12 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crying shame, a fool despises instruction, a fool's father has no joy, balance of dicipline and love, bashful suitor, bated breath, bitterness, blood red petals, burden, calamity, caress, claim of love, contentions, Cousin Sol, disappointment, discipline, fixation, foolish son, foolishness, gentle breezes, glad father, glorious summer, God inspired words, god moves in mysterious ways, God's Word, gospel truth, grief, grief of mother, he that accpets reproof is sensible, honey bee, indisputable truth, indulgence, invisible partner, irresistible charm, irritation, joy, LOVE, lustful, obedient to God's will, of life and love, parenting, poetic mood, prinicples of the Good Book, Proverbs, prudent, rearing children, ruin, Saturday, shame, skies of heavenly blue, songs of praise, stubborn, summer, the rod and reproof give wisdom, the rod of correction, train up a child, truth, undisciplined, ungodly, vibrant riddim, virgin-like, warm skin, wayward, wisdom, wise son, you can't plant peas and expect to reap corn
Proverbs 15:5. A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).
‘Saturday, oh glorious summer Saturday! Wherefore hast thou taken so long to come? I have been waiting with bated breath to see your bright sunshine, bathed in skies of heavenly blue;
To feel your cool and gentle breezes caress my warm skin, as they blow through the trees, and like an invisible partner, cause the leaves to dance to their vibrant riddim. Breezes that come from whence – no one knows; and whither they go – no one knows.
I’ve been longing to hear the birds sing their beautiful songs of praise to their Creator, as they sense your presence in the light that’s washing o’er the distant eastern horizon. Meanwhile, my soul is joyfully anticipating the tender and sensuous sight of the blood red petals of a rose opening up, virgin-like, to your irresistible charm, as the busy honey bee flitters around her, like a bashful suitor afraid to press his claim of LOVE!’
Oh Friends, even if I do say so myself, I like it! But they were God inspired words. I just didn’t have anything to write about and that’s where He led me. I guess He saw that my heart was in a poetic mood this morning and allowed me that small indulgence. Because I haven’t written anything like that, in that vein, for … for so long, that only the Lord alone knows.
Since He drafted me into writing the Bit, it seems like I’ve given up all other kinds of writing. Ah mih people, our great and wonderful God does move in mysterious ways yes! Now I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a writer, but definitely never envisioned myself writing the kind of scriptural stuff that the Lord has called me to do.
I’m trying my best to be obedient to His will, but I haven’t given up hope of writing other stuff, for as far as I’m concerned they can all co-exist. Let’s hope that is also a part of His plan, because I have so much other interesting – for want of a better word – worldly stuff of life and LOVE, just waiting to be published. It would be a crying shame to let all that go to waste.
However, the Lord is running the show, and I’m here valiantly trying to follow our Bit, not despising our heavenly Father’s instruction. (smile) ‘A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).
Oh my people, those words are filled with so much truth, it’s not funny! And the writer of most of Proverbs, Cousin Sol, who was reputed to be the wisest man ever, considered them so important that he reiterated them in different ways. Today we’re going to look at several scriptures, all within Proverbs, that deal with those sentiments.
Cousin Sol seems to have had a fixation on wisdom and foolishness because he devoted most of his writings in Proverbs to a comparison and contrast between the two. Listen up to these scriptures that corroborate our Bit.
He opens Proverbs 10 – the wise and foolish contrasted – with these words. ‘The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness (grief) of his mother.’ (Prov.10:1) No parent will doubt those words! Oh, and by the way, they don’t only pertain to sons, but also to daughters. (smile) I guess the correct word would be ‘child’ instead of ‘son.’
And later on in Proverbs 15, Cousin Sol declares: ‘A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.’ (Prov.15:20) But isn’t it strange how Sol keeps turning the negative aspect of the situation towards the mother? Doesn’t a wise son make a mother glad too? I would hate to think that I didn’t make my mother glad. (smile)
Anyway, in chapter 17 – Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts (cont’d) – Cousin Sol tells us that: ‘He that begetteth a fool (scoffer) doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool hath no joy.’ (Prov.17:21) That’s indisputable truth my fellow parents!
And a few verses later, he pipes up: ‘A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.’ (Prov.17:25) At last Sol seems to be including the father in the negative aspect of the situation. (smile)
But he doesn’t stop there. In chapter 19, more moral, ethical and spiritual precepts, he solemnly declares: ‘A foolish son is the calamity (ruin) of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping (an unending irritation).’ (Prov.19:13)
Oh, oh, I’ll leave that last statement alone, (smile), but remember Cousin Sol was a wise man, and he had oodles of wives, so he must know what he’s talking about ladies.
And the scholars, in their wisdom, tell us: ’19:13. The foolish son or the contentious wife ruins a man’s life and home.’
Truer words were never spoken Friends. Now don’t hunger for my head ladies, because that statement is gospel truth!
So Friends, I guess we’ll all agree that a wayward, stubborn child is a burden and a disappointment to their parents. But how do most of them get to be that way eh? They’re not all born that way, but a lot of it has to do with our parenting.
And Cousin Sol advises us on that topic: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6)
That means rearing a child on the principles of the Good Book with a proper balance of LOVE and discipline. But unfortunately most of the children today are not brought up that way, therefore we cannot expect anything other than the undisciplined, ungodly, lustful behaviour from them.
And we’ll close with one more verse that proves the point. ‘The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.’ (Prov.29:15)
Oh Friends, that’s why so many children are the way they are today; they’ve been left to their own devices too much, plus the rod of correction and reproof has not been used on them enough! End of story! Much LOVE!
…we can’t expect to raise wise, obedient children…when we’re not leading them along wise paths based on God’s Word…you can’t plant peas and expect to reap corn…
11 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, another week of work, awesome, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, breathed into his nostrils, cesspool, counsel of the heathen, Cousin Sol, creation, Creator, dust of the ground, failed societies, fear the Lord, fellow believers, fellowship, focus on Almighty God, fool's wisdom, foolish question, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, futility, generous help, God commanded and it stood fast, God created man in his own image, god created the heaven and earth, God directs his steps, God spake and it was done, God's thoughts and ways are higher than man's, godly living, going against god's will, if the Lord commands it not, in the beginning, indisputable truth, Jeremiah, Jesus Christ, jesus name, Lamentations, living soul, LOVE, magnanimous god, make man in our image, man plan's his way, man's power cannot rival God's, mortal man, nobody, omnipotent, Praise the Lord, refreshed, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, sing Hallelujah, sink into the mire, stand in awe of God, state of confusion, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the breath of life, the cesspool of ungodliness, the counsel fo the Lord shall stand, the Good Book, the Lord is sovereign, the Word of god, unequivocal answer, ungodliness, waste of time, weekend, who says and it comes to pass, wisdom, worldly invitations
Lamentations 3:37. Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
And then it was Friday… And all the working people joyfully shouted: ‘Yeahhh Friday! Friday at last! Oh how we LOVE you Friday! TGIF! Thank God it is Friday yes!’
