17 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abusive language, all is not lost, aura of love, bad habit, begin the workweek on the wrong foot, behind the eight ball, blessings, charity begins at home, confidence, Creator of the universe, discipline, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil world, free gifts, fundamentals of life, generation, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, guidance, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, instruction, invincible, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, jobs, let the heathen know about Jesus, lies, LOVE, mercy, miffed, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Oh Lord God Almighty, on the cross at Calvary, one generation shall praise thy works to another, provoke rebellion, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, sacrificial and substituionary death, salvation, social media, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, time is of the essence, train up a child, truth, ungodly world, when he is old he will not depart from it, wisdom, work for Jesus
Psalm 145:4. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
‘Monday, Monday! Oh how I LOVE you! Can’t wait for you to come around, so that I can get back into the wicked world and work for Jesus!’ And suddenly there erupts a barrage of inflammatory and abusive language. (smile)
Okay, okay. So I am laying it on a bit thick. But Friends, technically speaking, that’s how we ought to be; anxious to get out into the evil world and let the heathen know about Jesus and His awesome free gifts of salvation and eternal life, through His sacrificial and substitutionary death on the cross at Calvary.
But I guess most of us are miffed at having to get up and go out and earn a living, especially in the cold, snowy weather that’s currently permeating my area. But them’s the breaks yes Friends!
So we had better get accustomed to it, otherwise we’re only going to stress out ourselves more than is necessary, and always begin the workweek on the wrong foot, behind the eight ball. Ah Lord eh! When are going to get out of this bad habit? (smile)
Anyway, to help the situation, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, in full, sweet, heavenly tones. As one great voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein!
We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that wasn’t so bad, was it? At least it energized us and lifted our spirits so that we can lose our miserable, pitiful attitude and can get on victoriously with life, as we ought to. That means turning to our Bit. ‘One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
And as we saw yesterday through Moses’ command, (Deut. 6:6-9) teaching our children about Almighty God and all the great and wonderful things He has done down through the ages is essential, absolutely necessary, if we want to propagate Him and His Word to future generations.
How do you think it got to us eh, so many thousands of years later? Because one generation told the other. But we, in our proud, high-minded and busy world, considered it not important enough to spend the time teaching it to our children. And that’s one of the main reasons why we now have such disobedient, uncouth, ungrateful, ignorant children in this ungodly society!
Remember Cousin Sol’s wise words though my people. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6) And that’s indisputable, undeniable, gospel truth my brethren!
But I think we need to check out the scholars’ explanation here, so that we get it right. ’22:6. Train up a child refers to the total process of molding a child’s life. The word ‘train’ (chanak) comes from the root word meaning to “put into the mouth” and implies the idea of conditioning the palate.
Thus parental training should help children develop a taste for the things of God. The biblical pattern of effective parental training emphasizes a balance of instruction and discipline (cf. Eph.6:1-4). The ideal parent is to be neither overly authoritarian nor overly permissive. Rather, he must balance LOVE and discipline so as not to “provoke” his child to rebellion.
When he is old means simply, “when he is grown up,” or a mature adult. It does not refer to his elderly years. The verse stresses the simple principle that education in the home forms the man throughout his lifetime.’
More gospel truth my brethren! As the old people so rightfully said; charity, or LOVE begins at home! Home is where the basic fundamentals of life, including God, and decent living ought to be taught!
Sadly though, that no longer seems to be the way. The world, through radio, television and the ever invasive and pervasive social media are now our children’s teachers. So what else can we expect eh, but unruly, ungodly, worldly children… and eventually adults.
But as I said yesterday Friends, all is not lost, we still have some time to teach them about Jehovah God and His mighty and wonderful acts – don’t know how much though. So please, let’s get on with it nuh. Ask the Lord to show you how to address the matter at this late stage, and He will surely give you the necessary guidance.
We certainly don’t want to be known as the generation that allowed God to go under, do we? Absolutely not! Then let’s get a move on, for time is of the essence. Much LOVE!
…Jesus is depending on each generation to keep His name and Word alive…by passing it on to the next one…
29 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a future, a hope, adore, Advocate, all praise and glory to God, Amen, anxieties, atone, be not afraid, be not afraid only believe, breath of life, comfort, Comforter, ditty, divine help, don't give up, encouragement, enjoy life, eternal life, ever-faithful, ever-helpful, evil and ungodly world, faith, forebodings, from the depths of my soul, God has a good plan for our lives, God will work it all out for our good, good news, gospel truth, groggy, guidance, Guide, Hades, halfway through the workweek, hand of Jesus, have Jesus ensconced in your heart, hearsay, Helper, helping hand of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, Jesus always keeps His promises, Jesus is sufficient, Jesus is the greatest, Jesus sacrificed His life for us, Jesus will help us believe, joy, keep our focus on christ, keep the faith, lack of sleep, letting go of our fears, lighten up, LOVE Jesus, LOVE Revolution, magnificent Lord and Saviour, making a positive difference, miserable, on a song and a prayer, only believe, our be all and end all, partner, personal testimony, pick sense from nonsense, positive works, praise Jesus' holy name, promises, Redeemer, righthand man, salvation, saving grace, shout of thanks and praise, sinful lives, singing the praises of jesus, sinless life, So let it be, stand up strong, surrender, Thank you Jesus, the chance of a snwoball in hell, the Father, the Good Book, the helpless, the Holy Spirit, the lost, the one and only superstar, the passion for Christ, the Prince of heaven, the sick, the SON, the way the truth and the life, troubled times, trust, Wednesday, wine and roses, winging our way heavenwards, words to live by, working for good
Mark 5:36B. Be not afraid, only believe.
Oh Friends, here’s the good news this morning; we’re winging our way heavenwards on a prayer and a song!
‘Oh we’re halfway through, we’re halfway through, halfway through our workweek! So don’t give up, just stand up strong! Though things may seem unbearable, don’t give in to them. For if we keep the faith, fill our hearts with eternal hope, Jesus will surely see us through!’
Yes mih people, that’s undiluted, undisputable gospel truth! Jesus promised it, and He ALWAYS keeps His promises! Remember that. So regardless of whatever is coming against us this Wednesday October morn, just hold on tight to the safe and secure helping hand of our Lord and Saviour, because that’s why He sacrificed His holy and sinless life for our sinful ones.
Without His saving grace, like a snowball in the depths of Hades, we don’t stand a chance! But walking sincerely in the shadow of His awesome LOVE enables us to move mountains! As He says: ‘Only believe!’
And you know that’s the hardest part for most of us; letting go of our fears, our anxieties, our dreaded forebodings, and simply believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and will do what He says he will. But Jesus is so marvellous my people, that if we sincerely ask Him to help us believe, He will indeed do so!
