23 Jan 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a joy, abundance, antichrist, be glad, Beelzebub, building blocks, but by me, compassion, confidence, courage, creativity, curse, eternal peace, evil cohorts, faith, foundation of our faith, give thanks and gratitude, go astray, gumption, have the parts, heartfelt sincerity, holy spirit, human creations, I am the way, Jesus, Jesus is come in the flesh, negative word, no man cometh to the Father, privilege to be alive, rejoice, rest, Satan, self-control, selfishly hoard, share generously, success, talent, the Life, the Love Revolution, the only name that matters, the Truth, Thursday Blessings, trials, tribulations, troubled world, Utopian place, wisdom
John 14:6. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And so today, Thursday is another day…one that we should be glad and rejoice in, because we did not see our names in the obits! (smile) Oh give glory to God because He chose us to handle His affairs down here on earth! That means we have the parts to do whatever He wants us to do, and He is proud and confident that we will do His holy will! Please note the amount of people He took away last night because they either couldn’t or wouldn’t do His will.
Ah friends, we ought to consider it a joy and privilege to be alive, and everyday we open our eyes to another day, be it rain, snow, sleet or storm, our thanks and gratitude ought to rise to high heaven with heartfelt sincerity! Yeh, life can sometimes be rough and trouble-filled, but that doesn’t mean we’re ready to leave it and go home. (smile)
Neither is the Lord ready for us to come home because there is lot’s of work yet to be done down here on earth; the gospel has not yet reached ALL of mankind, and Christ’s church is not in the ascendancy over Satan’s infidels, which means the LOVE Revolution is not going as well as it ought to. So those are things we still need to work on because the Lord does not want to lose even ONE of His human creations to that lout Beelzebub!
There you have it then; good reasons for us to be alive and bright and bubbly and eager to get on with Christ’s winning work of calling all; (whosoever will may come) to salvation and the exclusive and overwhelming ecstasy of eternal life in His holy presence!
Wow! What a time that will be my friends; hanging out with Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in heaven for eternity! Nothing could be more blissful than that! It’s certainly something most worthy to look forward to…in fact, there’s nothing better to look forward to!
And my brethren, contrary to some opinions, the ONLY WAY to get to that Utopian place of eternal rest and peace and joy is through Jesus! He said it Himself, made it very clear when Thomas refused to believe until He saw the nail marks in His hands and side. ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’
Those are strong words my people, and it takes a lot of gumption to declare them, even if they are true. And if it’s one thing our Lord and Saviour had, and still has, is gumption! (smile) He has it in spades, because He knows the extent of his power! And we ought to know it too, because He bequeathed that awesome power to us through His Holy Spirit, so that we can use that same power to do His work down here on earth.
But getting back to Jesus’ words, we believers ought to keep reminding ourselves of them, since it’s so easy to think otherwise and go astray, especially when there are a lot of false preachers and teachers recommending all sorts of other erroneous things and methods.
John, in his epistle thought it important enough to write: ‘Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world.’ (1 John 4:1-3)
Yes friends, there are numerous spirits and people out there in this big, evil world trying to tell us all sorts of nonsense, and we therefore need to be very careful who and what we listen to and read and test them by comparing them to God’s Word and the knowledge of His Holy Spirit. And I like John’s subsequent contention: ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4)
And all God’s children gave out with a loud and grateful shout: ‘All praise and honour be to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; the most powerful being in the universe!’ And isn’t that a warm, assuring and enduring fact! The most powerful Being in the universe dwells within each and every believer through the auspices of His Holy Spirit!
Now that should give us overwhelming confidence in our trials and tribulations in this troubled world, especially when we add it to the Lord’s promise, that He will eventually work out everything for good to those who LOVE Him and are called to do His work.
Mama Mia! What confidence the true believer ought to have with all those things in his favour! But sadly many of us don’t, because we either truly don’t believe, or we’re fearful and full of doubt. That’s why Jesus was so critical of us and so often complained: ‘O ye of little faith!’
And why is that eh? Possibly because we don’t read or hear the Word sufficiently, and we don’t commune with the Father sufficiently. Those are the building blocks, the foundation of our faith friends, and we definitely need very strong faith in this overwhelmingly evil world if we want to not only survive, but even more importantly wrest power from Satan and his evil cohorts!
So let’s get on seriously with our faith building nuh, cause Jesus is depending on us; we are his ears, eyes, feet and hands down here, His ambassadors, so let’s show ourselves to be worthy of His confidence nuh! And what I dearly LOVE about our great God is that He always gives us the tools to do His work. And so He has with our Thursday Blessings.
So let’s declare them loudly and proudly: ‘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 everyday! Amen!’
Oh friends, what more do we need to do Jesus’ work eh? Nothing really! Just believe His Word and put our best foot forward…Oh, and don’t selfishly hoard those blessings, but share them generously with others, like He generously shared them with us. Much LOVE!
…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…the ONLY name that really matters…
22 Sep 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accountability, all my sins away, Beelzebub, believe in the light, believing in Him, but by me, darkness comprehends it not, Edwin Hawkins singers, encouraging, eternal life, exhorting each other to, fight and pray, foolish, good deeds, He taught me how, I am the way, listening to His holy word, live rejoicing every day, Lord of Lords, lost, LOVE, meet in the Lord's house, nail pierced hands, no man cometh unto the father, obeying his teachings, Oh Happy Day, on Christ's behalf, only two options, our abominable sins, persecuted people, Philip Doddridge, place our trust, praise, reconciliation, renew our spiritual strength, revelation of God, sacificial death, salvation, see the Father's face, stupid, Sunday, surreendering our souls, teachings, thanks, the cross of Calvary, the day of the Lord, the King of Kings, the Life, the light of men, the Truth, to wacth, walk in light, walk while ye have the light, when Jesus washed
John 14:6. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
Sunday, oh Sunday…the day of the Lord! Time for our weekly fellowship friends, where we meet in the Lord’s house and renew our spiritual strength by giving Him thanks and praise, listening to His holy Word while encouraging and exhorting each other to LOVE and good deeds on Christ’s behalf! Blessed be His holy name, and we His beloved children!
