05 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a feeling of calm and peace flowing over us, a truly heartfelt prayer, believe and you're saved, believing in Jesus is the only wise way to go, blessing and cursing, both thou and thy seed may live, But God commendeth his love toward us, carnal pleasures of earth, change whatever needs changing, choose life, Christ died for us, Christ paid our sin debt in full, christianity, deepen my breath, don't believe and you're condemned, enjoy a free and comfortable life in the hereafter, enjoying hell fire and damnation with Satan, enjoying salvation and eternal life with Jesus, faith, feel a lightening of our spirits, free will, God never gave up on us, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn it, God's undying love, greater intimacy with God, hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, he that believeth not is condemned already, he that believeth on him is not condemned, holy spirit, I call heaven and earth, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, in all sincerity and truth, increase my awareness of you today, it's an easy choice, Jesus Christ, labour day weekend, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, live with the consequences of our choice, LOVE, mercy, moral achievement, only two options in life, pay a steep price later on, paying high consequences for eternity, positively answered prayer, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, sacrificing one's life for another is the greatest proof of love, salvation, serious consequences for neglecting God's offer of salvation and eternal life, set before you life and death, short term gain but long term pain, short term pain but long term gain, sin turned us away from intimacy with God, slow my thoughts, thank you for this tenderness, the BIBLE, the free gift of salvation, the Lord answers our prayer, the sacrificial death of Christ, the sinful pleasures of earth, the ultimate proof of God's personal love for all people, the world through him might be saved, there's no truning back after death, to record this day against you, trials and tribulations, tried to earn God's favour, true wisdom is accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour, truth, while we were yet sinners, wisdom, with God's help, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 September 2026 Romans 5:8.
Romans 5:8. But God commanded (demonstrated) his own LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
It’s our lazy-day Saturday once again friends! Yeah! And a bright and sunshiny one too, rather appropriate for this Labour Day long weekend with all its festivities. So, before you get active, or get lazier (smile) let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer in all sincerity and truth.
As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And we know that if our prayer was truly heartfelt, that soon we’ll feel a lightening of our spirits, a feeling of calm and peace flowing over us, as the Lord answers our prayer for greater intimacy with Him. And let’s remember that a sincere prayer for greater closeness to and with God, is a prayer that will always be answered in a positive manner, because it’s one of the main reasons God created human beings; so that we could be intimate with each other.
But unfortunately, sin turned us away from that intimacy God desired, but He never gave up on us, and showed His great, undying LOVE for us, by sending His only Son, Jesus to die on the cross at Calvary and pay our sin debt in full, so that we could have another chance to get truly intimate with Him. And the Bible corroborates that, in no uncertain terms, when it says: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his own LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8).
Now, there can be no greater showing of LOVE than that my fellow believers! One overview explains it thus. ‘God shows His great LOVE for humanity by sending Jesus Christ to die for people before they turned away from sin or tried to earn God’s favor. From the very depths of His heart He poured out Unearned LOVE. Meaning, God did not wait for people to become good or fix their lives before showing mercy. And the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross is presented as the ultimate proof of God’s personal LOVE for all people. Then there’s the free gift of Salvation, which comes through this sacrifice rather than human effort or moral achievement.’
Now what more can we ask for eh? There’s nothing that proves LOVE more than sacrificing one’s life for another. But yet still so many of us simply refuse to accept God’s goodness, LOVE, mercy and grace as a worthwhile option for living this earthly life. And though God gives us free will to act as we desire, it doesn’t mean that He’s not in control or watching our every move, and the day will come when we will pay the serious consequences for neglecting His offer of salvation and eternal life, found only in acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Please note these ever so important words of Jesus, to the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, and subsequently to us. ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:17-18)
There you have it friends; plain and simple. Believe and you’re saved; don’t believe and you’re condemned. There are only those two options. So which one will you choose eh? Believing and thus enjoying salvation and eternal life with Jesus, or not believing and enjoying hell fire and damnation with Satan? I don’t know about you nuh, but to me the choice seems real easy; believing in Jesus is the only wise way to go!
And yes, some of the carnal pleasures of earth you might enjoy by following Beelzebub are nice, but they don’t last very long, certainly not longer than this lifetime, and they invariably cause you to pay a steep price later on, so why be so desperate to enjoy them eh? Remember, this life here on earth as compared to the one after death is comparatively very short, so why do stuff that now that you’ll be paying high consequences for eternity, when you can believe in Jesus now and enjoy a free and comfortable life in the hereafter?
Remember the sayings: Short term pain, but long term gain; Short term gain, but long term pain. Now, I think that describes the situation quite nicely. You can either have some trials and tribulations following Jesus in this life, then enjoy total joy and freedom in the next; or enjoy the earthly sinful pleasures now and then pay the pay the price for that throughout all eternity. The choice is yours my people. Each one of us has to make up our own minds as to what we’ll do, but remember, whatever choice we make, after death there’s no turning back or around, we’ll have to live with the consequences of whatever lifestyle we’ve chosen.
And to help us all with that most momentous decision making, let’s listen to this wise advice from Moses to the children of Israel. ‘I call heaven and earth to record (as witnesses) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:’ (Deut. 30:19) It could not get any clearer or wiser than that my brethren! So please let’s spend some lazy-day Saturday time contemplating those words and seeing how they fit into our current lives, and with God’s help, change whatever we need to change! Much LOVE!
…true wisdom is accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a gift, a horse of a different colour, a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, another beautiful summer's day, boggles my imagination, caught up in religion, ceremonially unclean, christianity, condoned the circumvention of God's word, contemplate who we liste to, deceitful and fraudulent times, dedicated to the temple, devoted to God, don't want to hear sound doctrine, eating with unwashed hands, enjoy them while they last, except they wash their hands oft, except they wash they eat not, faith, false prophets, full well, God's word is more important than man's traditions, handed down tradition, have greater control over their congregations, he shall be free, hear what they want not what they need, holding the tradition of the elders, holy spirit, honour thy mother and father, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, ignoring Jewish tradition, in a special way, in all sincerity and truth, in vain do they worship me, increase my awareness of you today, intimacy with our heavenly Father, it is corban, itching ears, Jesus Christ, laying aside the commandments of God, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, let him be put to death, let him die the death, lines up with the word of God, LOVE, making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, man-made religion, mercy, none of Christ's, ponder what we believe, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, religious leaders, rules that don't line up with God's word, salvation, slow my thoughts, soaking up the sun's warming rays, substituting modern religious custom for divinely revealed truth, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, thank you for this tenderness, that ye may keep your own traditon, the BIBLE, the human misuse of God's word, the washing of cups, their heart is far from me, this people honoureth me with their lips, tradition brought Jewish religious practices into conflict with God's word, truth, unwritten traditions regarded as equal in authority to the Old Testament, well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, what they teach, whoso curseth mother or father, wisdom, ye hold the tradition of men, ye reject the commandments of God, ye suffer him no more to do for his mother or father, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 August 2026 Mark 7:9.
