10 Mar 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aboslute power corrupts absolutely, abuse of power, advocating on our behalf, Aneurin Bevan, ascended into heaven, British politician, broken, chief priests, Christians, cling to it for dear life, comfort, Daylight Saving Time, eternal life, eternal separation from God, ever-LOVING God, faith, fateful words of jesus, fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body, fear not them which kill the body, for other foundation can no man lay, free offer of grace, glory majesty, grasp the hand of jesus, grin and bear it, grind him to powder, guidance of the Holy spirit, happiness, he who has ears to hear, healing, is become the head corner stone, is to give it away, Jesus Christ, Jesus sacrificed His life for us, Jewish elders, joy, judgement, let wisdom reign, Lord Acton, LOVE, Mama Mia, mercy, null and void, obedience, on the third day, our Lord and Saviour, parables, peace, peace-giving, Pentecost, Pharisees, playing mind games, politicians, power, power hungry, power tends to corrupt, repentance, rose from the dead, salvation, state of good health, struggle for power, the chicken and the egg, the corrupted seek power, the kingdom of God, the Lord's doing, the Messiah, the purpose of getting power, the stone which the builders refused, the unfaithful, thirst, walk in obdience and love, which is Christ Jesus
1 Corinthians 3:11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Well my wonderful Friends and neighbours, a good Tuesday morning to you all! I hope that these words meet or find you in a state of good health, peace and happiness. But if they don’t, then I hope that they will help to bring you to that place where you can access the comfort and joy of our healing, peace-giving and ever-LOVING God.
And with that, I must say that this Daylight Saving Time thing is not thrilling me at all, for it’s playing games with my mind. I wake up and see it that it’s still pretty dark and think it is yet the middle of the night, when it is already far gone into the morning.
And this is no excuse for the Bit being late. (smile) I was just tired and didn’t feel like getting up early. But as so many things we can’t do anything about, we just have to grin and bear it and work it into our schedules, as best we can.
And today we’re going to check out a most interesting quote attributed to an old-time politician. His name was Aneurin Bevan (1897-1960). He was the Minister of Health in the post-war Attlee government in Britain, also a social reformer and the chief architect of the British National Health Service.
Now Mr. Bevan is reputed to have said that ‘The purpose of getting power is to be able to give it away.’ Wow!
When I read that on the February page of the almanac, I was certainly taken aback. What! A politician talking about giving away power! Hn! It just doesn’t jive with the actions of today’s politicians, where they all want to cling forever to all the power they can get.
And it certainly doesn’t line up with the sentiments of another British politician, Lord Acton (1834-1902), who reputedly said that ‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are always bad men.’
Now that sounds more like what a lot of us tend to believe from the actions of our politicians and power-brokers. But in my research I found one journal also stating an interesting fact on the matter, that ‘The part of the truth Lord Acton did not realize when stating “power corrupts” is that the corrupted seek power.’
And that’s absolutely true, because if you want to be a successful corrupted person or entity, then you must have the power to both do your corrupt deeds and then have the power or wherewithal to hide them.
But who knows what really goes on in the minds of corrupt and power-hungry people eh? For example, which leads the other eh? It’s like the conundrum of the chicken and the egg; which one came first?
Anyway Friends, if there is one thing we can be sure of, is that the modern day politicians, or those in any other walk of life today, are NOT seeking power to be able to give it away, but to cling to it for dear life.
And my kind regards to Mr. Bevan for thinking that, and I’m not being cynical, for I wish it were really true, but I’ve yet to see it in action. But enough about man’s thirst and struggle for power and their subsequent abuse of it.
Let’s turn to our Bit, which tells us of where the true power in the universe lies. ‘For other foundation can no man lay that that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’
Yes my people, as Christians, we know that’s where the true power in this world lies; in Jesus Christ our wonderful Lord and Saviour, who sacrificed His holy and sinless life for us, was crucified, died and was buried, then on the third day rose triumphantly from the grave, thus defeating hell and death, and ascended into heaven, where He’s now advocating to the Father on our behalf!
Mama Mia! Can any mortal man, regardless of how much earthly power he possesses, do that? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
So please let’s not be too worried or concerned about the power of men, for as Jesus said: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’ (Matt.10:28)
And yes my brethren, I know it’s very easy to quote all these wonderful scriptures, but actually living them, or putting them into action is not simple or easy.
However, we do have to try and live by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit that indwells us, if we want to have a successful earthly journey with Christ, that eventually leads to eternal life in heaven with Him.
And per our Bit, listen to these fateful words of Jesus, as He spoke the parables of the two sons and wicked husbandmen, re obedience, to the Pharisees and chief priests. ‘Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (chief cornerstone):
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whosoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.’ (Matt.21:42-44)
Ah mih breddren, that’s what the unfaithful have to look forward to – be crushed like powder! And the Jewish elders realized that Jesus was referring to them, in their refusal to accept Him as the Messiah. But they were afraid to touch Him, because the crowd revered Him as a prophet.
And we’ll end to day with these explanations from the scholars. ’21:44-46. The warning The kingdom of God shall be taken from you (v.43) was fulfilled at Pentecost when the kingdom was mediatorily (like in mediation) transferred to the church. Yet, within this warning of judgement, Jesus offers mercy to those falling on this stone, meaning, falling upon Him in repentance and faith. But His falling upon man in judgement will grind him to powder.’
Oh my people, what more can I say to encourage us to fall on Jesus through sincere faith and repentance eh? Not much, because Jesus Himself spelled it out in clear and simple terms. It’s now left up to us, as individuals, whether or not we’re going to accept His free offer of grace and mercy that lead to salvation.
For all our sakes though, I’d strongly recommend that we grab it as fast and as quickly as we can, because He’s not going to offer it again. When He returns in all His glory and majesty, which can be anytime, all the wonderful offers will then be made null and void.
So please, I implore us to let wisdom reign, and let us grasp the hand of Jesus, hold it tightly, and walk in obedience and LOVE with Him, for that’s what our Creator and heavenly Father desires of us. That’s why He sacrificed Jesus on the cross at Calvary. Much LOVE!
…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…else he will pay a grave price for his disobedience…eternal separation from God…
01 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adventures, black pudding, Chuh Steups, corruption, crapaud smoke yuh pipe, faithful God, grin and bear it, hear the Word, I wil not trust in my bow, I will fear no evil, In God we boast all day long, incommunicado, indisputable truth, Lift up the name of Jesus, loving kindness, mouth-watering delicacies, my enemies, neither shall my sword save me, O God, Paradise, Pennysaver, salt water, sons of Korah, souse, stand strong, steadfast trust, Sunday, sunshine, Super Bowl, testify, the Lord will never forsake us, the Lord's agenda, the Lord's Day, the Sabbath Day, the valley of the shadow of death, them's the breaks, Thou art my king, thou art with me, thou shall stretch forth thine hand, thou wilt revive me, though I walk in the midst of trouble, thy right hand shall save me, thy rod and staff comfort me, trying times, walk with jesus, we will push down our enemies, What Grandma use to say
Psalm 138:7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Oh Friends, it’s February 1st, and another beautiful day in Paradise! The sun’s shining, the birds are singing, as the leaves flutter in the cool breeze and the calm sea laps against the shore! And it’s the Lord’s Day to boot; the Sabbath, the first day of the week!
