08 Nov 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sense of peace and calm, all these things shall be added unto you, an unacceptable end, anything goes, be tormented day and night, begging bread, bring thee to honour, cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, deepen my breath, desire to get closer to God, develop intimacy with God, dull dreary lives, established it upon the floods, exalt her, faith, fallen for the foolishness of Satan, fools despise wisdom and instruction, get understanding, get wisdom, God shall wipe away all tears, have it more abundantly, he hath founded it upon the seas, holy spirit, I am come that they might have life, I have been young and now am old, I have not seen the righteous forsaken, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, in all sincerity and truth, in the service of the Lord, increase my awareness of you today, it all begins and ends with God, Jesus Christ, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, life in heaven on earth with Jesus, lives without true purpose, LOVE, mercy, no more crying, no more death, no more pain, our lives are in God's hands, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, remember the Lord thy god, reverential awe of God, right heart motives, salvation, Satan cannot keep his promises, Satan was kicked out of heaven, Satan's living on borrowed time, seek the Lord while he may be found, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, she shall promote thee, slow my thoughts, thank you for this tenderness, the devil that deceived them, the earth is the Lord's, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, the former things are passed away, the fulness thereof, the Lord gives you the power to get wealth, the Lord is Sovereign over the earth, the seed of the righteous begging bread, to keep us joyful and contented, trials and tribulations, truth, we refuse to get closer to God, when you embrace her, wisdom, wisdom is the principal thing, with all thy getting, within reason, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Psalm 37:25. ‘I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (descendants) begging bread.’
Okay! At last it’s our lazy-day Saturday, where anything goes…well, anything within reason. (smile) For we are followers of and believers in Christ Jesus, and that means there are some things we ought not to do, for He does not condone many of the things the world considers all right. But there are enough things allowed to keep us joyful and contented on this chilly, windy but bright and sunshiny Saturday, and one of them is to offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer.
So let’s do so with all sincerity and truth. ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
Now, if our prayer was truly sincere, if we truly desired to get a li’l closer to God, to develop some more intimacy with Him, then we’ll soon be feeling that sense of peace and calm washing over us, for there’s nothing He LOVES more than His human creations seeking to get close to Him. And if our hearts and motives are right, He will surely grant our request for greater communication and involvement. And that’s why so many of our lives are dull, dreary and without good purpose; we refuse to get closer to the One who controls our lives and all that’s in the world.
Remember what the Bible tells us: ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods (rivers). (Ps. 24:1-2) So that tells us that the Lord is sovereign over all the earth and all that’s in it, which includes us human beings. Consequently, wisdom ought to be leading us to pay much more attention than we’re currently doing to the Creator and Ultimate Sovereign of the universe.
Remember our lives are in His hands. He controls our birth, life and death. And also as Moses wisely informed the Israelites: ‘But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish (confirm) his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deut. 8:18) Ah mih people if everything in and on the earth belongs to the Lord, then it must also be in his power to cause us to be prosperous. Simple logic decrees that.
So, if the Lord has so much power over our lives, why are we so reluctant and consequently foolish in trying to ignore Him as much as possible, instead of running to Him and being greeted with open arms? Because we’ve fallen for the foolishness of Satan, who promises us all sorts of things but cannot keep those promises. And whatever he is able to give has so many strings attached to it, like a spider’s web, that we can never get loose from his avaricious grasp without the help of Jesus. Remember that; Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can take us from Satan’s greedy and evil grip.
It’s also worthy of note that Satan, like us, is a created being, and if he was as powerful as he pretends, he would not have been kicked out of heaven for trying to overthrow the Lord. And like us, his time is finite. Yes, he’s living on borrowed time, for when the Lord is ready Satan will come to the end the Lord promised. ‘And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.’ (Rev. 20:10)
And is that the same fate we desire to meet? I sincerely hope not! Not when we can achieve the exact opposite of life in heaven on earth with Jesus, where ‘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.’ (Rev. 21:4)
Now please look at both those scenarios and tell me which you prefer? The one for Satan might look somewhat rosier on earth, but the end certainly is unacceptable. And I don’t know why we sell our souls to the devil to get material wealth and power, when we can get the same things from the Lord if we live the way He desires. Living sincerely for God doesn’t mean a poor, downtrodden, primitive, sad, desperate life. No way! Remember Jesus came to earth not only to save us from our abominable sins, but also that we could have an abundant life right here on earth. He said it quite clearly: ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10b)
And an abundant life doesn’t mean scratching and scraping to make ends meet. No. But to get that abundant life, we also have to do as Jesus declared. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) And what better way to close today than with these most reassuring and faithful words of Bruh David from Psalm 37. He assuredly states: ‘I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (descendants) begging bread.’ (Ps. 37:25)
Now, if we can’t believe Bruh David, who went through so many trials and tribulations in the service of the Lord, then who will we believe eh? So what are we to do? It’s like Cousin Sol says: ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.’ (Prov. 4:7-8)
And where do we get that wisdom and understanding? From Almighty God obviously! Where else? As Cousin Sol so profoundly declares: ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the beginning (principal beginning) of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov. 1:7)
Please my people, let’s not be foolish, but be wise on this lazy-day Saturday and seek the Lord while He may be found. Much LOVE!