Oh Friends, it sure is good to welcome Friday into our lives, but please remember it is just another day, one that the Lord laboured on to create, and we need to put the same energy and godly living into it, like any other day.
So to help us keep our focus on Almighty God, despite the fascinating worldly invitations of the upcoming weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my brethren, we need to keep in mind that the weekend is not merely for fun and frolic, but also for fellowship and rejuvenation, which will enable us to do a good job for the Lord in the upcoming week.
And today we have a most interesting Bit… Sorry, all of them are indeed interesting (smile) because they are taken from the Good Book; the Word of God.
Nonetheless, in his soulful Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah poses this most important question: ‘Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commanded it not?’
And the unequivocal answer to that foolish question is ‘NOBODY!’
Yes Friends, no mortal man can make anything come to pass if the Lord declares otherwise!
And we just have to look at the awesome Creation, to discover how awesome, how omnipotent is the power of our amazing and magnanimous God. And He’s very forthright in telling us that His thoughts and His ways are way way higher than ours (Is.55:8-9) So how can we expect to out do Him eh?
Now listen to the opening statement of the Good Book: ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen.1:1)
Oh my fellow believers, how could a mortal man ever top that eh, especially when it’s that same omnipotent Creator who created him?
‘And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.’ (Gen.1:26a, 27)
‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen.2:7)
So Friends, from those simple bits of scripture, it’s obvious, or ought to be obvious, that man’s power CANNOT ever rival God’s, and whatever God says, that’s the way it will be!
Hear how Cousin Sol in his God-given wisdom describes it. ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov.16:9)
As the scholars so refreshingly declare: ’16:9. The Lord is sovereign over man’s scheming and planning.’
And isn’t that the indisputable truth? It surely is!
Now listen to Cousin Sol again: ‘There are many devices (plans, schemes) in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.’ (Prov.19:21)
Yes my fellow believers, it’s a complete waste of time trying to put plans into place which God does not authenticate or desire to have come to pass. And I can testify to that from hard experience, like most of you also can.
And looking back through history, we can see all the failed societies and great pronouncements and plans of men that have not been successful because God was simply not in favour of them.
And our world is in its current state of confusion because we have not adhered to God’s plan, as outlined in the Good Book, but are foolishly trying to implement our own. And the more we try to do that, the further down we sink into the mire, the cesspool of ungodliness.
The psalmists’ of old wisely recognized the futility of going against God’s will. Hear how the author of Psalm 148 – All creation to praise the Lord – puts it. ‘Praise ye the Lord; (sing hallelujah): Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.’ (Ps.148:105)
And the writer of Psalm 33 – Praise to the Lord for His creation – declares 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 (nations, gentiles) to nought: he maketh the devices (plans, schemes) of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.’ (Ps.33:8-12)
Ah Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, what more do we need to convince us that if God does not desire something to come to pass, for whatever reason, it will not do so, regardless of all our puny mortal efforts?
So today, let’s be wise nuh, let’s try and bring all our plans into agreement with those of Almighty God nuh, for it is His dictates that will prevail anyway. Much LOVE!
…how can the created ever be greater than the Creator eh…that’s nothing but a fool’s wisdom…
08 Jul 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affliction, anything is possible, appreciation, bail out, bears all things, beautiful summer, behave like leggo-beasts, believes all things, Bruh Paul, Christian faith, Christian walk, christianity, Church of Christ, complain, conquer, cooped up, cross, discouraged, do good, dreadful winter months, dreary nights, endurance, endurance is a must, endure, endure to conquer, endure to the end, endures all things, ensnares us, enthusiasm, expectant faith, express need, faint not, faith, fear of winter, Galatians, gladness, go crazy, hallmark, Hebrews, hopes in all things, hostility, household of faith, hungry hope, in due season, indisputable truth, Jesus, joy, laughter, lay aside every weight, light, lightheartedness, long-suffering, looking unto Jesus, lose heart, LOVE, LOVE is of God, muggy, no root, offended, opportunity, optimism, parable of the sower, paramount, passion, patience, persecution, perseverance, persist, pilgrimage, power, practice what you preach, praise and honour God's glorious name, prevailing circumstances, reap, run with patience, shall be saved, shame, sin, souls, sprout forth, steadfast, steadfastness, stir crazy, stony ground, stumble, summer, summer weather, Thank You Lord, the race, the word's sake, thrilling rays of the sun, trials, tribulation, true believer, truth, venerable emotion, weary, welldoing, Winston Churchill, wisdom, witnesses, year round treat
Matthew 24:13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Summer, oh beautiful summer! What would we do without you eh? Hn! Possibly go more than stir crazy from being cooped up inside for so long. And I hear a lot of laughter coming from down south.
Yes you southerners, you can laugh because summer is a year round treat for you all. But we northerners do appreciate our summer, after those long, cold, winter days and nights cosseted in close quarters.
That’s why we go crazy, behave like leggo-beasts, when the summer time comes around and we experience the thrilling rays of a sun that shines not only bright, but also hot and heavy, and we can get outside in the heat, half naked – sometimes totally naked – (smile) and let loose all the passion and enthusiasm we’ve stored up during the dreadful winter months.
And so far we’ve had beautiful summer weather; not too hot, but hot enough, with decent winds to keep us comfortable, so that the days and nights aren’t too muggy and sweaty.
And all God’s people declared a loud and hearty cheer of ‘Thank you Lord for this delightful summer weather! We hope that it continues like this all summer long! And in grateful appreciation, we praise and honour your glorious name! Amen!’
But Friends, please remember that the summer has just begun, so everything and anything is still possible. But we’ve just got to hold on to our optimism with hungry hope and expectant faith, without thinking about what lies ahead after summer – winter, with its cold, lonely days and dark, dreary nights.