Mark 7:9. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Boy, oh boy, our lazy-day Saturday is another beautiful summer’s day! For the past five days I’ve awakened to such loverly weather, that it boggles my imagination. And it would be ever so easy to get accustomed to that loverly kind of weather! But let’s not, for come next week when September arrives, it might just be a horse of a different colour. (smile) Anyway, it’s a day for just sitting outside on the deck or porch and just soaking up the sun’s warming rays, for in another little while the warmth of those rays will disappear completely until some time next year, when the winter season subsides. So enjoy them while they last.
But before the laziness sets in, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, in all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And as we all know, there’s nothing better than seeking greater intimacy with our heavenly Father, for His ultimate desire and purpose for creating us was to form a deep, personal and intimate relationship with each of His children. Remember He sent Jesus to establish personal relationships, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, not man-made religion.
It’s like Mark says of the Jewish tradition. ‘For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft (in a special way), eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. and may other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots (pitchers), brasen vessels, and of tables (couches).’ (Mark 7:3-5) Thus, this conversation with Jesus, when the scribes and Pharisees asked Him about his disciples eating bread with unwashed hands.
‘He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias (Isaiah) prophesied of you hypocrites (pretenders), as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit (nevertheless) in vain do they worship me, teaching for (as) doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandments of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots (pitchers) and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
For Moses said, Honour thy father and mother, and Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death (be put to death): But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban (dedicated to the temple), that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mighest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer (allow) him no more to do ought (anything) for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none (no) effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered (handed down): and many such like things ye do.’ (Mark 7:6-13)
Yes friends, as the scholars explain: ‘Certain unwritten traditions had come to be regarded as equal in authority to the Old Testament itself. And the concern was not with the dirty hands, but with how Jesus’ disciples were ignoring Jewish tradition and thereby becoming ceremonially unclean. Jesus is saying that years of tradition had brought some Jewish religious practices into conflict with the far older commands of the Old Testament.
Too many were substituting modern religious custom for divinely revealed truth. Thus, Jews could evade responsibility to parents by declaring their substance Corban, “devoted to God.” Religious leaders evidently condoned this clear circumvention of both the letter and the intent of the Old Testament. Jesus’ quarrel was not with God’s word, but with human misuse of it.’
And unfortunately, two thousand years later, we have come to the same impasse, where many are abusing and misusing God’s word in the New Testament, just like the Pharisees did the Old Testament. We have inserted all kinds of religious behaviour and traditions into our supposed worship of Almighty God, that go against His word. That means too many of us are caught up in religion, rather than a personal relationship with Christ, as He desires. And don’t be fooled, for the religious leaders of today are not against putting certain rules, regulations and traditions that don’t line up with God’s word into their teachings, so that they may have greater control over their congregation.
It’s also like Bruh Paul told Timothy that a time would come when people won’t want to hear sound doctrine, but have ‘itching ears’ where they want to hear what they like and not what they need, (2 Tim. 4:3) and there are many preachers and teachers who are open to such misuse and abuse of God’s word. That’s why it’s so important in these deceitful and fraudulent times for each believer to become better acquainted with God’s Word for themselves, and don’t just rely on what some supposed pastor or teacher says. Whatever they tell you must line up with the scriptures, and if they don’t then they are false prophets and none of Christ’s as John says in his epistle. (1 John 4:1)
And this last lazy-day Saturday in August is as good a day as any for us to spend some time contemplating who we listen to, what they teach, what we believe, and if it lines up with the Word of God. Much LOVE!
…God’s Word is more important than man’s traditions…and must always take first place…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
22 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a damp and cloudy day, a friend of the world, actions speak louder than words, be called the sons of God, christianity, controlled by the holy spirit, covering up in bed, deepn my breath, dem's the breaks, do mind the things of the flesh, do whatever we wish, enemies of God, everyone that loves is born of God, faith, God is LOVE, God loves to get close to His children, God sent his only begotten Son into the world, God sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, God's peace that passes all understanding, God's unconditional LOVE, herein is love, holy spirit, I have chosen you out of the world, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, if God so loved us we ought also to love one another, if the world hate you, in all sincerity and truth, in this was manifested the love of God, increase my awareness of you today, it doth not yet appear what we shall be, it hated me before it hated you, Jesus Christ, Jesus has set us apart, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, let us love one another, life dominated by our sin nature, lighten our spirits, like any loving father, lol around on the couch, Lord I want to be with you now, LOVE, LOVE is of God, mercy, mind the things of the Spirit, not subject to the law of God, not that we loved God but that he loved us, our own bosses, quiet my soul, receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, relax my muscles, salvation, see him as he is, slow my thoughts, spiritually born of God, stay on God's good side, talk is cheap, thank you for this tenderness, the atoning sacrifice, the BIBLE, the carnal mind is enmity against God, the children of God, the enduring effect of God's love, the Father hath bestowed on us, the fleshly carnal desires of the world, the friendship of the world is enmity with God, the lazy-day attitude, the world hateth you, the world knoweth us not, the world would love his own, they that are after the flesh, they that are after the Spirit, they that are in the flesh cannot please God, to be carnally minded is death, to be spiritually minded is life and peace, transformed into the likeness of Jesus, truth, we are the sons of God, we might live through Him, what manner of love, when he shall appear we will be like him, wisdom, ye are not of the world, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 August 2026 1 John 3:1a.
1 John 3:1a. Behold, what manner of LOVE the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God:
It’s our lazy-day Saturday friends! So good to know that we are our own bosses today and can do what ever we wish; work hard, or do exactly nothing. And it’s shaping up to be a good day to do nothing because it’s damp and cloudy with rain promised during the day. And we all know that a wet, cloudy day is the best one to lol around on the couch or covered up in bed, just enjoying some quiet time with the Lord. And I must admit that I enjoyed a bit of covering up in the bed before I had to come down and do the Lord’s work. But dem’s the breaks! (smile)
But before we get too far gone into the lazy-day attitude, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer in all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And for sure, if our prayer was truly sincere, and we really wanted to get closer to God, then He will soon lighten our spirits with His peace and calm that passes all understanding, because there’s nothing He LOVES more than getting close to His children, like any LOVING Father would. It’s like John says in his first epistle. ‘Behold, what manner of LOVE the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons (children) of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now we are the sons (children) of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.’ (1 John 3:1-2)
Yes friends, when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour we become spiritually born of God and therefore His children. And according to the scholars, ‘Bestowed is in the perfect tense, suggesting the enduring effect of the LOVE God has given.’ And it cannot be any other way, for what the Lord gives He does not take away, especially His wonderful, unconditional, unwavering LOVE! And when Jesus returns we will be transformed into His likeness, a process that has already begun with our accepting Him as Lord and Saviour and having His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, leading and guiding us in His ways.
