28 Dec 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, anger, as unto the Lord and not unto men, blasphemy, by this shall all men know that ye are my disiciples, Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, covetousness, endure to the end, filthy communication, hands on the plough, idolatry, LOVE, love covers a multitude of sins, malice, mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, New Year's Eve, not looking back, not on things on the earth, put off the old man with his deeds, salvation, seek those things which are above, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, set your affection on things above, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the nature of the human animal, the reward of inheritance, Wednesday Wail, whatsoever ye do do it heartily, wrath, ye are dead, ye love one another as I have loved you, ye serve the Lord Christ, your life is hid in Christ
Colossians 3:2. Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.
Can you believe it’s already Wednesday, the middle of the work week! And today is the first day some people are going out to work! It’s sure good to have Christmas fall on the weekend. But I wonder how much work is going to get done this week, with the Christmas celebrations still holding us in grip, and all the exciting and wonderful memories we have to share. Then, adding the upcoming New Year’s Eve excitement, with all the amazing plans in store, I’m sure not much work will be done in next the few days. (smile)
You can’t do much about it, because that’s just the nature of the human animal. But as followers of Christ Jesus, we are expected to always put our best foot forward and do what we’re getting paid to do, for though our employer might not be watching us, the Lord is certainly watching and evaluating us. Remember the words of Bruh Paul to the church at Colossae. ‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance (salvation): for ye serve the Lord Christ.’ (Col. 3:23-24)
And though Bruh Paul was referring there particularly to the slaves of men, it also applies to us, possibly even more, because we are servants of the Living God. So, generally speaking we should not abuse our privileges at work, but do our best all the time, not only when our employer is watching. And since the year is coming to an end, and we’re talking about always doing our best for Christ’s sake, I guess it’s apropos for us to consider a couple of things that we should endeavour to accomplish in 2023.
Like seeking the things that are above, as Bruh Paul explains to the Colossians. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.’ (Col. 3:1-3)
And the scholars explain that situation thus. ‘As all wisdom and knowledge reside in Christ (2:3) (In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.) So, the believer’s new life is stored up in Him. This means that the Christian life belongs to the spiritual or heavenly realm. Jesus is in intimate relation with God; so are his followers. And since the Colossians (and us) now belong to the heavenly realm and are intimate with God, they (we) should seek those matters and interests pertaining to heaven and not to earth.’
Yes my fellow believers, as followers of Christ, it’s essential that we concentrate on heavenly things and not all the ungodly things of the earth. Stuff like ‘current heretical philosophies, legalistic practices, and vices, nor should we dwell on things that are not wrong in themselves, (houses, jobs, careers, ambitions etc.) but can be wrong should they become priorities over Christ.’ And it’s ever so easy for us to make things of this world take priority over Christ, which makes whatever it is an idol!
It’s therefore important in this coming year to have our priorities in proper order. Which, as Christ so plainly declared: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) Now that’s been our proverbial problem. We say we believe it, but we don’t act like we do. We still go out and try to make all the things we want happen in our own way and time, and only when we are unsuccessful, do we remember to turn to God.
That brings us back to Bruh Paul’s advice to the Colossians, where he says: ‘When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore (put to death) your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection (passion), evil concupiscence (desire), and covetousness, which is idolatry.’ (Col. 2:5) That means ‘put to death all the various sins that exist, and seek to express themselves through different “members” of the human body. Inasmuch as they “are dead” to sin (vs. 3), they are to make this death to the old life a reality in daily living.’ Now that should be one of our major goals for this new year; being truly dead to sin in our daily lives.
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.’ (Col. 3:6-9)
And what a wonderful world we would have if just we believers would do as directed and give up the things of our old lives, before salvation, before receiving Christ as Saviour! That’s because we still do too much of that stuff; too much worldly thinking and sinful acts. We still engage in too much anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and evil communication. If we just stopped or even lessened those five things, there would be such a great improvement in our individual lives, the church and the world at large.
Now it’s not that difficult to do, if we concentrate on Christ’s direction: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye have LOVE one to another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:34-35) And why can’t we have LOVE to each other eh my fellow saints? If we would just do what we are supposed to, then there’d be no cause for all the negative stuff that’s currently taking place among believers.
And Peter puts it this way: ‘And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.’ (1 Pet. 4:8) Oh my people, LOVING each other is not always easy, but with God’s help we can certainly do much better than we’re now doing. And that’s what is expected of us in this new year of 2023. Now, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ.
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 we like to add this l’il bit of encouragement. If we endure right down to the end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, let’s hang in there right to the very end nuh! Much LOVE!
…our world can be made better…if we believers make ourselves better…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
21 Dec 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: at the name of Jesus, be ye also ready, became obedient unto death, being in the form of God, compassion, empathy, endure to the end, eternity in hell with Satan, even the death of the cross, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, for in such an hour as ye think not, found in fashion as a man, given him a name above every other name, glad to be alive, God hath highly exalted him, God sent not His Son to condemn the world, halfway home, hands on the plough, humbled himself, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, Jesus is the answer, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, LOVE, made himself of no reputation, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, our eternal benefit, pay a hefty price, suffer in hellfire for all eternity, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the incarnate birth of Christ, the Son of man cometh, the world through him might be saved, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, ye know not what hour your Lord doth come
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Three down, three to go, then the Big Day friends; a celebration of the incarnate birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Wow! The only thing to compare to it is His resurrection! So how can we not LOVE and worship Christ eh? He was born, died and rose again ALL for us, for our eternal benefit! If it wasn’t for out abominable sins and disobedience, there would have been no need for Him to be born, much less to die!
But then again, the Father’s LOVE for us was so great that He could not see His greatest creation suffer in hellfire for all eternity with the ole foolish crook Satan and not do something to help us. And since the Father is righteous and just, He couldn’t just wave away our sins, it needed a sinless soul to redeem us. And since Jesus was the only sinless soul besides Him, the burden of our redemption fell on Jesus. And since Jesus was also the obedient Son that none of us could, or would ever be, He did what the Father asked, despite the great ‘sufferation’ that it held in store for Him.
