11 Feb 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a major part of our lives, after ye have done the will of God, are you in the dark, believe to the saving of the soul, cast not away your confidence, cause our faith to doubt, christianity, Christians, confidently live life resting in God's faithfulness, consistently rely on God's immutable Word, deepen your understanding of Gods' faithfulness, despair, dig down deep and find the faith to trust, discover God's promises in new ways, disregard the darkness, don't understand God's timimng, don't' understand why life is topsy-turvy, endure to the end with Jesus, every promise of God has come true, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, faith is all about trusting God, feeling or no feeling, God can be trusted, God keeps His promises, God waits for us to trust Him, God will give you a very precious message for someone else, God's immutable word, God's intention, God's promise remains certain through our deepest trial, God's promises, God's promises do not suddenly disappear, going the way of all the earth, great recompense of reward, halfway home, hands on the plough, he that shall come will come, he will not tarry, holy spirit, if any man draw back, if we stand strong in faith we will receive the promises, increasing joy, it stands firm, Jesus Christ, listen, loneliness, looking to Jesus, LOVE, mercy, my soul shall no pleasure in him, negative situations, not turning back, One Year Book of Bible promises, our courage fails, our fears become overwhelming, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, regardless of negative circumstances, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, sincerely and humbly ask for divine help, so glad to be alive, testify to the truth of that statement, thank God, the author and finisher of our faith, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the gospel truth, the just shall live by faith, the Lord always helps us to stand strong, the privilege of prayer, the truth of God's promises to be foundational in our lives, times of questioning, times of saadness, to a glorious future with Jesus, trusting seems the most difficult thing to do, truth, we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, weather the tough times, Wednesday Wail, when God gives a promise that speaks directly to our need, when you are in the light, wisdom, ye have need of patience, you have need of endurance, you might receive the promise
Hebrews 10:36. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Round three of our workweek fight is up today friends, that’s Wednesday. And it’s a good day, because it allows us to catch our second wind. So let’s do just that nuh, then keep on fighting the good fight for Jesus, as we are expected to do. (smile) And today we’re going to check out one of the amazing poems in our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, simply titled, ‘God’s Promises.’ And we all know that God’s Plentiful Promises are supposed to be a major part of our lives, but many of them don’t happen automatically, we have to seek them and then action them.
So please read with me: ‘With increasing joy I am discovering that God’s promises do not suddenly disappear when our courage fails and our fears become overwhelming. Feeling or no feeling, when God gives a promise that speaks directly to our need, it stands firm regardless of negative circumstances. There may be times of questioning, and we may not understand God’s timing, but His promise remains certain through our deepest trial.
If we consistently rely on His immutable Word, we can disregard the darkness. Oswald Chambers says, “Are you in the dark right now regarding your circumstances? Then listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you are in the light.’’ God waits for us to trust Him when trusting seems the most difficult thing of all.’
Oh friends, most of us can testify to the truth of that last statement, because it’s in our very dark, or our darkest times that the Lord expects our faith to rise up and trust Him. And that’s not always easy to do, but if we truly believe, then we dig down deep and find that faith to trust whatever promise He’s made to us, even if it seems most unlikely to come true.
And the unfortunate part is that we all go through times of sadness, of despair, of loneliness and all those negative situations that cause our faith to doubt, to stumble, to wonder what it’s all about. However, that’s why we have the Holy Spirit, God’s unchangeable Word and the privilege of prayer to help us weather those tough times. And believe me, the Lord will always help us stand strong when we sincerely and humbly ask for His divine help.
Now, the Bible passage that is attached to today’s poem is certainly an interesting and encouraging one for the hard times. The Book uses the New Living Translation (NLT), which says: ‘Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.’ (Heb. 10:35-36) And that’s oh so true: if we stand strong in faith we will receive the promises.
But yuh know what, I’m chuckling here because as I opened Our One year Book of Bible Promises just now, I stumbled across a very appropriate passage for this poem. It’s actually the Introduction to the Book. I don’t remember ever seeing it before, but in the Lord’s mysterious ways of working, (smile) He obviously intended me to see and use it today.
So, please read with me: ‘God keeps His promises. You’ve heard it; in fact, you’ve probably even said it a few times. But how well do you know it? God’s intention is for this great truth to be so foundational in your heart that you confidently live life resting in His faithfulness. God can be trusted. Discover His promises in new ways this year and deepen your understanding of His faithfulness.’ And it ends with this NLT translation of Joshua 23:14. “Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!”
Now isn’t that a marvellous intro my faithful brethren! Indeed it is! And it’s just what we’ve been talking about. The Lord desires us to live confidently in the truth of His faithfulness throughout all of our lives, despite the negative situations we will encounter from time to time! And that’s what faith is all about: trusting God, even when you don’t know or understand why your life is all topsy-turvy.
And for our information, that passage from Joshua, is actually Moses, on his death bed telling the Israelites about the faithful promises of God. ‘And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.’ (Josh. 23:14) And that’s the gospel truth my people! Not one of God’s promises have ever failed. When we interpret them properly, they all come true.
That brings us back to the scripture passage for our poem today, and we’ll look now at the King James Version. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry (delay). Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.’ (Heb. 10:36-39)
Yes friends, I thought we needed to hear the last few verses of that scripture, because they help to raise our level of faith and keep us strong, and remind us that we are not of those who turn away from Christ and end up in ruin, but those who believe and thus save our souls! Now let’s go home declaring (steupsss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 if we really want to see a more than glorious future, then we’ll endure to the end with Jesus, because then, a future so amazing that we cannot comprehend it will shine forth. And I do hope that we’ll all be there to enjoy it together! Much LOVE!
…true Christian faith…is found only by looking to Jesus…the author and finisher…the originator and perfector…of that faith…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Feb 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bright and sunshiny Wednesday, a flood of peace, above our mortal understanding, be careful for nothing, be not as the hypocrites, beleivers should not make a show of their prayer, breaks the chains of the world system, christianity, delivered him up for us all, departed into a solitary place and there prayed, enabling us, endure to the end with Jesus, enter into thy closet, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, fighting the good fight, freely give us all things, give guidance and direction, halfway home, hands on the plough, he does so to his own detriment, He htat spared not his own Son, holy spirit, how shall he not with him, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, in the corners of the streets, in the morning, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the Light of the world, Jesus raises us up from the darkenss of sin and sorrow, Jesus went out, let your rrequest be made known to god, LOVE, mankind cannot afford to overlook prayer, mercy, not looking back at the past, not turning back, nothing's wrong with public prayer, pray to the Father in secret, prayer, public prayer is a necessity for the Christian faith, reward thee openly, rising up a great while before day, rooted and grounded in Christ, salvation, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, so glad to be alive, strength to renew his spirit, take everything to God in prayer, thank God, that they may be seen of men, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Father knows the things ye need before you ask him, the light of Jesus lifts our souls and spirits, the peace of God which passeth all understading, the privilege of communicating with Gode, the Sermon on the Mount, they have their reward, they love to pray standing in the sysnagogues, they shall be heard for their much speaking, thy Father which seeth in secret, to a glorious future with Jesus, to bear the brunt of winter, truth, Wednesday Wail, when thou prayest, when ye pray use not vain repetitions, wisdom
Philippians 4:6. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
Oh friends, the Lord has turned our damp and cloudy Tuesday into a bright and sunshiny Wednesday! Give Him much praise and thanks, for although it’s still pretty cold, the sunshine comes like the light of Jesus and lifts our spirits and our souls, enabling us to bear the brunt of the winter weather. It’s just so amazing what light can do to darkness. That’s why Jesus is the light of the world! He raises us up from the darkness of sin and sorrow and breaks the chains that the world system tries to shackle us with. And it’s indeed a nice day to catch our second wind, so that we can continue working for Jesus, fighting the good fight for the rest of the work week.