…it all begins with God…flows through God…and ends with God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
17 Oct 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a means of restoring faith in you, amidst all the anxiety and confusion, as sheep going astray, bare our sins in his own body, be responsible, being dead to sins, bring us back to his fold, by the example we faithful believers set, by whose stripes ye were healed, carry them in his bosom, cast into hell fire, discontent, dissatisfaction, distorted concept, divine aid, even my servant David, faith, feed his flock like a shepherd, find pasture, for His name's sake, Friday chant, gather the lambs with his arm, gently lead those that are with young, go in and out, God is good all the time, God's loving kindness, have it more abundantly, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he restores my soul, his arm shall rule for him, his reward is with him, his work before him, holy spirit, how foolish it is, I am come that they might have life, I am the door of the sheep, I am the good shepherd, I the Lord will be their God, I will fear no evil, I would not be searching for you, if any man enter in he shall be saved, if you were not first wanting me, improved Christian witness, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus Christ, Jesus walked his talk, keep us safe from harm, leadeth me beside the still waters, leads me in the paths of righteousness, let me remember always, live unto righteousness, lost sheep, Lost Shepherd, lost souls, LOVE, major deterrent, marvellous reassurance, mercy, my servant David a prince among them, now returned unto the shepherd, on the late bus, One Year Book of Bible promises, our sinful world can wake up, problems escalating, prone to forget, rebellion against God, rebellious and disobedient sheep, return backsliders to your fold, reversed the parable of the Shepherd and the sheep, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, searching for you, set up one shepherd over them, show them the error of their ways, smell the coffee, stay safe, surrender to your search for me, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the bishop of your souls, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, the Lord God will come with strong hand, the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, the shepherd has been lost, the thief cometh not but to steal, the weekend, these ungodly times, thieves and robbers, thou art with me, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, to stumble through darkness, trudged down dangerous mountain cliffs, truth, unexpected storms, who his own self, wisdom, wise guidance
John 10::11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Oh my people, it’s Friday, a damp and cloudy one, with showers promised for the weekend. But I know that we’ve all offered up our ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ jubilation, because the weekend is here. And unfortunately, today we’re on the late, late bus because I had to go out early this morning and do some stuff, and by the time I returned, a li’l rest was needed, but unfortunately that li’l rest turned into a much longer one than expected. (smile) And thus we’ll get right into it, with an interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. Most likely I’ve shared it before, but in these lost and scary times, it’s certainly worth sharing again.
The title is simply ‘Lost Shepherd.’ Please read with me. ‘Sometimes, Lord In my groping effort to find You I have reversed the parable Of the Shepherd and the sheep. In my distorted concept The Shepherd has been lost And the sheep have trudged down Dangerous mountain cliffs to find him. How sadly prone I am to forget That I would not be searching for You If You were not first wanting me. Let me remember always, Lord How foolish it is To stumble through darkness Searching for You When I need only to surrender To Your search for me.’
And all God’s children said a loud and grateful shout of ‘Amen! God is good all of the time!’ And that He is my fellow believers! There’s absolutely no doubt about it, otherwise we would have all been cast in to hell fire long ago for our disobedience and proud, arrogant rebellion against His Sovereign Majesty! But in His awesome LOVING-KINDNESS, He set out to find us, like lost sheep, so that He could bring us back to his fold and keep us safe from harm. Now the Bible tells us that we should seek Him with all that we have, but it’s also worthy to note, as our poem above says, we would not be seeking Him, unless He was first wanting us.
And isn’t it so good, so encouraging and reassuring that our Creator LOVES us so much that He would send out someone special to look for us and bring us back home. It’s like Isaiah said so long ago: ‘Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand (in strength), and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work (wage) before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 40:10-11)
Yes friends, that’s the picture of a God that’s been painted throughout the Bible; that of a Good Shepherd. Ezekiel also said it of the Lord. ‘And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.’ (Ezek. 34:23-24)
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Bruh David could write in that most popular 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, he restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ (Ps. 23:1-4) Oh yes my brethren! For that’s what a good shepherd does; provides food, safety, warmth and comfort for his sheep!
And no one has done that more for us lost souls than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He said it Himself, then went and proved it on the cross of Calvary. Listen to this last part of his discourse on the sheep and shepherd. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:7-11)
Wow! What marvellous reassurance! And that last verse is the Bible Promise for our poem today. And as we said earlier, Jesus did walk His talk; He went out and died for us lost, unworthy, sinful, disobedient sheep! He certainly did all he could to salvage the situation for us. Now the onus lies in our hands, on our shoulders. There’s no Lost Shepherd, but plenty lost sheep! And hopefully, we can end up as Peter says: ‘Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes (wounds) ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but now are returned unto the Shepherd and the Bishop (Overseer) of your souls.’ (1 Pet. 2:24-25)
Yes my people, that’s where we belong, and hopefully that’s where we’re all headed, but it’s not an easy row to hoe, therefore, we need to go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, to get divine help. Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times.
We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that my fellow believers, we need to follow it up with improved Christian witness, for it’s the major deterrent to us not receiving more divine aid! Much LOVE!
…Jesus first came looking for us…we now need to go looking for Him…and if we are sincere…He isn’t hard to find…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
20 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all these things shall be added unto you, as the heavens are higher than the earth, be ready to suffer the consequences, boggles our imagination, call ye upon him while he is near, christianity, Dr Charles Stanley, endure to the end with Christ, eternity, faith, forgiving, free will, getting you into trouble with God, God created humans for good, gospel truth, gracious, halfway home, hands on the plough, have it more abundantly, he Sermon on the Mount, he will abundantly pardon, he will have mercy upon him, hold our heads and bawl, holy spirit, humans are more enamoured with evil than good, I am come that they might have life, if only I'd thought before doing it, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the best, lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, let the wicked forsake his way, LOVE, merciful, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my thoughts are not your thoughts, my thoughts higher than your thoughts, my ways are not your ways, my ways higher than your ways, negative consequences, not looking back at the past, obey God and leave all the consequences to him, our finite minds, our poor decisions end up hurting innocent people, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, return unto the Lord, risk of flooding, salvation, Satan is all about deceit and greed, Satan's machinations, satisfying the thirsty earth, second wind day, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, seek ye the Lord while he may be found, so glad to be alive, some we cannot even comprehend, thank God, the atoning lamb of God, the awesome help of Jesus, the BIBLE, the breath of life, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the cross at Calvary, the embodiment of all we can ask for or imagine, the good life, the King of Kings, the Lily of the Valley, the Lion of Judah, the Lord is Sovereign over the earth, the Lord of lords, the material things of the world, the rains fell, the resurrection and the life, the Son of God, the thief comes only to steal kill and destroy, the unrighteous man his thoughts, the Way Maker, the way the truth and the life, thieves break through and steal, thieves do not break through and steal, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, unwise decisions, we can handle whatever comes against us, Wednesday Wail, where moth and rust doth corrupt, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where your treasure is there will be your heart also, wisdom, wisdom to the nth degree
Isaiah 55:6. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.