That means gathering together, fellowship, worship, praise, thanksgiving, and sincere acknowledgement of God’s majesty! Or as the song on the radio’s saying, ‘Lift up the name of Jesus!’
Sadly though, the ole fella’s still somewhat under the weather. The coughing has subsided, but my chest is still tight. Chuh Steups! I need both of them, because I’m tired with it! Can’t tell when last I’ve had this asthma stuff so badly and so long nuh. I can’t even handle the heat down here.
Yesterday it was a bit rough going out in the day. Couldn’t stay out for too long, had to hurry back to my cool air conditioned quarters. I have to laugh yes, because up north all I could talk about was salt water and sunshine, and now that I’m here, I can’t handle the sunshine and I haven’t had much salt water either. Hn, hn, hn!
So I’m disappointed, but not worried. The Lord’s agenda is obviously different to mine. But I know He will come through for me eventually. I’m also disappointed that I didn’t get up in time to go to church this morning. I’ll have to find something on the television for me to hear the Word.
And they are playing a song on the radio about what Grandma use to say. And I’m hearing some sweet ole time sayings, amongst them, my favourite, ‘crapaud smoke yuh pipe; and when yuh prayer, move yuh feet; long rope for magre goat; short rope for the fat goat.’ Only in T&T! I also woke up with my back aching after … well I did sleep for a good while last night, so that’s understandable.
Re adventures: Nothing much happened yesterday. After I finished writing the Bit yesterday, I went out to pick up the duchess from the hotel where she had gone to have breakfast. But as I got out to the car, she appeared out of a taxi. She couldn’t wait on me any longer. What’s new eh! (smile) But thankfully there was no disagreement over my tardiness.
We went to the mall, still no sim cards in one place, and the other one was closed. So we’re really incommunicado by phone, because the land line isn’t working either. Apparently when they built the compound they laid the cables for phones and TV in the ground, and since it’s right by the sea, it seems the cables get wet and cause reception problems.
But yuh know I’m not bothered by the incommunicado problem nuh, because I can’t do much talking or laughing anyway. But I truly am tired of not only feeling, but also hearing the so and so wheezing in my chest! But them’s the breaks! As I keep preaching, I just have to grin and bear it.
We went down to Stumpy’s Emporium, sort of department store, where I bought some clothes hangers, then we bought some fruits from a roadside fruit stand and made a short stop at a friend’s bar on the main road, only to say hello, because the heat was killing me.
Somehow the talk of souse and black pudding came up, and she told me that a lady came out every Saturday evening with those mouth-watering delicacies at a place near to me. So after an early supper on the deck, we headed out for Kats, only to find that they had stopped selling there.
I was directed to another place, a Pennysaver’s Supermarket in Carnbee. So we went through the back roads and got there to hear that the pudding and souse show was on Friday’s not Saturday. However they came out at another Pennysaver down in Canaan, closer to me. So we headed down there.
Now that seemed to be a factual thing, because I found a customary fellow waiting for them too. We waited for about an hour, while the duchess went walking through the stores in the mall, and he told me about the rampant corruption devouring the country. It’s really a sad story.
Oh, and I just heard on the news about a woman in Trinidad setting her ex on fire when he came to her house where she was with another man. Ah Lord eh!
The long and short is that I didn’t get the much anticipated souse and pudding. Steups! Apparently the woman who made the stuff was sick. And that’s been the only food I truly felt for since I’ve been here. It reminded me of my youth, living up Main Street, where every Saturday evening, before we went to the cinema, we waited for this lady to come down the hill with the succulent souse and black pudding.
Anyway, we came home and I ate ice cream and cake and watched the Leafs lose to Philly. Their fourth shutout in five games. After being one of the highest scoring clubs, the goals have dried up under this new coach’s defensive system. And it’s not like they aren’t getting chances, but they’re either missing the net or running in to hot goal-tending.
And that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! (smile) Just like I’m sticking to our Bit: ‘Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.’
Words of indisputable truth my people! And all of us who have walked with Jesus for some time will be able to testify to that! For our God has promised to be with us wherever we are. He will never forsake or leave us. (Heb.13:5)
And nowhere has it been stated as succinctly and sweetly as in Psalm 23; the comforting and encouraging words of Bruh David. ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and staff they comfort me.’ (Ps.23:4) Godly words to stand strong on my brethren! And in these trying times we need stuff that we can hold on strong to.
And we’ll end with these mighty words of the sons of Korah, from Psalm 44- Former deliverances and present troubles. ‘Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread (trample) them under that rise up against us.
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. (Ps.44:4-8).
Yes Friends, our magnificent and faithful God has saved us before, and He will do so again. So there is need to worry or doubt His abilities and his faithfulness. Let’s stand strong and boast in His name all day long! That’s the zenith of wisdom! Much LOVE!
…Jesus did not die…so that we could live worried and afraid…but confident and powerful…with steadfast trust in His LOVING-kindness.
P.S. Going to find the Word on the tube, then later go up by Magdalena for their Sunday Brunch, and possibly watch the Super Bowl in the evening. That’s good enough for me, as the day might be hot again. Look at me running from hot sun eh! (smile) Much LOVE!
08 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Another new year, bitterly cold morning, blessings, broken resolves, call out to Jesus, cause me to hear thy loving-kindness, cause me to know the way I should walk, cry out, declare God's doings, direction, exalt the Lord's name, failures, friends, God is in the midst, God is our refuge and strength, God shall help, God will empower us to do what He asks, God's forgiveness, God's graciousness, God's power, grace, great is the Holy One of Israel, grin and bear it, humble, I lift up my soul unto thee, in thee do I trust, Isaiah, Israelites, January of last year, makes us uncomfortable, mercy, Moses, muddy the waters, my neck of the woods, no need to worry or be afraid, obedient, Praise the Lord, prayer, procrastination, prosperous, reverent, Ruth Harms Calkin, shout, surrender, thanksgiving for god's mercies, the city of god, the essence of the scripture, the Most High, the old year is gone, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the road to good intentions, trust, wisdom, worshipful attitude
Psalm 143:8. Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Ah Friends, it’s another bitterly cold and windy morning in my neck of the woods! Wow! Like winter is finally here to stay! But at least we can be thankful that there is no precipitation to further muddy the already muddy waters! (smile)
As usual though, all we can do is grin and bear it and continue with whatever tasks God has put before us. Don’t forget that He WILL empower us to do whatever He asks of us. So there is no real need to worry or be afraid. And it’s just a little cold weather, no big thing. (smile)
Now this morning I have a rather interesting and most likely very appropriate story to share with you. It comes from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin.
