I will come again and receive you unto myself

The Overwhelming Necessity and Wisdom of Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour!

09 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a heat warning, a truly heartfelt prayer, air conditioned comfort, all these things shall be added unto you, better to be safe than sorry, communion with god, deepen my breath, establish His covenant, eternal punishment, eternal separation from Almighty God, faith, free will, God's infallible word, grace, 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, healing and cleansing of the sick and suffering, holy spirit, I go to prepare a place for you, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I want to be with you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, I will not leave you comfortless, in all sincerity and truth, in my Father's house are many mansions, in the Lord's will, increase my awareness of you today, it's wiser and safer to believe in Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus died on the cross, joy, laze around, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, let not your heart be troubled, lived a satisfying life, LOVE, mercy, peace, quiet my soul, receiving peace and calm in our souls, relax my muscles, salvation, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, slow my thoughts, suffer terrible consequences, thank you for this tenderness, that our sins could be forgiven, that where I am there ye may be also, the destruction of the wicked, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the goodness and grace of Jesus, the lake of fire, the Lord answers the prayers of His people, the Lord gives you the power to get wealth, the poor and downtrodden, the Triune God, truth, turned their backs on God, wisdom, ye believe in God believe also in me, you can't be contained, your love both surrounds and fills me, your peace and love are present

John 3:18a. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already,

Well friends, it’s another hot, sunshiny summer’s day in August… and I just saw a heat warning advisory on the computer. But what’s new about all of that eh? Nothing! For we have been experiencing those kinds of days for a while now, and through the goodness and grace of Jesus, we’ve learned to handle them. (smile)

And to make matters even better, today is our lazy-day Saturday, which means we don’t need to go out unless it’s absolutely necessary, just stay inside in air conditioned comfort and laze around. What a marvellous way to spend a hot summer’s day! And we can even improve on that by offering up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, with all sincerity and truth.

So, as one strong and truthful 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 truly heartfelt, then we ought to be receiving some peace and calm in our souls, bodies and minds right about now. For the Lord answers the prayers of His people, when they are sincere and in His will. And what can be more in His will than to have greater intimacy and communion with Him eh? Nothing really, for that’s His basic purpose for creating us in the first place.

Unfortunately though, too many of His creation have turned their backs on Him, wanting nothing whatsoever to do with Him, and that obviously disappoints Him. But God knew the risk He was taking when He gave us free will, or the ability to make certain choices in this life. The problem though is that those who turn away from their Creator will eventually suffer terrible consequences, the most terrible one being eternal separation from Him through eternity, for they will be caught up in the destruction of the evil and wicked of the earth.

And if you don’t believe me then read Revelation chapter 20, and see, and hopefully understand, exactly what forsaking the Lord God Jehovah and His Saviour Son Jesus Christ will mean in the days to come. And I know that some of us after reading that chapter of Revelation will think it’s all nonsense…and who knows, it just might be.

However, just supposing it isn’t nonsense. Isn’t it better to be safe rather than sorry, and therefore accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, so you don’t have to endure the terrifying end of eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14) painted for those who did not accept Him? Of course! And even if hell and heaven don’t truly exist, and our physical death covers it all, then by accepting Jesus you would still have lived a good and satisfying life; one filled with joy, peace, LOVE, grace, mercy, and all the other good things that Jesus provides for His followers. Now, where else can you find all of that good stuff eh? Nowhere else but with Jesus!

Remember, Jesus came to save the world from certain hellfire and damnation, as He so clearly informs Nicodemus, the Jewish ruler, who, through fear of his associates, came to Him under cover of darkness seeking answers. ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:17) Please note that it’s only through Jesus that the world will or could be saved. And that means believing in Him, as He then tells Nicodemus. ‘He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:18)

There it is my brethren, in black and white, transmitted down through the ages in the Bible, God’s infallible Word! What more can we ask for eh? Jesus came and died on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven; He told us all that was necessary to know about the Triune God, that’s the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; showed us His overwhelming LOVE and compassion, through healing and cleansing of the sick and suffering, the poor and downtrodden.

He even promised to come back to take us with Him, as He reassured the disciples. ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3) What an awesome promise friends! And why would Jesus lie? No reason whatsoever, for He can do whatever He promises.

