11 Jul 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a discipline always costs, a listening ear, A Quiet Tongue, action calls for sacrifice, be slow to speak, be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, beloved of God, deceiving your own selves, God works in mysterious ways, hurry, I break into conversation, I cringed, I talk more than I listen, in god's eyes, it's best to listen much, let every man be swift to hear, listening is a discipline, LOVE, my beloved brethren, my enlightened insight, my guilty heart, One Year Book of Bible promises, Ruth Harms Calkin, share His love with my neighbours, slow to wrath, social media revolution, solve the predicament, speak little and not become angry, talk is ever so cheap, talking a mile a minute, the perfect law of liberty, the wrath of man, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, words of eternal wisdom, worketh not the righteousness of God, worry
James 1:19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
And it’s a fine, sunny Tuesday in the month of July, the height of the summer season! And the weather has been behaving like it’s truly summer for the last few days; hot, humid and muggy, with the occasional sprinkle of heavenly blessings to either cool it down, or increase the humidity, your choice. (smile)
And I’m chuckling here, because our God is indeed a great God who does work in mysterious ways. A while ago I was wondering what to write on today and decided to check our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin to see if I could find a good topic. And lo, and behold, the second place I opened it to, this marvellous topic opened unto me. It’s simply, but ever so appropriately titled, ‘A Quiet Tongue.’
Don’t know if I’ve ever shared it before, but even if I have, it’s certainly worth sharing again, for our world is desperately in need of more quiet tongues than we currently have. The uproar of voices today, and many of them angry voices, surely seems like the whole world is talking together at the same time, talking a mile a minute on things most of us have no real clue about.
The social media revolution has birthed an incredible amount of talk and opinions that are leading so many of us astray, especially the young, soft minded, easily led folks of this entitled generation. And with everyone talking at the same time, it obviously means that very few of us are listening. But anyway, enough of my rant, (smile) let’s read the poem and see if it can help us keep a quieter tongue.
Please read with me: ‘Lord, a revealing fact Began to surface today: I talk more than I listen. I seem to be thoroughly convinced That my ideas My inspiring experiences My bits of wisdom Are exactly what all my friends need. Too often I break into conversations Confident that my enlightened insight Will solve the predicament – Whatever it is. Obviously, I feel more comfortable When I’m expounding. But this morning at a Bible study I cringed when I read Your command In the first chapter of James.
“Don’t ever forget That it’s best to listen much Speak little, and not become angry.” At first I wanted to run. But as the words kept battering away At my guilty heart I finally circled them with red ink. Now, Lord, please help me to obey them. Remind me daily, hourly That listening is a discipline And a discipline always costs. I know I must pay a price The price for me Is a listening ear And a quiet tongue.’
Oh my people, that poem ought to be shouted from the rooftops, television sets, radios, all social media, and wherever people gather, so that we can see, understand and learn to stop talking as much as we do, and learn to listen more, because we can learn much more by listening than talking! And most of us would already have surmised that the Bible Promise for the poem comes from the age old, but very wise words of James, when he warned, two thousand years ago. ‘Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:’ (James 1:19)
Wow! What words of eternal wisdom! But are we listening to them today? Obviously not! Because words are being irresponsibly spouted more than at any other time in our long and irresponsible history! And the revolution of social media is not helping, but unfortunately allowing them to be spread more easily and widely than ever before. Now here’s a word from the scholars on the verse from James above. ‘This is a key verse because it expresses three topics that James develops later: hearing, verses 19-27; speaking, chap. 3:1-12; and wrath 4:1-12.’
Now those might be some excellent scriptures for us to spend some time reading and meditating upon in the near future. (smile) For now though, let’s deal with what comes next in James; the matter of hearing and doing. He continues: ‘For the wrath of man worketh not (does not produce) the righteousness of God… But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.’ (James 1:20, 22)
Now that’s another good reminder for many of us, because in our great bursts of speech, like the Pharisees of long ago, we often speak the word, but very seldom do it, seldom put it into action. And we can’t dispute that fact because if we believers were more astute and responsible in doing the word, we are so quick to speak, our world would not be in the dire straits it’s currently in.
And I like how James goes on to expound on our problem. ‘For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror): For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (what he does).’ (James 1:23-25)
Oh my brethren, unfortunately, many of us are ever so guilty of James’ censure. We see ourselves in the mirror then walk away and completely forget who we are, and what we ought to be about in Christ’s kingdom. And as per the ‘perfect law of liberty,’ the scholars tell us it ‘probably refers to the teachings of Christ and His apostles. This law is perfect, since Christ brought to completion the work of the Mosaic Law (cf. Matt. 5:17-20; Rom. 10:4). It is a law of liberty because it frees from the principles of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2-3; Gal. 5:1, 13) James also describes it as the royal law (2:8) for it is the law of the messianic King (cf. Gal. 6:2).’
Ah mih people, I am seriously and sincerely suggesting you take a couple of minutes and look up those scriptures referenced by the scholars. I just did, and believe me, they are interesting and very enlightening on the subjects referred to. But enough for today, we’ll continue on this topic tomorrow, if God spares life obviously. (smile) Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry 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!’
And having declared (yesss!!!) that, let’s now go out and put it into practice, be doers of the word, 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!
…talk is ever so cheap…but action calls for sacrifice…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
13 Jun 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: bid a fond farewell, buy a bed but not sleep, buy a book but not knowledge, buy a clck but not time, buy ahouse but not a home, buy blood but not life, buy medicine but health, buy sex but not love, drown men in destruction, erred from the faith, faith, fall into te, fall into temptation, feeding on the most vulnerable, fight the good fight of faith, follow after righteousness, give it all to God, godliness, have a good godly attitude, haven't learned how to use money, hurry, hurtful lusts, I am the beloved of god, in god's eyes, lay hold on eternal life, LOVE, man comes with nothing and leaves with nothing, meekness, money causes pain and suffering, money is a tool, money isn't everything, O man of God flee these things, pateince, pierced themselves through with many sorrows, scam artists, share His love with my neighbours, the gospel truth, the love of money is the root of all evil, the road to Success, they that will be rich, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, which some coveted after, worry
1 Timothy 6:10a. For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds) of evil:
So we’ve said a fond farewell to Monday and bid Tuesday welcome, wondering what it has in store for us in these very unprecedented and uncertain times. Some of whatever it has in store for us we can do nothing about, while some we can change, but what we utterly need to have is a good, godly attitude about it all. That’s the only way we will handle it in a purposeful and successful manner…in other words, give it all to God!