And the rains fell; from early evening through the night, until the morning hours, finally satisfying the parched and thirsty earth! Thankfully though, it was not an onslaught of powerful showers but mostly a constant drizzle, which greatly reduced the risk of flooding. Understandably then, Wednesday, our second wind day has opened damp, cloudy and cool, and we possibly ought to brace ourselves for more rain because that warning just showed up on the computer. But let’s remember that whatever comes against us, we can certainly handle it with Jesus’ awesome help! And all God’s children said a loud and grateful: ‘Thank You Jesus! You’re the Best!’
And that’s the awesome truth! For there’s none like Jesus! He’s the Son of God, and is thus godly, gracious, forgiving, merciful, the atoning lamb of God, the Way Maker, the Lion of Judah, the Way, the Life and the Truth, the Light of the World, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Lily of the Valley, the Resurrection and the Life, and a host of other names which it would take the whole day to list. (smile) But seriously though, Jesus is the embodiment of all that we can ever ask for or imagine…and even then some that we cannot even comprehend with our finite minds.
As the prophet Isaiah writes: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8-9) That’s why we cannot understand a lot of what the Lord does, or is doing, both in our own lives and in the world. We know that He still sits as Sovereign of the world, but some of the stuff that He allows to happen when He can either prevent them or stop them just boggles our imagination.
However, the Lord has His own plans for the world He created and still rules, while giving us free will to make independent choices. He did not make robots, but human beings with minds that they could use to do what’s right or wrong, but must be prepared to suffer the consequences of each decision. And that’s exactly where we’re falling down. We rush to live like the world, like Satan desires, but when the negative consequences of those unwise decisions come rushing up against us, we hold our heads and bawl, saying, ‘if only, if only I’d thought about it before doing it.’
But then it’s usually too late my people, and unfortunately our decisions end up hurting not only ourselves but a lot of others around us. And that’s the really sad part about us making unwise decisions; it never hurts us alone, but other innocent ones in our proximity. That’s why Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley) always admonished us to obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. For when we do as God desires, the consequences are usually good, and if not, then he will certainly help us to handle them.
But Satan doesn’t help us to handle the bad consequences we suffer when we follow him. Not at all. He just sits back and laughs at us and considers us stupid to be following him, when all that ever comes from his machinations are negative consequences. And that’s why the prophet Isaiah, when informing Israel of God’s abundant pardons, declared: ‘Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.’ (Is. 55:6-7)
Yes friends, that’s an international call to all people, to both Jews and Gentiles, to come to the Lord for salvation, for forgiveness and the good life throughout eternity. And He certainly made it all possible by the unselfish but heartbreaking offering of His only begotten Son Jesus as a sacrifice, the Lamb of God, on the cross at Calvary. I don’t know why we keep forgetting that God is generous and merciful, forgiving and compassionate, while Satan is all about deceit, greed, and taking whatever you have and getting you into trouble with God.
It’s as Jesus so eloquently and truthfully puts it: ‘The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) And I don’t understand why we cannot believe that and make it a part of our lives because it’s the absolute truth. All Satan wants to do is to destroy, to break down, to bring people down to damnation and hellfire with him, while Jesus wants to build, to give life, eternal life to all who are wise enough to embrace Him and what He stands for.
So, again, I don’t know why we’re so adamant at following Satan, killing ourselves to get the material things of the world, and then we don’t even have time to enjoy them. Remember the same material things Satan tempts us with, are the same material things we can get from God if we do as Jesus says: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) And believe me, if you get these things from God, rather than through Satan’s evil machinations, you will enjoy them more and they will last longer.
But it’s all about wisdom and where your hearts truly lie. For as Jesus wisely say in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt. 6:19-21) And that’s the gospel truth friends! So please, let’s stop concentrating on storing up earthly treasures and wisely decide to store up heavenly ones instead nuh! For that’s wisdom to the nth degree!
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!’
Now there’s an addendum to that declaration which states, whoever endures to the very end with Jesus will enjoy an even more glorious future than we can ever comprehend or imagine. So let’s plan to meet at the very end and enjoy that more than glorious future together nuh! Much LOVE!