And even more importantly, He also promised that when He went away: ‘I will not leave you comfortless (as orphans): I will come to you.’ (John 14:18) And He did that through the power of the Holy Spirit coming to live in those who accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. And as per the material things of the world, as per wealth and riches and all the things the world hungers, thirsts and kills for, here’s what Jesus had to say on that subject. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33)

Remember too, that ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.’ (Ps. 24:1) In other words, the earth and all that’s in it belongs to the Lord, for He created it all. And let’s not forget this other most important scripture, which Moses pointed out to the Israelites so long ago. ‘But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.’ (Deut. 8:18) That means the ability to produce true and lasting wealth, comes only from Jehovah God!

So friends, on this hot, lazy-day Saturday in early August of the quickly moving year of 2025, I’d suggest that we spend some time contemplating all that we’ve said, and see how we match up with it, and then try to improve our positions, for we all have room for improvement. Much LOVE!

…it’s wiser and safer to believe in Jesus…than not to believe in Him…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Believers Being Ready for the Rapture of the Church

10 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a time of intense persecution, Arthur Howells, be of good courage, be with Christ throughout eternity, be ye also ready, behold I come as a thief, being alert to what's happening in our world, being ready for Jesus' return, believers will not experience the tribulation, blessed is he that watcheth, blessed is the man maketh the Lord his trust, bounden duty, Christ doesn't lie or make false promises, come to know and love him like we do, even unto the end of the world, faith, foolish wisdom, for in such an hour as ye think not, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come, free will, have doubts and fears in our daily walk, he shall strengthen thine heart, holy spirit, hurry, I go to prepare a place for you, I had fainted, I will come again and receive you unto myself, I would have told you, if it were not so, if ye believe in God believe also in me, if you don't have complete trust and faith in Him, in my Father's house are many mansions, in the land of the living, in the unknown future, innovative theological education, Jane Williams, Jesus Christ, June's into double figures, keepeth his garments, known in what watch thethief would come, lest he walk naked, let not your heart be troubled, lo I am with always, LOVE, Mellitus College, mercy, no purpose in having a God, nor such as turn aside to lies, our duty to stay alert for Jesus' coming, outdoor activity, remain faithful and loyal to Christ, respects not the proud, salvation, selfish longing for summer, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, teach me to wait with patience, temptation, the Battle of Armageddon, the beloved of God, the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night, the end of the church age, the frigid weather of winter, the Great Commission, the Little Book of Lent, the problem lies with us, the quality of being right in God's eyes, the Rapture, the Son of man cometh, there may I be also, they see his shame, those called to serve Christ, to know your presence, to prepare a place for me, to see the goodness of the Lord, to trust that you are with me, to watch with alertness, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, unbelievers will be overtaken by destruction, ungodliness, unless I had believed, wait I say on the Lord, wait on the Lord, warm blooded animals, watch therefore, watch with alertness, watching for the return of Jesus, where I am there ye may be also, where you are, wisdom, with the whole wide world, worry, you have gone before me

Matthew 24:44. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Aye friends, please note that the month of June has already reached double figures. (smile) Yes, June is moving along quite quickly, and before we know it, summer will be over and we’ll be thrust back into the dark and frigid weather of winter. Please answer me, if you can, why do the nice, warm, summer months seem to pass more quickly than the cold dreary winter ones eh?

Technically speaking, they all move at the same speed, but it’s possibly our warped, selfish longing for the summer warmth and sunshine, as well as the outdoor, activity it provides in semi-naked dress, that makes us feel those days are going by more quickly than the ones where we’re all bundled up and spend most of the time indoors. But that’s just life in the northern climes, and why we naturally hunger so much for summer. God made us to be warm blooded animals, and gave us places with sunshine and warm weather all year round, but we, in our free will and foolish wisdom, chose to live in the cold places, so we just have to learn to stand our bounce. (smile)

And on this sunny Tuesday in early June, we’ll say a prayer from the recent Prayer Through the Ages Publication of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, highlighting Daily Prayers for spiritual renewal. This one is ascribed to Jane Williams, a Professor at St. Mellitus College in London, founded in 2007 by the Church of England to provide innovative theological education and training for those called to serve Christ in the church and the world. I believe the prayer was originally published in 2014 in The Little Book of Lent, compiled by Arthur Howells.

And now that we know the origins of the prayer, (smile) let’s pray it together. ‘Christ, you have gone before me to prepare a place for me, that where you are there I may be also. Teach me to wait with patience, to watch with alertness, to trust that you are with me in the unknown future and to know your presence. Amen!’ Ah friends, that’s short and sweet and to the point! And it encompasses several scriptural and Christian values that we ought to possess.

