11 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a call to faith, a state of continual rejoicing, and again I say rejoice, anything praiseworthy, at peace with his fellow Christian, be careful for nothing, be caught napping when Jesus returns, be prepared, become passionate, Christ is coming as a judge, christianity, Christians, deepen my breath, divine tranquility, don't worry about anything, easier said than done, eternal separation from Almighty God, exceeds one's ability to understand, experience all God has in store for us, faith, frees the believer from fear and worry, get lost, God is always working to accomplish good, greater intimacy with God, grow closer to god, holy spirit, human understanding dictates fear, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, if there be any virtue, in all sincerity and truth, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, increase my awareness of you today, Jesus Christ, Jesus' return is near, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, let your moderation be known unto all men, let your requests be made known unto God, like a thief in the night, LOVE, mercy, of good report, peace divinely bestowed in times of anxiety, put them into action, quiet my soul, receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour, Rejoice in the Lord always, relax my muscles, room for improvement, salvation, shielding hearts and minds from anxiety, slow my thoughts, spring time lazy-day Saturday, thank you for this tenderness, the best accoutrement for a lazy-day Saturday, the BIBLE, the God of peace shall be with you, the last days, the Lord is near spiritually, the peace of God which passeth all understading, the solution to undue anxiety is prayer in everything, the tranquility of mind, think on these things, times of extreme challenges, transcends human logic, truth, we need intimacy with God every day, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are true, wisdom, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
And yes, on this fairly warm, spring time lazy-day Saturday, we have already reached double figures in the days of April! But didn’t we just celebrate Easter last week at the beginning of April? Yes, but that should remind us how quickly the days are moving, and we have to get with them, especially in receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour, unless we want to get lost in eternal separation from Almighty God.
Many people are calling these the last days, and who knows if they are right, but just in case they are, we don’t want to be caught napping when Jesus returns. Remember He said He could return at any time, like a thief in the night, so we have to be prepared at all times for such an occasion. So let’s begin today by offering up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer with all sincerity and truth.
As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And that’s a prayer the Lord will always cherish and answer, because it means we want to get into greater intimacy with Him, and there’s nothing His heart desires more than intimacy with His greatest though very disobedient creation. (smile) So, if our words were sincere and heartfelt, then that peace, that calm and understanding that surpasses all human understanding will soon be flowing through us, bringing the best accoutrement or trimming for a fine lazy-day Saturday. (smile)
The only problem though is that we need to get intimate with our heavenly Father every day, not only on one day. And that’s why Bruh Paul, then resident in a Roman jail, wrote thus to the Philippians: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation (graciousness or gentleness) be known unto all men. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 44-7)
Now Bruh Paul says a lot in those 4 verses. First of all we need to be in a state of continual rejoicing. And as the scholars explain: ‘This command to rejoice at all times and in all circumstances is nothing less than a call to faith. For if the Christian believes that his life and all its circumstances are in the hands of a sovereign, wise, and LOVING God who is always working to accomplish good for him, then he can indeed ‘rejoice always.’ Wow! What a call to faith indeed!
And as per moderation, the scholars tell us that ‘The believer who is at peace with his fellow Christian (vs.2) and who rejoices always (vs.4) is indeed a gracious, reasonable person.’ You can’t help but be gracious under those circumstances! Then ‘The Lord is at hand means two things. First, His return to earth is near. His imminent coming as judge encourages the Christian to be “gracious” unto all men, for He will judge the believer for all his actions toward all people, and will avenge all wrongs committed by others against him.
Second, the Lord is at hand spiritually. The Lord’s being presently near should free the Christian from fear and anxiety. Hence the command of verse 6.’ And that says, be careful for nothing, meaning don’t worry about anything. And per the scholars. ‘The Lord’s nearness (vs.5b) leads Paul to forbid his readers from worrying. This is no summons to irresponsibility or an invitation to dismiss legitimate concern. The solution to undue anxiety is prayer in every thing, “in any matter of life.”
The way to be free of anxiety is to be prayerful about everything. However, while God is eager to hear our requests, they are to be accompanied with thanksgiving.’ Meanwhile, The peace of God is that tranquility of mind that frees the believer from fear and worry. And the peace which passeth all understanding means (1) peace divinely bestowed in times of anxiety, so wonderful that it exceeds one’s ability to understand it; and (2) God’s peace far surpassing one’s own understanding of the problem, and His ability to cope with and solve it.’
Yes friends, that peace which comes from our God is truly magnificent and is certainly above our level of understanding. And I like how this commentary explains it. ‘The “peace that passes all understanding” is a profound, divine tranquility that transcends human logic and emotional reasoning, shielding hearts and minds from anxiety, as described in Philippians 4:7. This inner calm is seen as a gift from God, often experienced during extreme challenges when human understanding would dictate fear.’
And isn’t that the awesome truth! When fear captures our souls, there’s nothing like the peace of God to drive it away! But as Bruh Paul assures us, that will not happen unless we cultivate that intimacy, that prayer with thanksgiving, the moderation with which we live our daily lives, and not being devastated by worry, especially in crucial and critical times like we’re now experiencing.
And from a practical standpoint, Bruh Paul then offers these recommendations. ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest (noble), whatsoever things are just, whatsoever thigs are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (anything praiseworthy), think (meditate) on these things. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.’ (Phil. 4:8-9)
And yes my fellow believers, it’s all easier said than done, but the Lord has already granted us all the tools we need to do it, we just need to become passionate and put them into action. Now that’s something we ought to ponder, to seriously consider this lazy-day Saturday. How are we using the tools God gave us, and what benefit, if any, are we deriving from them? Then ask the Lord to help us do better, for we all have room for improvement! Much LOVE!