…why is the human being more enamoured with evil…than with good…when he was created by God…for good…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
15 Mar 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fallen angel, a personal relationship with God, all should come to repentance, Bible, choose life, Christ died for us, Christ sacrificed His sinless life for us, christianity, Christians, closer intimacy with God, communion with god, deepen my breath, disgrace, disobedience, eternal life, eternal separation from God, falling into Satan's trap, flowing in our souls and spirits, fraternize with Satan, free will, get the ball rolling, God commendeth his love for us, God demonstrated his LOVE for us.', God is not willing that any should perish, have it more abundantly, heartfelt prayers, holy spirit, I am come that they might have life, I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep, I may know you all the more, I place before you life and death, I praise you Lord, increase my awareness of you today, Jesus cares deeply for us, Jesus Christ, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, leaves us in the lurch, LOVE, made righteous in God's eyes, meditate on God's Word, mercy, nothing of substance to offer us, one fold one shepherd, other sheep I have, peace, putter around the house, quiet my soul, quietly interact with God, relax my muscles, repentance, rest, rolls of thunder, salvation, shame, sin, sincerity and truth, slow my thoughts, steal us away from Jesus, straight and narrow path, thank you for your tenderness, that you and yours might live, the ball's in our court, the father of lies, the good shepherd gives his life for his sheep, the greatest show of love, the Lord never leaves us in the lurch, the right perspective, the thief, the thief only comes to steal and to kill, truth, while we were yet sinners, wisdom, wrongdoing, you can't be contained, your love surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present, your unceasing nearness
John 10:11. ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’
Well, I guess in the Lord’s wisdom, He figured that everyday could not be bright, sunshiny and dry, but there must be an opposite to keep everything well balanced and in the right perspective, that’s why today is cloudy, rainy and wet. (smile) I believe I also heard a couple rolls of thunder earlier on, so it looks like a serious day. But yuh know what, it’s also a perfect lazy-day Saturday, where you simply putter around the house, rest and meditate on the Lord’s Word and quietly interact with Him. Nothing can be more refreshing and uplifting that that!
So let’s get the ball rolling by offering up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer with all sincerity and truth. As one positive voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And the peace and calm just begin flowing in our spirits and souls, as the Lord answers our heartfelt prayers that only serve to bring us closer to Him. Yes friends, there’s nothing the Lord desires and likes more than His children seeking to have closer intimacy and communion with Him, because that’s the main purpose for which He created us. And it breaks His heart when we turn away and instead fraternize with the foolish, fallen angel Satan, who has nothing of substance to offer us, nothing but sin, shame and disgrace that will eventually lead to eternal separation from our Creator and heavenly Father.
That’s why it’s oh so important to create a personal relationship with Jehovah God, through His Son Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit that indwells us to try and keep us out of the clutches of the enemy and guide us on the straight and narrow path that leads to salvation and eternal life with Him. But because we have fair amount of free will, and are naturally imbued with a sinful nature, we tend to drift and stray away from the straight and narrow path, anxious to sample some of the seemingly awesome delights of the world held out and up to us by the deceitful and devious Satan, who’s so full of wiles and lies that he’s called the father of lies.
And Jesus spells it all out in His analogy to the thief and the shepherd, in this scripture passage from John’s gospel. ‘The thief cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) Right there we see the answer friends, Satan is a thief and only in intent on death and destruction. However, Jesus came that we could have life, and have it in abundance! So, whom will you accept as your leader and guide under those circumstances eh? Jesus of course!
Unfortunately though, for whatever reason, too many of us are choosing Satan, or somehow or the other are falling in his devious trap, that’s why our world is so sinful, angry, strife-filled and ungodly! But it’s time many more of us wake up and listen to Jesus, when He says: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:11) And that is exactly what He did when He sacrificed His sinless life on the cross of Calvary so that our abominable sins could be forgiven and we be made righteous in God’s eyes.
So why this great movement, this sudden trend to turn to Satan eh, whom Jesus candidly describes in the next couple of verses? ‘But he that is an hireling (a hired man), and not the shepherd whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.’ (John 10:12) And Satan is both the thief and the hireling, for he tries to steal us away from Jesus, and when we find ourselves in trouble, he runs off and leaves us in the lurch, because he’s not really interested in our wellbeing, neither has he anything good or worthwhile to offer us.
Jesus explains it thus: ‘The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have (Gentiles), which are not of this fold: them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ (John 10:13-16)
There you have it my fellow believers: Jesus states it in black and white. Unlike Beelzebub, He won’t run away from us when we find ourselves in trouble, but will always runs to us, because He cares deeply for us, that’s why He came to earth and died on Calvary’s cross. And if you can’t see the awesome truth in that, then you’d better get your mind examined right away.
And please note how much Jesus cares for His creation, when He declares that He has other sheep to add to His fold, meaning us, the non-Jews or Gentiles. He came first to bring salvation to the Jews, through whom God worked and distilled His message down through the ages. But God didn’t forget the rest of His creation, because He LOVES us all, so badly, that it’s as Bruh Paul writes in Romans: ‘But God commendeth his LOVE toward us (demonstrated His own LOVE for us), in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8)
Now, isn’t that the greatest show of LOVE? Of course it is! Moreover, He couldn’t stand to lose even one of us to Beelzebub, as Peter says; ‘He’s not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Pet. 3:9:b) Yes friends, God LOVES all of His creation and has done His best to ensure that we all have the privilege of gaining salvation and eternal life through the sacrificial death of His sinless Son, which paid for all of our disobedience and wrongdoing. The ball is now in our court; it’s up to us to either accept or reject His most gracious offering of life with Him for ever and ever. Please be wise and accept it! Much LOVE!
… I place before you life and death…please choose life…that you and yours may live… (Deut. 30:19)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
18 Nov 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a dislike of Monday, a fruitful life, action and sacrifices bring rewards, be of good cheer, bearing our cross for christ, disaster filled world, divine aid, every man to his own place, face the music, faith, grace, have it more abundantly, hear and answer our prayers, holy spirit, humble ourselves, I am come, I am not alone, I am the good shepherd, i have overcome the world, in me ye might have peace, in the world, intimidating, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, joy, live the abundant life, LOVE, mass confusion, mercy, pray, reassurance, rewards, salvation, sincerely seek God, talk is cheap, the Father is with me, the God who heals, the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep, the great life awaiting us in heaven, the thief comes but to steal, the throne of grace, they might have life, tirbulation, truth, turn from our evil ways, unprepared to meet Monday, wisdom, wise guidance
John 10:10b. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Yoo Hoo friends, the weekly rat race has begun! Yes, unfortunately, it’s Monday and we have to be about the Lord’s business in this crazy and disaster filled world. And although we have to keep doing the same thing over and over for many years, many of us never seem to like or accept it. Why is that eh? Who knows? We all have different reasons for disliking Monday and all the uncomfortable, unlikable and intimidating things it brings, or stands for.