Unfortunately though, we’re on a late bus today because the ole fella went to bed late, and thus got up late. (smile) Anyway we’re going to continue talking about ‘PRAYER’ that marvellous privilege we have of communicating with our heavenly Father. Now, yesterday we saw where Jesus prayed for himself, the disciples and us, the future believers, but the most important thing is that He regularly got up early and went out to a deserted place and prayed, as Mark tells us: ‘And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he (Jesus) went out, and departed into a solitary (deserted) place, and there prayed.’ (Mark 1:35)
That brought up the question, if Jesus the Son of God needed regular prayer time with His Father, how can we mere mortals, creations of His hands, not require the same, if not more prayer time with the Lord? And it’s not only early in the morning that Jesus prayed, but throughout the gospels we see where every so often, He would go away by Himself to pray. And what Jesus was doing there was both seeking the Father’s strength to renew His spirit, as well as guidance and direction for the day or days ahead.
And we also need those things, especially in these trying times, and the only way we can get them is by communicating with the Lord God Jehovah, sincerely asking Him to strengthen us like He did His Son Jesus. As Bruh Paul says in his letter to the church at Rome: ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ (Rom. 8:32) Yes my faithful brethren, if the Lord gave up His Son Jesus Christ for our benefit, why then wouldn’t He be willing to give us the things we need eh?
He obviously would not, but like Christ did, we have to go to Him and petition Him for the desires of our hearts. Granted, He will fulfill some of them without our asking, but the majority of the time we need to go to Him and ask for them, like Bruh Paul wrote to the Philippians: ‘Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:6-7)
Yes my people, when we take everything to God in prayer, with supplication and thanksgiving, He releases a flood of peace in our bodies and souls that’s way above our mortal understanding, but which keeps us rooted and grounded in Christ. And the wonderful thing about prayer is that it can basically take any form that the person praying desires. However, Jesus laid down certain basic rules for prayer, when He taught on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount.
‘And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites (pretenders) are: for they LOVE to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward (being seen by men). But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet (inner room), and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.’ (Matt. 6:5-8)
Now we have to be very careful about some of those stipulations, for they tend to be used in wrong ways, or out of context. Granted, a lot of pray ought to be done in secret. However, there is nothing wrong with public prayer. In fact it’s a necessity in the Christian faith when we gather to worship. But as the scholars tell us: ‘The principle here is that the believer should not make a show of his prayer nor of the answers he receives to prayer in such a way as to call attention to himself. Our attitude is of the utmost importance. Praying, like giving, is to be done to the Lord, not to man.’
Yes my people, we’re not to make a show of our prayers, or keep repeating them as the heathen do, because they think that the more they talk, the greater the likelihood they will be heard. But that’s a fallacy. The Lord will hear once our hearts are sincere and right towards Him. And now, with all of that good stuff percolating in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, (smile) let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 if we want to enjoy an even more glorious future, then we must endure to the end with Jesus, where one that boggles our imagination will be available. So let’s endure to the end so we can enjoy it together nuh! Much LOVE!
…prayer is such a big and wonderful privilege…that mankind cannot afford to overlook it…he does so to his own detriment…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
28 Jan 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: another unexpected difficulty, be toast right now, believers in Christ Jesus, care for the orphans and widows, cherish those who follow you, children of God, don't afflict any widow or fatherless child, endure to the end with Jesus, executes just for the oppressed, faith, give food to the hungry, gives food to the hungry, giving him food and clothing, God is mighty and awesome, God shows no partaility, God takes no bribe, God takes umbrage when we mistreat our fellow man, grin and bear it, halfway home, hands on the plough, happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, he doth execute the judgement of the fatherless, healing, help me remember, help the poor and suffering, holy spirit, I rest in your care, if it's not one thing it's another, in this world of plenty, In Touch Devotional Magazine, is still flowing through me, Jesus Christ, keepeth truth for ever, kill yoi with the sword, knee pains, let hope rise in me, lift up the brokenhearted, Lord of Lords, LOVE, love ye therefore the stranger, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my wrath shall wax hot, neither vex a stranger nor oppress him, non-understandable pain, not looking back at the past, not turning back, one limb compensates for another, open the eyes of the blind, our actions are not similar to God's, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, plagued with all kinds of illness, protect strangers, raises them that are bowed down, relieves the fatherless and widow, remind me of all the ways you are working, restoring, salvation, second wind day, set prisoners free, suffering overwhelms me inside and out, surely hear their cry, te Lord loveth the stranger, tending, thank God, the breath of life, the Lord be praised, the Lord executes justice on behalf of widows and orphans, the Lord gives freedom to prisoners, the Lord looseth the prisoners, the Lord loves the righteous, the Lord opens the eyes of the blind, the Lord turns the way of the wicked upside down, the Lord watches over the strangers, the Lord your God is God of gods, the way of the wicked he maketh crooked, this too shall pass, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, unravel plans meant for evil, vow to improve our efforts, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, what seems hopeless isn't hopeless to you, when despair whispers nothing changes, wherever there's suffering you're there, who you are in my life, who you are in the world, whose hope is in the Lord his God, wisdom, ye were strangers in the land of Egypt, your children fatherless, your wives shall be widows
Deuteronomy 10:18. He (the Lord) doth execute the judgement (justice) of the fatherless and widow, and LOVETH the stranger, in giving him food and raiment (clothing).
And Tuesday has morphed into a sunshiny Wednesday, our second wind day! And many of us do need to catch that second wind after the harrowing last few days with the winter snowstorm and the resultant digging out and cleaning up. But let’s remember that we’re are children of God, believers in Christ Jesus and thus can do anything He desires us to do, because He enables, He strengthens us to do His will. And all God’s children said a loud and grateful ‘Amen!’
