The Overwhelming Importance of Believers Understanding that Jesus is not Only Their Lord and Saviour, but also Their Best Friend!

13 Sep 2026 Leave a comment

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   13 September 2026   John 15:13.

John 15:13.         Greater LOVE hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The Sundays just keep rolling around my people, but that’s the way the Lord designed it, so we must accept it with good grace, and keep gathering in His sanctuary with other believers in joyful fellowship, so we can give Him the praise and thanksgiving He so richly deserves. How did the psalmist put it? ‘Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps. 100:4-5) 

And those are certainly good enough reasons for us to gather in worship every Sunday, on His day. And we’ll open today’s worship with a hymn that’s chocked full of much truth and is rather appropriate for these turbulent times. It’s titled ‘What A Friend We Have in Jesus.’  It was written in 1855 near Port Hope Ontario, by Joseph M. Scriven (1819-1886), an Irish immigrant to Canada.

According to the Hymnary.org website, it seems that Scriven’s life was filled with many trials and tribulations; for instance, he wanted to have an army career, but poor health nixed that ambition. Then on the eve of their wedding in 1844 his fiancée died in a drowning accident. After that he moved to Ontario as a teacher. However, his life plans were again thwarted when his new fiancée died after a short illness. Apparently, his life took a downward plunge from there, with him not working regularly, living in other people’s homes and experiencing mistrust with neighbours because of his eccentricities.

He was also a member of the Plymouth Brethren, and tried to live according to the Sermon on the Mount as literally as possible, giving and sharing all he had and often doing menial tasks for the poor and physically disabled. Because Scriven suffered from depression, no one knew if his death by drowning in Rice Lake was suicide or an accident. And since his life was apparently filled with much solace and grief, it’s no wonder he was able to write such a powerful, consoling hymn.

Now, having had some background on the hymn’s author, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, heartfelt, mid-tempo version of the song, singing out its awesome truth to all who hear it. Singing: ‘ What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!  – Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer! – Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge– take it to the Lord in prayer! Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!… What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!’

Oh friends, that is the most wonderful and extraordinary privilege we have in this life! Wow! Those who don’t know Jesus really don’t know what a thrill and blessing they are missing! He’s the best friend a man can ever have! Why? Just listen to the truths of the song: Firstly, he bears all our sins and griefs. And that’s a fact, for He selflessly sacrificed His sinless life on the cross of Calvary to pay for our abominable sins.

And as to hearing our prayers, just listen to these scriptures. The Lord said to Jeremiah: ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty (inaccessible) things, which thou knowest not.’ (Jer. 33:3) That means our God wants us to call Him and share whatever is happening in our lives. And John goes on to confirm it with these most encouraging words from his first epistle. ‘And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired (asked) of him.’ (1 John 5:14-15)

In other words, the Lord won’t refuse a request that’s in His will, but He might tell you not yet. (smile) And if you’re looking for a shield from the world’s problems, Bruh David says it loud and clear in Psalm 18: ‘The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler (shield), and the horn (strength) of my salvation, and my high tower (stronghold),’ (Ps. 18:2)

And as per discouragement, I like how Hebrews tells us about, ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and 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 (become discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb. 12:2-3)

Yes my people, when we see what Jesus put up with on our behalf, how can we ever become discouraged eh? Especially when He’s invited us through His Great Invitation to bring all our burdens to Him. Hear His call: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me, for I am meek and lowly (gentle and humble) in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ‘ What more can we ask for eh friends? Nothing really, for Jesus has given us an invitation that covers everything.

Oh my people, we can never get a better friend that Jesus. Cousin Sol refers to Him as a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ (Prov. 18:24b) Meanwhile Jesus Himself told the disciples, and consequently us: ‘Greater LOVE hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you.’ (John 15:13-14) And He indeed laid down His life for us. Then, finally, in the Great Commission He ended by sincerely promising: ‘and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:20b)

That’s how great Jesus is: a friend, a brother, a Saviour, a Lord… Whatever post you have to fill, He’s the One to fill it! Let’s remember that as we go forward today! Much LOVE!

