The Overwhelming Importance for Human Beings to keep their Bodies and Minds moving productively.

12 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

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

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   1 September 2022 Proverbs 6:4.

01 Sep 2022 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 6:4.       Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

And it’s the first of September, meaning, soon back to school and back to work from the summer vacation, as well as the beginning of the cooler weather, with ever fewer trips to the cottage for the weekend breaks. We have to start thinking of and preparing for the cold and dreary winter months ahead. It’s a pain in the rear end for us all, and does cut down some on our enthusiasm, but that’s just the way it is if you live in the northern climes. (smile) 

Consequently, we need to have strong shoulders with a good head on them, one that plans with God’s help, doing whatever needs to be done. As Cousin Sol so wisely warns of idleness and falsehood in Proverbs 6, where he solemnly advises: ‘Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe (gazelle) from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler (bird trapper).’ (Prov. 6:4-5) 

Yes friends, we need to be very wise and careful in our dealings with the world, especially in these very fraudulent, culpable and ever so dangerous times. We can’t waste time in sleeping or idleness, because the world will either pass us by or snap us up in its devilish and ungodly schemes. We must do as the old people say, make hay when it shines. Or as Cousin Sol continues: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide (leader), overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat (food) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:6-8) 

Ah mih people, for the many sluggards, the habitually lazy persons in our society, the ant teaches us two very important lessons. Firstly, it doesn’t have a leader or taskmaster, but it goes out and does what needs to be done to secure its livelihood. And secondly, it’s wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances like an upcoming winter season, where it goes out and collects food during the summer and stores it for the lean and cold winter months. That means the ant is a self-starter, it doesn’t need anyone or anything to be continually prodding it to work, especially on its own behalf. 

I wish the same could be said for many of us in this entitled society in which we now live. And that’s why these following verses are ever so important in these trying times. Cousin Sol first ponders the question: ‘How long wilt thou sleep (do nothing), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep (start doing something constructive)?’ Then he provides the answer. ‘Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (a prowler), and thy want (need) as an armed man.’ (Prov. 6:9-11) 

Now that’s wisdom we should all pay attention to, for constant laziness, or too much sleep, without productive living is anathema, an abomination to the human soul. Why? Because it eventually brings dire poverty, with little or no warning, like a robber who suddenly shows up unexpectedly and robs you of all your belongings. 

And sadly, there are too many people, especially of the upcoming generation, living like that nowadays. They possess no work ethic, no self-discipline or self-control, they just know that they want as much of the currently in-things as possible but refuse to put in a fair day’s labour to achieve them, ofttimes thinking that they are entitled to whatever they desire. And a lot of the blame for that mentality must be laid right at the feet of the parents. For our generation figured that because we had it somewhat rough, our children must have it easy. 

But the truth of the matter is that having life easy only breeds laziness, dissatisfaction and entitlement. The only thing that breeds wisdom and common sense is some difficulty in our lives. That’s what made us, the parents strong; we didn’t have everything handed to us on a silver platter, we didn’t have as many amenities as we now have, which breeds laziness, especially in those unaccustomed to anything else. Many of us grew up with very little, but that’s what made us the strong people that we turned out to be! 

And in the comparison of the wise and foolish, Cousin Sol continues the advice. ‘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 the harvest is a son that causeth shame.’ (Prov. 10:4-5) 

There’s no getting away from it friends, an unproductive life will leave us poor as the proverbial church mouse. (smile) And if you consider yourself, or claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, then slackness, negligence, too much sleep and laziness cannot be numbered amongst your traits, because Jesus demands excellence, diligence and productivity from His followers. 

Remember what He said to the disciples? ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:4-5) 

That says it all my fellow believers! Without Christ as the leading light of our lives we are unable to do much of anything. But with Him, running the show…oh my brethren, we can do amazing things; things we can’t even ask or imagine, like bringing forth a hundredfold of fruit! (smile) And our God is so wonderful that He’s bestowed awesome blessings on us, blessings we certainly don’t deserve but are necessary to help us do His earthly work. We call them our Thursday Blessings. 

So, let’s declare them now nuh, so they can take a hold of our souls and spirits and raise them to higher levels. Altogether now, in 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!’ 

Now, with those blessings under our belts, let’s get out there and use them in Christ’s name, being diligent, excellent, fruit-bearing examples of His amazing LOVE, grace and mercy. Much LOVE!

…laziness will get us nowhere…but hellfire, death and damnation… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8​