The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding that there are both Benefits and Discipline to following God!

25 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

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

 Job 5:17.         Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

And then it Wednesday, our second wind day, and the ole fella is certainly catching his second wind, but on the late, late bus, because I went to the hospital early this morning for some tests, and since I was sedated for them, by the time I got back home I was still a li’l groggy and needed to rest for a while! Now that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it! (smile)

But thankfully though, the tests were all negative! And for that I can only give a big shout of praise and thanks to Almighty God my Creator, Provider and Protector, who has faithfully promised never to leave nor forsake me, and to work all things out for my good eventually. Lets’ hope and pray that this then is the end of the sickly season I’ve been going through for the last few months, because it’s been really challenging and tiring.  And again I say, ‘Thank You Lord! I praise and bless your Holy Name for You’ve been so good to me, seeing me through the rough times with grace, mercy and encouragement!’

And for all of God’s goodness friends, I believe we ought to renew our acquaintance with Psalm 103, one of the great praise psalms, where Bruh David blesses the Lord’s Holy Character. So please read these first few verses with me, verses that are ever appropriate to our faith journey. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-KINDNESS  and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is restored like the eagle’s.’ (Ps. 103: 1-5)

Oh my people, right there we see the basic benefits of having Jehovah God as our fountain of worship and thus benefits! No other supposed God keeps all of His many promises and looks after His people like the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Now that doesn’t mean He’s a doting grandfather, because in His great LOVE for us, as His children, He will also chasten and chastise us when we do wrong, so He can bring us back to the fold.

Listen to what the scriptures says. First we hear from Job, who writes: ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.’ (Job 5:17-18)  And we know that Cousin Sol, as the wisest man ever, has something to say on every subject. (smile) Listen to him from Proverbs: ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary (detest) his correction: for whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:11-12)

Then the author of Hebrews reiterates Cousin Sol’s claims, when he writes: ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children (sons), My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord LOVETH he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ (Heb. 12:5-6)

Oh, I know we only like the good stuff, the blessings and mercy, but living for God, we should not only expect constant sunshine and roses but also some tough times with tough discipline when we go astray, for the Lord treats us just like our earthly father is supposed to; with LOVE and with discipline. As the scholars explain: ‘God’s practice corresponds to the commands God gave to fathers: “He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him chasteneth him betimes (promptly).” (Prov. 13:24) LOVE  and corporal punishment are not incongruous; they are two complimentary aspects of training.’

And yes, some of you don’t hold with that theory, and thus have grown up your children with a soft touch, which is now turning back to haunt you, for they are uncontrollable, and that’s why we have such, rude, unmannerly, selfish irresponsible and obnoxious young individuals, because too many parents spared the rod and thus spoiled the child. But that’s another story for another day, and can be argued till the cows come home, (smile) but it will not change God’s intent, and in the long run, what He thinks is what really matters.

And since we’re on a late, late bus, I think we’ll keep it short and sweet. And I heard all the thankful sighs. (smile) That means we can now go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And it’s been also promised that those who endure right to the very end with Jesus, they will indeed enjoy a most spectacular future, more than their human minds can comprehend. So let’s agree to meet there at the very end and enjoy that spectacular future together! Much LOVE!

…God is a just and righteous God…He will not sweep our wrongdoings under the carpet…

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

The Wisdom of Trusting God and Acknowledging His Sovereignty Over Our Lives!

30 Apr 2025 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 3:7.       Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil.

And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day of the work week, but unbelievably, it’s also the last day of April 2025.  Can you imagine that April’s over already, and most of the things we were supposed to do in this month have not been done? I can’t handle it nuh. The days are passing by too quickly for my liking. But I guess I should remember that some wise person once said, ‘life waits on no one.’ And that’s the living truth. So, all I can do is pray and ask the Lord to help me put whatever day(s) I have left to good use, in His cause. In other words, to make hay while the sun shines. 

And the sun is shining right now, so let’s see what hay we can make nuh. (smile) Now, the rain we were promised yesterday really never showed up, except for a li’l drizzle early in the day. I suppose the strong winds we experienced all day, drove away the rain clouds. But that’s another intriguing and dangerous aspect of climate change. In recent years we’ve been having windstorms aplenty, even during the summer months. And we can only do our best to help turn things around, while offering up heartfelt prayers to our great and wonderful God for help to handle whatever comes against us. 

That brings us to these wise words of Cousin Sol in Proverbs, words that we all know, but don’t necessarily practice enough. And with all the chaos, disaster and lawlessness that’s currently surrounding us, now is a perfect time to review them. Cousin Sol wisely advises us to: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths. 

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body) and marrow (strength) to thy bones. Honour the Lord with thy substance (possessions), and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses (vats) shall burst forth with new wine.’ (Prov. 3:5-10) 

Oh my people, those are probably the six wisest verses in the Bible. And if we follow them, then our lives will be God-centred and filled with numerous blessings…as well as the necessary trials and tribulations. (smile) But we will be able to handle those with God as our Guide and Helper. According to the scholars, in verses 5-6, ‘Three commands are given: trust, meaning “rely on, depend on”; lean not, meaning do not depend on your own native instincts; and acknowledge him, meaning have fellowship and intimacy with God in all of life. The result of such devotion is that God will make the paths straight before you.’ 

And if we add honouring God with our first fruits and tithes, then our lives will be almost complete. And why almost you ask? Because there’s one more important provision in Cousin Sol’s game plan, where he wisely advises: ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of (detest) his correction: For whom the Lord LOVETH, he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:11-12) And that’s ever so true my faithful brethren! Our God corrects us because He LOVES us just like our earthly fathers do, and if we despise that correction, or rebel against it, we’ll forfeit many blessings. 

And there are several scriptures that remind us of that particular subject. In the Book of Job, his friend Eliphaz the Temanite expounds on it thus: ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power (hand) of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 

At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league with (have a covenant with) the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle (tent) shall be in peace: and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin (find nothing amiss). Thou shalt know also that thy seed (descendants) shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it; and know thou it for thy good.’ (Job 5:17-27) 

Oh friends, it seems that Eliphaz had researched the subject and came up with those marvellous conclusions. So, we will also advise us to hear it, and know it for our own good, because it’s a rather important subject in God’s kingdom. Meanwhile the author of Hebrews in talking about Jesus and what He underwent on our behalf, reminds us: ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as children (sons of God), My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him. for whom the Lord LOVETH, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he recieveth.’ (Heb. 12: 5-6) 

Yes friends, God disciplines those He LOVES, in conjunction with these wise words of Cousin Sol’s from Proverbs: ‘He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him, chasteneth him betimes (promptly).’ (Prov. 3:24) Many of you might not agree with that verse, but speaking from personal experience, I can assure you that it works. It doesn’t mean abusing a child, but it does mean as the old people would say, when you don’t hear, you feel. And I can assure you too, that if many of our young people had had a taste of the rod in their early lives, they would not be the rebellious and ungodly people they are today. 

And Jesus Himself considered discipline important, when He said in His message to the church at Laodicea: ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’ (Rev. 3:19) So if Jesus said it, who am I to refute it eh? Oh my people, we can either be obedient, or accept the Lord’s discipline with grace. It’s as simple as that! Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Jesus Christ. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And if we endure with Christ to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever imagine. So let’s be wise and endure to the end nuh, and so enjoy that glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…sincerely trusting God…and totally leaning on Him…are the wisest things a human being can ever do…

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