Wow! What a magnificent Lord and Saviour! There’s truly none else like Him in the universe!
Yes Friends, I’m singing the praises of Jesus this morning because I know that they are true, since I experience them each and everyday! I’m not talking from hearsay, but from personal testimony, for everyday I see Him working for good in my life and the lives of those around me.
And I have absolutely no doubt that if you will only believe in Him, put your trust and faith in Him, surrender you lives to Him, He will work the same positive works in your lives too. All praise and glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!
Ah mih people, how could I not LOVE Jesus eh? When I came down here just now, all groggy and miserable from lack of sleep – went to bed late obviously, and thus got up late too (smile) – I didn’t have a clue what I was going to write about, but within minutes, the little ditty at the beginning rose up in my mind and soul, and everything else just flowed smoothly from there.
Now if that wasn’t the ever-helpful, ever-faithful hand of Jesus, working magnificently in my life, then I don’t know what it was. I don’t even have a Bit yet; haven’t even touched the Good Book yet, and He’s already enabling me. Oh Friends and fellow believers, please give the Prince of heaven a loud and appreciative shout of thanks and praise.
And all God’s children boldly declared: ‘Thank you Jesus, thank you! You are indeed the Greatest! The ONE and ONLY Superstar! We LOVE you, we adore you, we praise your holy name, and sincerely thank the Father for sending you to sacrifice your sinless life to atone for our sinful ones!
Please help us to walk with you all day long, as we go about in this evil and ungodly world, doing your will, bringing the lost, the sick, the helpless to you for your saving grace, thus enabling your wonderful LOVE Revolution, and making a positive difference in these oh so troubled times. We sincerely bless and praise your holy name. Amen!’
Oh mih breddren, the ole fella’s chuckling here because though he’s still somewhat groggy with sleep – the caffeine hasn’t kicked in as yet (smile) – the passion for Christ just seems to keep bubbling up from the depths of my soul this morning.
And believe you me, that’s just how it ought to be! We’re not supposed to be searching and fighting to find or reach Jesus, because He’s supposed to be right there with us, in our souls in the form of His Holy Spirit; our Helper, Guide and Comforter. Oh wow! Don’t get me started now nuh Friends; else I might just keep on writing and singing His praises all the livelong day!
Ah mih breddren, I do hope that this is bringing some joy with an amused chuckle to your souls, as well as comfort and encouragement, and also helping you to keep your focus on Christ, because that’s what it’s for, that’s what the Bit is all about. So please lighten up and enjoy the life set before you. It’s not going to be continually wine and roses, but once you have Jesus securely ensconced in your hearts, minds, bodies and souls, then everything will be all right.
Remember He has a good plan for our lives; one to give us hope and a future. (Jer.29:11) And He’s also promised to work everything out for our good in His own way and time. (Rom.8:28)
So even if we hold on to nothing else, let’s hold on tightly to the infinite promises of those two great scripture passages, and keep on keeping on with Jesus as our partner, our right hand man, our true confession, our redeemer, advocate and everlasting Saviour; the Truth, the Way, the Light and the Life!
Oh Friends, I do hope that what I’m writing here is making sense yes, because it’s all coming straight from the heart. And even if it doesn’t line up with all the rules and regulations of writing, I know for a fact that you all are smart and wise enough and heavenly guided to pick sense form nonsense! (smile) Oh how I LOVE writing these off the cuff Bits, which just flow unstructured from the passions of the soul!
Ah my fellow believers, the reality of it all is that I couldn’t be writing the Bit everyday for almost eight years now without divine help, assistance, guidance and encouragement. That’s just the simple long and short of the story. It doesn’t have anything to really do with me, cause I’m just the conduit, the vessel through which the Word is noised about and abroad. In the long run, it’s simply all about Jesus!
So let’s praise and magnify Him, give Him eternal thanks, and glorify His holy name, as we ought to. And all this, we pray in Christ’s holy name. Amen…! And again we say…Amen! So let it be!
Got to go and find a suitable Bit now. Soon come.
Chuh! That didn’t take long at all nuh, because it’s a no brainer! The most appropriate Bit for this discourse are the comforting and true words of our Saviour to the ruler of the synagogue, who came to Him for help in healing his sick daughter, but then sadly heard that she had died before Jesus could lend a helping hand.
And my people, these simple words, spoken some two thousand years ago by that Messianic Jewish Rabbi, still echo down to us loudly through the ages, and still carry the same hefty and faithful promise of salvation and eternal life… ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’
Truly words to live by my people! So let’s go out and do it, today and everyday that there’s the breath of life in our mortal bodies, for it’s heavenly wisdom. Much LOVE!
…when Jesus fills your heart…your soul…your life…you don’t need anything or anybody else…cause He is indeed sufficient…He’s our be all and end all…
P.S. Steups! Would you believe that with my already tardy self, just when I went to send the Bit, the ole computer froze on me. Ah Lord eh! When it’s not one thing, it’s certainly another! (smile) But that’s exactly where true faith in Jesus makes the difference. Much LOVE!
22 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bear hug, a brilliant dash to the finish line, a high priest, a warm kiss, accomplish, after the order of Melchizedek, Amen, antidote, author and finisher of our faith, author of eternal salvation, be wearied and faint, believer's vocabulary, blazed the trail, bold, buckle down, but one receives the prize, called of God, catch our second wind, confidence, confident, conviction, Corinth, courageous, deflate, depress, despising the shame, different paths, discourage, discouraged, don't give up, don't think about letting go, earthly guidebook, endured such hostility of sinners, endured the cross, energetic, faith, faithful, faithful over a few things, falter, finish line, finish with style, finished the course, glorified, glory hallelujah, god, God's plan for our lives, guidance, Guide, halfway home, in full swing, incarnate son of god, Isthmian Games, Jesus Christ, lay aside every weight, lifeline, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, made perfect, maganimous and magnificent God, magnified, marathon runner, marathon-like adventure, national institution, obedience, obstruction, orignator, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, perfector, perseverance, pitfalls, power, pratfalls, promises, purpose, quit in mid-stream, radiant smile, rest assured, ruler over many things, run our race of life with plenty vim and vigour, run the race of life with excellence, run with patience, see another sunrise, sense of purpose, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, sincere words, so great a cloud of witnesses, so run that you may obtain, strength, stumble, suffered, supreme champion, thankful, the BIBLE, the joy of thy lord, the race of life, the sin which so easily ensnares us, they which run in a race run all, thou good and faithful servant, time to take stock, to run...and yet to run, trusting, victory, vigour, vim, we've won the first two rounds of the workweek battle, Wednesday, well done, winning qualities, wisdom, wisdom of Almighty God
1 Corinthians 9:24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.
Wednesday…oh Wednesday…you’re my ‘renewer’…my lifeline…!