However, since the world doesn’t know God, therefore it doesn’t know us either; the children of God. That’s something Jesus pointed out to the disciples as a condition of following Him. ‘If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would LOVE his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.’ (John 15:18-19) And that’s an important point for us to remember; we’re not of the world. Meaning we don’t behave like the world, don’t do like the world does, or think like it does. Because Jesus has set us apart, sanctified us to do His work, which is usually the exact opposite of the world’s desires, that are fleshly and carnal.
That’s why Bruh Paul wrote thus to the Roman church. ‘For they that are after the flesh do mind (set their minds on) the things of the flesh; but they that after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.’ (Rom. 8:5-8) Yes my brethren, to be carnally minded, or having one’s life dominated by our sin nature does not jive with being spiritually mind or being controlled by the Holy Spirit, therefore the two things cannot survive together. It’s either one or the other.
And if we unwisely choose to be carnally minded, then we’re choosing to be enemies of God, as James so rightly declares. ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will (wants to) be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (makes himself an enemy of God). (James 4:4) And I don’t think any of us in our right minds would like to become God’s enemy. No sir! For look at the awesome power He can unleash against us, from life to death and everything in between! That’s why it’s wise to stay on God’s good side, by being spiritually minded, being sanctified or set apart form the world to do His work, and living in close proximity to Him.
Here’s how John puts it in his first epistle: ‘Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God. He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE. In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God so LOVED us, we ought also to LOVE one another.’ (1 John 4:7-11)
And that’s the ONLY way it can be my fellow believers! If we are filled with God’s LOVE, then we ought to share and show it with each other! Otherwise, we’re not truly children of God. And this damp and cloudy lazy-day Saturday is an excellent day to ponder our status on the subject, and consider how we go about showing that we’re children of God. Much LOVE!
…remember talk is cheap…but actions…which can be expensive…speak louder than words…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a feeling of care and compassion, a personal relationship with Almighty God, acknowledging our desire for greater intimacy with God, an intimate relationship with Christ, be convinced once and for all, But God commendeth his love toward us, but have everlasting life, by grace ye have been saved through faith, Christ the faithful witness, Christians, climate change, deepen my breath, even when we were dead in sins, extreme heat conditions, faith, for God so loved the world, God demonstrates His love for us, God engineered the process because He loved us, God got the ball rolling, God has done all he can to prove his love, God is LOVE, God sent His only begotten Son, God sent his only begotten Son into the world, God sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, God truly loves and cares for us, God who is rich in mercy, Happy 4th of July, he gave his only begotten son, he that loveth not knoweth not God, heartfelt prayer, heat warning, herein is love, his great love wherewith He loved us, holy spirit, I marvel to think, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, if God so loved us, if you do this I'll do that, in all sincerity and truth, in his kindness towards us through Christ, in the ages to come, in this was manifested the love of God, increase my awareness of you today, it breaks God's heart when we refuse him, it is a gift of God, Jesus always knows what's best for us, Jesus Christ, keep on believing in Jesus, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, let them sink deep into our hearts, lose anyone to eternal death, LOVE, made us alive with Christ, made us kings and priests unto God and the Father, man now needs to believe it, may know you all the more, mercy, morally dead in our sins, not of yourselves, not that we loved God but that he loved us, quickened us together with Christ, quiet my soul, raised us up together, relax my muscles, renews his faith, salvation, show the exceeding riches of his grace, sit in heavenly places, slow my thoughts, thank you for this tenderness, that we might live through Jesus, the best foundation, the BIBLE, the calming peace and love of God, the first begotten of the dead, the Lord gave us spiritual life, the prince of the kings of the earth, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, truth, turned us away from the old life to the new one, unto him that loved us, USA's 250 year of Independence, warms the cockles of God's heart, washed us from our sins in his own blood, we ought also to love one another, while we were yet sinners christ died for us, whosoever believeth in him should not perish, wisdom, wise to review the scriptures we talked about, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 July 2026 1 John 4:10.
1 John 4:10. Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY U.S.A
And on this first lazy-day Saturday in July, where after some rain in the early morning hours, it’s cloudy and muggy, we want to wish a Happy 4th of July to all those south of the border. It’s the U.S.A’s 250 celebration of their Independence. Sadly though, it appears that the big parade held annually in the Washington DC. area has been cancelled because of extreme heat concerns.
Ah Lord eh, like the whole world is in a heat cocoon right now, with temperatures soaring to unknown heights in some places. And we won’t get into the why’s and wherefores of that unfortunate situation so affectionally termed climate change, (smile) but just remember to keep on believing in Jesus and do what He calls us to do, for He is our inestimable, priceless Lord, Saviour and Leader, who knows what is always best for us.
And before we truly get into lazy-day Saturday mode, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer in all sincerity and truth. As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And as always, if our prayer was sincere and heartfelt, then we’ll soon have the best foundation for a true lazy-day Saturday; that’s a renewal or rekindling of the calming peace and LOVE of our wonderful God, acknowledging our desire for greater intimacy with Him. Something that just warms the cockles of His heart and renews His faith in His decision to create man. Yes friends, that’s what a desire to have increased intimacy with Almighty God does for Him, because it’s one of the very reasons He created us in the first place; to have a close and personal relationship with His most important creation.
Likewise, when we refuse to have a close relationship with Him, it breaks His heart, He feels rejected by the very ones He LOVES the most. It’s like Jesus said to Nicodemus, the Jewish Leader who came to Him under cover of night for answers. ‘For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16)
Oh my fellow believers, that’s how much God LOVED and still LOVES His human creation! You must have a great feeling of care and compassion for someone or something to give up such a precious thing as your only Son’s life for it. And there are so many scriptures in the Bible that tell it, so I don’t understand why we have so much trouble acknowledging God’s great LOVE for us. So let’s look at a few scriptures that expound on that subject.
And the first, one of my favourite scriptures, tells it thus: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrates) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8) Oh friends, why can’t we understand the importance of that scripture and see the amazing LOVE of God it shows?
Most other gods would have expected us to turn to them before doing anything worthwhile for us. And it’s like we do all the time; tell someone if you do this, then I’ll do that. But the wonderful news is that Jehovah God did not wait for us to turn back to Him. No! He went ahead and set the process rolling because He LOVED us so much He didn’t want to lose anyone to eternal death.
And this is how Bruh Paul puts it to the Ephesians: ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great LOVE wherewith he LOVED us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are (have been) saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through (in) Christ Jesus.’ (Eph. 2:4-7)
Yes friends, when we were morally dead in our sins, the Lord gave us spiritual life, turned us away from our old life to the new one and demonstrated it by having us sit in heavenly places, or as the scholars say: ‘brought us into His presence and into an intimate relationship with Himself.’ Now why would He do something like that if He didn’t care for us a whole lot eh?
