01 Nov 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a son is given, all things were made by him, be prepared for anything, by him all things consist, Christ is the image of the invisible God, dwell in the land of the shadow of death, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, get ready for winter, God in these last days, halfway home, hands on the plough, has spoken unto us by his Son, have seen a great light, he hath appointed heir of all things, he is before all things, His name shall be called Wonderful, In the beginning was the Word, It's sunny so I'm happy, Jesus Christ, LOVE, not looking back, prince of peace, repent ye therefore and be converted, so glad to be alive, thank God, that your sins may be blotted out, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the full divinity of Christ, the government shall be upon his shoulder, the people that walked in darkness, the perfect fellowship between Father and Son, the Word was God, the Word was with God, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, unto us a child is born, upon them the light hath shined, Wednesday Wail
John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And on this first day of November 2023…imagine that nuh, it’s already November! Anyway, it seems like the chilly weather is finally here to stay. We knew it would come eventually, and we really can’t complain because we’ve had some whopping high unseasonal temps in the last few weeks. So it’s time gear up for those low temps and the type of weather they bring. In other words, it’s time to get ready for winter! (smile) But, as I keep saying, once it’s sunny, I’m happy, and it’s quite sunny this Wednesday morning, therefore I am happy!
Ah mih people, life moves in such strange and eccentric ways that we need to be prepared for anything whatsoever, and the only way to truly accomplish that is by having Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Having the One who created the world and all therein, then came to earth to experience our life in person and to save us from the evil devil, Satan. As Isaiah prophesied so long before Christ’s coming. ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light hath shined…
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ (Is. 9:2, 6-7) And the zeal of the Lord of hosts did perform it my fellow believers, with the coming of Christ to earth in the form of a man.
As John so wisely and famously puts it: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ (John 1:1) Yes friends, Jesus Christ was and still is the Word! And He was with God the Father, and still is with Him! And He was also God, and He still is God! What a marvellous Being, what an incomparable Deity! And as the scholars add: ‘in the beginning…with God’ signifies the perfect fellowship between God the Father and God the Son in eternity.
And per The Word was God: Just as the previous expression (the Word was with God) emphasizes distinction in the Godhead, this phrase stresses the essential unity. In the Greek text of this verse, God is a predicate adjective, appearing without article and preceding the Word, thus emphasizing Jesus’ divinity. John could not have expressed the full divinity of Christ more completely.’ Now I don’t know anything about the Greek language, (smile) but I will certainly accept the full divinity of Christ!
And John continues with his stunning word portrait of Christ. ‘The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.’ (John 1:2-3) There we have it in black and white! Jesus, the Word, was with the Father from the beginning of time and was involved in the making of everything that was ever made! Wow! What a magnificent personage! And if you don’t believe John on that matter, then you can turn to Colossians 1:16, and Hebrews 1:2, and find the perfect comparisons. Ah Lord eh! I might as well spoon feed us, because not many will turn to those scriptures. (smile)
Listen as Bruh Paul writes to the Colossians of the preeminence of Christ. ‘Who (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature (the first in rank). For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers (different angelic beings): all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (are held together).’ (Col. 1:15-17) Yes my people, Christ created it all, and He now holds all of His creation together!
And the author of Hebrews, introduces Christ thus: ‘God, who at sundry times (in many portions) and in divers manners (many ways) spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (ages).’ (Heb, 1:1-2) There we have it again, the indisputable message that Christ was divinely involved in the creation. And furthermore, He was also used as the true and finite revelation!
The scholars tells us that ‘the author of Hebrews immediately shows that Jesus Christ, as the agent of God’s revelation, is far superior to the Old Testament prophets. Their message was fragmentary and incomplete. It came bit by bit through visions, dreams , events, and direct communication as men were ready and able to receive it. Christ’s revelation is climactic and complete because He is the Son and because His is the message for the last days. His incarnation initiated the end time, and it will be fulfilled when He returns to earth to reconcile and restore all things. (cf. Acts 2:16-17; 3:19-21; 1 Pet. 1:20).
Now mih bredrin, I know that you won’t look up those scriptures, (smile) but we don’t have time nor space for all. So let’s see what we can fit in, without having you complain that the Bit is too long. (smile) Listen to Peter, as he admonishes the onlookers, after he and John had healed the lame man at the temple doors. ‘But those things, which God before had showed (foretold) by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should (would) suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins my be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. and he shall send Jesus Christ which was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution (restoration) of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which shall not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.’ (Acts 2:18-23)
And there’s no better way to end, although I got sidetracked from my original intentions. (smile) And refreshing our spiritual selves with any scripture whatsoever, is always beneficial. Now let’s go home declaring (yesss!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And believe me, if we endure with Jesus right down to the very end, it’s guaranteed that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, please, let’s make plans to see it together nuh. Much LOVE!
…listen to the Word…from the Word…and thus…be enveloped in the Word…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
25 Oct 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fertile killing ground, a misnomer, a rainy morning, a state of continual turmoil, baptizing them in the name of the Father, conundrum, curiosity, dwelling on differences, empathy, empower me to abide in you always, endure to the end, evangelistically aggressive, find ways to respect differences, go ye therefore and teach all nations, halfway home, hands on the plough, heaven on earth, help me to be understanding, hold Satan in higher regard than Christ, holy spirit, humility, I need your help Lord, In Touch Devotional, Jesus Christ, keep arrogance and judgement from my heart, lack of focus on similarities, LOVE, made in God's image, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not looking back, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, quandary, ramp up our evangelism of the world, salvation, spiritually militant, teach me to focus on similarities, thank God, that your love flows through me, the all-encompassing love of God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Great Commission, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, Wednesday Wail
Matthew 28:19a. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations,
It’s a rainy, cloudy Wednesday morning in my area, but the temperature is supposed to be above seasonal, all week, so we can’t complain. But I’m here chuckling because when I say it’s a rainy morning I’m being somewhat facetious, for if what I heard falling this morning was the only rain that fell, then a rainy morning is certainly a misnomer.
I was lying in my bed awake, around seven thirty a.m. when I heard the rain coming down. If I heard it, then it must have been a good shower for my windows were closed. However, by the time I could mentally say, ‘some rain at last,’ the rain was done. I don’t know if it even lasted for a minute. Hn, hn! I guess though, that the important thing is not how long the rain fell, but that some rain fell and watered the land, and since outside still seems wet, then some rain did fall. And that’s my conundrum, my quandary or difficult question for this 25th day of October 2023! (smile)
But let’s turn to a place where there’s no conundrum or quandary whatsoever; that’s to prayer! And I want to share the prayer in this month’s In Touch Devotional. So please pray with me: ‘Father, help me to be understanding – to approach everyone with empathy, humility, and curiosity. Please keep arrogance and judgement far from my heart and lips. Teach me to focus on similarities and find ways to respect differences. Lord, I want to practice this kindness and grace in the world, but I need Your help. Empower me to abide in You always, so that Your LOVE flows through me. Amen!’