…only as we grow closer to God…can we experience all that He has in store for us…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, a new commandment I give unto you, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, as I have loved you that ye also love one another, as it pleased God, as the body is one and hath many members, be disciples both in word and deed, be renewed and refreshed, been all made to drink into one Spirit, believers though diverse in gifts and roles are united in Christ, brought to desolation, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, by the good example we your faithful believers set, by this shall all men know that ye are my disiciples, championing goodness and godliness, Christ's Church, christianity, Christians, Christians are united in Christ, Christians divide themselves, clouding its spirit, correct the disunity in the church, daunting week of work, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, desire for comfort and earthly pleasure, different parts with different duties, different responsibilities, divine aid, divisions and dissensions within Christ's church, every city or house divided against itself shall not stand, every kingdom divided against itself, every one members one of another, evil and ungodliness is running rampant all over our world, faith, follow Christ's example, Friday chant, further your glorious kingdom, get much needed rest after the Easter celebrations, get our act together right now, get sufficient fun fellowship, God set the members everyone of them in the body, God's omnipotent help, have the same care one for another, help us to be responsible, holy spirit, if the whole body were an eye where were the hearing, improved Christian witness, Jesus Christ, LOVE, LOVE FOR EACH OTHER, loving each other the way Christ loves us, make a positive difference, many members yet one body, mercy, only unity moves an organization forward, our sinful world can wake up, problems are escalating, rest and relaxation, salvation, seeking excess in everything, smell the coffee strong and sweet, so we being many are one body in Christ, stand strong and steadfast, tenet of our faith, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that ye love one another, the BIBLE, the body is not one member but many, the church is one body, the church is rife with strife jealousy and backbiting, the church requires cooperation, the crowning glory of discipleship, the road to certain destruction, the shed blood of Christ, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, there should be no schism in the body, to avoid dysfunction and ensure growth, trusting faith, truth, unexpected storms, vim and vigour, welcome the weekend, whether we be bond or free, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, wisdom, wise guidance
Matthew 12:25. ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’
And then it was Friday; a cloudy and rainy day, but that didn’t stop us from shouting out our Friday Mantra: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at last!’ And many of us are indeed overjoyed to welcome the weekend, be it rain, sleet or snow, so that we can get some much needed rest after the exhausting Easter celebrations and this daunting week of work. (smile)
But as usual, we don’t listen, we never introduced a modicum of circumspection in our celebrations, so when the work week hit us, shortened though it might have been, we still were not prepared to meet it with the necessary vim and vigour. Thus, we had to labour, drag ourselves through it, desperately hoping that we could make it until that day of release called Friday. Hopefully, one day we will learn though, not to behave like the world, seeking excess in everything, for that’s the road to certain destruction. End of Sermon. (smile)
Now, since I had nothing to say in particular, I opened the Good Library for some inspiration, and lo, and behold, it opened at a rather interesting scripture in the gospel of John. It’s where Jesus declares to the disciples: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:34-35)
Yes friends, the crowning glory of discipleship in Christ is our LOVE for each other. At least it ought to be. But unfortunately, too many Christians today don’t share that attribute with each other. Just look at the numerous divisions, disputations and dissensions in Christ’s church nuh, even within the same religion. How can true LOVE flow from a group of supposed similar faith, when there is so much strife, envy, jealousy and backbiting clouding it’s spirit eh?
Let’s remember that the church of Christ is supposed to be one body, as specified by Bruh Paul in Romans: ‘For as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office (function): So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one (individually) members one of another.’ (Rom. 12:4-5) And this commentary explains it thus: ‘The church as “one body” is a central biblical metaphor (1 Cor 12:12-27, Romans 12:4–5) indicating that believers, though diverse in gifts and roles, are united in Christ. Christ is the head, leading the organism, while individual members function as interdependent parts, requiring cooperation to avoid dysfunction and ensure growth.’
Yes my fellow believers, we are indeed supposed to be one body under the marvellous umbrella of the shed blood of Christ and His amazing resurrection. That tenet of our faith is so important that Bruh Paul again explained it to the church at Corinth. ‘For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond (slaves) or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.’ (1 Cor. 12:12-14)
Oh my people, Christ’s church can never be victorious if it’s filled with as much dissension and disunity as it now contains, for the ONLY thing that moves any body or organization truly forward is unity. That’s why in any war, the enemy always tries to disunite its foe, so they can be more easily routed. But sadly, the devil, our arch enemy, doesn’t even have to do that with us, because we do it ourselves. Why do you think there’s so much evil and ungodliness running rampant all over our world eh?
Because the body, Christ’s church, that is supposed to be championing goodness and godliness has apparently lost the will to fight the enemy, through fear or the desire for comfort and enjoyment of earthly pleasures, but it doesn’t stop them from fighting amongst themselves. Just look at the state of our world and of Christ’s church, and tell me if any visitor to earth would be able to differentiate the godly from the ungodly by their LOVE for each other, as Christ desires? Certainly not! They would most likely think that we’re all one ungodly, unrighteous bunch, because that’s the way we behave.
That’s why Bruh Paul, after saying: ‘For the body is not one member, but many,’ broke it down finely for the church in Corinth. ‘If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body (where would the body be)? But now are they many members, yet one body.’ (1 Cor. 12:15-20)
Yes my brethren, just as the Lord made man with one body, but many different parts with various duties, so has Christ has set many members in His body, the church, each with different responsibilities. ‘That there should be no schism (division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.’ (1 Cor. 12:25) Sadly though, Christ’s body is terribly divided, and until that division is mended, the church will not be able to perform the way it ought to.
For as Jesus Himself said: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’ (Matt. 12:25)So let’s take serious heed of those words nuh, and do our best to correct the disunity in the church, so that we can follow Christ’s example and be His disciples both in word and deed, by LOVING each other, the way that He LOVES us. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking help to do just that!
Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And though the Lord might acknowledge our prayer, He’s definitely looking for improvement in our Christian witness, before dispensing divine aid. Much LOVE!
…Christians badly need to get their act together…if they truly desire to make a positive difference in our world…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abundance, accosted by the devil, all destinies lead to God, as a roaring lion, avenge not yourselves, be not overcome of evil, be sober be vigilant, be ye angry and sin not, bless them that curse you, cease from anger, christianity, Christians, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, commune seriously with God, curse, determine what's right for us, divine protection, do good to them that hate you, don't change for change sake, don't go overboard when you're angry, don't go to bed angry, duty bound, etenal life, face the battle mano a mano, favour, forsake wrath, fret not thyself in any wise to do evil, generously share our blessings, get left behind, heap coals of fire on his head, heed its warning, holy spirit, I shall repay, if he thirst give him drink, if it's not broken don't fix it, if thine enemy hunger feed him, it only causes harm, Jesus Christ, let not the sun go down upon your wrath, looking for an opportunity to disrupt our lives, lots of bark but no bite, LOVE, Love your enemies, make you immune from eivl, mercy, negative word, neither give place to the devil, not all walk the same path to get to God, overcome evil with good, pray for them which spitefully use you, promotion, prosper and succeed, salvation, self-control, self-didcipline, shaming our enemy with good treatement, success, supernatural wisdom, talent, the BIBLE, the Bible is our everyday guide to life, the devil is powerless if we stand strong in the Lord, the devil's a toothless lion, the indisputable truth, the joy of the Lord is our strength, time's moving forward very quickly, truth, undeserved blessings, vengeance is mine saith the Lord, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, wisdom, with God's help, your adversary the devil
Romans 12:21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Oh brother! It couldn’t be Thursday already, the second to last day of our work week? But it surely is! That just goes to show how time is moving forward very quickly, and if we don’t heed its warning, we will get left behind, which is not a good feeling. But that doesn’t mean we have to change for the sake of change. The old cliché that if it isn’t broken don’t fix it, still stands as a reminder that a lot of things that are happening now are not really necessary and some of them can be bypassed. The difficult question though, is which ones should we bypass and which shouldn’t we?
I only wish I knew the answer. And unless you’re clairvoyant, the only way to find out is by each one of us facing the battle, mano a mano, and determining for ourselves, with God’s help, what is right for us. For although our destinies lead us all to the same place; salvation and eternal life with Jesus, not all of us walk the same path to get there. That’s why the Lord made us as individuals, with no two of us fully resembling each other in all aspects. He has a different path for each one of us to walk to get to Him, and only as we commune seriously with Him, will we find out the path He desires us to tread.
