The Overwhelming Importance of the Lost and Sinful to Jesus and His Kingdom!

05 Mar 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 Timothy 1:15.         ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.’

We’re getting there slowly friends! Yes, we’re getting to the end of the week at the speed at which the Father designed it. And we’re now down to Thursday, the second to last day, so please, don’t go running towards Friday and looking forward to it more than you ought. For as Jesus says, we must focus on today, for tomorrow will take care of itself. (Matt. 6:34) And whatever Jesus says is the truth, so let’s keep our focus on today and do the best job we can in His holy name, and pray and have faith that we will awaken to face tomorrow. Amen!

And the Good Book opened today at the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son, and since I didn’t have anything else specifically to talk about, I figured that the Lord in His utmost wisdom desired us to deal with the scriptures on those things today. (smile) The Bible tells the story thus: ‘Then drew near unto him (Jesus) all the publicans (tax collectors) and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth (welcomes) sinners, and eateth with them.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repentneth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.’ (Luke 15:1-7)

Oh my people, do you hear and understand that? There will be much joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more so than over ninety nine others who have already repented. Yes, heaven glories in repentant sinners. And that’s a part of our job in living for Jesus; help to bring sinners to repentance and to true faith in Him. We can’t force them to believe, but through our words and our fitting behaviour to those words, we can get them interested in making the change, the most dramatic and important moment in their lives.

And it’s interesting how the Pharisees and scribes complain about Jesus welcoming sinners and eating with them. But what was His main job in coming to earth eh? To save sinners, as it says in several places in the word. Bruh Paul writes it thus to his protégé Timothy. ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.’ (1 Tim. 1:15)

Then, Jesus Himself says it in both the gospels of Matthew and Luke, when the Pharisees first complain to the disciples about their Master eating with publicans (tax collectors) and sinners, after Jesus called Matthew from his tax collectors post to become a disciple, then went to eat at his house. (Matt. 9:9-11) ‘But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole (are well) need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ (Matt. 9:12-13)

And he says the same thing in Luke 5:31-32. So tell me nuh, if Jesus came to save sinners, how could He do that if He did not interact with them eh? He couldn’t stay afar and convert them. Neither can we. We must mix and mingle with sinners if we hope to get them to turn to Christ, but we must also ensure that it’s our ways and beliefs that are being promulgated, and that the sinners ways and beliefs are not influencing us. Now that’s not always easy to do in this evil and ungodly world, but we have all the tools to do it, if we are strong and sure in our own faith walk.

That’s why Jesus specified that we are to BE IN the world, but NOT OF IT. That means to live in the world, but not like the world lives, rather like a child of God in the kingdom of heaven which has come to earth through Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection and ascension. And as we said earlier, that’s not easy to do when the evil doers and their boss Satan are always on our case, looking for an opportunity to cause us to sin, and consequently turn away from God, but let’s remember this powerful acclamation from John’s first epistle: ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (Satan and the anti-Christ): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4)

Yes mih bredrin, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit is way stronger than Satan and the anti-Christ! And I like how this commentary describes that verse: ‘It’s a powerful affirmation, assuring believers that the Holy Spirit dwelling within them is mightier than any, evil, or worldly influence (Satan/anti-Christ) in the world. It signifies divine victory, encouragement to overcome, and the strength of God against all challenges.’

Wow! What marvellous words of hope and confidence to keep us strong in faith! And our God’s so great, that besides giving us the Holy Spirit, He also generously bestowed on us what we call our Thursday Blessings, underserved blessings to enable us to do His earthly work. So let’s now declare and thus activate them nuh!

As one strong and sincere 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 having made that declaration, we are now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…whosoever, or whatsoever is in the world….can never be greater than…the one who created the world and all therein…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 August 2019 1 John 4:4.