Oh my people, if we could ever truly live that prayer then our world would certainly be heaven on earth! Can we ever learn to focus on similarities and respect differences? That would be awesome because it’s exactly what is causing all the upheaval in our world today, the total opposite; that of dwelling on differences and lack of focus on similarities. We’re all alike, made in God’s image, with hands, feet, arms, legs, mouth, ears, etc. etc. The only variations being in the colours of our skin and some facial differences. However those two differences plus the differences in culture and creed have made our world a fertile killing ground down through the ages.
The differences have been over emphasized in every age, and caused more hate, resentment, anger and wars than we can ever count. The similarities, on the other hand, seem to be non-existent from the way we ignore them. The fact that Almighty God LOVES us all is irrelevant, since many of us do not worship the same God. But until we somehow or the other learn to focus on the similarities and not the differences, our world will be in a state of continual turmoil. And that’s where Christians come in. We’re expected, through the Great Commission to carry the all-encompassing LOVE of Jehovah God to ALL the world, so that the good news of Christ’s salvation can be heard and accepted by all and sundry!
And just in case we’ve forgotten what the Great Commission is, let’s review it right now nuh. (smile) Amongst Jesus’ last remarks to the disciples were these commanding words. ‘All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:18-20)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ expects each and everyone of His followers to do; spread the good news of his gospel both in their own neighbourhoods and to all the nations of the earth! But strangely enough, in this time of almost instant communication with technology in its many forms, the spreading of the gospel has not been ramped up as much as it needs to be, else we wouldn’t be having all the wars and rumours of wars that we’re having. In fact, that same increase in technology and information might just be causing the incessant wars that are troubling our world, and the gospel needs to be spread even more now than ever before.
In times gone by, it would take days, weeks, even months for supposed offences and detractions to reach the offended and the world at large. But now, that news is flashed around the world almost the instant it happens, and the angry rebuttal is flashed back just as fast. Thus there’s very little time, if any, for cooler heads to prevail. And that’s a big reason why there’s so much anger and resentment, quarrelling and antagonism existing, both internally and externally, between governments and people today. And the only way for those negative emotions to be lessened, note I didn’t say removed, because I doubt they ever will be completely suffocated until Jesus returns, is for believers, Christ’s church to ramp up our evangelism of the world.
And the scholars give us an interesting note on the Great Commission. They say: ‘Christ’s promise of His presence, I am with you always, guarantees the success of the church’s mission because it is really His mission carried out by His called-out disciples. The phrase unto the end of the world means until the end of the “age.” Therefore Christ’s empowerment of the church to evangelize the world is available in every age, even unto the end of the church age. In comparing the Great Commission with Jesus’ promise to continually build His church (chap. 18), we must conclude that He intended His church always to be spiritually militant and evangelistically aggressive as we take His claims of lordship to the entire world of our generation.’
Now that’s how Christ’s church is supposed to be; spiritually militant and evangelically aggressive! For that’s the only way we can ever pull off the Great Commission! And there’s no doubt whatsoever that the church falls anywhere close in any of those two categories! Rather, we’re more in tune with the desires of the world than with those of God and our evangelizing is running a poor second to many of the other faiths of the world, and consequently too many people hold Satan in higher regard than Christ Jesus.
Now that’s a situation we need to rectify as soon as possible. But we can only do that if we unify and declare (chuh!!!) one gospel, not several different versions, which will only make the heathen more confused than they already are. Thus my fellow believers, we are calling on all the denominations of Christ’s church to get serious and come together so that we can truly do Christ’s bidding and take the Great Commission to all the world! Now let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And then there’s this codicil, this side agreement that assures that if we stick with Jesus right down to the very end, then the future will be even more glorious that we can ask or imagine. And since Jesus doesn’t make empty promises, let’s vow to meet down at the end times with Him nuh! Wow! What a future that will be! Much LOVE!
…we cannot call ourselves true disciples of Christ…if we aren’t sincerely and seriously spreading His gospel…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
18 Oct 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a pipe dream, a rebellious people, archangel Lucifer, as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, as an ensign on a hill, blasphemers, boasters, covetous, disobedient to parents, endure to the end, evil lusts and desires, faith, get you out of the way, glad to be alive, halfway home, hands on the plough, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength, in returning and rest shall ye be saved, Jesus Christ, loll around and enjoy life, LOVE, men shall be lovers of their own selves, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, obedience, of whom shall I be afraid, prophesy not, proud, salvation, Satan, say to the prophets, say to the seers see not, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Holy One of Israel, the Lord is my light and my salvation, the Lord is the strength of my life, to a glorious future with Jesus, to cease from before us, topsy-turvy world, turn aside out of the path, turned away from God, unholy, unthankful, Wednesday Wail, whom shall I fear, will not hear the law of the Lord, wisdom, ye would not, you despise this word
Isaiah 30:9. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:
Ah mih people, can you believe it’s already the 18th of October. The month which just began is already more than halfway through! And although I know that the days are going at the same pace they always have, these days just seem to be moving increasingly fast. (smile) Before you turn around the days, weeks, months and year is done. I guess it seems that way because right now our lives and our world are so topsy-turvy, filled with all kinds of tremulous, disastrous, unwanted and unforeseen stuff, and thus we can’t just loll around and enjoy life the way we desire, we have to be up and busy, ofttimes just trying to stay alive.
But there’s a very valid reason for the turmoil in our lives and our world, and a very obvious way to turn it all around. And the simple reason for our many problems is that we have turned away from the Lord God Jehovah, our Creator and Provider, and have become so enamoured of our own strength and advances that we’ve left the Lord behind, taken Him out of our schools and public places, even trying to remove Him completely from our society. But friends, that’s just a pipe dream! It will NEVER happen, because the Lord will not allow it to, although our world is now behaving like the Lord said about the people of Judah through the prophet Isaiah a long time ago.