And now that I’ve put the fear of winter into us, (smile) let’s turn to the word from our almanac today that shouts at us: ‘ENDURE!’
Yes Friends, we need to endure those long, dark, lonely days and nights of winter, be they physical or emotional, so that we can eventually come into the light and lightheartedness of summer. Whatever we’re going through my people, whenever we go though it, ENDURANCE is a MUST!
For as the ensuing quote from the war days British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill (1874-1965) declares: ‘Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer.’
And that’s indisputable truth my brethren! You may not always conquer when you endure, but you’ll NEVER CONQUER, UNLESS YOU ENDURE!
And that goes for our Christian faith more than anything else in this whole wide world! Jesus clearly states the need for endurance in our Bit: ‘But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.’
Oh Friends, there are so many Scripture passages that call for the express need of endurance on our earthly pilgrimage, that I’m just going to quote a few of them. Let’s begin with something from the gospel of Mark, where Jesus is relating the parable of the sower.
‘And these (seeds) are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in them selves; and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction (tribulation) or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (caused to stumble).’ (Mark 4:16-17)
Yes my people, in God’s great universe, even seeds need to endure in the darkness of the earth for a time, until they are ready to sprout forth. And unfortunately, too many of us today are like those seeds that are sown on stony ground. As soon as any difficulties arise, we are quick to complain and bail out.
But my brethren, the hallmark of a true believer in Christ is in our strong power of endurance, our perseverance and steadfastness, regardless of our prevailing circumstances! That’s why Jesus also told the disciples: ‘In your patience (perseverance, long-suffering) possess ye your souls.’ (Luke 21:19)
Patience and perseverance are paramount in Christianity my people!
Meanwhile, in Bruh Paul’s famous chapter on LOVE, he boldly declares of that most venerable emotion: ‘(LOVE) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ (1 Cor.13:7)
Yeh Friends, true LOVE is of God, and it endures everything that’s thrown against it, and in doing so, also lasts forever!
We also know Bruh Paul’s memorable words to the Galatians on the subject: ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart). As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal.6:9-10)
And we’ll end with some more memorable words from Hebrews, re running our earthly race. ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (endurance, perseverance) the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb.12:1-3)
Ah mih people, standing strong and steadfast in faith, with patience, perseverance and endurance is of the utmost importance in our Christian walk!
So let’s take all we’ve heard this morning to heart and let it re-energize us nuh, help us to stand strong, bear all things, in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and thus persist, endure, and see our race of life through to the very end. That’s wisdom of and for the ages! Much LOVE!
…only as believers steadfastly endure their trials and tribulations…will the church of Christ grow…and more importantly…endure…
P.S. Oh Friends, the ole fella’s shaking it somewhat rough this morning, due to a pretty late night and the untimely acting up of my allergies. But I’m practicing what I preach…I’m enduring. (smile) Much LOVE!
26 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affection, animosity, be likeminded, Bruh Paul, Christ's ambassadors, Christ's Church, Christ's representatives, Christians, church unity, come up higher, conceit, consider our individual efforts, consolation, deference, dictates, dissension, disunity, effective action, emotions, encouragement, esteem each other, excellence, father of modern management, fear of God, fellowship of spirit, fulfill my joy, give thanks and praise, goals, harmony, in accord with God's wishes, in the fear of God, in the spirit of reflection, indisputable truth, Jesus Christ, joy, living in harmony, LOVE, lowliness of mind, motives of the world, mutual submission, negative things, of one mind, our best interest, partiality, Peter Drucker, Philippians, ponder, quiet reflection, reflect, relationships, resentment, reverence to God, seek to improve, selfish ambitions, sounding board, strife, submit yourselves to each other, sympathy, the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit, ungodly actions, united in spirit, vainglory, values, willy-nilly, worthy example
Ephesians 5:21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
And then it was Thursday – the day before Friday – the day before the weekend. Wow Friends, the weekend’s almost here! Give thanks and praise! (smile) Yes my people, we ought to always give thanks and praise, not only for stuff like the weekend, but for ALL things, be they good or bad!
As Bruh Paul so wisely advised the Ephesians: ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph.5:20) Yes mih breddren, thanks and praise are always in our best interest, no matter the situation!
And the word for today from my almanac (smile) is ‘REFLECT.’ The quote comes from Peter Drucker (1909-2005) He was the Austrian–born, American writer, professor and management consultant who set the management world afire in my days. He’s often referred to as ‘the Father of modern management.’ In my time, you couldn’t study management without reading Drucker. I must still have a book or two by him somewhere here on my shelf.
Anyway, the quote is: ‘From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.’
And that’s indisputable truth my brethren! For when we first sit and reflect on what’s happening in our lives and around us, instead of just jumping in willy-nilly to some situation, we do produce much more effective actions.
And today, I want us to consider our Bit in the spirit of reflection. ‘Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’
Yes my people, let’s ponder its meaning, then consider our individual efforts in doing what it advocates. Are we truly submitting ourselves to each other in reverence to God?
Or as the scholars describe it: ‘There is mutual submission, that is, showing deference to the wishes of one another, as long as that to which the believer submits is in the fear of God, which is to say, in accord with what pleases Him.’
Oh Friends, as true Christians, that’s how we ought to be living our lives. But unfortunately I don’t think we are doing that to any great extent. Instead we are allowing the dictates, emotions, ungodly actions and motives of the world to permeate our relationships. That’s why there is so much animosity, resentment, and all the other negative things to be found today in the body of Christ; His supposedly august church.
And that unity of effort is one thing Bruh Paul harps on, knowing its great importance. To the Philippians, he writes: ‘If there be therefore any consolation (encouragement) in Christ, if any comfort (consolation) of LOVE, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels (affection) and mercies (sympathy),
Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same LOVE, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.’ (Phil.1:1-4)
Yes that’s a mouthful, but here are some explanations from the scholars: ‘2:2-4. Fulfill ye my joy (or, “Make my joy complete”). Paul rejoiced over the Philippians (1:3), but his happiness was incomplete, owing to some disunity and lack of total harmony among them.
The Greek equates what, to Paul, constitutes “complete joy” with the readers being like-minded. This means “living in harmony” with one another. That is, the Philippians can “fulfill” the writer’s “joy” by living in harmony among themselves. But what does such harmonious living entail?