This one is titled ‘Another Year’ and says: ‘Another new year! How did it steal in so silently? How did it arrive so quickly? So many things I determined to do in January of last year are still completely undone. So many notes and letters still unwritten. Friends I planned to entertain were never invited.
The books I planned to read haven’t been opened. The cupboards and drawers I hoped to clean are still cluttered with things I don’t need or use. Clothes I no longer wear still crowd my closet. I planned to have coffee with our neighbours, but often I managed no more than a quick wave between errands.
If only I could have held on to the old year a little longer! But the old year is gone. I must put it away with all its failures and broken resolves. There is no way I can reclaim even one week of last year. I see that the road to good intentions is wide and circular. I’ve walked around it until I am utterly exhausted.
I confess my failures, my procrastination. I know God, in his graciousness, will forgive me. I have one more request. I pray for God’s power to keep my forgiveness up-to-date.’
Oh Friends, how true that story is of so many of us who are caught up in the busy lifecycle of this busy and fractured world! After reading that yesterday I just couldn’t pass up sharing it with you. And I’m sure that many of us, to whom it so appropriately applies, are now chuckling at its wisdom and truth.
But I want to point out two very important things in it. Firstly, that despite all her foot dragging, the author acknowledges God’s graciousness and knows without a doubt, that she will be forgiven for it. And secondly, her prayer for God’s power to keep her forgiveness on track.
Oh my people, many of us badly need to come to God for all kinds of forgiveness but are hesitant and afraid to do so for whatever reason. But until we surrender all our worries and problems to Him, our lives will not be as full and prosperous as they can be.
Now the promise attached to that story was ‘Let me hear of your unfailing LOVE to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer.’ (Ps.143:8) That’s the version from the New Life Translation (NLT), but we will use the King James Version as our Bit this morning.
I don’t know why, but I’m just partial to the King James Version in most of the scriptures. (smile) Anyway, the KJV spells it out this way: ‘Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.’
Oh Friends, that just sounds more poetic and soulful to me than the NLT version, which sounds sort of commonplace and pedestrian. (smile) But that’s just me.
The important thing though is that we get the essence of the scripture, which is basically crying out to God for His grace, mercy and direction, as we put our whole and entire trust in Him.
And remember my people, until we do that, our lives will never be completely fulfilled. There will always be a little something missing that just nags at us and makes us uncomfortable.
And we’ll check out now, a couple of scriptures that verify our Bit. The first one comes from Psalm 46 –God is our refuge and strength- which He is indeed.
‘There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles (dwelling places) of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved (shaken): God shall help her, and that right early (at the break of dawn). (Ps.46:4-5)
Yeh Friends, our great and wonderful God is wherever we are, and will certainly help us in our time of need, and very early at that. That’s His promise, and we can be assured that He will fulfill it!
Now listen to Moses as he warns the Israelites. ‘For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.’ (Deut.23:14)
Oh my people, our God is always around us, but we need to be obedient, humble and reverent if we want to enjoy the full scope of His blessings!
And we’ll end with this most encouraging scripture from the prophet Isaiah, re Thanksgiving for God’s mercies. ‘And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings (deeds, works) among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.’ (Is.12:4-6)
Oh my fellow believers, I couldn’t say it any better than that! However, I’m asking us to sincerely embrace that worshipful attitude and trust in Almighty God this new year of 2015, so that our lives can be more fulfilled and prosperous, as He would have them. That, my people, is indeed true wisdom! Much LOVE!
…whatever the problem…call out to Jesus…don’t be afraid…for He is there waiting to help us…but WE have to call…
23 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a prayer for help in old age, a successful Friday, all thanks and glory be unto God, all the chances in the world, awesome majesty, bear down to our task, beset by enemies, brought to shame, Bruh David, cast off, charge down to the finish line, Come and let us return unto the Lord, conform us to the likeness of Jesus, confounded, detract, don't let up now, drink the wine of astonishment, everlasting wisdom, faithfulness, give us help from trouble, God is the Boss, God shall tread down our enemies, God will work it all out for our good, God's goodness, God's LOVING-kindness, grab the bit in our teeth, grin and bear it, heal the breaches, homestretch, I will praise thee, I will rejoice, indisputable truths, learning, like a shining star, machinations of god, made the earth to tremble, pondering on god's Word, proclaim and live god's word, proclamation of faith, promise, Psalm, pursue the knowledge of God, puts us through our paces, raise us from the dead, reverential awe, righteousness., rough times, seek my hurt, serving and worshipping Jehovah God, shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth, shalt quicken me again, sounds like music to my ears, spoken in his holiness, staggering, talk of thy righteousness, the potter's wheel, the power to heal, them that fear thee, thou hast redeemed my soul, thou Holy one of Israel, thou which hast showed me great and sore troubles, Though he slay me, threatened, through God we shall do valiantly, Thursday, triumph, trust, turn thyself to us again, undying faithfulness, vain is the help of man, victory, walk consitently with God, winning the race, wisdom, workweek race, yet will I trust him
Psalm 71:20. Thou, which hast showed me great and sore (severe) troubles, shalt quicken (revive) me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
And then it was Thursday!
Yes Friends, we’re now rounding the bend that leads into the homestretch of the workweek race! And we’re looking good too…with all the chances in the world of winning the race, so please don’t let up now, but rather let’s bear down to our task, grab the bit in our teeth and charge on down to the finish line, to a successful Friday!
Wow! What victory is possible through our great God!
Ah Friends, that bit of Horse Racing analogy surely sounds like music to my ears, since I’m no longer involved in that most august pursuit. (smile) Yes, the Lord in His everlasting wisdom saw it fit to take me out, so all I can do is grin and bear it.
I wasn’t making any money anyway, just losing more than I could afford. I guess He figured that it would detract me too much from learning and pondering on His Word and His Ways. And since He is the Boss, I had no choice but to follow His leading.
And though I miss it some, I must admit that the Lord in His goodness and LOVING-kindness and mercy has since fashioned my life in such a way that I am comfortable with it. All thanks and glory be unto Him!
And today we have an interesting Bit… Oh sorry, ALL of them ARE interesting, since they are taken from God’s Word! (smile) Our Bit is taken from Psalm 71 – A prayer for help in old age – the cry of an elderly man, apparently beset and threatened by his enemies.
‘Thou, which hast showed me great and sore (severe) troubles, shalt quicken (revive) me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.’
And those two statements, which seem like opposite ends of the spectrum, are indeed indisputable truths my people!