And this scripture from Bruh Paul’s writing to the church at Philippi, should resonate ever so loudly in our ears this Christmas season. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made (came) in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil. 2:5-8)
Oh my supposed fellow believers, where is our gratitude, our compassion, our empathy, our supposed LOVE of God eh? Doesn’t it seem shameful and disgraceful to you that Christ did so much for us and we can’t even remember that He’s the reason for this Christmas season. We concentrate on giving and receiving presents, on eating and drinking, and we talk a lot of foolishness about ‘Happy holidays!’ But where did the happiness and the holidays come from eh? From the birth of Christ!
So please, let’s not forget the word Christmas and the reason for this worldwide celebration; the li’l baby boy that was born in the manger on that cold winter’s night that was oh so deep. The same li’l boy that grew up to become the Saviour of the world. As He took such great pains to tell us: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:17)
Yes friends, that was Jesus’ sole purpose for coming to earth; to save our sinful souls. And He deserves much more thanks, gratitude and praise from the very ones that He came to save than he’s currently getting! It’s a crying shame my brethren, that we don’t appreciate Jesus more than we do! For all He‘s done, we should be constantly bowing down to Him and offering our grateful thanks and praise.
But yuh know what? That will eventually happen, because the Father is not ungrateful like us, and consequently gave Jesus the highest honour possible. Listen as Bruh Paul explains it to the Philippians: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the things in heaven, and the things in earth, and the things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:9-11)
Yuh see the great difference between the Father and us? He exalted Christ for His obedience, made His name revered for the most excellent work He had done. But no, we the frail, feeble, foolish, created minions, think it too much to glorify His name, although it was all for our benefit. And for that rejection of Christ Jesus, we will pay a most hefty price; eternity in hell, with that other foolish creation, Satan.
But thankfully, it’s not too late my people. Once we are alive, are still drawing the breath that Almighty God breathed into us, we still have a chance to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and thus forego the eternal date with Beelzebub in the hot and humid chambers of Hades. But let’s put it all in proper context: If you die without receiving Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, or He returns to earth as He faithfully promised before you receive Him, then all bets are off.
That’s why the wise and sensible thing to do is not wait, but receive Him, as your most worthwhile benefactor RIGHT NOW! For no one knows when the Grim Reaper is going to come a calling, or when Jesus is going to show up. Jesus even warned us that He might come like a thief in the night, so we must always be prepared and ready. ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24: 42, 44)
Yes friends, we cannot say that we have not been warned. Now, for those of us who have received Christ as Lord and Saviour, and are doing our best to live for Him, let’s go home declaring (yayyy!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful and most enviable 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 a li’l encouragement, let’s remember that if endure to the end with Christ, that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Wow! Won’t that be a great time! Yes! The greatest time ever! Much LOVE!
…Jesus is the answer…the answer to every doubt and question…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
07 Dec 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new commandment I give unto you, a warm-blooded animal, bright lights, by this shall all men know that ye are my disiciples, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, fiftieth anniversary in Canada, glad to be alive, halfway home, hands on the plough, if ye love me keep my commandments, impatience, in all these things we are more than conquerors, iniquity workers, lack of love, love one another as I have loved you, not looking back, plenty love, plenty saltiness, resntment, roll over and play dead, the best big country in the wrld, the breath of life, the new norm, to a glorious future with Jesus, ungodly quagmire, Wednesday Wail
John 13:34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another.
So, Wednesday has turned out to be damp and cloudy, but I’ll take that any time over the cold and snow. And today marks my fiftieth anniversary of being in this blessed country called Canada. Yes, it’s been fifty long years of snow and cold, but by nature I’m still a warm-blooded animal! (smile) Can’t get the tropics out of me, because I was born and bred there. But that doesn’t mean we can’t handle the icy climate, just that we don’t like it. For remember we can handle anything at all with the help of Jesus who strengthens us.
And who do you think enabled me to handle the last fifty winters eh? Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! And I can’t believe how quickly those fifty years have gone by. It seems like it was just yesterday I landed at Toronto airport, not yet renamed Pearson, on a cold, dark evening, coming directly from hot, tropical sunshine, with very little money in my pockets…and I still have very little. (smile)
I remember the next day, getting up around eight a.m. and still seeing it dark outside, then walking to the subway in freezing rain in a thin, borrowed spring coat and dry-weather shoes, going downtown to Simpson Sears, the big, cheap store at the time, to buy winter clothing. And my first memory on entering the subway was wondering how all the white people in the cars looked so frigid and cold and wrinkled. I definitely wasn’t accustomed to seeing so many supposedly normal people looking unhappy and prune-like.
I believe I asked my mother what was wrong with them, and she most likely just smiled at me in my ignorance. Then to make matters worse, my mother, bless her departed soul, made a mistake and took us off the streetcar at the wrong stop, which meant we had to walk a whole long block back to where we should have gotten off. It surely was an eventful welcome to what has become my home for the last half-century.
And there were obviously times I wanted to go back to the sunshine and saltwater, but it’s difficult to pull up stakes once one is settled with family and other responsibilities. I must admit too, that though it wasn’t easy, it surely was interesting and adventurous, and I learned to do a lot of stuff for myself, that might not have been the case if I had remained in T&T.
Now, I believe without a doubt, that Canada is the best big country in the world! Oh, like everybody else, we do have our problems, but we tend to be a li’l more understanding than most. Although that seems to be changing with the new generation, as all over the world impatience, resentment and lack of LOVE is becoming the norm. But that’s why we of the old generation ought to be ramping up our efforts in Jesus’ name to stop that negative turn from becoming more prevalent than it already is.
Remember what Jesus said: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15) And what’s His commandment? He said it loud and clear: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another.’ (John 13:34) How could it get any clearer than that eh my people? No way! But knowing how fickle and faithless we could be Jesus repeated the commandment later on. ‘This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you.’ (John 15:12) And why did He harp on us LOVING each other? As He says: ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:35)
Yes my friends, the world will only recognize us as followers of Jesus if we not only have, but more importantly, show LOVE to each other! It’s the litmus test for Christians! But unfortunately, for whatever reason(s), many of us are failing it every day, and that’s why our world is in such an ungodly uproar. There isn’t enough LOVE in our world to quiet the raving hearts of men. And ONLY LOVE will ever conquer hate. So, if we want to get rid of the hate that’s sadly consuming us, we need to replace it with the LOVE of Jesus as quickly as possible, otherwise our world will just continue sinking into the evil and ungodly quagmire that’s the devil’s greatest desire.