Consequently, that’s why He gave us His Word in the Bible as a guidebook for living this earthly life. And that’s why the psalmist so wisely declares: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.’ (Ps. 119:105) And Cousin Sol elaborates on that in Proverbs by warning: ‘My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.’ (Prov. 6:20-23)
Yes my brethren, God’s Word is there to guide us and keep us safe, but we have to read and study it, then put it into action before it can do that. Just becoming a Christian doesn’t make you immune from the evil and ungodliness of this world. In fact, that will make the enemy try even harder to tempt you and make you miserable, because he doesn’t want you to enjoy the strength of the Lord which is our joy. (Neh. 8:10) Yuh see, even Jesus was tempted, and it was the Holy Spirit that led Him into the wilderness to be thus accosted by the devil. That means we will also have the wily snake hanging around us all the time, looking for an opportunity to disrupt our lives.
And as Peter warns: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’ (1 Pet. 5:8) But he’s a toothless lion, lots of bark, but no bite. However, if we allow him, he can wreak much havoc in our lives. That’s why Bruh Paul wrote these words to the Ephesians. ‘Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place (an opportunity) to the devil.’ (Eph. 4:26:-27)
Yes, when we get angry, we’re liable do foolish and ungodly stuff, that just gives the devil and opportunity to get into our lives. So, we must be careful when we get angry not to go overboard and react foolishly. Neither should we go to bed angry, because that just disturbs our sleep, and most likely we’ll wake up angry also, which is not a nice or sensible way to start our day.
Bruh David also warned about anger in Psalm 37, when he writes: ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm).’ (Ps. 37:8) And that’s the indisputable truth! For evil does nothing good for mankind, only brings pain, suffering, death and sorrow. And Bruh Paul said it thus to the Romans. ‘Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom. 12:19-21)
Yes friends, we can become angry, but must be careful what we do in those times, don’t repay evil for evil, neither seek revenge, for that right belongs to the Lord. We’re suppose to treat our enemy with graciousness, feed and give him drink if necessary, thereby sought of shaming him. (smile) It’s as Jesus declared: ‘But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you, and persecute you.’ (Matt. 5:44)
Now, although that command is often difficult to put into action, we must do our best to follow our Saviour’s directives, and our God is such a wonderful God that in His goodness and wisdom He’s bestowed several undeserved blessings on us to do His earthly work. We call them our Thursday Blessings. So let’s declare and thus activate them right now 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 generously use those blessings to help others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…the devil is powerless…if we stand strong in the Lord…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a big Glory Hallelujah, a more than glorious future, Always there, be diligent and efficient for Jesus, be like a well-watered garden, be your best, blessed is the man maketh the Lord his trust, bring us to our knees, casting all your care upon him, catch our second wind, challenging changes, christianity, despite our innate strength, distressful and hurting times, do your best, don't know what to do, don't know which way to turn, down to nothing, Dr. Charles Stanley, dry places, endure to the end, established my goings, established my steps, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, feel totally impoverished, from the depths of despair, get ourselves together for Jesus, god, God commendeth his own love toward us, God's timing is perfect, halfway home, hands on the plough, he brought me up also out of an horrible pit, he cares for you, he hath put a new song in my mouth, he heard my cry, he inclined unto me, he may exalt you in due time, holy spirit, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, humility, I call your name, I reach the bottom of the abyss, I waited patiently for the lord, I want to vanish into nowhere, it is there exactly there, Jesus Christ, like a spring of water whose waters fail not, loneliness, look your best, LOVE, make fat thy bones, many are feeling lost and lonely, many shall see it and fear, mercy, my own helplessness, never run from God, not looking back at the past, not turning back, obedience, of all self-sufficency, One Year Book of Bible promises, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, out of the miry clay, perilous and hazardous times, Praise for God's Deliverance, praise unto our God, present circumstances looking dire and hopeless, respecteth not the proud, Ruth Harms Calkin, s promised to work everything out for our good, salvation, satisfy thy soul in drought, set my feet upon a rock, shall trust in the Lord, sincerity, sinking deep into a miry pit, so glad to be alive, so often Lord, strengthen your frame, such as turn aside to lies, sun-scorched lands, taste the dre, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the gospel truth, the joyful Easter celebrations, the Lord shall guide thee continually, the succour that God alone can provide, the true healing and loving that only come from Him, the ups and downs of life, the vicissitudes of life, time to cry out to God for help, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, turn immediately to God, ungodly and ungrateful sinners, wallowing in the mires of despair, Wednesday Wail, while we were yet sinners christ died for us, wisdom, worthlessness, you are always there for me, you come to my immediate rescue
Psalm 40:2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings (steps).
So we’ve come to Wednesday, our second wind day. But we shouldn’t need to catch any second wind, for most of us have only worked one day so far this week. What we might need to catch our second wind from is the joyful Easter celebrations that are still weighing us down. We’d be lucky if we can get any serious work done this week.
But we need to get ourselves together for Jesus’ sake, for although celebrating His Easter resurrection is a big deal and a must, we also need to abide by His wishes that we give the best of ourselves to our work, doing so with diligence and efficiency, behaving as though we were working directly for Him. As Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley) liked to say: ‘Always look your best, do your best and be your best.’ And that is exactly what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ expects from His followers.
Now today, we’re going to check out an interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin simply titled ‘Always There,’ and I’m sure it will strike a note in many of our hearts because it’s so appropriate in these distressful and hurting times. And as always, I don’t know if I’ve shared it before, but it’s certainly worthwhile sharing again. (smile)
So please read with me: ‘So often, Lord I reach to the bottom of the abyss. So often I taste the dregs Of my own helplessness. Yet it is there, exactly there That You come to my immediate rescue. When I feel totally impoverished Of all self-sufficiency When I want to vanish into nowhere From the depths of despair I call Your name And You are always there for me!’
And that calls for a big ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ my people, because that is the gospel truth! Whenever we are down to nothing, wallowing in the mires of despair, loneliness and worthlessness, that is the time to desperately cry out to God for help, for the succour that He alone can provide, for the true healing and LOVING that only come from Him!
And I know that in these perilous and very hazardous times a lot of us are feeling like we’re lost, lonely and don’t know which way to turn. However, the best advice you can ever get in such a situation is to turn immediately to the God of Abraham, Isacc and Jacob for He cares very much for you. As Peter so wisely puts it in his second epistle: ‘Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ (2 Pet. 5:6-7)
And He certainly does, else why would He send his only begotten Son to earth to die for you eh? Simply because He cares a whole lot for His finest creation. As Bruh Paul says in one of my favourite scripture verses: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8) Now, if that isn’t showing amazing and abundant LOVE for a bunch of ungodly and ungrateful sinners, then I don’t know what is!
That’s why we never have to run from God. We might not like everything He does or desires of us, but we know in the long run He’s promised to work everything out for our good, (Rom. 8:28) and we definitely know that He is a God who keeps all of His promises, never reneges on any of them. And yes, the ravages and vicissitudes of life, those unpredictable, often uncontrollable, and frequently challenging changes, the ups and downs that we all experience at some time or other, tend to bring us to our knees, despite our innate strength.