And it’s all done through God’s goodness, through His grace, or His unmerited divine favour. As Bruh Paul continues: ‘For by grace are ye (you have been) saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ (Eph. 2:8-9) That says it in a nutshell my people; forgiveness of sins and eternal life is a gift of God. We can never earn it through our own efforts. There again it shows how much God truly cares for us.
Then John breaks it down in his first epistle: ‘He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE. In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins. Beloved, if God so LOVED us, we ought also to LOVE one another.’ (1 John 4:8-11)
Oh mih bredrin, what more do we have to say to make you believe that God truly LOVES us eh? But hopefully what John says in Revelation will help to convince you. ‘And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (first born) of the dead, and the prince (ruler) of the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (Rev. 1:5-6)
Ah mih people, there’s no more to say. But on this first lazy-day Saturday in July, it would be wise to review those scriptures we talked about and let them sink deep into our hearts, so that we can be convinced, once and for all,that God truly LOVES and cares for us! Much LOVE!
…God has done all He can to prove His LOVE for mankind…we now need to believe it…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
20 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a shift in focus, according to the custom of Moses, aligning oneself with God's will, allow laziness to take over, as revealed through God's word, authentic devotion to God, belief that circumcision was necessary for salvation, beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision, Christ is our pathway to God, Christians, circumcision of the body, deep down in our hearts, deepen my breath, earthly privileges, empty traditions, faith, from where people worship, God is a Spirit, God's incomparable peace, going through the motions, have no confidence in the flesh, holy spirit, honesty, human attainments, I am the way the truth and the life, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you, in all sincerity and truth, increase my awareness of you today, integrity, Jesus Christ, Jesus new covenant, Jewish Christians, Judaizers, laze around the house, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, lie in bed, LOVE, mercy, missing the mark, must worship him in spirit and in truth, neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will ye worship God, new believers to be physically circumcised, no longer had spiritual value and significance, no man cometh to the Father but by me, not being honest with god, outward rituals, park on the comfortable couch, quiet my soul, rejoice in Christ Jesus, relax my muscles, religious accomplishments, rely on Christ to obtain favour with God, salvation, salvation is of the Jews, skin-deep, slow my thoughts, thank you for this tenderness, the BIBLE, the exclusive path tot God, the Father seeketh such to worship Him, the heart needed to be circumcised for salvation, the Holy Spirit enables believers to worship, the hour cometh, The Samaritan woman at the well, the source of eternal life, the strong wind is still blowing, the ultimate reality of truth, the very heart of the message, they that worship Him, to how and why people worship, true believers boast on Christ not themselves, true believers place all their pride and joy in christ, true circumcision meant the turning around of the heart, true worshippers, truth, watch soccer all day, we are the circumcision, wisdom, worshi, worship God in Spirit, worship the Father in spirit and in truth, worshipping God for who He truly is, ye worship what ye know not, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 June 2026 John 4:24.
John 4:24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
And then it was Saturday, our lazy-day Saturday, where many of us have the wonderful opportunity to just lie in bed, or get up and laze around the house, or simply park on the comfortable couch and watch soccer all day long. (smile) Now that’s what you call a lazy-day Saturday! And by the way, the wind is still blowing out there; possibly not as strong as it was the past two days, but certainly blowing stronger than normal. Yesterday afternoon I went to collect the mail, and if I had not held on tightly to the bag filled with mail, the wind would have blown it out of my hands, that’s to show how strong it was. But if you don’t have to go out, then there’s no need to worry about the wind.
However, before we allow the laziness to take over, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer in all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice. ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And friends, if our prayer was indeed filled with sincerity and truth, then our souls will soon be enjoying a bit of incomparable peace and calm from our heavenly Father. That reminds us of what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob, when she referred to her ancestors worshipping on that mountain where they were seated, while the Jews said that worship ought to be done in Jerusalem. (John 4:19-20)
But Jesus turned everything upside down, when he informed her: ‘Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain (Mt. Gerizim), nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.’ (John 4:21-24)
Yes friends, Jesus turned things around with His new covenant. And what we need to notice is that Jesus said not only the hour would come, but it had actually come with His presence here on earth. It’s as this overview tells us: ‘That beautiful realization gets to the very heart of the message Jesus shared with the Samaritan woman at the well. It marks a shift from focusing on where people worship (like a specific mountain or a building) to how and why people worship. The Father is actively seeking those whose adoration is genuine and rooted in His nature.
This call involves two primary elements: In Spirit: This means worship that originates from the deepest parts of your inner self—the heart. It is about offering sincere, authentic devotion that goes far beyond outward rituals, empty traditions, or simply going through the motions. In Truth: This involves worshipping God for who He truly is, as revealed through His Word. It requires honesty, integrity, and aligning your life with His reality, rather than a man-made or customized version of who you want Him to be.’
Ah mih people, that’s where the problem arises; too many of us supposed Christians are not truly sincere in our adoration and worship of God, for our adoration is not authentic, merely skin deep, not heart deep; thus we’re simply going through the motions when we claim to worship Almighty God. And we also have too many outward rituals and empty traditions that detract from the sincerity of our worship. Remember in spirit and in truth means from deep down in our hearts, and if our hearts are not completely involved then we’re missing the mark. That also means we’re not being honest with God or ourselves, and therefore not aligning ourselves with His will, but with our own.
It’s like Bruh Paul wrote to the Philippians. ‘Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (mutilation). For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.’ (Phil. 3:2-3)
And what does all of that mean? Bruh Paul was talking about that group of Jewish Christians, (Judaizers), who preached that it was necessary for new believers to be physically circumcised, according to the custom of Moses. Bruh Paul called them dogs because real dogs were despised and considered useless scavenging animals, and these Judaizers were causing a lot of problems in the early church, with their persuasive belief that circumcision was necessary for salvation.
However, true circumcision was no longer the cutting or mutilating of flesh, but the turning around of the heart. It was now the heart that needed to be circumcised for salvation to be received. And according to the scholars: ‘But the true “circumcision” consists of those circumcised of heart, not of body, recognizing the ritual to have been abrogated (abolished, repealed) by Christ. Circumcision of the body no longer had spiritual value and significance.’
That’s why Bruh Paul claims that those of the true circumcision now worship God in the spirit. And per the scholars: ‘Their worship of God is prompted, directed, and enabled by the Holy Spirit.’ And those who are true believers also rejoice in Christ. that is we don’t boast on ourselves but in Christ Jesus, placing all our pride and joy in Him. And as per have no confidence in the flesh. The scholars tell us that “Flesh” here means one’s earthly privileges, human attainments, and religious accomplishments. God’s people refuse to depend on such things for their salvation; instead, they rely upon Christ to obtain favour with God.’