Yes Friends, it’s a big Wednesday morning! That means we’re halfway home; we have won the first two rounds of the workweek battle… Glory Hallelujah!
So please don’t give up now. Don’t even think about letting go! Instead, it’s time for us to take stock, like a marathon runner, to catch our second wind, and put on a brilliant dash to the finish line that’s Friday! And all God’s people said a loud and hearty ‘Amen!’
Ah mih breddren, we need to be very thankful that we’ve been allowed to see another sunrise, because it means God’s plan for our lives isn’t over as yet. He still has a purpose for us to complete, His plan is still in full swing since we haven’t yet accomplished what He’s set forward for us to accomplish.
Therefore, we need to be trusting, faithful, energetic, courageous, bold and confident in the promises of our magnificent and magnanimous God, for there’s NO other like Him in this great universe!
As our Bit so wisely reminds us: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’
Yes Friends, we need to run our race of life with plenty vim and vigour, so that we may obtain that awesome victory which awaits us at the end.
And the scholars give us some background info into what Bruh Paul was referring to. ‘9:24. Paul draws on a scene familiar to his Corinthian readers in order to drive home his point. The Isthmian Games were an athletic event known to all his readers.
They were held on alternate summers in the vicinity of Corinth. It was an event not to be missed by anyone of importance in all parts of Greece. As a national institution, it was as familiar to his readers as modern football to most Americans.’
Oh mih people, the race of life is never an easy one. In the first place it’s often a marathon-like adventure, spread over a long period of time, and certainly strewn with all sorts of pitfalls, pratfalls, options of different paths and untold kinds of obstruction along the way, stuff that wants to discourage, depress and deflate us and get us to quit in mid-stream.
But please remember that that awful word ‘quit,’ doesn’t exist in a believer’s vocabulary. And besides, we have the antidote for that rotten, wearisome word right at hand, as our great God and Guide has caused it be so eloquently written in our earthly Guidebook, the Bible!
‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb.12:1-3)
Yes my people, we have to buckle down now and do what is necessary to run the race of life with excellence and finish with style, as Jesus desires of us. And at those times when we falter or stumble, as we all will do, we need to look to our supreme champion, Jesus Christ, for guidance and strength, for He is also our most worthy example of successfully running this earthly race.
And as we just read, He is indeed ‘the author and finisher of our faith.’ He began our faith by running His earthly race with outstanding conviction and sense of purpose, combined with loads of perseverance and endurance. As the scholars declare: ‘He has already blazed the trail and finished the course.’
The author of Hebrews also boosts our confidence earlier on as he tells us: ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.’ (Heb.5:8-10)
And though we will never have all the parts that He possessed, per His being the incarnate Son of God, we can nonetheless rest assured that He WILL enable us to run our race with the same winning qualities and meet us at the finish line with a radiant smile, a big bear hug, a warm kiss, and sincere words of…
‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’ (Matt.25:21)
Now NOTHING will ever surpass that glorious moment my fellow believers!
So, starting today, right now, let’s get out there and run our race of life with power and confidence nuh, so that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be magnified and glorified, as He so richly and justly deserves! That’s the wisdom of Almighty God! Much LOVE!
…to run…to run…and yet to run…even when the spirit seems to be tiring and wants to stop…by looking unto Jesus…the author and finisher of our faith…our supreme champion…
21 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a future and a hope, all things work together for good, anxiety, appealing to love in power, background, believe, believing, blessed, bounden duty, bring them to Jesus, buckle down, buoyed, calamity, Calvary, Christian, comfort, comforted, Corville Peters, eternal source of love, ever-faithful God, ever-LOVING God, everlasting guidance, evil, evil world, expected end, faith, faithfulness of our wonderful God, fear, foreground, forgiveness, friendliness, fulfilment, further God's glorious kingdom, God cares for us, God intereceding, God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, God's mysterious moving, gospel truth, guidance, guided, have life more abundantly, healed, help, holy, holy spirit, hurting, hurts my heart, indisputable, Jamaican origin, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, joy, kindness, life haapens to even the best of us, Live at the Cross, living our lives to the full, LOVE, mercy, oh what a joy, omnipotent deity, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, peace, ponder, prayer, prayer is love in need, purpose, put our best foot forward, renew their lapsed committment, sacrificing His life, Scrip-Bit, search for me with all your heart, sinless, smile, stand strong and steadfast, sustenance, the affairs of my life, the called, the elect, the One and Only Living God, the strength, the thoughts that I think towards you, to them called according to His purpose, to them that love God, Top o' the morn, trust, try my best to live for Him, undeniable, watched, when you pray to me, wisdom, worry, you shall find me, you shall seek me
Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for Good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Well Friends, family, neighbours and strangers, top o’ this fine autumn Tuesday morn to all of you! And the question this morning is; are we living our lives to the full, is their sufficient joy and peace in our lives?
And if not, why not? Because that is one of the reasons our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ gave for coming to earth and sacrificing His holy and sinless life on our behalf; that we might have life, enjoy it more abundantly, without fear and worry and anxiety. (John 10:10)
And if we aren’t doing that, then something is seriously wrong somewhere in our lives. We need to investigate it and turn it around, sooner rather than later, so that we can get the full benefit of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.
And speaking of the cross, I heard a great line on the t.v. programme ‘At the Cross Live,’ last night that deals with prayer. And it says: ‘Prayer is LOVE in need, appealing to LOVE in power!’
Now isn’t that a wonderful definition? It certainly is! We, the folks of earthly LOVE, in need of sustenance and fulfillment down here, are appealing, are crying out to the eternal source of LOVE, our omnipotent Deity!
That brings me to a recent interesting happening in my life. Well every week I tape some religious programmes and watch them at my leisure. A couple months ago though, I suddenly saw this programme ‘At the Cross Live’ showing up as being recorded on my PVR.
Now I’d never even heard of the programme before, and so I queried myself as to what it was and how it came to be recorded? All of my immediate family members denied doing it, but Sunday after Sunday it showed up as being recorded. One day I finally decided to check it out…
And oh what a joy it’s been my people! It’s a late night, early Sunday morning Christian based talk show, or rather help line that comes on on one of the Christian t.v. channels. I don’t even know which one. (smile) A gentleman of Jamaican origin named Corville Peters hosts it, for two and a half hours from 1 to 3:30 a.m.
And Friends, what really grabs me about the programme is the sad state of some of the people who call in asking for help through prayer and guidance. Oh my fellow believers, there are innumerable numbers of our fellow man out there in this troubled world who are hurting in a terrible way!