And that’s exactly when we need to turn to Almighty God, to cry out for His help, and yuh better believe that His timing will be perfect; He will lift you up out of the mire and bring you to safety. It’s like Bruh David says in Psalm 40 – Praise for God’s Deliverance. ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings (steps). And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.’ (Ps. 40:1-3)
Oh my people, that’s exactly what the Lord will do for those of us who feel lost and sinking deep into a pit of miry clay. But the most important part is that we have to call out to Him, call out to Him in all sincerity and truth for His help! And when you do that, have no fear, He will be there to help you. It’s like the Bible Promise for our poem today from the prophet Isaiah says: ‘And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought (dry places, sun scorched lands), and make fat thy bones (strengthen your frame): and thou shalt be like a well-watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not (never fail).’ (Is. 58:11)
Oh my fellow believers, that’s a promise our God will always keep if we come to Him in humility, sincerity and obedience. And Bruh David said that in spades in Psalm 40. ‘Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ (Ps, 40:4) So, on this Easter Wednesday, please, let’s make up our minds to seek God sincerely, especially if our present circumstances are looking dire and hopeless. For that’s what He’s there for.
Now, let’s declare our Wednesday Wail, letting all the world know 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 here’s an even greater promise: all who endure to the end with Christ, will enjoy a more than glorious future with Him. One that we cannot even imagine or comprehend. So, wisdom dictates that we endure to the very end, that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the ONLY ONE…truly able to pull you out of the mire of life…is Jesus Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a long and arduous process, amidst much pain and sorrow, arise and go down to the potter's house, as the clay is in the potter's hand, as the heavens are higher than the earth, being confident of this very thing, cast our minds forward to the end product, christianity, Christians are tough people, come to know and love christ like we do, cry out for help, don't like God's timing, Easter Tuesday, encouragement to stand the pain, enjoy the tough times, every tough step is wothwhile, everyday we're in the potter's hands, faith, faith grows stronger with each misfortune, faith only grows in tough times, feel god's presence hovering over me, from sinner to saint, Goat races in Tobago, God is always just in time, God is faithful, God is never late, god moves in mysterious ways, God will change us into the image of Christ, God will not suffer you to be tempted more than you can bear, God will provide a way for us to endure the negative situation, God's imminent rescue, God's incomparable goodness and mercy, God's main purpose, growing our faith, he which hath begun a good work in you, holy spirit, how much aggravation our faith can stand, hurry, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, lacks spontaneity, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make a way of escape, mercy, more flabbergasted than normal, my thoughts than your thoughts, no Sunday afternoon stroll in the park, O house of Israel, personal experience, salvation, see the Lord's hand guiding and protecting, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, so are my ways higher than your ways, so are ye in mine hand, such as is common to man, testing our faith, the beautiful replica of Christ, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the eventual rewards are incomparable, the potter made a different vessel from the same clay, the potter wrought a work on the wheels, the right time for intervention, the vessel of clay was ruined in the potter's hand, there hath no temptation taken you, to have His children resemble Jesus, tough like Jesus, tough times, tough times don't last but tough people do, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, wit with bated breath, with the temptation, worry, ye may be able to bear it
Jeremiah 18:6b. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
And not because it’s Easter Tuesday and we gone back out to work means that the Easter celebrations over …Not by a long shot! For they are continuing in full swing at the Goat Races down in the seaside town of Buccoo in sweet Tobago! And oh, do I ever have some fond memories of Goat Race Tuesday‘s in Buccoo, but that was before it got so big that they built a stadium to house it.
Back then it was held in a field between some houses, and in several of those houses loud parties would be happening, while the goats and crabs ran. Yes, crabs did run in those days too! (smile) Back then it was a more inclusive and personal occasion, as opposed to the new situation of paying customers sitting down watching an event. It’s still a great time, though it lacks the spontaneity and vivacity of the earlier, less controlled era.
Ah friends, the ole fella’s lived a fairly long life, and though it’s been pretty tough many times along the way, when I look back at those tough times, I can definitely see the Lord’s hand guiding and protecting me through them. And believe me, there are still tough times today, but now I look to the Lord and cry out for help, when they come around. And He might not help me exactly when I need it, or in the way I desire, but I can always feel His presence hovering over me, waiting for the right time for His intervention.
And although I don’t like His timing, (smile) He’s never really late, but always just in time. Just before you go over the cliff, He reaches down and rescues you. Now, that’s not always easy to endure, but once you experience it a few times, your faith grows stronger with each occurrence, and you wait with bated breath amidst much pain and sorrow for His imminent rescue. (smile) And we wonder why it sometimes takes so long for Him to rescue us, when He has the power to do it right away.
But He’s the Creator and Controller and has His own reasons for His varied actions, many of which we can’t and don’t want to understand, for we will be even more flabbergasted than normal. And, as He long ago said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8) Now, that’s putting it in a very mannerly and decent way. (smile) But with our small and finite minds we can never hope to understand the reasons for Him doing what He does.
However, in His incomparable goodness and mercy, He does promise, as Bruh Paul writes to the Corinthians: ‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13) Now that doesn’t mean He will always recuse us, but if He doesn’t, then He will provide a way for us to endure the negative situation.
And why is that you ask? Well, it could be for several reasons, like growing our faith, for our faith doesn’t grow in good, easy times, but in rough, tough ones. And also for testing said faith; seeing how strong it is, how much aggravation it can bear up under. (smile) For remember God’s main purpose is to have us become strong and faithful like His Son Jesus Christ, which means breaking us and building us like a potter does a piece of clay.
It’s like how the Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah: ‘Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potters house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels (the Potter’s wheel). And the vessel he made (was making) of clay was marred (ruined) in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.’ (Jer. 18:2-6)
Yes my fellow believers, we are like clay in the Lord’s hands. He created us and He can recreate us into any shape or image He desires. Although His preferred image to turn us into is that of His wonderful Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It’s like Bruh Paul wrote to the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Meaning that once we come to God seeking salvation and eternal life, He will begin to change us into the image of Christ, and will do so, everyday we’re alive, or until Christ returns to earth.
So, as believers, we cannot get away from the potter’s work of God’s hands. And it’s not easy being formed or marred on the potter’s wheel, or being placed in the oven to harden, but in going though it all, we have to cast our minds forward to the end product; the beautiful, glowing replica of Christ that we will all eventually become, using it as encouragement and reassurance to stand the pain of becoming like Jesus.
And mih bredrin, I know of which I speak, not from hearsay, but from personal experience, for sometimes when I write certain stuff here, before it can even reach you, the Lord is already working it out in me. And when I eventually realize that fact, despite the painful situation I might be in, I just have to chuckle at how our great God moves in very mysterious ways.