Beginning in verse 2 and continuing through verse 4, six participles spell out and clearly define what it means to “live in harmony”: (1) having the same LOVE toward one believer as shown toward another, without partiality; (2) being of one accord; that is, they are to be united in spirit; (3) of one mind; that is, the whole church is to have the same values and goals;
(4) let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; for selfish ambitions or conceit; (5) let each esteem other better than themselves; that is, each is to regard his fellow Christian as more important than himself; and (6) look…every man also on the things of others; that is, each is to be just as concerned for the needs and problems of his brother as he is for his own affairs.’
Yes my brethren, though Bruh Paul was generally happy with the Philippians, there was some disunity among them that displeased him. I hate to think what he would feel about the church today, for there is so much disunity and dissension, that it’s feeding on itself and every day creating more of the same.
Oh my fellow believers, Christians were meant to live in harmony, with Jesus Christ as our sounding board, as our most worthy example! Yuh see how the early Christians lived after the Holy Spirit was endowed on all believers! That’s how we ought to live!
Oh I know that we are only human and that the society is bigger and somewhat different, but even so, with the Holy Spirit of Christ dwelling within us, we ought, and can definitely come up much higher than we’re currently doing.
Remember Jesus’ motto is ‘Excellence in all things!’ And we’re definitely not being excellent in church unity and harmony.
So today my people, I’m pleading with us to try and do better, to come up higher, not only for our sakes and for those of our children, but more so for Jesus, since we are His representatives, His ambassadors here on earth, and we’re not doing such a great job in His name. Let’s sincerely seek to improve nuh. Much LOVE!
…oh…if there was even a tad more unity in Christ’s church…His LOVE Revolution would be much further along to completion…
01 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good hearty laugh is therapy for our minds and bodies, a time to dance, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, a time to weep, abundant life, Arnold Glasow, Blessed are ye that weep now, bringing in the sheaves, cause for joy laughter and celebration, Christmas, crapaud smoke we pipe, crying, dancing, depressing economic times, faith walk, fixing our affairs with Jesus, follow Christ, friends, functions of a believer, God shall wipe away all tears, gospel truth, I am come that they might have life, I make all things new, indisputable truth, Isaiah, Israel, Jesus, laughing, laughter cause a feeling of well being and joy, laughter costs nothing, Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects, laughter loosens all the cares and woes of the day, laughter makes trouble easier to bear, living fountains of water, LOVE, mourning, New Year's, no more death, no more hunger or thirst, no more sorrow, not backsliding, pain, positive attitude, rebirth, reconciliation, sighing and sorrow shall flee away, songs and everlasting joy and gladness, the faithful are called to courage, the former things are passed away, the Lamb, the ransomed of the Lord, the tabernacle of god is with men, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy, true and faithful words, we shall come rejoicing, weeping
Ecclesiastes 3:4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Oh Friends, can you believe it’s already the first of June? Wow! Half the year has already gone by, and it seems like it was just yesterday we celebrated Christmas and New Year’s, and it’s almost time to celebrate them again. Hn, Hn, Hn!
Yeh mih breddren, the days are quickly flying by, and thus we have no time to lose in getting our affairs with Jesus fixed right, since He can return at any time, and if we’re found wanting, then crapaud smoke we pipe. And we obviously don’t want that to happen, so please let’s get smart and get right with Him nuh mih people.
On a point of interest, not because I haven’t been on our case to see if and how we are adhering to our New Year’s resolution to follow Christ more completely, means that you shouldn’t review it yourself on a periodical basis. One of the functions of a believer is to police him or herself without outside pressure. Anyway, I’m going to take it for granted that we are indeed improving our faith walk. I refuse to believe that we could be backsliding! (smile)
And in light of all that, here’s a rather appropriate and interesting quote from Arnold Glasow (1905-1998), an American author and humorist. Arnold says that: ‘Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.’ And that’s quite true – except for the stitches in your side and the tears you shed when you laugh too much.
And to back up Arnold’s theory, here are some thoughts from my One More Day Daily Devotional for People with Chronic Illness. ‘Unlike medicine, laughter costs us nothing, and can be partaken of as often as we see fit… A good, hearty laugh is therapy for our minds and bodies. Mirthful laughter can cause a remarkable feeling of well-being and joy. Laughter loosens all the cares and woes of the day and makes them somehow easier to bear.’
And all of that Friends in indisputable truth! But unfortunately laughter has become less prevalent in our current society, than it was just a few years ago. Today we’re all so busy, concerned and anxious about our lives and livelihood, especially with the depressing economic times, that we find it difficult to laugh much and make laughter a treasured part of our lives.
But Friends, as the Preacher tells us in our Bit, there is ‘A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.’
However, it seems like we’re doing way too much weeping and mourning, when we should be instead laughing and dancing. Oh Friends, weeping and mourning very seldom help the situation. They don’t ease our troubles and woes. But laughter and dancing do. They might not solve our problems, but they surely do make us feel better, bring a more positive attitude to our perception, which in turn helps us to better solve those same problems.
And Jesus did tell us in the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.’ (Luke 6:21b)
Likewise, Isaiah, in talking about Israel’s eventual return to Zion declared: ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return to Zion with songs and everlasting joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ (Is.35:10) Now Isaiah felt that verse so keenly that he reiterated it in chapter 51:11, when he talks about the faithful are called to courage.
And that’s another bit of gospel truth there Friends. To be truly faithful to serving and worshipping Jesus, we need to be very courageous, for walking with Him causes all sorts of stuff to come out of the woodwork at us.
But the psalmist greatly reassures us by steadfastly proclaiming: ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth (to and fro) and weepeth, bearing precious seed (a bag of seed for sowing), shall doubtless come again with rejoicing (shouts of joy), bringing his sheaves with him.’ (Ps.126:5-6)
Oh my fellow believers, that brings to mind the joyful hymn that says: ‘Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves. We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves!’
It’s obvious my people that Jesus wants us to have a good, pleasant and happy life overall. That’s why He came and died for us.’I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10b) And having abundant life certainly doesn’t mean more weeping and mourning and sorrow and tears, than dancing and laughing and joy.
And we’ll end with two very important scripture passages that uphold that theory. This deals with the numberless multitude when Jesus ascends His throne. ‘They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on (strike) them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed (shepherd) them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears (every tear) from their eyes.’ (Rev.7:16-17)
And if you didn’t believe those verses, (smile) then try these: ‘And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev.21:3-5)
Oh my people, my people, yuh see what a wonderful future we have to look forward to! So please, let’s stop with all the sorrow and mourning nuh, and get some more joy and laughter into us, for that’s why Jesus came to earth and sacrificed His sinless life: so that we could enjoy a rebirth, a reconciliation with the Father. Hn! And if that isn’t great cause for joy and laughter and celebration, then I don’t know what is! Much LOVE!