Sometimes it just hearts my heart to hear the low, joyless, frustrated, painful lives they’re leading. And I must say that Corville does an excellent job of trying to comfort them and either bring them to Jesus for the first time, or renew their lapsed commitment to Him.
My point here people, is that if it wasn’t me, or any one of my family members who set the programme to record every Sunday morning – only for the first hour though – then it had to be the hand of our heavenly Father interceding in the affairs of my life, leading me to a programme that He desires me to watch!
That’s the only explanation I can come up with Friends. So how can I not believe eh, and with believing, try my best to live for Him? It just doesn’t make sense any other way.
So my fellow believers, I ask us all today, to please have faith, please stand strong and steadfast in the strength and LOVE and faithfulness of our wonderful God, because He does care for us, and is constantly moving in our lives in ways we might not understand, or even see.
But be assured that we are being closely watched, guided, blessed, comforted and healed by the ONE and ONLY LIVING GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
And I know that those sort of seemingly unexplainable situations don’t only occur in my life, but in the lives of ALL believers! All of us have undergone moments of thought and ‘ponderation’ – I just like the word because it conveys a higher level of pondering (smile) – when certain unexplainable happenings happen in our lives.
That’s God, my brethren, our heavenly Father, moving in our lives in His usual mysterious manner, to put into effect His just as usual mysterious purpose, so that He can successfully work out the plan, the good plan, the good thoughts that He has towards us, as verified in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
Oh Friends, I might as well quote those scriptures and use one as our Bit, since I don’t have one as yet, and I’ve just been talking off the top of my head, (smile) allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me.
Oh my people, that’s the beauty of writing this Scrip-Bit! Most days I don’t know where the Lord wants to lead me, but when the time comes for writing, He ALWAYS guides me to something or some place, though not always without some effort on my part! That’s why I can sincerely talk about faith, trust and hope in His everlasting guidance.
Anyway, enough of my prattling, here are the scripture passages, beginning with Jeremiah’s great proclamation and promise on behalf of our ever-faithful, ever-LOVING God.
‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope). Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken (listen) unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jer.29:11-13)
What wonderful promises my brethren! Promises on which we can stand steadfast and strong!
Now listen to Bruh Paul, as he corroborates Jeremiah’s promises to the early church at Rome. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom.28:8)
Yes Friends, that’s indisputable, undeniable, gospel truth!
Now here is an interesting explanation of that verse from the scholars. ‘8:28. To them that LOVE God is the human perspective. God is working all things together for good, but those who LOVE God are best able to appreciate that fact because they LOVE Him no matter what (cf. Job 13:15). To them who are the called is the divine perspective. Scripture often refers to believers as “the called” or “the elect.”
And yes my brethren, we are ‘the called, ‘the elect!’ So let’s go out into the unfriendly, evil world today, knowing that fact, being buoyed and encouraged by it, and thus putting our best foot forward, by showing friendliness, kindness, LOVE, joy, peace, mercy and forgiveness, to further God’s great and glorious kingdom!
That’s not only true wisdom, but also our bounden duty. So let’s buckle down and do it nuh! Much LOVE!
…if we sit and ponder for a moment…we’ll certainly see many instances of God moving in our lives…both in the background and foreground…
P.S. It’s late…and long… and I think certainly worthwhile… but life happens to even the best of us. (smile) Much LOVE!
13 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: appreciation, aura of love, be not far from me, blessed land, blessings, bounden duty, confidence, courage, diligently, do good, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, evil cohorts, faithfully, feed the fire that's burning for Jesus, fight the good fight, for there is none to help, for trouble is near, friends, from sea to shining sea, further God's glorious kingdom, generous, glory, grace, Granny's advice, guidance, Happy Thanksgiving Canada, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep, help, holy spirit, honour, humble servants, I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, Jesus Christ, joyful celebration, keeping lives and families together, lies, Lord God of Abraham, Lord God of Abrahm Isaac and Jacob, LOVE, Lucifer, magnanimous god, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my help comes from the Lord, omnipotent, Praise the Lord, prosperity, rejoice, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, saviour, serving, sincere thanks, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, taunte, thanks and praise, the joy of the Lord is your strength, the Lord is thy keeper, true wisdom, trust, trust in the Lord, trustworthy source of help, truth, undying gratitude, ungodly world, wiles, wisdom, worshipping
Psalm 22:11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA!
Well a Happy Thanksgiving Monday to all Canada! May we rejoice in the blessings of our omnipotent and magnanimous God, and celebrate this joyful day with much thanks and praise, seeing that He has been so generous to us over this past year!
Yes Friends, we are living in a very blessed land, and to continue to do so, we need to continue faithfully worshipping and diligently serving the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because it is He who provides the opportunities for our prosperity. Without His help and guidance, we are nothing! Let’s never forget that.
So today, let’s join together in joyful celebration, all over this glorious land, from sea to shining sea, raising our sincere thanks and undying gratitude to heaven, so that the Father can hear and see our true appreciation of all His mercy, grace and LOVE!
And my brethren, please remember the many in our society who don’t have as much as we do, and as the Good Book says: ‘send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Neh.8:10)
Yes Friends, we need to remember those who don’t have, as well as those who have to go out and labour today, while we celebrate. That means they need the help of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to boost their confidence and courage, before they face the evil world that’s lying in wait for them.
Therefore, as one voice, let’s belt it out in sweet harmony and awesome power. ‘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 Friends, that was a most beautiful rendition! However, I strongly suspect that the loudest and most harmonious voices belonged to those who don’t have to go to work today. (smile) And I really can’t give you wrong for being so elated. But please, please remember Granny’s sage advice: ‘Sonny boy… drunk or sober, please mind yuh business!’
And that’s no joke my people, because it’s when we are celebrating that we are the most susceptible to the wiles and leis of Lucifer and his evil cohorts. And for those of you who have to go out and labour; may the Lord strengthen your spirits, raise up all that you need to fight the good fight in His Holy Name!
Now let’s turn to our Bit, for this last time in the series of messages on HELP. ‘Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.’
And for the last few days we’ve been coming up with scripture passages which proclaim that the Lord God Almighty is the ONLY truly trustworthy source of HELP in this universe, for man’s help is often unreliable and deceitful. And we’re going to try and keep it short this morning … and a whole lot of ‘Thank You Lord!’ went flying up to heaven. (smile)
Oh Friends, it’s not that I like being long-winded, it just happens that way. There’s usually so much to write and when the passion grips me, I just can’t help myself! Anyway, as I was saying we’re going to keep it short by simply quoting Psalm 121 – God’s sustaining power, since it’s very appropriate.