‘Now go, write it before them in a table (on a tablet), and note it in a book (on a scroll), that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.’ (Is. 30:8-11)
Wow mih bredrin! Isn’t that just like what’s happening today? Of course! And that’s exactly why the Lord told the prophet to write it, so that future generations like ours, could see that rebelliousness does not pay. But who’s taking note eh? Not with all the false stuff, the deceits, treacheries and deceptions that are being promulgated today, along with all the evil and wrong stuff that’s passing for truth, and so many of the population turning away from God, not wanting to hear His Word because it doesn’t coincide with their selfish and evil lusts and desires.
It’s like Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy about the perilous times that were to come: ‘For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…etc. etc.’ (2 Tim. 3:2) And he goes on to list in the rest of that chapter, a whole lot of evil and ungodly things that are indeed prevalent in our world today. But yuh know what my fellow believers, this is all just a replay of the scenario that took place in heaven many moons ago, where Satan, as the archangel Lucifer, mounted a prideful, foolish plan to overthrow God and take over the kingdom of heaven.
It failed miserably and Lucifer was summarily kicked out of heaven with his handful of foolish followers to walk the earth in pain and disgrace for the rest of their evil days. And now, because he’s amassed a li’l power in the earth, instead of learning from his previous mistake, once again, he’s trying to get God’s children to side with him against the Father. But that deceitful and evil ploy will eventually fail too, because the wise will recognize Satan’s deceit for what it is, revenge against God, that will only cause them to suffer eternal damnation, and will have no part of it, for they know that the Lord is the ultimate in strength, power and majesty.
And all God’s people said, a loud and proud: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Ps. 27:1) And the answer to those two questions is simply: ‘NOBODY!’ So hie thee away Satan! And despite our rebellious, evil and ungodly character right now, things will get better. Why? Because the Lord God Jehovah has promised it, and whatever He promises will eventually happen! First though, life will not be so rosy, for there’s this promise.
‘Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay (rely) thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling (bulging) out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. And he shall break it as the breaking of the potter’s vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it (among the fragments) a sherd (shard, broken piece) to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit (cistern).
For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke (threat) of one; at the rebuke (threat) of five shall ye flee till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of the mountain, and as an ensign (flag, banner) on an hill.’ (Is. 30:12-17)
And what’s that all about eh friends? The people of Judah’s rebellion was so deep, that while sending out queries to make peace with Egypt and the surrounding nations, they refused to make peace with God. And you know that anytime we look to others for help before looking to God, He becomes angry, thus the breaking up of the nation, in their iniquity and rebelliousness. They were so rebellious that they refused returning and rest, which meant repentance and faith, which are necessary to true salvation. Thus the Lord left them to their own foolish demise.
And friends, that’s exactly what’s happening in our world today. We have chosen to turn away in great drove from God and ally ourselves with Beelzebub. Consequently, the Lord has left us to our own way. You know He never intrudes where He’s not wanted, and we’ve made it ever so clear that we don’t desire His presence in our lives or our world. And I hope we’re seeing what happens when we’re left up to our own devices; war, hate, anger, resentment and all the negative actions and desires that fall under Satan’s portfolio. For all our sakes, let’s hope we wake up and smell the roses before it’s too late.
Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to hold on to God and His Word, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all the world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And believe me friends, if we endure right down to the very end with Jesus, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, let’s make a date to meet at that time nuh! Much LOVE!
…the three most important words in the scriptures…obedience…obedience…obedience…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
04 Oct 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: an abomination, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, halfway home, hands on the plough, if God is for you nobody can be against you, Indian summer, Israel said unto Joseph, LOVE, not looking back, now let me die, Qumran, since I have seen thy face, thank God, the breath of life, the children of Israel, The Dead Sea Scrolls, the men they are shepherds, the Septuagint, the Torah, thie occupation, thou art yet alive, to a glorious future with Jesus, to feed cattle, Wednesday Wail, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive
Genesis 46:30. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
Summer-time, summer-time, summer-time! Believe it or not, yesterday was hotter than many days during the supposedly real summer season. You could feel the heat of the sun, and it was humid too, not even a cool breeze blowing. It was surely a day for sunscreen, if you were going to be out in it for any length of time. And today seems like it’s going to be along the same lines, because it’s already in the mid-twenties.
And we can’t even call it ‘Indian Summer’ because we haven’t experienced any cold spells as yet. That’s when we get unusual warm temps between cold periods late in the year. So summer-time goes on…enjoy it while it lasts, because it will suddenly disappear one day soon. (smile)
Anyhow, let’s see what’s happening with the story of Bruh Joseph. Well, his family is now on their way down into Egypt. But before we get to what happens when they arrive, the Bible says: ‘And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons:’ Then it goes on to list the names of Jacob’s twelve sons and their sons. (Gen. 46:8-25)
And finally, it informs us thus: ‘All the souls (people) that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were three score and six. And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob which came into Egypt, were three score and ten.’ (Gen. 46:26-27)
That means that the nation of Israel began in Egypt with some seventy people total. However, there seems to be some controversy regarding the exact number, as the scholars explain. Per verses 46:8-27: ‘The phrase the children of Israel appears for the first time in reference to the family as a whole. (before that it was just about Jacob’s own children). The grand total of 66 in verse 26 -to which Moses added Jacob, Joseph, and Joseph’s two sons – makes the number 70, as in verse 27.
(And re the reference to Moses, remember he wrote the first five books of the Bible, the Torah). This agrees with Deuteronomy 10:22 and the Hebrew text of Exodus 1:5. Exodus 1:5 in the Septuagint (the early Greek translation of the Bible) however reads 75, which (the apostle) Stephen apparently quotes in his sermon (Acts 7:14) and which the Dead Sea Scrolls support. The number 75 probably includes five later descendants of Joseph.’ But be it 70 or 75, that was the small number of people from which the mighty nation of Israel was born.
And per the Dead Sea Scrolls? ‘They were found in 1947 in the harsh and remote site in the West Bank, known as Qumran – comprising more than 800 documents made of animal skin, papyrus and even forged copper—deepened our understanding of the Bible and shed light on the histories of Judaism and Christianity. Among the texts are parts of every book of the Hebrew canon—what Christians call the Old Testament—except the book of Esther.
The scrolls also contain a collection of previously unknown hymns, prayers, commentaries, mystical formulas and the earliest version of the Ten Commandments. Most were written between 200 B.C. and the period prior to the failed Jewish revolt to gain political and religious independence from Rome that lasted from A.D. 66 to 70—predating by 8 to 11 centuries the oldest previously known Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible.’ And obviously there is controversy over who wrote them and how they came to be hidden in the caves of Qumran. However, they do shed some light on the beliefs and practices of the people of those early times.