But here’s an interesting poem. on a very important matter, that I also found on that yellow piece of paper where I discovered that profound reading about the Road to Success that I recently shared. Please listen closely because it’s of the utmost importance and can make a whole lotta difference in our lives, if we accept and follow what it says.
There’s no title. It just says: ‘It can buy a House, But not a Home. It can buy a Bed, But not Sleep. It can buy a Clock, But not Time. It can buy you a Book, But not Knowledge. It can buy you a Position, But not Respect. It can buy you Medicine, But not Health. It can buy you Blood, But not Life. It can buy you Sex, But not LOVE. So you see, MONEY isn’t EVERYTHING. And it often causes PAIN and SUFFERING. I tell you this because I am your Friend, and as your Friend, I want to take away your pain and suffering…So send me all your money. And I will suffer for you. Cash is fine.’
Now I do hope that we paid close attention to all that it says, because it’s the gospel truth. Including the part that says send me all your money and I will suffer for you. That’s the wonderful friend I can be. (smile) But unfortunately, that’s what a lot of people, scam artists and fraudsters are doing in great numbers these days, especially feeding on the poor, sick and elderly. It has become so rampant that it has spawned an industry unto itself. What a terrible shame that we can be so despicable and uncaring to those who are the most vulnerable.
Money is great, and it’s a very useful and necessary tool in our society, but that’s just what it is supposed to be, a tool, not the god that so many of us bow down to and worship, kill ourselves to get…sometimes literally too. And you see the worldly things it can buy you, but the godly things it can never get you. A House but not a Home. A Bed, but not Sleep. A Clock, but not Time, A Book but not Knowledge. A Position, but not Respect. Medicine but not Health. Blood but not Life. Sex, but not LOVE!
Yes friends, money is a worldly necessity, but the real good and important things in life cannot be bought, they have to be earned in a true and godly manner. And yuh better believe too that a whole lot of the pain and suffering in our world can be traced directly back to money; the lack of it, the great desire for it, in other words, greed, and to those who have too much of it for their own good and either use it frivolously or for their own selfish purposes, and don’t share it with the many that don’t have enough.
And by the way, the date at the bottom of that poem is 5/11/01. That means it’s not a new poem, but has been around for a long time now, but we still haven’t learned how to use money successfully. And the Good Library does have quite a few things to say about money and its usefulness or lack thereof. So let’s check out a few of those wise biblical truths nuh. And I guess the best known one is that from Bruh Paul to Timothy, where he lectures him thus.
‘But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment (clothing…life’s basic necessities) let us be therewith content. But they that will be (whose ambition is to be) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful (harmful) lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (ruin and destruction). For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds) of evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Tim. 6:6-10)
And all of that is the indisputable truth my people! The LOVE of money has driven so many of us to do so many foolish, wrong and ungodly things, that eventually bring us to ruin and destruction. And it’s a picture we see and hear about in the news every single day. Some poor, greedy, or ill-advised soul dying either literally or metaphorically because they unwisely chased down money. And there’s nothing wrong with making money, but it must not be our sole purpose in life. It ought to be a means to an end, like making a better life for our families, or sharing with others. Money is no good unless it’s used for good and useful purposes.
And instead of running down money, these things that Bruh Paul told Timothy about, they should be the most important things in our lives. ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things (that come from the LOVE of money); and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed (confessed) a good profession (confession) before many witnesses.’ (1 Tim. 6:11-12)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s where our focus should lie, in the things of God, not the material wealth of the world, which we cannot take with us when we die. So why focus on those things eh? And the scholars wisely tell us: ‘Man enters the world at birth possessing nothing, in order to teach him that he will exit the world in the same manner – taking nothing with him. This is a divine means of showing man that since material wealth is relatively insignificant, he should pursue the important things mentioned in verse 11.’
Now there are some words of wonderful wisdom, which we ought to take to heart my friends. Let’s stop running down money and the material things it can allow us to buy, and instead focus on the things that we cannot buy, but which are even more important in making a good life on this crazy and ungodly earth. And since we’ve run on longer than we expected, we’ll leave the rest of the biblical stuff on money for tomorrow, obviously if God spares life. (smile)
Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry 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!’
And having declared that (yesss!!!) let’s now go out and share that amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE him like we do. Much LOVE!
…money, money, money…too much of it is no good…neither is too little…but sadly, few of us ever achieve a good balance…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
30 May 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: addicted to good weather, an hypocrite will not come before him, and not receive evil, be secure in our faith, belief, comforts us in our troubles, curse God and die, feared God and eschewed evil, God is a place of refuge, God will work all things out for our good, He also shall be my salvation, hope, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I will maintain mine own ways before him, in god's eyes, Job was perfect and upright, Lead me in thy truth, live a successful life in Christ, LOVE, our bounden duty, shall we receive good at the hand of God, share His love with my neighbours, shew me thy ways O Lord, the enemy playing with our minds, the God of All Comfort, Though he slay me, trust, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, why God allows bad things to happen to good folks, worry
Job 13:15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust him: but I will maintain (defend) mine own ways before him.
Then it was Tuesday – more sunshine and warm weather. And if we’re not careful, we might just get addicted to such beautiful weather yes! But let’s remember, like Job said to his wife, when she wanted him to curse God and die after the terrible losses they suffered: ‘What, shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept calamity)?’ (Job 2:10)
Now that’s something many of us are guilty of; we jump for joy and praise God to the high heavens when we receive good things, but when the opposite happens, we are totally distressed and ready to make all sorts of disparaging comments about Him; wondering where He is, what kind of God He is to allow such calamitous things to happen to such righteous folks.
But God never promised that there’d be no hiccups, or disasters or distressing circumstances in our lives just because we believe in Jesus. A lot of us get the wrong idea, that belief in Jesus and all the talk of salvation, abundant and eternal life means easy street for the rest of our lives, with no problems. However, what God promised was to work all things out for our eventual good, if we hold on to our belief in His Son Jesus and do His will. (Rom. 8:28) That’s a horse of an entirely different colour.
Our world is full of evil things, people and circumstances, and therefore, at some time or other some unfair, unwarranted, unexpected, unfortunate, undeserved stuff is going to happen to us. And the big difference between us believers and the unbelievers is that when unfortunate things happen to us, we have Jesus to turn to for help and comfort.