And we simply cannot allow that to happen my faithful brethren. It would be a huge injustice to Christ after He’s given His all, sacrificed His very life for us to be set free from the chains of sin and ungodliness. That means we, the faithful believers, have to make a big, bold move in Jesus’ name, if we want to right the wrongs that are being currently done in our world. And it won’t be easy, but if we are sincere and true disciples of Christ, with His help, we can certainly turn things around.
But it’s going to take a great effort from all of us believers, for the devil is not going to roll over and play dead when we attack his strongholds. No! He’s going to have his iniquity workers ramp up their evil and ungodly efforts and try to keep us at bay. But they won’t be successful if we are determined. Remember what Bruh Paul said to the church at Rome. ‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that LOVED us.’ (Rom. 8:37)
Oh my fellow saints, anytime we step out to do Christ’s bidding with a true and sincere heart, nothing or no one can stop us from achieving victory! But the problem is we need to develop the hope and faith to do it! And for those of us who are sincerely working towards that goal, let’s go home now declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong 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 my fellow believers, if we endure to the end with Jesus, then I can guarantee that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! So please, let’s use that as an incentive to keep working for Jesus nuh, shining like bright lights, and being as salty as ever, showing the world our LOVE for each other, like He desires of us! Much LOVE!
…living for Jesus…means bright lights…plenty saltiness…and plenty, plenty LOVE…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
30 Nov 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, a man after His own heart, bet your life on it, discover our motives, Dr. Robert H. Schuller, dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, endure to the end, even the night shall be light about me, even there shall thy had lead me, evidence of righteousness, eyes fixed straight ahead, God judges the intents of the heart, halfway home, hands on the plough, I the Lord search the heart, if I take the wings of the morning, LOVE, not looking back, O Lord thou hast searched me and known me, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, sharper than any twoedged sword, the heart is deceitful above all things, the motives of the heart., the state of our hearts, the Word of God is quick and powerful, thou art acquainted with all my ways, to a glorious future with Jesus, try the reins, Wednesday Wail, whither shall I go from thy spirit, who can know it
Psalm 139:1. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Well, on this last day of November 2022, it’s a rainy, overcast Wednesday morning (afternoon) in my neck of the woods. But I suppose that’s better than saying it’s a white overcast morning. (smile) Yes, we’ll always be glad to see rain rather than snow, although the white stuff will come in due course of time, you can bet your life on that. And let’s hope when it comes, it’s not a terrible downfall which causes more damage and confusion than we already have.
Now that’s why we have hope, faith and prayer. (smile) And although our prayers are not always answered the way we desire, we know for sure that they are heard by our heavenly Father and after considering the state of our hearts He answers them in His own time and way. Oh friends, it’s ever so important that we realize that God doesn’t just look at our outside appearances or what we say but He delves deep down inside of us to find out our motives before he answers our prayers.
As one commentary says: ‘God looks at the motives of the heart for evidence of righteousness in our hearts. Our motives reveal who we are living for and the things we care about. When God searches the heart, He can see the “why” behind our thoughts and choices. The Bible tells us that God judges the intents of the hearts (see Hebrews 4:14).’
That quote there is wrong though, it’s Hebrews 4:12, which gives us this magnificent scripture: ‘For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight (hidden from him): but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (give account to). (Heb. 4:12-13)
Yes my brethren, the word of God is exceedingly powerful, so powerful that it reaches right down into our thoughts and intentions and discerns them. But then our God is also omniscient, knows everything, sees everything and intently scrutinizes everything that we do, therefore we have to be always on the up and up with Him, without excuse or pretense because He sees us so deeply, like we’re naked.
And Bruh David said it so beautifully in Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God. He writes: ‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou comapassest (comprehendeth) my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.’ (Ps. 139:1-4) Oh friends, those are words of indisputable truth. The Lord knows everything about us, even before we know them ourselves, for it is He who created us, for His personal purposes, and if you create something, you usually know everything about it. (smile)
But my favourite part of the psalm comes later, when Bruh David says: ‘Whither shall I (where can I) go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I (can I) flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell (Sheol), behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover (fall on me), even the night shall be light about me. yea, the darkness hideth not from (is not dark to) thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’ (Ps. 139:8-12)
Mama oh Mama! What beautiful and ever so true scripture. The Lord sees us wherever we are, and knows everything about us, so there’s no use trying to hide from Him. And every time I read or hear those scriptures, I remember the first time I actually paid any attention to them. It was in an Hour of Power service many years ago, when the founder, Dr. Robert H. Schuller read them in his dynamic, expansive manner. I can see him now raising up his hand with that big smile on his face, asking the question: ‘Whither shall I go from thy spirit?’ NOWHERE! That’s where!
And there are several other prominent and pertinent scriptures that tell us how deeply the Lord looks into our lives. The most famous possibly being in the Book of Samuel, when the Lord sends him to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be the next king. And when Samuel saw the first one, Eliab, he figured that was surely the one. ‘But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused (rejected) him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ (1 Sam. 16:7)
That’s saying it loud and clear my people! We aren’t really able to judge a man’s heart, because his outward actions can belie those of his heart, but we can’t fool the Lord God our Creator. Thus, seven of Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel, with only Bruh David out in the fields looking after the sheep. Jesse had figured it wrong, for none of the big boys were accepted. However, when they sent for Bruh David and he came in, the Lord immediately said to Samuel: ‘Arise, anoint him: for this is he.’ (1 Sam. 16:13)
There was no hesitation friends, because the Lord had looked at Bruh David’s heart and knew that although he would make several serious mistakes, he would be righteous, true and honest to Him all his days. That’s why he could call him a man after His own heart. (1 Sam 13:14) And if you want more fodder before you believe the Lord searches the hearts of all men, then let’s look at these seminal verses from Jeremiah. (smile) ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try (test) the reins (mind), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (deeds).’ (Jer. 17:9-10)
That tells us exactly why the Lord searches our hearts before He responds to our requests. So we can stop, right now, with all the tomfoolery that some of us carry on with regarding the Lord, because we’re not hiding anything from Him. And for those of us who have recognized and acknowledge that fact, let’s go home declaring (oh yeah!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry 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 if we endure to the end, then that future will indeed be even more glorious than we ask or imagine. Please, let’s use that rewarding promise to endure to the very end nuh. Much LOVE!