The first sentence reminds us of Jesus’ promise to the disciples, and consequently to us, where He reassures them. ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3)

Oh my faithful believers, Christ promised to prepare a place in heaven for us, and come back for us, so we could be with Him throughout eternity. And if He promised it, He will surely do it, because He doesn’t lie or make false promises. So therefore, if in our daily walk, we have doubts and fears, then the problem lies with us, for our God does whatever He says. That’s why the prayer implores God; ‘Teach me to wait with patience…’ Yes, that’s a big part of our Christian walk, waiting with patience, as Bruh David so astutely puts it in Psalm 27, titled – My Heart Shall Not Fear.

To end the psalm He reasons: ‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith), I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:13-14) And I know that’s sometimes easier said than done, but if you are reading the Word and living it, your faith ought to be growing, and anytime God comes through for you, then that ought to add another notch to your faith, and help you to wait in patient faith.

The prayer also asks for us to watch with alertness. Now that’s something we have to do on two fronts. The first is being alert to what’s happening in our world, and quickly recognizing the trends of ungodliness and temptation that are coming against us and prevent them from addling our souls. The next avenue of alertness is that of watching for Jesus’ return, and being ready for it. Jesus Himself warned us: ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman (master) of the house had known in what watch (hour) the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered (allowed) his house to be broken up (into). Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24:42-44)

Bruh Paul also says it in his first letter to the Thessalonians. ‘For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.’ (1 Thess. 5:2) So we have been warned, it’s now our duty and self-interest to stay alert for Jesus’ coming. And what does it mean that Jesus will come as a thief in the night? This commentary explains it thus: ‘The passage assures us that believers will not experience the tribulation. The day of the Lord will commence unexpectedly, like the arrival of a thief at night. It is described as a time of darkness with dreadful consequences. Unbelievers, identified as those who belong to the night, will be overtaken by destruction.’

That’s why we must be ready for the Rapture, the end of the church age, for the period of the Great Tribulation will indeed be one of horrific violence and persecution. And Jesus even assures those believers in the Great Tribulation, when He says; ‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.’ (Rev. 16:15)

This is the time of Jesus’ Second Coming, before the battle of Armageddon, where Christ finally defeats Satan and his cronies. The scholars tell us that’s ‘an exhortation to the surviving believers to be watchful and alert, and to remain faithful and loyal to Christ during a time of intense persecution. To have garments, rather than be naked, relates to spiritual preparedness.’

And finally, as to trusting God and knowing that He’s always with us, these two scriptures tell it like it is. The first comes from Psalm 40, where Bruh David confidently writes: ‘Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ (Ps. 40:4) And the second scripture is a gem of a promise from Jesus, where after He gives the disciples the Great Commission, He ends: ‘and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:20b) Now, if you can’t believe Jesus, then I don’t know whom else you can believe.

However, for those of us who believe Him totally, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong lock, stock, and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’

Now, it’s our bounden duty to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…what’s the purpose of having a God…if you don’t have complete trust and faith in Him…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 November 2023 Revelation 21:5a.

28 Nov 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a gorgeous sight to behold, behold I make all things new, faith, first taste of snow, he that sat upon the throne said, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, I'm not afraid of tomorrow for God is already there, in god's eyes, into the glory of God's tomorrow, Jesus Christ, Jesus gave the big K.O to Satan, LOVE, no more pain, one of the bonuses of being a Christian, share His love with my neighbour, sufficient unto the day, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, take therefore no thought for tomorrow, the former things are passed away, the glorious hope that extends beyond the grave, the One who holds tomorrow, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, where I am there ye may be also, wisdom, worry, write for these words are true and faithful

Revelation 21:5a. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

Oh friends, how interesting it was to wake up this morning and see the neighbourhood all clothed in white! Then to see the bright sunlight shining beautifully on it! Yes, we had our first real taste of snow sometime in the early morning hours. I went to bed around 4. A.m. and it wasn’t there, so sometime between when I went to bed and when I arose around nine it happened. But it surely was a gorgeous sight to behold! (smile)

Oh, I don’t favour snow, but you can’t deny its beauty when it’s fresh and clean. And anyway, this wasn’t much, just enough to cover the ground and the roof tops, and present a dazzling white picture as the sunshine framed it. Since we’ve had such ideal weather these last few months, I guess it was a wakeup call, letting us know the realities that lie ahead. And as they say, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. So I do hope we are going to make all the necessary preparations and be ready for when the big snow hits.

