The Necessity of Being Adaptable to Change In This Ever-changing World!

03 Apr 2025 Leave a comment

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

Malachi 3:6.        For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Oh my people, as the song says, yesterday was just another one of those days, one where we see the ever-increasing action of climate change. First came the snow in the early afternoon, light, but then heavy, thankfully though not the 6 cm that was forecasted. Then came the freezing rain, and you could hear it hitting against the windows like it was trying to break them. So you can imagine the mess that weather situation caused in the evening drive home. Then came the rain, and that lasted for most of the night, only stopping sometime this morning. 

Now it’s mostly cloudy with a ray of sunshine peeping through. However, they are forecasting heavy rain again for later, although the temperature is supposed to be in the high teens, and wonder of wonders, 9 cm. of snow for next Tuesday. And I’m not going to doubt them, because they have been right the last few times, except for the amount of snow we’ve received. (smile) 

That brings us to this interesting topic of changes or changing. It’s been said that the only thing that doesn’t change is change. And this commentary tells us: ‘The saying “the only constant in life is change,” attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, highlights the inherent nature of constant flux and transition in the world and our lives.’ So, we’re to assume that everything and everyone changes , possibly several times during their existence.  And furthermore, many of us find change, be it good or bad, very difficult to handle. 

And this commentary by Arapahoe Tim from his arapahoelibraries.org website attempts to give us an even broader understanding of the topic.  He begins by quoting the other Greek Philosopher Plato. “Heraclitus, I believe, says that all things pass and nothing stays, and comparing existing things to the flow of a river, he says you could not step twice into the same river.”  Then he continues: ‘One constant since the beginning of time might be change, however, the fear of change is also a constant. Since times immemorial, humans have liked routine. It makes us feel in control of our lives. 

When that fear of change becomes irrational our ability to control it becomes a phobia, particularly Metathesiophobia. A Metathesiophobe feels they have no control over their lives due to constant change. Metathesiophobes tend to live in the past and are unwilling to progress, which often leads to depression which can seriously impact their professional and personal lives. 

If a society or country rejects change there is no growth, no progress. The inability to change, progress, or grow can result in stagnation. Stagnation rejects realizing one’s full potential. Stagnation is not a healthy flowing river; it is an idle and stale pond.’ Then the writer ends with this quote from the U.S President Benjamin Franklin. “When you are finished changing, you are finished.”  

And there’s no doubt that change is good, but change just for the sake of change is not wise. If the change improves things, then it makes sense, but if it doesn’t, then why change eh? Meanwhile, this other commentary from Hope Gilette on the psychcentral.com website further explains: ‘Change is all around us. Some change is fixed, like the shift of one season to another, while other change is evolutionary and progressive, tossing new circumstances our way as time goes on. It’s natural to dislike change — it often requires you to come out from a zone of comfort and security. But adaptability, the process of reinventing your behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, can be a key protective feature in mental health.’ 

And there’s truth to it all, but there’s one good thing to be thankful for; that our wonderful God does not change, otherwise we’d be up the proverbial creek. (smile) All the changes in life would drive us crazy, if we didn’t have at least one solid and unchangeable entity to turn to in times of change. And He summarily declares it through the prophet Malachi: ‘For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.’ (Mal. 3:6) This commentary explains it thus: ‘This means he doesn’t change his character, his plan, or his mind. Frankly, with the instability of life, this is the security we all long for—consistent unconditional love. The Unchanging God.’ 

Now that’s certainly good news, for if God wasn’t steadfast and unruffled, He would have destroyed us long ago for all the disobedience and ungodly things we do. But because of His great LOVE for us, He’s stuck with His original plan of salvation, but certain eventual destruction of the wicked and their endeavours. And the prophet Jeremiah reminds us of that most salient fact in his Lamentations. ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.’ (Lam. 3:23) 

Then we have another couple reminders of God’s unchangeable nature. This first one from Hebrews that declares: ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.’ (Heb. 13:8) And last but by no means least, James throws in his two cents worth, when he writes: ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning.’ (James 1:17) And do we ever have plenty of good and perfect gifts that the Father has bestowed on us, gifts to enable us to do His earthly work. We call them our Thursday Blessings, and it’s necessary to declare and thus activate them right now. 

