Today’s Scrip-Bit   3 June 2024   1 John 2:15a.

03 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

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

1 John 2:15a.        LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world.

It’s here friends, right on schedule…Monday…that day so many of us detest, because we believe that it usurps our weekend. (smile) But Monday is just keeping us on the straight and narrow path, reminding us that working for a living is as important, if not more important than just hanging around doing nothing productive, or what we call enjoying life. Without Mondays to wake us up to the reality of life, so many of us would be lost and adrift on a stormy sea of lawlessness and chaos. 

So instead of disliking Mondays, let’s tell it thanks for bringing us back into the real world every week. (smile) And it’s especially important for we believers in Christ Jesus who need as many checks and balances as we can get to keep us walking the straight road to heaven and not the directionless one that leads to Satan’s lair. 

For as Bruh Paul warned Timothy and by extension us: ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), highminded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more (rather) than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’ (2 Tim. 3:1-5) 

Ah mih bredrin, I don’t know if these are really the last days or not nuh, but I do know that those traits Bruh Paul outlined to Timothy are now sweeping our world with an intensity and viciousness like we’ve never seen before. The rule of law is being overturned in numerous places, only to be replaced by strife and chaos. Likewise the rule of God is disregarded as if it never existed. That means apostasy, or turning away from God is a major casualty in these turbulent times. 

We also have a warning from John in his first epistle about the chaotic situation that’s in progress in our world. He says: ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh (physical desires), and the lust of the eyes (personal desires), and the pride of life (self-interests), is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:15-17) 

Now that’s a plain as day. All the stuff that’s happening in the world is not of God, and as children of God we ought to stay away from it. And let’s not forget the ongoing problem we have of false teachers, who are also out in great numbers. They preach their own version of the Bible, slanted towards their own aggrandizement and though it seems that they are in tune with God, in actual fact they are the devil’s own, like wolves in sheep’s clothing, and thus have God’s people unknowingly going astray. 

That’s why it’s ever so important for believers to truly know God’s Word, so that they can compare what they hear and see to what the Word says, because there are so many unscrupulous people out there taking advantage of those with little or weak knowledge of God’s Word. Christianity is definitely not an easy path to tread these days, since there are so many pitfalls being laid out to capture the weary, the gullible and those who simply don’t know any better. 

And with all the new technology, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the social media platforms, falsehood and deceit are running rampant and will only get worse as our areas of expertise and knowledge widen. Thus we believers ought to exert every effort to do as John advises: ‘This then is the message which we have heard of him (Jesus), and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not (practice) the truth: 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.’ (1 John 1:5-10) 

That my fellow saints is the style of life we need to adopt; walk in the light of Jesus and do our best not to be entrapped by the profusion of sin and temptation that’s currently in the world. However, if we do become ensnared by it, then we must not deceive ourselves or be ashamed, but be big enough to admit it and go to the Father in repentance for forgiveness and cleansing. Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, for help to keep walking the straight path in these very dangerous and ungodly times. 

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!’ 

Let’s not forget the importance of turning from our evil ways, if we truly desire divine assistance. Much LOVE!

…the road may be rough and rocky…but we have all we need to make it safely home…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 December 2020 Ecclesiastes 1:2.

18 Dec 2020 Leave a comment

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

Ecclesiastes 1:2.     ​Vanity of vanities (futility of futilities), saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

So we move on to Friday… And does that make any difference eh? Not really nuh, because as Cousin Sol wisely said so long ago, writing as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes: ‘Vanity of vanities (futility of futilities), saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of (from) all his labour which he taketh under the sun (toils or labours)? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.’ (Eccl. 1:2-4) We certainly can’t deny all that. 

And as the scholars tell us ‘1:2: Vanity is the key word of the book and the refrain all is vanity it’s theme. Vanity means “that which is futile or worthless, of no value or profit.” As Solomon observed life, he saw little that exhibited profit and accomplishment. The word ‘all’ in the expression ‘all is vanity’ must not be taken to mean everything in the universe for these reasons: (1) The author’s observations are clearly limited to what is “under the sun” or observable. 