…laughing openly and spontaneously…will always make me feel better… (From One More Day Devotional for People with Chronic Illness).
23 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: advice, blessings, bolstering our spirits, caveat, chastised, Christians, common sense, Cousin Sol, cracked the whip, crux of the problem, destruction, fellowship, forgiveness, forsook the counsel, Friday chant, friends, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Glory Hallelujah! the weekend, good judgement, gospel truth, Guide, heavy yoke, in the multitude of counsellors there is safety, indisputable truth, Jesus Christ, long and short of the story, LOVE, man's inhumanity to man, mercies, mercy, moaning, mourning, multitude, new-found power, oppressed, patience, peers, plans go awry, poor judgement, Praise the Lord, pray in Jesus' Name, Proverbs, rebelled, Rehoboam, relaxation, rest, scorpions, servant, slaving for massa, speak good words, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Good Book, the way of a fool, undeniable wisdom, valuable lesson, wealth, where no cousnsel is the people fall, wisdom, wonderful god, work shall cease
Proverbs 11:14. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
And finally it was Friday… Glory Hallelujah! At long last the big day – the harbinger of the weekend is here! And all work shall cease, and the people shall rest their weary souls and bodies from slaving for massa!
And a loud cheer went up from the workers: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
Yes Friends, let’s thank our great and wonderful God that it’s not only Friday, but a new day! A new day of life has been granted to us here on planet earth, where His blessings, mercies and forgiveness will pour down on us, as He so generously does, each and every day!
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Now to continue bolstering our spirits this Friday morning, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much sincerity. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my people, please let that be our guide for handling the weekend, for those two simple days off are very important in the general scope of our lives. How we handle them will dictate and determine what our new workweek will generally be like. So if you want to have a good workweek, you have to begin with a good weekend. End of sermon! (smile)
Now let’s see what our Bit has to say. ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.’
What undeniable wisdom Friends! For as the scholars tell us: ’11:14. The wise man gets advice from many people of good judgement before making a decision.’
However my brethren, there is one caveat, or rather two caveats to that statement, as well as our Bit. The first thing to beware of is advice from ‘many people.’
The problem there is that advice from too many people tends to be overwhelming, sluggish and all over the place. Sometimes it’s also incomprehensible, simply because of the number of voices giving advice.
So we need to winnow, to scale down the number of our advisers to a select few; a handful, or not much more, so we won’t have too many voices and opinions ringing in our ears.
And the second, but even more important thing to be very careful of, is that we recruit people of ‘good judgement’ to give us advice. That’s the crux of the problem right there Friends! Too often we end up with people of poor judgement, even though they may be Christians.
Remember, not because someone claims to be a Christian that they possess sound judgement. Now it’s always desirous, or preferable to get advice from Christians with good sense, but the good judgement aspect is more important than the Christian part.
And we see the perfect example of this in the Good Book, in 1 Kings 12. At that time Cousin Sol’s son, Rehoboam was made king of Israel and the people came to plead with him for mercy, because Cousin Sol had laid a heavy yoke on them, in order to support his vast enterprises.
Unfortunately though, Rehoboam listened to the group of his peers, the young men, rather than the group of older and wiser men.
The latter advised patience and mercy: ‘And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him. And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
And the young men that were grown up with him, spake unto him saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
And whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’ (1 Kin.12:7-11)
And the scholars give us this info: ’12:11. Scorpions means the multi-tailed whips to which barbed points or hooks were attached. Their sting was as severe as that of a scorpion.’
Ah Lord eh! Man’s inhumanity to man is surely a great instrument of moaning and mourning!
The long and short of the story though Friends, is that Rehoboam cracked the whip even harder than his father did, because of advice from people with poor judgement. And their advice was bad, not necessarily because they were young, because the young can be wise and the aged unwise.
But obviously they were revelling in their youth, their wealth and new-found power. And believe me Friends, those latter two things, wealth and power can work very negatively in the hands of the young, can cause them to bring destruction on themselves and those they rule or advise.
And what happens eventually? Like it always does when people are oppressed beyond measure. Israel rebelled, overthrew Rehoboam and replaced him with Jeroboam. Rehoboam lost it all because of a lack of common sense and mercy on his and his young advisers part.
So my brethren, I surely hope that this teaches us a valuable lesson. For as Cousin Sol declares later on in Proverbs: ‘Without counsel purposes are disappointed (plans go awry): but in the multitude of counselors they are established.’ (Prov.15:22)
It’s indisputable truth! But again my people, please beware of that word ‘multitude,’ and make sure that your advisers are people, preferably Christians, of sound judgement. That’s wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…the way of a fool is right in his own eyes…but he that hearkeneth to counsel…is wise… (Prov.12:15)
05 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, awesome power of prayer, blessings, breadwinner, Bruh David, call on the Lord, Christian, Christian bloom, chronic illness, confidence, confidence in God, Creator of the universe, distress, do our best for Jesus, effectiveness of prayer, efficacy, Elise Maclay, enthusiasm, excellence, fervent prayer, friends, further God's glorious kingdom, Gath, gospel truth, heavenly Father, holy spirit, if God is for us who can be against us, indisputable truth, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, knock your socks off, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my enemies shall turn back, Oh Lord God Almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, people of faith, Philistines, pray for one another, prayer, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, righteous man, righteousness., salvation, Saul, serve a useful purpose, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, thanksgiving, the Word of god, trust, trust in God, truth, ungodly world, weary souls, when I cry unto the Lord, wicked taunts, wisdom, worthwhile inroads
Psalm 56:9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day – Monday! And much to my surprise, there wasn’t as much hissing and sour invective thrown my way. And I gratefully thanked God that His people were finally getting the idea that Monday was a day to be celebrated, not cursed. (smile)
And Friends, do I ever have a good quote for us today – one that’s so appropriate that it will knock your proverbial socks off! When I read it, I couldn’t help but chuckle, and immediately knew that I had to share it.
It comes from my old Devotional for People with Chronic Illness, and is attributed to one Elise Maclay. From the info available, I believe the Elise Maclay we’re talking about was an author of successful books like ‘Green Winter, and the Art of Bev Doolittle’ published in the 1970’s.
