07 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 4th of July, Africa, appreciation, aura of love, California, Canadian Maritime Provinces, carnal lusts, chosen generation, complaining, confidence, conquerors, darkness, dissension, drought, economic fallout, enthusiasm, Europe, famine, flooding, greed, holy spirit, homage, homelessness, humble servants, Hurricane Arthur, invincible, Jesus Christ, light, LOVE Revolution, lust for power, Manitoba, maturity, Melchizedek, Middle East, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, need of milk, negative influences, newborn babes, North America, poverty, racial religious and ethnic tension, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rich are getting richer, righteousness., royal priesthood, Saskatchewan, sickness, soccer, solid food, sorry state, Southern Ontario, spiritual armour, spiritual immaturity, spirituality, state of our world, steadfast faith, strife, surrender, terrorism, Texas, the body of Christ, the Word of god, things of God, tornados, trust, U.S. Midwest, ungodly world, violent acts, wars, whining, white elephant stadiums, wisdom, World cup
1 Peter 2:2, As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day – Monday – the first day of the new work week. And for whatever reason, I’ve been guided to take a brief inventory of the state of our world.
And it’s in a real sorry state at the present time – what with a variety of strife, wars, terrorism and other violent acts dominating the landscape of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, spawned mainly by greed, lust for power, racial, religious and ethnic and economic tension. And in many of those same places where the violence is taking place, there is famine, drought, flooding, sickness and extreme poverty.
Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, in North America, the confrontations are not as violent, though racial, religious and ethnic tensions are also on increase. There is plenty dissension and the continuing economic fallout is causing poverty, homelessness and sickness to be more rampant than ever, especially in such an affluent society. But that’s because the greed and non-social conscience of the rich are causing them to get richer, while the rest are certainly getting poorer.
And besides that we’re simply having floods in the Western Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, while several violent tornados have recently ripped through the U.S Midwest and Southern Ontario, and this past weekend Hurricane Arthur deluged the U.S North East Coast and the Canadian Maritime Provinces with tons of rain. But then states like Texas and California are enduring extended periods of drought.
But down in South America, where poverty and strife are always present in large amounts, the supposedly ‘beautiful game,’ soccer is having its World Cup expose in Brazil amidst large demonstrations and unhappiness at the amount of money spent to build new, white elephant stadiums to host the games. But the games are being doted on and bet on by billions around the globe.
What’s going to happen after the finals this week eh? The already wealthy clique that controls the game will walk away even wealthier, leaving the poor and downtrodden in Brazil possibly even worse off than before. And before long we’ll certainly hear about some unnecessary violence committed in the name of the football gods.
Ah Lord eh! And that Friends is only a brief overview. So what sort of picture does it paint of our world eh? Certainly not a pretty one! And though there’s serious unrest and tension all over, there’s not much any of us individuals can do, except to try and keep our immediate families and friends as safe and secure as possible, and free of those negative influences.
However as a group, a group of true believers in Jesus Christ, we can do something to lessen those negative influences. And we can begin by being thankful and responsible this Monday morning; by getting up and going to work without whining and complaining, especially after the 4th of July long weekend, for we are living better than three quarters of our world.
So in appreciation of that, and homage to our wonderful God, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto. As one powerful army cum choir of God, let’s sing. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that might suffice for today my people, but what happens tomorrow eh? We have to turn to the wisdom of our Bit: ‘As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.’
We need to grow in the Word of God if we hope to make a positive difference in this world. And you can see from our overview that our world is in bad shape, which means we have to get a move on sooner, rather than later if we want to stop its slide into total destruction. And this section of Scripture from Hebrews, where the author wants to talk about Jesus the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, brings home that point.
‘Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered (explain), seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time (though by this time) ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles (sayings) of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat (solid food)
For every one that useth (partakes of) milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat (solid food) belongeth to them that are of full age (mature), even those who by reason of use (practice) have their senses exercised (trained) to discern both good and evil.’ (Heb.5:11-14)
Yes Friends spiritual immaturity is holding back the body of Christ. Many of us, who should be teachers by now, are still immature in the faith. We can’t cause a LOVE Revolution through immaturity. We need to be versed in the Word and then put it into practice.
Now listen to how Peter describes us: ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (God’s special people); that ye should show forth (proclaim) the praise of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.’ (1 Pet.2:9)
Yes my brethren, that’s what we’re supposed to be, chosen of God, special! That also means we have to be behave like royalty! So please let’s get with the programme nuh, let’s seriously study the Word and thus not be fooled by the wiles of the enemy. It’s only through maturity we can do that, and also be able to teach others. That’s what Jesus desires of us.
Much LOVE!…it’s high time believers stop allowing the carnal lusts of the world to rule their lives…and turn to the things of the Spirit and of God instead…
30 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a smile on your face, aura of love, believe on him whom he sent, bounden duty, bread from heaven, Bruh Paul, challenging, change the world, cheer, cheer in your heart, complaining, confidence, conquerors, Creator of the universe, disciples, downcast, dying, eat bread, economic times, encouragement, enthusiastic, evil, excited, fearful crying, further your glorious kingdom, get a move on, gives life to the world, grateful, he that believes on Jesus shall never thirst, he that comes to Jesus will never hunger, he which comes down from heaven, holy spirit, if you don't work, in despair, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joyful, keeping lives and families together, labouring, letting Jesus work through me, lies, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, manna, Master Teacher, meet the enemy in battle, mere mortals, miserable, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Moses, move the forces of heaven, natural heritage, Oh Lord God Almighty, one moment at a time, paradox, physical food, pouting, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, responsibility, sad, spiritual armour, spiritual food, steadfast faith, surrender, the bread of God, the bread of life, the work of god, Thessalonians, touching to the heart, trust, truth, trying, unbelievers, ungodly world, useful purpose, weary souls, wicked taunts, wicked world, wiles, wisdom, you shouldn't eat, zeal, zest
John 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
It is Monday Friends… and all over the world people are excited, joyful, enthusiastic and everlastingly grateful that they have jobs to go to on this fateful last day of June 2014!