And today, as we do each Sunday, we’ll open the proceedings with a song of praise and thanksgiving; an 18th century hymn written by English clergyman, Philip Doddridge. In 1967 it was given a gospel arrangement and recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers…and the next thing you knew, it was an international hit! We know it as ‘Oh Happy Day!’ So let’s belt it out with the appropriate enthusiasm and ecstatic feeling, because when you’re a true believer in Christ, every day is a happy day, especially Sundays, when we gather and fellowship together in the Lord’s sanctuary, be it a majestic cathedral or a humble hovel.
The important thing is not our physical surroundings but our spiritual togetherness, for as Christ so faithfully promised: ‘For wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) That means He’s right here in the midst of us this Sunday morning as we sing His praises and give Him exceeding thanks! So altogether now, as though we really mean it, with all the call and answers and everything. Let’s make it truly lively and happy.
‘Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed) Oh, when He washed (When Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed) He washed my sins away (Oh, happy day) Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) (Repeat) He taught me how (He taught me how) To watch and fight and pray Watch and pray And live rejoicing every day Every day
Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed) Oh, when He washed (When Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed) He washed my sins away (Oh, happy day) Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) He taught me how (He taught me how) To watch and fight and pray Watch and pray And live rejoicing every day (Good God) Every day Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) Oh, it’s a happy day (Oh, happy day) Oh, Lord (Oh, happy day) Mmm, good God (Oh, happy day) Oh yeah (Oh, happy day) Mmm, oh (Oh, happy day)!’
Oh friends, you better believe that it was the happiest day of mankind’s history when Jesus washed our abominable sins away! There’s nothing in this evil world to compare to that, because it means reconciliation with our heavenly Father, salvation and eternal life…Glory to God my faithful brethren! And on top of all that, Jesus taught us some real important things; like how to watch, to fight and pray, and live rejoicing every live long day! Bless His holy name my people! That’s why He’s the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
No one’s ever done anything greater for mankind in the annals of history. Wow! His selfless, sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary turned the whole world upside down, and His teachings have brought life and light to millions of lost and persecuted people. How can we ever thank Him eh? In truth, we can NEVER fully repay His awesome gesture, but we can satisfy His simple desires by surrendering our souls to Him, obeying His teachings, and believing in Him sufficiently to place our trust and the outcome of our eternal lives in His nail pierced hands.
No wonder He could tell doubting Thomas in no uncertain terms: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.’ And that was no idle boast my people, for as the scholars point out: ’14:6. Jesus does not tell them about the way, nor does He show them the way. He does not even guide them along the way. He says He IS the way.’ And so indeed He is friends! If you don’t believe and trust and obey Him, then you’ll never see the Father’s face, or dwell with Him throughout eternity. That’s just a natural fact, for there are only two options in this life, the Beelzebub way, or the Jesus way. And believe me, you don’t want to go the way of the former.
Oh sorry my brethren, how could I forget that Jesus was also the Light eh? Steups! John said it thus: ‘In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (apprehended) it not.’ (John 1:4-5). And the scholars tell us: ‘1:4-5. Life…light: See also 8:12; 9:5; 11:25; 14:6. In John’s writings, life represents salvation and deliverance through Christ, and light denotes Jesus’ revelation of God which calls men to accountability.’
And Jesus Himself said it thus: ‘Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.’ (John 12:35-36) Yes friends, we all know that we cannot walk safely or purposefully in darkness, but when there’s light…oh we can do so much! And if Jesus is light, then it’s only logical to follow Him, if we want to walk in light.
The long and short of the story then precious people, is that Jesus is the End All and Be All of this world! In fact He is the Way, the Truth, the Life and the Light! Glory be! So how can you not follow Him eh? That would be rather foolish of you; the height of stupidity…and I know that you’re neither foolish nor stupid! Much LOVE!
…the way to eternal life…can only be found by walking in the true Light…Jesus…
P.S. Don’t worry about Friday and Saturday, we won’t lose any days. I just didn’t have the energy to write them yet, and I didn’t want to miss out on Sunday. (smile) Much LOVE!
01 Aug 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a narrow path, abundance, advice, best interests at heart, bush tea, but by me, charles stanley, choose the best, coconut oil, compassionate heart, concotion, creativity, curse, discipline, dont' have to go it alone, dr robert h schuller, elect the best, eternal life, excellence, feelings, follow faith, generous God, godly advice, gospel truth, holy spirit, Hour of Power Devotional, human flesh rebel, I am the way, immortal wisdom, Jesus Christ, Joseph Addison, Joyce Meyer, leave all the consequences to Him, lovers of pleasure, man's independent nature, narrow, narrow the way, negative word, no man comes to the Father, no matter the price tag, obedience, obey God, obeying God's word, our Lord and Saviour, receive with reluctance, requires discipline, shrivelling up enthusiasm, shun mediocrity, starting your day right, sticks in our craw, strit is the gate, talent, the Life, the Truth, the way of the world, the way to victory, Thursday's Blessings, which leads to life, wsihy-washy
Matthew 7:14. Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it.
Well it’s the first of August, that means the summer is almost done, one more month, then any number can play. But that’s okay, we can handle it, with Jesus’ help. But today we going to get into a serious concoction in the Bit. Yuh know like in the olden days when you had a cold and fever and your mother just boiled up a whole lot of different bushes and made tea for you, bad, horrible tasting stuff…Ugh!