Anyway, she reputedly said, ‘…I was the breadwinner. Only I didn’t WIN the bread, I worked hard and earned it.’
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! We don’t win the bread, we get up off our rear ends and work hard for it! And that’s exactly what this first Monday morning in May 2014 is calling for! So let’s get up and get a move on nuh, let’s get out into the evil and ungodly world that awaits us and do our damndest, our best for Jesus! Remember Jesus desires and expects excellence from His followers!
And to help us do that, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty moxie. As one great choir now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Aw shucks Friends, that rendition was the greatest nuh, it only raised polite clapping from the heavenly hosts! Anyway, I’ll chalk it up to our still being somewhat sleepy, and assume that by the time we get ready to hit the road, the Holy Spirit will have caused us to be in full Christian bloom. (smile)
Now let’s look at our Bit for this beautiful spring morning. ‘When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’
Words of indisputable truth my brethren! Faithfully proven after they were sent heavenward, by Bruh David’s eventual escape from the Philistines at Gath and his mortal enemy, Saul!
That’s why Friends, it both amazes and disappoints me that Christians don’t use prayer more often, despite claiming to be so in touch and in tune with God. If we look at the lives of all the great people of faith, one common thread stands out above all else; their great dependence on and use of prayer.
Even Jesus, God incarnate, didn’t make a move without talking to His heavenly Father. So why are we so ashamed, afraid, and reluctant to pray eh? Is it that we don’t truly believe in the efficacy and effectiveness of prayer?
James spells it out in spades for us: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16)
Oh my people, it’s time for us to wake up to the true and very awesome power of prayer! When we cry out to God in sincere prayer, He hears us and answers. Listen to how Bruh David puts it in Psalm 118; Thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation.
‘I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large (broad) place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Per the scholars, that’s the middle verse of the Bible) It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps.118:5-9)
More words of indisputable truth Friends! And we know it. So why don’t we adhere to them eh? Ah Lord eh! I guess only the Lord in His high heaven really knows why we are the stubborn and unwise way we are yes!
And we’ll go home with some immortal words of advice, of heavenly wisdom from Bruh Paul to the Roman Church, words which we all know, but don’t follow as closely or rely on as we should.
‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ (Rom. 8:31-32)
Yes Friends, if the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God, Creator and Controller of the universe and all therein is in our corner, then who can successfully challenge us eh? NOBODY!
So please let’s not only plant that true, wonderful seed deep in our souls, but let’s also act on it today, by stepping up our prayer lives and calling out to our heavenly father, at ALL times, and for ALL things! That’s what he sincerely desires, and it’s also the epitome of wisdom, my people! Much LOVE!
…it’s foolish, unwise, and a downright lie…to claim to be a Christian…and not be thoroughly immersed in the Word of God and sincere prayer…
15 Apr 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: amassing materail wealth, arms of the wicked shall be broken, better is a little with righteousness, blessed, Bruh Paul, Christ has no hands feet or tongues but ours, Christ is depending on us, clothing, contentment, destruction, dr robert h schuller, erred from the faith, faithful servants, fired employees, food, friends, God-given talents, godliness, godliness with contentment, gospel truth, great gain, great revenues without justice, greediness, harmful lusts, have-nots, heavenly bank account, Holy Tuesday, images, indisputable truth, injustice, LOVE, material riches, negative side, poor and suffering, positive side, positive working, power of the holy spirit, reconciliation, reflections of Almighty God, repentance, reverence of God, riches of the wicked, righteous man, righteousness., root of all evil, ruin, saints, share with others, shareholders, snare, snowflakes falling from heaven, social justice, sorrows, spiritual riches, stand strong, tell the world the good news, temptation, the Lord upholds the righteous, the LOVE of money, unfair practices, We can do all things through Christ, we can do nothing without christ, wisdom of the ages
Proverbs 16:8. Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right (justice).
Well hello there mih people! A good Holy Tuesday morning to all you blessed saints out there in Christendom; true images and reflections of Almighty God!
Yes Friends, we are indeed all of that! So please let’s make full use of it and not waste the talents and whatever else the Lord has given us to share with others.
And to help guide us in that respect, here are some true and most useful words from the Hour of Power Devotional by Dr. Robert H. Schuller. I’m not sure if I’ve shared them before, but even so, they are still very relevant to these times.
Listen up as Dr. Schuller reminds us that: ‘Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today. He has no feet but our feet to lead us on the way. He has no tongues but our tongues to tell us how He died. He has no help but our help to bring us to His side.’
And that’s the indisputable truth my brethren! Christ is depending on us, His faithful saints and servants, to tell the world the good news of His story and bring it to repentance and reconciliation with Him.
What a blessed assignment, though not an easy one, for there will be lots of obstacles placed in our way. But if we’re serious about doing the job, then Christ will enable us through the power of His Holy Spirit to stand strong and do it.
Just remember that we cannot do it without Him, as He so shrewdly reminds us when talking to the disciples about the vine and the branches: ‘for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5b)
But by the same token, as Bruh Paul reminds un in Philippians 4: ‘I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13)
And with all that solid stuff now under our belts, let’s turn to our Bit, another morsel of everlasting truth. ‘Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right (justice).’
And there can be no doubting of that fact my Friends! Why? Because it percolates in every area and aspect of our lives and that of our society. We see it in homes where there’s great wealth but little true godliness. We also see it in businesses, where injustice is booming and very flagrant these days.
We lay of hundreds of ordinary workers to save some money, while flagrantly increasing the stipends of those at the top of the food chain by humongous amounts, without any thought for the welfare of those being put out of work.
The social justice that cries out for those fired employees is certainly not being taken into account. Instead it is all centred on the supposed bottom line, shareholders interest and the rest of the garbage and distorted truth that the captains of industry spout to support their unfair practices.
Oh Friends, I just went upstairs to see the duchess off to work and my heart almost stopped on me because I was greeted by snowflakes falling gently from heaven. And not simply wet snow but the kind that seems to last. Oh Lord eh!
Earlier on when I came down the streets were simply wet with rain. And we’ve been having such nice warm temps for the last little while! It’s supposed to have a high of just one degree today. Mama Mia!
But as we’ve said above, though it might be a tad inconvenient, we can handle it all with Christ’s help. So let’s not look at it from the negative but the positive side.