Now, let’s to look at this month’s prayer from the In Touch Devotional, which is certainly an interesting and most appropriate one. So, please pray with me: ‘Lord, when suffering overwhelms me inside and out, help me remember what seems hopeless isn’t hopeless to You. You give food to the hungry and set prisoners free. You open the eyes of the blind and lift up the brokenhearted. You cherish those who follow You and care for the orphans and widows,
You protect strangers and unravel plans meant for evil. You do. You do. You do. In every place where there’s suffering, You’re there – tending, healing, restoring. That is who You are in the world. That is who You are in my life. When despair whispers, “Nothing changes,” remind me of all the ways You’re working. Let hope rise in me as I rest in your care. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
Oh my people, that prayer surely resonated with me, because in the last couple of months I’ve just been plagued with all kinds of illness, one directly after the other and if my faith wasn’t fairly strong, I’d be toast right now. And I have to laugh here, because right now I’m going through another unexpected difficulty; my right knee began seriously acting up a couple of days ago, although I was at home during the snow storm and did not do anything too strenuous to disturb it. And although I have intermittent knee pains, this was the worst I’ve ever felt, like my whole knee was going to disintegrate on me.
So, here I’ve been for the last two days hobbling around the house, in excruciating, non-understandable pain (smile) trying to get down to the basement to write the Bit, then get back upstairs. And I must admit that today the pain in the right knee has calmed somewhat, but because of my having to use the left one to compensate for the right, the left one is now beginning to act up. Ah Lord eh! As the old people would say, if it’s not one thing, then it’s another. And I know that this too shall pass, but the problem is when?
But the truth of the matter is that our wonderful God is always with us, healing, cleansing and comforting us. So although I’m in pain that I don’t like, I know that the Lord is working, and in His own time, He will bring the matter to a successful end. And I just have to grin and bear it, and say the Lord be praised! (smile) But on a more serious note the Lord has always been partial to the sick and suffering, the poor and brokenhearted, widows, orphans and strangers. And it’s no coincidence that right from the beginning the Lord warned the Israelites about looking after those kinds of people.
Listen to His directives through Moses in Exodus, as they begin their journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land. ‘Thou shalt neither vex a stranger (sojourner), nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.’ (Ex. 22:21-24) Oh friends, it could not be put any clearer than that.
Then in Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the younger generation of God’s directives. ‘For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward (the great God, mighty and awesome who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe). He doth execute the judgement (justice) of the fatherless and widow, and LOVETH the stranger, in giving him food and raiment (clothing). LOVE ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.’ (Deut. 10:17-19) And I like how the Lord keeps reminding them that at one time they were strangers in Egypt and were treated handsomely by the Egyptians.
Meanwhile in Psalm 67, which advises us to ‘Trust in the Lord,’ the psalmist writes: ‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Which executeth judgement (justice) for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth (gives freedom to) the prisoners:
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord LOVETH the righteous: The Lord preserveth (watches over) the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down (makes crooked). The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.’ (Ps. 146:5-10)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s the nature of our great and wonderful God, and there are several other scriptures that describe Him in that manner, but the important point here is if we consider ourselves children of God, then our actions should be similar. Unfortunately though, our actions don’t seem to be similar, otherwise in this world of plenty, so many would not be suffering. So let’s take those words we’ve read today very seriously nuh, write them deep and indelibly in our hearts, and vow to improve our efforts to help the poor and suffering.
Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 if we truly LOVE Jesus, then we will endure with Him to the very end, so that together we can enjoy the promise of an even more glorious future than we can either ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…God LOVES us all…but He takes umbrage when we abuse or mistreat our fellow man…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 Jan 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a garden of thistles and thorns, a snowy winter, abide with you for ever, all our lives through, be of good cheer, be perfect and entire, bear many a burden, bear many a care, being confident of this very thing, between a rock and a hard place, clay in the hands of a potter, count it all joy, divne help, endure to the end with Christ, eternal life, eternal separation from God, faith, fall into various trials, flower-strewn pathways, get through life scot free, give you another Comforter, God hath not promised skies ever blue, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, God's desire is to have us all as replicas of Jesus, God's Word, grace, grace for trials, grin and bear it, guide you into all truth, halfway home, hands on the plough, he dwelleth in you, he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever, he which hath begun a good work in you, hellfire and damnation, help from above, holy spirit, i have overcome the world, I will not leave you comfortless, I will pray the Father, if ye love me keep my commandments, in my ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, Jesus Christ, joy without sorrow, lazy, leave you as orphans, let pateince have her perfect work, life is not a bed of roses, light for the way, living for Jesus offers unsurpassable rewards, LOVE, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, needing no guide, negative experiences, not looking back at the past, not turning back, omnipotent power, our second wind day, peace without pain, perform it until the day of jesus, rest amid labour, salvation, selfish, shew you things to come, smooth roads, stay on the straight and narrow path, strength for the day, sun without rain, swift easy travel, tha k god, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the living truth, the Lord's Number One Plan, the lust thereof, the positive work God accomplishes through testing, The Promises and Non-Promises of God, the Spirit of truth, the testing of your faith produces patience, the trying of your faith worketh patience, the world passeth away, the world through him might be saved, to a glorious future with Jesus, tough times in this sinful world, truth, turbulent times, undying LOVE, unfailing sympathy, unsurpassable rewards, waltz through this life with no cares, wanting nothing, when the Spirit of truth is come, when ye fall into divers temptations, whom the world cannot receive
1 John 2:17. And the world paseth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day. And do we ever need to catch that second wind so we can make it safely through, because it’s a cloudy, snowy, miserable day. Chuh! This looks like it’s going to be a snowy winter, for every time you turn around it’s snowing. But there’s nothing much to do but grin and bear it, for that’s the nature of the northern climes, and we’ve been spoiled in recent years with comparatively little snow during the winter months. But here’s an interesting poem I recently discovered amongst my piles of papers. I’m not sure where it comes from or when (smile) but I’m fairly sure I’ve shared it sometime in the past.
But like so many of those prayers and poems, they are still very appropriate for these turbulent times. And I believe the poem is called ‘The Promises and Non-Promises of God.’ So please read with me. ‘God hath not promised skies ever blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. God hath not promised smooth roads and wide, swift, easy travel needing no guide; God hath not promised we shall not bear many a burden and many a care. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest amid labour, light for the way; grace for trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying LOVE!’
And that’s the living truth my people! God never promised that we will just waltz through this life with no cares, worries, burdens or trials. He simply promised that He will help us each and every day to bear what burdens or trials we might experience. It’s just that we know His omnipotent power and are lazy and selfish and expect to get through life Scot free, that we take these liberties about what God promised and what He didn’t. Why do you think He gave us first Jesus, then the Holy Spirit eh?