And she also mixed up a whole lot of different medicines and rubbed your chest and back and forehead with them, and put some coconut oil in your head – will make the cold run down? Hn, hn! We didn’t like it, but it worked. Well that’s what we making here today: a concoction of scripture and good advice. And let’s hope that that will work for us today too. (smile)
Now let’s begin with this most appropriate ingredient from one Joseph Addison (1672-1719), an English essayist, poet, playwright and politician. And he reputedly said that ‘There is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice.’ And that’s gospel truth friends! For there is nothing we dislike more than advice because it suggests that we don’t know what we’re doing.
And even when it’s given with the best interests at heart, and we know it’s the best advice we can get, something though still sticks in our craw, and we don’t really treasure it as we should. I guess though that’s just man’s independent nature showing up, where we don’t like anybody telling us what to do, even though it’s right.
And the next choice ingredient comes from Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller), from his Hour of Power Devotional, where he sincerely and wisely advises us to: ‘Choose the best, shun mediocrity. Mediocrity has a way of shrivelling up enthusiasm. But commitment to excellence taps an incredible source of energy. Elect the best, no matter what the price tag.’ Wow friends! Pure words of wisdom and mucho good advice and also what Jesus desires of His followers.
But are we going to take it? Hn! Who knows? Because though it’s true and good and wise and of Jesus, there’s just something that sits wrong with us in taking advice. But then I’m only here to bring you wise words and wise, godly advice, so please don’t blame or get annoyed at me, for I’m only the messenger. (smile)
And the last ingredient of our concoction comes from an old Devotional of Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) called ‘Starting Your Day Right.’ Could barely make out the name because it’s so old and faded, and the pages are falling apart, so I keep it together with a rubber band, (smile) because I like it’s simple, down to earth style. Can’t take all this new-fangled stuff.
Anyhow, Sister Joyce gives this wonderful advice at the end of one of the devotionals. ‘The way to victory is a narrow path that requires discipline regardless of our feelings. Sometimes it may look too narrow to even squeeze through. But victory comes by obeying God’s Word to us, in spite of our feelings. Follow faith, not feelings today.’
Mama Mia! What wonderful advice! What godly advice! And are we going to take it my brethren? I surely hope so, because as she so rightly says, we can only get victory by obeying God’s Word, and it takes a strong and sincere faith to do so, not wishy-washy feelings, like so many of us live by.
And that’s why, Jesus, in His immortal wisdom, knowing that too many of us live by our wishy-washy feelings, directed us to ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.’ (Matt.7:13)
Oh my people, how true that is in these ungodly times. People are just ‘LOVERS of pleasure,’ as Bruh Paul told Timothy. (2 Tim.3:4) And like foolish sheep without a shepherd, are all blindly headed for the precipice of damnation! But thankfully precious people, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is a good, kindly and caring shepherd and he takes wonderful care of His own. But His own also have to listen to His voice, else they too will go astray on the wide and destructive path.
And He says to us: ‘Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it.’ Yes friends, those are words we have to pay serious attention to, because if we want to live and work for Jesus and eventually gain eternal life with Him, then we can’t go the way of the world. We have to follow the straight and narrow path that calls for obedience, discipline and excellence.
And we all know those are things against which our human flesh naturally rebel, which means calling forth a superhuman effort if we have to do it alone. But thankfully we don’t have to do it alone! Jesus Christ foresaw our problems and wisely gave us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in His ways! Glory to God! We’re not alone…will never be alone once we stay in Jesus’ fold!
And let’s remember friends, that Jesus is both the way that leads to life, and also the life. As He said to doubting Thomas: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:6) Please my people, let’s write those words indelibly in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, because they are ever so important for our life-long journey.
Now let’s go home declaring (yeh!) those Thursday Blessings the Lord has so generously lavished on us nuh so we can do His work. In 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 everyday! Amen!’
Oh my people, what a generous God we serve and worship! Now let’s go out and share those blessings with the less fortunate as Jesus intends for us to do, and not selfishly hoard them for ourselves. Yes, I’ve got to remind us, else we tend to forget. (smile) And let’s hope that the concoction we made up today also works, because we all need it badly! Much LOVE!
…the best way to live life…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him… (Uncle Charles – Charles Stanley)
03 Jul 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a rollicking ole time, abundance, anathema, and the life, as for me and my house, begins and ends with Jesus, broad is the way, but by me, choose you this day, enter ye in at the strait gate, go marching in, good and godly attitude, halfway home, hands fixed securely on the plough, how good and how pleasant, I am the way, keeping our eyes, keeps the right road, led thee in right paths, looking straight ahead, LOVE, many wrong ways, narrow is the gate, no man cometh to the Father, not turning back, on worthwhile goals, one right way, outstrips the runner, ponder the path of thy feet, remove thy foot from evil, Sir Francis Bacon, speed, that leads to destruction, the breath of life, the Father's face, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the lame man, the only true and living God, the tortoise and the hare, the Truth, the way of wisdom, the way that leads to life, thy paths drop fatness, to a glorious future with Jesus, we will serve the Lord, Wednesday Wail, when the saints of Jesus, who takes the wrong road, whom ye will serve, wide is the gate, won't see heaven
John 14:6. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Oh how good and how pleasant it is to have only worked one day and yet reached the middle of the week! That’s what a lot of Canadians are saying or thinking this bright Wednesday morning. But many of them are still tired after a hectic weekend of Canada Day celebrations, so there is the trade off. (smile)
But hear these interesting and encouraging words of Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), English Renaissance philosopher, lawyer, statesman and one time Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of the British Government. He reputedly said: ‘The lame man who keeps the right road outstrips the runner who takes a wrong one. Nay, it is obvious that the more active and swift the latter is the further he will go astray.’
Yeh friends, sticking to the right road is ever so important in these evil and ungodly times. And it’s obvious the more active and energetic we are, the more likely we are to go astray. It’s like the story of the tortoise and the hare. It doesn’t matter how fast you are, if you are on the wrong road you’ll end up going astray. As they say, slow, but sure is the best way to be.
