! And it’s calling us to be faithful followers of Christ, to be patient, to endure to the end. That was quoted from the prophet Habakkuk, as the Lord told him. ‘Write the vision and make it plain upon tables (tablets), that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted (proud) is not upright in him: but the just shall live by faith.’ (Hab. 2:2-4)

So my people, whatever the Lord has promised, will eventually come to pass, but in the Lord’s timing, not ours. Our part is to wait faithfully and patiently until it comes true. But while we’re waiting, we must also put up a serious fight against the enemy, not let him make any further inroads into the culture and power structure of our world. And I know that only a handful of us are in positions to make big changes to our world, but all of us can make small ones, and as the Jamaicans say, ‘one one cocoa full basket.’ Yes, many small changes eventually become big ones.

And how do we do that? Simply by doing what the song we sang today says. Open up our eyes and see the many problems that we face. Then make a strong resolution to change them, one day at a time, by doing things like saying hello to our neighbours, greeting them with a big, genuine smile; shaking the hand of a stranger as you sit and talk to him for a while. And what about telling someone you LOVE them from the bottom of your heart? Now that alone would make a great difference in so many relationships. 

Obviously, we’re also going to teach our children the difference between right and wrong, while never turning our backs on anyone who needs our help, and seeing ourselves through the eyes of others, thinking of their situation rather than ours. And one big reason we should try and change our world one day at a time is not for us, but for those we leave behind, so that they will have a better world than we have.

So please my fellow believers, on this first Sunday after Easter in this year of 2026, it’s imperative that we take time to ponder the situations of both our world and ourselves, and as obedient disciples of Christ, make the resolution to implement whatever changes we can, in whatever time we have left to us, for that’s the godly thing to do! Much LOVE!

…all Christians need to do…is to put the major commandments into action…LOVE the Lord…and your neighbour as yourself… 

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 October 2014 Proverbs 11:27

02 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Proverbs 11:27.   He that diligently seeketh good procureth (finds) favour: but he that seeketh mischief (trouble), it shall come unto him. 

Oh Friends, on this Thursday morning in early October – yes, it’s already October – as the leaves begin to change colour and fall, I believe we need a challenge that’s right up our alley, right in our faces, one to which we cannot say no, from which we cannot run and hide.
 
Our world is becoming increasingly more fractured and war-like every single day, and we believers are the ONLY ONES who can change it for the better. The warmongers and evil doers are happy to see it slide into further depression and eventual destruction, so it’s up to us sincere followers of, and true believers in Jesus Christ to do whatever it takes to turn our world around.
 
And today we’re going to do it in song, one I shared with you some time aback. I just found it amongst some other papers in my Bible and thought it was a sign to share it again. (smile) That’s because it details such simple and workable ideas that all of us can do in our daily lives, to bring positive change to a seriously troubled world, starting right in our own neighbourhoods.
 
And it’s a song by Johnny Reid, which advocates: ‘Today I’m going to try and change the world. Gonna take it one day at a time. I’ve made my resolution, opened up my eyes, Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m gonna say hello to my neighbour, going to greet him with a smile, and shake the hand of a stranger, sit and talk to him for a while.
 
Gonna tell someone I LOVE them, from the bottom of my heart. Today I’m gonna try and change the world. I’ve made my resolution, opened up my eyes; Today I’m gonna try and change the world. Gonna make sure my children know right from wrong; Never turn my back on those in need.
 
Always gonna try to see myself through another’s eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world. I made my resolution, opened up my eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world.’
 
Oh my fellow believers, what heart-warming sentiments! And the beauty of it all is that they are simple, everyday things that we all can do to make our world a much better place in which to dwell!
 
Now that segues very nicely into our Bit: ‘He that diligently seeketh good procureth (finds) favour: but he that seeketh mischief (trouble), it shall come unto him.’
 
And isn’t that generally how life goes my brethren? If we sincerely seek good, then we find favour, while if we look for trouble, it usually finds us.  That’s why I’m asking us today my people, to seek good, and not evil.
 
As Bruh David advises in Psalm 34 – the Lord hears the righteous: ‘What man is he that desireth life, and LOVETH many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (deceit). Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it.’ (Ps.34:12-14)
 
Oh Friends, that is so plain and simple and straightforward that it truly amazes me when we find it difficult to do! And many of us blame our naturally sinful nature, but that’s just a convenient cop out. We can all stop doing evil and do good if we so desire. We’re just too fascinated by the evil doings of the world.
 
And you’ll notice how over the last few years the things of darkness, in books, movies and games are ruling the roost as best sellers and award winners. What do you think that does to the minds of our children eh, when they become comfortable with the things of the dark side, including war and violence at such an early age?
 
They either become enamoured of them, or comfortable and undisturbed, possibly concluding that that’s the norm. And sadly my brethren, that’s the kind of children we’ve raised in this generation. They have come to learn of and glamourize the things of darkness, because that’s what the evil powers are raising up.
 