Our God does allow us to have rough times to stretch and conform us to the likeness of Jesus, but by the same token, He also brings us out of those troubles like a shining star, all cleaned up and ready to proclaim and live His Word with all faithfulness, and will also raise us from the dead when the time is right.
As per the first statement: ‘Thou, which hast showed me great and sore (severe) troubles…’ Bruh David addresses it in Psalm 60 – A prayer for help against the foe. He laments thus: ‘O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered (broken) us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again (restore us).
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. Thou hast showed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment (staggering).
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee (have a reverential awe for thee), that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. That thy BELOVED may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.’ (Ps.60:1-5)
Truly hurting words my brethren! But then, like the elderly gentleman in our Bit, who is sure that the Lord ‘…shalt quicken (revive) me again, and shalt bring me up from the depths of the earth,’ Bruh David declares the certainty of being heard by the Lord and foresees in his petition, certain victory through the powerful machinations of the Lord his God.
‘God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete (measure out) the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength (helmet) of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom? Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? And thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.’ (Ps.60:6-12)
Yes my fellow believers, though our God puts us through our paces on the potter’s wheel, we end up being beautiful works of art in His powerful craftsman’s hands!
As the psalmist continues after our Bit: ‘Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.’ (Ps.71:21)
Oh my brethren, what a great proclamation of faith and trust in Almighty God! I certainly hope we can all declare such a strong and faithful statement too.
Therefore, he declares: ‘I will also praise thee with the psaltery (lute or lyre), even thy truth (faithfulness), O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.’ (Ps.71:22-24)
Ah mih breddren, when we walk consistently with God over a fairly long period of time, we do see His awesome majesty and undying faithfulness! So though troubles may overwhelm us, yet we are sure that in the end He will work it all out for our good, because that’s His avowed intention and faithful promise to us.
And we’ll close with these memorable and moving words from Hosea – Israel’s reply to God’s admonition – that so eloquently describe the seeming dichotomy that exists in our God.
‘Come and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten (stricken), and he will bind (bandage) us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord (let us pursue the knowledge of God): his going forth is prepared (established) as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.’ (Hos.6:1-3)
Oh my people, there is no greater wisdom than that in all the earth! Please, let’s embrace it, and thus return to serving and worshipping Jehovah God, for it is Him, and Him alone that has the power to bind and heal us of all our sinful wounds! Much LOVE!
…though he slay me…yet will I trust in him… (Job 13:15A)
21 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living
Tags: aura of love, be not afraid, believe, blessings, Christ's ministry, complaining, confidence, Creator of the universe, denial of Jesus, disappointed, epitome, eternal life, evil, faith, for the works' sake, foundation of the church, further God's glorious kingdom, glorified, grin and bear it, harmony, holy spirit, inescapable, invincible, Israel, Jesus Christ, jobs, let not your heart be troubled, lies, limits of the world, LOVE, meet the enemy in battle, moan and groan, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, mysterious, New Testament, Oh Lord God Almighty, only believe, Peter, Poor Jesus, promise of Jesus' return, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, resources, rough copy, saved, serve a useful purpose, simple, spiritual armour, spiritual power, spunk, steadfast faith, straightforward, suck it up, taunts, tested, the only way to the Father, the Trinity, the way the truth and the life, trust, ungodly world, unsaved, value, whining, wiles, wisdom
Mark 5:36b. Be not afraid, only believe.
Well Friends, it’s Monday once again! Time to be up and at ‘em! Steups! I was up and at ‘em early enough, but just as I was almost finished, a power black out happened, and though I was saving the stuff, I still lost a fair amount of it.
And the sad and hurtful part is that I usually write a rough copy, but today I didn’t. Yuh see the method to my madness mih young daughter? She always laughs at me for doing a rough copy.
Anyway, my advice to you was to stop complaining and whining and get on with going to work in a fairly pleasant mood. But as the Lord would have it, I was tested before I even got done. Ah Lord eh! I’m laughing now, but believe me, I did moan and groan some back then.
However, as I keep telling us, I just have to suck it up, grin and bear it and start over. Hn! So without further ado, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty spunk and harmony, for I surely need something to boost my spirits. (smile)
‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was wonderful Friends! I was moved. Thanks. And I guess by now you’ve realized that I never finished all the scriptures that I wanted to yesterday, (smile) hence our Bit of Jesus’ few, simple, but powerful words again. ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’
And the first scripture I want to deal with comes from John 14, where Jesus is telling His disciples that He is the way, the ONLY WAY to the Father. The chapter opens thus: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.’ (John 14:1)
And the scholars say this about that verse. ’14:1. Let not your heart be troubled refers to Peter, Jesus just having told him of his imminent denial of His Lord (13:38). But the larger reference is to all the apostles, through whom Jesus is going to lay the foundation of the church.
His comfort also includes instruction about His departure, the sending of the Holy Spirit, the promise of spiritual power, of answered prayer, and of peace, but especially the promise of His return.’
But wouldn’t you know it, there is doubt and disbelief in the camp. Thomas questions Jesus about where He is going, and while trying to enlighten Thomas, about Him being the way the truth and the life, and if He had known Him he would also have known the Father, Philip says to Jesus: ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth (will satisfy) us.’ (John 14:8)
Poor Jesus, He must have been so disappointed with them, and goes on to lecture Philip. ‘Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself (my own authority): but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:9-14)
And we’ll end with some important and interesting explanations on those verses from the scholars. ’14:9. Seen me…seen the Father: There are no attributes of deity that the Son does not possess. This statement is most powerful. Everything that is true of God the Father is also true of the Son. The doctrine of the Trinity in the New Testament may be inscrutable (wholly mysterious), but it is also inescapable.
14:11. Works’ sake: Jesus reiterates what He had said to the Pharisees (10:38), but here His words fall on receptive ears. The works have evidential value to the unsaved (to convince of the truth), and the saved (to assure of the truth).
14:12. Greater works: Greater in quantity, certainly not quality. Christ’s ministry was primarily to Israel. His followers were going to reach the limits of the world.
14:13-14. In my name means “as my agent.” The promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus’ will (cf. 16:23-26) It is also linked here especially in the accomplishment of the “greater works.” The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.’
Oh my people, I do hope that we received and digested all that info from the scholars, because all those promises still stand today for us! Wow! Unlimited resources to do God’s work. Whichever employer ever offers that eh? None!
So let’s get it together this Monday morning nuh, let’s be wise and accept all that Jesus offers, so that we can be a powerful force in His name, in this evil and ungodly world. For that my Friends is the epitome of wisdom! Much LOVE!