Now let’s check out some scripture which corroborate our Bit. Cousin Sol himself also stated it thus: ‘Better is little with the fear (reverence) of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.’ (Prov.15:16)
And the scholars explain that as: ’15:16. Spiritual riches are better than material riches.’
Gospel truth Friends! But try telling that to the legions of poor and suffering around the world nuh!
Meanwhile Bruh David puts it this way in Psalm 37; the true state of the wicked. ‘A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.’ (Ps.37:16-17)
More gospel truth my people! But tell that to the wicked rich nuh, whose only aim seems to be amassing more and more wealth at the expense of the have-nots.
And we’ll end with a passage from 1 Timothy, where Bruh Paul warns: ‘But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment (clothing) let us therewith be content.
But they that will be (desire 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 (all kinds of) evil: which while some coveted after have erred from the faith (for which some in their greediness have erred from the faith), and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Tim.6:6-11)
Oh Friends, I can’t say it any better than that! I can just try and encourage us to take those words to heart and put them to positive working in our lives, for they indeed convey the wisdom of the ages. Much LOVE!
…why do we foolishly insist on amassing material wealth…when it causes all sorts of evil problems…and does nothing for our heavenly bank account…
01 Apr 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anxious, appreciate, April fool's, be of good courage, believe in something, beloved son, blessed, blessings, bodies, Bruh David, burdened hearts, certainty, courage, encouragement, evil, faith, faithful, faithful followers, faithfulness, fall for anything, footsteps of Jesus, forgiveness, free medicine, glory, God's marvellous universe, God's own time and way, good morning, gospel truth, hand of grace, heavenly Father, heavenly wisdom, Holy Name, hope in the Lord, in the lurch, indisputable truth, Jesus Christ, joy, laughter, learn to laugh at trouble, less fortunate, lift our heads heavenwards, lighten up, loosen up, Lord and Saviour, Lord preserveth, lose enenrgy and focus, LOVE, Love the Lord, mercies, mercy, minds, muddy the waters, negativity, new day, peace, positives, problems, put your trust, reverence, rewards, righteous, save, Scrip-Bit family, share, solve the problem, strength, strengthen your heart, testify to, Thank you Father, thanks and praise, the Lord destroys the wicked, the Lord is gracious, the Lord is near to all who call on him, the Lord is righteous, The Lord preserves those who love Him, the right foot, to handle whatever comes against us, troubled times, troubled world, true believer, truth, ungodly world, unvarnished, very depths of our souls, win-win situation, wisdom, working on our behalf
Psalm 145:20. The Lord preserveth all them that LOVE him: but all the wicked he will destroy.
Well a hearty good morning to all you Scrip-Bit family members this first glorious morning in April! Wow!
And I’m not trying to make April fools of us all. (smile) But we have indeed been blessed to see another marvellous day in God’s great universe! Now isn’t that something special? It surely is!
Therefore, let’s give our heavenly Father some thanks and praise for that nuh. Let’s lift our heads, hearts, hands and eyes heavenward and sincerely say: ‘Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day! We know that You are going to shower us with new mercies and blessings, more than we can ever ask for or imagine.
Please help us to appreciate them and share them with others less fortunate, because that’s what You desire of us. And in that way, we can walk in the big footsteps of Your BELOVED Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! We pray this in His Holy Name, and give you all the glory! Amen!’
Yes Friends, when we start out on the right foot, giving the Father His deserved thanks and praise, our path for the day usually runs a little smoother. Or if not, then we have the parts, the strength, faith and courage to handle whatever comes against us.
Now here’s a fitting corollary to all of that, a quote from Ed Howe – couldn’t figure out which one, because there are so many. Anyway, I believe I’ve shared this quote some time ago, but it’s one of those things that we need to be constantly reminded of in this crazed and troubled world.
And Ed says: ‘If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you grow old.’
And that’s as true a saying as you can get Friends! For laughter is not only a free medicine, it’s also the best one we can employ in ALL our circumstances. That doesn’t mean we don’t take life, or the things in it seriously, but that we don’t get too overwhelmed by our problems.
The truth is, when we get too worked up over our problems, we lose the energy and focus necessary to handle them. So let’s lighten up, loosen up nuh! Life might be rough, but if you’re a true believer in Jesus, then you’ll know, with everlasting certainty, that in God’s own time and way, He will help you solve the problem(s). Not always how or when you want, but surely better than you could have done on your own.
And as our Bit proclaims with such wisdom and certainty: ‘The Lord preserveth all them that LOVE him: but all the wicked he will destroy.’
And that’s the unvarnished, indisputable truth, my brethren! So please believe it; let it sink right down into the very depths of our souls, to give us the strength and encouragement we so badly need in these troubled times.
For as Bruh David says just before our Bit, in this psalm; the Lord is gracious: ‘The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy (gracious) in all his works. The Lord is nigh (near) unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear (reverence) him: he will also hear their cry, and will save them.’ (Ps.145:17-19)
And that’s more unvarnished, indisputable truth my fellow believers, as many of you can attest and testify to!
That’s the great thing about our wonderful God; He never leaves his faithful followers in the lurch! Thank You Lord for that faithfulness! Though, as we’ve said earlier, He might not solve the problems how and when we want them, His awesome and powerful hand of grace, mercy and forgiveness is always there working on our behalf!
What more can we ask eh? Nothing really, my people!
And since we already know the Lord’s faithfulness, it now behoves us to believe it, and then return that faithfulness, so that we can engender a win-win situation and relationship with our mighty Creator.
Oh my brethren, believe me, there’s nothing better than having a win-win relationship with Almighty God! Mama Mia! It sure is beautiful!
Now, please note that I haven’t even bothered touching on the situation of the wicked, because that will just muddy the waters, invite negativity, stuff that we can well do without. Suffice it to say, the Lord will destroy the wicked in His own way and time.
Let’s concentrate on the positives here, and do as Bruh David so sincerely declares in Psalm 31; titled ‘In thee O Lord, do I put my trust.’
And what better personage is there to put our trust in, eh people? NONE WHATSOEVER!
Now hear Bruh David’s outstanding proclamation: ‘O LOVE the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth (fully repays) the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.’ (Ps.31:23-24)
There’s no more to say Friends! So please, let’s accept that heavenly wisdom, that gospel truth, so that we can bring some much needed peace, LOVE and joy to our anxious and burdened hearts, souls, bodies and minds, and above all, to our evil, ungodly and troubled world. Much LOVE!