But yuh know what, we can also say: It is Monday Friends… and all over the world lots of people are sad, in despair, fearful, crying, and even dying because they don’t have jobs to go to on this fateful last day of June 2014!
And paradoxically, both statements would be true! Unfortunately though, I do believe that in these very trying and challenging economic times the latter statement and/or situation contains the greater the number of people.
So my brethren, if you are one of those lucky ones in the minority, one with a job this Monday morning, then I’d strongly suggest you put some cheer in your heart, a smile on your face and get a move on, instead of pouting and childishly complaining, of being miserable and downcast because you have to go and do a little labouring, so that you can eat bread.
Chuh! Remember Bruh Paul’s words to the Thessalonians on the subject: ‘For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.’ (2 Thess.3:10)
Oh Friends, it’s a good thing that we don’t rigidly enforce that command nuh, else many more people would be starving than currently are! However, since we are only mere mortals, and complaining is a part of our natural heritage, (smile) let’s get some much needed encouragement from our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Let’s sing it with a zest and a zeal that will move the forces of heaven!
As one beautiful sounding, harmonious choir now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh Friends, that was most excellent! Jesus was proud of us! Now let’s see if we can keep Him proud concerning the terms of our Bit. ‘Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.’
Remember yesterday we saw where the crowd was following Jesus looking for physical food, but He was more interested in giving them spiritual food, and told them so. After which they enquired what they had to do to perform the works of God, and Jesus replied with our Bit.
And still in a quandary, after receiving His answer, ‘They said therefore unto him, what sign showest thou (will you perform) then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.’ (John 6:30-35)
Oh my people, what beautiful words of encouragement, wisdom and truth! Only our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher, could have uttered them so movingly, so touching to the heart!
Now I’m not sure if the people who heard Him live on that day, really understood what He was talking about, but we do. And since we are His representatives here on earth, it is our bounden duty, our responsibility to get out into the evil, ungodly world and let the unbelievers know what is what.
So today, as we venture out into the wide and wicked world, to begin a new week of work, let’s remember to give Jesus some air time; let people know by our words, who He is and what He’s done for us, and will also do for them if they accept Him. And then, by our actions, let them see how He expects us to behave.
Friends, that’s all Jesus really expects from us. And it’s not hard to do, if we truly believe and want to be His true disciples. So let’s get on with it nuh! Much LOVE!
…today I’m going to try and change the world…just one moment at a time…by letting Jesus work through me…
Visit the Scrip-Bit Blog at https://randyobrien50.wordpress.com
27 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversary, afflictions, almighty god, be subject to each other, Beelzebub, Bruh Paul, cast all your care on Him, Christ's Church, Christian, christianity, cliques, clothed with humility, conceited, crucified the flesh, daylight at the end of the tunnel, denomination, divided, dominion, dysfunctional, envy, envying each other, eternal glory, evil desires, exalt, faith, fear of God, fellowship, fractured, Friday, Friday chant, fruit of the Spirit, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, Galatians, generous help, gentleness, glory, goals, God gives grace to the humble, God of all grace, God resists the proud, goodness, governed by the Spirit, grace, harmonious, harmony, holy spirit, humility, in Jesus' name, in the reverence of God, inherit the kingdom of God, Jesus Christ, joy, kindness, leasure, led of the Spirit, like-mindedness, live in the Spirit, long-suffering, LOVE, lusts, meekness, moral life, not under the law, passions, peace, provoking each other, relaxation, religion, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, resentful, resentment, resist, rest, restraints of the law, reverent, roaring lion, self-control, shame, sober, spitefulness, steadfast, submitting to each other, temperance, Thank God it's Friday, the devil, the fear of God, the lust of the flesh, the mighty hand of God, the weekend, united, unity, uplifting, vainglory, values that please god, vanity, vigilant, vulture, walk in the Spirit, warring, works of the flesh
Ephesians 5:21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
‘Friday, oh Friday! How I LOVE that day! Friday, oh Friday! The weekend’s coming my way! Oh thank God it’s Friday! And I’m feeling okay! Friday, oh Friday! How I LOVE that day…’
Ah Friends, the amount of little ditties we can make up to celebrate Fridays eh. And rightly so, because Friday is a day when we finally see some daylight at the end of the work-week tunnel and envision a wonderful weekend of pleasure.
But please remember that the weekend is not only for pleasure, but should also include rest and fellowship with other believers. So let’s chant our Friday Chant, which gives us a better perspective on how to handle the weekend.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that’s more like it! (smile) And today we’ll continue looking at our simple sounding, but oh so important Bit: ‘Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’
And why is it so important? Because it deals with harmony, unity, like-mindedness, goals and values that please God, in His church. And right now there’s certainly not enough of that in the body of Christ.
Christianity is way too fractured, and thus dysfunctional to the serious work it’s called upon to do. In too many churches, regardless of religion or denomination, the congregations are divided in to cliques resentful of, and sometimes outright warring against each other.