…you might run…but you can NEVER hide…from Almighty God…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
16 Nov 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a pristine white blanket, came out of the great tribulation, endure to the end, feed them upon the mountains of Israel, God shall wipe away all tears, halfway home, hands on the plough, he leadeth me beside still waters, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, hunger no more, I am the good shepherd, I will both search my sheep and seek them out, LOVE, made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Mother Nature, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not looking back, over one sinner that repenteth, seek that which was lost, so glad to be alive, thank God, that which was lost, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the first snowfall of the season, the Lamb shall feed them, the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, the parables of the lost sheep coin and son, the son of man is come to seek and to save, there is joy in the presence of the angels, thirst no more, to a glorious future with Jesus, washed their robes, Wednesday Wail
Psalm 23:1-2. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Well friends, we were wondering when it would come. The suspense is over now, because it came yesterday. Yes, we were greeted with our first snowfall of the season yesterday morning, and another set during the night. But thankfully it’s not a terrible situation, the roads are fairly clear though the lawns and other open spaces are covered in white. That gives us a chance to get accustomed to, or reacquainted with the white stuff before it just comes raining down on us as the winter season progresses. (smile)
And though you might dislike snow, when you see it covering the rooftops, the leafless trees and the lawns in a pristine white blanket, unsullied by humans, you have to admit that it is an eerily beautiful sight! (smile). Oh, if you are fascinated by the beauty of Mother Nature, then you will admire God’s awesome winter workmanship, like the other seasons, for it’s all part and parcel of His brilliance! And with that nod to Mother Nature and her winter qualities, let’s move on to greener pastures. (smile)
And when we talk about green pastures, no doubt all our minds turn to the marvellous words of Bruh David in Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.’ (Ps. 23:1-2) Now that’s indeed a promise from our heavenly Father. And if you don’t believe me, then listen to the prophet Ezekiel, after he rails against the sinful shepherds (leaders) of Israel and ‘promises the care of God Himself as the true Shepherd of Israel.’
‘For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers (streams), and in all the inhabited places of the country.
I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat (rich) pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgement (justice).’ (Ezek. 34:11-16)
Oh my people, what a glorious promise from the Lord our God! And remember He never reneges on His promises. And if you think that was just for Israel in the Old Testament, then listen to Jesus in the New Testament after the tax-collector Zaccheus repents. ‘And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ (Luke 19:9-10) Yes friends, Jesus came to save those of us who were lost. Glory to God! And are we ever grateful that He did, because there was no other option but for crapaud to smoke we pipe down in the fires of hell!
And the scholars tell us: ‘The words seek, save and lost all appear elsewhere in the Scripture in a shepherd context. This verse may be taken as a kernel statement of the central theme of Luke: Jesus is the compassionate, searching Herdsman who seeks to save those who can by no means save themselves.’ And yuh better believe that includes all of mankind! And if we think that Jesus isn’t serious about searching and finding the lost, then please listen to Him here as He talks about His role in a shepherd context. ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of them.’ (John 10:11, 14)
Then please read the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost or prodigal son in Luke 15. The shepherd, the coin owner and father drop everything else and seek that which was lost. And when they found what they had lost, they celebrated it’s finding. Thus, Jesus says: ‘Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.’ (Luke 15:10) Oh my faithful brethren, doesn’t that just bring joy to your hearts, knowing that heaven celebrates when one of us comes to Christ? It ought to.
And I guess you have heard enough about the green pastures; you want to know now about the ‘still and peaceful waters.’ (smile) Then listen to John the Revelator, as he writes in the Book of Revelation, after seeing a great multitude of people of all nations and tongues that stood before the throne and the Lamb dressed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. (Rev. 7:9)
Later on, an elder explains it to John. ‘These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light (strike) on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed (shepherd) them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears (every tear) from their eyes.’ (Rev. 7:14-17)
Oh my fellow saints, that’s what we have to look forward to! Being shepherded by the Lamb in the bright and shining presence of the Lord God, the Father Himself! And I don’t see how anyone in their right mind can turn that down for being in the fiery pits of hell with Satan. But since there’s no accounting for taste buds, then we’ll just leave it alone and let each individual do their own thing, and pay whatever price becomes necessary. (smile) However, for those of us who intend to stick with Jesus, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) 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 believe me friends, if we endure with Jesus right down to the end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or even imagine! So, let’s use that as added encouragement to live for Him nuh! Much LOVE!
…when Satan wanted us to die with him…Jesus came to save us to live with Him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
02 Nov 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sure shot miracle, abundant life, all the promises of God in him are yea, be careful for nothing, but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, do a brand new thing in me, emotional fatigue, enable me to praise you, endure to the end, give me rest from my sorrow, give me water in the wilderness, glad to be alive, God will never break His promises, halfway home, hands on the plough, in him amen, in these crisis days, keep and guard your hearts and minds, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not looking back, omnipotent heavenly Father, piercing pain, rest from my fear and bondage, satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, satisfied with my goodness, shortest and best prayer -help, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, The Hardest Thing, the peace of God which passeth all understading, the virgin rejoice in the dance, to a glorious future with Jesus, turn their mourning into joy, unto the glory of God by us, Wednesday Wail, you promised to be my God
2 Corinthians 1:20. For all the promises of God in him are yea (yes), and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us.
A fine Wednesday afternoon to all you my Scrip-Bit friends and family! Yes, we’re in the afternoon because I had to go out the street earlier on, that’s why we’re a tad late. And I do hate it when other stuff interferes with my morning routine. But dem’s the breaks, and it is indeed a glorious autumn day out there. My computer tells me it’s 13 and cloudy, now it’s saying fog, but yuh better believe it’s as sunshiny as ever! I have to stop believing what it tells me. (smile) And although yesterday began somewhat wet and cloudy, it turned into another beautiful day of autumn sunshine.
So, so far, November has been a good weather month! But despite the weather being good for this time of year, I know, that for one reason or another, many of us are having a difficult time in our lives, through physical or mental illness, financial or relational mishaps, problems that we can’t quite fix on our own. However, we were never meant to fix stuff on our own. The answer to any and all of our problems should always begin with turning to our omnipotent heavenly Father for help. That’s what He’s there for, and it’s what He expects of us.