…unless we sincerely believe in something…preferably Jesus Christ…then we’ll fall easily for anything…
16 Mar 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new day, absolute truth, adoration, almighty god, Barak, be humble before God, blessedness, Bruh David, catastrophe, catastrophic situation, celebration of the Sabbath, cock of the walk, common denominator, comprehend, control our destiny, Deborah, devoid of God's presence, different, elucidation, encouraging words, exalt the Lord's name, extolled, faithfulness, fear of God, fellowship, forgiveness, God's intentions, God's miraculous help, God's purposes, God's Sovereignty, God's thoughts are not ours, God's ways are higher than ours, God's Word, habits, heavenly guidance, human failings, indisputable truth, insecurities, Israel, Jesus Christ, judge of Israel, length of days, loving kindness, mercy, Moses, new song in my mouth, omniscience, parable of the rich fool, petty things, Pharaoh, pleasureable life, praise, praise unto God, preserve me from trouble, pride, prophetess, psalm 40, rituals, rulers of all we survey, salvation, sameness, self-confidence, self-importance, Sermon on the Mount, sing praise to the Lord God of Israel, song, songs of deliverance, Spirit Being, successful life, Supreme Being, thanksgiving, The Lord is my strength, the Red Sea, the Sabbath Day, trust in the Lord, worship
Psalm 40:3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
Ah mih people, a new day has dawned over half the world, with different kinds of weather in different places; places that are populated with different kinds of flora and fauna, different kinds of people espousing different habits and rituals; but amazingly, all falling under one common denominator, the Creator of it all, Almighty God!
Wow! What a giant of a Being our God has to be to create all those differences, as well as all the sameness that we possess and enjoy!
No wonder He can rightfully proclaim through His spokesperson Isaiah: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8)
And there is certainly no disputing those words of absolute truth my brethren because we simply cannot comprehend all there is to comprehend about our Creator.
As the scholars note on those verses above: ‘ 55:8-13. God’s sovereignty and omniscience are extolled by the statement that His thoughts (i.e. purposes or intentions) and ways (derakim, or “directions”) are higher than ours.
While God may certainly be known by men, He is still incomprehensible in the totality of His person and purposes. Therefore He reveals Himself to men by His word, which shall not return to Him void (in vain). The Word of God, therefore, accomplishes His purpose in announcing salvation to all mankind.’
And that’s why, with our small brains, we tend to gravitate to small, petty things; things that we can see and which can fit into our relatively small comprehension space. (smile) But however we cut it Friends, undoubtedly there is a Spirit Being afloat in the universe out there that is immensely and immeasurably greater than us!
And until mankind comes to truly recognize and believe the fact that we are not the real rulers of our lives, nor are we controllers of the happenings in the universe, and stop thinking so highly, god-like, of ourselves, but instead be humble before the great Spirit of God, we will forever be plagued with all kinds of insecurities and human failings, ranging from total insecurity and lack of self-confidence to overblown pride and self-importance.
Now if that isn’t a Bruh Paulian sentence, I don’t know what is! (smile)
Yes Friends, until we come to truly realize that we’re not ‘cock of the walk,’ rulers of all we survey, then we’ll never be truly happy or contented. And how can we be rulers of all we survey, when we don’t control our destiny and our lives; meaning the things we try to accomplish, the length of our earthly days and our general well-being.
And Jesus pointed out that lack of control so admirably when talking about oaths in the Sermon on the Mount. ‘Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.’ (Matt.5:36)
We also see our inability to control our length of days, when Jesus spoke the parable of the rich fool, who had so much he decided to pull down the old barns and build new, bigger ones to store his goods and lead a leisurely, pleasurable life.
‘But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’ (Luke 12:20) More words of indisputable truth my brethren!
And I guess it must be in one of those moments of elucidation, of really understanding his total inability to live a successful life devoid of God’s presence, heavenly guidance and LOVING -kindness that Bruh David must have penned Psalm 40 and the encouraging words of our Bit. ‘And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.’
Oh Friends, likewise, it’s only when we realize our inability to successfully exist down here on this wicked earth without God that we also can attain to a greater understanding of ourselves, our universe and our Most High Creator!
Now that awakening would most certainly cause us to sing songs, both old and new, to the Supreme Being, for that’s how truly understanding His Supremacy works.
Earlier on in Psalm 32, the blessedness of forgiveness, Bruh David also wrote: ‘Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about (surround me) with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Ps.32:7)
For sure my people, when we’re facing some catastrophic situation, songs of deliverance from earlier times ought to flow steadily from our lips. And when the Lord delivers us from the catastrophe, new songs of deliverance are always born from the grace, the mercy, forgiveness and LOVING-kindness showered down upon us!
And today we’re going to look at two of those songs of deliverance born of God’s bountiful mercy and faithfulness to Israel. The first one is the Song of Moses, which celebrates Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt and their successful escape across the Red Sea from Pharaoh’s army.
‘Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song (possibly defence), and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation (praise Him); my father’s God, and I will exalt his name.’ (Ex.15:1-2)
Powerful words of praise, thanks and acknowledgement my people! And you can read the rest of it for yourselves from Exodus 15:3-21.
And the second song of deliverance comes from Deborah and Barak. Deborah was a prophetess, the judge Israel at the time, and Barak, the army general when they defeated the much larger and better equipped Canaanite invaders – with God’s miraculous help of course.
‘Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel (when leaders lead in Israel), when the people willingly offered themselves (volunteered). Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.’ (Judg.5:1-3)
Yes Friends, it’s that kind of song that ought to come out of our mouths when the Lord God Jehovah blesses us!
And you can read the remainder of Deborah and Barak’s song in Judges 5: 4-31. It’s much longer than Moses, but just as beautiful!
Well mih people, that’s it for today. The Bit’s longer than I intended and somewhat late – but what else is new eh? (smile) I surely hope though that we all learned something, if not from my ramblings, (smile) then surely from the scriptures we’ve highlighted.
And since today’s the celebration of the Sabbath for many of us, what better way is there to proclaim it than in fellowship with other believers, in full-throated song eh? NONE! Much LOVE!
…in the greater scheme of things…it doesn’t really matter whether we sing old or new songs nuh…just as long as we sing songs of…praise, worship, adoration, LOVE and thanksgiving to our wonderful God and Creator…and plenty songs too…
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