But back to Bruh Joseph’s story. After listing the genealogy of Jacob, the Bible then continues: ‘And he (Jacob) sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face (give them directions) to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.’ (Gen. 46:28—30)
That must have been a real poignant reunion between Bruh Joseph and his father, who had thought him to be dead some twenty years earlier. The Good Library then goes on: ‘And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up and shew (tell) Pharoah, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me; And the men they are shepherds, for their trade (occupation) hath been to feed cattle (livestock); and they have brought their flocks and their herds, and all that they have.
And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle (livestock) from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen: for every shepherd is an abomination (loathsome) unto the Egyptians.’ (Gen. 46:31-34)
Now, I am a tad confused about Bruh Joseph’s use of the word ‘shepherd’ as the occupation of his brethren, although he goes on to claim that shepherds are an abomination to Egyptians. To my way of thinking, a shepherd is one who keeps sheep, but back then it must also have been used for keeping livestock or cattle. (smile) But you see the deception evident there, they can’t let Pharoah or the Egyptians know that they are keepers of sheep. And the words of Sir Walter Scott (1808) certainly ring true here: ‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’
Yes friends, every deception creates another problem and builds a domino structure, that will cause untold disaster when it falls. But that’s what life is all about; you pay for how you live. But for those of us who desire to live for Christ and sincerely try to do so, let’s go home now declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ.
As one voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we keep on enduring to the end with Christ, then it’s promised that the future will be even more glorious than we can even ask or imagine. So please, let’s make solid plans to meet then nuh! Much LOVE!
…if God is for you…who can be against you eh…NOBODY…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
27 Sep 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a word fitly spoken, endure to the end, for His goodness to the children of men, forgiveness of sins, get you up in peace unto your father, glad to be alive, halfway home, hands on the plough, his goodness endureth for ever, his goodness to the children of men, in pictures of silver, keepeth his soul from trouble, let it be according unto your words, life is filled with intrigue and deceit, like apples of gold, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, practices divination, Praise the Lord, protocol, set on fire by Satan, set on fire of hell, sets on fire, shirtsleeve temperatures, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the tongue is a fire, the tongue is a little member, the tongue is a system of iniquity, the whole course of life, they fell before him on the ground, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good, whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, ye shall be blameless
Genesis 44:12b. …and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
Oh my people, beautiful days are still here! Glory Hallelujah! Yes friends it’s another sunshiny autumn day with shirtsleeve temperatures. And how can we not give thanks to our wonderful God for that eh? He’s awesome! Giving us life, health and beautiful days, along with the forgiveness of sins earned by the blood of the Lamb that was slaughtered on Calvary’s cross for us ungrateful children of men! Wow! And all God’s children shouted in gratitude: ‘Praise the Lord for His goodness to the children of men. His goodness endureth forever!’ And so it does my fellow saints, each and every day of our lives.
And having shown some gratitude for God’s goodness, let’s now turn to the amazing story of Bruh Joseph. Yesterday we saw him lunch with his brothers and the Egyptians of his household, though they were all at separate tables. Bruh Joseph by himself, the brothers by themselves and the Egyptians by themselves. What a crazy way to dine together! But apparently protocol, or man’s foolish and selfish rules, called for it. And on the outside, everything looked good. But Bruh Joseph was not finished testing his brothers.
When they departed the next morning, sacks filled with grain, and their money back in them, they had no clue what was about to happen. Bruh Joseph had told his steward to put his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack, and before they got very far, he sent the steward after them. ‘And he (the steward) overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words, (the words Bruh Joseph had told him to speak). ‘Wherefore have ye rewarded (repaid) evil for good? Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth (practices divination)? ye have done evil in so doing.’ (Gen. 44:4b-5).
‘And they said unto him, wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants (far be it from us that we) should do according to this thing: Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouth we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen (slaves). And he (the steward) said, Now let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant (slave); and ye shall be blameless.’ (Gen. 44:6-10)
Yes friends, life can be filled with lots of intrigue and deceit, especially in these very selfish, ungodly and evil days. That’s why we need to be very careful with whom we speak or associate, and also guard what we say. For in these times of social media, words are being poured out by the millions without any thought to whom they might hurt or defame. That leads us to some very wise words from James. ‘Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.’ (James 1:19)
Then later on he expounds: ‘Even so as the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter (forest) a little fire kindleth (sets on fire)! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so (likewise) is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.’ (James 3:5-6) And the scholars rewrite that last verse thus: ‘The tongue is a system (world) of iniquity that sets on fire the whole course of life, and is even set on fire by Satan.’
And it certainly is my brethren. It’s one of the smallest members of our body, but possibly the most powerful for it causes wars and stops wars, conveys LOVE, and stops LOVE! You name it, and our tongue is involved somewhere or other. And that’s why Cousin Sol says in Proverbs: ‘Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble.’ (Prov. 21:23) Truer words were never spoken my people! And though I didn’t intend to deviate to the problems of the tongue, it’s always a good thing for us to hear scriptures on it, because it plays such a large part in our lives.
But getting back to Bruh Joseph’s story. The steward agrees that anyone in whose sack his master’s silver cup is found, will be their slave, but the others will be blameless. ‘Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. And he (the steward) searched, and began at the eldest, and left at (finished with) the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they rent (tore) their clothes, and laded (loaded) ever man his ass (donkey), and returned to the city.’ (Gen. 44:11-13)
Can you imagine the kerfuffle finding Bruh Joseph’s silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. The Bible tells us: ‘And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house: for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot (know) ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine (practice divination)?
And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. And he (Bruh Joseph) said, God forbid (far be it from me) that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.’ (Gen. 44:14-17)
Oh my people, the ball was certainly in Bruh Joseph’s court, and he was surely playing hard ball, giving no inch!! But listen to these explanations from the scholars. They say, ‘There was a sacred character attributed to the cup, for he called it a divining cup (cf. vs. 5,15). This theft may have been punishable by death (cf. 31-32). Divining was fundamentally alien to Israel; God revealed His will explicitly (cf. Num. 23:23) Joseph would certainly not have used these means, but he was playing a role and testing his brothers. He wanted to see if they would seize the opportunity to get rid of Benjamin (like they had gotten rid of him). Would they stand with him? Had their hearts been changed?’
Now that was the big question. And like all good drama stories, we’ll leave you right there in suspense. (smile) But if God so desires, tomorrow we’ll find out the answer to the big question. Right now though, let’s declare (chuhhh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been further promised that if we endure with Jesus right down to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Wow! So please, let’s plan on enduring to the very end with Christ nuh! Much LOVE!