And that’s the way it ought to be my fellow believers. Christ is our pathway to Almighty God. Remember when Jesus told the disciples that He was going away, and they knew how and where. (John 14:4) And ‘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.’ (John 14:5-6)
That says it all my faithful brethren: ‘Jesus is the exclusive path to God, the ultimate reality of truth, and the source of eternal life.’ Let’s remember that as we do whatever we do, or don’t do, on this lazy-day Saturday, because it’s probably the most important thing we need to remember in this earthly life. Much LOVE!
…unless the Spirit of God is working in all you do…you’re not sincerely working with God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
30 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a friend of the world is the enemy of God, all that is in the world, and the lust thereof, apologize for my mistake, before it's too late, being reconciled to God, carnal lusts and pleasures of the enemy, cavorting with Satan, Christ the hope of glory, christianity, Christians, deepen my breath, do exactly as our hearts desire, do what needs to be done, drowsy and lethargic, enemies in your mind, eternal life, eternal separation from God, faith, flow into our hearts and souls, God suffered from unrequited love, God's enemy, he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever, hob nob wih the world, holy spirit, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, I will do a new thing, I will even make a way in the wilderness, I'm only human, if any man love the world, if wishes were horses all beggars would ride, in all sincerity and truth, in his sight, in the body of his flesh, increase my awareness of you today, is not of the Father but of the world, Jesus Christ, Jesus death, know ye not, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, live for God and not Satan, logical reason, looking over your shoulder, LOVE, love not the world, lust of the eyes, make a way to turn from enemies to friends, mercy, neither the things that are in the world, no bosses telling you what to do, not subject to the law of God, now hath he reconciled, now it shall spring forth, our omnipotent God, personal desires, physical desires, please forgive me, present you holy and unblameable, quiet my soul, reconciliation stems from God's great love for man, relax my muscles, rivers in the desert, salvation, Satan's ultimate end is total destruction, self-interests, shall ye not know it, sincere and heartfelt prayer, sinuses acting up, slow my thoughts, sometime alienated, thank you for this tenderness, the BIBLE, the carnal mind is enmity against God, the divine means of achieving reconciliation with God, the evil and ungodliness of the world, the friendship of the world is enmity with God, the last day of May, the Lord never refuses a call for intimacy, the love of the Father is not in him, the lust of the flesh, the option of forgiveness and salvation, the pangs of unrequited love, the peace of God, the pride of life, the world is going nuts, the world passeth away, they that are in the flesh cannot please God, through death, to be carnally minded is death, to be spiritually minded is life and peace, true wisdom, truth, wasting time, wicked works, wisdom, ye adulterers and adulteresses, you can't be contained, you can't ride the fence, you're either in God's or Satan's camp, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 May 2026 James 4:4a.
James 4:4a. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God?
And then it was Saturday, sunny and warm; our lazy-day Saturday, where we can do exactly as our li’l ole hearts desire, with no one to say us nay! (smile) And doesn’t it feel good! No bosses telling you what to do, as well as constantly looking over your shoulder to see if you’re actually working or simply wasting time. I wish every day could be like this one. That’s why they say that if wishes were horses, all beggars would ride. (smile) And would you believe that it’s already the last day of May, a month that just recently began? (smile) The year is surely slipping by quickly, so we had better perk up and do what needs to be done, before it’s too late.
And before I forget, let me apologize for my mistake in yesterday’s Bit, where I talked about declaring our Thursday Blessings, when it was Friday, and then rightly declared our Friday Chant instead. And was I ever annoyed when I discovered it, and though I fixed it in the Blog and the Podcast, it was too late to fix it in the original Bit I sent out.
And the only logical reason I can find for that contradiction is my having taken a tablet for my sinuses, which were acting up, and it making me feel somewhat drowsy and lethargic, and thus the ole mind not functioning properly. And what amazes me is that I read it over at least three times before I sent it out, and still never saw the mistake. Anyhow, please forgive me for that error, and I hope it never happens again. But since I’m only human, who knows? (smile)
Now, let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, in all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And if our prayer was sincere and heartfelt, then the warmth and peace of God will soon flow into our hearts and souls and calm them so that we can handle the evil and ungodly world that surrounds us. Yes! The Lord God, never refuses a call for intimacy from His human creations. In fact, that’s one of the reasons He created us in the first place. Why do you think He sent His only Son Jesus to earth to die and thus give us the option of forgiveness and salvation, of being reconciled to Him, and thus returning to His wonderful fold?
Because He desired greater intimacy with us, and His heart ached badly, when He saw so many of us had turned away from Him, and embraced Satan and his foolish worldly pleasures. Yes friends, our God was suffering from the heartfelt pangs of unrequited LOVE! And many of us know, either from personal experience or the experience of someone close to us, how devastating unrequited LOVE can be to the human psyche. Ofttimes making one desire death instead of life. And so, we have some idea of how God felt when so many of His wonderful human creation had moved into the enemy’s camp, intent on enjoying the carnal lusts and pleasures that he advertised and revelled in.
But remember what Bruh Paul wrote to the Romans: ‘For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.’ (Rom. 8:6-8) That means if you’re cavorting with Satan, then you’re God’s enemy. And James tells it like it is, when he declares: ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be (wants to be) a friend of the world is the enemy of God.’ (James 4:4)
It could not get any clearer than that my brethren! If we desire to hob nob with the world, then we become God’s enemy, and is set down for eternal separation from Him. And He could not take the heartache of so many of us being eternally separated from Him, so he made a way for us to turn around and come back to Him. Remember, He is the one who can make a way where there seems to be no way. As He promises in Isaiah. ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ (Is. 43:19)
Ah mih people, only our omnipotent God could have designed a way for us to turn from enemies to friends, to sons and daughters. As Bruh Paul wrote to the Colossians, when talking about Christ, the Hope of Glory. ‘And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled; In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight:’ (Col. 1:21-22) And the scholars explain: ‘Reconciliation is the act whereby God through Christ’s atonement, brings men who are at odds with Him back into a peaceful, proper relationship with Himself. Jesus’ death is the divine means of achieving reconciliation to God.’
So you see friends, this whole reconciliation business stems from God’s great LOVE for us, and His desire not to lose any of us to the evil enemy. And it only makes sense, that true wisdom dictates living for God rather than for Satan, for Satan’s ultimate end is total destruction or eternal death, while God’s is eternal life.