Remember as Bruh Paul said to the church at Corinth: ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves were comforted of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
Now that’s a very important scripture for to us to bury deep in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls and not be afraid to use whenever needed. Who do you think comforted Job in his distress? It wasn’t his wife, his family or his friends, who came and taunted him about the sins they thought he’d committed for such calamity to befall him. But the Bible tells us that: ‘There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect (blameless) and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed (shunned) evil.’ (Job 1:1)
So Job obviously was no big time sinner like some of us, and his friends and family must have known that, but they had the mindset set that many of us still have, that tough times only befall you when you commit some sin or the other and God is therefore punishing you for it. But that is the furthest thing from the truth. God does meet out punishment for wrongdoing in His own way and time, but not every mishap that occurs to us means it’s because of sin.
And like Job, if we know that we have not committed any terrible sin, why should we think that God is punishing us for it? That’s just the enemy playing with our minds, one of his many deceitful pranks, hoping we’d blame God for our misfortune and thus turn away from Him. But again, like Job, we need to be secure in our faith, and whatever happens, even when it doesn’t make sense, and we don’t understand it, don’t blame God, but surely turn to Him for comfort and solace, because He is the God of all comfort, and He can make things right.
That should be one of our strongest beliefs, if we hope to live a successful Christian life, for in this evil and ungodly world, we are constantly bombarded by all sorts of wrongdoings and hurtful circumstances, and if we don’t have a place of refuge to turn to, when those things happen, then we’re in big trouble. And the Lord God Almighty is the ONLY One who can address such hurts in a compassionate and caring manner.
Bruh David in his many trials and troubles said it thus in Psalm 25. ‘Unto thee. O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait (in faith) on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress (deal treacherously) without cause. Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation: on thee do I wait all the day.’ (Ps. 25:1-5)
Now that’s how we ought to be thinking my fellow believers! Take it to God in prayer and ask for divine help, rather than blame and abuse Him for causing our problems, like so many of us tend to do. Very few of us will ever undergo the trials and tribulations Bruh David went through, or commit the magnitude of sins that he committed, but he never wavered in his faith, because he knew who was on his side, the God of his forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And thus, he did not fear or worry, just kept taking all his problems to Him.
Likewise Job, in all his calamity, never once blamed it on God, though I’m sure he wondered why such misfortune had befallen him when he was trying his best to live right. And in the midst of all his problems and the castigation by his friends, his faith was strong enough that he could make these most memorable statements. ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust him: but I will maintain (defend) mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration (yesss!!!) with your ears.’ (Job 13:15-17)
Wow! What awesome words of faith my brethren! Do we have such faith? Not many of us do in these tough, ungodly and evil times, but that is exactly the measure of faith we need, if we intend to successfully navigate through this turbulent world. And for those of us who are sincerely trying to develop such amazing faith, let’s go home now declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
Altogether now: ‘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 that amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…without strong hope, trust and belief …strong faith is impossible…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
09 May 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: an unrinsed coffee cup, as the elect of God, continue to flog myself, even as Christ forgave you so also do ye, exhilarate the senses, forbearing one another, God demands patience, God's never late, hardship, he ahsll aslo be my salvation, holy people, humility, hurry, I am the beloved of god, if any man have a quarrel against any, immediate gratification, impatient with myself, in god's eyes, in you there is hope, kindness, live in love, longsuffering, LOVE, make allowances for each other's faults, need of patience, pateince is an acquired virtue, renew me in patience, robed my impatience, self-pity, share His love with my neighbours, sincerity and truth, speak to my heart, the passing of time, Though he slay me, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, worry, yet will I trust him
Colossians 3:13b. …if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Oh boy, is it possible for us to get two sunny days with temps in the mid-teens on two successive days in this spring season? I certainly hope so. And although we like the rain, but it’s intermittent character and the dark, cloudy, skies it brings, interspersed with a wimpy sun, doesn’t exactly exhilarate the senses (smile) And yes, although we do have Jesus who can alleviate our every mood swing, it’s still nice to have one strong situation or the other, not a li’l of this and a li’l of that.
Now to help us curb that dissatisfaction, here is a poem from our One Year Book of Bible Verses with writings By Ruth Harms Calkin, most appropriately titled ‘Need of Patience.’ (smile) So please read with me: ‘O God How pointedly You speak to my heart when You say “You have need of patience… Remorsefully I acknowledge Your truth For there is nothing I need more. I am so easily disturbed, Lord So many little things annoy me. Patience is simply not a virtue of mine. I’m impatient with our neighbour Who mows his lawn but once every six weeks. I’m impatient with our newsboy Every time he misses our front porch.
Yesterday a friend kept me waiting And I robed my impatience in self-pity. Shoes pushed under the bed An unrinsed coffee cup An overly detailed story Toys scattered on our lawn – How I murmur and fret. (Sometimes I explode.) I’m impatient with myself, Lord My foolish mistakes, my failures And often I’m impatient with You. I am like a petulant child Who insists on an answer – now. Yes, God, I have need of patience. But I will not be discouraged Nor will I continue to flog myself. Again, Your word speaks pointedly: “My God shall supply all your need…” The very need You know I have Is the very need You will supply. You will renew me in patience. In You there is hope!’
And that’s the indisputable truth friends! In our great and merciful, forgiving and LOVING God, there is indeed hope! There’s always hope to be found in Him, regardless of the circumstances. We just have to come to Him in all sincerity and truth! And do most of us ever need patience, especially in these times when our society demands immediate gratification? Yes, everything must be now for now, in this busy, stressful, fast food, hurried age, with almost instant communications and amazing amenities that lead us to think or believe we’re entitled to the easy life, and we want and expect it RIGHT NOW!
But that’s the furthest thing from the truth my people. In the world you might get away with those expectations and demands, but in God’s kingdom, His economy, you certainly won’t, because He demands patience of His followers, and is a stickler for us waiting on His perfect timing. And believe me, He’s NEVER late. Sometimes it might seem so, but in reality, He’s always on time! Now, He might cut it somewhat tight, but if you look through and consider all the times you’ve depended on Him, though you might have been stressed to the max, waiting, He’s always showed up just in time to alleviate or neutralize your problem.
And I can tell from personal experience that that is an acquired virtue. That last minute thing was something we always had difficulty with. We didn’t doubt that our problems would be solved, but the waiting to the last minute always got me exasperated with the Lord. And that’s the thing about patience in general, it doesn’t just happen overnight, it’s something that’s acquired over time, acquired by going through rough and tough situations and seeing them work out in your favour in the end. That’s the only way to build patience.