But yuh know what? We had better learn to handle it with grace and assuredness if we intend to live the abundant life that Christ died for us to enjoy on this here earth. Remember His most reassuring words? ‘The thief cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.’ (John 10:10-11)
Yes friends, that’s what Jesus did: give His life so that we could enjoy an assured and fruitful life right here on this earth, not wait until we reach heaven to do so. But so many of us get so overwhelmed and distressed about having to go back out to work on a Monday, that we’re wasting, making His death on our behalf of no effect.
Now, few of us are overjoyed to get up early on a morning, especially a Monday morning, and get out into the evil world and face all the stuff that will and might come against us. However, it is all a part of doing life with Christ down here on earth, and we should not allow it to get us miserable and annoyed, or intimidated. The problem though for many of us is that we’re not properly prepared to meet Monday.
Even some of us who go to church on Sunday and are spiritually refreshed and renewed, still find it difficult to get up and get out on Mondays. And I’ll like to propose an interesting way to handle the situation; look at it as part of bearing our cross for Christ. (smile) Remember how He characterized being one of His disciples? ‘If any man will come after (follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23)
And there ought to be some joy and reassurance in following Christ, despite how difficult it can oftentimes be. But if there’s little or no joy in living for Christ, then what’s the point? Remember again, what He said to the disciples before His crucifixion. ‘Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own (place), and ye shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 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 16:32-33)
So when all of Jesus’ followers ran away and left Him alone to face the music, He was not really alone because the Father was right there with Him, to strengthen and encourage Him. Likewise, when we are deserted and think we’re alone, we’re not really, for Christ is always with us through His indwelling Holy Spirit, which is there to guide, comfort, strengthen and reassure us of Christ’s promises. Promises like this one: ‘…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:20b)
So you see my brethren, this wasn’t meant to be an easy life, one of only sunshine and roses, but it’s a tough nut to crack. It was tough for Jesus, and as He says above there, it will also be tough for us, but with His Spirit, His peace, mercy, grace and anointing we can certainly handle it in a fairly joyful manner, if we put our minds and hearts to it. And if we think about the rewards and the great life waiting for us in heaven, for all eternity, this comparatively short earthly life will be a cakewalk. (smile)
Awright…that might be stretching it a bit, (smile) but the truth of the matter is that many of us can be, and ought to be more receptive to life than we are, if Jesus is truly our Lord and Saviour. And that’s enough preaching for today! (smile) Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us in these times of dire need.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems.
Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.
Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’
Now, as our prayer states, if we truly desire to receive divine aid, we must humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek God’s face. So let’s get on with it nuh, because we desperately need that divine aid! Much LOVE!
…talk is cheap…but it’s action and sacrifices that bring rewards…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
22 Oct 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a light unto my path, another beautiful summer's day, because strait is the gate, blessing and cursing, both thou and thy seed may live, broad is the way that leads to destruction, carnal delights, choose life, duty bound, enter ye in at the strait gate, eternal death and damnation, eternal life, faith, few there be that find it, have it more abundantly, hellfire and damnation, hurry, I am come that they might have life, I am the good shepherd, I am the way the truth and the life, I call heaven and earth, I have set before you life and death, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, lusts, narow is the way that leads to life, no man comes to the Father but by me, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, sinful pleasures, the beloved of God, the difficult one leads to life, the easy one leads to death, the good shepherd gives his life for his sheep, the path to heaven is narrow and easy to miss, the path to hell is wide and easy, the thief cometh not but to steal, the way into the kingdom of heaven, thy word is a lamp unto my feet, to kill and destroy, to record this day against you, to whom we belong, topsy-turvy world, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, two paths in life to tread, wide is the gate, wisdom, worry
Matthew 7:13a. Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction,
Oh my people, I’m delirious with the promise of another beautiful summer’s day like yesterday! And was it ever a perfect day: with temps around 25, bright sunshine, you could feel the heat of the sun, and a cool breeze that just set everything to rights. (smile) And it was so good, that last night at around 8.p.m, I was sitting on my porch in just shirtsleeves, watching folks walking by, also in next to nothing clothing.
Now that doesn’t happen very often in the next to last week of October…but we’ll surely give thanks for it right now, because we know that the cold weather will eventually arrive. Of that we can be sure. (smile) And surprisingly, many of the trees are still green, with only a small portion actually changing colour. But who knows what’s happening? Only the Good Lord! Our world is so topsy-turvy and confused that anything is possible.
And that’s why, if we want to succeed in this incomprehensible world, we have to hold on to the ONE SURE THING in it; that’s Jesus Christ, and tread the path that He leads us on; the straight and narrow way. Jesus advises us thus: ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate (how narrow is the gate), and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt. 7:13-14)
Yes my brethren, the majority of the world walks the wide and winding broad path that leads to hellfire and damnation, or eternal death. However, only a comparative few will be wise and brave enough to follow the straight and narrow path which leads to life eternal with Jesus.
And I like how this commentary succinctly explains Jesus meaning on the narrow path. It says: ‘What Jesus is talking about is the way to salvation. The way into the Kingdom of heaven. He is saying that the path to hell is wide and easy for people to walk, but the path to heaven is narrow and easy to miss. The way that leads to life is the one and only way.’