Listen to these comforting and encouraging words of the psalmist: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hill (mountains) from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved (slip): he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper (protector): the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve (keep) thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve (keep) thy going out and coming in from this time forth, and even for ever more.’ (Ps.122:1-8)
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Yes my people, those are words of undisputable truth! So I implore us, that whatever we do today, to allow them to feed the fire that’s burning for Jesus in our souls, that we might further His oh so necessary LOVE Revolution, and bring even greater glory and honour to our heavenly Father, for that is our bounden duty, as well as true wisdom! Much LOVE!
…trust in the Lord and do good…so shalt thou dwell in the land…and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on His faithfulness)… (Ps.37:3)
12 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time of joy, a very present help in trouble, anger, be not dismayed, be not far from me, be not wise in thine own eyes, believers, blessed be the Lord, blessings, bolster our faith in God, Bruh David, Canadian Thanksgiving, come up over a problem, courage, depart from evil, encouragement, faith, faithfulness, faithlessness, fear the Lord, fellowship, first day of the week, for there is none to help, for trouble is near, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, forgiveness, friendship, glory hallelujah, God is our refuge and strength, grace, guidance, health to thy navel, help, Hosea, I am in the midst of them, I am thy God, I will help thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, in me is thine help, Israel, Jesus Christ, joy, like a bird from a snare, marrow to thy bones, mercies, our help is in the name of the Lord, our soul is escaped, praise for deliverance, praise the Lord for His goodness, promises, prosperity, protection, psalm 46, Sabbath Day, Selah, strength, succour, Sunday, thanksgiving, the Lord God Jehovah, the LOVE of Jesus christ, Togetherness, truth, wanton, we will not fear, words of wisdom, worldly, worship
Psalm 22:11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Well hello there Friends and Neighbours, another Sunday has rolled around! As the song says: ‘We’re right back where we started from;’ Sunday, the first day of the week.
And that means fellowship, worship, a gathering of faithful believers to give thanks and praise and receive blessings, encouragement, friendship, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and all the wonderful things our great God so generously bestows on us, His marvellous children! (smile)
And all God’s children declared a loud and ecstatic’ Praise the Lord for His goodness to us, undeserving though we may be!’
Yes Friends, our great God is indeed worthy of much praise, especially on this weekend when we choose to celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving here in Canada. That means all the sanctuaries should be filled to overflowing with believers, whether there are thousands in a big, new, pretty building, or a handful under a mango or apple tree. (smile)
Remember what Jesus said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) So the surroundings aren’t all that important, just the people and what’s in their hearts – the LOVE of Jesus! Consequently, ALL believers ought to find some means of joining with others to celebrate the Sabbath Day in the Lord’s Name!
And remember too Friends, that when we treat the Sabbath Day, the first day of the week, as it ought to be treated; with worship, praise and togetherness, then the rest of the week will unfurl so much better than if we are wanton and worldly. It’s always better to come up over a situation or a problem, than to have the situation or problem come up over you.
And the only way we can do that on a fairly consistent basis is by turning to the Lord God Jehovah for help at ALL TIMES! Why? Because as our Bit so wisely and truthfully declares: ‘Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.’ And truer words were never spoken my brethren!
So let’s continue with some scripture passages that prove our point and bolster our faith in Almighty God. And we’ll begin with these poignant words from Psalm 46 – God is our refuge and strength, from the sons of Korah. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps.46:1-3)
Yeh Friends, take a moment to ponder those statements nuh! What words of wisdom, truth, courage, strength and faithfulness!
Now listen to Bruh David from Psalm 124 – Praise for deliverance from enemies. ‘Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of a snare of the fowlers (bird trappers): the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’ (Ps.124:6-8)
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people? It certainly is!
But just in case you don’t believe the psalmists, then hear the words of God Himself, as spoken through the prophet Isaiah, re the final restoration of Israel. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ (Is.41:10)
Oh my fellow believers, what could be more uplifting and encouraging than that eh? Nothing! When our powerful and faithful God promises something, we know for a fact that it will come to pass, for He cannot lie, and thus ALWAYS does as He says! Glory Hallelujah!
That’s why I can’t understand how, in this modern day and age, when everything is going haywire and things are topsy-turvy, we are turning away from God in anger and faithlessness, rather than running full speed into His ever-LOVING arms for protection, strength, LOVE, succour and guidance.
And just to prove that our wonderful God is not a wishy-washy, unfaithful Deity, who just talks for talk sake, listen to the prophet Hosea, as he declares the Lord’s words, when foretelling the destruction of Israel.
‘O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? And thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.’ (Hos.13:9-11)
Yes Friends, through the source of His mighty power, the Lord gives…and He also takes! Which man or other supposed deity can say Him nay eh? NONE WHATSOEVER!
So my people, on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, let’s all make it a time of joy nuh, of giving serious and sincere thanks, of being faithful, of getting together in worship, and above all, remembering that Jehovah God is the source from which all blessings, help, prosperity and all good things flow. Do have a happy Thanksgiving weekend. Much LOVE!
…be not wise in thine own eyes…fear the Lord…and depart from evil…it shall be health to thy navel (body)…and marrow (strength) to thy bones… (Prov.3:7-8)
02 Sep 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: agrarian, Bishop of our souls, Bruh David, calling, calm and collected, calm interior, caring, carry them in his bosom, cast all our cares on god, cried, deep down inside, destiny, disappointed, feed his flock like a shepherd, forgiving, gather the lambs with his arm, Gentiles, gently lead those that are with young, God has good plans for our lives, God will never leave nor forsake us, good shepherd, grace, green pastures, grieved, guidance, heavenly blessing, heavenly Father, hireling, holy spirit, hope faith, I am the good shepherd, I shall not want, I will fear no evil, in the strength of the Lord, inner peace, inspiring, internal peace, Isaiah, Jehovah Raffa, Jeremiah, Jesus Christ, Jewish society, Jews, Joel Osteen, labour day weekend, Lakewood church, lay down my life for my sheep, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, loving, majesty, merciful, mercy, moaning and groaning, moral of the story, omnipotent, one fold, one shepherd, paths of righteousness, personal testimony, plans of hope and a good future, problems, promises, quiet peace, restores my soul, sad, sheep going astray, shepherd, shepherd his flock, sleep deprived, sorrow, sorrow and heartache, soul searching, still waters, storm clouds, tearful Tuesday, The Lord is my shepherd, the Lord's peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding, the wolf, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, Triune God, trouble, trust, Tuesday, turmoil, unforseen role, unscathed, uplifting, valley of the shadow of death, winds of the storm, word portrait, words of jesus, wreaking havoc
Isaiah 40:11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Oh Friends, it’s Tuesday – tearful Tuesday! That’s because of the many tears we’ll shed this morning, having to get up and go out to work, tired, sleep deprived, moaning and groaning, after the long, loud, lusty and lustful Labour Day weekend. (smile)
Don’t worry my brethren, the ole fella’s in the same boat. I shed a few tears my self just now when I had to get up to write the Bit, after only about three hours of sleep. But having cried out for LOVE and mercy and grace, I’m facing up to my task, assured of heavenly blessing and guidance to complete it in a worthwhile manner.