So, as we keep saying, living for Jesus is by no means a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park, but by the same token, we can still enjoy the tough times we go through living for Him, as the eventual rewards are marvellous and incomparable. It’s as Dr. Schuller says: ‘Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.’ And we are indeed tough people, tough like our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel! As one strong and sincere voice: ‘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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
Now, it behooves us to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…from sinner to saint…the process can be long and arduous…but every tough step is worthwhile…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
06 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a big occasion in the Christian faith, a modicum of circumspection, a time to be sensible and responsible, all sinned and disobeyed your word, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, be willing to sacrifice every day for Christ, become discouraged, blow up in our faces, bring victory to the love revolution, clean on the outside but dirty inside, consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners, deny ourselves, despising the shame, direct one's eyes to the finish line, do a commendable job, do as I have done to you, ease the pain, Easter Monday, ecsessive body weight, endured the cross, faith, faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers, for the joy that was set before him, heed the warning, heroes of faith, holy spirit, humble ourselves, hypocrites like the Pharisees, I have given you an example, if I have washed your feet, impediments that weigh us down, increase our Christian witness, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, Jesus has already blazed the trail and finished the course, Jesus set a direct example, Jesus washing of the disciples' feet, Jeus' followers ought to serve one another, lay aside every weight, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds, like a turtle in no hurry, like Jesus, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, mankind is never satisfied, mass confusion in our world, mercy, not many Christians are truly humble, operate in humble servanthood and love, performing the role of the lowliest servant, perseverance, pray, put our noses to the grindstone, rally round the cross, rise up, run with patience, salvation, seeing we are compassed about, servant leadership, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, show our undying love for Christ, sincere repentance in our hearts, sincerely seek God's face, strong faith in Christ, surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, take their own sweet time, take up our crosses daily, the author and finisher of our faith, the day of celebration, the days of work, the diligent runner, the faithful Christian, the foundation of Jesus' philosophy, the God who heals, the gospel truth, the many suffering from negative situations, the passion of Easter, the power to solve our many problems, the race of faith is to be run with endurance, the race that is set before us, the sin that defeats a Christian, the sin which doth so easily beset us, the supreme example of endurance is Jesus, the throne of grace, the world is hanging by a thread, therefore endure hardness, to be a disciple of Jesus, to demonstrate humility, truth, turn from our evil ways, well done thou good and faithful servant, whitewashed tombs, wisdom, wise guidance and direction, ye also ought to wash one another's feet, zip by like a windstorm
Hebrews 12:1a. Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us,
And isn’t it amazing how the days of celebration can zip by like a windstorm, while the days of work, take their own sweet time, like a turtle in no hurry whatsoever to get wherever he’s going. (smile) Yes, friends, we’re already down to Easter Monday in this season of Easter celebration, meaning tomorrow is a day of work. Chuh! We’re never satisfied eh, even when many of us had a four-day weekend, from Monday to Sunday, and some were even smart enough to wangle five days, from Thursday to Monday.
And although yesterday was somewhat cloudy and blustery, the celebrations seemed to be fairly large, for in my area alone, the streets were chocked full of cars of visitors to friends and families in the neighbourhood. And most likely today, the same thing will be happening in many neighbourhoods around the world, for the passion of Easter is indeed a big occasion in the Christian faith. But please, let’s remember not to overdo it, and thus institute a modicum of circumspection into the celebrations, for we already have enough problems in our world, and this is a time to be like Jesus; sensible and responsible. (smile)
That reminds us of some sensible and important things Jesus asked us to know and do. Like, if we want to be His disciple, we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily and follow Him. (Luke 9:23) That means being willing to sacrifice on His behalf every single day. Then there’s the unexpected washing of the disciples’ feet that Jesus humbly performed. He did that as this commentary tells us, ‘To demonstrate humility, servant leadership, and LOVE. By performing the role of a lowliest servant, Jesus set a direct example for his followers to serve one another.’
Then He gently but seriously admonished them. ‘If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.’ (John 13:14-15) Now that’s the very foundation of Jesus’ philosophy and the way He desires His kingdom to operate, in humble servanthood and LOVE, for that’s exactly how He carried Himself while here on earth. In truth though, how many of us supposed Christians are truly humble and take servanthood in our stride, while showing sincere LOVE to all we meet?
Not as many as ought to. And that’s a crying shame, for most of us talk the talk but don’t walk the talk, meaning we’re simply a bunch of hypocrites, like the Pharisees, whitewashed tombs, clean on the outside, but dirty inside. (Matt. 23:27-28) That’s why the author of Hebrews penned these most encouraging words for us to meditate on, and then follow. ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (become discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb. 12:1-3)
Yes my fellow believers, we have all the bygone heroes of faith watching us as we now run our own race here on earth, and we cannot afford to let them down. And to successfully run this race of faith, the scholars tell us; we must first ‘lay aside every weight. This refers to impediments that weigh us down, whether clothing or excessive body weight. These things are not inherently wrong, but for the diligent runner or the faithful Christian they must be removed. Secondly, it is to be run by putting off the entangling sin. This seems to refer to the one sin above all others that defeats a Christian. This may be a different sin for everyone. Thirdly, the race of faith is to be run with patience, or endurance.’
And the scholars continue: ‘Just as verse 1 establishes some qualities for the entrance into the actual running of life’s race, so verse 2 directs one’s eyes to the finish line. Jesus is the author and finisher in that He has already blazed the trail and finished the course. And though there are many champions for believers to emulate, the supreme example of endurance is Jesus Himself.’ And that’s the gospel truth! Nobody does it like Jesus!
And He is by no means an easy example to follow, but if we do as Bruh Paul tells Timothy: ‘Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3) In other words, if we put our noses to the grindstone, we will do a commendable job, with the Lord eventually greeting us, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ (Matt. 25:23) And having said all of that, let’s go to the throne of grace through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help in these perilous 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!’
Oh friends, we desperately need to use this time of increased passion and faith to increase our Christian witness, because our world is hanging by a thread, and if we don’t make the most of the time, then it’s liable to simply blow up in our faces, both literally and figuratively! It’s as simple as that! So please, let’s heed the warning and show our wonderful gratitude and amazing, undying LOVE for Christ in spades. Much LOVE!
…Easter is the time when Christians rally round the cross…and rise up to bring victory to the LOVE Revolution…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
05 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: alive and kicking, Alleluia, as in Adam all die, assurance of life after death, be crucified, be not faithless but believing, because of the resurrection we have eternal life, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed, behold my hands, blessed are they that have not seen yet believed, by man came also resurrection of the dead, by man came death, Charles Wesley, Christ hath opened paradise, Christ is risen, Christ the Lord is risen today, Christ's Resurrection, christianity, death in vain forbids his rise, delivered into the hands of sinful men, Easter Sunday, enrich our lives and souls, everlasting life is this, following our exalted head, fought the fight, gathered today, Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, hail the resurrection, hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, He is risen, he that believeth not is condemned already, he that believeth on him is not condemned, holy spirit, if Christ not be raised, in Christ all shall be made alive, Jesus Christ, Jesus' resurrected body, joy comes in the morning, king of glory, like him we rise, lives again our glorious king, LOVE, love's redeeming work is done, made like him, mercy, Merry Tree, Once He died our souls to save, our cries of Hosanna Save us have been answered, our Redeemer has conquered death, ours the cross the grave the skies, pay the price for disbelief, praise to thee by both be given, rach hither thy finger, raise your joys and triumphs high, reach hither thy hand, reason to celebrate, rejoice in his victory over sin and the cross, salvation, sing ye heavens and earth reply, soar we now where Christ hath led, sons of men and angels say, soul of bliss, sweet sacrifices of praise, the battle won, the empty tomb is proof of Christ's resurrection, the first fruits of them that slept, the greatest miracle ever, the Simple Series Musical, the Son of man, the third day rise again, thee to know, thee we greet triumphant now, Thomas the unbelieving disciple, thrust it into my side, thus to love, thus to sing, thy power to prove, to lift up the name of Jesus, truth, where O death is now thy sting, where thy victory O grave, why seek ye the living among the dead., wisdom, yet in your sins, your faith is in vain
1 Corinthians 15:22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
HAPPY EASTER!