(2) The negative conclusions always grow out of observable phenomena as the expressions “I saw,” “I have seen,” “Again I saw,” and so on, exhibit. (3) “Vanity” is never predicated of God, God’s work, God’s revelation, or man as man. (4) Specific realities are commended by Solomon in such a way as not to be considered vanity (e.g., the fear of God, enjoyment of life, and proper use of wisdom).’ 

So I hope that gives us some useful insight into Cousin Sols contemplation, (smile) as he continues a few verses later on: ‘All things are full of labour (wearisome); man cannot utter (express) it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.’ (Eccl. 1:8) And isn’t that the gospel truth friends, especially in this technologically driven society? Our eyes and ears are never satisfied; we continually hunger for more sights and sounds, even if they lead us to immorality, prideful lust and sinful activities. 

But that’s not all, hear the Preacher giving out further: ‘The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.’ (Eccl. 1:9) More gospel truth my brethren! There might be variations of stuff, but mankind has been doing the same basic things down through the ages, and will continue to do until Jesus comes back and assumes His rightful place. 

And as Cousin Sol further argues: ‘Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time before us (in ancient times). There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.’ (Eccl.1:10-11) Ah mih people, how true are those words eh. 

Hear the scholars: ‘1:4-11. The ceaseless cycles of nature illustrate the futility of life. The amazing thing is that the earth goes on, but man, the height of God’s creation, passes into eternity with no remembrance (vs.11).’ Now doesn’t that give you pause for ponder and wonder? (smile) Why does the earth and all it’s seasons and cycles continue seemingly for ever, while the crowning glory of God’s creation, mankind, spends such a brief time in a physical body on the earth eh? 

I guess we could trace that all the way back to the Garden of Eden when because of our forefather’s disobedience, sin and thus futility was introduced into the world. God might even have made man to live forever, but Adam and Eve never gave us the chance to find out. Yes, some other old timers lived for hundreds of years, but that was more the exception than the rule. And now we’ll never know what God meant to do. But that’s okay, for He eventually redeemed us, gave us another chance through the sacrifice of His son Jesus on the cross at Calvary. 

But sin is still causing way too many problems in our lives, and not enough people are turning to Jesus for redemption and salvation. And I believe that these verses from John’s first epistle, say a lot about us and the world we live in. ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world , the lust of the flesh (physical desires), and the lust of the eyes (personal desires), and the pride of life (self-interests), is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:15-17) 

It couldn’t be put any clearer than that friends. Sin has made a total mess of our world, till we’ve reached the stage that we don’t know whether we’re coming or going. Some say we’re coming, others say we’re going…but what’s the truth eh? The only truth is what God’s word says. And in it He clearly states that we should pray and repent and have faith in Him when we’re in trouble. And we are in serious trouble right now, so let’s develop some wisdom and turn to Him in sincere repentance and prayer nuh, through our Friday Chant. 

Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that 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 both the virus and the unrest in our streets. 

So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. 

It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

Now, if we seriously desire His divine relief, then the onus is on us to do what we’ve promised. Much LOVE!

…sin will always muddy the waters of life…and cause serious consequences… 

P.S. Yes, don’t know how many of you noticed, but there’s no word from the ordinary workingman today. The simple truth is I forgot. I guess I got so wrapped up in the topic that I didn’t remember him until I was done. But it’s all good though. (smile) Much LOVE! 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 July 2020 1 John 2:15.

07 Jul 2020 Leave a comment

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

1 John 2:15.     ​LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in Him. 
 

And the glorious summer days of 2020 keep rolling along like the tumbling tumbleweed! We could certainly use a li’l rain though to cool the parched ground… and even more, some respite from the ever-present pandemic and the strife and protests that are stirring up our world into a maelstrom of bitterness, hate, resentment and violence. Ah Lord eh people, when the history of this summer – well not only of the summer, but the entire year of 2020 is written, it will consist of nothing but disturbing events – and we still have the important U.S. presidential election to come later this year. 

Bubba! Can you imagine how that will resonate around the world, regardless of how it ends up! Ah Lord eh…! Will mankind ever learn? Or do we have to wait until Jesus comes back? It certainly seems like the last proposition is the correct one! (smile) And that brings us to this most appropriate poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled ‘Divided Heart.’ 