So 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 activated those perfect gifts, we’re now duty bound to go out and use them on behalf of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that others can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…change is a necessary aspect of life…but it must be constrained by God’s Word…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Believers knowing God’s Amazing Faithfulness!

22 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

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

Lamentations 3:22-23.       Because of the LORD’s great LOVE we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

And once more, in the many times in our lives, we are called on to celebrate the Lord’s Day, preferably in His sanctuary, but wherever two or three believers are gathered, He’s promised to be there and listen to our prayers, our voices of thanksgiving and worship. So the important thing is not so much the place we are gathered, but that we are gathered in a place. (Matt. 18:20) (smile) 

And today’s song of worship is a most appropriate one in these dreadful and disastrous times. It was written by Franklin, Kentucky born, Thomas O. Chisholm. (1866-1960) He apparently wrote the poem in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime then sent the song to William Runyan in Kansas. Runyan set the poem to music, and it was published that same year by Hope Publishing Company and became popular among church groups. 

And it is still very popular to this very day because it reassures us of God’s goodness and faithfulness. So, let’s send up sweet sacrifices of praise to heaven as we sing a mid-tempo, soulful version of the marvellous hymn, ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness!’ 

Singing: ‘Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. (Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!) 

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and LOVE. [Refrain] Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! 

(Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Oh yes, Lord, great is thy faithfulness unto me! Each and every day I experience it… And I give you much thanks and praise for it… For great is thy faithfulness Lord, yes, great is thy faithfulness…unto me…’ 

And isn’t that gospel truth my fellow believers? It most certainly is! Every single day we enjoy God’s faithfulness and new mercies because that’s the kind of God He is. And we see the author quoting James in the very first verse. ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.’ (James 1:17-18) 

Yes friends, God is the Creator of the universe and all therein, setting everything as stable as they can possibly be…until mankind interferes with them. However, He himself is as stable as the rock of ages. He’s immutable; does not change, which means we can rely on His awesome stability or faithfulness, in every circumstance. 

And one of the good things about this song is as this commentary states: ‘Unlike many hymns that have heart-wrenching stories behind them (for instance “It Is Well With My Soul”), “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is inspired by the simple realization that God is at work in our lives on a daily basis. The hymn reminds us that God doesn’t only work in dramatic or miraculous ways, but also in simple, everyday ways. It also reminds us that Jesus has never failed us in the past, so we have no reason to doubt his faithfulness in the future.’ 

And that’s more gospel truth friends! The sad problem though is many of us don’t seek or even perceive God in the little things in our daily lives, we only think of Him being in the big things. But in reality, He is there in EVERYTHING! That’s how He operates, He takes pleasure in being involved in whatever we are doing, and that’s why His faithfulness is so awesome. For nothing we do escapes His presence, as He so faithfully promised through Moses, so long ago. ‘And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.’ (Deut. 31:8) 

Now, if we’re indeed true believers, and really looking for assurance, that’s a scripture we ought to have buried deep in our hearts, minds and souls, for it is the quintessential promise of God – Never to leave nor forsake us. So whatever is happening with us, He’s there right in the middle of it, we just have to acknowledge Him and ask His help. 

And in closing, I’d like to offer this other interesting commentary on the song and its writer. It says: ‘Thomas Chisholm, author of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” led a pretty ordinary life. He did not write this hymn during a period of intense grief or after encountering God in a profound way. Instead, he found truth in the words he encountered in Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the LORD’s great LOVE we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” 

Jeremiah, on the other hand, was in tumultuous circumstances when writing Lamentations. The people to whom he prophesied did not listen, and he was ostracized and completely alone because of what God called him to do. He also lamented the consequences of their faithlessness. God allowed them to be conquered by the Babylonians, resulting in their entire world being laid to waste. 

But in the midst of that utter devastation, Jeremiah still offers them hope on the horizon: they are not completely destroyed because of the LORD’s compassion and faithfulness, and in the morning, after this “dark night of the soul,” things will be better. So whether we are at a place in our lives where everything is pretty ordinary, or whether we are in a period of grief: no matter what our circumstances, God never changes and is faithful to us, sustaining us in his compassion and faithfulness each and every day.’ 

Oh my fellow saints, please, please, let’s remember that and put it to good use in these treacherous, strife-filled and hateful times, because it’s only for our benefit, not for God’s! Much LOVE!