And then it was Sunday…Easter Sunday, and the joyful shouts of ‘He is risen…Christ is risen…Hallelujah Christ is risen’ can be heard all around the world. As the Good Book says; ‘joy comes in the morning.’ And yuh better believe abundant joy has come to earth with the resurrection of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour on this Easter Sunday morning. Raising Christ from the dead was the greatest miracle ever, and confirmed and cemented the awesome omnipotence of our God; He of Abraham Isaac and Jacob! And many who considered Him a mere man and a possible prophet, soon changed their tune when they saw Him resurrected, alive and kicking in the flesh.
And today, to celebrate that most auspicious occasion we’re going to open our worship with what some Christian hymnologists consider to be the ‘most definitive church anthem for Easter.’ A song written in 1739 by one of the great hymn writers of all time Charles Wesley (1707-1788), and most appropriately titled, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, which focusses totally on the resurrection of Christ.
But before we offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise, let’s do like this commentary says: ‘turn to this Intro from the Simple Series Musical ‘Merry Tree,’ featured on the album inspired by the message and mission of Billy Graham, ‘My Hope.’ Please declare with me: ‘We have gathered today to lift up the name of Jesus. We rejoice in His victory over sin and the cross. Our cries of ‘Hosanna! Save us now!’ have been answered. Our Redeemer has conquered death! And because we are certain of that, we have reason to celebrate!’
Of course we do my faithful brethren, more reason to celebrate than any other faith. So let’s make that celebration known as we lift our voices in sweet harmony, allowing all the joy we feel inside to pour out in our song, in a rich, soulful, mid-tempo, scintillating version. Singing: ‘Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia! Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! LOVE’S redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia! Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia! Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia! King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia! Thus to sing, and thus to LOVE, Alleluia!’
That was a most wonderful rendition my fellow believers! All heaven and earth joined in with us to praise our risen Saviour. And though that actual resurrection took place sone two thousand years ago, it still registers with us as though it’s taking place on the current Easter Sunday. That’s how important it is to the foundation of our faith. For that’s the reason we have eternal life. Without Jesus rising from the dead, being alive in both body and soul, we would not have life after death, as we currently do.
For as Bruh Paul reasons to the Corinthians: ‘For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain (futile); ye are yet in your sins… But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’ (1 Cor. 15: 16-18; 20-22)
And Christ did rise from the dead and was seen by some five hundred people plus the believers, several times. Remember how the disciple Thomas refused to believe that Jesus was alive, although his associates told him so. He declared: ‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ (John 20:25)
But eight days later, when Thomas was amongst the crowd, Jesus came through the locked doors with His new and resurrected body and stood amid them and said, ‘Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.’ (John 20:26-29)
And Jesus was there talking about people like us, who, two thousand years later, never saw him in the flesh but believe. Although there are many who still don’t, despite all the evidence to the contrary. And sadly, they will have to pay the price for their disbelief, for as Jesus says very clearly to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader: ‘He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:18)
Yes friends, Christ is indeed risen, and the empty tomb is proof. And as the song says: ‘Made like Him, like Him we rise.’ And so it will be. That’s why there was a sad sort of joy that first Easter Sunday morning when the Jewish women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices. However, they found the stone rolled away from the front of the tomb, and the tomb itself empty.
‘And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed Thereabout (about this), behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid , and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you in Galilee , Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.’ (Luke 24:4-9)
Oh my fellow believers, we all know the many stories about Jesus’ resurrection, but do we truly realize how important it is to our faith and our life after this earthly death? But as we celebrate this joyful occasion of Easter and our risen Saviour, let’s take a few moments to ponder the situation in the depth that it deserves nuh, and thus enrich our lives and souls even more than they are already enriched. Much LOVE!
…in Jesus’ resurrection…the living then got really and truly good…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: .answer to our prayer, behold thy mother, being more intimate with God, breathed his last, brutal and inhumane situation, Christ died to save us from the bondage of sin, Christ was accursed of God for us, Christ's Resurrection, christianity, come tomorrow, crucified as a common criminal, darkness was over all the land, deepen my breath, don't allow our agony to overcome our faith, drawing closer to God, Eli Eli lama sabachthani, eternal separation from Almighty God, faith, Father forgive them, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit, filled with compassion, free will, God's ultimate purpose of saving mankind, great joy, he gave up the ghost, holy spirit, I marvel to think, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, if thou be the Christ, in all sincerity and truth, in the throes of death, increase my awareness of you today, innocent of all crimes, Jesus Christ, Jesus cried with a loud voice, Jesus is our hero, Jesus sacrificed His sinless life, joy comes in the morning, know you all the more, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, LOVE, mercy, My God my God, one who had done no wrong, pay the consequences of unwise decisions, peace and contentment, pomp and passion, prayer is one of our greatest privileges, quench our sadness, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, sad and downcast, salvation, save thyself and us, slow my thoughts, thank you for this tenderness, the agony of spiritual death, the atonement of our sins, the BIBLE, the disciple took her into his own home, the fiery jaws of hell, the high cost to Christ, the horrific scene of Christ's crucifixion, the inequity of Jewish society, the joy of the Lord is our strength, they know not what they do, today thou shalt be with me in paradise, truth, why hast thou forsaken me, wisdom, Woman behold thy son, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me
Luke 23:46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (breathed his last).
So we’ve come to our lazy-day Saturday of Holy Week, and many of us are feeling somewhat sad and downcast because of yesterday’s replaying of the horrific scene that took place two thousand years ago in the city of Jerusalem; that’s Christ’s crucifixion. And how can one not be affected by such a brutal and inhumane situation eh, especially to one who had done no wrong, was innocent of all the crimes He was accused of, but was nonetheless battered and bruised by His fellow countrymen, then crucified as a common criminal between two real criminals.
But thankfully Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and why He suffered the indignities and abuse as quietly as He did. It was all because His heavenly Father desired that He pay the price for mankind’s abominable sins by sacrificing His sinless life so that God’s greatest creation could have a chance of bypassing eternal separation from Him, because that’s where we were surely headed if we did not get atonement for our wrong doing. And it’s of the utmost importance that we remember that Christ died to save us from the bondage of sin and the fiery jaws of hell.
Therefore, we ought to regard Him as not only our Lord and Saviour, but also as our Hero. And you know how we honour our heroes with pomp and passion. So why don’t we do the same for Jesus eh? Why do some of us even go so far as to hold Him in contempt despite His life-saving sacrifice for us? Who knows my people? The Lord gave us free will to choose whom we adore and glorify, and if we choose not to adore and glorify Jesus, then we’ll just have to pay the consequences inherent in that unwise decision.
Enough theorizing though, (smile) let’s ease the sorrow in our hearts by the best method there is; that’s prayer, our greatest privilege. So let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, with all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
Oh friends, there’s nothing better to quench our sadness than seeking to draw closer and more intimate with our heavenly Father! For when we get closer to Him, our sadness falls away and is replaced by a feeling of peace and contentment. It’s like the Bible says: ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength.’ (Neh. 8:10) So when we are sad, our joy is depleted, and when we get close to God, our joy is increased. And though we know that tomorrow we will indeed be joyful because of Christ’s resurrection, today we’re still in the doldrums, and it might just be a good time to sit and consider some of the things Jesus did even while he was being abused and crucified.