19 Aug 2019 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 John 4:4.   Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the spirit of the antichrist): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
 

Awright people, let’s go get ‘em this Monday morning nuh! Yes it is Monday, and the battle lines are already drawn! Satan is already working against you as sit on the side of the bed contemplating what to do; to call in sick, or force yourself to get up, do the three esses, get dressed, then face the awful traffic jam involved in getting to a job you totally detest. And in the midst of all that, you’re wondering how Monday has come around again so quickly? I’m sorry, but I can’t help you there nuh, because I’m wondering the same thing too. (smile) 

But I can help you to drive the enemy away and consequently change your thinking and attitude towards the whole scenario. And we do that through prayer, our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, which we put forth as the antidote for whatever ails you on a Monday morning. (smile) But believe me, it  works! So let’s try it nuh. All together, as one voice, in sincerity of hearts and minds. 

‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. 

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ 

Yeah friends! Yuh feel the Holy Spirit moving ahready nuh! Yuh see how yuh spring up from the bed, full of vim and vigour, when just a minute ago yuh didn’t have the energy to even lift a finger! And now yuh enthusiastic as ever to get out there and do battle with ole Beelzebub himself! That’s what yuh call the power of the Holy Spirit! When it moves, it moves like a magnet, separating the sheep from the goats, the men from the boys, and God’s saints from Lucifer’s evil minions! 

Wow! So why wouldn’t you want that positive, powerful, vibrant life-force moving within you, and guiding your footsteps through this evil world eh, rather than the debilitating, negative, evil spirit that belongs to Satan? If you are wise, you will follow it, because it indwells every believer. And please remember Jesus’ words to the disciples when He promised them the Holy Spirit. ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter (Helper, Advocate), that he may abide with you for ever.’ (John 14:15-16) 

And the scholars explain: ‘14:16. Another (Gr. allon) stresses that the Holy Spirit would be “another” like Jesus. A Comforter (Gr. Paraclete) is an advocate called alongside for aid in time of trouble. See the same word in 1 John 2:1, “Advocate.” And Jesus continued: ‘Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless (orphans): I will come to you.’ (John 14:17-18) 

Yuh see friends, the world didn’t even know the Holy Spirit back then, and it still doesn’t! But we believers do, because as of Pentecost Sunday the Holy Spirit began dwelling in believers as Jesus promised: ‘But ye shall receive power, after that (when) the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ (Acts 1:8) 

And yuh see how the Holy Ghost come and mash up the place, create havoc on Pentecost Sunday: It showed up ‘like a mighty rushing wind from heaven and filled the house where they were sitting… appearing unto them (the disciples) like cloven (divided) tongues of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.’ (Acts 2:3-4) That’s the amazing power of the workhorse of the Holy Trinity! 

But it can also work silently and subtlety, as Jesus indicated when He first promised it to His followers. ‘But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.’ (John 14:26) Ah mih people, that Holy Spirit is usually a silent worker these days; it talks to us from within, and we ought to pay serious and strict attention to what it says, because it is there to lead us along paths of righteousness and godliness. 

But here is one fact that we should always keep uppermost in our minds. John puts it nicely in his first epistle. ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the spirit of the antichrist): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ Mamma Mia! What a wonderful and encouraging statement of fact my faithful brethren! 

The scholars explain it thus: ‘4:4. Christ indwells believers; Satan is likewise the Lord of his own followers. But Christ is GREATER than he who wreaks havoc in the world. Have overcome is in the perfect tense, stressing the abiding nature of their victory. Their strength lies in the fact that they are (born) of God.’ 

Oh my people, please remember that all of that also applies to us, because we are also born of God, and Jesus has also provided us with the abiding victory over Satan, hell, death and the grave, our job now is to simply keep that victory going strong! Much LOVE!

…true believers…wisely use the Holy Spirit…to guide them aright…in this evil world…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 June 2019 1 John 4:4.

21 Jun 2019 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 John 4:4.    ​Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the numerous spirits of antichrist): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
 

Summer time, summer time, summer time! Yes friends, today is officially the first day of summer! Glory be! At last some real warm weather might just be on the horizon! But then we’ll do our usual complaining: ‘Oh, it’s so hot! It’s too hot!’ Hn! We’re just a setta complaining fools; don’t know when we really have it good nuh. But I guess that’s just the nature of the comfortable, lazy, want it all without any sacrifice, human animal that we’ve become in this Western society. 