For sure! And yuh know what else my fellow believers? Jesus is the gate and the way, as He so openly explained to His disciples when they claimed not to know where He was going and the way there. He enlightened them thus: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:6) Now, unless you believe that and accept God’s call to find that straight and narrow path, crapaud smoke yuh pipe! For as the psalmist so wisely wrote: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ (Ps. 119:105)
And there’s no getting around that statement my people. Because that’s exactly why the Lord had the Bible (His Word) written; so that mankind could know and see the way to travel to come back to Him, after the dreadful mistake by our forefathers Adam and Eve, caused sin to come in and overtake the world.
And sadly, now, our world is so partial to sin that it’s an uphill battle to get even supposed Christians to understand what’s really happening and the wisdom of following Jesus and the good news of His gospel. We’re so addicted to the lusts and the sinful pleasures of the world, that it’s difficult to break free, especially when the enemy is constantly whispering lies in our ears, as to the supposed benefits of such carnal delights.
But as Jesus says of the enemy, that fallen angel Satan. ‘The thief cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:10-11) And that’s exactly what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary; give His sinless life for ours, take our sins upon His awesome shoulders and pay for them in full, once and for all.
Yes friends, Jesus brings and gives life, while everything that Satan touches is consumed by death and eternal damnation. That shows us, there are only two roads to travel in this earthly life, the straight and narrow one that leads to Jesus and eternal life, or the wide and broad one that leads to eternal separation from God. And the tough part of this whole exercise is that every individual has to choose his or her own path to follow, for even if you allow some one else to choose it, you, personally, still have to live by it. That’s why the Lord gave us free will.
So which path are you going to choose eh? The one that leads to Jesus and life eternal, or the one that leads to Satan and eternal death? And yuh know what my fellow saints, our God is so good and wise, that He even had the wise and right answer to that question written in His Word. Please listen as Moses explains it to the Israelites, recently freed from four hundred years of slavery in Egypt. ‘I call heaven and earth to record (as witness) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and they seed may live.’ (Deut. 30:19)
Now, let’s hope we all follow that wise advice and choose life with Jesus. And for those of us who have so chosen, let’s go home declaring (ah Lord eh!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And having said that, we’re now duty bound to go out and spread the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they can also come to know and LOVE Him the way that we do! Much LOVE!
…two paths in life to tread…the easy one leads to death…but if you desire life…then the difficult one’s the way…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 Sep 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's wisdom, a purpose and joy in his life, a time of much trouble, abounding fullness of joy and strenght, abundance, advanced state of technology, Ai (Artificial Intelligence, aspite to lead a quiet life, atrophy, Bible, boredom, christianity, courage, curse, dissatisfaction, duthy bound, enamoured of the weekend, enjoyment, ennui, faith, fellowship, for spirit soul and body, have it more abundantly, have lack of nothing, he becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand, he that gathers in the summer is wise, he that sleeps in the harvest causes shame, high standards, humdrum lives, I am come that they might have life, if you don't use it you'll lose it, Jesus Christ, listlessness, LOVE, mind your own business, negative word., prosper, putting undue burdens on others, same old, satisfaction, self-control, study to be quiet, succeed, supernatural wisdo, talent, the hand of the diligent maketh rich, the life to come, the thief comes only to steal and destroy, truth, walk honestly, wisdom, work for Jesus, work with your own hands
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 September 2024 John 10:10b.
John 10:10b. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Oh it’s Thursday…and then it will be Friday…and then the weekend…Glory be! Yes, the weekend excitement begins from Thursday. (smile) We have become so enamoured of the weekend that we even salivate about it, and think of what we’re going to do, long before it even comes. But I guess in this busy, selfish and LOVELESS time of much trouble, that is one of the few joys we have to look forward to in our same old, same old, humdrum lives.
But yuh know what? If we keep God first place in our lives, and cling securely to Jesus, as He desires us to, then we won’t need to be afraid of anything and our lives won’t be as humdrum and same old. Remember these marvellous words of Jesus. ‘The thief cometh not but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10)
And what does that mean? Check out these two excerpts from a couple of commentaries. The first explains it thus: ‘Abundant Life – Its range of meaning includes “over and above, more than is necessary, superadded . . . exceeding abundantly, supremely” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). God gives us purpose and joy in this life, and the promise of even greater purpose and joy in the life to come.’ And the second except tells us: “More abundantly” means to have a superabundance of a thing. “Abundant life” refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for spirit, soul and body.’
So you see friends, when we live for Jesus, we have a greater purpose than just going to work and coming home for any number of years, and with that purpose comes a much improved standard of life, one filled with joy and strength that enables us to accomplish the purpose Jesus has for our lives. Therefore we don’t suffer the boredom or ennui, that’s ‘a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.’ No sir! When we live and work for Jesus there’s always satisfaction and enjoyment…along with hard work and sacrifices. (smile) But that’s what kingdom work is all about.
Ah mih people, in this age of so many amenities with robots and such to do our bidding, we are experiencing a standard of easy living like never before. And, unfortunately, that has allowed our society to get soft, lazy and entitled. For some reason or other we figure because we’ve reached this high state of civilization – sorry wrong word, because we’re still not civilized – but rather we’ve attained this advanced state of technology and manufacturing, that we’re not supposed to work hard, or even work anymore.
But we’re forgetting the one great truth of this life: if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. And that’s exactly what’s happening to our society! We’re losing the ability to do many things, both physically and mentally because we’re not using our bodies and brains as much as we ought to. We sit in front of the television, the computer or video game screen for hours without moving. What do you thing happens to our brains and bodies eh? They begin to atrophy. Why do you think gyms are such big businesses nowadays eh? Because we don’t do much physical work anymore and that’s the only way to keep our bodies in good physical shape.
And with the recent improvement in AI (Artificial Intelligence) we don’t even have to think any longer, because AI will do it for us. And what do you think will happen to our unused brains eh? They will eventually atrophy too. Ah mih people, why do you think God created us the way we are eh? To use the faculties He gave us, both physical and mental, so that we can stay in good shape, make good progress in our relationship with Him and with our fellow beings. But instead, we’ve concentrated our efforts on making good progress in not having to use our faculties.