Please pray with me: ‘Lord I am so often tormented By my lack of direction – So often disturbed By my divided heart. I am like a little child Who wants to rock her doll And jump rope at the same time. I want to obey You in part If I can choose the area of obedience. I want to be real except at those moments When compromise is more appealing. 

I want to be half-motivated And half-satisfied with things as they are. I want to walk a straight path If now and then I can enjoy A few side trips into the far country. I don’t want to be a miserable sinner But neither do I feel excited About being a stoic saint. I want to be partly Yours And partly my own. But in the secret chamber Of my divided heart I am so often disquieted By the pointed question “Why do you so foolishly Mix weeds with seed?” 

And yuh know what my friends, we all do just that! We want to sit on the fence and do a li’l to please God and a li’l to please ourselves. But the problem with that situation is that God doesn’t want our leftovers, or what we so generously choose to give Him. He wants ALL of us or NOTHING at all! Remember Jesus’ words as part of our discipleship: ‘For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ (Matt. 16:26) Those are very good questions that we should all consider my people! 

And Remember Jesus’ earlier advice: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) Yeh friends, if we seek God and His righteousness first, He will give us all the worldly things we need to make it comfortably in this world. Believe me, there are quite a lot of well off, even filthy rich Christians in this world, so it’s not like God isn’t generous when we try our best to walk the straight and narrow path and not sit churlishly on the fence. 

And remember also when Jesus prayed for the disciples… ‘I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them… They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth.’ (John 17: 9-10; 16-17) Yes friends, Jesus was very plain and straightforward about it. He knew we had to live in the world to do His will, but He did not want us to be a part of it. Instead, He desired of the Father that we be set apart for godly purposes! 

But because of our naturally sinful nature, we are so enamoured of the world and all its sinful things, so easily fooled by their pretty but false, empty and deceitful facades. Oh, I know it’s not easy to bypass all those outwardly beautiful things that the world favours, but as true followers of Jesus we must do our best to stay on the straight and narrow road. That’s why John in his first epistle seriously warns us. 

‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2: 15-17) 

Oh my people, it couldn’t be put any clearer than that nuh! The world and all its supposedly beautiful things are run by the enemy and he wants nothing better than to get us saints of Christ, so bemused and in LOVE with his stuff that we forsake the things of God and thus besmirch or tarnish our godly reputation and testimony. But my people we need to be strong and ignore all the empty and false advances of the enemy. 

And to help us, hear this explanation of the scholars re Temptation. ‘2:16. Though all people are tempted differently according to their individual weaknesses, temptations follow patterns. They appeal to three fundamental areas of life: (1) the lust of the flesh (physical desires); (2) the lust of the eyes (personal desires); and (3) the pride of life (self-interests). 

Illustration: when Satan caused the fall of the race, he appealed to each of these areas of weakness (Gen. 3:6). He also appealed to them when he tempted Christ (Matt. 4:1-11), who defied Satan’s temptations by relying on the authority of the Scriptures. Application: The Christian today should also depend on the Scriptures to defeat temptation. (First Ref. Gen. 3:1-6; Primary Ref. 1 John 2:15-17; cf. Rom. 5:12.)’ 

And we all have been thus tempted, and it’s not always easy to refute or refuse them, but let’s hear our Lord and Saviour one more time. ‘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 16:33) 

Wow! What assurance my brethren! That means we can go home today in such good spirits declaring (steups!) our Tuesday Mantra. In strong voice with sincere hearts: ‘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 the world. Amen!’ 

So what we waiting for eh? Let’s go and do just that nuh! Much LOVE!

…for where your treasure is…there will be your heart also… (Matt. 6:21) 

P.S. Don’t pay attention to the lateness, just check out the great substance! (smile) Much LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 November 2019 1 John 2:17.

09 Nov 2019 Leave a comment

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

1 John 2:17.    ​And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
 

Ah Lord eh people! The devil surely knows how to interrupt our day and cause us to get into an unholy tiff! I was down here fairly early to write the Bit, even opened the internet access and checked some emails, and replied to a couple. Next thing I know, the computer’s telling me there’s no internet access, so they couldn’t be sent. On checking, there seems to be some problem with my internet provider, the great Bell Canada, so right now I have no internet or TV access. Steups! I was having problems with the old computer, so I bought a new one, now I’m having problems with the internet provider. 