And I welcomed in the summer solstice sitting on my porch at midnight last night communing with my Maker in the peaceful silence, as the incessant drizzle just kept drizzling down. (smile) Brother! I don’t know if I like that kind of rainfall nuh. And although yesterday looked like it was going to be a ‘riney’ day, it didn’t rain much until in the evening around six. 

On my way home from the hospital from my radiation treatment, I got caught in a torrential downpour, then after a while, it settled down into the drizzling nonsense, until way past midnight. But that seems to be the predominant kind of rainfall we’ve been getting in my area recently. 

And I don’t think the workingman is happy about it at all nuh as he trills: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui…and to boot the first day of summer! But steups! What kinda summer are we going to have with all the rain and wind and cool weather we been recently having eh? Is it suddenly going to get hot and dry? I don’t think so. But what yuh going to do eh? Nothing but enjoy it as best yuh can. 

With all this confusion about climate and weather and temperature change and what not, who knows what to expect nowadays eh? But yuh know what, once there is no snow on the ground, and I can go out in my shorts and tank top, drink some brewskis, grill some burgers and dogs, I’m happy! (smile) 

I’m not hard to please, just a simple everyday kinda working man, trying to enjoy some of the fruits of my labour, like the Lord said I should. But ah still hoping for a hot and dry summer though… and don’t forget to thank God for Fridays and weekends eh, otherwise the slave driver and them would just work we to death, like they use to back some hundreds of years ago!’ 

As I keep saying, you can trust the workingman to say it like it is, to wear his passion right on his sleeve. And in many cases he’s not wrong, just somewhat over the borderline that we Christians need to toe because of our somewhat more restricted beliefs. But remember those borders are there for our protection from the rampant, ever on the lookout enemy, who only seeks to get into our souls and deceive us with his lies and deceptive comments and intuitions. 

As Jesus so rightly says: ‘The thief (enemy) 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 faithful brethren, with Jesus as our front line defence, we can certainly repel the noxious enemy, but we still need to tread carefully in this evil and ungodly world, and be cognizant of all that goes on around us. 

Consequently, our Friday Chant differs some from the workingman’s song, so let’s chant it now with a true and sincere sense of purpose nuh, really meaning what we say. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. 

Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen!’ 

Yeh friends, it’s all about living and working for Jesus! And the enemy tries his devil best (smile) to keep us from doing that, but we know as a certain fact as John says in his first epistle. ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the numerous spirits of antichrist): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ 

Mama Mia! What an assurance my brothers and sisters in Christ! It ought to set our hearts on fire for Christ, just knowing that He is greater than the flimsy floozy we call the devil who rules this evil world! 

And the scholars explain our Bit thus: ‘4:4. Christ indwells believers; Satan is likewise the lord of his own followers. But Christ is greater than he who wreaks havoc in the world. Have overcome is in the perfect tense, stressing the abiding nature of their victory. Their strength lies in this fact that they are (born) of God.’ 

Ah mih people, isn’t great to know that the One we believe in, who indwells us, is greater than the one who indwells the worldly throng and has already given us the everlasting victory? It certainly is. But please remember we just can’t take it all for granted, because we are in covenant with our heavenly Father, which means that there is also a part for us to play, namely to abide by His rules and regulations and to spread the good news of Jesus’ gospel which leads to salvation and eternal life! 

Wow! How can we not keep our part of the bargain when the Father kept His, by sending His one Son, Jesus to die on the cross at Calvary for us eh? That would not only be very selfish and unethical, but also very un-Christ-like, the standard to which we all claim to aspire. 

So please, today, let’s each take a moment and ponder our personal response to Jesus’ desire for us nuh, and see how Christ like it is, and then turn to the Father and ask Him for His always available help to bring it up to scratch. That’s wisdom of enormous proportions! Much LOVE!

…why to worry eh…when Christ has already defeated…hell, death and the grave…victory is ours…Praise His Holy Name…

P.S. Sorry it’s somewhat late, but I got a late start, then I had some computer problems…the bane of the modern day writer! (smile)