…to believe or not to believe…some find it a difficult question…but the answer is simple and straightforward…BELIEVE…
29 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ability to be content, adversity, anything at all is possible with Christ, basic tenet of our faith, bated breath, be abased, believe, Bruh Paul, Christ our guide and leader, Christians, contentment, discipline oneself, eager patience, ever-changing circumstances, evil powers, expectant faith, faith, firmly entrenched, focus on Almighty God, God has new opportunities for me, God's plan for my life, God's provision, greater than I could imagine, grin and bear it, healing rays of the sun, help, holy spirit, humble apologies, hungry hope, I can do all things through Christ, I rejoiced in the Lord, I'm determined to be who God wants me to be, I'm not settling for where I am now, I'm pursuing what God's put in my heart, I'm stretching myself, in all circumstances, Jesus makes everything worthwhile, lazy crazy days of summer, lessons, life's hard lessons, live contentedly, live humbly, live skillfully, meditate, omnipotence, our faith is useless, our own strength, partner with christ, patiently waiting, pay lip service, ponder, practical life experiences, Praise the Lord, prosperity, pull out my hair, put into practice, reaffirm this pledge, regard of need, respect of want, scream to high heaven, spiritual superman, the Lord has decreed it, to abound, to be full, to be hungry, to go without, to know Jesus is to love Him, to suffer need, untenable situations, vagaries of the weather
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Oh Friends, I certainly wasn’t able to sit on my deck yesterday afternoon and enjoy the warm, healing rays of the sun, for it was a tad chilly, just like the weather people had said. And it looks like today will be just the same. Oh the annoying vagaries of the weather eh!
However, with bated breath, hungry hope and expectant faith, we are patiently waiting for those ‘lazy, crazy days of summer’ to arrive. (smile) For we know that they will eventually appear, because the Lord has decreed it, just not exactly when.
And so, as we wait with eager patience for all that God has in store for us, let’s make, or rather reaffirm this pledge, this declaration of intent, since we have invoked it before.
‘I can do all things through Christ. God has new opportunities for me. I am not settling for where I am now. I’m stretching myself, and pursuing what He (God) has put in my heart. God’s plan for my life is greater than I could imagine, and I am determined to be who He wants me to be. This is my declaration of what I can do through Christ.’
And all of God’s people proclaimed a loud and lusty: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Yes Friends, please remember that when we partner with Christ, when we have Him and His Holy Spirit buried deep in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, when He’s our true guide and leader, anything at all is possible through His omnipotence!
And that’s something we Christians don’t take as seriously and believe as strongly as we ought to, for if we did, a lot of us wouldn’t be in some of the unfortunate and/or untenable situations that we’re currently in.
Unfortunately, too many of us simply pay lip service to our Bit. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’
Oh Friends, that’s a basic tenet of our faith! If we don’t truly believe that, and even more importantly put it into practice, then our faith is useless, since we can’t successfully fight the evil powers of this world in our own strength.
Now just before our Bit, Bruh Paul made two other famous statements to the Philippians. Speaking in appreciation of a gift they’d sent him (most likely money), he declares: ‘But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me (concern) hath flourished again (revived); wherein ye were also careful (though you surely did care), but ye lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in respect of want (regard of need): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I both know how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity): every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.’ (Phil.4:10-12)
Oh my fellow believers, what mighty words, and also lessons that each and every Christian ought to learn and apply!
Now here is some worthwhile info from the scholars on those verses and our Bit. ‘4:10. Wherein ye were also careful, or, “regarding your care for me, you really were concerned”: Paul acknowledges that they were concerned about his needs all along, but they lacked opportunity to minister to him.
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.
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.
Every where 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 for successfully living with little and with much, the latter probably being harder: “For one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.” (Thomas Carlyle).
4:13. The apostle’s ability of knowing how to live skillfully on little or in prosperity does not mean that he is a spiritual superman.
The reason he can live in such extremes is not owing to his own ability. Rather he can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him, thus enabling him to adapt to his various, ever-changing circumstances.
God orders Paul’s various situations, and God gives him the strength to be content in them all, trying and perplexing though they may be.’
Oh yes my brethren, it’s God’s provision that enables us to be strong and content in any and every situation. But it’s not an easy thing to accomplish and can only be learned though life’s hard lessons.
That’s why it’s so awfully important to have the Holy Spirit of Jesus firmly entrenched in our being, so that we can have the necessary help to face all our situations, be they good or bad.
Steups! And it’s interesting that I had one of those situations a little while ago. In the middle of copying verse 10, above, the power suddenly went, and I lost a little of what I had written. But I didn’t pull out my hair and scream to high heaven, as I would have done previously.
Now I was unhappy and annoyed, but over the years I’ve learned to save stuff as I write, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, or has been in the past, when I had to start over from scratch.
So I had to reboot and all of that, and with my already waking up late, it just makes the Bit even later. I don’t like it when the Bit is late, but life happens, and I just have to grin and bear it. (smile)
Oh, one more thing, for those of you who happen to check out my Blog site, please accept my humble apologies for the different fonts and sizes that have been appearing on it lately. That’s not my fault. I post it properly, but somehow or the other when wordpress, my blogging site, converts it, these days it comes up that way.
I’m not thrilled with it all, and I’m trying to have it fixed. But until then please bear with me. Chuh!
Anyway, we have lots to meditate and ponder on today, to learn to live contentedly in whatever situation we find ourselves, so let’s get to it nuh. (smile) And I know it’s long, but that makes up for yesterday’s short one. (smile)
And I hope that the Bit helps us all to keep our focus on Almighty God, as it’s designed to do. For that’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…to know, know, know Him (Jesus)…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HIM…for He makes everything worthwhile…
26 Feb 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversity, adviser, applicable to our situation, Asa, Azariah, Balaam, be strong, bless, blessing, Canaan, cedar trees, Christian faith, circumstances, cursing, dark night, do good, dwell in us, Egypt, enchantments, enemies, enlighten, eternity, fickle, foes, forsake God, fulfill the dreams, giving thanks and praise, God's awesome power, God's kingdom shall be exalted, grin and bear it, Guide, guiding, heaven, heavenly Father, help others, holy spirit, Holy Trinity, indelible ink, Israel, Jesus, Jesus' commission, Judah, leading, light of jesus, lign aloes, live our faith, LOVE, Love God, nation destroying nation, no peace, no precipitation, Old Testament, opportunity, parable, pathways of life, peace, plan and purpose, predictions, principle still stands, rise of the monarchy, saw the light, serve God and Lucifer, sorcery, Spread God's Word, stand strong and steadfast, still small voice, stray from the straight and narrow path, strength of a unicorn, sun-shiny day, the Spirit of God, the words of god, them's the breaks, trance, trouble, turmoil, vexation, victories, vision of the Almighty, visionary, walking worthy of God, warning, weather, wisdom, worldwide turmoil, your work shall be rewarded
2 Chronicles 15:1. And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
Well Friends, it’s shaping up to be a beautiful sun-shiny day in my area, even though the high is scheduled to be around minus 10 degrees Celsius. But despite the chilliness of the weather, we’re still giving thanks and praise to Almighty God for all that we have. Thankfully there ought to be bright sunshine with no precipitation. And that’s the most important part; no precipitation! (smile)
So Friends, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, and whatever the weather is like, please thank and praise our heavenly Father for bringing you safely through another dark night into the day filled with the LIGHT of His most wonderful Son, Jesus.