Meanwhile, things of the light, things of Jesus, are being portrayed as inferior nonsense. But Friends, that’s a fool’s wisdom! For whatever we seek or sow, that is what will boomerang back to us. And a wonderful biblical example of that is the story of Haman in the book of Esther.
 
Haman is the king’s right hand man, boastful and arrogant as so many of us in high positions are. But as the Lord would have it, one old Jewish fellow, Mordecai, Esther’s guardian, refuses to bow and scrape to Haman. And when Haman discovers that the king is about to honour Mordecai, his hatred increases, and he sets up a plot to have the Jews killed.
 
However, through the good works of Esther and Mordecai, it was Haman who met a terrible end. The Good Book describes it thus: ‘So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified  (subdued).’ (Esth.7:10)
 
Oh Friends, please let’s learn from Haman’s example, and don’t plot to do evil against anyone, for there is a very great chance that it will backfire, and we will then be on the receiving end of the evil we had meant for others. Wisdom my people, let’s practice wisdom today nuh. Much LOVE!
 
…that which a man sows…he will reap…therefore it’s only a fool…or a madman…who will consciously set out to do evil…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 June 2014 Acts 5:20

19 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acts 5:20.    Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, I have a most wonderful way for us to begin our day today! I was driving out in my car yesterday evening when this song came up on the C.D player and immediately awakened me to some of the simple ills of the world that we can all fix without any problems.
 
I was also guided to share it again with you. It’s a song from Johnny Reid, a wonderful song of acclamation. So let’s acclaim together this Thursday morning nuh. ‘Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m gonna take it one day at a time. I made my resolution, opened up my eyes.
 
Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m going to say hello to my neighbour, gonna greet him with a smile, and shake the hand of a stranger; sit and talk to him for a while. I’m gonna tell someone I LOVE them from the bottom of my heart.
 
Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m gonna make sure my children know right from wrong. Never turn my back on those who need someone. Always going to see my self through another’s eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world. Gonna take it one day at a time. Yes, I’ve made my resolutions. I’ve opened up my eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world.’ 
 
And Jesus, looking down from His high heaven, pumped His right hand with a clenched fist and said, ‘Yessss! That’s how I want my people to live, each and every day!’
 
Wow mih breddren, Wow! What a statement that would make in Jesus’ name eh, if we could just go out and do those simple things everyday! Because yuh know, that is exactly what Jesus did during His sojourn here on planet earth. He just went out and did good everyday. And that’s all we need to do to follow in His footsteps.
 
Oh yes my people, it’s time for the Holy Spirit of Jesus to be moving mightily in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, like it did with the apostles and the other believers back then in the incredible aftermath of that memorable Pentecost day!
 
And following on from yesterday, where the multitudes were believing and coming to Jerusalem to be healed, we see the anxiety of the Jewish leaders.
 
Listen to the good Book tell it: ‘Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation (jealousy). And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.’ (Acts 5:17-20)
 
Oh Friends, it never ceases to amaze and amuse me, the way our God moves in such mysterious and devious ways to accomplish His purpose!
 
Now, in this current day and age, if the same scenario took place, how many of us would do what the angel said eh? I dare say, not too many, for fear of what the authorities would say and do. But the apostles back then were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, which by the way we too are, and they immediately obeyed.
 
‘And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel (council of elders), and sent to the prison to have them (the apostles) brought.
 
But when the officers came and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told (reported), Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety (security), and the keepers standing without (outside) before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
 
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them (wondered) whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.’ (Acts 5:21-25)
 
Now my people, generally speaking, the Lord isn’t asking us to go and stand up on the street corners or in the church and preach, although that might be the calling of some. All He’s asking is that we live a decent and upright life, like in our acclamation above.
 
We only live one day at a time, so it’s obvious we can only make changes one day at a time too. But if everyday, each one of us does a little, makes some little improvement in our lives and somebody else’s, eventually we’ll turn our troubled world around.
 
But it has to begin with us; the true believers, the serious followers of Christ. Each of us has to take it upon ourselves to fix what we can in our small sphere of influence. We have to adopt Jesus’ great optimism. For yes, He was, and still is the eternal optimist!
 
Why else would He choose 12 men, yes my brethren, 12, low of status, uneducated men to proselytize the entire world eh? 12 men simply filled with Holy Spirit of Christ!
 
And my people, you’ll notice that they did it! 12 men filled with only the Holy Spirit of Christ changed the entire world! Glory Hallelujah! Two thousand years later we’re still talking about them.
 
Please, I implore us; let them be talking about us that same way nuh, with pride and wonder, if our troubled world lasts another two thousand years.
 
Let’s go down in the annals of history, of Christianity, as having left a legacy of true faith and good works, so that all can declare: ‘They truly believed!’ That’s all Jesus is asking of us. Much LOVE!
 
…Jesus would never have given the apostles the task of proselytizing the world…if He thought it was impossible…and that goes for us too in this modern age…