For instance while nailed to the cross He prayed thus: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34a) How many of us would even consider forgiving those who abuse us in such an inhumane manner eh? Not many, if any. But Jesus was filled with compassion even in His throes of death. And besides, those who crucified Him did not really know what they were doing. they thought they were getting rid of a nuisance, a renegade prophet, not knowing that their evil deeds were serving God’s ultimate purpose of saving mankind.
Then look at how the Bible portrays this touching scene. It says: ‘And one of the malefactors (criminals ) which were hanged railed on him (blasphemed), saying, If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss (wrong). And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:39-43)
Yes my brethren, even in His suffering, Jesus was still compassionate and kind. And that’s how He would like us, His followers, His disciples, his ambassadors to also be. Unfortunately though, too many of us are exactly the opposite; we have no time for others when we are going through our own problems. Then look at this other even more touching scene from Jesus hanging from the cross.
The Bible tells us: ‘Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he LOVED (John), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.’ (John 19:25-27) Now wasn’t that very thoughtful of Jesus to leave His mother in a safe and secure situation, for her husband Joseph had probably died already, and in those days widows had a tough time surviving the inequity and unkindness of Jewish society.
The worst part of the whole affair on Jesus’ part was possibly this one. The Bible says: ‘Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour (3.pm). And about the ninth hour (3 p.m.) Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt. 27:45-46) Yes friends, Jesus hung on that cross from about 9 a.m. to 3.pm before any words of complaint echoed from His soul. And even then it wasn’t even so much a complaint, but more of a big disappointment.
For as the scholars explain: ‘Here we have the high cost to Christ of His atonement for our sins, who was accursed of God as our sin-bearer and suffered the agony of spiritual death for us.’ In other words Christ was painted with the brush of sin, and since the Lord could not countenance sin, He was separated from the Father for the first time ever. And as the scholars note: ‘Even in the midst of bearing God’s wrath for sin, Jesus still calls Him my God. His agony does not overcome His faith.’ Now that’s something we all should try to also achieve; don’t allow anyone or anything to destroy our faith in God.
And to cap it all, a short time later, ‘And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (breathed his last). (Luke 23:46) So though the memories of Jesus crucifixion are heartrending, let’s remember that He did it willingly as the will of the Father, so we should not despair, for remember, joy comes in the morning, and indeed, there will be great joy…come tomorrow! Much LOVE!
…Jesus suffered greatly for our sins…but both Him and Father thought it worthwhile…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
03 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crown of thorns, a misnomer, abused, art thou then the Son of God, Barabbas, cast lots for his garments, Christ sacrificed His sinless life for us, christianity, come up higher in our appreciation for Jesus, cruel and inhumane treatment, did spit on Jesus, distresses the soul, eternal separation from God, Father forgive them, foregoing the glory of salvation and eternal life, free from the bondage of sin, give his life as a ransom for many, Golgotha, Good Friday, Hail King of the Jews, heartbreaking, Herod, holy spirit, humiliated, in the right context, insurrection, Jesus accused of blasphemy and sedition, Jesus Christ, Jesus death on the cross serves as a ransom for many, Jesus paid the price for our sins on Good Friday, Jesus scourged, Jesus was the only sinless person, Judas Iscariot, left to dehydrate in the hot sun, LOVE, mercy, mocked, obedient to the will of God, obedient unto death on the cross, Passover, Pilate, reconcile humanity with God, salvation, Simon the Cyrene, sinless life, smote him on the head with a reed, sufferation, the BIBLE, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord's a righteous and just judge, the son of man came not be ministered unto, the ultimate in forgiveness, they know not what they do, thrity pieces of silver, to satisfy divine justice, truth, wisdom, ye say I am
Luke 23:34a. ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’
And then it was Friday, a warm but cloudy day, that we call Good Friday. But anyone in their right frame of mind would certainly consider that a misnomer or an inaccurate name for that first Good Friday, a day on which many terrible things happened in the annals of our faith. But then, if we consider the name in the right context of the situation, we can see why it’s a good and fitting name. Why? Because on that First Good Friday Jesus Christ paid the enormous price for our sins with His selfless, sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary.
And as this commentary tells us: ‘Jesus’ death on the cross serves as a “ransom for many,” acting as the required price to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin and death. He served as a substitute, offering his life to satisfy divine justice and reconcile humanity with God.’ As He Himself says: ‘For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (be served), but to minister (serve), and give his life a ransom for many.’ (Mark. 10:45)
And we arrived at that situation because God the Father desired to give His sinful creation a chance to come back to His fold, but as a righteous and just judge, that could only happen if our sins were paid for. And since only a sinless person could pay for sins, and since Jesus was the only sinless person in the universe, then He was obviously the only choice as the payee.
Now, having our sins paid for, is a wonderful thing, but the injustice and ‘sufferation,’ the cruel and inhumane treatment that Jesus went through to make that outcome possible, is heartbreaking and distresses the soul. We read about how He was betrayed by one of His trusted disciples, Judas Iscariot for thirty pieces of silver and arrested on the night before the Passover in the Garden of Gethsemane, taken before the chief priests and elders, where He was mocked, humiliated and sorely abused.
The scriptures say: ‘And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote (struck) him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who it is that smote (struck) thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.’ (Luke 22:63-65) And when the council of Jewish leaders could not find good false witnesses against Jesus, they questioned Him about who He was, asking, ‘Art thou then the Son of God? and he said unto them, Ye say I am (You say rightly). And they said, what need we any further witness (testimony)? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.’ (Luke 22:70-71)
Then they took him to Pilate, the governor, accusing Him of blasphemy and sedition, or stirring up the Jewish people against the Roman government, for apparently only the Roman Governor could pronounce a death sentence, and that is exactly what the Jewish leaders wanted. But Pilate, on hearing that Jesus was from Galilee, sent Him to Herod, who had jurisdiction over that area. And though Herod questioned Jesus extensively, Jesus answered him nothing. ‘And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. and Herod with his men of war, set him at nought (treated him with contempt), and mocked him, and arrayed (dressed) him in gorgeous robe, and sent him back to Pilate.’ (Luke 23:10-11)
But Pilate found no fault with Jesus, no truth in what He was accused of, and told the people He would chastise and then release Him, as their tradition called for one Jewish prisoner to be released at the Passover. ‘And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition (insurrection) made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.’ (Luke 23:18-19) And though Pilate tried to reason with the crowd, they kept on calling loudly for Christ’s crucifixion.
‘And so, Pilate willing to content the people (wanting to gratify the crowd), released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him (flogged with a Roman scourge), to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the hall , called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band (a group of Roman soldiers). And they clothed him (Jesus) with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head. And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote (struck) him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.’ (Mark 15:15-20)
Oh friends, you see the unfair and unjust abuse and mockery that Jesus took on our behalf. So how can we ever be ungrateful and treat Him without the respect and devotion He deserves eh? No way! But unfortunately many of us don’t consider Him as highly as we ought, and foolishly refuse to accept His payment for our sins, foregoing the glory of salvation and eternal life for one of eternal separation from Almighty God, thus making Jesus’ sacrificial death of no use to them.