And I hope this poem titled ‘The Hardest Thing’ from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin reminds us of that, and causes us today to go to our gracious and merciful God for help in whatever area we may need it. So, please open your hearts and minds and read with me. ‘O God In these crisis days Of piercing pain And emotional fatigue Do a brand new thing in me Give me water in the wilderness And streams in my desert. You have promised to be my God Through all my lifetime Surely You will keep Your word! As you promised Give me rest from my sorrow and from my fear and from my bondage That binds me. One thing more, dear Lord. Enable me to praise You When to praise Is the hardest thing of all.’
Ah mih people, I do hope that got us back on track, reminding us that in God’s sure promises lie solutions for all of our problems. I know that plenty of us think prayer is a joke, but believe me it isn’t. And I’ll give you a li’l personal testimony here. About a week ago, I woke up after my afternoon nap with cramps in both my thighs. I could hardly move, could barely stretch out my legs, and could not stand up without the excruciating pain driving me crazy. Now, I was alone at home, so there was no one to call to for help.
But after about five or six minutes of struggling to ease the pain on my own, I suddenly cried out, ‘Help Lord, Help!’ I don’t know if it was a conscious or subconscious reaction. Possibly it was just the Holy Spirit reminding me that I had other help beside myself. But whatever caused that reaction, within about thirty seconds of my cry, I felt the pain in my legs suddenly subsiding, until I was finally able to stand up and walk around. Now, I don’t know what you call that, but I call it a sure shot MIRACLE! (smile)
And yes, when we pray, not all of our problems will suddenly lessen or go away, but there’s a better chance of obtaining help than if we don’t pray. And I have to laugh, because I’ve always heard Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) say that the shortest and possibly best prayer is a simple cry of ‘HELP!’ Now I believe it. (smile) And it’s a sad fact that if we prayer more often, and more sincerely too, our problems will not be as plentiful, and we will be able to endure or handle them much better than we currently can.
Remember Bruh Paul’s marvellous advice to the Philippians? ‘Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phi. 4:6-7) Now that’s not rocket science, but simple, straightforward wise advice. Unfortunately though, the spirit of prayer is disappearing from our society, at a time when we most need it.
And why is that eh? Because many of us no longer believe in the good Lord Jehovah, and some of us who claim to believe, sadly don’t believe His promises. However, as Bruh Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his second letter. ‘But as God is true (faithful), our word toward you was not yea and nay (yes and no). For the Son of God Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy was not yea and nay (yes and no), but in him was yea (yes). For all the promises of God in him are yea (yes), and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us.’ (2 Cor, 1:18-20)
And the scholars tell us of those scriptures: ‘It conveys that Jesus Christ is the “yes” and “amen” of all God’s promises, meaning in Jesus is the guarantee and confirmation of God’s promises. Christians respond with an amen to the assurance of God’s promises which signifies our affirmation of and trust in God’s faithfulness.’ That means if you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus, then you ought to believe and use the promises of God found in His word for they are all faithful and true and meant for OUR benefit, not His.
And the particular promise on which our poem was based is that one found in Jeremiah where the Lord promised the restoration of Israel. The prophet declared (yesss!!!) ‘Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. And I will satiate (fill) the soul of the priests with fatness (abundance), and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.’ (Jer. 31:13-14) And that promise was indeed fulfilled when Israel returned from their captivity in Babylon.
Oh friends, until we start truly believing that the promises of God were faithfully made on our behalf, we will not seek them out and use them to our benefit. Remember Jesus came to give us life, and life so abundant that it will overflow. Now do we believe that? If so, all God’s other promises are believable and ever-faithful. So please, let’s start using those marvellous promises that were made through Christ, for our benefit nuh. And for those of us who believe them and invoke them, let’s go home declaring (ah Lord eh!!!) our Wednesday wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus based on His awesome promises.
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!’
Now here’s one other promise that ought to set us glowing with joy. If we endure to the end with Jesus, then that future with Him will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Oh my fellow saints, that promise just emboldens us, fills us with the courage and perseverance to endure right down to the very end with Jesus! And so it should! Much LOVE!
… promises are made to be kept…and our ever-faithful God has never…or will He ever…break any of His promises…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
26 Oct 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a powerful presence, breaks us from the future and transforms today, depends on your perspective, endure to the end, faith is based on hope, for without me ye can do nothing, halfway home, hands on the plough, have it more abundantly, Hope is a revolution, I am come that they might have life, I am the way the truth and the life, I will come again and receive you unto myself, I will render double unto thee, if I go and prepare a place for you, in my Father's house are many mansions, Joshua Ryan Butler, let God define the way you see your circumstances, let not your heart be troubled, LOVE, Mark Batterson, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, no one cometh unto the Father but by me, not looking back, once there's life there's hope, prisoners of hope, prisoners of war, siting ducks for Satan, sowed the seeds of righteousness, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Holy Spirit, the thief cometh not but to steal, to a glorious future with Jesus, turn you to the stronghold, Wednesday Wail, where I am there ye may be also, ye believe in God believe also in me, you are not the label people place on you, you are who God says you are, you can't have faith without hope
Zechariah 9:12. Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.
So we rolling along on the hump day of Wednesday, which has opened somewhat cloudy, but my genius computer has told me that it will eventually turn out to be a sunny day. And how can I doubt such good news eh? No way! But as always, be it sunshine, snow or rain, I’m thankful for having seen another blessed morning, in my already long life. Hope you are too.
And though our problems might seem rather overwhelming and unsurmountable at times, and we feel like we don’t want to wake up another day to deal with them, that’s just the enemy playing his usual games with our feelings and emotions. But you know what Jesus said about Satan and his evil doings. ‘The thief cometh not, but for to (except to) steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10)
Yes friends, Jesus came to give us life, and so much life, that it overflows. So why then would we to listen to the enemy and not want to wake to see another day eh? The truth is, as long as there is life, there’s always hope. Hope that our problems will be solved; hope that our hurts would be comforted and our wounds healed through the great and good auspices of Jesus Christ, the Great Healer, the Great Comforter, and the giver of much Hope, as witnessed by His many other great attributes.
And you know what they say about hope. ‘Hope is a revolution, a powerful presence that breaks us from the future and transforms today. Jesus’ arrival has brought God’s destiny for humanity crashing into now, in an explosion of life. Into a world marked by death. It changes everything.’ Wow! What a powerful force hope is. And that definition of hope comes from an article by Joshua Ryan Butler, aptly titled, ‘Prisoners of hope.’