Enough talk about snow though, let’s see what the Lord wants us to seriously and sincerely consider this last Tuesday in November 2023, when our world is just covered in chaos and disaster, with tragedy after tragedy happening, as though there was to be no sane and secure tomorrow. And yes, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ warned us about worrying, and in particular worrying about tomorrow: ‘Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt. 6:34)

But as true believers in Christ, we know that there will be a tomorrow, even when this evil world is all dead and gone, for Jesus has promised it, and He is ever faithful to His promises! The tomorrow might not be in this world but certainly in eternity with Him. As Billy Graham reputedly said: “One of the bonuses of being a Christian is the glorious hope that extends out beyond the grave into the glory of God’s tomorrow.” And as Sister Joyce, (Joyce Meyer) likes to say: “You don’t need to know what tomorrow holds; all you need to know is the One who holds tomorrow.” And Jesus surely holds all the tomorrows in His hands, just like He holds all the yesterdays and todays!

And as someone else so wisely said: “I’m not afraid of tomorrow because I know God is already there!” And He certainly is! So although tomorrow seems to be a somewhat nebulous, vague, hazy, cloudy indistinct, unsure situation and place, we don’t have to worry about it because our great God already inhabits it, and He’s promised that wherever He is, we will be with Him.

Jesus said it thus: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ ( John 14:1-3)

Oh mih bredrin, what a joyful promise that is! What a wonderful time to look forward to with Jesus. Wherever He is, we will be also! And we know that won’t be in hell, eternally separated from the Father, because Jesus has already defeated hell, death and the grave! Yes, on that first Easter morn when He rose triumphantly from Hades, He gave the big K.O to Satan, and there’s no going back there! That means wherever He is will be pleasant and peaceful, so we have a pleasant and peaceful eternity to look forward to.

As John wrote in Revelation: ‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:1-5)

Oh my people, I don’t know about you, but I’m living for that day when there are no more negative things like, pain, sorrow, crying and death; when all of that has been abolished and only positive things like peace, LOVE and joy finally abound! What a time that will be; dwelling in perpetual peace with Jesus and the Father, worshipping and praising them and doing whatever they require of us. And no, we won’t be just sitting on our fat fannies doing nothing. There will be work to do. Can’t say exactly what kind of work, but be sure it won’t be just a life of luxury and laziness!

No sir! That’s not the way the Father drew it up. But the important thing is that it will be much more pleasant, peaceful, joyful and LOVING, than our current world! And that’s more than sufficient to put your trust in Jesus! So, for those of us who have already done that, let’s go home declaring (yesss!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel!

As one sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’

And now that we’ve made our position known, we need to go out and share that wonderful LOVE and friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…tomorrow never seems to come in this fallen world…but in the new world with Jesus…a beautiful tomorrow will come…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 November 2023 Matthew 24:42.

23 Nov 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: be always ready to meet our Maker, be ready, caught up together with them, comfort one another with these words, coyrage, creativity, curse, eating and drinking, for ye knoweth not what hour your Lord doth come, giving in marriage, I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, in the days of Noah, Jesus Christ, let not your heart be troubled, LOVE, negative word, positive outlook, Rainbow Bridge, the antichrist, the beginning of sorrows, the dead in Christ shall rise, the expansion of the church, the Great tribulation, the Millennial kingdom, the rapture of the church, Thursday Blessings, to judge the world, to meet the Lord in the air, truth, U.S Thanksgiving, wars and rumours of war, watch therefore, when it's not one thing it's another

Matthew 24:42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING U. S. OF A!

Well, a Happy Thanksgiving Day to our Scrip-Bit friends and families in the U.S. of A! I do hope you all have a most blessed and rewarding day, as you gather with your people to give thanks to our great God for all the many wonderful blessings He’s showered down on you all over the years. Unfortunately, the celebration will be marred for some folks because of the tragic occurrence on the Rainbow Bridge Border Crossing between the U. S and Canada at Niagara Falls yesterday morning. Apparently, while going through the crossing from the U.S., a runaway car took off into the air and exploded causing the death of it’s occupants, some injuries to those nearby, and a whole lot of damage to the area.

That sudden and unexpected occurrence caused the authorities to err on the side of caution, treat it like a terrorist attack and shut down all the border crossings in the area, until further information was forthcoming. That meant some Americans who had come to Canada for the day, were unable to go back home last night, and some of the many Canadians heading south for the holiday were also unable to cross the border. The good news though is that it’s been determined that it was not a terrorist incident and I believe most of the other border crossings have now been opened up, except for the Rainbow Bridge because the damage was so extensive.

