The Wisdom in doing God’s Will instead of Your Own, thus Experiencing God’s LOVE and not His Wrath!

27 Aug 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 August 2026   Proverbs 19:21.

Proverbs 19:21.        ‘There are many devices (plans) in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.’

Then it was Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, and many of us can only think about tomorrow, Friday, when it will all be over. But let’s not get carried away, for we still have to live through today, Thursday, before we can get to tomorrow Friday, and if you don’t handle the problems and challenges of today, you’ll have many more when you add tomorrow’s, for each day brings challenges and problems of its own.

Yes, I know we all want to get to Friday and the weekend as soon as possible, but trying to rush the situation will only bring more heartache than is necessary, for life is made to be played out in a steady continuum, not jumping from one place to the other. And if you’re in sync with the Lord’s will and purpose for your life, then it’s even more important to take your time and follow His lead. For whenever we deviate from His plan and do our own thing, we always end up losing out on something good He had in store for us.

Remember what Cousin Sol says in Proverbs? ‘There are many devices (plans) in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.’ (Prov. 19:21) Yes friends, all our plans can come to nought if the Lord so desires, because He is in absolute control of all we do or don’t do. That’s why there’s the saying, ‘man plans but God laughs.’ And it’s attested to several times in the Bible.

Cousin Sol alone says it twice more in Proverbs: ‘The preparations (plans) of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.’ (Prov. 16:1) Then later in that same chapter he declares: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov. 16:9) The verses show that that Lord is sovereign over a man’s normal thoughts and words, as well as his scheming and planning.

Meanwhile in Psalm 33 – Praise for God’s Goodness – the psalmist puts it thus: ‘Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices (plans) of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.’ (Ps. 33:8-11)

Oh my people, it could not be said any plainer than that! Whatever the Lord desires, it will be accomplished, and there’s nothing we can really do about it. He might allow us the free will to make fools of ourselves, but if and when He desires to pull us up, then we’ll be unable to stop Him, for the Lord has many ways of getting us to do His will. And I can tell you that from personal experience. (smile) When I tried to fight Him about writing the Bit, He made my life so miserable that in the end I had no choice but to say ‘yes Lord.’

So when we successfully go against the Lord’s will, let’s not pat ourselves on the back too quickly, because it’s the Lord who is allowing us to do our own will, for whatever purpose He has in mind. And Psalm 2, titled ‘God’s Son Shall Reign,’ gives us an interesting example of the Lord’s power over all. It says; ‘Why do the heathen rage (throng tumultuously or restlessly), and the people imagine (plot) a vain (worthless) thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed (Messiah, Christ), saying, Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex (distress) them in his sore (deep) displeasure).’ (Ps. 2:1-5)

Yes my brethren, the heathen will not be able to conquer the Lord’s Son, His Messiah, try as they might. That’s why the psalmist warns later on: ‘Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with  trembling. Kiss the Son (an act of homage and submission) lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.’ (Ps. 2:10-12) And that’s the gospel truth my fellow believers! It makes no sense whatsoever trying to fight Almighty God, the Creator and Controller of the universe and all therein. As the ole saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them.

And joining the army of the Lord’s Son, Jesus Christ is the wisest thing we can ever do. And when we do that, through the Lord’s amazing generosity, numerous undeserved blessings are bestowed upon us to help us do His earthly work. We call them our Thursday Blessings, so let’s declare them right now, so they can be activated, because a blessing is not a blessing until it’s spoken.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

And having made that declaration, we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do1 Much LOVE!

…why experience God’s terrible wrath…when you can experience His wonderful LOVE…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   8 April 2024 Psalm 128:4.

08 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 128:4.       Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

Ah friends, on this cloudy and somewhat apocalyptic Monday morning when we have to go out to labour, though we’d much prefer to look at the eclipse of the sun, let me first apologize for the Bit’s lateness yesterday. This time it was not my fault, but that of a persnickety computer. I had everything ready, but do you think I could access my contact information to send it. No way. Eventually, just as I was about to mash up the computer, (smile) I contacted my more computer literate young daughter, and she showed me a very simple way to do it. But in my annoyed state, that solution never occurred to me. 

Ah Lord, this computer directed age eh! The damage one small problem can cause is phenomenal. And problems always seem to occur at the most inopportune times. But that’s the way of this new world, and if you can’t beat them, then you might as well join them!  And that’s my gripe for today. (smile) Now, on a more serious note, we’ll look at a psalm that’s short and seems to be rather simple, but holds a lot of interesting and important weight. It’s Psalm 128 – titled ‘Fear the Lord.’ 

Please read with me: ‘Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.’ (Ps. 128:1) Now, doesn’t that resonate within us, and remind us of the beginning of at least two other psalms? The first one is that great psalm 119, which begins thus: ‘Blessed are the undefiled (blameless) in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with their whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.’ (Ps. 119:1-3) 

And the other psalm we remember is obviously the first one in the Psalter: ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (channels) of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’ (Ps. 1:1-3) 

Oh friends, it just seems that the man who sincerely reverences the Lord, keeps himself reasonably free from sin and from evil doers, and also meditates regularly on the Lord’s word is very blessed, much rewarded. Now that should not really surprise us because that’s exactly what the Lord told Joshua long ago, when He made him the ruler over the Israelites after the death of Moses. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall continually be in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8) 

No wonder so many of us supposed believers are not having prosperity and success, because we are not meditating regularly on the law of the Lord. So many of us don’t even read the Bible, much less spend time studying it. But from the very beginning that’s been the formula for prosperity and success. And I most definitely like how Psalm 128 states its case. When we reverence the Lord and walk in His law we are clothed in happiness. Read with me again: ‘For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands (the fruit of thy labour): happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.’ (Ps. 128:2) 

Now who doesn’t want that kind of life eh? We all do! But we’re obviously not doing what it requires for us to enjoy such a life, so we’re not experiencing it. And this next verse is surely enticing and to die for: (smile) ‘Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides (in the heart) of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.’ (Ps. 128:3) Wow! What wouldn’t we give to have that kind of prosperous and successful life eh! 

Well, all we have to do is what the psalmist then says: ‘Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.’ (Ps. 128:4-6) Now isn’t that a nice, short and compact but rather interesting and blessed psalm? Of course! It’s telling us that we can never be truly happy until we are totally serving the Lord. And if we do that, we’ll be blessed before, behind, and seven ways till Sunday! (smile) 

And we all want such a life. So please let’s get serious about the Lord and do what He says we should nuh…that is, if we truly want a blessed, successful and prosperous life. And to help us turn things around, let’s go to the throne of grace, seeking divine help for these times of desperate need. 

As one voice: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. 

So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Now let’s remember that prosperity begins with humility, sincere prayer and turning from our evil ways. Much LOVE!

…the formula for success…begins and ends…with the Bible…

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