Now the Good Book also refers to us by that name in the Old Testament writings of the Zechariah. After his people were defeated by the Babylonians and taken into captivity, he comforted and reassured them by talking about the coming of Zion’s future King, Jesus Christ. He passionately declares (steups!!!) to them: ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.’ (Zech. 9:12)
Oh my people, there’s nothing better than being a prisoner of hope in Christ Jesus! For He is the Be All and End All of everything and every life that’s on planet earth. And we saw that He came once to prepare the soil of human life for planting, then sowed the seeds of righteousness and godliness through His Holy Spirit in anticipation for when He comes a second time to reap the fruit of His Spirit that’s grown up beautifully and bountifully on God’s great earth.
So please, whatever else we might do, let’s not lose hope or give up, because Jesus has faithfully promised to return and take us back to heaven with Him, and ALL of His promises are faithful and true. Listen to this most marvellous one that deals with His coming again. He says to the disciples: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3)
Wow! What a mighty promise my fellow believers. That’s why we simply cannot afford to lose hope in Christ, for whatever needs to be done in our lives, He can accomplish it. Why do we think that? Because He told the disciples a little later on: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6)
And that’s the gospel truth! Please believe it fervently my people, for if we don’t, we’re sitting ducks for Satan to just come and pick us off, one by one and immerse us in evildoings, that will only lead us eventually to eternal damnation and the lake of fire, where the devil is slated to go on judgement day. But first, we have to give Jesus the chance, the opportunity to work in our lives by turning to Him in sincere trust and faith, otherwise all our own efforts will be in vain, because, as Jesus puts it so short and telling: ‘for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)
Now here is this interesting excerpt on the subject ‘Prisoners of Hope,’ from an article by Mark Batterson found on his website markbatterson.com. He writes: ‘The prophet Zechariah declared this double blessing to Jewish prisoners of war, but he called them prisoners of hope. Those are polar opposites, are they not? So which is it—prisoners of war or prisoners of hope? That depends on your perspective, doesn’t it? If you let your circumstances define the way you see God, you are a prisoner of perspective. Or worse, a prisoner of your past mistakes! But if you let God define the way you see your circumstances, you are a prisoner of hope.
Please don’t let anyone name you except God. You are not the labels people put on you. You are who God says you are! You are the apple of God’s eye. You are the object of His affection. You are more than a conqueror. Israel had experienced a bitter defeat at the hands of the Babylonians. They were at the mercy of their captors, who had defiled their temple and mocked their God. But God reminded them of who would have the last laugh. For their pain, He prescribed the promise of double blessing.’
Yes my faithful brethren, our great God, though He chastise us for our wrongdoings, He is still always offering us encouragement. That’s because He LOVES so deeply, and never wants to lose even one of His creations. But for that to happen successfully, we also need to play our part in the partnership; that’s show our sincere hope, faith, trust and obedience to His Word and will for our lives. And for those of us who are sincerely trying to do just that, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong 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 with Jesus until the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Mama Mia! That gives us even more cause to endure! (smile) Much LOVE!
…you can’t have faith without first having hope…for faith is based on hope…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
19 Oct 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, a spring chicken, backbone and belly, dr robert h schuller, endure until the end, faith is affirming success before it comes, find a pass through, for the prize of the high calling of God, forgetting those things which are behind, halfway home, hands on the plough, Hour of Power Ministries, I climb over, I press toward the mark, imbalanced life, keep on striving, LOVE, making claims to victory before it's achieved, many devices in a man's heart, no spine, not turning back, reaching forth unto those things which are before, stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the counsel of the Lord shall stand, The Possibility Thinker's Creed, tunnel underneath, Wednesday Wail, when faced with a mountain I will not quit
Philippians 3:14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
And it’s another day for us to give much thanks to our Creator for enabling us to see. It’s just that I didn’t see it until late. (smile) Ah, my imbalanced life will be my certain destruction. Just can’t seem to adopt the early to bed, early to rise rule, although I like to get the Bit out at a decent hour. But what to do eh? I try…and most days I don’t do too badly, but every so often I fall through the cracks, so to speak. And I hope that you all read an apology in there. (smile)
Now today, I want to offer us some wise and encouraging words from the pen of Dr. Robert H. Schuller, founder of the Hour of Power Ministries, from his Book of Daily Motivation and Inspiration. And the first thing we’ll check out is what he terms ‘The Possibility Thinker’s Creed.’ Please read with me: ‘When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine – with God’s help.’
And that’s certainly what we believers ought to be doing, especially in these troubled and scary times. We’ve got to keep keeping on, keep on pushing through, regardless of the obstacles that seem to be strewn all over our way. And we can only do that successfully, as Dr. Schuller so rightly points out, with God’s help!
The problem though is that today’s believer doesn’t have the backbone and belly, the spine that we need to get us up and moving. We’ve become too soft and sedentary through the easy living that’s the hall mark of our society, but which in fact is the bane of our lives. It’s taken all the strength, the determination and iron out of our will, so that we no longer have the energy, or the will to fight things through to the end, we give up as soon as the going gets somewhat rough.
But that’s not what a true believer does my friends. A true believer keeps on pressing forward despite the obstacles that come against him or her. Like Bruh Paul so aptly writes to the church at Philippi. ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (arrived): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:13-14)
Yes, my fellow believers, Bruh Paul’s determined purpose was to ‘know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comfortable unto his death.’ (Phil. 3:10) And he was not prepared to allow anything or any person to stop him from reaching that goal, throwing behind him all his education and past Christian achievements, he plowed ahead for ‘the high calling of God, that’s the divine summons extended to the believer for salvation.’ And that’s how we ought to be focused in these trying and very deceptive times, which seem to be leading to the last days.
Now some more encouraging words from Dr. Schuller. In one devotional, he writes: ‘Do not be discouraged if you do not accomplish everything that you set out to accomplish.’ And brother, is there ever a word in there for me, because I still have so many things I want to accomplish before I depart this life, and it doesn’t seem like I’m making any progress towards many, or rather, any of them. And you’ve got to realize that I’m no longer a spring chicken, (smile) so time is not my friend right now.