And as John so rightly warns us in his first epistle. ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh (physical desires), and the lust of the eyes (personal desires), and the pride of life (self-interests), is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.’ (1 John 2:15-17)
Oh my people, what a most appropriate scripture for us to ponder on this lazy-day Saturday, the last day of May, where our world is going nuts with all the evil and ungodliness that it’s currently filled with. Much LOVE!
make up your mind…you’re either in God’s camp or Satan’s…you can’t ride the fence…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: .answer to our prayer, behold thy mother, being more intimate with God, breathed his last, brutal and inhumane situation, Christ died to save us from the bondage of sin, Christ was accursed of God for us, Christ's Resurrection, christianity, come tomorrow, crucified as a common criminal, darkness was over all the land, deepen my breath, don't allow our agony to overcome our faith, drawing closer to God, Eli Eli lama sabachthani, eternal separation from Almighty God, faith, Father forgive them, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit, filled with compassion, free will, God's ultimate purpose of saving mankind, great joy, he gave up the ghost, holy spirit, I marvel to think, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, if thou be the Christ, in all sincerity and truth, in the throes of death, increase my awareness of you today, innocent of all crimes, Jesus Christ, Jesus cried with a loud voice, Jesus is our hero, Jesus sacrificed His sinless life, joy comes in the morning, know you all the more, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, LOVE, mercy, My God my God, one who had done no wrong, pay the consequences of unwise decisions, peace and contentment, pomp and passion, prayer is one of our greatest privileges, quench our sadness, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, sad and downcast, salvation, save thyself and us, slow my thoughts, thank you for this tenderness, the agony of spiritual death, the atonement of our sins, the BIBLE, the disciple took her into his own home, the fiery jaws of hell, the high cost to Christ, the horrific scene of Christ's crucifixion, the inequity of Jewish society, the joy of the Lord is our strength, they know not what they do, today thou shalt be with me in paradise, truth, why hast thou forsaken me, wisdom, Woman behold thy son, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me
Luke 23:46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (breathed his last).
So we’ve come to our lazy-day Saturday of Holy Week, and many of us are feeling somewhat sad and downcast because of yesterday’s replaying of the horrific scene that took place two thousand years ago in the city of Jerusalem; that’s Christ’s crucifixion. And how can one not be affected by such a brutal and inhumane situation eh, especially to one who had done no wrong, was innocent of all the crimes He was accused of, but was nonetheless battered and bruised by His fellow countrymen, then crucified as a common criminal between two real criminals.
But thankfully Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and why He suffered the indignities and abuse as quietly as He did. It was all because His heavenly Father desired that He pay the price for mankind’s abominable sins by sacrificing His sinless life so that God’s greatest creation could have a chance of bypassing eternal separation from Him, because that’s where we were surely headed if we did not get atonement for our wrong doing. And it’s of the utmost importance that we remember that Christ died to save us from the bondage of sin and the fiery jaws of hell.
Therefore, we ought to regard Him as not only our Lord and Saviour, but also as our Hero. And you know how we honour our heroes with pomp and passion. So why don’t we do the same for Jesus eh? Why do some of us even go so far as to hold Him in contempt despite His life-saving sacrifice for us? Who knows my people? The Lord gave us free will to choose whom we adore and glorify, and if we choose not to adore and glorify Jesus, then we’ll just have to pay the consequences inherent in that unwise decision.
Enough theorizing though, (smile) let’s ease the sorrow in our hearts by the best method there is; that’s prayer, our greatest privilege. So let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, with all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
Oh friends, there’s nothing better to quench our sadness than seeking to draw closer and more intimate with our heavenly Father! For when we get closer to Him, our sadness falls away and is replaced by a feeling of peace and contentment. It’s like the Bible says: ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength.’ (Neh. 8:10) So when we are sad, our joy is depleted, and when we get close to God, our joy is increased. And though we know that tomorrow we will indeed be joyful because of Christ’s resurrection, today we’re still in the doldrums, and it might just be a good time to sit and consider some of the things Jesus did even while he was being abused and crucified.
For instance while nailed to the cross He prayed thus: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34a) How many of us would even consider forgiving those who abuse us in such an inhumane manner eh? Not many, if any. But Jesus was filled with compassion even in His throes of death. And besides, those who crucified Him did not really know what they were doing. they thought they were getting rid of a nuisance, a renegade prophet, not knowing that their evil deeds were serving God’s ultimate purpose of saving mankind.
Then look at how the Bible portrays this touching scene. It says: ‘And one of the malefactors (criminals ) which were hanged railed on him (blasphemed), saying, If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss (wrong). And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:39-43)
Yes my brethren, even in His suffering, Jesus was still compassionate and kind. And that’s how He would like us, His followers, His disciples, his ambassadors to also be. Unfortunately though, too many of us are exactly the opposite; we have no time for others when we are going through our own problems. Then look at this other even more touching scene from Jesus hanging from the cross.
The Bible tells us: ‘Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he LOVED (John), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.’ (John 19:25-27) Now wasn’t that very thoughtful of Jesus to leave His mother in a safe and secure situation, for her husband Joseph had probably died already, and in those days widows had a tough time surviving the inequity and unkindness of Jewish society.
The worst part of the whole affair on Jesus’ part was possibly this one. The Bible says: ‘Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour (3.pm). And about the ninth hour (3 p.m.) Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt. 27:45-46) Yes friends, Jesus hung on that cross from about 9 a.m. to 3.pm before any words of complaint echoed from His soul. And even then it wasn’t even so much a complaint, but more of a big disappointment.
For as the scholars explain: ‘Here we have the high cost to Christ of His atonement for our sins, who was accursed of God as our sin-bearer and suffered the agony of spiritual death for us.’ In other words Christ was painted with the brush of sin, and since the Lord could not countenance sin, He was separated from the Father for the first time ever. And as the scholars note: ‘Even in the midst of bearing God’s wrath for sin, Jesus still calls Him my God. His agony does not overcome His faith.’ Now that’s something we all should try to also achieve; don’t allow anyone or anything to destroy our faith in God.
And to cap it all, a short time later, ‘And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (breathed his last). (Luke 23:46) So though the memories of Jesus crucifixion are heartrending, let’s remember that He did it willingly as the will of the Father, so we should not despair, for remember, joy comes in the morning, and indeed, there will be great joy…come tomorrow! Much LOVE!
…Jesus suffered greatly for our sins…but both Him and Father thought it worthwhile…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
20 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a gentle but refreshing calm and peace, a touch of God's peace, an attitude of gratitude, and again I say rejoice, anxious, be careful for nothing, be of good cheer, bring good news to mankind, Christ's birth would bring peace and joy to mankind on earth, deepen my breath, do our best for christ, faith, feel the Lord's Spirit drawing us closer to Him, forgiveness from sins, four days to Christmas, gladness, Glory to god in the highest, God's plan of salvation, gratitude, heaven's intention, holy spirit, i have overcome the world, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, if ye love me keep my commandments, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, increase my awareness of you today, Jesus Christ, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, let not your heart be troubled, let your moderation be known unto all men, let your requests be made known unto God, LOVE, make small improements, mankind is more warlike and bloodthirsty, mercy, merriment, my peace I give unto you, neither let it be afraid, no matter what life throws at us, not as the world giveth give I unto you, on earth, our victory lies in Jesus, our victory lies in Jesus not in our circumstances, peace good will toward men, Peace i leave with you, quiet my soul, reconciliation, regardless of our circumstances, Rejoice in the Lord always, relax my muscles, righteousness, salvation, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, slow my thoughts, stand strong and steadfast in faith, still have joy, thank you for this tenderness, thanks, the angels came to earth, the Lord is at hand, the peace of God which passeth all understading, these things I have spoken unto you, too much strife in our world, truth, turbulent and ungodly times, wisdom, you are here with me, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Luke 2:14. ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’
Then it was only 5… and it’s also our lazy-day Saturday! Glory be! Actually friends, it’s only four shopping and preparation days to Christmas, since the fifth day is Christmas Day. (smile) And I know all around the world the merriment and gladness is ramping up as the day draws nearer, but let’s not forget the reason for it all; the wonderful birth of Christ Jesus, some two thousand years ago.