…a word fitly spoken (at the right time)…is like apples of gold…in pictures (settings) of silver… (Prov. 25:11)
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
13 Sep 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a part of our discipleship, a reserve for the land in the time of famine, appoint overseers over the land, buoyed by the grace of God, but of power love and a sound mind, endure to the end, eyes fixed on the prize, eyes fixed straight ahead, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, halfway home, handle it with the grace of God, hands on the plough, I can do all things through Christ, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, look out a man discreet and wise, LOVE, more than conquerors, nothing steals our peace, satanic encouraged emotion of fear, seven years of famine, seven years of great plenty, take up his cross daily and follow me, take up the fifth part of the produce in the good years, thank God, the beauty of living for Jesus, the breath of life, the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh, this is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, what God is about to do he showeth unto Pharaoh
Genesis 41:28. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharoah: What God is about to do he showeth unto Pharaoh.
And Wednesday has opened somewhat cool and cloudy, but the sun is valiantly fighting for survival, and who knows how it will turn out? We just have to hope for the best and believe that whatever comes our way, we will be able to handle it with the grace of our great God. And all God’s people said a loud ‘Hallelujah! Amen!’
That’s the beauty of living with and for Jesus; nothing that happens will steal our peace or bring us to the point where we lose interest and thus faith in Him. For once He is in our life, we are surely more than conquerors, and can do all things that He desires, through the awesome power of His Holy Spirit. So, one thing believers ought not to fall prey to is the satanic encouraged emotion of fear. For as Bruh Paul so rightly writes to Timothy: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7)
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Our omnipotent God has certainly not given us a spirit of fear! Why would He when He is the supreme ruler of the universe and all therein? Surely, He would not want His followers to be afraid, but rather to be strong and unflappable like Him. (smile) Anyway, with that li’l pep talk for this Wednesday morning, let’s get back to the drama that is Bruh Joseph’s story. Yesterday, we left off where Pharaoh told Bruh Joseph his dream. Today, we’ll pick it up where Bruh Joseph interprets Pharoah’s dream.
The Good Library tells it thus: ‘And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine (cows) are seven years; and the seven good ears (of corn) are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine (ugly cows) that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears (of corn) blasted (blighted) with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.’ (Gen. 41:25-27)
And who says our great God doesn’t move in mysterious ways eh? Who else would have thought to place such a mixed-up dream in Pharaoh’s mind, all to the favour of a young Hebrew man ensconced so unfairly in the Pharoah’s jail? No one but our great and omnipotent God!
Then Bruh Joseph continued to Pharaoh. ‘This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharoah: What God is about to do he showeth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout the land of Egypt: and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume (deplete the food) of the land. And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following: for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice (repeated); it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.’ (Gen. 41:28-32)
Wow! Imagine this young Hebrew man expounding to one of the most powerful rulers in the world on what his Hebrew God planned to do in the near future. Poor Pharaoh must certainly have wondered what was really happening. But to his credit, he listened intently to Bruh Joseph’s words.
And so he continued: ‘Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet (discerning) and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers (overseers) over the land, and take up the fifth part (of the produce) of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn (grain) under the hand (authority) of Pharoah, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store (a reserve) to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through famine.’ (Gen. 41:33-36)
Bruh Joseph was certainly in his element, telling the great Pharoah how to handle the affairs of his country. No doubt he was buoyed by the grace of God, the spirit that made him not afraid to speak what God was saying to him. Now that’s how we ought also to be my faithful brethren; unafraid to speak God’s word, regardless of how worldly powerful the person or people with whom we are communicating. And sadly, in these trying and fearful times, many of us believers are indeed afraid to voice the truth(s) of our faith, afraid that we will either be rejected and shunned by our peers, or in some cases actually punished for our faith.
But remember, as we said earlier, God did not give us a spirit of fear, but one of LOVE, power and a sound or disciplined mind, which means we have to be like Bruh Joseph and stand up bravely and speak whatever truth the Lord desires us to speak to whomever He directs us to speak. And yes, that’s easier said than done, but that’s all a part of our discipleship in Christ. Remember the tough requirements to become a member of that august and awesome group? ‘Jesus said to them all, If any man will come after me (desires to follow me), let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23)
Yes friends, that means every day we draw breath, we’re expected to take up our cross and do like Jesus did, sacrifice ourselves if, when, and where necessary. There can’t be any hemming and hawing or wishy-washy behaviour when it comes to representing Christ to the world at large. And if God decides to spare our lives, tomorrow we’ll continue with the amazing saga of Bruh Joseph, but now, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus!
Altogether: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And my brethren, it’s been promised that if we endure to the end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So please, let’s plan to meet at the very end with Jesus and enjoy that future nuh! It’s the wisest decision we can ever make! Much LOVE!
…faithful disciples of Christ…are not afraid to speak their truth…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
23 Aug 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a constant drizzle, a supposed time of peace, a Supreme Being, are ye not much better than they, behold the fowls of the air, can add one cubit unto his stature, climate change, cock-of-the-walk attitude, consider the lilies of the field, disruptions to our communities, drought, economic deprivation, endure to the end, eyes straight ahead, famine, glad to be alive, halfway home, humans to blame for climate change, LOVE, man is God's servant, man's propensity to create disaster, man-made strife, natural disasters, not turning back, returning to God's fold, severe heatwaves, thank God, thank God the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the gestation of a child, the moon to light the night, the sun to light the day, the vicissitudes of life, they sow not neither do they reap, to a glorious future with Jesus, torrential ranifall, turf God out of society, turning away from God, Wednesday Wail, which of you by taking thought, who causes day and night, your heavenly Father feeds them
Matthew 6:27. Which of you by taking thought (worrying) can add one cubit unto his stature (height)?
Well friends, in my neck of the woods, Wednesday opened dark, cloudy and drizzly. And at noon time, as I’m writing the Bit, it is still dark, cloudy and drizzly. (smile) However, I’m very thankful that it’s only a constant drizzle and not a constant downpour as places like California have recently had, courtesy of tropical storm Hilary, that’s led to floods, landslides and all sorts of unfortunate disasters.
Brother! What a world we’re currently living in! We’re not only plagued by manmade strife, economic deprivation and sickness, but also many natural disasters; severe disruptions to our communities, which exceed our capacity to handle them with our own resources. And we’re talking about things like wildfires all around the globe, floods and structural destruction caused by torrential rainfall from major storms and tornadoes, and the reverse of all that; severe heat waves which lead to eventual drought and famine.