How long do you think we’ll last eh, when we don’t need to do anything for ourselves? Not very long. But we’re not concerned with that, only with living the flamboyant life where we just party and have a good time and do nothing useful. But that’s a fool’s wisdom my brethren. If a society isn’t being productive and sticking to certain high standards, then it’s on it’s way down, for it’s the high standards that keeps it moving along in a sound and progressive manner.
But instead of listening to me, lets check out a few scriptures on the wisdom of productive work. And as always, there’s no better place to begin than in the wisdom of Cousin Sol in Proverbs. ‘He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack (negligent) hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.’ (Prov. 10:4-5) You can’t deny that wisdom.
Then there’s this: ‘The soul of the sluggard (lazy) desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (rich).’ (Prov. 13:4) Yes friends, in laziness we desire all sorts of stuff, but we have nothing. Not until we get up and be diligent about something positive and productive will we ever acquire anything.
And Bruh Paul said it thus to the Thessalonians: ‘And that ye study to be quiet (aspire to lead a quiet life), to do (mind) your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you: That ye may walk honestly (properly) toward them that are without (outside), and that ye may have lack of nothing.’ (1 Thess. 4:11-12) Oh my people, rather than evading work, Christians are to be industrious, working to earn their own living and thereby avoid putting undue burdens on others.
And the Lord certainly agrees, that’s why He so generously bestowed on us our undeserved Thursday Blessings, so that we can do His earthly work. Let’s declare and thus activate them right now. As one voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And if you were sincere in that declaration (steups!!!) then you’re duty bound to go out and use those blessings just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, for the benefit of others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Hm like we do! Much LOVE!
…when any part of the human body that was made to move…ceases to move…it dies…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
20 May 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a big bark but no bite, a child of Almighty God, a defanged lion, accounted as sheep for the slaughter, called home to heaven, doing my Father's business, have it more abundantly, I am come that they might have life, in all these things we are more than conquerors, joint heirs with Christ, lazy-day Saturday, LOVE, nothing shall separate us from the love of God, roaming around, the devil's a defeated foe, the earnest of our inheritance, the redemption of the purchased possession, the righteousness of God in him, the road to heaven is one way, through him that loved us, trying to find whom he may devour
Romans 8:37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that LOVED us.
Ah friends, we finally got some of what we‘ve been praying for; some rain. Yes, heavenly blessings began falling yesterday evening and continued through the night until around lunch time, when it stopped, and a watery sun shone through. (smile) Thank God! Now I tend to believe that that’s because I washed my old chariot the evening before, and the devil just hates to see a child of God driving around in a clean vehicle. (smile)
And it would have been an excellent lazy-day Saturday for me too, if I didn’t have some time sensitive business to transact. So, there I was, out in the rain, doing my Father’s business, instead of lazing around at home. And by the time I returned home, I was too tired to do justice to the Bit, so that’s why it’s only now being written.
Oh, and by the way, the computer server did me the same thing yesterday; refused to send out the Bit in bulk, and I had to break it down again. And unfortunately, it will not tell me why it’s doing that. All it says is’ Message can’t be sent right now. Try Later. More details.’ But when I press for more details, I simply draw a blank screen.
Ah Lord eh! The devil does find ways to try and disrupt our peaceful spirits. But He just can’t get it through His thick skull that he’s a defeated foe, merely a defanged lion, with a big bark, but no bite, and despite his roaming around trying to find whom he may devour, (1 Pet. 5:8) the children of God can overcome any of his evil wiles and schemes.
Why? Because as Bruh Paul so eloquently and truthfully wrote to the church at Rome: ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that LOVED us.’ (Rom. 8:35-37)
Yes my fellow believers, though the devil and his evil cronies try to put us under, to kill and conquer us, they are unable to do it because we are indeed more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who LOVED us so dearly that He gave His sinless life so that we could be considered the righteousness of God through Him! Glory Hallelujah my faithful brethren! Like the old reggae tune proclaimed: ‘Yuh trying to conquer me…But you never will conquer me…’
And that’s ever so important for us Christians to believe. Remember, all we do, we do by faith; by undeniable and irrevocable faith in Christ Jesus, who’s powerful LOVE, a LOVE that’s been sealed in us by the holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of (down payment on) our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.’ (Eph. 1:13b-14)
Yes friends, once we believe in Christ as Lord and Saviour, we receive His Holy Spirit and are sealed as Hs own forever and ever! ‘The sealer is Jesus and the seal is the Holy Spirit.’ And it’s a seal that cannot ever be broken, and a seal that shouts out loud and proud, that we are children of the Most High God Jehovah.
Please, let’s never forget that, and all the rights, privileges, responsibilities, power and authority that it confers on a believer. For that’s what makes us more than conquerors. As one commentary puts it: ‘That means we face the trials of life with the certainty that we are not alone. We have a mighty Father who fights for us.’
And that’s certainly the glorious truth! Now, Bruh Paul felt that so strongly that he further enthused: ‘For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:38-39)
Oh my fellow saints, is our faith strong enough so that we can also make that declaration (yesss!!!)? I certainly hope so, for until we do, we will not reap all the many privileges and benefits that accrue to us as a child of Almighty God, a joint heir with Christ in His Father’s kingdom.
And that’s the goal of this earthly life, to begin enjoying heaven, by allowing the fruits of the Spirit to flourish through us, down here on earth, for as Christ so loudly declared (awright!!!): ‘The thief cometh not, but (except) for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10)
So my fellow saints, let’s get on with the real and true living of life in Jesus’ name nuh. He died that we could enjoy it, not merely scrape through until whenever we are called home to heaven. But unfortunately, that’s the way a lot of us supposed believers are living this earthly life, as if there’s supposed to be no joy in it. That’s the furthest thing from the truth, for heaven begins right here on Planet Earth! And that’s the end of the Sermon!