But the word slow is anathema in today’s society, because we want everything quickly, we don’t want to have to wait for anything. Just check out the speed of the computers and cell phones and the other pieces of modern day equipment nuh; each version seeks to be faster than the other. But the problem is that too fast oftimes leads to also being wrong.
But friends, the important thing in this life is not speed, but keeping our eyes on worthwhile goals and getting to them steadily and with a good and godly attitude. And the long and short of this whole story of the way though people, is that it all begins and ends with Jesus! Yes friends, He said it to His disciples in simple but undisputable terms. ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’
Oh my people, my people, it couldn’t be put any clearer and more straightforward than that! If you don’t follow the path that Jesus set, both literally and figuratively, you won’t see heaven or the Father’s face! And His way is not the broad and expansive way, but the straight and narrow one, as He says in Matthew.
‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt.7:13-14)
Yes precious people of Christ, there are only two options, two available paths to follow in this life; the broad and boundaryless way, that of the evil one, which leads to death and destruction, and the strait and narrow way with boundaries, that leads through Jesus to eternal life!
And as Joshua so famously informed the Israelites in his last speech: ‘choose you this day whom ye will serve; the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood (the Euphrates), or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell?’
Yeh friends, it’s a choice we all have to make. We’ve all got to bow to somebody, the question is whom shall we bow to? And I’d like to think that all of us will make the right choice, like Joshua did: ‘But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ And all of that can be found in Joshua 24:15.
Ah mih people, serving Almighty God, the ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the right way to go in these evil times. Hear how Bruh David put it so long ago nuh. ‘I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (the abode of the dead); neither wilt thou suffer (allow) thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.’ (Psalm 16:8-11)
Mama Yo! What could be better than that eh mih people? Nothing really! And all of it still holds true to this day! Following the Lord, through Jesus Christ, does lead us on the path to eternal life, with fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore! As Bruh David says in a later psalm: ‘Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness (abundance).’ Oh how true that is, my faithful believers!
And it’s obvious that Cousin Sol must add his two cents worth: (smile) ‘I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (hindered); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble… Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.’ (Prov.4:11-12; 26-27)
And with those awesome words of wisdom my brethren, let’s go home declaring (yeah!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the world know our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! All together now: ‘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!’
Yes mih peeps, it will certainly be a rollicking ole time in heaven when the saints of Jesus go marching in! Much LOVE!
…there’s only ONE right way…but many wrong ones…
08 Feb 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all for our benefit, bad weather, be wise, broad is the way, choose life, Christians, clear as noonday, confined, dead to Jesus, difficult the way, do as I please, drinking, eating, endeavours, energy, enthusiasm, eternal life, eternally separated, evil, fellowship, few find it, field of vision, Friday chant, full mih belly, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, get a foothold, get sidetracked, gloomy winter's day, gospel truth, head and not the tail, his riches in glory, I am the way, in Jesus name, Jesus, karay mih body, leadeth to destruction, leadeth unto life, leggo beast, let it all hnag out, liable to get bite, live for the weekend, narrow, narrower boundaries, no one comes to the Father, on the outside looking in, one bad apple, overcomers, partying, relaxation, rest, restraint, slave driver, strait is the gate, strength, supply all my needs, sweet music, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, that kinda behaviour, the Life, the Truth, the weekend, the workingman's song, this is the day the Lord has made, two options, ungodly world, we will rejoice and be glad in it, wide is the gate
Matthew 7:14. Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult, confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
And then it was Friday…another gloomy winter’s day? Most likely! But who knows…and who cares eh? Not us believing Christians! We have Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour constantly looking over us, so we don’t let li’l things like the weather bother us, or keep us from doing His will! We get up and decide, whatever the weather or our circumstances: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ Wow! What confidence we have in our Saviour!
And if that doesn’t do the trick, then we continue: ‘The Lord will provide all my needs through His riches in glory!’ And furthermore: ‘If God be for me, who can be against me eh?’ Not a single soul! And since we are overcomers, the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, through Christ who gives us the strength to do all that He calls us to do, then we can be steadfast and strong, and conclude that ‘As for me and my house, we WILL follow the Lord!’
Oh friends, if you all didn’t need that li’l pick me up this morning, good for you, but the ole fella certainly needed it! But with the Lord’s help, we back on track now…praise His holy name!
So let’s hear what the workingman has to say this gloomy Friday morning. And I just LOVE his undaunted enthusiasm! ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday…La la la la la la! It might be winter…and cold and miserable, but why should that make me miserable too eh? Especially when is Friday and the weekend upon me…when is my time to do as I please. I’d be real chupid to let a li’l bad weather stop me from enjoying the couple days off I have from the slave driver’s work yes!
So who want to let that bother them or stop them from eating and drinking and partying, that is their business, but it not going to stop me, because I just live for the weekend and the li’l chance to karay mih body to some sweet music, and full mih belly with good food and drink, especially in them kinda cold weather here! I need strength, energy and enthusiasm to handle them oui! So thank God for Fridays and the weekends and them yes!’
Yes mih people, the workingman is certainly off and running today. And I know that plenty of us supposed Christians think like him, and would like to behave leggo beast like him, but Jesus doesn’t like that kinda behaviour in His organization, so we cool it down, and instead chant we Friday Chant, a somewhat more controlled song, with narrower boundaries. So let’s chant up a storm now nuh!
As one chanter: ‘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.’
Ah mih breddren, a li’l restraint never hurt nobody yet nuh, but when you let it all hang out, yuh liable to get bite, as the long time calypso did say. (smile) And that’s all Jesus is trying to do yes with His narrow way; preventing us from getting bite! It’s all for our benefit, because yuh know how the enemy always lurking in the background ready to snap and bite at any chance we give him, so he could get a foothold in we souls and just spoil everything.
Remember, it does only take one bad apple to spoil the whole basket! And Jesus doesn’t want that to happen to us, that’s why He advocates the narrow, less travelled way. ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult, confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt.7:13-14)
And that’s the gospel truth friends! But we don’t even need Jesus us to tell us that, because logically speaking, the wider or broader your field of vision or your endeavours, the more problems you’re liable to have, just because so much more is involved.