So, couple all the natural disasters with our propensity to create the man-made kind, it’s no wonder that our world is in a catastrophic situation. And the amazing fact is that it’s a worldwide phenomenon, not only one nation or continent is in disastrous uproar, but all of them. I truly don’t know if our world has ever been in such a state of disruption in a supposed time of peace.
We blame climate change for a lot of it, and it does have its portion of blame, but more than anything else we beastly humans are the ones to shoulder it, because we caused the sudden change in our climate behavior by abusing the sensitivity of the world’s eco-system with our thoughtless and greedy machinations.
And above all, we have turned away from the God of our forefathers! Now, unfortunately, not many of us are considering that aspect of our disastrous world situation, and many instead of considering returning to the fold of a generous, merciful and forgiving God, instead are trying to remove Him from our society. We’re so foolish and prideful, arrogant and hardheaded that we can’t realize that will NEVER happen, because the Lord will not allow it to! He will put up with a lot of our foolish, childish shenanigans, but turfing Him out of the universe He created…NEVER!
And why is it so difficult to believe in God or a Supreme Being, more powerful than us, since we cannot control the vicissitudes, the changes and variations of our own lives? We can’t control our births or death. Some of the strongest of us pass away in an instant at a young age, while some weak and sickly seem to live forever. We cannot control all the natural disasters that are occurring, not even keep them in check, much less stop them from happening. So why do we still insist on this foolish cock-of-the-walk attitude we bandy around eh?
We don’t truly control anything! And until we wake up and realize the truth of that statement, and realize that Almighty God, the Creator and Controller of this universe still sits on His august throne and simply allows us to play our foolish games, we’ll forever be stymied in our lust for power and control. The world didn’t just evolve from nothing to something. No, it’s too ordered and well defined. It had to be created. Someone or something had to set the parameters.
Why doesn’t the sea overflow the land every time it boils and churns eh? Or who causes day and night to flow into each other without ever a break, with the sun to light the day and the moon to light the night? Who set and controls the birth of a child and the gestation in its mother’s womb? Why do the seasons; spring, summer, winter and fall occur one after the other without hesitation or departure from the regular cycle? Why do the wild animals, the birds, the bees and all the many insects flourish in their own way, when they have no minds or limbs like man to do the toil and labour that it requires to feed man?
Jesus said it thus ‘Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought (worrying) can add one cubit unto his stature (height)? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed (beautifully dressed) like one of these.’ (Matt. 6:26-29)
Now that ought to cause us to sit and ponder what all our pride and arrogance is about, when despite how hard we try, we cannot truly control our lives or the world around us. And if you want a good read on the subject, check out Cousin Sol’s words in Proverbs 8:12-29, his soliloquy on Wisdom. And we’ll stop there for today because it’s already late, and if I say all I want to say, it will be surely too long. (smile) Tomorrow, God spares life, we’ll continue with that trend of thought.
Now let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we endure to the very end with Christ, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So, let’s plan to meet there nuh! (smile) Much LOVE!
…mankind might be God’s most important creation…but nonetheless he needs to remember…that he’s still His servant…totally dependent on Him for life and LOVE…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
28 Jun 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a smoke alert, among whom ye shine as lights of the world, an inferiority complex, bear your whoredoms, complaining means that God is not good enough, do all things without murmurings and disputings, endure to the end, halfway home, hands on the plough, how long shall I bear with this evil congregation, I will smite them with pestilence, if God spares life, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, know my breach of promise, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Israelites constantly complained, the negative consequences of complaining, to a glorious future with Jesus, we love to complain, Wednesday Wail, would God we had died in Egypt, would God we had died in this wilderness, ye may be blameless and harmless, your carcasses shall fall in the wilderness, your children shall wander in the wilderness
Philippians 2:14. Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings:
Oh boy, are these days ever moving along swiftly. Can you believe it’s already Wednesday, not to mention the last few days of June. And to make matters even worse, today there’s a smoke alert in our area from the wildfires up north that apparently are still spewing out their pollution. And the real summer weather hasn’t even truly arrived. Yes, we have gotten a few hot days along the way, but not consistently, the air conditioners have hardly been on. (smile) It’s been more like springtime weather.
Let’s hope that July brings some consistently warm weather, so that we can complain that it’s ever so hot. Yuh know how we just LOVE to complain, especially when we get what we ask for and discover it’s not what we really want. And on that note, I think we are being guided to look at complaining in a more serious and biblical sense, because the Bible tells us in several scriptures about the negative consequences of complaining. And there seems to be so much relevant stuff on complaining that this might just have to run for two days. (smile)
Now, I guess the best place to begin is right at the beginning, where complaining first reared its ugly head with serious consequences. And that’s when the Israelites having seen all the miracles that the Lord had done for them on the way out of Egypt, once in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land began murmuring and grumbling and about their situation. They complained about the lack of water, the lack of proper food, the lack of meat, etc. etc. Things got bad and the Lord threatened: ‘I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.’ (Num. 14:12)
Yes friends, the Lord was so tired with the ugly griping and complaining after all the wonderful things He’d done for them, that He was willing to destroy them and make a greater second nation for Moses. But Moses interceded on their behalf, pointing out how it would look if He destroyed them, when He was supposed to be their God and looking after them. And the Egyptians would have a field day spreading all kinds of nasty rumours. So the Lord listened to Moses’ wise words and relented, and instead of destroying Israel, He pardoned them. (Num. 14:1-20)
But they kept on complaining. And finally, the Lord’s patience wore thin. ‘And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur (grumble) against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you. Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole (entire) number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me.
Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware (solemnly promised) to make you dwell therein, save Caleb of Jephunneh, and Joshua of Nun. But your little ones which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know (be acquainted with) the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcasses, they shall fall (die) in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness (be shepherds) forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness.
After the number of days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities (guilt), even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise (rejection or opposition). I the Lord have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. And the men, which Moses sent to search (spy out) the land, who returned and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander (bad report) upon the land. Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the Lord, died by the plague before the Lord.’ (Num. 14:26-37)
Oh my people, yuh see what the evil of complaining accomplished. And how what you wish for can be used against you, for in verse 2, they had complained: ‘Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God that we had died in this wilderness.’ And they eventually got their wish after refusing to go into the Promised Land because of the negative report of ten of the twelve spies who went in and checked it out. That was a terrible slap in the face to God, because ‘Grumbling complaints directly or indirectly declare that God is not sufficiently good, faithful, loving, wise, powerful, or competent.’