That was the beginning of God’s great plan of salvation and forgiveness for His human creation. And just for the very idea that God thought so highly of us, or LOVED us so much to discombobulate Himself and break His own heart, to provide reconciliation and righteousness to mankind, ought to give us an attitude of immense thanks and gratitude. Anyway, before we get into whatever we have to do today, let’s offer up some thanks and praise in the form of our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer.
So, in sincere and heartfelt voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And if we were truly sincere, then in a moment’s time we’ll feel the Lord’s Spirit drawing us closer to Him, producing a gentle but refreshing calm and peace. And there’s nothing we can desire and require more in these turbulent and ungodly times than a touch of God’s peace and calm. For, remember what the Bible says about it? Jesus made two most encouraging statements about it. The first one says: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27)
And if that did not touch your heart, enough to bring you peace, then listen to this other statement from Jesus: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) And yes, it’s ofttimes difficult to actually find peace in this tumultuous world, but Jesus is the best hope we have for doing so. Why?
Listen to Bruh Paul as he spells it out in his letter to the Philippians. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation (gentleness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:4-7)
Now all of that simply means that if we live sincerely for Christ, or as He quite clearly said: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments;’ (John 14:15) then we will be able to access the peace of God, which passes all human understanding and stand strong and steadfast in faith, regardless of our circumstances. But we have to do the things required of us, before we can acquire God’s peace.
And I like how this commentary puts it. ‘ The peace that transcends all understanding comes from knowing that no matter what life throws at us, we can still have joy when we know that our victory lies in Jesus Christ and not in our circumstances.’ There you go my faithful brethren! True peace only comes from knowing Jesus and sincerely living for Him!
And furthermore, this Christmas season is supposed to be one of joy and peace, for remember the night Christ was born and the angels came to earth in their multitude to serenade the occasion and bring the good news to mankind? The first people they gave the good news to were some lowly shepherds, looking after their flocks by night. And how did they end their words of greeting? ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ (Luke 2:14)
Yes my people, heaven’s intention was that Christ’s birth would bring some peace and joy to mankind down here on earth. Unfortunately though, it has not done much of that, for down through the ages, mankind has become ever more warlike and blood thirsty. But nonetheless, Jesus expects those of us who sincerely believe and try our best, to make some small improvements in the world, even if it’s our own families or neighbourhoods. And sadly, even that, many of us are not doing, for there’s much more strife in families, churches and neighbourhoods than is necessary.
So what’s the answer eh? Just continue being our best; sincerely doing our best for Christ in whatever way we can. For that’s all He really expects of us. And on this Saturday before Christmas, when our world is in such turmoil and ungodliness, I plead with us, as believers in Christ, to come together and make a strong push for Jesus, for that’s the only way, we will ever bring some semblance of true joy and peace to the earth. We pray it in Jesus’ name! Amen! Much LOVE!
…true joy and peace…don’t come without…the sincere involvement of Jesus…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
13 Dec 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all liars, as a bride adorned for her husband, be punished after many days, before his ancients gloriously, bound him for a thousand years, cast him into the bottomless pit, cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, characterized by righteousness peace and love, Christ's kingdom, coming down from God out of heaven, compassed the camp of the saints, deepen my breath, eternal punishment, faith, fire came down from God out of heaven, gathered together as prisoners in a pit, give thanks for another day of life, give unto him that thirsts, go out to deceive the nations, God himself shall be with them and be their God, God shall wipe away all tears, have their part in the lake, he shall be my son, he should deceive the nations no more, he that overcomes shall inherit all things, holy spirit, I am Alpha and Omega, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, I will be his God, idolaters, if you believe the Bible then live according to it, increase my awareness of you today, Jesus Christ, laid hold on Satan, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, loosed for a little season., LOVE, mercy, more intent on getting intimate with Satan, murderers, neither sorrow, no more death, no more pain, nor crying, nothing more fulfilling and rewarding than intimacy with God, punish the host of the high ones, quiet my soul, relax my muscles, salvation, Satan shall be loosed from prison, set a seal upon him, sexually immoral, shut up inthe prison, slow my thoughts, sorcerers, thank you for this tenderness, the abominable, the beginning and the end, The Christmas season, the devil that deceived them, the fall of man, the fearful, the former things are passed away, the fountain of the water of life, the kings of the earth, the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, the Millennium reign of Christ, the moon shall be confounded, the new Jerusalem, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea, the second death, the sun ashamed, the tabernacle of god is with men, the unbelieving, they shall be his people, to get closer to God, tormented day and night for ever, truth, two ways to live this earthly life, wanting to spend more time with God, where the beast and the false prohet are, whoremongers, wisdom, yearn to know God better, you are here with me, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present
Revelation 21:7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Oh my people, let’s give thanks to our wonderful God for another day of life on His great planet earth, especially on this lazy-day Saturday in the Christmas season, where we don’t have to rush off to work, or anywhere else, and we can just relax and enjoy the warmth and comfort of our beds, or simply take our time and be comfortable with whatever catches our fancy, (smile) before getting into the busyness of the day, with stuff like Christmas preparations.
But before we get too comfortable or too busy, let’s offer op our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, with sincere hearts and voices. Altogether: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
Ah friends, it’s a simple prayer, but what I particularly like about it is that though simple, it still brings out, or highlights our wanting to spend more time with God, to get closer to Him and know Him better. And there’s nothing more fulfilling and rewarding that that in this entire world; for intimacy with Him, was God’s major purpose for creating human beings. But unfortunately with the fall of man and the rising of our sinfulness, we have lost that desire to get intimate with God and His righteousness, we seem to be more intent on getting intimate with Satan and his evil ways, which doesn’t say much for our intelligence and wisdom.
But please, let’s remember Satan’s prophetic destiny. The Bible says: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed (released) for a little season (while).’ (Rev. 20:1-3)
Yes my brethren, during Christ’s thousand years reign on earth Satan will be locked up and unable to tempt or deceive the people. And as the scholars tell us: ‘Any temptation to sin during the Millennium (the thousand year reign of Christ on earth) must come from within those people who are born after the kingdom begins. It must be assumed that all of Satan’s demons or fallen angels are also imprisoned at the same time (cf. Is. 24:21-23). And we’ll quote those verses to give us a better understanding of the scriptures.