Ah Lord eh! When it’s not one thing, it’s something else yes! That’s why we have to be constantly living for Jesus and ready to meet our Maker at anytime, for we never know when we’ll be called home unexpectedly, or He will return unexpectedly. And Jesus gave us sufficient warning that we should all live prepared, both for the Rapture of the church, and then Christ’s coming to begin His Millennial reign after the Great Tribulation.

He promised to come back for us: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-4) The scholars explain that refers more to the Rapture of the church than to Christ’s coming after the Great Tribulation.

Meanwhile Bruh Paul made his famous statement on the subject of the Rapture. ‘But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep (dead).

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump (trumpet) of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever (always) be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’ (! Thess. 4:13-18)

Now that has to do with the Rapture and the resurrection for the dead when Jesus comes for the church, and comforts us in knowing that we will be with our LOVED ones in heaven when all is said and done. But then again, no one knows when that will be, which means we have to be in a state of constant readiness, because Christ can come for His church at any time, and after that the Great Tribulation will ensue for seven years, with Christ finally coming to destroy the evil doers and set up His Millennial kingdom.

He gives some warnings re wars and rumours of wars, then famine and pestilence and all sorts of natural disasters. But those are only the beginning of sorrows; for then follows martyrdom, the rise of false prophets and the Antichrist, and the age of iniquity, but also the expansion of the church and preaching of the gospel to all parts of the world…and then shall come the end. (Matt. 24:6-14) Jesus then described the prevailing situation thus: ‘For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.’ (Matt. 24:21)

Yes friends, those seven years of tribulation will have so much universal suffering and destruction like the world’s never seen before, or will ever see again. That’s why you have to make sure that you are all right with Jesus when He comes for the church in the Rapture. Then Jesus turned His attention to the time frame for those happenings. ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be… Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.’ (Matt. 24:36-39, 42)

Oh my brethren, it’s all so simple. In the first coming Christ comes in the clouds for the church, to settle them in heaven. In the second coming, He comes with the church to ,judge the world. And the exceeding chaotic state of our current world, clearly tells us that the time of both situations could not be too far off. Therefore, let us get ourselves prepared, that is, if we want to spend eternity with Jesus, because if He comes at either time and you’re not ready, then crapaud smoke yuh pipe!

Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to be ready, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) and thus activating our Thursday Blessings which the Lord has so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. Altogether now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’

Now, it behooves us to go out and use those blessings on God’s behalf, just as generously as He bestowed them on us! Much LOVE!

…the three most important b’s and r’s…be ready…be ready…be ready…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 July 2023 Hebrews 12:3.

05 Jul 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, a human phenomenon, a subconscious reaction, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, become discouraged in your souls, consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners, endure to the end, endured the cross despising the shame, glad to be alive, hands on the plough, have Jesus' desires uppermost in our hearts, I will come again and receive you unto myself, in my Father's house are many mansions, kept by the power of God, lay aside every weight, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds, let no your heart be troubled, living by faith, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, not looking back, outweigh the pain and suffering of earth, run with patience, sacrificing His sinless life, seeing we are compassed about, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, so great a cloud of witnesses, thank God, that fadeth not away, the author and finisher of our faith, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the crown of glory, the crown of life, the crown of righteousness, the imperishable crown, the joy of the crowns of heaven, the race that is set before us, the sin which doth so easily beset us, the swift of foot, through faith unto salvation, to be revealed in the last time, Wednesday Wail, witnesses of our faith

Hebrews 12:3. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (become discouraged in your souls).

Wow! It’s Wednesday already! I can’t believe it! I had to ask the duchess this morning if it was really Wednesday? As usual, she shook her head, looked at me with that strange look she uses when she doubts my sanity, and simply said, ‘All day.’ I don’t know about anybody else nuh, but I find that the days are passing by swifter than they ever have. July just started, and it’s already the fifth of the month.

I guess though that it’s all a human phenomenon; when you’re young, you feel like time isn’t moving along as quickly as you’d like, and when you’re older, like me, you feel that time is passing by much too quickly. It’s a subconscious reaction to know that your days on God’s great earth are numbered at the bottom end of the scale rather than at the top. But nonetheless, we old people will keep on keeping on. And all the old people shouted a loud and proud: ‘Yes we will!’