Jeus came to save us from our abominable sinful behaviour that was leading us down the path of eternal separation from God. As He very plainly says in the gospel of John: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world though him might be saved.’ (John 3:17) Yes friends, we needed divine help if we were to avoid hellfire and damnation. And having given us an option to avoid that most fearful outcome, the Lord then gave us the Holy Spirit to help us live the kind of life we needed to live so we could stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to Him and eternal life.
The Holy Spirit is our guide and comforter and helper. If God didn’t think we’d need those things to live this earthly life, why give us the Holy Spirit? Listen to Jesus again, this time on the work of the Holy Spirit. ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (Helper), that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless (as orphans): I will come to you.’ (John 14:15-18)
And so it was done! The Holy Spirit came to dwell within each believer on the first day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension back to heaven. (Acts 2:1-4) Then later on, Jesus again spoke to the disciples about the importance of the Holy Spirit. ‘Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself (on his own authority); but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall ye speak: and he will shew you things to come.’ (John 16:13) And Jesus finally told them: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33).
Oh my people, the Lord knew that we would have tough times in this sinful world, that’s why he equipped us with all that we needed to handle it. The Holy Spirit, prayer, grace, mercy, and His Word. For living in an evil and ungodly world trying to be righteous and godly is a major task. That’s why we have scriptures like James’ exhortation: ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials); Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing.’ (James 1:2-4)
Yes those are tough words to handle, but as the scholars explain: These “negative” experiences are to be accepted with great joy, not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can accomplish through the testing.’ We do need to remember that God tests our faith all through this earthly life and that is done usually through trials and temptations because it’s only when we are between a rock and a hard place that our faith grows. When life’s good, our faith either stagnates or gets soft and weak.(smile)
And remember too that the Lord’s Number One Plan is to have all His children as replicas of His first born Jesus, therefore, as along as we are alive, we will be like putty or clay in the hands of a potter, with Him trying to make us into the image of Jesus. It’s like Bruh Paul says to the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) That means everyday we’re alive the Master Potter will be working on us. So it’s not an easy life to live for Christ, but as I keep saying, it’s very interesting and the rewards are unsurpassable.
Nothing this world has to offer can ever surpass salvation and eternal life with Christ. Remember too as John says in his first epistle: ‘And the world paseth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:17) Yes, my fellow believers, this world will eventually pass away, but if we do God’s will, we will live forever with Him. Let’s remember that and set our minds to it, despite all the many tests and temptations we might face, for our God is just faithful and true !
Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ. 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 if we’re serious, then we’ll endure with Christ right to the very end, and thus enjoy the promise of a more than glorious future for those who see it through to the end. Much LOVE!
…life is not a bed of roses…but a garden of thistles and thorns…that we need to work on…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 Jan 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: A Prayer for later years, a sour old person, able to accept with graciousness, action it asap, arrogant, becoming sweeter as the years go by, by his knowledge, by understanding he established the heavens, don't want to be a saint, endure to the end, expressing an opinion on every subject, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, favours that others bestow on me, fear God and keep his commandments, fools despise widom and instruction, give me the grace, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut, give me wings, God shall bring every work into judgement, growing older, halfway home, hands on the plough, help me endure the boredom with patience, helpful but not pushy, holy spirit, independent, Jesus Christ, keep me from becoming too talkative, keep me reasonably sweet, keep my lips sealed, keep my mind free, LOVE, make my thoughtful but not moody, mercy, not looking back, occasionally I might be mistaken, personal desires, physical desires, release me from the cravings, saints are too hard to live with, salvation, second wind day, self-interests, selfish, strife, take it to heart, teach me the glorious lesson, Thank You Lord, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the clouds drop down dew, the depths are broken up, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, the glorious truth, the Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the musings of a small town Nana, the pleasure of discussing my aches and pains, the pride of life, the recital of endless details, the tiresome habit of, the work of the devil, this is the whole duty of man, those of a certain age, to a glorious future with Jesus, to get to the point, to listen to others describe their aches and pains, to straighten out everybody's affairs, truth, turbulent times, ungodly, Wednesday Wail, wisdom, wisdom can only be gained from God through faith
Ecclesiastes 12:13. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Well it’s a cloudy Wednesday my people, but the temperature is above freezing, so it’s not too bad. But we’re also on a late bus because I had to go back to the hospital for some tests this morning and you know how that is – you never get in on time or get out early, so we’re a tad behind on this second wind day. Let’s hope we all catch that second wind and keep on living successfully for Jesus. And thankfully they found nothing of any serious nature with the tests, so hopefully these stomach pains will soon go away completely with the medication I’m currently taking. Thank You Lord! And I’ll also do my best to keep it short and sweet. (smile)
So without further ado, let’s get into this prayer that was published in 2007 in a Word Press blog called Mary’s Musings, apparently about the times of a small town Nana. The prayer is called ‘A Prayer for Later Years’ and I’m pretty sure I shared it sometime aback, but last week I found it amongst one of the several piles of papers I have lying around the office, and after reading and chuckling at its appropriateness, especially for people like me in these turbulent times, I knew I just had to share it again.
So please pray with me: ‘Lord thou knowest that I am growing older. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and particularly keep from falling into the tiresome habit of expressing an opinion on every subject. Release me from the cravings to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details. Give me wings too to get to the point. Give me the grace dear Lord, to listen to others describe their aches and pains. Help me to endure the boredom with patience and keep my lips sealed, for my own aches and pains are increasing in number and intensity, and the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that, occasionally, I might be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not wish to be a saint (saints are so hard to live with), but a sour old person is the work of the devil. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not pushy; independent; yet able to accept with graciousness favours that others wish to bestow on me.
Free me of the notion that simply because I have lived a long time, I am wiser than those who have not lived so long. If I do not approve of some of the changes that have taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut. Lord knows that when the end comes, I would like to have a friend or two left. The author is unknown but I wish I had written it. I think it is appropriate for those of us who are of a “certain age.”
And is that ever the glorious truth my fellow believers! All of us can use some part of that prayer, whether we’re old or young, because it advocates a wisdom that is necessary from birth to the grave, if we’re to live a godly and compassionate life. If many more of us, both young and old could only get halfway to adopting those suggestions, our world would be a much more wonderful place than it currently is, and there would not be as much strife and disagreement as we now have.
