The Importance of Christians Understanding the Great Value Almighty God has placed on Them!

28 Jun 2026 Leave a comment

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   28 June 2026   Matthew 10:31.

Matthew 10:31.        Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

And the weekly cycle has come around again; it’s Sunday, another beautiful summer’s day.  But would you believe it’s already the last Sunday in June? Another two days and June is done! And if I didn’t know better, I’d swear that time has sped up, so that the days and months seem to be moving at breakneck speed. But whether time is moving more quickly or not, the fact that today is Sunday means we need to visit the Lord’s sanctuary to fellowship with other believers, giving thanks and praise and receiving a renewed and refreshed Spirit in return. 

And our song of worship for today is a beautiful, relatively recent and very interesting Christian song written in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel, titled ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow.’ The song is so popular that’ it’s been recorded by numerous artists from several different genres, but many of us might only know it as the powerful, climactic bridge in Kirk Franklin’s gospel song, ‘Why We Sing.’ However, today, we’re going to do the real song in a slower more soulful, heartfelt version like it was originally written.

So, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise, letting them ring ever so true, that there’s no doubt about sincerity. Singing: ‘Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. (Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.)

 “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain] Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him, From care he sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.’

And that’s the everlasting truth, my people! The song is a powerful reminder of our wonderful God’s faithful protection! And this commentary cements it: ‘Throughout life, we may feel discouraged and down. But always remember that He is by our side and watches over us through it all. Just like the lyrics of ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ remember that He is with us in all that we do. And when you hear how this popular hymn came to be written, your heart will be touched. Do not be troubled because we have the King of kings on our side!’

More glorious truth my fellow believers! And the story behind the song’s creation is truly touching and most encouraging. The lyricist, Civilla Martin, explained that her inspiration for the song came from a friendship they made with another couple, Mr. And Mrs. Doolittle, while living in Elmira, New York. She called them ‘true saints of God.’ And here’s why. Apparently Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for almost twenty years. On the other hand, her husband was an incurable cripple who propelled himself to and from his business in a wheelchair. But despite their afflictions, they lived happy, Chrisitan lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.

One day, while visiting the Doolittles, her husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches over me.’ What astonishing faith! Many of us who have all our faculties intact don’t have half as much faith. But I believe that it’s in our afflictions that our faith shows up the most. And according to Mrs. Martin, the beauty of that simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of she and her husband, and the hymn, ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow’ was the outcome of that most moving experience. 

And what else can one expect when you come upon such true and beautiful faith. It makes you also want to make a difference of some magnitude. And Mrs. Martin certainly did with that song. But what of the scripture references eh? They seem to echo words from Bruh David in Psalm 32: ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.’ (Ps. 32:8) That’s to do with being led by God when we put our trust and faith in Him. It’s as Cousin Sol also wisely advises in Proverbs: ‘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.’ (Prov. 3:5-6) 

Then, as per the connection to the sparrow, they come from the words of Jesus, trying to make us understand how very much the Father cares for us. In the Sermon on the Mount, during His teaching on worry, He points out: ‘Behold the fowls of the air (birds): for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better (more valuable) than they?’ (Matt. 6:26) That seems rather obvious, although we don’t seem to accept it. 

Then, later on, when talking on fear, Jesus says: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:28-31) More everlasting truth my fellow believers! And let’s hope that we were able to renew and also improve our sense of worth and thus see ourselves as our heavenly Father sees us. Much LOVE!

…to be God’s most valuable creation…means that we’re worth a lot to Him… 

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

Mankind’s Invaluable Worth to His Creator, Almighty God!

29 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 10:31.       Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Sunday friends, it’s Sunday! And a fine looking one too! That means a gathering in the Lord’s house to worship and celebrate His holy name, on His day! And there’s nothing better than when we pray, praise, sing and glorify our wonderful God and Creator, and feel the glorious workings of His Holy Spirit right down in the very depths of our souls, which refreshes, cleanses and uplifts us so that we can go out and do His work for another week in this topsy-turvy world. 

And our opening words of praise is a magnificent hymn written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D Martin and composer Charles H Gabriel. The story of the song is very inspirational. It seems that in the spring of 1905, Mrs. Martin and her husband were holidaying in the town of Elmira in New York Sate. While there, they developed a strong friendship with a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle. She refers to them as true saints of God. 

Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for close to twenty years, while Mr. Doolittle was an incurable cripple who got around to his business and elsewhere by means of a wheelchair. However, despite their severe afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day, as the Martins were visiting the Doolittles, Mr. Martin enquired as to the secret of their bright hopefulness. Mrs. Doolittle’s simply replied: ‘His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches over me.’ 

Oh friends, what boundless faith to be called forth from a sick and suffering physical body! How our desperate world could use many of the Doolittles at this critical juncture in our journey. And now that we know our song for today is ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow,’ let’s raise our voices in sweet sacrifice to high heaven and offer up a mid-tempo, soulful and sincere version of this awesome song. 

Singing: ‘Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. (Chorus: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.) 

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. (Chorus) Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, From care He sets me free; 

His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me, His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. (Chorus: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. Yes, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ 

And to truly believe that my people takes a very mature and sure faith in Christ Jesus. Now, the scriptural basis for the song seems to be from three basic passages. The first one comes from Psalm 32, where Bruh David is writing of Confession and Forgiveness. In the 8the verse he writes thus of divine instruction: ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.’ (Ps. 32:8) That means the Lord’s eyes are always upon us, but we also have to be cognizant of His presence and pay attention. 