And sadly, I found that out the hard way, when in my naivety I asked the Lord to give me the patience of Job. Now, we all know the serious, debilitating, life-changing circumstances Job went through, despite his supposed righteousness. But he didn’t curse the Lord like his wife invited him to. (Job 2:9-10) No, though he obviously queried his unfortunate circumstances, he remained faithful, and the Lord eventually blessed Him with even more than he had before.
How many of us, given that terrible adversity, would have been able to say like Job did: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways (defend my ways) before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.’ (Job 13:15-16) Now those were indeed powerful words of faith in a time of unspeakable calamity. And not many, then or now, can muster it. But that’s the kind of faith and trust that our God expects, no, demands of us.
In all and every circumstance, be it good or disastrous, He wants us to have undying faith, to rely on His amazing grace and mercy, to know and understand His great LOVE for us, and that NOTHING, no NOTHING can ever tear us apart from Him! And the scriptures associated with our poem today, come from Bruh Paul’s missive to the Colossians. Let’s hear the New Living Translation found in the book first, then we’ll read the real thing from the King James version. (smile)
‘Since God chose you to be holy people whom he LOVES, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowances for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.’ (Col, 3:12-13 NLT) Now that’s the basic truth of the scripture, but it sounds somewhat banal and wimpy. (smile)
Now, here’s the real McCoy from the KJV. ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (tender mercies), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’ (Col. 3:12-13 KJV) Now doesn’t that sound more like real scripture, with more punch that the earlier translation. (smile) Obviously I am biased towards the King James Version, but the truth is some of the other translations either water down the scripture or make it wordier and more longwinded, which makes it even more difficult to understand.
Anyway, the long and short of the story is that as true believers we need to treat each other much better than we’re currently doing, with this verse being the crowning glory. ‘And above all these things put on charity (LOVE), which is the bond of perfectness.’ (Col. 3:14) And the scholars explain that here ‘LOVE is called the bond of perfectness, because it is the crowning grace completing the list of virtues required for perfectness or spiritual maturity. As a “bond” it binds all the other virtues together in harmony and unity.’ And so it does.
Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to live in LOVE, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one 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 having made that declaration (wow!!!) it’s now our bounden duty to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like do! Much LOVE!
… patience…only comes…through hardship and the passing of time…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
25 Apr 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all is vanity, all the rivers run into the sea, breedy, but the sea is not full, cast thy bread upon the waters, chains of slavery, Christ's sacrifice would be in vain, fear God and keep his commandments, free will, futility of futilities, give a portion to seven and also to eight, God shall bring every work into judgement, hurry, I am the beloved of god, in god's eyes, in the evening withhold not thy hand, in the morning sow thy seed, keep the hope and faith burning, licentious, LOVE, lovers of money rather than lovers of God, man needs to be involved in life's activities, nor the ear filled with hearing, our bounden duty, Praise the Lord, share His love with my neighbours, the earth abideth for ever, the eye is not satisfied with seeing, there is nothing new under the sun, this is the whole duty of man, thou knowest not whether shall prosper, trust God for the results, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, vanity of vanities, vengeful, warlike, what profit hath a man from all his labour, wise living today, with every secret thing, worry
Ecclesiastes 12:13. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
And on this glorious, sunshiny Tuesday morning in the last week of April 2023, I hope that all of us have given some thanks and praise to our heavenly Father for allowing us to breathe His breath of life and see His marvellous creation, Mother Earth, for another joyful day! And all God’s children said a loud, grateful and sincere ‘Praise the Lord, for His LOVING-kindness to the children of men!’
Yes friends, we need to be joyful, hopeful and living with great expectations, what with all the great promises and wonderful work the Father has done to illuminate our souls and spirits and bring us out of the evil darkness and sinful ways, to free us from the ghastly chains of slavery in which we had hitherto been bound. And if we don’t keep that hope, the faith and those expectations alive, burning and evolving, then life is simply not worth living! Christ’s sacrifice would have been all worthless, futile and in vain.
As Cousin Sol so eloquently expounds in the beginning of Ecclesiastes: ‘Vanity of vanities (futility of futilities), saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities (futility of futilities) all is vanity (futile).’ (Eccl. 1:2) Only a man in Cousin Sol’s position could have made such a flamboyant but true statement. That’s because of His wisdom, riches, and position as King of Israel, he had the time and opportunity to conduct experiments in living. And He continues by declaring (yesss!!!): ‘What profit hath a man of (from) all his labour which he taketh (toils, labours) under the sun?’ (Eccl. 1:3) Now that’s a very good question, one which many of us have asked down through the ages.
Then the Preacher postulates or reasons thus: ‘One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to (is eager for, panting for) his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again (return to go again). All things are full of labour (wearisome); man cannot utter (express) it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is nothing new under the sun.’ (Eccl. 1:4-8)
And yes friends, that last statement of Cousin Sol’s is technically true. There’s nothing new in man’s living on this earth. From the beginning of time, it’s been birth and death, with a short life span in between filled with pain, anguish, sickness, wars and rumours of wars. We may have conquered the earth and each other, but each generation that comes along does basically the same thing that last one did, though sometimes differently. And even with all the great amenities and inventions we now have, we’re still living the same way our forefathers lived; greedy, vengeful, unfaithful, deceitful, warlike, licentious and debauched, LOVERS of money, rather than LOVERS of God.
And somehow or other, I don’t believe that’s what the Lord envisioned for us when He created us. He expected us to come to Him for companionship and wisdom, to live in close association with Him, LOVING and worshipping Him; that He would be our Father, our God, and we His obedient people. But unfortunately, the free will that He so generously gave us, has led us terribly astray. Instead of us using it to come to Him, like He expected and desired, we used it, and are still using it to turn away from Him.
But in this section that is titled ‘Man does not know the Works of God,’ the Preacher offers some advice on how to live our lives. ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight ; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit (wind), nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper (which shall succeed), either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.’ (Eccl. 11:1-6)
Oh my fellow believers, some of that is indeed good advice. But here’s what the scholars have to say: ‘These verses contain a series of sayings about the uncertainty of human industry, and are held together by the fourfold occurrence of the expression thou knowest not. Although man cannot comprehend God’s work, nor predict success, he needs to be involved in life’s activities and trust God for the results.’ And that’s the gospel truth my people! We don’t understand the ways of God, and can’t successfully predict much of what will happen, but it is necessary for us to get involved in life, not sit around moaning our failures and tough circumstances.