And I just want to comment here, give a personal testimony, on some thing I heard my Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) say this weekend. He claims he wasn’t the least bit interested in being the pastor at Lakewood Church after his father went to be with the Lord some ten years ago.
He was quiet happy being in the background looking after the television aspect of the ministry. However, deep down inside, he felt that it was his calling, his destiny, and once he accepted that unforeseen role, despite all the problems surrounding it, he experienced an inner peace within himself that he just could not understand.
But it was the Lord’s peace; that peace that surpasses all human understanding.
On hearing that, it just brought back to my memory the surprising and unexpected peace I also experienced when my mother Molly died three years ago.
I was in California at the time, on a short vacation, the first time I’d left the country in some four or five years, and was most surprised and disappointed when I got the news of her passing, without me even having a chance to say a formal goodbye, and she, just a couple days before telling me that she wasn’t yet ready to go home.
But soon thereafter, I unexpectedly found myself at a point of quiet peace with situation. The Lord put a couple of understandable though not necessarily wonderful reasons in my heart for His action.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I was disappointed, sad and cried and grieved and everything else. But deep down inside I didn’t have the turmoil that usually comes with those kinds of situations. I remember remarking to myself how calm and collected I was, despite all the sorrow and heartache surrounding me.
I now realize that that was indeed the peace of God which passes all human understanding, which allows us to have a calm interior, while the winds of the storm are wreaking havoc all around us on the outside.
And the moral of the story is that when the storm clouds of trouble and sorrow surround us, it is indeed possible to have internal peace, if we turn to our wonderful God and cast all our cares upon Him, as He so generously advises. ‘Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’(1 Pet. 5:7)
He will certainly keep ALL of His promises; of never leaving nor forsaking us, of having good plans for our lives, plans of hope and a good future, to also bring us through the fire suitably changed but unscathed, working it all out for our good in His time and manner.
No wonder Isaiah likens Him to a shepherd in our Bit, for a true shepherd cares for and looks after his flock with total concentration. ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those with young.’
Oh my fellow believers, what a wonderful word portrait of our great Provider, Jehovah Raffa!
And there are lots of scriptures that describe Him as a shepherd because the old Jewish society was agrarian, and best-understood stuff couched in agricultural terminology.
Now let’s look at some of those scriptures that portray our omnipotent, LOVING, merciful, most caring and forgiving God as a shepherd. And the obvious scripture to begin with are the words of Jesus Himself, of whom Isaiah was prophesying, when he made the claims in our Bit.
Jesus unequivocally declares to His listeners: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling (hired man), and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so knoweth I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have (Gentiles), which are not of this fold (Jews): them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ (John 10: 11-16)
Oh Friends, how much more convincing and eloquent can Jesus be eh? Not much. He says it all right there.
Meanwhile Jeremiah in his prophecy declares: ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles (coastlands) afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.’ (Jer.31:10)
And Micah, in talking of the deliverers from Bethlehem, tells us: ‘And he shall stand and feed (shepherd his flock) in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.’ (Mic.5:4)
Then Peter declares it thus: ‘For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (Overseer) of your souls.’ (1 Pet.2:25) There he is quoting Isaiah 53:5-6.
And we’ll close with the most famous scripture passage, re the analogy of God to a shepherd. Hear these beautiful, soul-searching, uplifting and inspiring words of Bruh David: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack). He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (pastures of tender green grass): he leadeth me beside still waters (waters of rest).
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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 thy staff they comfort me.’ (Ps.23:1-4)
Oh my people, please take heart, for despite all the troubles that surround us, all the fires we must pass through, our wonderful heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our helper and comforter, are always around us, leading us to green pastures filled with restful, sweet tasting and rejuvenating water.
So today, please put all your trust and faith and hope in our Triune God, who watches over and protects us like a true shepherd does his sheep. Much LOVE!
…when the Good Shepherd, Jesus comes a calling…His sheep will recognize His voice…and heed His righteous and comforting call…
20 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new palette to paint on, awesome promise, be led astray, Christ-like, commandments, communing with the Lord, Cousin Sol, covetousness, diligence, direction, discern between good and bad, discernment, don't look back, endurance, endures, faith, focus, foundation, get with the programme, God's promises, God's Word, guidance, hang on in there, he that endures to the end shall be saved, he that has ears let him hear, hope, hope of a better tomorrow, hungry for understanding, I shall keep it unto the end, I shall keep thy law, illumination, indisputable truth, life with a future, look neither to the right nor to the left, look straight ahead, LOVE, magnanimous god, perfect example, persecution, perseverance, Praise the Lord, put our hands to the plough, reproach, Revelation, righteousness., run the race that's set before us, sense of purpose, Sloopy, sprinkles of blessings, teach me thy statutes oh Lord, testimonies, Thank You God, the Holy Spirit, the Lord's promised, the path of thy commandments, the pilgrim's journey, the weekend, this is the day the Lord has made, thunderstorms, time, trials and tribualtions, troubled world, trust, understanding, understanding is the key to success, vanity, we have nothing to fear, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday, wisdom of heaven, wisest and richest man ever, ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake
Psalm 119:33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Ah Friends, it’s a damp Wednesday morning in my area, due to some sprinkles of blessings overnight. It’s also been forecasted to have thunderstorms during the day, so please dress appropriately those of you who live in the surrounding area; walk with your raincoat, your hat and your brolly (umbrella). (smile)
But the good news is that we’re half way through the workweek already. Praise the Lord! So just hang on in there, like Sloopy, the old song that only the old fogies will know, but everyone can imitate. Just another couple days and the weekend will burst upon us, and everyone will give a great sigh and declare a loud ‘Thank You God!’
But until then, let’s put our hands to the plough and don’t look back, look straight ahead, neither to the right nor to the left, and let’s run the race that’s set before us with a strong sense of purpose, trust, faith, hope and LOVE!
That’s the only way we’ll discover all that the Lord has in store for us, for remember He’s promised to give us a life with a future and hope of a better tomorrow. (Jer.29:11)
So let’s just get with the programme, no whining or complaining, regardless of the difficulties we encounter along the way, because our wonderful God has also promised that He will bring us safely through whatever storms we have to weather, and in better shape too.