Blessedly for Jesus though, as he was bearing His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, falling down from the weight and human tiredness, the soldiers compelled a man, Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross to a place called Golgotha, where they crucified Him, along with two thieves, one on either side of Him. Can you imagine lying on the ground on a wooden cross and have people driving nails into your hands and feet, without anything to ease the pain, although they apparently gave Jesus wine mixed with myrrh which would have dulled the pain, but Jesus refused it. Then having the cross being lifted up and placed securely in a hole, and you left to dehydrate, or if you were wounded, to bleed and eventually die in the hot sun.
That’s what Jesus endured for us my fellow believers. But you know He was ever so obedient to the will of the Father, obedient even unto death on the cross. And even in the throes of death, stabbed in the side with a javelin, given sour wine to quench His thirst, while the soldiers cast lots for His garments, as prophesied by Bruh David in Psalm 22:18, and the Jewish leaders continually mocking Him, Jesus still found the goodness and mercy to declare: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34a)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s the ultimate in forgiveness! And it will do us well to take a few moments of this Good Friday and contemplate what Jesus suffered for us ungrateful sinners, and see if we cannot come up higher in our appreciation for Him! Much LOVE!
…Jesus…the Son of God…sacrificed His sinless life…so that we sinners could live and be free from the bondage of sin…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
02 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a joyful Easter Sunday to look forward to, a woman washes Jesus' feet with her tears, an arranged sign to the soldiers, an introduction to a sorrowful Good Friday, anoint my body for burial, but the flesh is weak, could you not watch and pray with me one hour, do this in remembrance of me, dries Jesus feet with her hair, drink no more of the fruit of the vine, faith, happy are ye if ye do them, he brake it and gave to the disicples, he dipped the sop and gave it to Judas Iscariot, he gave it to them and they all drank, he is at hand that doth betray me, he that eateth with me, he took the cup, holy spirit, if I wash thee not thou hast no part of me, if it be possible, if this cup may not pass away from me unless I drink it, if ye know these things, if your Lord and master have washed your feet, into the hands of sinners, Jesus anointed with fragrant oil, Jesus began to be sorrowful and very heavy, Jesus Christ, Jesus fell on his face, Jesus the shining example of life, Jesus took bread and blessed it, Jesus was grieved and deeply distressed, Jesus washed the disicples feet, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, Judas came to Jesus and said Hail master and kissed him, know ye what I have done to you, let this cup pass from me, lifted up his heel against me, LOVE, me ye have not always, mercy, neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him, not as I will but as thou wilt, o my father, one of you will betray me, rise let us be going, salvation, she hath wrought a good work on me, shed for you and for many, sit ye here while I go and pray yonder, take eat this is my body given for you, that the scripture may be fulfilled, that thou doest do quickly, that ye enter not into temptation, the Garden of Gethsemane, the hour is at hand, the nitty gritty, the servant is not greater than his lord, the Son of man is betrayed, the spirit indeed is willing, they laid hands on Jesus and took him, this is my blood of the new testament, this shall be spoken of for a memorial, thou shalt know hereafter, thou shalt never wash my feet, thy will be done, to whom I shall give a sop, troubled in spirit, truth, until I drink it new in the kingdom of God, watch and pray, when he had given thanks, when I have dipped it, wherefore art thou come, wheresoever this gospel is preached, wisdom, ye also ought to wash one another's feet., ye have the poor with you always, You don't understand what I'm doing now
John 13:15. For I have given you and example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.
It’s Holy Thursday friends; a somewhat chilly and cloudy spring day. And we’re now getting down to the nitty gritty of this Lenten season, although lots of things happened during the past week; Jesus taught the multitudes, spoke to the disciples about what was to happen to him, although they never fully understood what He was talking about. They still didn’t think that He would die and leave them alone.
Sometime during the week, while lunching in Bethany with Simon, a Pharisee, Jesus was also anointed by a woman, bearing an alabaster box (flask or vial) of spikenard precious (expensive) ointment. Supposedly it was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She brake the box (vial) and poured it on his head, washed his feet with her tears, then wiped them with her hair, kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Some of those around were indignant, calling it a waste of valuable oil, which could possibly have been sold for three hundred pence, or the yearly income of a rural worker, and been given to the poor.
“And Jesus said, Let her alone, why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good (beautiful) work on me. For ye have the poor with ye always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand (beforehand) to anoint my body to the burying (for burial). Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.’ (Mark 14:6-9) And just as Jesus said, two thousand years later, we’re still talking about that incident.
During that week, Jesus also washed the feet of His disciples. One night He got up from the supper table, took off His clothes, girded Himself with a towel, poured water in a basin, and began washing the disciples feet. When He gets to Simon Peter: ‘Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet are you washing my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now (you don’t understand); but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed (bathed) needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit (completely clean): and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should (would) betray him, therefore he said, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you and example, that ye should do as I have done unto you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if you do them.’ (John 13:6-17)
That same evening, as Jesus was preparing for His betrayal, He said to them: ‘I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, he that eateth with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me: and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you will betray me.’ (John 13:18-21)
Obviously the disciples were confused and wondered whom it could be, then John, leaning next to Jesus asked Jesus who it was. ‘Jesus answered, he it is, to whom I shall give a sop (a piece of bread), when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly…. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.’ (John 13:26-27, 30) That’s when Judas apparently went out and conferred with the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. They wanted Him dead, but were afraid of a possible riot with the many outsiders in the city to celebrate the Passover. Judas however promised an opportunity to betray him without the multitude around.
Finally, the day of the Passover arrives, and when the disciples ask Jesus where He wanted to celebrate it, He said to Peter and John,’ Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say to the goodman (master) of the house, The Master (Teacher) saith unto thee, where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.’ (Luke 22:10-13) Reminds us of the donkey and the colt on Palm Sunday.
Later that evening Jesus sat at supper with the twelve disciples, ‘And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me. And he took the cup , and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for you and for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day I drink it new in the kingdom of God. And when they had sung an hymn (or hymns), they went out into the Mount of Olives.’ (Mark 14:22-26 )
And that’s where the night’s drama really began. They retreated to a favourite spot of Jesus called the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, ‘Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John), and began to be sorrowful (grieved) and very heavy (deeply distressed). Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here (stay here), and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayer, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch and pray with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except (unless) I drink it, thy will be done.’ (Matt. 26:36-42)
Jesus then went back to the disciples and again found them asleep. Not saying anything to them, He went away and prayed the same words for the third time, then went back to the disciples, and said to them, ‘Sleep on now, and take your rest (are you still sleeping and resting?): behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.’ (Matt. 26:45-46)
And while He was speaking, Judas arrived with a great number of people from the Jewish leaders, armed with swords and staves. ‘And forthwith He came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master (rabbi), and kissed him, (an arranged sign to the soldiers). And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.’ (Matt. 26:49-50)
Yes friends, Holy Week is just the introduction to a sorrowful Good Friday, but we do have a joyful Easter Sunday to look forward to! Much LOVE!
…Jesus…the shining example that believers ought to emulate…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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