And though life can be very tough at times, if we sincerely believe in God, we’ll know that there’s always a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; in other words, God will eventually make everything right if we do our best to live for Him in this earthly life. And yes, my fellow saints, in his experiment, Cousin Sol found life somewhat arduous and of no real purpose, or futile, but the most important aspect of His experiment is his conclusion. He says: ‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ (Eccl. 12:13-14)
And the scholars explain: ‘God has not answered every problem of life, but He has commanded man to live joyfully, responsibly, and wisely. Finally, the controlling factor of all life should be the fear of God, that is submission to God and His revelation (cf. Prov. 1:7). The certainty of divine judgement demands it.’ And that’s it in a nutshell friends. So, for those of us who are trying to live obediently to God, let’s go home now declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry 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 Christ’s amazing LOVE and friendship with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE
… there’s a day of judgement in the offing…that calls for wise living today…
P.S. Please note that I am the one who’s late and long…not the Lord. (smile) Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
04 Apr 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, All to Jesus I surrender, as the bright shining light, be like lighthouses, be made the righteousness of God in Him, but the will of the Father who sent me, faithful believers in Jesus, fighting to shed Jesus' awesome light, God hath made him to be sin for us, harmless and blameless, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I am the light of the world, I will ever love and trust you, in god's eyes, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, in your presence daily live, Jesus rises triumphantly from the grave, LOVE, not my will but thine, rejoice victoriously on Easter Sunday, share His love with my neighbours, that snineth more and more, the path of the just, to guarantee His promise of everlasting life, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, unto the perfect day, worry, Ye are the light of the world, ye shine as lights in the world
Matthew 5:14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
It’s a wet and cloudy Holy Tuesday morning, but like all good Christians, the sun is valiantly fighting to shine its light on this dark and evil world. Oh friends, I do hope we can all be numbered amongst that group of good and faithful believers in Christ Jesus who are desperately fighting to shed His awesome light, through our witness and discipleship, over this ungodly, resentful and selfish society in which we currently live.
Remember, that was one of His most ardent desires in His Sermon on the Mount, where He laid out His world-changing philosophy. He said, in no uncertain terms: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.’ (Matt. 5:14) And that’s what His faithful followers ought to be like, a city set on a hill, whose bright light is shining all around, for all to see. In other words, we are to be like lighthouses, shining for miles and miles around, giving light to all the human ships that are navigating the dark and evil waters of this ungodly human existence.
That brings us to the words of Cousin Sol, who, as the wisest man ever, had a word on every topic. (smile). He wisely opined on the topic of light: ‘But the path of the just is as the (bright) shining light, that shineth more and more (ever brighter) unto the perfect day.’ (Prov. 4:18)
Oh my people, that’s exactly how our light for Jesus ought to shine in this dark and evil world; brighter and brighter, especially in this Holy Week when we are about to celebrate one of our lowest days in Good Friday, when Jesus is crucified on the cross at Calvary to pay for our sins, though we will rejoice victoriously on Easter Sunday, when he rises triumphantly from the grave to guarantee His promise of everlasting life to all who believe in Him!
Wow mih bredrin! How awesome is our Jesus! What a prize fighter He is! No one, or nothing can stop His ever-rolling course to glory and His magnificent kingdom of the ages that He’s so faithfully promised to all who faithfully believe in Him!
And why does Jesus want us to be lights in this dark world? Because if we are His followers, then we ought to follow His example, and He categorically stated during His time here on earth: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) And if you believe in Jesus, then you will follow Him and be a light in this darkness that we’re living in, like He was a light for us when He came to earth to show us the true glory of God!
And as Bruh Paul concurs when he writes to the church at Philippi, re shining as lights in the world: ‘That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil. 2:15)
Yes my fellow believers, our witness for Christ ought to be shining and without fault. Now that doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes, because we are frail and fragile humans, and that’s a normal part of our nature, but when we give out for Jesus, there’ll be substance, sincere action to our words, meaning that people will see the good fruit that we bear, through the Holy Spirit of Christ.
For as Jesus continued in His sermon on the Mount: ‘Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand), and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your heavenly Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:15-16)
Oh friends, please note Jesus’ desire there was for us to glorify our heavenly Father, not Him, because that’s all He was about here on earth; listening to the Father and doing the Father’s will. As He said: ‘I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just (righteous), because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.’ (John 5:30)
Yes my people, we often forget that it was because of the Father’s desire to save His human creation that Jesus came to earth to suffer and be eventually crucified. That’s the high level of LOVE and obedience that He had towards the Father. And it could not be more ardently and stoically declared (awright!!!) than when Jesus was going through that tough time in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before His crucifixion, when His soul was sorrowful and His heart heavy, and He unsuccessfully sought a reprieve from the Father, but obediently concluded: ‘nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.’ (Luke 22: 39 b)
Oh, how I wish that our level of LOVE and obedience could be that high towards Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour, who so selflessly, altruistically and generously gave His sinless life to save our sinful ones. Please, please my fellow saints, let’s never forget these heartbreaking, but also joyful words that Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. ‘For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’ (2 Cor. 5:21)
And that was no easy burden to bear, but Jesus bore it stoically for our sakes, so let’s see if we can’t show Him some honour and glory for His selfless deeds on our behalf, by doing what He desires, being a bright and shining light in this dark world. Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that, let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry 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!’
And having made that declaration (yesss!!!) let’s go out now and indeed share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
… All to Jesus, I surrender…All to Thee I freely give…I will ever LOVE and trust You…In Your presence daily live…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
21 Mar 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: . bickering over petty matters, and glorify your Father in heaven, baptizing them in the name of the Father, be cast out, but of power love and a sound mind, can't live for Christ without salt and light, Christ's mission to save the world, church disunity, divide and conquer, doing God's will, evil doing, fear not, get back our salt and light, God has not given us a spirit of fear, good for nothing, good to be alive, Herculean task, holy spirit, hurry, in god's eyes, invaluable inroads, lead and guide us in all truth, Lenten season, Let your light so shine before men, light a candle and put it under a bushel, LOVE, make disciples of all nations, Satan's power on earth, send faith to answer it, share His love with my neighbours, the beloved of God, the salt lost it's savour (flavour), they may see your good works, trodden under foot of men, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, when fear comes a-calling, worry, Ye are the light of the world, ye are the salt of the earth
Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Oh my people, it’s so good to be alive on this bright and sunshiny Tuesday morning, despite the chill in the air! There’s something about the shining sun that awakens, or raises up good vibes in our souls and spirits. I guess it’s just the goodness of our great and generous God that comes to the forefront when we see the sun. (smile) That’s why we need to offer a few words of thanks and praise for His wonderful kindness to us, His undeserving children.