Therefore we have nothing to fear, and whatever comes against us, we will handle with faith. And all God’s people joyfully declared: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WIIL rejoice and be glad in it!’ Yes Friends, that’s the only way to endure this pilgrim’s journey successfully!
That brings us to our Bit, from the great Psalm 119, divided into 22 sections, one for each of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Our section today is ‘He’, the section that petitions the Lord for understanding. ‘Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.’
Yes my brethren, there’s no better gift we can ask of our heavenly Father than understanding of His Holy Word. That’s because when we understand where He’s coming from, we’ll be able to go where He desires us to go.
In other words, understanding opens up a whole new palette for us to paint on; discernment, direction and focus are brought to light, we’re illuminated, and guidance is totally enabled by the Holy Spirit.
And we have the perfect example of that in Cousin Sol. When the Lord anointed him king over Israel, and asked what he desired, Cousin Sol was wise enough to say: ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding (hearing) heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people.’ (1 Kin.3:9)
Oh my fellow believers, the Lord was so pleased that Cousin Sol hadn’t asked for stuff like riches and power, that He nonetheless made him the wisest and richest man ever. (1 Kin.3:10-14) Wow!
And the psalmist in Psalm 119 feels so strongly about the attainment of understanding that he proclaims: ‘Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. (Ps.119:34)
Oh my people, are we that hungry for understanding too? I surely hope so, because without understanding God’s Word, we can easily be led astray by the enemy and his evil minions. Now it’s not an easy thing to attain, nor maintain. It takes time, and diligence, and perseverance, and faith and trust.
For as Jesus said: ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt.10:22) What an awesome promise Friends!
And we can see it, serious persecution still happening in many parts of the world, simply because of believing in Jesus. But if we endure the trials and tribulations with a staunch faith, as we said above, the Lord has promised to bring us out stronger, more Christ-like, on the other side.
However, to be able to do all of that successfully, we must first understand what the Lord and His Word are all about. And the psalmist makes a good argument of why understanding is so helpful, so vital and so necessary.
‘Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto (cause me to long for) thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity (looking at worthless things); and quicken (revive) me in thy way.
Stablish (establish) thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear (fearing thee). Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgements are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken (revive) me in thy righteousness.’ (Ps.119:35-40)
Yes my fellow believers, every word there rings with indisputable truth! For understanding is the key to success in anything at all. With it, we know where to go, and where not go; what to do, and what not to do.
So today my Friends, let’s wisely turn to our magnanimous God, who’s generosity, like His LOVE, is unlimited, and ask Him for that key, that understanding we need to be successful in this evil, ungodly, troubled world that currently surrounds us.
Remember, Jesus’ promise in Revelation, during His message to the seven churches: ‘And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over nations….He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.’ (Rev.2:26; 29)
So today my people, let’s seek to understand and thus endure nuh. It’s the wisdom of heaven. Much LOVE!
…understanding is the sure foundation…upon which we can build the endurance…that we so desperately need to be successful…
P.S. Late night, spent mostly communing with the Lord. And that’s the gospel truth! (smile) And then to make matters even worse, just as I was about to send out the Bit, the so and so computer froze on me. Ah Lord eh! The trials and tribulations we have to go through to spread God’s Word eh! (smile) Much LOVE!
18 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin, aura of love, blessed to see another day, Christ-like character, Christians, come to know Jesus, confidence, earth shattering, enthusiasm, eternal life, fellow believers, fellowship, friends, further God's glorious kingdom, further Jesus' cause, generous help, give thanks and praise, guidance, heathen, heavy load, holy spirit, honest man, humble servants, hypocrites, I am come to fulfill, I am not come to destroy, indisputable fact, infidel, invincible, Jesus Christ, Law of Moses, legalism, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, man-made laws, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, neighbours, New Testament, Oh Lord God Almighty, Old Testament, one body in Jesus, one harmonious body, outward show, Pharisees, rejuvenation of spirit, religion, religiosity, reveille, righteous, righteousness., roof of heaven, rules and regulations, scribes, show boaters, small mercies, smile, spiritual armour, spiritual intention of the law, spiritual principles, splendiferous, steadfast faith, superficial religious behaviour, superiority of Jesus' message, the Beatitudes, the clock is ticking, the kingdom of heaven, trust, truth, ungodly world, walk obediently, wisdom
Matthew 5:20. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case (by no means) enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Arise oh Friends… arise oh Neighbours… arise oh Fellow Believers… the clock is ticking… Hear ye, hear ye, the bugler’s blowing reveille! That means it’s time to rise and greet this beautiful Monday morn! And remember, before rolling out of bed to give a li’l individual thanks and praise for being blessed to see another day, and ask for guidance to walk obediently on your way.
Now before the whining and complaining begin, (smile) let’s raise the roof of heaven with a miraculous and highly motivated rendition of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. In full voice, as one harmonious body:
‘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!’
Splendiferous my brethren! Splendiferous! That rendition was certainly earth shattering, and so powerful that it also raised heaven’s roof, like a hurricane attacking those of our earthly houses. The angels had to be quite quick too and grab it before it blew away. (smile) Yes my brethren, that’s what’s possible when believers get together and act as one true body in Jesus.
Now let’s take all that adrenalin and enthusiasm and energy and get out there and actively use it to further Jesus’ cause; His LOVE Revolution, so that the heathen, the infidel, may see and experience our Christ-like character and desire to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour too.
And our Bit today certainly amplifies that directive: ‘For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case (by no means) enter into the kingdom of heaven.’
And that’s an indisputable fact Friends! That’s Jesus, during His commenting on the Law of Moses, where he first explained: ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.’ (Matt.5:17)
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘5:17. Having laid the foundation of the message in the summary statements of the Beatitudes, Jesus now proceeds to show the superiority of His message to that of the law of Moses. He makes it clear that He had not …come to destroy the law. That is, the New Testament gospel is not contradictory to the Old Testament Law; rather it is the ultimate fulfillment of the spiritual intention of the law.
Where the law had degenerated into legalism among the Pharisees, Jesus now takes the law beyond mere outward observance to the inner spiritual intention of God.’
Oh Friends, unfortunately the same situation still exists today. Religion has built a set of rules and regulations that’s impossible for any human being to follow to the letter. And there are way too many of us making a big outward show of our supposed religiosity, like the Pharisees of old, when inside we’re big time hypocrites.
We don’t do half of what we say or pretend to do. Our actions are based more on superficial religious behaviour than true godly spiritual principles. Too many of us Christians are religious show boaters!