However, like Bruh Paul and Dr. Schuller say, we’ve got to keep on pushing through… with God’s help. And these days, the wise words of Cousin Sol come up before me very often when I consider the desires the Lord’s placed in my heart, that don’t seem to be coming through. ‘There are many devices (schemes, plans) in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.’ (Prov. 19:21) And it hurts me to think that some of the plans I have, many of them for God’s glory, won’t come through, unless He gives me plenty more time down here on earth to accomplish them. But I’ve got to remember that He is the Boss, and like it or not, what He says goes! (smile)
Now a couple more truths from Dr. Schuller. He says: ‘There are two major reasons why people fail. Both stem from a lack of mountain-moving faith.’ And before we get into the reasons, let’s check out how he describes faith. ‘Faith is affirming success before it comes. Faith is making claims to victory before it is achieved. This is very difficult to do, but most important.’
Hence these reasons for failure. ‘(1) People who fail are often people who are indecisive. They cannot make decisions swiftly and surely. The fast moving opportunity is past before they decide – too late – to take hold. (2) Then some decisive people fail because after making the decision, they fail to move forward with an expectant confidence. They grab the opportunity, only to lose nerve, get cold feet, and begin to wonder if they have done the right thing. They have gripped the plough but now they are looking back. Want to be a success? Develop the ability to appraise opportunities intelligently, seize opportunities swiftly, and promote those opportunities confidently.’
And I believe that we can all benefit from those wise words of Dr. Schuller, because we all have sometime or other been indecisive, lacking in sufficient faith, and thus unable to move forward when opportunities have come our way. And today I’ve promised myself that we’re not going to be late and also long. (smile) That means we’ll stop here. There’s enough good info to sink our teeth into. No need to add more.
So, for those of us who are sincerely trying to live for Jesus, let’s get to declaring… Chuh man!!! I have to shake my head and laugh yes, because although I concentrate on spelling that word right, I still end up spelling it wrong. But that’s just the devil winning a minor one. Let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) 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, as I like to remind us, if we endure with Jesus until the end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. Wow! So let’s use that as encouragement to endure nuh! (smile) Much LOVE!
…living for Jesus is not easy…but if we’re serious…He gives us the wherewithal to do it…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
12 Oct 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a state of slumber, cast off the works of darkness, Christian behaviour, endure to the end, fulfill the lusts of the flesh, halfway home, hands on the plough, in time past, it is high time to awake out of sleep, licentiousness, LOVE, make not provision for the flesh, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not in revelry and drunkenness', not looking back, now is our salvation nearer, put on the armour of light, put on the Lord jesus christ, talk a good talk, the breath of life, the darkest hour is the one before the dawn, the darkness of this world, the day is at hand, the Holy Spirit, the night is far spent, the prince of the power of the air, throw off the cloak of darkness, to a glorious future with Jesus, walk honestly, wantonness, we walked according to, Wednesday Wail, when we first believed
Romans 13:12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Wow! It’s Wednesday already…and I’m up early! Went to bed early too. (smile) Don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it’s what we have to work with, and it’s what we’ll do. The important thing is that we’re alive, and thus have important work to do for Christ as His followers down here on this crazy planet called earth. And the best time to do it is right now, for remember Bruh Paul’s warning to the church at Rome. ‘And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.’ (Rom. 13:11)
Oh friends, is that ever the gospel truth! Darkness has covered us for far too long, and it’s been centuries since Bruh Paul wrote that missive to the Roman church, which means Christ’s coming is closer than ever, and gets closer with each passing day, and we cannot afford to let Him return and find us in a state of slumber or inactivity. It’s therefore time for us to get up and begin doing what we know we ought to be doing; that’s encouraging the many souls that are still living in the darkness of the prince of this world, to come out of that repressive and intolerable darkness into the splendid light and freedom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
And Bruh Paul continues his warning: ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’ (Rom. 13:12) Oh yes my brethren, the truth of the matter is that plenty of us so called believers are also living under the cover of darkness, despite our claim to be living in light. And it’s high time that we recognize our insufficiencies and throw off the cloak of darkness that we’ve been hiding under for oh too long. It’s time believers wake up and get moving, the world is getting darker and more evil every day, and it desperately needs our help to move it toward the light of Christ.
Remember that old saying, the darkest hour is the one before the dawn? Well right now is the darkest hour of the world! The dawn, that‘s Christ Jesus, will soon be appearing and how will it look if so many of us supposed believers are not ready for His august return eh? And even worse, that we‘ve not helped as many as we should, to be also ready for it. It certainly won’t look good on our report card. For when that day of judgement comes and the Lord asks us what we did with our time down here on earth, what are we going to say eh?
So as Bruh Paul further advises: ‘Let us walk honestly (properly), as in the day; not in rioting (revelry) and drunkenness, not in chambering (licentiousness) and wantonness (lewdness), not in strife and envying.’ (Rom. 13:13) And the sad fact is that many of us supposed believers are still living the way Bruh Paul sets it out. We are still running down the wealth, power and pleasures of this evil world. And how unseemly and unfortunate is that eh? It sets a rather bad example for those whom we should be reclaiming by our Christian behaviour, not joining with them in their worldly life of revelry and licentiousness.
And the antidote for that inappropriate behaviour is, as Bruh Paul says: ‘But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.’ (Rom. 13:14) Ah mih people, we all know that resisting the lusts of the flesh in this flesh based world is not easy, but as a child of God, a believer in Jesus Christ, we all have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, which helps us to refute and refuse the things of the flesh; that is if we are prepared to listen to and heed His guidance.
And that’s the problem right there. We don’t pay sufficient attention to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit which has been purposely sent to help us live the difficult Christian life here on the evil earth. So how can we expect to function as true believers eh? We talk a good talk, but don’t put that talk into action. And we are all guilty of that. Can you imagine the glorious state our world would be in right now, if all the talk that we believers talk was actually put into action? Glory be! Satan would be pulling out what li’l hair he still has in total fright! But unfortunately, it’s we believers who are pulling out our hair in despair over the evil and violence, the horrific darkness that’s quickly overcoming our world.
Now, here are a few explanations from the scholars re those verses above. As per verses 11-12, they say: Sleep means insensitivity to the demands of Christ on the Christian’s life. Now is our salvation nearer: The coming of Christ to deliver us from this sinful world grows nearer every day. The night is the time while Christ is out of the world, and the world has been delivered into the control of the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2) The day is a reference to the time when Christ will return and establish His reign of righteousness.’