And all God’s people loudly and gratefully declared: ‘All praise and glory be to the Lamb of God, who sacrificed His holy and sinless life for our sinful souls!’
And in doing so my brethren, Jesus set in motion the process for the third party of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit, to come into our lives and dwell with us continually, as guide and adviser.
Unfortunately, the people in the Old Testament, those who came before Jesus, didn’t have that wonderful opportunity. In those times, when needed, the Lord chose special people to bless with His Holy Spirit, to enlighten His people on whatever He desired them to know or do. And our Bit tells us of one such occasion. ‘And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.’
Now yesterday we saw where the Lord’s Spirit led Azariah to come before king Asa and the people of Judah, and tell them about seeking the Lord and finding Him, and being forsaken by Him, if they forsook Him. (2 Chr.15:2-4) And that principle still stands today my people! If we forsake God, like we’re doing, how can we expect Him to bless us eh?
Now today I want to continue the scripture re Azariah’s warning to Asa and the people of Judah, because I think it’s very applicable to our current situation.
‘And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations (turmoil) were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of (by) nation, and city of city: for God did vex (trouble) them with all adversity. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.’ (Num.15:5-7)
Yes my people, in our present time, there is little, if any peace amongst us. Too many of us are undergoing personal turmoil. Likewise our families are battling each other like never before. And we won’t talk about the turmoil within the different societies, neither that seemingly unending turmoil between societies. So in actual fact, our world is much more connected to a state of turmoil, than one of peace and LOVE.
Now that is definitely not a very good situation my brethren, however, as the last verse there stated, in spite of the worldwide turmoil, we believers ought to stand strong and steadfast in our Christian faith, for eventually, as Jesus has so generously and faithfully promised, our diligent work in His Name will be eventually rewarded.
So please my fellow believers, let’s write that deep within our souls nuh, in indelible ink, so that we don’t forget or mistakenly erase it, and simply keep doing what Jesus has commissioned us to do; LOVE our God, ourselves and our neighbours, SPREAD His Holy Word, and LIVE our Faith, by doing good and helping others.
I also want to revisit the other instance of the Holy Spirit coming upon an individual that we spoke of yesterday. That’s Balaam, the prophet who tried to serve both God and Lucifer at the same time, which is impossible. We saw yesterday, where he finally realized that his enchantments and sorcery weren’t working, they were no match for God’s awesome power.
‘And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.’ (Num. 24:2)
And the scholars’ explain that verse thus. ’24:2. And the spirit of God came upon him: Previously God had put a word in Balaam’s mouth (23:5,16). This phrase in verse 2 is not just a stylistic variation, but suggests that this time Balaam fell into a trance as verses 3 and 4 indicate.’
Now hear Balaam after that. ‘And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open (opened) hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.’ (Num.24:3-9)
Yes Friends, Balaam finally saw the light with his ‘visionary predictions of Israel’s future settlement in Canaan, the rise of the monarchy, and victories over specific foes.’ (scholars’ note).
Oh my fellow believers, just like the Lord used His Holy Spirit to enlighten the fickle Balaam, He’s using it today to also enlighten us, re His plan and purpose for our lives, plus leading and guiding us along the rough pathways of life, so that we can fulfill the dreams He’s placed in our hearts, while walking worthy of Him.
Friends, please listen to that still small voice that speaks to us from deep within, for it is the Spirit of God. That’s wisdom, for now and all eternity! Much LOVE!
…when we listen to God’s voice within us…we won’t stray from the straight and narrow path…which to leads to heaven… and to Jesus…
P.S. It’s a tad long and a bit late, but them’s the breaks, just grin and bear it. (smile) Much LOVE!
20 Feb 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: above freezing, Acts, Antioch, apostles, availed themselves, Barnabas, bear it alone, blessed day, Bruh Paul, busy lives, Christ's contention, cold temps, come to seek and save, come unto me, conformity, consider, David, descendants, disciples, disobeying warnings, earthly duty, easy yoke, exalted with His right hand, faith, fellow believers, first time in ages, flooding, forgiveness of sins, fraught with danger, gentle, give you rest, glory hallelujah, God of our fathers, God's help, God's promise, good news, great burden, great invitation, grin and bear it, hanged ona tree, heavy laden, heavy rains, high priest, Holy Ghost, humble, incarcerated, invitation, Israel, Jesse, Jesus Christ, Jesus is here to help, Jewish Council, judges, kings, Kish, labour, learn from me, lifted off your shoulders, light burden, live our faith, lost, LOVE, Love God, man after mine own heart, meditate, melting snow, obedience, obey god rather than men, ponder, preaching Christ crucified, precipitation, Prince and Saviour, raised up Jesus, repentance, rest for your souls, Saul, seed, set free, short reprieve, snowstorms, Son of man, Spread God's Word, testimony, Thank the Lord, the Good Book, trust, truth, truthful words, unpredictable weather, walking and talking with Jesus, warned, winter, wisdom, without fear, witnesses, world of darkness, yoke
Luke 19:10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Oh Friends, at long last it seems we’ll be getting a short reprieve from the bitterly cold day time temperatures we’ve been having. Thank the Lord! Our temps are supposed to rise above the freezing mark, be on the plus side for the first time in what seems like ages.
But even that good news of a few days of warmer, no less cold temps, is fraught with danger, as there are warnings of heavy rainfall in the offing, and combined with melting snow, flooding is a serious possibility. Ah Lord eh! It seems that our weather no longer goes about its business smoothly and with some conformity to what we expect, but is just jumping here there and everywhere, as it pleases.
Just look at the recent terrible and highly abnormal snowstorms in the U.S, and the disastrous flooding over the pond in Britain, where some places have been under water since early December. Mama Mia! And we’ve already had our big ice storms and heavy snowfall, so all in all it has been a winter of much precipitation, and there’s still a few weeks of it left to endure.
And if, as it’s widely believed, that our actions are mostly to blame for the greatly fluctuating and unpredictable weather patterns, then all we can do right now is grin and bear it.
But I also have some great news my people; we don’t have to bear it alone, for Jesus is here to help us do so! In the first place, as He says in our Bit: ‘For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ And we were definitely lost in a world of darkness before His coming.