Bruh Paul saw it happening even in the young churches he founded and strenuously pointed out the error to them. Here is what he said to the Galatians on the matter. ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.’ (Gal.5:16-18)
Basically, he’s saying that ‘the flesh seeks to thwart the Spirit, who in turn attempts to frustrate the flesh’s evil desires…. The Spirit-led person is not under the law. The Christian does not need the restraints of the law because his moral life is governed by the Spirit.’
And then Bruh Paul goes on to list the works of the flesh (Gal.5:19-21)…’and they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (its passions) and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vainglory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:21b-26)
Yes Friends, as true believers, the Holy Spirit ought to lead us to produce fruit that is harmonious, united and uplifting to God’s church. But unfortunately too many of us have not sufficiently crucified our flesh, and thus worldly lusts like vanity, envy, resentment and spitefulness still characterize Christ’s church today. What an awful shame!
Meanwhile, Peter, who also recognizes the problem, puts it this way. ‘Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore 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.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:5-11)
Oh Friends, I couldn’t say it any better! And my wish for all of us today, is that we walk carefully, recognizing that Beelzebub is constantly circling, like the vulture that he is, that we stand strong and steadfast, yet humble and reverent before Almighty God, living in harmony and unity, thus bringing untold glory to His Holy Name. Much LOVE!
…unity and harmony between God’s people…will not come simply by wishing it…but by diligently working together to make it happen…
23 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, blessings, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, lies, LOVE, mercy, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, praise, Praise the Lord, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, salvation, spiritual armour, spirituality, St. Francis Parish, steadfast faith, trust, truth, ungodly world, wisdom
Proverbs 3:6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make straight or smooth) thy paths.
Oh Friends and neighbours, the second day of summer was even better than the first yes! Glory Hallelujah!
It was also the Lord’s Day, and quite appropriately, His people, those of the parish of St. Francis were celebrating with praise, worship and thanksgiving at our annual outdoor service and picnic.
Yeh Friends, unlike the unfortunate Jews held captive in Babylon, who couldn’t sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land, we were singing the Lord’s songs on the banks of the winding Credit River, in a free and prosperous land.
Yes my brethren, on the banks of the living waters of the winding Credit River, the people of St. Francis were singing the Lord’s songs with joy and gladness, praising and thanking Him for all His goodness and mercy to us, the undeserving children of men!
And yuh know Friends, being in a physical structure worshipping Almighty God is fine, but it is somewhat restricting, in that it sort of keeps God within the walls of the edifice. However, worshipping Him outdoors is surely something special to behold and participate in!
Just imagine being present in the natural beauty of His creation, being one, under the open blue skies filled with brilliant sunshine, in the shade of the green trees, leaves dancing in concert to the riddim of the cool, gentle breeze that’s blowing, with the birds and other creatures singing their own songs of praise, and the river meandering slowly by, with nature proclaiming God’s majesty and beauty!
How could anything be better than that eh?
The praise and worship led by our own cool pastor, Fr. Jeff, were excellent. And don’t talk about the food! That too was most excellent; rich, diverse and spicy, just like the people who prepared it. The fellowship was both enticing and exciting, (smile) with fun and games for all to enjoy.
And the Lord looked down from His high heaven and saw that it was good. And He smiled and said, ‘Amen! It is good! So let it be!’
But Friends that was yesterday, and hopefully some of the joy and gladness has spilled over to today, Monday, when we have to get up and go to work….
Unfortunately though, I still heard some moans and groan when I mentioned the word Monday. (smile) So let’s join together and sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get those adrenalin juices flowing nuh.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Awright my brethren, that was a worthy enough rendition, so let’s go out and do the things we have to do with the Spirit of Jesus leading and guiding us. That brings us to these wise and faithful words of Cousin Sol, before, after and including our Bit
‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength) to thy bones.’ (Prov. 3:5-8)
What wisdom my people, what awesome wisdom!
Now here are some notes on those verses from the scholars. ‘3:5-6. Three commands are given: trust, meaning “rely on, depend on”; lean not, meaning do not depend on your own native instincts; and acknowledge him, meaning have fellowship and intimacy with God in all of life. The result of such devotion is that God will make the paths straight before you.’
Oh Friends, please, I implore us to take those wise and sincere words to heart as we walk our journey of faith, today and every day, so that our paths will be directed by our Creator along smooth and straight lines. That is the wisdom of a true believer. Much LOVE!
…walk good…talk good…do good…live good…just like Jesus did…and your efforts will be richly rewarded…both here on earth…and in heaven on high…
21 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: apostles, better to obey God rather than man, boasting himself to be somebody, brought to nought, Christ, counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus, cut to the heart, dressing down, eternal life, false messiahs, false teachings, first day of summer, furious, Gamaliel, glorious Saturday morning, God's providence, God's Word, grateful, had a reputation, held in respect, holy spirit, hypocritical faces, if it be of god, Judas of Galilee, jump for joy, move as the Spirit dictates, Pharisees, practical gift, preach jesus as the christ, rash actions, reconciliation, redemption, rejocing, resounding welcome, salvation, Sanhedrin, sighs of relief, speak in the name of Jesus, stand the consequences, take heed, teacher of the law, Thank you Jesus, the Spirit's leading, Theudas, this work be of men, thumb our noses, to come up over our problems, to fight against God, wise advice, you cannot overthrow it
Acts 5:39. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Oh Friends, please give this glorious Saturday morning a resounding welcome, as it heralds the first day of summer in the memorable year of 2014! And let’s hope and pray that it treats us much better than the last winter season did. But please don’t hold your breath, because I believe that once the summer truly gets going, it will be a scorcher. (smile)
But as I keep reminding us, once we’re hanging out with Jesus, we will be able to handle the crazy summer and whatever else comes against us. And all God’s people mouthed a loud and grateful ‘Thank You Jesus!’