But getting back to Jesus, who wants to suffer destruction by being eternally separated from Him eh? Nobody in their right minds! So if we’re wise and sensible, although I know common sense isn’t in vogue these days (smile) we will choose the strait and narrow way which is through Jesus as He so sweetly and graciously enlightens us: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but my me.’ (John 14:6) End of story friends!
If you want to get to the Father, then you have to go through His Son Jesus! That’s all there is to it! It’s just like our earthly set up; to get to the boss, you have to go through His secretary. (smile) So just consider Jesus the Father’s Administrative Assistant, and if you don’t deal with Him, you won’t get a chance to deal with the Father! Clear as noonday my brethren!
So let’s take a few moments today and ponder which road we’re currently travelling on nuh, because it’s so easy to get sidetracked in this evil, ungodly world, that we need to constantly be on our p’s and q’s so we stay on the straight and narrow with Jesus. Much LOVE!
…only two options available…the strait and narrow with Jesus…and enjoy eternal life…or the broad and busy highway…and end up on the outside looking in…dead to Jesus…be wise…choose life…
11 Jan 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: alive and well, another week of work, atrophy, august leader, bacchanal, Bacchus, broad is the way, but by me, capitalist slave master, chutzpah, comes to the Father, common task, confined, daily grind, damnation, destructive path, difficult, each step I take, enter in, eternal life, eternity, fellowship, few there be that find it, flippant attitude, four day workweek, Friday chant, fun, furthering your kingdom, generous help, goes though Jesus, heaven, hell, I am the way, in Jesus name, Jesus Christ, keep promises, killing our society, lack of productivity, laziness, leads to life, looming large, more beneficial, narrow is the way, no one, on your p's and q's, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, rest, salvation, Satan, sense of direction, slavery, strait is the gate, technological society, technology, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, thanks, that leads to destruction, the enemy, the Life, the Truth, the weekend, tiredness, two options, verve, wide is the gate, work five days in a row, workingman's song
Matthew 7:14. Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (confined or difficult) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Wow…and more Wow! What a lot of thanks and praise is floating up to heaven today because it’s Friday, and the impending weekend that will give our tired souls and bodies a break from the daily grind and common task, after the first full week of work in this new year of 2019! No more traffic jams and crowds of people for two whole, big days…that is unless we want it. Glory be!
Ah friends, our bodies and minds are not as strong and able as they use to be even one generation ago. That’s because we’ve become accustomed to an easy style of living in our technologically advanced society that doesn’t require a whole lot of hard, physical work. Not like back in the days when agriculture was king and technology was just coming into its own.
Now technology is indeed useful, if we use it to our advantage. But unfortunately these days we’re allowing technology to use us, run our lives, do almost everything besides discharge our bodily secretions. And soon it might even be able to do that too! (smile)
Seriously though friends, technology is killing our society at the same time it is providing us with some interesting perks. We’re thinking less and doing less for ourselves, and if we continue this way, our minds and bodies will eventually atrophy, lose their effectiveness, shrivel up and become vegetative because of lack of use.
Please notice that every great society in our history began to fail and fall the day they became overly prosperous. That’s because too much prosperity leads to laziness, and therefore lack of productivity and ingenuity, which keep a society growing.
Now tell me, how did I get on this track eh? (smile) Some days I just don’t know nuh…although it makes sense. However, it’s Friday, and everybody is waiting to hear the workingman sing his song. And though he’s tired, he still finds the energy to belt it out: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday…and the weekend looming large! Brother, what a week that was! Ah can’t remember when last ah work five full days in a row nuh. But that is surely slavery yes!
Why should a man have to work five straight days out of seven eh, especially with we big technological society now eh? Whatever happen to the four-day workweek that they promise we eh? It nowhere in sight! Steups! Should have known that the capitalist slave master doh keep promises. But anyway, the weekend here and ah have time to rest some…but also to party some! Hn, hn! Can’t let the whole weekend go by and doh party…that is a sin before God! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Ah mih people, even in the midst of tiredness, Bacchus, the god of bacchanal, still raises his ugly head. That’s how our society has been programmed. But thankfully not all of us though. We believers know the value of rest and of play, and when to indulge in either, that’s why our Friday Chant is not as extreme as the workingman’s song. So let’s chant it now with much verve and chutzpah nuh. (smile)
As one: ‘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!’
We seriously give thanks and praise to God, not the flippant attitude that the workingman displays, and we stay on track most of the time, or at least try to, while the workingman goes running hither, thither and yon, without any sense of direction.
That’s why our august Leader, Jesus Christ warned: ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (confined or difficult) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt.7:13-14)
Yes friends, the way to hell and damnation is broad, wide and easy to find. But the path that leads to salvation and eternal life is narrow and hard to find. And why is that eh? Because it all goes through Jesus; both the gate and the way! As He so emphatically said unto his doubting disciple, Thomas: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:6)
Yeh mih people, there are only two options in this life, the wide destructive path that Satan offers, or the straight and narrow one that leads through Jesus to our heavenly Father. The billion-dollar question is, which path will each of us take? I implore us to take the latter that goes through Jesus! Yes it is the more difficult path, but ultimately it is indeed the more beneficial. Much LOVE!
…two paths to eternity…the one to heaven…and the one to hell…which one will you choose…hopefully…the former…
P.S. Ah friends, the enemy is alive and well, and can come at us from any direction at any time. Would you believe that just as I was going to type in Jesus’ directive to Thomas, I paused to take a sip of water, and darkness suddenly filled the room? Just for a second though. So I had to reboot and wait for everything to come back. It’s a good thing that I’ve learned from earlier mistakes and save stuff as I go along. So please be on your p’s and q’s! Much LOVE!