Then, I was planning to come and write the Bit on Word so it could be easily sent out whenever the situation is rectified, but today is Saturday, time for our friend Anselm’s quotes, but I can’t even get to them because they are in my internet mailbox. So everything will just have to wait! Glory Be! What else can I say eh? I’m chuckling here, because there’s nothing much I can do. You can’t even get through to Bell on the phone; the line’s busy. Oh, the duchess just told me that everything is back, except the internet…Whoopee dee! 

You know I’m even surprised that I have such a good attitude. I expected to be quite annoyed…and guess I was, because earlier on it gave me a headache. That good attitude must be the Lord’s doing yes, because I certainly can’t remember pressing the good attitude button. (smile) So that’s it until the internet comes back. (9.16 a.m.) Yuh know what, I can’t even save this, because it has to go through the server!  Chuh! What a way we’ve become beholden, de facto slaves, to electronic technology! 

Yeaaah! It’s come back at 922! So we can go right into our friend Anselm’s quotes and see how he aspired to inspire us this week. Here is the first one: ‘You do not find the happy life. You make it.’ And that’s oh so true! Unfortunately too many of us seem to think that a happy life comes naturally, especially believers who have just hooked up to Jesus. But that’s one of the devil’s many lies. If you want to have a happy life, even with Jesus, you have to do your part to make it so. And the best route to happiness is obviously the one that runs through Jesus! Praise His holy name! 

And the second quote advises us to ‘Limit your “always” and your “nevers”.’ Now that’s not bad advice because life is so contrary, that one moment you’ll say you’ll never do something, then the next find yourself having to do it. I can speak to that from personal experience. There have been so many things I claimed I’d never do, but eventually ended up doing them because of life and its contrary circumstances. So let’s not make too may extreme statements, because life just finds pleasure in making us eat our words. 

Moving on to the next quote: ‘When you are through changing, you are through.’ Now that leaves me somewhat confused because I don’t really understand what it means. (smile) Taken exactly as it’s written, it makes sense; when you’re done changing, you can’t change anymore. Unless it means that when you are finished changing, you have come through the changes, like coming through a tunnel or something. But let’s not forget that one of the few certainties we have in life is that it’s always changing, which means we too are always in the process of change. 

And we all know the verity of this next quote: ‘Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’m possible!” Yeh friends and fellow believers in Jesus Christ, we know that for a fact, as the angel Gabriel told Mary, Jesus’ mother when he informed her that she was going to bear a child without knowing a man. (Luke 1:26-35) Wow! ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:37) And so it should be my people! The creator of our great universe can do any and everything! And that benefits us oh so much, that I don’t understand why so many people are turning away from Him, rather than running into His ever ready, waiting and LOVING arms! 

But hopefully this last quote will help us see the wisdom of turning to God, through Christ Jesus. It says: ‘Everything comes to pass, nothing comes to stay.’ And that’s gospel truth my brethren! And we’ll look at a few scriptures that support that statement, starting with Bruh Paul’s contention to the Corinthians: ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.’ (2 Cor.5:17) Yes friends, the first step in becoming righteous means a passing away of one’s old life and all the ungodly things that existed in it. 

And then too friends, our earthly and mortal bodies will pass away. But, per Bruh Paul: ‘Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.’ (1 Cor. 15:51) Our bodies will go back to the dust from whence they came, but our spirits will live on forever with our Triune God, all thanks to Jesus Christ, who gives us that eventual victory! 

Now hear John in his first epistle. ‘For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.’ (1 John 2:16) Ah mih people, sin and our evil desires are so much a natural part of our human existence it’s difficult to run away from them, but we ought to, since as John continues: ‘And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.’ It could not be any plainer or straightforward than that my brethren! 

And John seals it all with this vision in his Revelations. ‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.’ (Rev.21:1) Yeh friends, just like Isaiah predicted in Is. 65:17 and 66:22, a new world will eventually replace this old one, a world cleansed of sin and all negativity! Wow! Am I ever looking forward to that time! But one word of warning; we’ll only be able to enjoy that sinless world if we have stood strong and steadfast with Jesus during our earthly lives. Any other lifestyle will lead to death and eternal damnation, eternal separation from Jesus! And that’s the worst thing that can happen to a spiritual being!  Much LOVE!