But then again as we saw yesterday in John’s first epistle it’s ‘the lust of the flesh (physical desires), and the lust of the eyes (personal desires), and the pride of life (self-interests),’ things that the world value, that have us behaving so ungodly, selfish and arrogant. (1 John 2:16) And it all comes right back to our lack of true reverence for God. How did Cousin Sol put in the opening chapter of Proverbs? ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the beginning (principal beginning) of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov. 1:7)
And that’s an inescapable fact! To get wisdom, one must go to the fountain from which it flows, and that’s from Almighty God. As Cousin Sol says later on in Proverbs. ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up, and the clouds drop down dew.’ (Prov. 3:19-20) Yes friends, wisdom is so important that God Himself used it to create the world. So if He, our Creator and Controller needs it, why shouldn’t we His lowly creation also need it eh?
And it’s a theme that echoes right through the Bible, specially in Cousin’s Sol’s writings. Remember He was the wisest man ever, God gave him the wisdom he asked for, along with wealth and long life that he did not ask for, because He was so pleased with his humble request. (1 Kin. 3:6-5) And since I’ve promised to keep it short and sweet, we’ll end with this final word from Cousin Sol, who as the wisest and wealthiest man ever, experimented with all that life had to offer, and found that it was all vanity, fruitless.
However, in his final recommendation as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, he says: ‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: ‘Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ (Eccl. 12:13-14) And there is no greater truth than that my faithful brethren! So please, let’s take it all to heart and action it, asap.
Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry 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 for those who endure to the very end with Jesus, there’s a promise of a future so glorious that we cannot even imagine it. But as the wisdom of God dictates, let’s all endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…true wisdom can only be gained from God…through faith…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 Jan 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a more glorious future than we can ask or imagine, acknowledge God in all thy ways, be ye not as the horse or the mule, call on me and I will answer thee, catch your second breath, comforting to know, each and every step is directed by the Lord, endure to the end with Christ, faith, glad to be alive, God always has his eyes on us, God guides man's every step, God is counseling us with his loving eye upon us, God will fulfill his purposes in our lives, God will keep you safe and protected if you follow him, guide you into all truth, halfway home, hands on the plough, he shall direct thy paths, holy spirit, how can a man then understand his own way, I will instruct thee, Jesus Christ, lean not unto thine own understanding, lest they come near unto thee, let not iniquity have dominion over me, listen to his gentle nudge, LOVE, man's goings are of the Lord, mercy, my eyes are looking straight ahead, never will the Lord fail usthe Lord directs and guides us every day, no better counsel than Jehovah God, not looking back at the past, not turning back, order my steps in thy word, our second wind day, salvation, show thee great and mighty things, show you things to come, stubborn like animals with no understanding, teach thee in the way thou shall go, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the fountain of guidance, the Lord directs and guides us every day, thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, this is the way walk ye in it, to a glorious future with Jesus, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, truth, when the Spirit of truth is come, when ye turn to the left, when ye turn to the right hand, which have no understanding, whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, wisdom
Proverbs 20:24. Man’s goings (steps) are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
So we’ve come to the middle day of our work week Wednesday, our second-wind day, another wet and cloudy day with no sunshine. And no doubt many of us need to catch that second breath after all the celebrations of the past couple of weeks so you can finish the week strong. Now, nothing is wrong with that if you’re going on well in Jesus’ name, but if you’re not, then you definitely need to make some serious changes and look to Jesus for guidance and direction.
And there are several scriptures that speak of guidance and direction; some of which we are quite familiar, others that we are not. Today I want to look at a few of those Bible verses, both familiar and unfamiliar. And the first one comes from Psalm 32, where Bruh David declares of the Lord: ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.’ (Ps. 32:8-9)
Yes friends, if we allow the Lord, He will teach and instruct us how to live this earthly life, but we cannot be stubborn like the animals that have no understanding and have to be fit with bit and bridle to make them obedient. And this commentary offers this insight: ‘It is also comforting to know God is counseling us with His loving eye on us. This means God always has His eyes on us and is protecting us. Never will the Lord fail us. He is directing us and guiding us each day. Listen to His gentle nudge and continue to follow Him. God will keep you safe and protected as you continue to follow Him.’
And is that ever the indisputable truth! Then there’s scripture from Cousin Sol in Proverbs that’s not so well known. He writes: ‘Man’s goings (steps) are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?’ (Prov. 20:24) And that’s totally logical. For if God guides man’s every step, then how can he know his way eh? He cannot. And this commentary elaborates on that verse thus: ‘Each and every step is directed by the Lord. As the writer of Proverbs says, “How then can anyone understand their own way?”
While this can be a confusing statement, we can interpret it to mean that God will direct our steps even if we are not aware at the time. This is because God will fulfill His purposes in our lives—even if we mess up, even if we don’t know what’s next. Whether we fail or not, God will still work through us and ensure we are going in the right direction. If you are unsure of where God is leading you today, go to Him in prayer. Use Proverbs 20:24 as a passage to direct your prayer. The Lord will give you clarity and guidance. While we will not know all parts of God’s will on this side of heaven, we can trust Him with our steps. His directions will guide us and make our paths level.’
And talking about making our paths level, brings us to these oh so familiar verses of scripture. Again they are from Cousin Sol in Proverbs where he exhorts us to: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make level or straight) thy paths.’ (Prov. 3:5-6) Oh my fellow believers, if you had to choose two Bible verses that would set you on the right path with God, then I believe those are the best two.
Then we have this verse from Jeremiah where the Lord directs him and other believers to: ‘Call on me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty (inaccessible) things, which thou knowest not.’ (Jer. 33:3) Now nothing can be better than going to the fountain of guidance to find it! That’s why when we’re confused and perplexed, the best way to handle it is by going to God with our problems and asking Him to provide answers.
It’s like Jesus says in the gospel of John. ‘Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself (on his own authority); but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you in things to come.’ (John 16:13) There again we have another guiding light; the Holy Spirit that will show us the truth and lead and guide us if we are obedient to His leading and guiding. The fact of the matter though is that there’s no point in asking for direction if we don’t intend to use it, to put it into action.
And what about this well-known verse from Isaiah: ‘And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.’ (Is. 30:21) But again, it all depends on our listening and then putting the advice into action. And we’ll close with this scripture from Psalm 119, where the psalmist desires the Lord to: ‘Order (direct) my steps in thy word: and let not iniquity have dominion over me.’ (Ps. 119:133) So there we have some very useful scriptures on leading and guidance, but please remember we cannot ask for it, then not use it.
Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 if we endure to the end with Jesus, then we’re promised to have an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine! So let’s be wise and endure to the very end with Him nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!…there’s no better counsel to lead and direct us…than Jehovah God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a land with no hungry children, a time of joy peace and love, a world where men are free, all our dreams will come to be, be careful for nothing, catch our second wind, celebrating Christ's birth, christmas eve, don't get anxious and irritable, don't sweat it, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, fellowship, found what life's really worth, friendship, Glorious Light, halfway home, hands on the plough, hate will be gone, holy spirit, in a world where men are free, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, Jesus Christ, joy, learned what Christmas is for, let not your heart be troubled, let your request be made known unto God, like kids play with toys, LOVE, love will prevail, loving-kindness, Magnificent Redeemer, man will not fail, mar it with evil influences, men won't be boys, mercy, my peace I give unto you, neither let it be afraid, no empty hand, no man has fears, no more wars, no tears, not as the world giveth give I unto you, not in time for you and me, not looking back, one happy morning, one prayer away from our world today, one shining moment, one warm Doecember, our hearts will see, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our motto for Christmas, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, Peace and Love, Peace i leave with you, peace on earth, playing with bombs, salvation, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, share a world where people really care, so glad to be alive, someday a new world, Someday at christmas, someday at christmas time, start with hope in every heart, strife-filled earth, thank God, the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the glorious promise, the joy of the season, the peace of God which passeth all understading, the rush is on, the undeserving children of men, the unsurpassable peace of Jesus, to a glorious future with Jesus, to fellowship and give thanks God's greatest gift to mankind, truth, visit the Lord's sanctuary, when all men are equal, wisdom
John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
And then it was Wednesday… a bright and sunshiny Christmas Eve my fellow believers! And it’s also a good day to catch our second wind, because the rush is on to get everything ready. But even if everything is not ready, please don’t sweat it and get anxious and irritable. Remember Bruh Paul’s wise words to the Philippians: ‘Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:6-7)
Yes friends, the one thing we definitely need this Christmas season is PEACE, with a li’l LOVE thrown in for good measure, for that’s what Christ came to bring to our strife-filled earth. So don’t lose the joy of the season because everything’s not as you’d like it to be, just make sure to appreciate the time of Christ’s birth in the next twenty four hours, and both Christ and your family and friends will understand that you tried your best but you simply could not get everything you wanted done in time.
Remember, it’s the occasion of Christ’s birth we’re celebrating, and that doesn’t necessarily mean food or gifts; but simply joy and friendship, peace and LOVE on this marvellous occasion. And don’t forget to MAKE TIME to visit the Lord’s sanctuary at some stage in the next couple of days, to fellowship and give thanks for God’s greatest gift to mankind; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
And all of God’s people said a loud, joyful and grateful: ‘Thank You Lord for giving us Your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Glorious Light and Magnificent Redeemer! We LOVE You and praise Your Holy Name for Your wonderful LOVING-KINDNESS to the undeserving children of men!’
And that reminds us of this marvellous and ever so appropriate song written many years ago by Bryan Wells and Ronald Miller, then made popular by Stevie Wonder in 1967. It’s aptly titled, ‘Someday at Christmas.’ So please sing with me: ‘Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys Playing with bombs like kids play with toys One warm December our hearts will see A world where men are free Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars When we have learned what Christmas is for When we have found what life’s really worth There’ll be peace on earth
Someday at Christmas we’ll see a land With no hungry children, no empty hand One happy morning people will share A world where people care Someday at Christmas there’ll be no tears When all men are equal and no man has fears One shining moment one prayer away From our world today Someday at Christmas man will not fail Hate will be gone and LOVE will prevail Someday a new world that we can start With hope in every heart, yeah Someday all our dreams will come to be Someday in a world where men are free Maybe not in time for you and me But someday at Christmastime…Maybe not in time for you and me, But someday at Christmastime…’
Yes friends that ought to be our fervent hope, prayer, wish, supplication, whatever; that at some Christmastime there’d be true peace and LOVE in our world, with all the hate and anger, and the many other numerous evil influences no longer supreme, or better yet existing, just like our Saviour meant it to be when He came to earth on Christmas Day. And though life seems to be getting rougher and more uncertain with each passing day, we must never forget these wonderful and most encouraging words of Jesus: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27)
And my fellow believers, that ought to be our motto for this Christmas season; not being troubled or afraid, because we have the unsurpassable peace of Jesus and the joy which comes with it, steadfast and strong within our hearts, souls, bodies and minds! Now, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 please don’t forget the promise that those who endure with Jesus right down to the very end will enjoy a future even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. That therefore means we must be wise and strong in faith to endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the birth of Christ is a time of joy, peace and LOVE…so let’s not mar it this year with evil influences and behaviour…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
17 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all the hil country of Judea, among a people, barren women face shame and scorn, called him Zacharias after his father, came to circumcise the child, chastened for his apparent skepticism, eight days to christmas, Elisabeth's full time came, endure to the very end with Christ, eyes fixed straight ahead, fear came on all that dwelt round about them, fulfilled in their own time, God knew his heart, God spared our lives, halfway home, hands on the plough, he beckoned unto them, he shall be called John, he spake and praised God, her neighbours and relatives heard, his mouth was opened immediately, his tongue loosed, holy spirit, I am an old man, I am Gabriel, in the days wherein he looked on me, Jesus Christ, John's birth caused consternation in the camp, keeping christ first place, kept them in their hearts, LOVE, marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple, mercy, my wife well advanced in age, not able to speak, not looking back, on the eight day, remained speechless, salvation, shall be fulfilled in their season, she brought forth a son, shew thee these glad tidings, sincere belieivng, so glad to be alive, stand in the presence of God, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord had showed great mercy on her, the nature of the human animal, the ole hypocrites, the people waited for Zacharias, the working of God produced a unique sensation, these sayings were noised abroad, they marvelled all, they perceived that he had a vision in the temple, they rejoiced with her, this good news, thou believest not my words, thou shalt be dumb, thus has the Lord dealt with me, to a glorious future with Jesus, to take away my reproach among men, truth, until the day these things shall be performed, Wednesday Wail, what manner of child shall this be, when he came out he could not speak to them, where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries, whereby shall I know this, wisdom, Zacahrias wrote His name is John
Luke 1:64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.
It’s down to eight now my people….only eight days to Christmas! Hope the preparations and celebrations are coming along well, but we’re keeping Christ first place, remembering that His birth is the ONLY reason for this Christmas celebration, and paying the respect and admiration that He’s due. And since it seems that God has spared our lives so we can see another day on His glorious Planet Earth, (smile) then we should continue with the story of Zacharias as promised.