30 Jun 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a balancing act, a better tomorrow, a good life, a scorcher, Anselm, aspires to inspire, bad luck, beginning of knowledge, believest thou this, big up, blessed by Almighty God, blessed favour, building on the rock, Canada Day celebrations, Canada is the best, change your whole day, Christian faith, destroy, don't tkae anything personally, epitome of wisdom, fear of the Lord, find pasture, fools despise wisdom, foundation stone, friends, gives his life for the sheep, Go Canada, good luck, grace, Granny's warnings, have life abundantly, I am the door, I am the way, immune to the opinions, inadequacy, lack of preparation, Lazarus, Martha, mercy of God, needless suffering, no man cometh to the Father, on the right foot, on the sand, on the wrong track, opportunities, optimistic, partnership, positive thought, projection of their own reality, quotes, reality, saved, shall never die, starting out, sunscreen, the good shepherd, the Life, the prince of darkness, the resurrection, the shepherd of the sheep, the Truth, to kill, tough skinned, victim, wisdom, wrong foundation
John 14:6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
And the Canada Day celebrations continue apace! And the weather seems to be in full cooperating mood too; it’s supposed to be a scorcher, possibly worse than yesterday. So get on your sunscreen and turn on the A/C, and celebrate the birth of this wonderful country called Canada, within the limits of Granny’s warnings though! (smile)
Oh we have our problems too, but of all the big countries in the world, I still believe that Canada is the BEST! Go Canada!
And so having ‘big-upped’ Canada; I hate the word, ‘big-up’ but I couldn’t think of anything more suitable at the time, let’s move on to our Saturday treat of this weeks quotes from our friend Anselm, who sincerely aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow.
And this week there’s a whole slate of them, starting with: ‘Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.’ And there’s absolutely no doubt about the truth and wisdom in that statement, for optimism is a foundation stone of our Christian faith.
That leads to the next quote: ‘Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.’ That also has many grains of truth in it, for if we begin our day with positive thoughts, we will indeed be starting out on the right foot.
Then there is: ‘Good luck is when opportunity meets preparation, while bad luck is when lack of preparation meets reality.’ It’s basically true, but we believers just don’t dabble in bad luck and good luck, but more the blessed favour, grace and mercy of our awesome God.
But we must do our part in the partnership and be prepared for them. If we aren’t prepared, when those opportunities appear or arise, then we’ll simply lose out on a chance, no, an opportunity to be blessed by Almighty God.
Listen to this one: ‘Don’t Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.’
Now I don’t know if I agree with that totally, because there are times when people do things because of us, and we ought to take them personally. The problem is to know when and what things to take issue with. A lot of the time what others do and say is indeed because of their own problems or inadequacy and we have to be wise and somewhat tough skinned to recognize those times and not allow them to bother us.
It’s all a balancing act my people, and we do need God’s help to set the balance right. And the last quote says: ‘The more you are positive and say, ‘I want to have a good life,’ the more you build that reality for yourself by creating the life that you want.’
Ah friends, that statement is only true in the context of Christianity! If you say you want to build a good life under Christ, then fine. But if you want to build what the world and the prince of darkness call a good life, then you’re definitely on the wrong track. Remember the immortal words of Jesus: ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.’
Yes friends, Jesus was very emphatic in that pronouncement, so if your life is not modelled on His, then you’re indeed going the wrong way, building your life, earthly as well as eternal, on the wrong foundation.
And Jesus makes His point earlier when He declares that He is the Good shepherd: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep…
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:1-2, 9-11)
And that is exactly what Jesus did friends: give His life for us, the sheep of His pasture. So why would we look for some other foundation on which to build our lives eh? Building our lives upon Jesus is like building them on a rock; a rock which stands the test of time and the elements of nature. Building our lives on anything else is like building them on sand, which cannot repel or withstand anything. Check out Jesus’ analogy re the two foundations, in Matthew .7:24-27.
And we’ll close with some more immortal words of Jesus on the subject, as He spoke to Martha when He arrived late on purpose for Lazarus’ burial. ‘Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die) yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’ (Matt.11:25-26)
And as the scholars say: ‘11:25: I am the resurrection is one of Jesus’ greatest “I am” statements, signifying His power to give eternal life.’
And oh my people, if Jesus has that awesome power, why wouldn’t I believe in Him eh, and shout out a bold and confident ‘YES’ to the question He asked Martha at the end of the last passage above: ‘Believest thou this?’
Oh friends, believing in Jesus is not only the epitome of wisdom, it is wisdom itself! Much LOVE!
…the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…but fools despise wisdom and instruction… (Prov.1:7)
04 Jun 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenaline, adventurous, antidote, attributes of deaity, aura of love, better is the poor, Christians, confidence, dalliances, deceitful, disciples, distrust, doubt, effort, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith, friends, fulfilling, glory to God, holy spirit, I am the way, image of Christ, inescapable, Jesus Christ, joy, led people astray, lies, light, LOVE, LOVE to hate, Monday blues, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, mysterious, no work no eat, peace, perverse, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rich, salt, salvation, same wavelength, seen the Father, show us the Father, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, take my word, talk, taunts, the enemy's ranks, the Life, the message, the New testament, the Trinity, the Truth, time, Triune God, trust, truth, try it, unbelievers, unfaithful, ungodly world, untrustworthy, uprightness, walk, walks in integrity, wiles, wisdom, wishy-washy, working for Jesus
Proverbs 28:6. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness (integrity), than he that is perverse (deceitful, unfaithful) in his ways, though he be rich.
And then it was Monday – the day that we all LOVE so much! Hn, hn! I guess though that the reality is more like LOVE to hate because it breaks up our nice, comfortable weekend dalliances. But look at it this way friends; if there was no Monday and no work, then there would be no weekend dalliances.
So although we don’t like going out to work on Monday, it’s just the way things are, and we might as well get used to it and plan for it in our weekly schedule. ‘Sunday – church – fellowship- renew Spirit: Monday – Work – will not get upset, since if I don’t work I won’t eat.’