So, none of them who came out of Egypt, except Caleb and Joshua, entered the Promised Land, but died in the wilderness. That’s because they were the only two spies who had positive reports on the land. Now you might say that was in the Old Testament and it doesn’t apply today. But you’ll be oh so wrong, for there’s this prominent scripture from Bruh Paul to the Philippians that refutes your contention. It quite clearly says: ‘Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as the lights of the world.’ (Phil. 2:14-15)
Yes, my fellow believers, we are warned not to grumble and complain as we go through this tough life, but to be strong and steadfast, blameless, innocent and shining as the lights of the world that Jesus desires of us. And as we saw above, when we grumble and complain against God, it means we don’t consider Him good or strong enough to handle our problems. And believe me, if God could destroy His chosen people, the Israelites for constant complaining and disobedience, why wouldn’t He do likewise to us? No reason whatsoever!
And I know God claims to be patient and longsuffering, but what with all the sin and disobedience that’s running rampant in our world, I’m sure His patience is growing thin with us, just like it was with the Israelites way back then. And yuh see the lethal punishment that He can mete out. So please, as they say, a word to the wise is sufficient. Let’s be wise then and cut down on our complaining. That’s enough for today. More tomorrow, if God spares life. Let’s go home now declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And let’s remember, that if we endure with Jesus right down to the very end, that glorious future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…when believers complain incessantly…it upsets God…gives Him and inferiority complex…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
07 Jun 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's lips enter into contention, a fool's mouth is his destruction, a talebearer revealeth secrets, death and life are in the power of the tongue, endure to the end, get a business, gossip factories, halfway home, he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth matters, his lips are the snare of his soul, his mouth calleth for strokes, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of thy mouth, looking straight ahead, LOVE, lying more than to speak righteousness, meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips, not turning back, o thou deceitful tongue, our words can either make or break us, plead thy cause with thy neightbour himself, so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue, stop minding other people's business, thank God, that which is good to the use of edifying, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the north wind driveth away rain, the words of a talebearer are as wounds, they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof, thou lovest evil more than good, thou shalt not bear false witness, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail
Proverbs 18:21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Brother! Is it really Wednesday already? The days sure are moving quickly. And it’s already the 7th of June. If we don’t look sharp and pay attention to our business the year will finish and we would not have done anything worthwhile. As 3 Canal rightly said: ‘If you don’t have a business, then you’d better get a business and stop minding other people’s business.’ And is that ever the truth in these times of social media and plenty minding of other people’s business. Minding other people’s business has now become big business where some of us are making big money for tattling on others, calling them entertainment shows, but in actual fact are just gossip factories.
And it’s sad, but somewhat amusing that everybody has an opinion on everything, even when we don’t know a blooming thing about anything! But I guess that’s life in these supposed modern times. And as usual we’ve forgotten one of the Ten Commandments; ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.’ (Ex. 20:16) But false witness is exceedingly popular and rampant in these last days. And there are many other scriptures about gossiping and slander and false witness. Let’s check out a few of them nuh.
Cousin Sol is amongst the forefront of those who warn against the deadly virus. Listen to him from Proverbs 18: ‘A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes (blows). A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer (gossip or slanderer) are as wounds (tasty morsels), and they go down into the innermost parts (chambers) of the belly.’ (Prov. 18:6-8)
Yes friends, our mouths get us into plenty trouble, especially when we carry news and we’re not sure if it’s true or not. The words of a gossip might be tasty morsels to some who are hearing it, but to the one whom it’s about, it’s like an internal wound; it hurts them, especially if it’s not true. And unfortunately, that’s what our world seems to be about in these turbulent and vitriolic times.
Then in Proverbs 20, Cousin Sol tells us that ‘He that goeth about as a talebearer (gossip) revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not (don’t associate) with him that flattereth with his lips.’ (Prov. 20:19) And is that ever wise advice, for whoever gossips to you about someone else, will also gossip about you to someone else. And unfortunately, very few of us seem able to keep a secret nowadays, what with the way our mouths are constantly running with no real thought to what we’re saying.
That’s why Cousin Sol also wrote: ‘A talebearer (gossip) revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth matters.’ (Prov. 11:13) Now how many of us around right now are of a faithful spirit eh? Not too many, for we all like to blather and prattle about what we know, as well as what we don’t know. And listen to this one from the man of Proverbs. ‘Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble.’ (Prov. 21:23) And isn’t that the glorious truth! And how I wish that many many more of us would pay attention to that scripture and put it into practice. Our world and lives would be so much the better for it.
And Cousin Sol apparently wasn’t joking when he wrote about gossips and slanderers for here is some more of his infinite wisdom on the subject. ‘Debate (plead) thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not (don’t disclose) a secret to another. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away (the evil report that follows your gossiping doesn’t go away.)’ (Prov. 25:9-10) Yes my people, let’s not reveal the secrets of others, for those things usually get back to the owners of the secrets and they can really put us to shame by bad-mouthing us to others.
And furthermore, according to Cousin Sol: ‘A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul (club), and a sword, and a sharp arrow.’ (Prov. 25:18) Yuh see friends, gossip and false witness are very dangerous things, that can cause untold damage to both the victim and the one who spreads it. That’s why Cousin Sol further says: ‘The north wind driveth away (brings forth) rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.’ (Prov. 25:23)
And I like this commentary on that verse. ‘Proverbs 25:23, the verse that specifically uses the word backbiting, paints a vivid picture of how people respond to a gossip. Just as a cold north wind brings rain, so a tongue given to backbiting will bring angry looks from the victims of the gossip.’ And sometimes it will bring more than angry looks according to the nature of the gossip.
That brings us to these words from Bruh David found in Psalm 52. ‘The tongue deviseth mischiefs (delights in evil); like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou LOVEST evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou LOVEST all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him.’ (Ps. 52:2-6)
In other words, as this commentary describes the passage. ‘3 You love evil more than good, you call black white. 4 You love malicious gossip, you foul-mouth. 5 God will tear you limb from limb, sweep you up and throw you out, Pull you up by the roots from the land of life. 6 Good people will watch and worship.’ That’s some of what we have to look forward to if we continue being gossips and false witnesses.
And what’s the solution to all of those warnings and promises, you ask? Listen to what Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus. ‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.’ (Eph. 4:29) Oh my people that’s the way it should be. Instead of gossiping about others, we can talk words of kindness and truth to those we meet, LOVE them, by speaking words that will build them up rather than break them down.