Now, yesterday we stopped where the angel told Zacharias about all the joy and gladness that John would bring and like Elijah, turn the people of Israel back to God. (Luke 1:14-17) And having heard all of that wonderful news, ‘Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken (advanced) in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings (this good news). And, behold, thou shalt be dumb (mute), and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season (in their own time).’ (Luke 1:18-20)
Oh my people, you see what little or low faith can bring. If anyone was expected to believe Gabriel’s words, it would be the priest who was constantly dealing with faith and godly situations, not a young unmarried girl. But that’s how it happened, and thus Zacharias became dumb until his son, John the Baptist was born. Meanwhile the Bible tells us that as Zacharias was being made dumb in the temple… ‘And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried (delayed) so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had had a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.’ (Luke 1:21-22)
And I like how the scholars explain the situation. They say ‘Zacharias speechlessness serves to chasten him for his apparent skepticism. One may think it a harsh measure, but God who dispensed this judgement knew his heart. And the promise remained secure. Zacharias was merely prevented from easily spreading the news around.’ That shows us the contradiction with Mary’s situation. She believed, and was able to spread her news around, although her news was not something she desired many people to know about, since it would cause her great heartache and scandal.
The Bible continues: ‘And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration (service) were accomplished (completed), he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.’ (Luke 1:23-25) In other words, when Zacharias finished his time of service, he went back home and impregnated Elisabeth, (smile) much like the story of Abraham and Sarah, a hundred and ninety years old respectively when they conceived Isaac.
Now that last verse from Elisabeth is quite important for in Jewish culture a woman who could not bear children, like Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s mother, were looked upon with much scorn and disgrace. Thus Elisabeth was thanking the Lord for at last giving her freedom from the shame and scorn she had suffered in her earlier barren years. Sadly though, up to this day, some societies still look at barren women with scorn and disgrace. And for some reason, it’s always the fault of the woman, very seldom, if ever, of the man. But unfortunately that’s the way this male centred world goes.
However, moving on with our story, we finally come to John the Baptist’s birth. The Bible tells us: ‘Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins (relatives) heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.’ (Luke 1:57-58) As the old people would say; the ole hypocrites and them. They heaped so much scorn on her before when she was considered barren, but now that she has a child, they want to rejoice and celebrate with her. But I guess that’s the nature of the human animal.
Anyway, the story continues: ‘And it came to pass, that on the eight day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by that name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.’ (Luke 1:59-64)
Ah friends, the Lord surely knows how to dramatize a scene to be the most effective. For after that, the Bible relates it thus: ‘And fear came on all that dwelt around about them: and all these sayings (things) were noised abroad (discussed) throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid them up (kept them) in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.’ (Luke 1:65-66) Yes mih bredrin, the Lord does move in mysterious but very powerful and successful ways His purpose to accomplish.
Today we concentrate mostly on Jesus’ birth, but the birth of John the Baptist, His forerunner, also caused consternation in the camp. And the scholars explain the words ‘Fear came,’ by saying: ‘The working of God produced a unique sensation among a people where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries.’ But the Lord was able to wake them up though with birth of John the Baptist! (smile)
Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 yes, it will be an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine, for those who endure to the end with Christ. It therefore behooves us to endure to the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…with Jesus…it’s all about faith…about sincerely believing…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a faithful man shall abound with blessings, a lack of trust in god's timing, Abraham and Sarah's impatience to have a child, Abraham's Son with Hagar, according to his glorious power, anger rests in the bosom of fools, avaricious society, be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, be of good courage, be slow to wrath, better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, careful planning, continuing instant in prayer, desire without knowledge, diligence, endure to the end with Jesus, faith, family conflict, halfway home, hands on the plough, haste, hasty actions, he shall strengthen thine heart, he that hasteth with his feet sinneth, he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly, he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool, he that is slow to wrath is of great understanding, he that maketh haste to be rich, holy spirit, impatience, inappropriate driving, Isaac, Ishmael, Jesus Christ, let every man be swift to hear, mercy, more haste less speed, mount up with wings as eagles, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, nor go by flight, not turning back, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, patience, patience is a fruit of the Spirit, patience is the bedrock of the Christian life, patient in tribulation, rejoicing in hope, salvation, seeking wisdom before acting, serious consequences, serious mistakes, shall not go unpunished, slow to speak, slow to wrath, steadfast in prayer, strengthened with all might, suffer disappointment, thank God, that the soul be without knowledge, that the soul be without knowledge it is not good, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the God of Israel will be your rear guard, the Lord will go before you, the plans of the hasty lead to poverty, the thoughts of the diligent, the thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, they shall run and not be weary, they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, wait in faith I say on the Lord, wait in faith on the Lord, walk and not faint, Wednesday morning snow, Wednesday Wail, winter is in the air, wisdom, ye shall not go out with haste
Isaiah 52:12. ‘For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward (rear guard).’
Well friends, it’s one of those days, when we are reminded that winter is in the air! (smile) And the snow began falling early this Wednesday morning, and in some places, like my area, it’s still falling. Therefore you can imagine what the morning commute was like, or rather is like. I’ve seen several pictures of accidents and road blocks caused by the snow and inappropriate driving. But it looks like the snow plows and sanders are our in full force and are doing their best to keep up with the falling snow.
Let’s hope and pray that by the time evening commute rolls around that things would have settled down and the roads will not be as dangerous, although there are always impatient and ignorant folks who try to go too fast and cause accidents. And I guess that’s a good enough reason for us to check out some scriptures on haste and impatience today. And I like the overview on the subject from this commentary. ‘Scriptures often caution against haste and impatience, linking them to foolishness, mistakes, and a lack of trust in God’s timing. Instead, the Bible encourages diligence, patience, and seeking wisdom before acting.’
And that’s the living truth. We see much loss in scripture by haste and not waiting on God’s timing, like how King Saul, the first king of Israel lost his kingship due to his impatience in offering a sacrifice. And Abraham and Sarah’s impatience to have a child of their own, led them to father one with their Egyptian maid Hagar, Ishmael, which only caused family conflict back then, with Isaac their natural son, and is till causing it today, between the Jews and the Muslims.
And Cousin Sol, the wisest man, had a lot to tell us about haste. Proverbs 19 opens with two dillies. ‘Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good: and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.’ (Prov. 19:1-2) Yes friends, desire without knowledge and hasty actions can certainly lead to serious mistakes and even more serious consequences.
Then in Proverbs 21, Cousin Sol offers this bit of awesome wisdom. ‘The thoughts (plans) of the diligent tend only (lead surely) to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty only to want (surely to poverty). (Prov. 21:19) And we all know there’s much truth in those words, as many of us have experienced them in our own lives, where instead of careful planning, we hastened to get plenty, but instead suffered disappointment. As the old people would say, more haste, less speed. And again, the Proverbs of Cousin Sol offers up this gem re hastiness. ‘He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit (impulsive) exalteth folly.’ (Prov. 14:29)
Meanwhile in Ecclesiastes, writing as the Preacher, Cousin Sol offers up this other tidbit on haste. ‘Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.’ (Eccl. 7:9) More unadulterated truth! And the last piece of wisdom from Cousin Sol is this: ‘A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent (go unpunished).’ (Prov. 28:20) And we see that happening every day, especially in this current greedy and avaricious society, people rushing to get rich and falling flat on their faces.