But thankfully, we have an antidote for those Monday Blues and non-work feelings. It’s called our Monday Morning Battle Hymn and when we sing it out, it just resonates in every pore of our body and gets the adrenaline flowing like a mighty rushing river. (smile) So let’s belt it out now nuh with as much enthusiasm as we can muster.
‘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!’
Ah mih breddren, can you feel that mighty rushing river of adrenaline flowing through you now? Yes! I know you can! Now let’s get ourselves together and get out there and do God’s work; spread His gospel like He wants us to, and live lives of salt and light so that others might see and want to become like us.
Remember, it’s not so much the message, but even more so the image of Christ that we portray which brings people to Him. We can’t talk one thing then do something completely contrary to our talk. Both our talk and walk have to be on the same wavelength. And that’s one of the major reasons why unbelievers are turned off of Christians. Who can blame them eh?
That’s why Cousin Sol warns us in our Bit: ‘Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness (integrity), than he that is perverse (deceitful, unfaithful) in his ways, though he be rich.’ And if we are true believers, we know that to be the awesome truth!
Integrity is ever so important in the life of a believer, because that’s what Jesus’ entire ministry is based on. He never led people astray, or told them one thing when it was another, and that’s what so badly needed in our Christian society today. One must be able to take whatever is said or done and be able to have faith and trust in it, otherwise all we’ll have is a wishy-washy, untrustworthy ministry like the world system.
And to show how easy it is for doubt and distrust to creep into our belief system, even for the disciples, who spent lots of time with Jesus personally. Hear their response to His telling them about going back to heaven to prepare a place for them
‘And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth (will satisfy) us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself (on my own authority): but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.’ (John 14:4-10)
Yeh friends, it’s not easy for many to accept, but once we’ve experienced Jesus, we have indeed experienced the Father. And the scholars have this interesting explanation of verse 9.
‘14:9. Seen me…seen the Father: There are no attributes of deity that the Son does not possess. This statement is most powerful. Everything that is true of God the Father is also true of the Son. The doctrine of the Trinity in the New Testament may be inscrutable (mysterious, hard to understand), but it is also inescapable.’
That means if you want to be a believer, you must deal with and eventually believe the doctrine of the Triune God, because it is just a basic foundation of the faith.
Ah friends, living and working for Jesus is not easy on any level, but when we put in the time and effort it takes, it can be such a wonderful, adventurous and fulfilling life. Don’t take my word for it, try it nuh. Much LOVE!
…once we have Jesus…we don’t need anything or anyone else…Glory to God…
02 Mar 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a balanced outlook, boundaries, Christian responsibility, come rain or snow, come unto me, confined, cotton to, difficult, enough, enter in, enticements, eternal life, eternal separation, fellowship, few find it, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, generous, generous help, God enables men, gratefulness, gusto, hope and pray, I am the way, in the last day, infiltrate, Jesus Christ, Jesus is everything, leads to destruction, letting it all hang out, like there's no tomorrow, loss of life, my time now, narrow, narrow is the way, narrow path, no man comes to the Father, partying, raise him up, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, search diligently, sense of purpose, Sermon on the Mount, snow, spit in the massa eye, spring-like break, strait is the gate, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that leads unto life, the Life, the Truth, week of work, weekend, winter season, workingman, worthwhile
Matthew 7:14. Because strait (narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult, confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
‘Enough now…enough of this spring-like break nonsense yes!’ said the snow. ‘This is supposed to be the winter season, and that means snow…lots of it…!’ So we’ve reverted to the white stuff being on the ground.
Yeh friends, the spring break is over, we got some snow overnight, and a serious winter storm of rain and snow is scheduled for the North Eastern side of North America. Let’s hope and pray that it doesn’t do too much damage and cause any loss of life.
But none of that prevents the workingman from singing His Friday song with much gusto and gratefulness. ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Whoopee! No more work for a couple days! Spit in the massa eye! Is my time now to do whatever I want to do. And come rain or snow I’m going to do it.
And ah going to start by partying like there’s no tomorrow…for who knows if there’ll be a tomorrow…And if I don’t show up for work Monday morning…then let the greedy, stupid massa fire me nuh. Ah going to get another job. Thank God for Fridays and the weekends and them yes!’
Ah friends, sometimes it would be nice to have that attitude, and get away from all the Christian responsibility, but unfortunately our Leader Jesus Christ does not cotton to that kind of behaviour. He wants a high level of responsibility and some tighter boundaries in His organization, and if we intend to be a part of it, then we have to meet those levels.
No two ways about it. That’s why our Friday Chant is so different to the workingman’s song. Let’s chant it now with a strong sense of purpose. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, in Jesus’ organization we need to keep a balanced outlook on life and the things He calls us to do. We can’t afford to go overboard, otherwise we’ll give the enemy a chance to infiltrate the organization, and with his deceitful, lying self, do untold damage to Christ’s body.
That’s why we need to walk the straight and narrow path that doesn’t offer as many enticements as the broad highway that the world favours. And that’s why, amongst the many warnings Jesus gave in His Sermon on the Mount this one containing our Bit, was included.
‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait (narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult, confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt.7:13-14)
Yes friends, there are only two ways to live this life; like the workingman, letting it all hang out, or like the believer, keeping within certain circumspect boundaries. Listen to the scholars on those two verses. ‘7:13-14. The closing section of the Sermon on the Mount presents two choices to the listener.
These are presented in a series of contrasts: two ways (vs.13-14); two trees (vs.15-20); two professions (vs.21-23); and two foundations (vs.24-29). This was a common method of teaching in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought. Enter ye in at the strait gate (narrow) means that one must come through the narrow gate in order to reach the path that leads to eternal life.