…what passes doesn’t matter…when you’re in league with Jesus…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 February 2019 1 John 2:15.

22 Feb 2019 Leave a comment

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

1 John 2:15.   ​LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him.
 

No precipitation…and the sun is shining brightly…and my desktop seems to be working decently …Glory to God! Yeh friends it looks like it’s going to be a good day all around! And even if it isn’t, we’ll still declare with sincere faith and trust: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it! And the Lord will supply ALL my needs through His riches in glory! Therefore me and my house will surely follow Him!’ 

And consequently; ‘Something good is going to happen to me today!’ As well as ‘Something good is going to happen through me today!’ Oh bless the Holy Name of our great and merciful God my believing brethren and forget not His benefits! Yeh mih people, the ole fella’s on a roll this Friday morning! (smile) 

But so is the workingman, as he sings his song: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! Never wanted to see a Friday come as badly as this one nuh! Brother! Ah really tired this week after all the partying we do in that last long weekend, then having to go to work and slave for massa everyday! Steups! 

Couldn’t even take a day off sick, because he was just waiting there like a viper ready to fire anybody who book off sick after the long weekend. So ah really don’t know how much partying we can do this weekend nuh. Ah finally realizing that ah not as young as I used to be and can’t afford to burn the candle at both ends as ah use to do! 

As the ole people would say, after one time is really too yes! So we going to catch up on some rest this weekend, renew we energy, so that the partying could continue down the line! Wow! The body really tired and calling for sleep and rest! Hope the massa doh ketch me sleeping on the work today nuh…else crapaud smoke mih pipe! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes mih people!’ 

Yes mih bredden, our chickens usually come home to roost at some time or the other. The workingman is finally feeling the strain of overdoing his worldly pleasures. That’s why our Leader, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ instituted boundaries and cut offs for His followers.

He knew full well that overdoing the pleasures of the world would only bring heartache and suffering. And that’s why our Friday Chant is so much different to the workingman’s bacchanalian offering. 

So let’s get into our chant now nuh, with strong voice and sincere sense of purpose. ‘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!’ 

Oh I know that our song is not as glamorous and party popping like the workingman’s, but it keeps us out of trouble with the enemy, and that’s all we need to ask of it. It gives us respect and circumspection as to how far to go and also what we need to do as followers of Jesus. 

So please don’t denigrate it because it’s not as snazzy and popular as the workingman’s, which only invites the enemy to gain footholds in our souls, which is also the worst thing we could ever do, thereby jeopardizing our salvation and eternal life with Jesus. Now who would ever want to do such a foolish thing eh? 

You’d think no sane and sensible believer would do that, but unfortunately there are many of us who are doing just that, nonchalantly disobeying the solemn and wise advice of John: ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him.’ That’s the living truth friends! 

As John continues: ‘For all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.’ (1 John 2:16) Ah mih people, our natural instinct is to sin; participate in evil desires and lustful pleasures which are not a part of God’s realm and we have to stop letting the enemy deceive us with the eye candy that the world values but the Lord does not. 

As James admonishes us: ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be (wants to be) a friend of the world, is (makes himself) the enemy of God.’ (James 4:4) That’s it right there in a nutshell my fellow believers! 

And also as Bruh Paul put it so plainly to the church at Rome: ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom.12:2) 

Oh my people, as believers we need to be aware of God’s plan for our lives which requires our sincere dedication, surrender and submission to His guidance. And we can only achieve that by reading His Word and meditating on it, as well as through prayer and fellowship with other believers. To be truly God’s, we have to delve into and revel in what is His, not what belongs to the world. 

And I know some of you are saying that we preached this sermon just recently, but this is one of those sermons that some of us need to hear everyday! (smile) For as John so sincerely reminds us: ‘And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:17) 

Oh friends, I’m sure we all want to abide for ever, so let’s pull up our socks and do better with God’s help nuh! Wisdom and common sense dictate that we do! Much LOVE!

…one cannot be both…a LOVER of God…and a LOVER of the world…