But Isaiah however tells us about waiting on God’s timing. ‘For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward (rear guard).’ (Is. 52:12) And we also get the same wise advice from Isaiah. 40. ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run , and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is. 40:31) Yes my faithful brethren, God’s protection is always present when we wait on him, and don’t rush out in haste or fear. Furthermore, in Galatians, Bruh Paul lists patience (longsuffering) as a fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)
Then in the epistle of James, he cautions us re patience and anger, when he writes: ‘Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not (does not produce) the righteousness of God.’ (James 1:19-20) Then Romans 12:12, tells us about patience in affliction as an aspect of faith ‘Rejoicing in hope; patient (persevering) in tribulation; continuing instant (steadfastly) in prayer.’ And in Bruh Paul’s letter to the Colossians, when talking about walking worthy of the Lord, he exhorts: ‘Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.’ (Col. 1:12)
There we have it friends, walking with God in patience and joyfulness despite what might happen to us. And we’ll close with this gem from the pen of Bruh David in Psalm 27 that we all know. ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith) I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps. 27:14)
Now, with all those wise and wonderful words of scripture on haste and patience under our belts, lets’ go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 the long and short of the story is that if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then we will enjoy a future even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So, wisdom dictates that we endure to the very end, so we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…patience is the bedrock of the Christian life…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
20 Nov 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a dip in the salt, a glorious future with Jesus, a horse of an entirely different colour, a landslide, accept good, at the hand of God, be the children of your Father in heaven, bite our tongues, blame others for our misfortune, Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed with rain, bread and shark, busy with traffic, charged God foolishly, deposits us on the carpet, did not Job sin with his lips, endures to the end, faith, flowing through me, God knows what's happening with us, halfway home, hands on the plough, hasty decisions, he makes his sun to rise, holy spirit, icing on the cake, immerse in salt water, in all this, Jesus Christ, Job sinned not, Las Cuevas, LOVE, Maracas, mercy, mountains clothed in fog, naked came I out of my mother's womg, naked shall I return thither, natural hardships affect everyone, not accept evil, not easy to undergo trials, not looking back, on the evil and the good, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, perseverance, Port of Spain, practice what I preach, praise be to the Lord, salvation, sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, sincerity in worship, so glad to be alive, steadfast faith, talking tough is easy, thank god for each blessing, the bad news, the best therapeutic remedy, the breath of life, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the good news, The Lord gave and He hath taken away, the winding road, time of tribulation, tired like a dog, tough times, traffic jams, truth, unbecoming language, universal benevolence, visiting family, wisdom
Job 2:10b). ‘What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive (accept) evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.’
Well friends, let’s give you the bad news first; (smile) it’s obvious we’re on a late late bus, and we might doing so for the next few days. And the reason for that bad news is this good news; the ole fella is in T&T!
Yes mih bredrin, the ole fella and his family journeyed through the night, with no sleep, to come to the land of mas and kaiso! And then on landing, instead of going to our hotel, we began visiting family for breakfast, which took some time as we had not seen each other for a number of years.
And since their time is an hour ahead of Canada’s, it means that we are operating on a shorter time period than normal. But that didn’t matter for we got to hotel in Port of Spain, booked in, had a short nap, then we were off again to check out the north coast of Trinidad, heading up to Maracas and Las Cuevas beaches, through the hilly and winding road, busy with traffic going in both directions.
At one point because of the rain, we encountered a small landslide which knocked a big tree over the road, but we were able to pass under it, however a bus had to stop and park until the tree could be removed, and by the time we were returning the bus passed us, going its merry way rejoicing, meaning that the fallen tree had been removed.
I had a brief dip in the salt at Las Cuevas…imagine that nuh, it’s been at least some four or five years since I’ve had the heavenly blessing of immersing my aching body in salt water, the best therapeutic remedy for aches and pains and what ever else may ail you. (smile) And that’s no lie!
After Las Cuevas, we went back to Maracas to have some of their famous bread and shark with all different kinds of trimmings. The rest of the family had it, but I didn’t, since I’m not a fish lover, and that delicacy was never one of my favourites.
And were we ever blessed with rain going and coming…not the heavy stuff, but enough drizzle to keep some of the many beautiful mountains clothed in fog. At one time I even thought I was back in good ole Canada by the amount of fog I was seeing. (smile)
And coming back was just like going home after work in the big city…traffic jams. What else is new eh! The roads have been the same size for donkey’s years but the traffic has increased very significantly.
We finally got back to the hotel around four thirty, then I had to begin sorting out my stuff, because we had no chance to do it earlier in the day. So, it’s obvious that the ole fella is tired like a dog, but I’m trying to practice what I preach; perseverance in tough times. I just could not let the day go by without some sort of information to my favourite Script-Bits Family.
So there you have it, the good and bad news, for as Job so rightly said to his frustrated wife in his time of tribulation: ‘What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive (accept) evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.’ (Job 2:10b)
And so it ought to be with us my fellow believers. When tough times tackle us, and unceremoniously deposits us on the carpet, we must not rush to make hasty decisions and use unbecoming language, for our God knows what is happening in our lives, and has promised to help us through them if we remain in good and steadfast faith.
Oh, it’s never really easy to undergo trials and not say anything untoward, especially about God, but if we truly believe, we have to bite our tongues and say in all sincerity in worship, like Job did after hearing the awful news about his family and his livelihood.
The Good Book tells us: ‘Then Job arose, and rent (tore) his mantle (robe), and shaved his head, and fell on the ground, and worshipped. And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.’ (Job 1:20-22)
The sad part is that when many of us encounter trials and tribulation we’re quick to blame others for our misfortune, including the Lord. But that’s never the right approach, as Job so wisely and righteously shows.
And Jesus put some icing on the cake on that in His Sermon on the Mount, when teaching about LOVING one’s enemies: ‘That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.’ (Matt. 5:45)
In other words, as this commentary explains: ‘ The phrase “the rain falls on the just and the unjust” means that natural events and hardships are not selective and affect everyone, regardless of their moral character.
Jesus states that God causes the sun to rise and rain to fall on both the good and the bad to show His universal benevolence. The saying highlights that both “good” and “bad” people will face similar trials and blessings in life.’
And we all know that, so please, let’s try to live our faith as best we can, and admit that the Lord knows what He is doing. ‘Praise be to the Lord God Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Now, let’s go home declaring (chuhhh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole 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 the important thing about that last statement is that whoever endures to the end with Christ, will enjoy a future so glorious that they can never understand or imagine it. So, let’s keep that in mind and endure to the end nuh, so we can enjoy that more than glorious together! Much LOVE!
…talking tough is easy…but being tough when tough times come a calling…is a horse of an entirely different colour.
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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