So please pray with me. ‘Lord, we give you thanks for allowing us to see another day on this earth, confused and ungodly as it might be. We ask for the grace and wisdom to allow your Holy Spirit to lead and guide us as we go about our daily tasks, doing your will and not ours. Help us to make a godly difference in our chaotic world. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.’
Yeh friends, do we ever need God’s grace and wisdom to be able to make a dent in the stranglehold that the enemy currently has on our world. I don’t know if evil and ungodliness has ever been so pervasive all over the globe as it now is. But it’s our job, as followers of Jesus to help turn that most undesirable situation around. And since evil is so prevalent, I know you’re wondering how we might accomplish such an apparently Herculean task.
Well, the first thing to realize is that we can’t change it completely or soon, because the power of Satan on earth here is enormous. But we can make valuable inroads into the evil doing both on a small individual scale as well as on a larger scale as the church of Christ. As the communal church we cannot do a whole lot until we are united and not separated and bickering over mostly petty matters.
And the enemy is using our disunity as a weapon against us, the usual divide and conquer routine. We are fighting amongst ourselves more than against the enemy, and if we spend our resources in internal struggle, then there won’t be much left to fight externally. Now, bringing the church back together is a huge task, which will take time and a lot of serious effort because it’s so divided. But we don’t have to wait for that to happen since individually we can also make a difference.
Yes friends, as individuals, we simply need to go about our business in our neighbourhoods in a godly manner, be the salt and light that Christ desires us to be. Let’s recall His words, so that they can remind us of our duty. As is His wont, He explained the situation quite simply and clearly, when He said: ‘Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost his savour (flavour), wherewith (by what) shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.’ (Matt. 5:13)
And sadly, my fellow believers, for whatever reason or reasons, many of us have indeed lost our salty flavour and are of absolutely no use whatsoever to God’s kingdom. We’ve lost the zeal and passion we once had for Christ, through fear, unfortunate personal situations, or just simple laziness and lack of interest. And men are indeed figuratively trodding us underfoot because of our lacklustre Christian witness. But let’s remember Bruh Paul’s immortal advice and assurance to Timothy. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7)
Now that ought to keep us grounded and rooted in the power of God. And if, or most likely, when fear does come calling, we send faith to answer it’s call. Jesus said it several times, ‘Fear not, Fear not!’ And He wrapped it up with these mighty words of reassurance. ‘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 I know that’s sound good in theory, but it’s not always easy to do in real life, but when we do encounter fear, then we need to go to God and ask for His help, not just sit around moping, and wallow in the mire of fear.
So, my fellow believers, it’s of the utmost importance that we regain our saltiness, regain that beautiful flavour we had for Christ, because He also said that ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14-16)
Unfortunately too my brethren, we seem to have also lost our light, so obviously we cannot shine for Christ. How sad it is that so many of Christ’s followers have lost both their salt and their light! What then is to become of Christ’s Great Commission eh? Where we are to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them all that Jesus taught us? (Matt. 28:19-20)
It’s obvious that we can’t do it if we’ve lost both our salty flavour and our bright shining Christian light. Consequently, Christ’s mission to save the world is not doing as well as it ought to, since we, His missionaries and ambassadors, agents and disciples are not doing the job we have signed up to do. That’s why the evil enemy has such vast power on the earth.
So today friends, I’m asking, pleading with us to get back our salt and light, so that we can do the work we pledged to do when we became Christians. That means replenishing, refreshing, renewing our acquaintance with our heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, then allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all truth. And there’s no better time for this awakening than in this season of Lent, the time our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness, fasting and praying, preparing for His earthly ministry. All heaven would be joyful if we sincerely renewed our commitment to Christ.
And for those of us who have already done that, let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one 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, let’s go out and action those statements, by sharing the LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…without salt and light…we cannot truly live for Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
21 Feb 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a strong and resolute spirit, a time of spiritual cleansing, a voluntary total abstinence from food, bounden duty, by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, dash thy foot against a stone, endured relentless temptation, fasting, forty days in the wilderness, get thee hence Satan, him only shalt thou serve, hunker down with the Good Library, hurry, I am the beloved of god, in god's eyes, in whom I am well pleased, it is written, Jesus was led up of the spirit, Lent, LOVE, man shall not live by bread alone, share His love with my neighbours, this is my beloved Son, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, to be tempted of the devil, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, use scripture to rebut Satan's temptations, weak and willing flesh, worry
Matthew 4:7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt (test) the Lord thy God.
And it’s a cloudy Tuesday morning after our Family Day holiday, with a winter storm on the horizon. But let’s hope that we used yesterday to rebuild the dying embers of the family unit that’s oh so important to the smooth, safe and steady running of our society, and not simply as a day to party hearty. But yuh better believe that a lot of hearty partying will going on in places like Brazil and T&T because today is the biggest, as well as the last day of the Carnival festival, and everybody will come out to play their biggest and best mas today. For come tomorrow that sacrificing, self-denying season of Lent begins.
And it never ceases to amaze and amuse me how one day we have no qualms about anything, anything goes, then next day, we so pious and holy and trying to be like Jesus as He spent forty days in the wilderness fasting and praying. Now, the sad thing is that I’ve been hearing that many people no longer even celebrate or recognize the Lenten season; every day is just like any other. What’s next eh?
At least with Lent in our spirits, we had some vestige of God still remaining, but when you remove that too, then there’s nothing at all. Oh, we do celebrate Easter and Christmas, but even those celebrations have become so commercialized and secular that many supposed believers don’t even pay much attention to the spiritual aspects, but like the unbelievers use them as simply another chance to get their jollies on.
And why is Lent so important to believers eh? Because it’s a time of spiritual cleansing of removing ourselves from all the frivolity and idolatry of the world. A lot of Lenten activity is based on fasting, but I believe the most important aspect is actually seeking God during those times of fasting. Fasting by itself means nothing. As one commentator on the Got questions.org website puts it: ‘Fasting is a practice found throughout Scripture. A fast in the Bible is usually a voluntary, total abstinence from food for a set time for the purpose of devoting oneself to seeking God. Fasting denies our flesh what it wants so that we can focus more clearly on strengthening our spirits.’
And therein lies the rub: just denying the flesh doesn’t automatically bring God closer. It has to be a conscious decision to turn to God during those times of turning away from fleshly pursuits. And there is no better example of that than Jesus, who, as soon as He was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, and He heard the voice from heaven saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,’ (Matt. 3:17) was immediately led away, by none other than the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast and be tempted by the devil.