For remember that Cousin Sol again has the answer: (smile) ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.’ (Prov. 18:21) Yuh better believe it my people, those of us who LOVE to indulge our tongues will most certainly bear the consequences of our words. So please, let’s stop and think before we talk nuh. That’s wisdom for the ages. Now let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus.
As one voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we endure right down to the very end with Jesus, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s use that as incentive to endure all the way with Jesus nuh! Much LOVE!
…the words we speak…can either make or break us…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
17 May 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: beware of what you ask for, calamity all around the globe, climate change, endure to the end, for the wages of sin is death, get down on our knees and pray, God gives us the anoining to face problems, halfway home, hand on the plough, his sweat were like great drops of blood, Jesus devoted Himself to prayer, Jesus spake a parable unto them to this end, keep on praying and not lose heart, looking straight ahead, LOVE, men ought to pray and not faint, not turning back, our God can do anything, pray without ceasing, prayer is our biggest privilege, prayer is our most powerful weapon, reduction of pollution, tampered with God's weather system, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the cup of sufferation, the dangers of polluting our atmosphere, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, you use it or lose it
Luke 18:1. He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought to pray and not faint.
Now what’s happening weatherwise eh? Last Wednesday I said that that would be three consecutive days of bright sunshine, and this Wednesday, we’re still counting. (smile) As the old folks would say, beware of what you ask for, for when you get it, you’ll realize that it was not all it was cracked up to be. And so many steady days of sunshine without even a drop of heavenly blessing is definitely not good. Just note the heat and lack of rain that caused the wildfires out in Alberta, that by the way, are still burning. It’s never good to have too much or too little of anything…well, except where sin is concerned – a little is always good. (smile)
But since we’ve tampered with God’s finely tuned and balanced weather systems with all the pollution we’ve released into the atmosphere and the water, there’s not much we can do about it, except to pray. Some of us are making a rather belated effort to try and clean things up, but climate change didn’t happen overnight, it took some time to get to this stage where we’re feeling the dastardly effects.
And it’s not that we weren’t warned about the dangers of polluting our atmosphere and water a long time ago, but in the usual high-handed, arrogant manner of mankind, we, or rather those in power and those whose wealth would be affected by any reduction of the pollution, refused to believe that negative stuff could happen if we continued our stubborn, greedy activities.
Now we’re paying the price for it. And would you believe that there’s a sizeable portion of our population that still don’t believe that climate change is a reality at all, much less a worsening one. And as always, it’s mainly those in a position of power and wealth, who stand to lose the most if cleaner methods of production were instigated. That means, no real improvement can be implemented if those who have the power to make a difference don’t agree to do so. So what do we do eh?
As I said before, pray. That’s our most powerful weapon. And all of us pray to some God or other, and we claim to believe in prayer, so it’s time for us to shut up and put up! It’s time for us to unite, despite our faith, get down on our knees and pray that the negative and very difficult situations that are already causing calamity all around the globe, would be changed, or at least slowed down or halted by the blessed hand of our powerful and merciful God. Individually, we also need to do whatever we can to lessen pollution. It might just be a small deed like not throwing plastic in the water or the land fill, but each individual act when put together can make some significant difference.
Although, who knows if we stop all our polluting that our weather systems and the chunk we’ve taken out of our protective ozone layer would return to its original state? Maybe we’ve already gone too far, and we now have to grin and bear the calamitous effects that are coming our way. However, some of us do believe in the God who created the universe and all therein, that’s the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whom we believe can do anything He so desires. And how do we communicate with this magnificent Deity, through the medium of prayer, which is basically talking to Him, expressing our desires and listening to Him as He answers our prayers.
And there’s no more telling duty or requirement in all faiths than to pray. In the Christiaan faith, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of God, made that very clear when He advised His followers thus. ‘He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought to pray and not faint.’ (Luke 18:1) That’s mankind ought to keep on praying and not lose heart or give up, for prayer is the most important privilege we have, and we must use it.
And being the honourable kind of man He was, He didn’t give advice and not keep it Himself, like the scribes and Pharisees did. While down here on earth, though being God, a member of the Holy Trinity, He always made time to pray to the Father in heaven, so that He could know the Father’s will, and have His human spirit be replenished to enable Him to fulfill His destiny. And there’s no better example of that than on the night before His crucifixion, when He was filled with anguish and torment over the upcoming ‘sufferation’. He repaired to the Garden of Gethsemane and devoted Himself to prayer.
Three times He cried out to His Father asking if the cup of ‘sufferation’ could be removed, ending each time with the statement, ‘not my will but thine be done.’ (Matt. 26:39) But He received no answer whatsoever. That’s because He knew, as well as the Father did, that there was no other way to forgive the abominable sins of man righteously and justly without Him paying the high, dehumanizing price it required. The Bible, God’s Word says: ‘For the wages of sin is death.’ (Rom. 6:23)
That means for sin to be considered paid for, death has to occur. And not any ordinary human being, but someone who was sinless. And since Jesus was the only sinless person available, the awful task fell to Him. And though the Father did not answer Jesus’ prayer, the gospel of Luke tells us that in his time of agony, that ‘He prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was like it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.’ (Luke 22:43-44)
So, the Father did not leave Him completely hopeless; He strengthened Him so that He could perform the necessary task. And that’s how He often is with us too. We might want to get away from something, but in His will or plan for us, He believes it necessary for us to go through the trial, so instead He gives us the grace, the strength, the anointing to face the problem. And we should also note what Jesus said to the disciples in the Garden when He found them sleeping instead of praying. ‘What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ (Matt. 26:40-41)
And that’s the gospel truth my people, our spirit is willing to keep us praying, but our flesh is weak and doesn’t want to do it. That’s why Bruh Paul in all his missives advised his readers to pray. To the Thessalonians he wrote: ‘Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:17-18)
Meanwhile to the Ephesians at the end of his treatise on putting on the armour of God (Eph. 6:10-17) he exhorted them: ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph. 6:18) So although one puts on the protective armour of God, prayer is still essential to making it work.
Oh my fellow saints, please, let’s understand that the Christian life is based on prayer, and it’s to our benefit, not God’s, to have a good prayer life. Now, for those of who know and understand that and try to implement it, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And the beauty of it all friends, is that if we endure right down to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious that we can ever ask or imagine! Let’s therefore use that as encouragement and inspiration to stick with Jesus right to the very end nuh! Much LOVE!
…prayer is our biggest privilege…and like most things…if we don’t use it…we lose it…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
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