But even after saving us there, He still holds out to us the Great Invitation: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
What truthful and highly appreciative words my brethren! And for all those who have not yet availed themselves of that wonderful invitation, I’d strongly advise that you do so as soon as possible, in fact right now, for when you do, you will truly feel as though a great burden has been lifted off your shoulders.
Anyway, let’s turn to the remainder of scriptures which supports Christ’s contention that He came to earth to save us, so that we can finish that topic today. And the first passage comes from Acts, where the apostles are again before the high priest and Jewish Council, for deliberately disobeying the warnings to stop preaching Christ crucified. This, after they had already been incarcerated, warned and set free.
‘Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of those things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.’ (Acts 5:29-32)
Oh Friends, that’s the testimony of Jesus’ disciples! It must have taken a lot of guts to get up before the Jewish rulers and speak so disdainfully of them, but they could not have denied the things they saw and experienced in the company of Jesus. And on their truth, we can base our faith without fear, and with awesome trust.
Now hear Bruh Paul, later on when Barnabas and himself were at Antioch. He’s talking about how Israel moved from being ruled by judges to kings. ‘And afterward they (the Israelites) desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of (for) forty years.
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. Of this man’s seed (descendants) hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.’ (Acts 13:21-23)
Oh my fellow believers, there can be no doubt re that line of reasoning, for it’s all recorded right there in the Good Book!
And we’ll end there for today, since inclusion of the other scriptures will definitely make the Bit too long, and I do have a sincere appreciation for your busy lives. (smile)
But please, let’s ponder, consider and meditate upon all that we’ve said today, then with God’s help, let’s try to bring our lives into obedience with His will, for that’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!
…what’s our earthly duty…to LOVE Our God…LIVE Our Faith…and SPREAD His Holy Word…
P.S. On editing the Bit, I found it much shorter than I originally thought. Glory Hallelujah! (smile) Much LOVE my fellow believers in Christ! And please have a blessed day, walking and talking with our Saviour!
11 Feb 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bite to eat, abhor justice, abuse, abuse God's generous gifts, all is well, ashamed, astonished, bare hills, beauty, bloodshed, bribe, brought to justice, cause people to err, cleanliness, confounded, cover their lips, darkness, decent night's sleep, divine for money, diviners, efficiently designed, embarrassed, essence, euphoric, finely tuned machine, full of garbage, full of power, God's creation, God's people, God's unchanging nature and law, God's Word, God's wrath, grin and bear it, hot ginger tea, humankind, iniquity, Israel, Jacob, Jerusalem, judge for reward, judgement, just a matter of time, justice, Leaders, lean upon the Lord, like going to church, magical, magnificent, majesty, nature, negative and sinful acts and emotions, new snowfall, no answer from god, no divination, no harm can come upon us, no vision, one of those days, oppression, outdoors, peace, people are destroyed, perfect truth, pervert equity, presence of god, priests, prophet Micah, prophets, re-acclimatize to the cold, refreshing, respectful, ruins, rulers, searching and hushing experience, seers, shame, Skip Whitcomb, smile, something beautiful to admire, special attraction, sublime, take heart, teach for hire, temple, Thanks be to God, the great mystery lies, the human body, the spirit of the Lord, transgression, ugly, unchalleneged, war, wickedness, with the Lord's help, Zion
Isaiah 9:16. For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Ah mih people, at last the ole fella’s beginning to feel somewhat human again. (smile) I finally had a decent night’s rest. Thanks be to God! Oh, I was up early, but decided to go back to sleep, if I could. And you better believe I fell back to sleep with no problem whatsoever.
Ah Lord eh! I never expected it to be so hard to re-acclimatize to the cold, but that just shows what a finely tuned machine the human body is. Oh, and I haven’t felt so cold in a long, long time. Steups! But what to do eh? Just grin and bear it, and believe that with the Lord’s help you will make it through!
So what’s on today’s agenda eh? Oh I just discovered this interesting quote on a piece of paper here. I don’t remember where I got it from, or if I’ve ever shared it before, but if so, it’s definitely worth sharing again.
It’s attributed to the American artist, Skip Whitcomb. And it says: ‘Outdoors is where the great mystery lies, so going into nature should be a searching and hushing experience, like going to church.’
Oh Friends, that’s perfect truth! For God’s creation is so magical, magnificent and efficiently designed that when we venture into nature, we ought to be quietly astonished and respectful to the wonders we find there! And we’re not only referring to lush greenery and colourful flowers, but also to the desert areas, the watery spots and even the snow covered fields.
That’s because each type of territory has its own special attraction, as well as the essence and presence of God, so that wherever we are on God’s great earth, we will find something beautiful to admire and contemplate, and most importantly, feel His sublime but refreshing presence.
That’s why there’s such cleanliness, beauty and majesty in a new snowfall, as you look at it through a window, behind warm walls. (smile) And even when you go tramping through it, it feels somewhat euphoric. Hn, Hn! Don’t think I’m going to feel euphoric today though. (smile)
But then, once man has ventured into any natural areas, it becomes ugly and full of garbage, since we seem to always abuse God’s generous gifts.
Oh Friends, sorry for that short interruption, about ten minutes, I heard the garbage truck in the area and had to run to put out mine. Well not really run, since that word no longer seems to be applicable to my actions. (smile) Then I had to make a cup of hot ginger tea, which I’m now sipping as we speak, to replace the warmth I lost in the cold outside.
But getting back to our abuse of God’s generous gifts, it not only happens in nature, but even more so in humankind, as our Bit so rightly declares. ‘For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed.’
Oh my brethren, unfortunately, it also seems that wherever man and man congregate, abuse, oppression and all the other negative and sinful acts and emotions always abound!
But in this last message on this topic, I want us to pay particular attention to what God declared through the prophet Micah, because in God’s unchanging nature and law, it still stands, still holds true for our generation and all those to come. Here Micah talks about the judgement on the prophets.
‘Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth and cry, Peace (when there is a bite to eat, they cry, all is well); and he that putteth not (nothing) into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision (be without vision); and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine (be without divination); and the sun shall go down over (on) the prophets, and the day shall be dark over (for) them.
Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded (embarrassed): yea, they shall all cover their lips (mouths); for there is no answer of (from) God.’ (Mic.3:5-7)
Oh my fellow believers, that’s some of the kind of stuff that lies in wait for the leaders, false prophets and teachers who abuse and oppress God’s people!
And hear this explanation from the scholars. ‘3:5-8. Cover their lips: They will be put to shame and will show this shame openly by covering their lips, which was an oriental gesture to indicate shame and mourning.’
But that’s not all mih people. Micah continues: ‘But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgement (justice), and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the houses of Jacob, and princes (rulers) of the house of Israel, that abhor judgement (justice), and pervert all equity.
They build up Zion with blood (bloodshed), and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward (a bribe), and the priests thereof teach for hire (pay), and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say (saying), Is not the Lord among us? none evil (no harm) can come upon us.