Yes Friends, we do indeed have a lot to be thankful to Jesus for; things like redemption, reconciliation, salvation and eternal life. ! Now how could we not be eternally grateful for all that wonderful stuff eh? Oh… and please don’t forget that most practical gift of His Holy Spirit, which indwells every believer and gives us the wherewithal to come up over all our problems, be they large or small.
And Friends, today just might be your lucky day, for we might just be finished with the messages on the Holy Spirit today. And I can hear some sighs of relief in the background. But don’t jump for joy too soon, because there’s no guarantee of that, (smile) for we have to go and move as the Spirit dictates. Just like how we saw the apostles’ move yesterday, through the Spirit’s leading, telling the Jewish council to their hypocritical faces where to get off. (Acts 5:29-32)
Today we’ll look at what happened after that dressing down by the fired up apostles. ‘When they (the council) heard that, they were cut to the heart (furious), and took council to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor (teacher) of the law, had in reputation among (held in respect by) all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space (for a little while);
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching (regarding) these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed (followed) him, were scattered, and brought to nought (nothing).
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing (census), and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.’ (Acts 5:33-39)
Oh Friends, what wise advice from Gamaliel! Now here are some notes from the scholars: ‘5:34. Gamaliel was a respected Pharisee, a prominent teacher at Jerusalem, a member of the Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin), and the teacher of Paul.
Jewish tradition states that Gamaliel’s grandfather was Hillel, the prominent rabbi who represented the liberal wing of the Pharisees in opposition to the more rigid, and conservative wing led by Shammai. When the lives of the apostles were in jeopardy before the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel quieted them with his persuasive and pragmatic speech. Gamaliel is mentioned only twice in Scripture: Acts 5:34 and 22:3.’
Yeh mih people, Bruh Paul was a student of Gamaliel, so you can see where he got some of his persuasiveness, some of his lawyer’s skills from. And some more notes from the scholars: ‘5:36-39. Many false messiahs have arisen through the ages, as Christ Himself predicted (Matt.24:5). These have all died and have amounted to nothing. Gamaliel cites two such cases from his lifetime to discourage any rash actions against the Twelve.
God in His providence uses this to protect His servants. Gamaliel’s advice must not be regarded however, as biblical precept. False teachers do not inherently cease with the passing of time. Paul, one of Gamaliel’s own students (22:3), did not follow or teach this principle. We are to note, rebuke, and oppose false teachings (cf. Rom.16:17; 2 Thess.3:6; Jude 3).’
Now there’s no doubt about that Friends! We ought to expose and clarify false teachings as soon as we become aware of them.
And how did the rest of the Jewish council respond to Gamaliel’s suggestion eh? ‘And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.’ (Acts 5:40-41)
Oh my brethren, are we willing to suffer such pain and shame for Jesus’ sake? We ought to, although that’s easier said than done.
But listen to this last verse: ‘And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus (as the) Christ.’ (Acts 5:42)
Oh praise the Lord and the power of His Holy Spirit! Why? Because it was the mighty power of God’s Spirit that enabled the apostles to withstand the brutal physical punishment, then go right back out and do what they were commanded not to do.
Ah mih people, how I wish that many, many more of us would thumb our noses at the evil, ungodly leaders of today, and just keep on doing God’s work, whenever the law of the world contradicts God’s Word. So please, let’s all try and do better in that aspect of our faith walk nuh. Much LOVE!
…remember, it is always better to obey God rather than man…and He will help us to stand the consequences…
20 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a rudderless ship on a stormy sea, almighty god, another week of work, as per how the Spirit moves me, blessings, blood, civil disobedience, command you not to teach in Jesus' name, contrary to te explicit commands of God, courage, decadence, direct connection to Jesus, direction, doctrine, earthly dominion, enabling faith, everlasting love, evil, exalted, exciting, faith, feared the people, fellowship, floundering, forgiveness of sins, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, God will not leave us in the lurch, God's direction, God's Word, gospel truth, guidance, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, Holy Trinity, honouring God's word, in Jesus' name, in prison, Jerusalem, Jewish Council, lest they stoned them, life threatening, LOVE, most important aspect of our earthly lives, moving of the Holy Spirit, new mercies, not waiver, obey civil government, obey God, obey god rather than men, one day at a time, plan for our lives, power and purpose, power of the holy spirit, Praise the Lord, Prince, purpose, raised up Jesus, relaxation, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, repentance, responsibility to man and God, rest, right perspective, righteousness., saviour, set us free, sloth, slumber, steadfast, strength, strong, suffer the consequences, teaching in the temple, thank god for every day we draw breath, Thank God it's Friday, the apostle, the god of our fathers, the Holy Spirit, the how and why, truth, truth of Jesus, unconditional LOVE, understanding God's spirit, ungodly world, uplifting, weekend, wisdom, without violence, witnesses, worldly trait, wrong and right
Acts 5:29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
‘Friday, oh Friday, beautiful and blessed Friday! Thank God for it yes! Thank God it’s Friday, and the work week is drawing to a close! Thank God for Fridays!’
Yes my people, we ought to thank God for Fridays as our work week winds down. But even more importantly, we are to thank Him for every day that we draw breath, every day we open our bleary eyes to a new, exciting and uplifting day filled with His faithful promises of new mercies, blessings and the same old, same old but beautiful, unconditional and everlasting LOVE!
And all God’s children said ‘Praise the Lord!’