Though many are on the broad…way, that leadeth to destruction (eternal separation from God) the gate that leads to life is so narrow that few there be that find it. Christ Himself is both the gate and the way (cf. John 14:6), and God enables men to find that gate (cf. John 6:44).’
Oh my fellow believers the gate to the eternal life path is indeed narrow, that’s why so few people find it. First you must sincerely want to find it, and then look very closely and search diligently for it. But I’ll be so kind and generous as to show you both the gate and the way. (smile) And His name is JESUS!
Yes people, as Jesus Himself said: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:6) Yes friends, JESUS IS EVERYTHING! Please remember that.
And just in case you don’t know the verse that the scholars refer to about God enabling men to find the narrow gate, here it is. Oh, I’m being so generous this morning, I can’t stand it. (smile) ‘No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.’ (John 6:44)
Yuh see, we can’t even get to Jesus, unless the Father points us to Him. However, the Father IS pointing and directing all creation to His Son, it’s just left up to the creation to decide whether or not he’ll accept the directive. And if we’re wise, we’ll run to Him, and accept it with open arms. Much LOVE!
…Jesus said…come unto me…that’s an offer too generous and worthwhile to refuse…
12 Jan 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a high priest, another week of work, any believing individual, ashes of a heifer, at the very heart, atoning sacrifice, blemish, blood, but by me, can't take it with me, carnal desires, cleanse, come again, come into the presence of God, conscience, dead works, destroying the temple veil, do it all over again, doubter, doubting Thomases, drink, earned the right, eat, enjoy the good life, enjoying my time off, enthusiasm, Equator, eternal Spirit, evil demon, faze, freezing temperature, Friday chant, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, get a toehold, good things, grin and bear it, hasn't been easy, heat, I am the way, ice, in Jesus' name, include Christ, lost, LOVE, massa, more dangerous than snow, moving out of the country, no holds barred, no man comes to the Father, not made with hands, one way to heaven, party, plummets, prepare a place, purge, redeeming, redemption, refreshed, remission of sins, renewed, revolves around Jesus, rising from the dead, sacrifice of animals, sanctifieth, serve the living God, sets apart, sincerity, sinless life, slave labour, sleet, slippery, snow, snow melted, sprinkling the unclean, temps dropped, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the blood of goats, the enemy, the forgiveness of sins, the good life, the Life, the ordinary workingman, the purifying of flesh, the rains came, the Truth, the weekend, Thomas, to celebrate, to the limit, unpleasant state of affairs, what a bam bam, without spot, work five days
John 14:6. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And as the freezing temperature rose, the pervasive snow melted. But then the rains came, and the temps dropped somewhat again, causing the evil demon called ice to form.
Yeh friends, the last couple of days have been somewhat icy, causing numerous accidents, both on the roads and n the sidewalks. Ice is way more dangerous than snow, because it’s ever so slippery, and oftimes you can’t even see it.
Now today we are expected to get more snow, as the temperature plummets below freezing again. What a bam bam eh! But short of moving out of the country, to somewhere around the equator, there’s not much we can do but grin and bear it and handle it the best we can.
And what amazes me is that this unpleasant state of affairs doesn’t faze the ordinary workingman one bit. He is intent on enjoying his weekend despite any weather setbacks, as he so vociferously declares: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! And the weekend is here at last, especially since I had to work five, hard, long days this week.
But neither snow, nor ice, nor sleet, nor heat is going to keep me from fully enjoying mih time off from massa slave labour! I’ve earned the right to celebrate, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do! Eat, drink and party fuh so! No holds barred baby! What else am I living for eh? Can’t take it with me when I go! So let’s thank God for Fridays and weekends, as we enjoy the good life!’
And what’s the good life eh friends? Feeding our carnal desires to the limit, with no real or sincere thoughts of Christ? I don’t think so. The good life must include Christ, otherwise it’s not good! Nothing’s wrong with eating, drinking and partying, but within decent limits: limits that don’t allow the enemy to get a toehold in our lives.
That’s why our Friday Chant is a better gauge of what our weekends should be like. Let’s chant it now nuh, with sincerity and enthusiasm. ‘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 takes Christ into account, in fact, places Him at the very heart of the matter. It all revolves around Him. And as true believers, that’s how our lives ought to be set up; around Jesus! And why is that you ask? It’s obvious, from the proclamation Jesus makes in our Bit. ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’
Jesus had just told the disciples that He had to go away to prepare a place for them, and that He would come again to receive them unto Himself. ‘And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.’ (John 14: 4) But Thomas, ever the doubter declared: ‘Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?’ (John 14:5) That’s when Jesus made the foundational proclamation in our Bit.
Oh friends, are we amongst the doubting Thomases in these modern times? I certainly hope not. For if we are, we are lost before we’ve even begun. And the scholars’ offer and interesting statement here on our Bit. ’14:6. Jesus does not tell them about the way, nor does He show them the way. He does not even guide them along the way. He says He IS the way!’
And He showed that in spades by destroying the veil in the temple when He died, then rising from the dead, thus allowing any believing individual to come into the presence of God at any time, not only the High Priest once a year. And by shedding His blood on the cross, Jesus consequently made the sacrifice of animals for the forgiveness of sins of no more necessity. His blood was now the ONE and ONLY redeeming and atoning sacrifice!
Oh glory to God my brethren! Listen to this scripture from Hebrews: ‘But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building (creation).
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered once into the holy place (Most Holy Place), having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth (sets apart, cleanses) to the purifying of the flesh.
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot (blemish) to God, purge (cleanse) your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?’ (Heb.9:11-14)
Yeh friends, Jesus offered His sinless life to the Father so that we could receive remission of sins, and the Father accepted His sacrifice. That’s why He is the ONLY way to the Father! Much LOVE!
…there’s only ONE way to get to heaven…through Jesus…
P.S. Please excuse the lateness of the Bit. I was somewhat tardy myself this morning. (smile) Much LOVE!
Previous Older Entries
SCRIP-BITS 