…when one is offered the faithfulness of Almighty God…it’s foolish to turn it down…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 February 2020 Psalm 89:1.

22 Feb 2020 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 89:1.    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever; with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
 
And the planes have begun arriving already! Yes, and you must be wondering how the Bit is so early? Well there’s a simple explanation; today is the wedding day, so I have to be up and about and get myself together earlier than normal. And nothing much happened yesterday; the duchess went about her business, I went to the beach, had a short soak, because the water was chilly and I was a tad under the weather, had some jerk pork and chicken washed down with a yellow bird at the beach hut, then came home and rested. 

When the duchess came home, we went down for dinner in the outdoor area, listened to some Mento and a live band, New Image, for a while then came back to our room and did whatever. (smile) So let’s see what quotes our friend Anselm sent us this week nuh, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. 

Hear this first one: ‘I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.’ Now all of us, especially believers ought to have that written in spades in our souls. If we can’t be true to ourselves, then whom can be true to eh? And sadly, that’s what a lot of us do nowadays, live to please others and thus frustrate ourselves. As the quote indicates, abhorrence with yourself is much worse than being ridiculed by others; you don’t have to live with them, but you have to be in your own company continually. 

And this next quote aligns nicely with the first one: ‘If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.’ Oh friends, so often we hear different drums than those of the people we associate with and it ofttimes causes resentment, confusion and other negative vibes. 

But everybody can’t march to the beat of the same drum, that’s not how God made us. He designed us to march to our own drumbeat, that’s why a lot of people pass through our lives only for a season and not forever. It means that their drum beat no longer matches ours. And though it may be hard to lose some particular friendships, we must always choose our drumbeat and go the way the Lord directs us. Don’t be afraid, whatever the Lord takes away, He will replace with something better! Glory be! 

Therefore when we suffer such loss and disappointment we have to stand strong and refocus. Or as the next quote tells us: ‘It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.’ Now that should be obvious. But unfortunately when the darkness hits, too many of us wallow and squirm and complain instead of trying to find the nearest and/or best light source. Thus we use up whatever energy we have in a negative manner and it takes us even longer to get out of the frightening darkness than it ought to. 

And that leads us to this next quote which brings the matter to a wiser and larger scale. ‘Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.’ And that’s the exact kind of society in which we’re currently living. Greed, corruption, racism, poverty, injustice, ignorance; they are all running rampant in our midst right now. 

And nowhere has that been more eloquently stated than in Bob Marley’s song ‘War,’ where he recounts the words of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I in a speech in California in 1968. ‘…Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior, is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned. That until there are no longer first and second-class citizens of any nation. Until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes. 

That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race, That until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued, but never attained… And everywhere will be war…ah say war…’ And that’s exactly what our world is currently involved in; wars and rumours of war! 

Strife is our number one marker! But listen to this last quote which reads as a partial antidote to out current situation. ‘Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.’ And if that isn’t gospel truth, then I don’t know what is! Oh yes, we acknowledge that Jesus and all He stands for is the greatest gift to mankind, but on a more basic level, health, contentment and faithfulness give us the practical values we need to survive as a strong and true community. 

Yes my people there’s nothing as important as faithfulness in whatever we believe, say or promise to do. And there’s nobody as faithful as our wonderful God! Hear these words that Ethan the Ezrahite wrote nuh, as concerning God’s sure promises to Bruh David. ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever; with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.’  Ethan was sure that the Lord would keep His promises to Bruh David, so he could confidently place his trust in Him. 

And yes friends, all the way down through the ages the Lord has been faithful to His promises, from Adam right down to us! When He’s promised good, He’s delivered, and when He’s promised adversity, He’s also delivered. So there’s no questioning His faithfulness whatsoever. His promises might take a while to come true, like Jesus’ first coming took many centuries, and His second is also taking a long while. (smile) 

And re the faithfulness of our most wonderful God, Jeremiah says it best: ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam. 3:21-26) 

Yuh see mih people, even in Jeremiah’s darkest days, he still knew where the light lay and had the wisdom and positive attitude to seek it. May we be as wise and positive as Jeremiah this Saturday morning and seek Almighty God, above everything else! Much LOVE!

…faithfulness…the foundation on which trust is built…