Now let’s chant our Friday Chant to give us the right perspective for handling the big two days off over the weekend. As one, holy chanting voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that should give us a little better guidance on how to spend the weekend; not merely in sloth, slumber and/or decadence, but in rest, relaxation and fellowship. (smile)
And we’ll continue looking at the mighty moving of the Holy Spirit in Acts… And please don’t ask me when we’ll be done with that, because I truly don’t know. I’m just taking it one day at a time, as per how the Spirit moves me. (smile)
Oh Friends, I know that too many of us have the worldly trait in us, where we don’t want to hear about anything on a consistent basis. Everyday we want it new, even though we haven’t understood what we’ve heard before. But my Brethren, the Holy Spirit is the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR EARTHLY LIVES!
Why? Because it is our DIRECT CONNECTION TO JESUS; TO ALMIGHTY GOD! It is the arm of the Holy Trinity that’s supposed to lead and guide us into all truth and righteousness!
And without our serious knowledge of its awesome power and purpose, how it worked before, and how it can still work in us, we’re lost, floundering like a rudderless ship on a stormy sea, for it’s the Holy Spirit that imparts God’s direction, strength, purpose and plan for our lives.
And having tried to convince us of the necessity of knowing about and fully understanding God’s magnificent Spirit, let’s hear what happens after the confounded Jewish council heard that the apostles weren’t in prison, where they had placed them the day before, but were teaching in the temple.
‘Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Saying, did not we straitly (strictly) command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.’ (Acts 5:26-29)
And those words of our Bit my brethren are gospel truth! God’s word is way way more important than man’s!
But please listen closely to the scholars’ note on that verse. ‘5:29. Peter is not sanctioning civil disobedience, as he makes clear in his first epistle (1 Pet.2:13-17; cf. Rom.13:1-7). We are to obey civil government, but when it goes contrary to the explicit commands of God, we must obey God and be ready to suffer the consequences.’
That’s more gospel truth my people! But please take a moment and read those referenced scriptures, for they will greatly enlighten you as to what our responsibility is to both man and God.
However, as the scholars note, we must be prepared to suffer the consequences re honouring God’s word if it differs from that of man. Quite often those consequences can be very serious, even life threatening, but we must have the enabling faith to not waiver, to stand our ground, knowing that our great God WILL NOT leave us in the lurch when we stand up strong and steadfast in His Holy Name.
And that’s another reason why we so desperately need to know about and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, because He is the ONE who also enlightens us about wrong and right! It was the power of the Holy Spirit that gave the apostles the wisdom and the courage to stand up against a group of men who had earthly dominion over them.
And boldly, they continued in the power of the Spirit to inform the council: ‘The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance in Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.’ (Acts 5:30-32)
Oh Friends, more gospel truth! Wow! What a morning, where we’ve heard, been bombarded by so much indisputable, unadulterated truth! (smile)
Now let’s go out into the evil, ungodly world in which we dwell, but are NOT a part of, and let that truth of Jesus set us free, through the providential guidance and direction of His Holy Spirit. Much LOVE!
…if you don’t understand the how and why of the Holy Spirit…then you can’t use it successfully…
17 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a horse of a different colour, a righteous life, almighty god, Ananias, Ananias And Sapphira, anger, apostles, as far as the east is from the west, awesome power of the Holy Spirit, bless your Holy Name, blessings, condition for our existence, crash and reboot, Creator of the universe, do your holy will, dragging up the past, evil and ungodly earth, faltering, fateful day, father in heaven, fear, filled with the power of Jesus, forgiveness, glorify God, glorious morn, God has removed our sin, grow more in christ-like character, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, hypocrisy, I told you so, lead and guide us, let bygones be bygones, lie to the Holy Ghost, LOVE, loving kindness, mercies, on its good side, Peter, Praise the Lord, praise to Almighty God, prayer of thanksgiving, precious gift from God, Sapphira, Satan, Sholem Asch, Spread God's Word, struck dead, test the Spirit of the Lord, thanks for life and health, thanksgiving for god's mercy, the blood of Jesus, the cross of Calvary, the Holy Spirit, the power to forget, the power to remember, the Spirit of Christ, the wherewithal to live a godly life, truth, Tuesday, understanding the power of the Holy spirit, undeserving children of men, unholy doings, useful lesson, walk upright and safe, wisdom, wise, yielded up the ghost, you should have listened
Acts 5:3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Tuesday! Glorious Tuesday! A most precious gift from the Most High God, Creator of the universe and all therein!
And Friends, the sleep that that same wonderful Deity provided was so sweet, that I didn’t open my tired eyes until minutes to six on this glorious morn. (smile) But hopefully, that extra sleep will stop me from faltering too early in the day.
Anyway, let’s begin with a prayer of thanksgiving nuh. Please pray with me: ‘Oh Father in heaven, we bless your Holy Name, and sincerely thank You for all the new mercies and blessings you are about to bestow, to shower down on us this fateful day.
We thank You for life and health, and humbly ask that You lead and guide us successfully today, through the amazing and awesome power of your Holy Spirit.
Please help us to grow more in Christ-like character today, so that we can do your Holy Will and thus glorify your Name. We pray this on the blood of your Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ, which was shed for us on the cross of Calvary. Amen!’
Yes my people, we can’t sensibly and successfully go through our day without some sort of acknowledgement of and praise to Almighty God! For He is the One who provides for us, and also enables us to walk upright and safe on this evil and ungodly earth.