..Jesus…is all we need…both in this life and the next…and He’s always available…through prayer…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding How to Pray Effectually!

27 Jun 2026 Leave a comment

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   27 June 2026   1 John 5:14.

1 John 5:14.        And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Oh friends, what a beautiful sunshiny summer’s day this lazy-day Saturday is turning out to be! And although the ole fella did laze around some in the bed earlier on, he’s still up relatively early, and is catching a much earlier bus than usual. (smile) So before we enshrine the laziness in the day, 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!’ 

And I can’t help reiterating that if our prayer was sincere and heartfelt, that soon, we’d be experiencing a level of peace and calm that we did not previously have, because our wonderful God just LOVES to answers our prayers that deal with intimacy towards Him. For as John so wisely says in his first epistle:

‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired (asked) of him.’ (1 John 5:13-15)

Yes mih people, we have so much confidence in the promises of our God, that if we ask anything that’s in His will, then we know that He hears our plea and grants our petition, because that’s His promise. As the scholars add: ‘Assurance of salvation (vs. 13) leads to confidence in petition. Effectual prayer is according to his will.’

And talking about effective prayer, here is possibly one of the most effective in all the Bible, and is most assuredly one that we can base prayer for ourselves and others on. It come from Bruh Paul’s opening remarks to the church at Colossae. Let’s read together: ‘Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith In Jesus Christ, and of the LOVE which ye have to all saints,

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you (on your behalf) a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared unto us your LOVE in the spirit (an affection for others). For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father which made us meet (qualified us) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in (the) light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son (the Son of His LOVE): In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.’ (Col. 1:1-14)

Wow! That was a whole sermon there from Bruh Paul, interspersed with words of fitting prayer for all and sundry. (smile) So let’s see what we can gain from it nuh. To begin with, Bruh Paul apparently did not know the Colossians personally, and it was his fellow servant in Christ, Epaphras, who began the church in the small town of Colossae, while Bruh Paul was in Ephesus attending to the larger church there. However, he was very pleased to hear that they had found Christ and were being faithful to the truth of the gospel preached to them, which gospel was also bringing forth fruit in them, which it ought to, if anyone faithfully believes.

As the scholars say, ‘the gospel produces godly character and noble conduct in its converts.’ Now that’s something many of us ought to look at in our own lives. Do we show forth a sincere godly character and noble conduct, thus bringing forth worthwhile fruit on behalf of Christ? Many of us Christians don’t. And we need to know how very important those aspects of our lives are, for though we might preach the word, it’s our personal behaviour by which we’re mostly judged; to see if it aligns with what we preach. And unfortunately, many of us are like the hypocrite Pharisees; we talk the word but don’t practice it.

Anyway, Bruh Paul was glad to hear that they were progressing faithfully in their walk with Christ, and continually prayed that they might know God’s will for their lives ‘in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.’ And that, according to the scholars, is ‘an accurate perception into the true nature of all things, and the skillful application of this wisdom in practical situations.’

Again, Bruh Paul desires that they walk worthy of the Lord, bringing forth good fruit in all their endeavours, being productive in Christian service, continually coming to know the Lord better, while becoming spiritually stronger and stronger, and being strong and steadfast, persevering in their trials and tribulations, as well as longsuffering; bearing with the offences of others, but nonetheless still giving thanks and praise to God despite their troubles.

Now, that’s a simple rendition of what our Christian lives ought to be about, and therefore our prayers should be based on those basics, both for ourselves and others, so that we can walk worthy of our wonderful God and Saviour Jesus Christ. And I pray that we’d all review our faith walk in Christ and pray that it will become better. This lazy-day Saturday, the last in June, is ideal for doing that! (smile) Much LOVE!

…too many Christians are plagued by…the vast difference between their talk and their walk…

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