The Bible tells us: ‘Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.’ (Matt. 4:1) Can you imagine that? One minute being feted as being a wonderful Son, then next sent to endure severe hunger and temptation. But there was good reason for Jesus’ fasting and temptations. It was preparing Him for his public ministry and all the tough times He would have to undergo while thus involved.
And I like how the Got questions.Org commentator explains it. He says: ‘During those forty days, when Jesus’ flesh was at its weakest, He endured relentless temptation from Satan. Satan offered Him alternatives to God’s plan, compromises that would satisfy His natural desires, and attacks upon His very identity as the Son of God (Matt.4:3). Jesus used the Word of God, not His own strength, to defeat those temptations and remain victorious over sin. He demonstrated for us that fasting can strengthen us spiritually when we use it to draw closer to God.’
Now that’s the basic benefit of fasting; giving up some of the flesh to help us draw closer to God. When there’s not a whole lot of fleshly stuff bothering us, then we can indeed get closer to our heavenly Father. And believe me it’s ever so important to do that on a regular basis. I’m not talking about just regular praying, but times when we get downright spiritual, so hungry for the things of God, that we just drop everything else and sincerely go searching for Him. That’s when we lay out our whole heart and soul before Him; empty ourselves and ask Him to cleanse, to rejuvenate us, to heal our brokenness, and give us new strength and faith to keep on keeping on in His holy will.
And there’s one very important thing to note about Jesus’s time of fasting and temptation. When the devil tempted Him, He quoted the scriptures in rebuttal. For example, when Satan commanded Him to make bread out of the stones, He simply replied: ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’ (Matt. 4:4) Now that scripture can be found in Deut. 4:3.
Then, when the devil took Him up to a pinnacle of the temple and told Him: ‘If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt (test) the Lord thy God.’ (Matt. 4:6-7) And that can be found in Deut. 6:16.
Now that’s the way we ought to counter the devil’s temptations, with cutting words of scripture, then He leaves us alone for a spell, but only for a spell, because once we’re alive, he’ll keep coming back with more temptations. He doesn’t give up, and neither should we.
Note what the Bible says after the devil took Jesus up on a high hill and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and promised them to him, if He would bow down and worship him. Jesus staunchly reprimanded him. ‘Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.’ (Matt. 4:10-11) And again that answer of Jesus can be found in either Deut. 6:13, or 10:20.
But friends, we cannot get rid of the devil for a spell with scripture unless we know the scriptures. That’s why it’s ever so important to read, meditate and learn them. And I believe that this Lenten season is an excellent time for us to hunker down with the Good Library and devour its monumental wisdom. It will do us more good than we can ever ask or imagine!
Now, for those of us who are sincerely on board with Jesus, let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one 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 it’s now our bounden duty to go out and do just that; share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…the weak and willing flesh…must be countered by a strong and resolute spirit…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
14 Feb 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bunch of ingrates, all these things shall be added unto you, all thy works shall praise thee, another economic celebration, as far as the east is from the west, for without me ye can do nothing, Happy Valentine's Day, he delivered them out of their distresses, he hath removed our transgressions, hearts set for God, his mercy endureth for ever, his tender mercies are over all his works, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I am the vine ye are the branches, in god's eyes, in Jesus all our fears are quelled, in Jesus all our hopes and dreams come alive, like a father pitieth his children, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, making a real difference to our world, O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, plenteous in mercy, revert to godly order and righteous state, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, share His love with my neighbours, slow to anger, speak of the glory of thy kingdom, surface fluff, the darkness and ignorance of Satan, the glorious majesty of his kingdom, the godly attribute of love, the Lord is good to all, the Lord is merciful and gracious, their soul fainted in them, they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, thy saints shall bless thee, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, understand our sorry plight, worry
John 15:5b. …for without me ye can do nothing.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
So, it’s another bright, sunshiny and fairly warm day, this Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, in the middle of February 2023. And though today is a day where we tout the godly attribute of LOVE, sadly our world is still on its roller coaster ride down to the depths of Hades, with disasters aplenty, both natural and manmade, with strife, anger, wars, rumours of wars and all the negative stuff that a fallen and godless world can dream up.
This day of supposed LOVE spreading has turned into another economic celebration. All the flowers, chocolates and the many other presents bought and given seem to be only surface fluff and doesn’t truly represent the LOVE of God. It’s very sad that the Lord’s greatest creation has a heart for His enemy and not for Him. Can you imagine the many wondrous things we could accomplish and the truly beautiful world we could be living in if our hearts were set for God rather than for Satan? And for some reason or other, possibly the darkness and ignorance that Satan’s trying to keep us in, we simply can’t seem to understand our sorry plight and get up and do something about it.
Oh, some of us do understand, that’s the body called the church of Christ. But even then, not enough of us are willing to get up and throw down the evil values of the enemy, so that our once beautiful world can regain some of its lost beauty. And that’s rather unfortunate, for if we believers, we supposed Christians, so-called followers of Christ, truly got up and made the noise and did the awesome things of which we are most certainly capable, especially with the Holy Spirit of Christ dwelling within us, then the enemy wouldn’t stand a chance, and our world would revert to some kind of godly order and righteous state.
But too many of us seem either afraid of the evil-doers, or are just too lethargic and lazy to care. We’re still seeking the material things of the world, rather than the righteousness of God’s kingdom. And once the materialism of the world invades our consciousness, we seem to lose the affinity we should be having towards God. Thus, it makes Jesus, our Lord and Saviour’s teaching of no account, where He strongly advises: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33)
Yes, friends, please remember that our God created the universe and all therein, and all of it still belongs to Him, it’s all under His control, and whatever you manage to get, all comes from Him. And with His omniscience, He knows what you need, before you even do, and will give it to you without the heartache and heartbreak of trying to earn them in your own strength. That’s the fatal mistake so many of us make; failing to realize that our God is a good God and only desires the best for us, for those who follow Him in all reverence, sincerity and truth.
What aspects of these bible verses don’t we comprehend eh? ‘The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.’ (Ps. 145:9-12)
Oh my fellow saints, are we doing those things: speaking highly of God’s goodness and mercy, the glory of His kingdom and His awesome power? Are we making known to the sons of men his mighty acts? Definitely not to the extent that we should! Not to the extent where it’s making a real difference to our world! Too many of us are afraid to even speak of Jesus in private, much less to acknowledge Him in public. So what do we expect from the unbelievers eh, but unbelief!
And what about these awesome words of encouragement from Psalm 107 eh? ‘O, Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary (desolate) way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING-KINDNESS), and for his wonderful works to the children of men.’ (Ps. 107:1-8)
Now that’s what we need to be doing so much more of: praising the Lord for His amazing and undeserved LOVING-KINDNESS towards a bunch of ingrates, so that the world can wake up and understand, appreciate and firmly believe in Him! And then there are these ever faithful, encouraging and moving words from Psalm 103.
‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS). He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS) toward them that fear (reverence) him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear (reverence) him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:8-14)
Unfortunately though, we beings created from the dust of the earth don’t seem to remember that. We arrogantly, pridefully and ever so foolishly behave like we are the creators. That’s what happens when you’re given free will and you accomplish a li’l something, wrongly thinking that you did it on your own. Please friends, let’s remember that we can do nothing on our own. Jesus stated that quite plainly when He said: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) What part of that don’t we supposed believers understand eh?
And let’s hope and pray that those scriptures we’ve read today will make a substantial difference in our lives, or simply wake us up to the sad reality of the situation our world is facing, and that we have the ability to make a godly and meaningful difference to it. Now for those of us who are sincerely doing our best to bring some good changes to our world, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all the 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 let’s go out and do exactly that: share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with those we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…in Jesus…all our fears are quelled…in Jesus…all our hopes and dreams come alive…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
07 Feb 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a celebration of Tuesday, a thief in the night, and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, are you ready for Jesus' return, as God for Christ's sake, be ye kind one to another, being joyful, bless the Lord oh my soul, can't do the wrong thing and expect the right result, crapaud smoke we pipe, cut out corrupt communication, don't be angry and sin, don't let the sun go down on your wrath, don't steal, eternal separation from God, forget not all his benefits, forgiving one another, foul and abusive language, hath forgiven you, have Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, hurry, in god's eyes, it is high time to awake out of sleep, let your words be edifying, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, put away lying, redeemeth thy life from destruction, satisfieth thy mouth with good things, share His love with my neighbours, speak truth, the beloved of God, the day is at hand, the Lord executes judgment and righteousness, the night is far spent, the third person of the Holy Trinity, thy youth is renewed like the eagle's, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, work honestly, worry, ye are sealed until the day of redemption
Ephesians 4:30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
And having embraced the potentiality of this new workweek with a celebration of Monday, let’s continue that joyful embrace with a celebration of Tuesday as well nuh! (smile) Oh friends, being joyful in our earthly lives, regardless of our circumstances, is ever so important, because that’s the ONLY way we’ll ever receive true victory over the enemy and his evil works and despicable cronies. And the only way to be mostly joyful is to have Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, with His Holy Spirit dwelling within us to lead and guide us in all righteousness.
But having said that, it is utterly essential that we obey the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit if we want to receive the many and majestic benefits it brings. We can’t obey when we feel like and don’t obey when we don’t. Total obedience is absolutely necessary ALL the time! Yes, like Bruh Paul said to the Ephesians: ‘And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.’ (Eph. 4:30)
And I guess the next question will be, how can we grieve the Holy Spirit? Easy, just like we grieve our friends and families when we do wrong. Remember, the Holy Spirit is not an ‘IT’ but a person, the third person of the Holy Trinity, so that means He has feelings just like us. And we grieve Him when we do wrong. As Bruh Paul points out earlier in his missive to the Ephesians, we must put away lying and speak truth. Don’t be angry and sin.
Don’t let the sun go down on our anger. That means don’t go to bed angry, else it will disturb our sleep and we will wake up angry. And when you’re angry, you don’t have the peace of God flowing though you. Likewise, don’t steal, work honestly, don’t use corrupt communication, that’s foul and abusive language. Let our words be edifying, that’s teachable, from which our hearers can learn valuable stuff. And all of that you can find in Eph. 4:25-29.
And we can sum it all up in this verse: ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.’ (Eph. 4:31) And by doing those ungodly things on a regular basis, is how we grieve the Holy Spirit. Then Bruh Paul explains the necessary conduct that should be manifested by a true believer in Christ. ‘And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ (Eph. 4:32)
Oh my fellow saints, ‘forgiven people, should be forgiving people!’ And it’s ever so important and necessary that we believers learn to live in peace, LOVE and forgiveness with each other, because that’s the ONLY WAY we will ever resist and then conquer the enemy! We can’t do that if we’re living in strife, conflict and evil doing, in other words exactly like the enemy does and desires for us to do. Remember, ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength.’ (Neh. 8:10)
That means only when we are good and godly do we possess the joyful strength of God, which flows into us through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s all quite simple friends. If we want the marvellous benefits that emanate from our merciful and great God, then we need to live the way that He’s set out in His will and His word. You can’t be disobedient and still expect to receive all His many benefits as pointed out by Bruh David in Psalm 103.
‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-KINDNESS and tender mercies. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed.’ (Ps. 103:2-6)
There you have it my brethren; some of the many good things that the Lord God Almighty, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob does for those who sincerely bow down and worship Him! It’s amazing though, that so many of us desire to have all those benefits but refuse to do what it takes to get them. It reminds me of one of Sister Joyce’s (Joyce Meyer) sayings: ‘You can’t keep doing the wrong thing and expect to get the right result.’ But that’s exactly what so many of us are indeed doing. We are bowing down to the idols of materialism and evil that control our world, but yet we expect to enjoy the benefits of God. It won’t happen my people!
And please, please, let’s remember that although God LOVES us unconditionally and is long-suffering, that doesn’t mean He will put up with our shenanigans forever. At some stage off the game, if we continue in our present mode of undiluted evil, He will get tired and react in wrath. And believe me, you don’t want to feel God’s wrath, for it’s as great as His LOVE!
Yuh see how many times, and how disastrously He punished the Israelites for their disobedience and unfaithfulness. Don’t think the same thing won’t happen to us eventually, unless we turn from our evil ways. And who knows if it’s not already happening, with all the many calamities and disasters that are currently bombarding our world, be they natural or manmade.
Oh my fellow believers, it’s as Bruh Paul says in Romans: ‘And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we (first) believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’ (Rom. 13:11-12)
Yes people, it’s certainly time for us to wake up from our slothful and evil ways and begin seriously living for Christ, for with each passing day, His return draws nearer, and if He comes and finds us wallowing in the mire of darkness, then crapaud smoke we pipe! And we certainly don’t want that, for it means eternal separation from God; the worst fate that can ever befall a human being. So please, let’s wake up and do what we need to do, and stop grieving the Holy Spirit nuh.
And for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that, let’s go home now declaring (wow!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the universe 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 time for us to actually go out and share that amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…Jesus is coming back unexpectedly…as a thief in the night…if He comes tonight…will you be ready…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
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