Now here’s a bit of wisdom attributed to Sholem Asch (1880-1957), a Polish-born, American Jewish writer, who seems to have bridged both the Old and New Worlds, but fit into neither. Don’t think I’ve ever shared this before, but it just seemed so timely today.
And Sholem tells us that it’s ‘Not the power to remember, but the power to forget is a necessary condition for our existence.’
And is there ever lot’s of truth and wisdom in that statement my brethren! For if we keep dragging up the past, our relationships will never prosper. We all make mistakes, but once acknowledged, they should be let go, set free, and all the ‘I told you so’s’ and ‘you should have listened,’ ought not to be continually dredged up.
Remember that there’s no bigger forgiveness in the entire universe than that which our heavenly Father has bestowed on us, and He doesn’t drag up our earlier sins every time we commit another one.
How does Bruh David put it in Psalm 103, Thanksgiving for God’s mercy? ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.’ (Ps.103:12)
And all God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of: ‘Praise the Lord God for His LOVING-kindness to the undeserving children of men!’
Therefore Friends, today, let’s learn to allow bygones to be bygones nuh, and just forgive others the way our gracious Father has forgiven us.
However my people, we cannot do that successfully unless we’re filled with the power of Jesus and His Holy Spirit, because it is they who give us the wherewithal to live a godly and righteous life.
And that brings us to our Bit: ‘But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?’
Yeh Friends, the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira is a very instructional one in the understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit. We saw yesterday how Ananias presented only a portion of the proceeds of the sale of his possession to the apostles, as though that was the overall price. And for that hypocrisy, the Holy Ghost struck him dead right there on the spot.
Mama Mia! What awesome power that Spirit of Christ possesses my brethren! That’s why we would be exceedingly wise to stay on its good side. But unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the story.
Hear how the Good Book tells it: ‘And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife (Sapphira), not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. (Remember she was privy to the deception)
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt (test) the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Then fell she down straightway (instantly) at his feet, and yielded up the ghost (breathed her last): and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon the church, and upon as many as heard these things.’ (Acts 5:7-11)
Oh Friends, oh Friends, I surely hope that we learn a useful lesson from that story, for although it’s not the norm nowadays, it still remains a very great possibility, showing just how powerful God’s Holy Spirit is.
And so I caution us to day, to be very careful in how we deal with and handle the Holy Spirit of Christ that dwells within us, and is desirous to lead and guide us on a straight and upright path.
Please do not knowingly provoke Him to anger through unholy doings, for we never know how He will react when provoked, when ignored and dismissed as irrelevant and out of date, unimportant and simply an old wife’s tale.
Please allow the story of Ananias And Sapphira to guide our doings today. For that’s indeed wisdom from the high heavens! Much LOVE!
…to lie to ourselves and our fellow man…that’s one thing…but to lie to Almighty God…hn…now that’s certainly a horse of an entirely different colour…
P.S. Long time I haven’t heard that old saying; a horse of a different colour. (smile) But they just seem to pop up when the time warrants. And then the oh so efficient Outlook platform froze on me. Steups! So I had to crash it and reboot. Ah Lord eh! The trials and tribulations we have to go through to spread God’s Word eh! (smile) Much LOVE!
16 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Achan, Ananias, aplomb, apostles, aura of love, Barnabas, blessings, body of Christ, christianity, communal way of life, complaining, confidence, disobedience, fear, gave up the ghost, gospel truth, hate, hate to love, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jericho, Jesus Christ, Jesus featuring in our hearts, keeping lives and families together, lead and guide, learn from the mistakes of others, lied unto men but unto God, living for Jesus, lord god almighty, LOVE, LOVE to hate, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, peace, Pentecost, perfect example, Peter, poignant, positive mindset, power of the holy spirit, punished, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, sacrifice, Sapphira, Satan, Satan filled thine heart, sin, Spirit of God, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, surrender, the Good Book, useful purpose, weary souls, wisdom
Acts 5:3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Monday, oh Monday! The day the working people LOVE to hate, and hate to LOVE! They find it to be a rather great inconvenience in their lives. (smile) But as believers, with Jesus featuring in our hearts, we ought to handle it with much ease, aplomb and peace.
Awright, so realistically we have a hard time getting ourselves together on Mondays, but that’s mostly because we don’t prepare for it properly on Sundays. And furthermore, as I keep reminding us, if we can’t do anything about it, we might as well stop complaining, since complaining doesn’t help, but just makes matters worse. We need to develop a positive mindset, so when we realize that it’s Monday, we just glow with pleasure, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Okay, okay, please don’t shoot the messenger! (smile) Anyway, to help us get over the hump that’s Monday, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto. As one harmonious and whole body of Christ now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh Friends, that was indeed a most rousing rendition! Jesus was greatly pleased, as He demonstrated by singing and clapping along with us. He could feel the Holy Spirit diligently moving in our hearts and souls. And today we’ll continue looking at the movement and power of the Holy Spirit back in the early days of Christianity.
Now, before we interrupted our message on the Holy Spirit for Father’s day, we had just seen where a whole lot of believers were selling their possessions and joining in a communal way of life. At the end of chapter 4 we were told about Joses, surnamed Barnabas, who sold his possessions and brought the proceeds to the apostles. And chapter 5 opens with the story of two other people who did the same thing, but with a slightly different twist.
Listen to the Good Book relate it. ‘But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to (aware of) it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles feet.’ (Acts 5:1-2)
And my people, here the Spirit of God truly begins to work, as Peter declares to Ananias starting with our Bit. ‘But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power (control)? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost (breathed his last): and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound (wrapped) him up, and carried him out, and buried him.’ (Acts 5:3-6)
Lordy, Lordy, my brethren, what a poignant and perfect example the Holy Spirit set!