Then there’s this reasoning from Jesus on the subject of worry, from His famous Sermon on the Mount, where He states: ‘Behold (look at) the fowls of the air (birds): for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?’ (Matt. 6:26) 

Now that’s an interesting question my people. If mankind is the Lord’s greatest creation, and He looks after the lesser creations like the birds, why wouldn’t He look after us eh? No reason whatsoever! But we have to believe and live it, like the afflicted Doolittles were doing back then in 1905 in the town of Elmira in the State of New York. 

We can’t say we believe and then don’t show the fruit of that belief, the fruit of the Spirit in our lives – LOVE, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Gentleness, Kindness, Faithfulness and Self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) If those virtues are not playing a major part in our lives, then we’re not sincerely living the Christian life. 

But getting back to the scriptural basis for the song. The last verses come from when Jesus is teaching on the subject of fear; fearing God or mankind. He asks: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (the lowest coin denomination)? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father (without His permission). But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:29-31) 

Ah my fellow saints, that’s Jesus for you; always encouraging and enlightening us as to our value to our heavenly Father. As the scholars say, He reminds the disciples, and consequently us of ‘God’s LOVING care even for sparrows, and His gracious providential care over His saints.’ And most of us have seen physical evidence of God’s providential care for us, so why do we refuse to sincerely believe and do the work we’re called upon to do eh? Who knows? 

Nonetheless, we’ll end with these marvellous words of encouragement from this commentary. ‘Throughout life, we may feel discouraged and down. But always remember that He is by our side and watches over us through it all. Just like the lyrics of ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ remember that He is with us in all that we do. Do not be troubled because we have the King of kings on our side!’ 

And that’s the indisputable truth friends! Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is on our side, thus no one can harm to us. Let’s remember that as we go about our daily business in God’s name! Much LOVE!

…if God be for us…who can be against us… (Rom. 8:31)

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 March 2023 Matthew 10:31.

12 Mar 2023 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 10:31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Well friends, we’ve gone and done the dastardly deed again! (smile) What’s that you ask? We’ve set the clock one hour ahead in the Daylight Saving Time Routine. Why we keep on doing it, I just don’t know, because very few people seem to like it, and its negative repercussions outweigh whatever unknown advantages it might have. And a lot of places, even right here in Canada, don’t do it, and they get along just fine! So why we have to go through the drudgery, lack of sleep, anxiety and lateness caused by this unnecessary procedure is a bafflement to me. 

But what do I know about these weighty affairs of state, and how much pull do I have eh? Not much, so I’ve just got to accept it and say, the Lord be praised, and get in line. (smile) But I do know someone that knows a whole lot about everything and won’t ever let me down or lead me astray; that’s Jesus. So, because of His wisdom and faithfulness, I can put my sincere trust and faith in Him. And the song we’re going to sing this morning as we gather in His sanctuary to give Him praise and worship, with thanksgiving, exemplifies His wisdom, faithfulness and LOVE to the nth degree. It’s appropriately titled ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow.’ 

One commentary says this of the song: ‘Throughout life, we may feel discouraged and down. But always remember that He is by our side and watches over us through it all. Just like the lyrics of ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ remember that He is with us in all that we do. And when you hear how this popular hymn came to be written, your heart will be touched. Do not be troubled because we have the King of kings on our side!’ And is that ever the indisputable truth! 

But before we sing it, let’s hear how it came to be. The marvellous lyrics were born out of a springtime visit in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and her husband to a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, whom they had befriended in Elmira, New York. Apparently the couple were ‘true saints of God,’ for Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nearly twenty years, while her husband was an incurable cripple, who got around in his business matters by means of a wheelchair. Now, despite their serious afflictions, they appeared to live happy lives, giving inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. 

On this particular day while the Martins were visiting, Mr. Martin commented on their bright hopefulness and asked their secret. Mrs. Doolittle simply replied, ‘His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ The hymn was born out of that simple but oh so moving experience, with the music later added by composer Charles H. Gabriel. So now, having learned how the song came to be, let’s raise our voices in sweet sacrificial praise, in a soulful, heartfelt, mid-tempo version. And we’ll begin with the chorus, because that seems to stir us up more than when we begin with the first verse. (smile) 

Singing: ‘(Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.) Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. (Refrain) 

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.  His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain] 

Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him, From care he sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain: So I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.) Yes, His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.’ 

Wow! Isn’t that magnificent my people! As well as encouraging, reassuring and comforting! It’s ever so good to know that our heavenly Father watches over us like a hawk, or like an eagle does her young ones. And it’s not me who says that nuh, but Jesus, who should know what He’s talking about. Listen to how He wove it into His passage on worry in the Sermon on the Mount. He said to the crowd: ‘Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?’ (Matt. 10:26) We would certainly think so. 

Then later on, when Jesus warned the disciples about not fearing those who could kill the body, but not the soul, but to fear God who could kill both. (Matt. 10:28) He specified: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (a copper coin)? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:29-31) Now friends, if that doesn’t encourage us greatly, I don’t know what will. (smile) 

But let’s try this other scripture from before Jesus’ time here on earth. This from Psalm 32, Bruh David’s words on the blessedness of confession and forgiveness, which lead to divine instruction. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.’ (Ps. 32:8-9) 

Yes friends, that’s just another of the many instances in the Word of God where we find His great faithfulness towards us, His adopted children, the only creation made in His image, whom He predestinated to become as righteous and perfect as His first-born Son, Jesus Christ!! That ought to give us great reassurance and confidence as we journey out into the evil world this week to do His earthly work. Much LOVE!

…why worry…when the Creator of the universe is looking out for us… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