Yes friends, we cannot stop doing Jesus’ work here on earth until the last minute before He calls us home. While we have life, we ought to have His desires uppermost in our hearts, just like He had ours when He hung shamelessly on the cross of Calvary, sacrificing Hie sinless life for our sinful ones. Let’s never forget the pain and the shame He bore so that we could be set free form the bondage of sin.

As the author of Hebrews points out so poignantly. ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us.’ (Heb. 12:1)

And is that ever so necessary my fellow believers. We have the heroes or witnesses of our faith who have gone before us as examples of living by faith, but to do that successfully we have to throw off whatever weight and sin that keep us back, and push forward with perseverance and endurance, because the race of faith is not for the swift of foot but for those who stay the course.

And the author of Hebrews further tells us that the best way to stay the course of faith is by ‘Looking unto Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith); who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (become discouraged in your souls).’ (Heb. 12:2-3)

Better and wiser words were never spoken my fellow saints, for Jesus is the prime example of what it takes to run this race of faith and earthly life. He began the journey for us, set the stage by disregarding all the hostility and suffering that came against Him, using the joy that He knew would be forthcoming, when He fulfilled the Father’s commission. That joy was the privilege of sitting at the right hand of the Father’s throne. Thus, He endured all the shame and suffering down here on earth, knowing that the joy of heaven would make up for it.

And that’s how we, His disciples, agents, ambassadors should also be thinking and behaving; knowing that the joy of being with Jesus in heaven will surely outweigh whatever shame and suffering we have to endure down here on this sinful and ungodly earth. Remember Jesus’ promise? ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3)

Now, we all know that Jesus doesn’t make empty promises, so if He says He’s going to prepare a place for us, then coming back to receive us unto Himself, then we’ve got to believe it, and use it as encouragement to keep keeping on, to keep fighting the good fight of faith as Bruh Paul testified to, so that we can get the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous judge will give to all them that LOVE Him at the day of reckoning. (2 Tim. 4:7-8)

Then there is also the crown of life that James speaks of. ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (tested), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE him.’ (James 1:12). That gives us even more ammunition to remain faithful to Christ and endure whatever comes against us, for remember too that the Lord won’t allow us to be tempted more than we can bear, but will provide a way out for us when the going gets too rough. (1 Cor. 10:13)

And Peter talks about the crown of glory that will be reserved for the church elders. ‘And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.’ (1 Pet. 5:4) Above all friends, we need to realize and believe that the crowns of the earth will decay and rot eventually, they are perishable, but the crowns which we seek are imperishable, as Bruh Paul describes in 1 Cor. 9:24-25. And as Peter describes: ‘To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet. 1:4-5)

Oh my fellow believers, life will be somewhat rough and tough down here on earth, but if we keep walking in faith with Jesus, those tough times will pale in regard to the rewards, the joy that’s set aside for us in heavenly places. So please, let’s stand strong in Jesus and pursue our earthly purpose with the same joy, endurance and perseverance that He used during His earthly sojourn. Now, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!

Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’

And if we endure with Jesus right down to the very end, then it’s guaranteed that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. Wow! That’s just one more enticement to keep fighting the good fight of faith! (smile) Much LOVE!

…the joy of the crowns of heaven…far outweigh the pain and suffering of earth…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2022 Zechariah 9:12.

26 Oct 2022 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a powerful presence, breaks us from the future and transforms today, depends on your perspective, endure to the end, faith is based on hope, for without me ye can do nothing, halfway home, hands on the plough, have it more abundantly, Hope is a revolution, I am come that they might have life, I am the way the truth and the life, I will come again and receive you unto myself, I will render double unto thee, if I go and prepare a place for you, in my Father's house are many mansions, Joshua Ryan Butler, let God define the way you see your circumstances, let not your heart be troubled, LOVE, Mark Batterson, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, no one cometh unto the Father but by me, not looking back, once there's life there's hope, prisoners of hope, prisoners of war, siting ducks for Satan, sowed the seeds of righteousness, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Holy Spirit, the thief cometh not but to steal, to a glorious future with Jesus, turn you to the stronghold, Wednesday Wail, where I am there ye may be also, ye believe in God believe also in me, you are not the label people place on you, you are who God says you are, you can't have faith without hope

Zechariah 9:12. Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.

So we rolling along on the hump day of Wednesday, which has opened somewhat cloudy, but my genius computer has told me that it will eventually turn out to be a sunny day. And how can I doubt such good news eh? No way! But as always, be it sunshine, snow or rain, I’m thankful for having seen another blessed morning, in my already long life. Hope you are too.