Now here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘5:3-4. The deity of the Holy Spirit is evident within this passage. In verse 3 Peter states that Ananias has lied to the Holy Spirit. Then in verse 4 Ananias is told he has lied to God.
5:4. Communal sharing is still being practiced some weeks or months after Pentecost, but it was totally voluntary. Ananias’s sin was not that of keeping back part of what he sold, but his hypocrisy about it.
5:5. Though God does not judge every believer’s sin with death, in some situations God does. (1 Cor.11:30; 1 John 5:16).As with Achan, this first act in a new era serves as an example (Josh.7:10-26).’
That last reference is to the story of Achan, who disobeyed God’s ban on taking plunder from the fall of Jericho. That led the Lord to take away His favour from Israel in time of war. Eventually Achan confessed, then he and his family were stoned to death, and burned with fire. What a horrible way to die! But the Lord apparently desired that sacrifice to appease His anger and disappointment, and also set an example, letting the people know that disobedience would be severely punished.
Oh Friends, I think we’ll stop there for today, because what I’d like to say would definitely make the Bit too long, and I never want to tax our powers of concentration too much, especially on a Monday morning. (smile)
So let’s ponder the lessons found in today’s message and learn from them nuh, so that the same, or similar repercussions won’t befall us. It’s always better to learn from the mistakes of others. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…totally living for Jesus… is such a beautiful and inspiring thing…there’s nothing else on earth that compares to it…nothing else even comes close…
14 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according as he had need, at what cost, Barnabas, be in the world, believers unite in praise and prayer, boldness, caring, Christian lives, communal living, considerate, controlling influence, Cyprus, downfall, dwell together in unity, emboldened, evil, excess, filled with the Holy Ghost, filling of the Spirit, foolish pride, Friday the 13th, Gentile, glorifying God, grace, had all things in common, Herod, holy spirit, Holy spirit of Christ, I am in the midst of them, ignorance, integral part, Jesus Christ, Jew, Jewish rulers, John, lifted up their voice to God, Lord jesus, LOVE, Love of Jesus, mover and shaker, not of the world, Pentecost, Peter, Pontius Pilate, power of the holy spirit, presence of the Spirit, selling our faith short, signs and wonders, son of consolation, spake the word of god with boldness, speak thy word, stretch forth thine hand to heal, the Good Book, the heathen rage, the people plot vain things, the place was shaken, things of God, things of the world, threatening, thy holy servant Christ, thy servant David, ungodly ways, ungodly world, unity, where two or three are gathered together, will not share, wisdom, with one accord, witness of the resurrection
Acts 4:31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Oh Friends, it’s Saturday! Yeh, and you’ll notice that no evil spirits took hold of you yesterday, Friday the 13th. (smile)
That’s because you believe in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of Christ is immensely stronger than any evil spirit that exists. Our downfall though is when through ignorance and/or foolish pride, we don’t acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and then follow His lead and guidance.
And yes, we’re going to continue looking at the works of the Holy Spirit after its widespread dispersal on that fateful day of Pentecost. And that’s because my people the Holy Spirit is such an integral part of our Christian lives, and if we don’t understand its use and its immense power we’ll be selling our faith and ourselves short. So please bear with the ole fella as he tries to raise our understanding of the most important element in our lives. (smile)
Yesterday we saw, where in the face of the multitudes glorifying God, and the lame man healed in their presence through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Jewish rulers had no just cause to punish Peter and John, so they simply threatened them before setting them free.
‘And being let go, they went to their own company (companions), and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine (plot) vain things? The kings of the earth stood up (took their stand), and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.
For of a truth against thy holy child (servant) Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel (purpose) determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by (through) the name of thy holy child (servant) Jesus.’ (Acts 4:23-30)
Oh my brethren, how beautiful and heartwarming it is to our most gracious and wonderful God, when believers unite in praise and prayer! Remember, as Jesus so avidly and faithfully promised: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20)
And was He ever amongst that group of believers that day!
Hear the Good Book tell it, through the words of our Bit: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’
Oh Friends, what a mighty mover and shaker is the Holy Spirit of Christ! And the scholars remind us: ‘4:31. As with Peter in verse 8, so now the whole body of believers experiences a renewal of the controlling influence or filling of the Spirit. See the note on 2:4.’
That deals with the difference between being baptized with the Holy Spirit, or the first anointing as a new believer, as opposed to the being refilled and refreshed at different stages of our walk of faith. Back in verse 8, Peter was recharged with the Holy Spirit which enabled him to stand up and boldly speak to the Jewish rulers.
And not only were the believers emboldened that day by the Holy Spirit, but their communal living was also vastly enriched. ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught (any) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices (proceeds) of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, The son of consolation (encouragement), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.’ (Acts 4:32-37)
Oh my people, how good and how pleasant it is when believers dwell together in unity!
And though we know that kind of communal living won’t work properly in our society, there’s no need, no reason why we can’t be a more caring and considerate community of believers. The problem there is that we allow the world and its ungodly ways to come between us. For despite all the talk we talk, we’re still ruled by the things of the world and not by the things of God.
Yuh see how none of those early believers lacked for anything, and everyone was given as they had need? Hn! In our society though, so many lack and have need, while others have excess that they will not share. We’re always looking for a way to increase. And generally that’s not a bad thing…but at what cost? At what cost to others in our community, and at what cost to our relationships with our families and with our God?