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps (heaps of ruins), and the mountain of the house (temple) as the high places (bare hills) of the forest.’ (Mic.3:8-12)
Oh my fellow believers, please rest assured that our God will not allow these evil leaders, prophets and priests who are currently abusing their power, to continue unchallenged in their evil ways, but they will eventually feel His wrath and be brought to justice.
So if you’re being abuse, oppressed or hurt in some form and fashion by the works and decrees of our evil leaders, please take heart, our God is still on His throne, still in control of His universe, and in His time, He will punish and destroy the evil doers. Much LOVE!
…believers are guaranteed…through God’s Word…that the wicked will pay for their wickedness…it’s just a matter of time…
P.S. Please excuse the Bit’s lateness, for as the song says, it’s just one of those days, just one of those days. (smile) Much LOVE!
03 Feb 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adventures, almighty god, arguments, atonement, aura of love, bachelors, believers, benefits, bless, Blessed be the God and Father, blessings, captive, celebrations, Christ's blood, cold, common sense, confidence, Cross of Calvary, dancing, dark, disagreements, dungeons of hell, enemy's wiles, eternal life, eternity, forgiveness of sins, forsake, forsaken, future, God's favour, God's help, God's little Acre, good works, goodness of god, greatest gift, grin and bear it, harmony, heaven's happy today, heavenly Father, heavenly places, holy acceptance, holy spirit, home cooked food, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, lies, lord jesus christ, loving kindness, Lucifer, memories, memory lane, obedience, Oh Lord God Almighty, Peyton Manning, planet earth, ponder, recollection, reconciled, redemption, rejuvenation of spirit, reminiscing, renewed vitality, sacrifice, sanctified, significant events, sinful state, singing, soulful, special relationship., spiritual blessings, Super Bowl, sure conquerors, tete a tete, the North Country, them's the breaks, two step dance, weary souls, wisdom
Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday… And poor me, ah crying because is only three days left before I have to leave God’s Little Acre and return to the cold, dark, North Country. Steups! But what yuh going to do eh? Them’s the breaks! So you just have to grin and bear it. And most importantly, I know that our great and wonderful God will bless me wherever He leads me on His beautiful planet Earth.
So there’s really no need to worry, although the hot sun is much preferable to the cold one. (smile) Anyway, yesterday was a great day in memory lane travel. After writing the Bit, I went by Aunt Cicely for some home-cooked food. And it did taste better than and different to the store bought stuff I’ve been living on for most of the last two weeks.
Then my Uncle Foster came over and spent the night with us. We watched Barbados beat T&T in regional cricket competition, and Seattle blow out Denver in the overhyped Super Bowl. I felt real sorry for Peyton Manning though, because from the first snap of the ball, which went over his shoulder into the end zone, before he even appeared ready for it, you could tell that it would be a rough day for him.
Seattle however did deserve to win with their excellent play, both on defence, offence and special teams. That’s how teams are supposed to play; with all aspects positively contributing to the overall effort.
But Friends, yuh know in all the reminiscing that’s been going on for the past two weeks, last night’s was the most important, because my Uncle Foster and I had a very special relationship when we lived bachey (as bachelors) in Trinidad in the early 70’s. We made so many memories, or as he termed them adventures, that some he mentioned, I had no recollection of them whatsoever. He obviously remembers more of them than I do.
And yuh better believe that the Duchess and him had their own private tete a tete, reliving their own memories, since she was always his favourite. And though I tried to stay out of their business, they still found some way to gang up on me, like they did in the past. Anyway, it was a most excellent time, with some of everything involved, even serious arguments. But the disagreements didn’t last long, because that’s the way we’ve always been.
And now Friends, on this Monday morning in early February 2014, let’s raise the roofs of both heaven and earth, with a miraculous rendition of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Let’s make it so sweet, that our Father in heaven will automatically get up from His throne and passionately begin singing the music and doing a feisty two step dance to it. (smile)
And remember my fellow believers, we can do anything with His help. So let’s sing up a godly storm. On three: one, two, three: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh yes mih people! We did it! We did it! The soulful harmony touched our heavenly Father’s very soul, and had him up singing and dancing His own version of the two step. And can the Father move! You bet!
During that time, Jesus stood aside smiling, clapping and urging Him on, for it had been a long time since He’d seen the Father so happy that He wanted to bust a move. So we know for sure that heaven will be a somewhat happier place today, but what about planet earth eh?
It won’t be so great unless we believers get out there and work some good works for Jesus! And since we have the Father prepped and in the mood for celebrations, we can’t afford to let Him down now. So please Friends, let’s try our very best to walk worthy of Him today nuh.
And how can we even contemplate doing otherwise after looking at our Bit and the resultant benefits and blessings that flow from it? ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.’
So let’s continue from where we left off yesterday; talking about how He predestinated us as His adopted children through Christ, through His fatherly LOVING-kindness. And why did He do all that?
‘To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (bestowed grace – favour – on us). In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ (Eph.1:6-7)
And since the scholars have excellent explanations of those verses, let’s hear them. ‘1:6. The reason God predestined us to be His sons (v.5) is expressed in the words to the praise of the glory of his grace, that is, in order to magnify the splendour of His goodness to us. Wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved may also read, “which (grace) He has bestowed on us by the Beloved.” Through Christ, we are the recipients of God’s unmerited favour.’
And there can be no argument about that Friends, for all our blessings, etc. etc. come straight from the goodness of the Father’s heart. That should be obvious, since in our natural, sinful state, we could never do anything to earn or even deserve His holy acceptance.
And re verse ‘1:7. Redemption referred to the release of a slave or captive upon receipt of ransom. But the following words, the forgiveness of sins, show “redemption” is used here in a moral sense. Christians are therefore released from their enslavement to sin and the resulting divine wrath. Redemption is effected for us through his blood, that is, by Christ’s atonement secured by His death on the cross.’
Oh my brethren, what else can we say but oodles of heartfelt ‘thank you’s’ to Almighty God, for the greatest gift ever bestowed on mankind, Christ’s atonement for our abominable sins on the cross of Calvary! What a blessed day! For without it, we would all be staring at a dark and disastrous eternity in the dungeons of hell, with Lucifer as our evil leader and companion.
However, fortunately for us, with Christ’s selfless sacrifice, His shed blood paid once and for all for all our sins, and now we’re able to look forward with great joy to spending eternity in heaven, holy, sanctified and reconciled to our Creator and Provider!
Wow! What a blessed future awaits us! So please my fellow believers, today, let’s ponder on those significant events, and try, with God’s help obviously, to bring our lives into line, into obedience with His plans for us. That’s the height of wisdom and common sense! Much LOVE!
…he who forsakes His Maker…will be forsaken by His Maker…as simple and straightforward as that…
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