And though our problems might seem rather overwhelming and unsurmountable at times, and we feel like we don’t want to wake up another day to deal with them, that’s just the enemy playing his usual games with our feelings and emotions. But you know what Jesus said about Satan and his evil doings. ‘The thief cometh not, but for to (except to) steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10)

Yes friends, Jesus came to give us life, and so much life, that it overflows. So why then would we to listen to the enemy and not want to wake to see another day eh? The truth is, as long as there is life, there’s always hope. Hope that our problems will be solved; hope that our hurts would be comforted and our wounds healed through the great and good auspices of Jesus Christ, the Great Healer, the Great Comforter, and the giver of much Hope, as witnessed by His many other great attributes.

And you know what they say about hope. ‘Hope is a revolution, a powerful presence that breaks us from the future and transforms today. Jesus’ arrival has brought God’s destiny for humanity crashing into now, in an explosion of life. Into a world marked by death. It changes everything.’ Wow! What a powerful force hope is. And that definition of hope comes from an article by Joshua Ryan Butler, aptly titled, ‘Prisoners of hope.’

Now the Good Book also refers to us by that name in the Old Testament writings of the Zechariah. After his people were defeated by the Babylonians and taken into captivity, he comforted and reassured them by talking about the coming of Zion’s future King, Jesus Christ. He passionately declares (steups!!!) to them: ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.’ (Zech. 9:12)

Oh my people, there’s nothing better than being a prisoner of hope in Christ Jesus! For He is the Be All and End All of everything and every life that’s on planet earth. And we saw that He came once to prepare the soil of human life for planting, then sowed the seeds of righteousness and godliness through His Holy Spirit in anticipation for when He comes a second time to reap the fruit of His Spirit that’s grown up beautifully and bountifully on God’s great earth.

So please, whatever else we might do, let’s not lose hope or give up, because Jesus has faithfully promised to return and take us back to heaven with Him, and ALL of His promises are faithful and true. Listen to this most marvellous one that deals with His coming again. He says to the disciples: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3)

Wow! What a mighty promise my fellow believers. That’s why we simply cannot afford to lose hope in Christ, for whatever needs to be done in our lives, He can accomplish it. Why do we think that? Because He told the disciples a little later on: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6)

And that’s the gospel truth! Please believe it fervently my people, for if we don’t, we’re sitting ducks for Satan to just come and pick us off, one by one and immerse us in evildoings, that will only lead us eventually to eternal damnation and the lake of fire, where the devil is slated to go on judgement day. But first, we have to give Jesus the chance, the opportunity to work in our lives by turning to Him in sincere trust and faith, otherwise all our own efforts will be in vain, because, as Jesus puts it so short and telling: ‘for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)

Now here is this interesting excerpt on the subject ‘Prisoners of Hope,’ from an article by Mark Batterson found on his website markbatterson.com. He writes: ‘The prophet Zechariah declared this double blessing to Jewish prisoners of war, but he called them prisoners of hope. Those are polar opposites, are they not? So which is it—prisoners of war or prisoners of hope? That depends on your perspective, doesn’t it? If you let your circumstances define the way you see God, you are a prisoner of perspective. Or worse, a prisoner of your past mistakes! But if you let God define the way you see your circumstances, you are a prisoner of hope.

Please don’t let anyone name you except God. You are not the labels people put on you. You are who God says you are! You are the apple of God’s eye. You are the object of His affection. You are more than a conqueror. Israel had experienced a bitter defeat at the hands of the Babylonians. They were at the mercy of their captors, who had defiled their temple and mocked their God. But God reminded them of who would have the last laugh. For their pain, He prescribed the promise of double blessing.’

Yes my faithful brethren, our great God, though He chastise us for our wrongdoings, He is still always offering us encouragement. That’s because He LOVES so deeply, and never wants to lose even one of His creations. But for that to happen successfully, we also need to play our part in the partnership; that’s show our sincere hope, faith, trust and obedience to His Word and will for our lives. And for those of us who are sincerely trying to do just that, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.

As one strong voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’

And believe me friends, if we endure with Jesus until the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Mama Mia! That gives us even more cause to endure! (smile) Much LOVE!