And just to jostle our memories and disturb our consciences, (smile), we’ll quote Eph. 2:2. It says: ‘Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.’ Ah friends, before we were saved by Jesus’ spilled blood on the cross of Calvary, we walked according to the tendencies and purposes of this world, all of which were and still are opposed and hostile to God’s system. But since Jesus saved us, we ought not to be walking that same ungodly wide and destructive pathway.
That’s why the scholars’ explanation of verse 14: is so important. ‘Make not provision for the flesh: One should not seek opportunities to satisfy the deep-seated desires of the sin nature, but should seek occasion to manifest works that are consistent with the new life in Christ.’ Now, please, please, let’s ponder those words today nuh, and see where we are still trying to satisfy the lusts of our flesh, and take them before the Lord and ask for His divine help to handle them. That’s the only way we will ever truly come into the light from the darkness in which so many of us are sadly still enveloped.
And for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that, let’s go home now declaring (steups!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most intimate 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!’
Now, just a li’l reminder that if we endure to the end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. Wow mih bredren! Just think that we can’t even imagine how great those times with Christ really will be nuh. Let’s hope that will cause us to be even more faithful and trusting…and to endure. Much LOVE!
…finite minds…can never truly comprehend…the events or state of infinity…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
28 Sep 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new earth, catastrophe, endure to the end, exuding thanks and gratitude, God shall wipe away all tears, hands on the plough, hold on tightly to Jesus, keep on keeping on, looking forward to God's promise, Lord your promise is your guarantee, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, neither sorow, new heavens, no more death, no more pain, nor crying, not looking back, One Year Book of Bible promises, Only Goodness, primary purpose of redemption accomplished, Ruth Harms Calkin, showed up our differences, starving children, the blessed ones, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the former things are passed away, the tabernacle of God, these words are true and faithful, threw away the mould, to a glorious future with Jesus, today, tragedy, Wednesday Wail, work out for our good
Revelation 21:4a. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
It’s today friends! Yes, another one of the many todays we’ve lived, are living and hopefully will live! Wow! Aren’t you grateful for having seen yet another today on God’s great earth? I surely am, and I’m trying to get us all excited about each new day that we’re alive, that we truly appreciate it and value it for what it’s worth!
Yuh know how many people wanted to open their eyes this morning and didn’t get the chance…many! That means you are amongst the blessed and chosen ones, also signifying that there’s more godly stuff for you to do down here, the Lord isn’t quite finished with your earthly plans. And for that we ought to be oh so thankful, just exuding thanks and gratitude, regardless of how difficult our lives might be at this time, but knowing that our most wonderful God will eventually work everything out for our good like He’s faithfully promised! Glory be!
Please give Him lots of thanks and praise for being the wonderful Father, God and Good Shepherd He is to us, His unworthy and disobedient children! And it doesn’t matter whether we’re six, or sixty-six, whether we’re good or bad, He still LOVES us with that burning LOVE that caused Him to send His only Son Jesus to die on the cross of Calvary, so that He could justly and righteously forgive our sins!
Mama oh Mama! What a marvellous God we serve and worship my brethren! There’s none other like Him…and there could never be another One like Him either, for when they made Him, they threw away the mould they used to form His most majestic Spirit! (smile)
And now that my excitement has died down some, let’s see what good news the Lord has planned for us today. And the good news comes from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This poem is most appropriately titled ‘Only Goodness.’
So please read and inwardly digest with me. ‘What glorious words of wonder Come from the Apostle Peter. He wrote, “But we are looking forward To God’s promise of new heavens And a new earth afterwards Where there will be only goodness.” O dear God “Where there will be only goodness.”
After centuries of war, greed, and lust After indulgences shamelessly practiced After hatred, hostility Jealousy and abuse Murder and martyrdom Crime and cruelty Curses and rebellion. After whimpering cries from starving children After tragedy and catastrophe Loneliness and despair At last…at long last “There will only be goodness.” O dear Lord Your promise is Your guarantee But please hurry a little!’
And in the current disastrous and evil state of our world most of us do hope that He will hurry and bring that time of ‘Only Goodness’ to pass. Oh, we know that all those ugly things have happened in our world down through the ages, but I don’t believe they have ever been so rampant and widespread all at once, especially in this the most enlightened and supposedly informed age of mankind’s history. All those dreadful things are still happening when there’s absolutely no reason for them to happen on the scale of which they are happening.
Millions of children, as well as adults are starving when there is so much food around the globe and some societies throw away so much good food every day. And don’t talk of the hate and hostility that’s currently engulfing our world! Chuh! The strife and anger fomenting on God’s earth right now has never been seen before, not even in the World Wars of the last century. Why is that eh? What’s happening to our supposed sense of reason and responsibility? Have we all just gone mad and lost the hold we had on reality?
It would certainly seem so, because we all seem to be so angry, resentful, unhappy and greatly disturbed by so many things, and the recent pandemic only showed up our differences even more, when instead of sharing the possible solutions, we all hogged them for ourselves. No wonder so many of us are entreating the Good Lord to hurry up with His promise of that time of “only goodness.”
Now here’s why some of us are so anxious to see those days of “only goodness.” In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John describers his vision of the new heaven and earth that will be in the end times. And this is the promise our poem was based on. John writes: ‘And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. and he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:3-5)
Now isn’t that a marvellous time to look forward to? It certainly is! And we know that it will eventually happen because God’s promises are true, He never reneges on them, but we will have to wait on His timing, because His timing doesn’t often coincide with ours. (smile) Until then, we just have to put up with what’s happening, put our total trust in God, and do our best, in our small way to make what we can right and eschew evil for good, as the Bible teaches.
And here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘21:3-5. Tabernacle of God: The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people. In the eternal state, there will be no tears, death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Everything will become new. God’s promises are true, and He is always faithful to His Word (cf. 19:11)’
Ah friends, this earthly life certainly isn’t easy, but as we keep reminding, with Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, Guide and Good Shepherd it is indeed possible to enjoy it, even in the tough times, because He enables us to have faith and provides little miracles in our lives every day that help us to keep on keeping on. So please, although times are rough, let’s not give up, because as you can see from His Word, we have a lot of good times to look forward to.
And for those of us who are attempting to do just that, let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most excellent 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 just a li’l more encouragement to seal the deal. (smile) If we endure with Jesus right to the end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask for imagine! Wow! I LOVE that! So, see you then! Much LOVE!
…want to see the times of only goodness…then hold on tight to Jesus…till the very end…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
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