That’s the question we need to ponder today my people; how much is our involvement in the ungodly world destroying our godly nature. Remember, we must be IN the world, but not OF it.
So let’s seriously consider our positions, then, with God’s ever-available and always generous help, try and come up better. For that’s eternal wisdom. Much LOVE!
…for though we be Jew or Gentile…of different creed and race…we all fall under the same all-encompassing LOVE of Jesus…
13 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anxieties, bequeath, brave, can't stop God's time, centre of contention, Christ's Holy Spirit, confidence, conquer our fears, consternation, courage, courageous, dissension, energy, enthusiasm, evil, evil forces, fearlessly, fears, fellowship, for our children's sake, freedom, Friday chant, Friday the 13th, frightened, fun, further God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Gentile, glorified God, hate, Holy ghost power, holy spirit, inherent power, Jerusalem, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jew, Jewish leaders, John, joyfully, kindness, lead and guide, legacy, LOVE, miracle, opportunity, Pentecost, Peter, proclaim Jesus' name, pull up our socks, quandary, relaxation, resentment, rest, righteousness., salvation, source of power, stinking cesspool, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the church body, the Lord's will, the name of Jesus, the weekend, threaten, touches a hidden nerve, trillion dollar question, troubled, truth, try in vain, wake up and smell the roses, week of work, wisdom
Acts 4:19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
And then it was Friday…Friday the 13th to boot!
‘So what,’ shouted the people? ‘Who believes in those old-wives tales any way? We’ll still sing TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! And thank God the weekend is finally here! No evil forces can stop that. For it’s the Lord’s will and desire! So shout it out loud and proud: TGIF! Thank God is Friday, and the weekend’s here!’
Yeh Friends, sure believers in Jesus don’t worry about the evil forces who are supposed to be in the ascendance on a Friday the 13th. Simply because none of those evil forces can stop God’s time. Jesus has already defeated them all, so they are only ‘flimming and flamming’ now, without any real power at all, just working on our natural fears and anxieties.
So let’s chant our Friday Chant with much energy and enthusiasm, that some will rub off on all of those who hear us. As one harmonious voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Good chanting Friends, good chanting! Now let’s go and put it into practice. (smile)
And we’ll continue studying the stuff that the mighty moving of the Holy Spirit wrought at that memorable Pentecost, some two thousand years ago.
Yesterday we saw the apostles, Peter and John, stand up strong and brave to the Jewish leaders, with Peter boldly declaring that the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was the source of their power. And that Jesus was the only one by whom salvation could be obtained.
Now the Jewish leaders were obviously unhappy with the situation, but what could they do? They had a group of uneducated, lower class men speaking bravely and powerfully to them, and a lame man who had been healed through their instigation, in the sight of countless people.
Those were facts they could not deny. But how were they to handle the delicate situation, without losing face and power; that was their quandary.
So they put Peter and John outside and ‘conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle (a remarkable sign) had been done by them is manifest (known) to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly (severely) threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.’ (Acts 4:16-17)
Oh Friends, how the forces of evil are troubled and affrighted by the name of Jesus! So much so, that they try and stop us from speaking His Holy Name. Hn! But they do try in vain!
As the scholars so wisely and rightly declare: ‘4:12. The name of Jesus Christ is the centre of contention (v. 7, 10, 12) and ever will be. Salvation for Jew and Gentile alike is exclusively through the name of Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:6).’
Oh yes my fellow believers, you can bring up any other name in the world, in any kind of company, and none will cause as much contention as Jesus’!
Why my people? Because of the inherent power vested in that most remarkable name! It just touches a hidden nerve in our beings; a chord programmed thus by our Creator, at our creation. Else why would a single name cause so much contention, consternation and dissension eh?
Anyway, having made their decision, the Jewish leaders called the apostles back into the room. ‘And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ (Acts 4:18-20)
Oh mih breddren, what a way Peter has developed into this brave and courageous believer! So that he can now look the Jewish elders in the eye and tell them to get lost. Oh the power of Christ’s Holy Spirit! For it was simply Holy Ghost power that Peter was operating on.
‘So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how (for which) they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed (had been performed).’ (Acts 4:21-22)
Oh Friends, I just LOVE it! I just LOVE the way our wonderful God moves in His most mysterious ways, His works to perform! The problem though is whether we are allowing His Holy Spirit to put such courage and confidence in our everyday lives? That is the trillion dollar question my people!
And it’s obvious that as a church, as a body of worshippers in the name of Jesus Christ, we are falling far short of expectations, otherwise our world would not be in such an awful mess, lacking LOVE and kindness, but full of hate and resentment.
Oh my brethren, it’s time for us to conquer our fears, anxieties, or whatever is keeping us from doing a good job in Jesus’ name. It’s full time we allow His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all truth and righteousness, so that we can joyfully and fearlessly proclaim His name to all the world, as He desires.
We’ve seen how the Holy Spirit moved in the early believers, and it’s still working the same way today. It’s just that we aren’t making the most of it, although we have more information, freedom and opportunity to do so.
Ah Friends, let’s wake up and smell the sweet perfume of those lovely roses nuh. Let’s see the evil and hateful world for exactly what it is – a stinking cesspool – and come to the great realization that without our best efforts, our world will only become more evil and hateful.
Is that the legacy we want to bequeath to our descendants? I greatly doubt it. So let’s hitch up our breeches, pull up our socks and allow the Spirit of Jesus to work in us as it should nuh… for our children’s sake. That’s wisdom to the nth power! Much LOVE!
…a believer who doesn’t embrace the leading and guiding power of Christ’s Spirit…is no true believer at all…
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