…you can’t have faith without first having hope…for faith is based on hope…

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 August 2015 John 14:6‏

06 Aug 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a doubleminded man is unstable, appreciation, appreciation for life, blessings, Christian, enamoured of Jesus, esteem, eternal life, eternity, glory to God, God's grace, good news of Jesus, Grenville Kleiser, he that hath seen me hath seen the Father, I am inthe Father, I am the way the truth and the life, I will come again and receive you unto myself, if I go and prepare a place for you, Jesus Christ, Jesus' debt payment, John, Johnny Reid, lack of faith, LOVE, mercies, no halfway point, no man comes to the Father but by me, no sitting on the fence, noblest qualities, one day at a time, only believe, prayers of thanksgiving, pro-action, procrastination, procrastinators, salvation, spending eternity with Jesus, stepping up to the plate, take hold of Jesus, thanks and praise, the breath of life, the cross at Calvary, the Father is in me, the Light, today I'm going to change the world, volunteering, wavering, wisdom

John 14:6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Aye Friends, welcome to another somewhat cool, but otherwise beautiful summer’s day in God’s wonderful universe!

New mercies and blessings specially prepared for today, this terrific Thursday in August 2015, have already been flooding our space. The most important being the breath of life that’s still flowing through our bodies, which allows us to enjoy the salvation and eternal life offered by Jesus’ debt payment on the cross of Calvary.

Wow! Glory to God! Have you given Him thanks and praise for those two things as yet? As soon as we rise and greet each new day, we ought to float prayers of thanksgiving up to heaven on them. For without them, we either won’t be rising to greet a new day, (smile) or spending eternity with Jesus. And that last option is the most important for a Christian soul.

Now here’s an interesting and rather appropriate quote from Toronto born, North American writer Grenville Kleiser (1868-1935). He says that ‘Today is the day in which to express your noblest qualities of mind and heart, to do at least one worthy thing which you have long postponed…’

And my people that is indeed a worthwhile decision, for over the last decade or so, we have become such great procrastinators, even about things that we consider important.

But what better way to show our appreciation for life and God’s grace and mercies than by stepping up to the plate today and doing something that we’ve been putting off, whether it’s volunteering or simply cleaning up stuff that needs to be cleaned up.

That reminds me of the Johnny Reid song that we shared with you sometime aback which declared: ‘Today I’m going to change the world…One day at a time…’

Yeh Friends, we desperately need to change our world, but the reality is that we can only do it one day at a time. And there’s no better time to start than the present. So let’s make today that day nuh. Let’s override procrastination with pro-action, and with Jesus’ help we can certainly do it.

For as our Bit wisely informs us: ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ And I like to add to that, He’s also the Light of this darkened world.

So if Jesus Christ is indeed all those things, why aren’t we more enamoured of and interested in Him and His doings eh Friends? Our general behaviour and actions certainly don’t seem to indicate the esteem and appreciation that He truly deserves from us.

It’s also definitely instructional to see how that statement of Jesus came to be made. He was telling His disciples about His going away and preparing mansions for them. ‘And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?’ (John 14:3-5)

Ah mih people, even those who were closest to Jesus in His earthly sojourn didn’t appear to pay serious attention to His words. Jesus then declared our Bit to Thomas, before continuing with this admonishment. ‘If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Philip saith unto him, Lord show us the Father, and it sufficeth (will satisfy) us. Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self (of my own authority): but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.’ (John 14:7-10)

Oh my brethren, so sadly, a couple thousand years later, the Lord Jesus Christ is still asking those questions of too many supposed believers! Granted that if Thomas and Philip who actually walked with Jesus had doubts and didn’t fully understand, who are we to be so well informed and enlightened?

But that argument doesn’t hold any water, for we have had two thousand years of much better information and time to understand and ingest the Good News of Jesus. So just like Jesus reproached the disciples back then, He is today also reproaching us for our unbelief, our lack of faith and understanding when it’s all clearly spelled out in His Word and the times of His earthly life.

Friends, it’s either we believe or we don’t believe! There is no halfway point, no way to waffle, no sitting on the fence, being double minded and/or constantly wavering from one position to the other. For as James tells us: ‘A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:8)

So please my people, today, let’s get off the fence nuh, let’s stop procrastinating and wavering. Instead, let’s truly take hold of Jesus and all that He so wonderfully stands for and represents and believe with all our hearts, souls and minds that He is indeed the Way, the Truth, the Life and the Light! Now that is true wisdom! Much LOVE!

…only believe…that He is who He says He is…that’s all Jesus asks of us…

SCRIP-BITS

The Overwhelming Necessity and Wisdom of Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 November 2023 Matthew 24:42.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 July 2023 Hebrews 12:3.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2022 Zechariah 9:12.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 August 2015 John 14:6‏

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