Oh Friends, there’s much more to be said on this topic, but we will leave that for another day, since I don’t want to weary us with too heavy a load today. (smile) But please, in the meantime, let’s ponder all that we’ve said, and try to figure out where we’re at individually, then wisely ask the Lord for His generous help to improve, to become more Christ-like. That’s one request He will NEVER refuse! Much LOVE!
…just like an honest man doesn’t need barriers…fences and doors…to stop him from stealing…likewise, the heart of a righteous man…doesn’t need numerous man-made laws to keep him righteous…
P.S. Does it ever seem short today! (smile) I had to check it twice to see if that was really all. But that’s really all! So please be thankful for small mercies. Much LOVE!
02 Aug 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cry of Bruh David, action, affirmations, alive on planet earth, all things are possible with God, Be merciful unto me O god, behaviour, believers, blame, Bruh David, Burlington Skyway bridge, byelaw, Caribana, come against us, confident prayer for help, declaration of faith, deliver my feet from falling, delivered my soul from death, devour our spirits, evil cohorts, expectant faith, faith building words, feeble, for God is for me, frail, freedom, Gath, given voice, glorifying God's name, God's plan for my life, God's vows are binding, gospel truth, guidance, help, hungry hope, I can, I can do all things through Christ, I will not fear what flesh can do to me, I will praise god's word, I will trust in God, I'm determined to be who God wants me to be, I'm pursuing what God's put in my heart, if god be for us who can be against us, In god I have put my trust, in times of troubles, inebriation, inferior, LOVE, Lucifer, man daily oppresses me, man would swallow me up, manipulations, mediocre, Most High, my enemies hound me, nefarious activities, on which side his bread was buttered, opportunities, Pan Alive competition, Philistines, praising, price of experience, render praise unto God, rest, soldiers of faith, stand on God's promises, stand strong, stretching myself, succour, the evil one, the light of the living, tiredness, traffic problems, turn confidently to Almighty God, walk before God, What time I am afraid, wisest action, words of faith and trust, written in the depths of our souls
Psalm 56:1. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
Ah Friends, the Big Day, Caribana Saturday is finally here! And I don’t know why, but in the past week or so, there’s been a persistent bug in my ear, urging me to go down to the parade this year. I haven’t been for the last couple of years due to the condition of my ole knees and my lost enthusiasm for what the parade has morphed into.
And I was seriously considering it, but after the traffic problems I experienced going into the city last evening to check out the Pan Alive Steelband competition, I very much doubt that I’m going. With the major highway shut down to just two lanes right around the site of the parade, can you imagine the traffic jam that’s going to be out there this morning?
People are already having problems getting into area with the closure of a major bridge, the Burlington Skyway, due to an accident on Thursday evening. Anyway, I’m suffering from Caribana Friday-itis…Hn!
And NO, I’m not referring to the after effects of inebriation – I’m too old and wise for that (smile) – I’m just talking about tiredness from a busy day and not getting to bed until after three this morning, hence the lateness of the Bit.
And I’m not even going to say much about the Pan competition either, because this year I found it to be rather mediocre. The attendance wasn’t as great as it usually is, and only ONE band out of the 13 that played really moved me – Pan Fantasy.
And to make matters worse, just as the last band, Pan Masters came on stage, they put out the main stadium lights, the ones focused directly on the band. Steups! What utter nonsense eh! So it was eleven o’clock, the byelaw wasn’t going to be in jeopardy for another five or ten minutes! Chuh!
So the poor band had to play in the darkness, with only the backlights of the stadium on. The fans couldn’t even see them. That just soured the whole situation for me, and I got up and left before they were finished. Subsequently I don’t know the results of the competition.
However, the organizers have to accept a large share of the blame, because they know about the eleven o’clock byelaw, though I can’t ever remember seeing it so rigidly enforced, but a show that was billed to start at six p.m. didn’t get underway till about 7.45, almost two hours after the announced starting time. Unfortunately I was one of those who rushed down there for six o’clock.
Anyway that’s all over and done with now, time to move on. Let’s get some ‘I CAN’ affirmations to counteract the prevailing sense of tiredness and lethargy nuh.
So please say with me: ‘I CAN do ALL things through Christ. God has new opportunities for me. I’m not settling for where I am now, I’m stretching myself and pursuing what He has put in my heart! God’s plan for my life is greater than I could imagine, and I’m determined to be who He wants me to be. This is my declaration of what I CAN do through Christ.’
And now that we’ve declared it, my fellow believers, let’s go out and make it reality nuh. For it doesn’t make sense to declare something, then not do it.
And that affirmative declaration of what I CAN do through Christ, fits nicely in with our Bit; a cry of Bruh David when the Philistines took him in Gath. (1 Sam.21:11)
‘Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up (hound me): for they be that fight against me, O thou Most High.’ (Ps.56:1-2)
Yeh Friends, daily, without fail, Lucifer and his evil cohorts come against us, trying to devour our spirits, to make us feel frail, feeble and inferior. But with our omnipotent God, we know that all things are possible!
Therefore, when the enemy comes against us, we can say a confident prayer for help, as Bruh David did: ‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.’ (Ps.56:3-4)
Oh my brethren, my brethren, what simple but powerful words of faith and trust! Bruh David certainly knew on which side his bread was buttered! That’s why the Lord blessed him so much, despite his nefarious activities.
Can we truthfully say those words? We ought to. When the enemy comes against us, do we with hungry hope and expectant faith turn confidently to Almighty God for help, guidance and/or succour? I certainly hope so Friends, because it is ONLY in our heavenly Father that there is rest and freedom from the manipulations of the evil one.
Listen to Bruh David’s great faith at work: ‘When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ (Ps.56:9)
Oh my people, that is a declaration of faith that ought to be written in the depths of our souls, and then given voice through our mouths, as well as action through our behaviour, EVERYDAY that we’re alive on planet earth, since it’s gospel truth for ALL believers!
We need to be sure and confident enough in our God to be able to stand on His promises. For as the Good Book says: ‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom.8:31)
And the glorious answer to that my fellow believers is NOBODY!
And now with that affirmation boldly declared, let’s go home with some more faith building words from Bruh David: ‘In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Thy vows are upon me (are binding upon me), O God: I will render praise unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?’ (Ps.56:10-13)
Yes Friends, our great and wonderful God will surely deliver us in times of trouble, so that we can walk faithfully with Him, to continue praising and glorifying His Holy Name here on earth!
So let’s continue to stand strong and be numbered amongst His most awesome soldiers of faith nuh, for it’s the wisest action a human being can ever take! Much LOVE!
…faith in God is great…but it doesn’t come cheaply…it is paid for with the exacting price of experience…
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