Isaiah writes: ‘And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high (Satanic powers), and the kings of the earth upon the earth (earthly powers). And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall be visited (punished). Then the moon shall be confounded (disgraced, ashamed), and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients (elders) gloriously.’ (Is. 24:21-23)
So, after that Christ will reign on earth without opposition for a thousand years, and His kingdom will be characterized by righteousness, peace and LOVE. But remember that after the thousand years Satan will be released for a short while, as we see in the following verses. ‘And when the thousand years are expired (completed), Satan shall be loosed (released) out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed (surrounded) the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever.’ (Rev. 20:7-10)
Yes my people that’s the faith that will eventually befall the powers of evil. And for those who follow them rather than God, here’s their fate: ‘But the fearful (cowardly), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers (sexually immoral), and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (eternal punishment).’ (Rev. 21:8)
Now please contrast that ending with this one. ‘And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev. 21:2-4)
Oh my faithful belieers, that’s what we have to look forward to when we endure with Jesus right to the very end. Listen closely as John tells it. ‘And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst (who thirsts) of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.’ (Rev. 21:6-7)
There it is in black and white my friends; the two endings to the two ways to live this earthly life. It’s up to each individual to make a decision, let’s hope and pray that we all make the right one. Much LOVE!
…if you believe that the Bible is God’s Guidebook to man…then you’d better believe what it says…and live accordingly…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
01 Nov 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blossoming of life, a simple formula for achieving peace of mind, a warm glow of heat, aggrieved, an undying affirmation of faith and trust, becoming more intimate with God, behold the upright, bring forth thy righteousness as the light., cease from anger, clocks turning back, commit thy way unto the Lord, confidently trust the Lord, Daylight Savings Time, deepen my breath, delight thyself also in the Lord, do good, dwell in the land, everlasting life, evildoers shall be cut off, faith, feed on his faithfulness, forsake wrath, fret not thyself because of evildoers, fret not thyself because of him who prospers, fret not thyself in any wise to do evil, full of the fruit of the Spirit, give thee the desires of thine heaert, growing closer to God, have life more abundantly, he shall bring it to pass, holy spirit, I am the way the truth and the life, I marvel to think, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you now, in all sincerity and truth, in the face of the wicked's prosperity, increase my awareness of you, it only causes harm, Jesus Christ, lazy-day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, LOVE, mark the perfect man, mercy, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity, no man comes to the Father but by me, note the blameless man, nothing better than spending time with the Father, refuse to surrender fully to God, Rest in the Lord, surrendering our lives to God, the christian's greatest endeavour, the end of that man is peace, the good graces of the Lord, the Lord shall deliver them from the wicked, the Lord shall help them, the Lord shall save them because they trust in Him, the unchanging character of God, those the wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, thy judgement as the noonday, trust also in him, trust the Lord with all of life's problems, undying affirmation of faith and trust, unwise actions, unwisely choose to keep control, wait patiently for the Lord, what it takes to live the abundant life
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 November 2025 Psalm 37:5.
Psalm 37:5. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And then it was Saturday…our lazy-day Saturday! A mostly sunny and surprisingly somewhat warm day, as I went outside before coming down to write the Bit and felt a warm glow of heat on my face from the mid-morning sun. And is it ever good to feel the warmth of the sun at this time of year. Oh, by the way it’s also the first day of November and all the Halloween nonsense is now finished. The clocks will also be turned back one hour tonight to facilitate Daylight Savings Time, another of our unwise actions.
But the power brokers seem to like those unwise actions, and the people are not enough aggrieved by them to rise up and meaningfully complain. So, until that time comes, we’ll just have to grin and bear it. But that doesn’t mean because we don’t agree with some things that we cannot enjoy life. Absolutely not! For we have a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth and died that we might have life, and have it even more abundantly. (John 10:10b)
As this commentary explains: ‘It means blossoming into a life full of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). While false teachers and false religions offer shallow, temporary relief, only Jesus brings truly everlasting life and spiritual abundance (John 14:6).’ And we know that reference refers to this wonderful verse: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ And He certainly is all of those things!
Anyway, on this first-lazy day Saturday in November, let us now offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, with all sincerity and truth. ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And there’s nothing better than spending time with the Father and becoming more intimate with Him. It also warms the cockles of His heart, because He created us for that very purpose; to have strong and LOVING communion with Him. Unfortunately though, too many of us miss out on that glorious situation, because we’re too busy to spend time with God, or we just don’t believe it’s necessary. But as the old people would say; the taste of the pudding is in the eating. It might look good or bad, but you’ll never know what it tastes like until you eat it.
Likewise, you’ll never know how beautiful true intimacy with our heavenly Father is until you try it. That’s where we find all the peace, the calm, the LOVE and compassion, the understanding and joy that enables us to live that abundant life Christ died for us to have. That’s why Bruh David strongly exhorts us in Psalm 27: ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness).
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm). For the evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps. 37:1-9)
There it is my people, the sure way to enjoy the abundant life that begins right here on earth. And as the scholars explain: ‘The psalm also contains a simple formula for achieving peace of mind in the face of the wicked’s prosperity: fret not…neither be thou envious, (vs. 1), trust…do good (vs. 3), delight thyself also in the Lord (vs.4), commit thy way…trust (vs.5), rest…wait patiently…fret not (vs.7), cease from anger…forsake wrath…fret not (vs.8). All of these exhortations urge the believer to confidently trust the Lord with all of life’s problems.’
It surely does my people. And that’s the only way for us to get in to the good graces of the Lord, and most importantly stay in His good graces. It’s not a one time thing, but a continuous process of putting our lives in His august trust, surrendering our lives completely to Him. That’s the ONLY way He can mould and change us into the image of Christ that He desires. The problem though is that too many of us refuse to surrender fully to the Lord. Oh yes, we give Him some parts of ourselves, but not all of us. We unwisely choose to keep some for us to control. But that means we cannot then enjoy the abundant life, because it’s only through total surrender that is possible.
And I like what the scholars say to end their explanation. ‘The psalm concludes most appropriately with an undying affirmation of faith and trust in the unchanging character of God.’ And reading that most appropriate ending together is a perfect way to end Today’s Bit. So please read with me: ‘Mark the perfect (blameless) man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.’ (Ps. 37:37-40)
Yes my fellow believers, trust and total surrender in the Lord God Jehovah is what it takes to live the abundant life. So let’s be wise and put all that we are and have in His mighty, LOVING and compassionate hands to day nuh. Because it’s all for our benefit! Much LOVE!
…growing closer to God each day…should be the Christian’s greatest endeavour…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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