Wow! That’s certainly the shortest Bit we’ve had in many a year. (smile) But that’s where the Holy Spirit guided me. And I am obedient, if nothing else. (smile) Now, let’s see how I can distribute this late, and ever so short Bit to all you beautiful readers. Much LOVE!
…once you believe in Christ…there’s no turning back…it’s strictly a One Way Road… leading all the way to Heaven…
Visit the Scrip-Bit Blog at https://randyobrien50.com
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
17 Feb 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: alive to tell the tale, an hireling, anxiety, confusion, divine help, enter the pearly gates of heaven, eternal damnation, Friday chant, have it more abundantly, his satanic majesty, I am come that they might have life, I am the door of the sheep, I am the good shepherd, I am the way the truth and the life, I know my sheep and are known of mine, if any man enter in he shall be saved, introduce a new flock of believers, LOVE Revolution, no man cometh unto the Father but by me, other sheep I have, return backsliders to your fold, salvation to Gentiles, simmering unrest, sinful world, stand strong and steadfast, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the error of their ways, the exciting news of Jesus' gospel, the fires of hell, the good shepherd gives his life for his sheep, the hireling cares not for the sheep, the majestic domain of God, the thief cometh but to steal, them also I must bring, there shall be one fold and one shepherd, they shall hear my voice, trusting faith, unexpected storm, wake up and smell the coffee, which are not of this fold
John 10:11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Well, well, well, if it isn’t Friday, the last day of our work week! And a bright and sunshiny one at that, somewhat chilly though, with a small amount of white stuff covering the lawns and rooftops, but I believe it’s the result of a li’l sleet and some freezing rain, no real snow concerns. Anyway, it’s being said all over the world: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ And the best part of it all is that we’re still alive to tell the tale. Glory be!
And what a glorious, momentous, light-bearing, soul-saving tale we have to tell: the story of Jesus and the good and exciting news of His gospel! The ONLY way to escape the damnation of hell fire and access the glory of heaven! What an enormous, ground-breaking truth He shared with us, when He proclaimed to the disciples: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:6)
And we better had believe that momentous statement yes, because it’s the glorious truth! It’s only through belief and faith in Christ Jesus that any of us natural sinners can ever enter the pearly gates of heaven and behold the majestic domain of our great and wonderful God! And if you don’t believe that, then try this scripture, when Jesus puts it in the allegoric form of being a shepherd.
‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but (except) to steal, and to kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:7-10)
Mama oh Mama! What a joy it is to hear that scripture! Jesus came that we could have life, and have it more abundantly! Wow! So why are so many of us against Him eh? Don’t we want life, and abundant life at that too, meaning eternal and everlasting life, life that never ends? Well, if we truly do, then it’s ONLY in Jesus we’ll ever find it!
And here’s one of the things I LOVE about Jesus. When He makes a point, He delivers it with full force, He doesn’t back away and give a half-hearted explanation. Listen to how He continues with the shepherd allegory. ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:11) And that’s exactly what He did for us; sacrificing Himself on the cross on that first Good Friday so that the sheep in His fold could be saved, be reconciled back to the Father and have eternal life! Showing that He’s a man who keeps His promises regardless of how difficult they are to keep!
That wasn’t the end of Jesus’ discourse on the shepherd allegory though. He continues: ‘But he that is an hireling (hired man), and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.’ (John 10:12-15)
Yes friends, Jesus knows His sheep, cares for them like the shepherd does and He died for them to show how much He truly cared. So, I don’t know why we question His intentions and don’t believe His actions. A lot of other people have come, and are still coming, and talked a lot, but He was the ONLY ONE who put His words into action!
And if you don’t believe Him, then crapaud smoke yuh pipe, you’re S.O.L when you die and your destination is realized. For ONLY when you believe in Him and hold Him true, that you will get a chance to talk to Peter at the Pearly Gates. Otherwise, you’ll be greeting his Satanic majesty at entrance to the fires of hell, with eternal damnation and separation from God your lot.
Now my people, this next verse in Jesus’ shepherd discourse is possibly the most important verse in the whole Bible for non-Jewish persons. Why you ask? Listen up first, then we’ll discuss it. Jesus states: ‘And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ (John 10:16) And all Gentiles gave a loud, rousing and grateful cheer of ‘Thank You Jesus!’
That’s because Jesus was sent to the Jews, the Chosen People, to be their Messiah, but being the generous and ever-LOVING God that He is, He also extended His window of salvation to Gentiles, those outside of the Jewish faith. And that’s why we can now talk headily about Jesus, and glory in the salvation, grace, and all those other wonderful things of which He is the author and finisher!
But having said all of that my brethren, the sad fact is that our world is in a serious mess, at the brink of a precipice, drowning in the mire of evil, and we need God’s help to save it. And we communicate with our heavenly Father through prayer, so please let’s go to Him in prayer right now nuh, through our Friday Chant, sincerely seeking divine help.
Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… what with all the confusion and anxiety caused by the pandemic and our many other serious problems. We can’t fix them on our own Lord, so we desperately need your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land.
So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the wise guidance to handle the situation properly, without further serious setbacks. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to return backsliders to your fold, show them the error of their ways.
And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic, the bubbling discontent and dissatisfaction in our land, as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Oh friends, there’s no better time than right now, to renew our efforts in the LOVE Revolution, so that our world can be saved from eternal damnation. But it all depends on us, pulling together as one, and doing our part for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…the truth is…Jesus can’t do it without us…and we can’t do it without Him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
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
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