16 Dec 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abraham, accomplish God's will, aches and pains, all for Christ, all generations, an exemplary woman, awful sensation, blood stream, call me blessed, Christ's love, claustrophobic effects, cried out to God, eventful situations, exalted the lowly, faithful, fiery Bit, filled the hungry, from generation to generation, given help to Israel, glorify the Lord, go awry, good example, goodness, grace, grumpy, has done great things, having a heyday, he who is mighty, his mercy, holy is his name, humility, infinite wisdom, injected, magnets, man's plans, Mary, miserable, MRI, my soul doth magnify the Lord, my spirit rejoices, physical reaction, posterity, put down the mighty, radioactive dye, rejoice in God, saints, sanctity, scattered the proud, soul-seeking words, spiritual growth, St. Michael's Hospital, steadfast story, the conceit of heart, the Lord's greatness, the lowliness of his handmaid, the Magnificat, the Mother of God, those who fear him, thrones, walking with Jesus, working for Jesus
Luke 1:46. And Mary, said, My soul doth magnify (exalt) the Lord.
Ah mih people, a word of warning to the wise: if you’re walking with or working for Jesus, please be prepared for totally unexpected stressful and rather eventful situations to crop up at any time! (smile) Case in point: Yesterday afternoon I was here at home taking it nice and easy…no, that’s not completely true. In fact I was miserable and grumpy because the ole aches and pains were having a heyday in my ole body.
Then around four o’clock I received this phone call from a lady in the MRI Department of St. Michael’s Hospital in downtown Toronto informing me of a scheduled appointment at two thirty this morning. I was quite surprised because both the hospital and the doctor who ordered the MRI had neglected to inform me of that appointment.
As one would expect, I was definitely in no mood to go into the city at that ungodly hour of the morning for an aggravating and annoying test that I thought I had seen the last of. And if I had had the implant as scheduled last week that would have been oh so true, because once you have metal in your body you can’t do them since they interact badly with the magnets that govern the procedure. So I cancelled the appointment.
But after thoughtful consideration with the duchess, I called and reinstated it, figuring that might have been why the Lord in His infinite wisdom had the surgery cancelled last week. So lo and behold, at two thirty this morning, there I am, I’m lying on a narrow plastic board, ensconced in a tomb-like plastic structure, with a machine making this infernal racket in my head. But I’m accustomed to it now. I just pray when I get in there to mitigate the claustrophobic effects, then I’m fine. I’ve even been known to doze off in there. (smile)
The one eventful and unexpected reaction though, was the one I had to the radioactive dye that they injected in to my blood stream. I’ve had it before, and all I’ve gotten was a bad, metallic sort of taste in my mouth. But brother, this morning, soon after they injected the stuff and pushed be back inside the machine, I had a physical reaction that I can’t properly describe; like I was heaving, my stomach was pumping up and down, and I just kept swallowing feverishly. I almost pressed the emergency button in my hand.
I don’t even know whether I cried out to God or not, I was so surprised at the reaction. But after a couple of minutes the awful sensation passed and I finished the test without any further problems. Believe me though, that’s the last time they’ll ever inject that stuff knowingly in my body!
I had fully intended to write the Bit when I got home, but at minutes after four, I decided to rest instead, then had to force myself to get up to go to the eight thirty service, then decided to rest when I got back, because I wasn’t fired up enough to write the fiery Bit I had planned to write.
But as always, man’s plans go awry in the Lord’s eyes, for I could not find a comfortable position in the bed, and my mind was just spinning around with the things I wanted to write. So after half an hour of unsuccessful rest, I just decided to get up and come and write the Bit, come what may. And as you can see, it’s definitely not fiery…not even close! But that’s where I’ve been led by the higher powers. (smile)
And since we’re lacking time and space to provide that fiery Bit, (smile) as we continue Mary’s faithful and steadfast story, let’s simply do what she did so long ago; ‘proclaim the Lord’s greatness with characteristic humility and grace,’ by singing what’s become known as ‘The Magnificat.’ The name comes from the first line of the Latin text: (“Magnificat anima mea Dominum”) Please sing with me, in loud voice and with sincere hearts, these memorable words of Jesus’ mother as she expresses her joy:
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name; And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.’ (Luke 1:46-55)
Glory be mih people! What wonderful words and sentiments of praise and thanksgiving! Mary was an indeed an exemplary woman and believer for one of such tender age. But I guess when the Holy Spirit is moving in you, all things are possible regardless of age!
Now here are a couple of interesting points from the Loyola Catholic web page. ‘After Mary gives her famous consent to becoming the Mother of God, — “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38) — she goes “with haste” (1:39) to help Elizabeth, who is delighted to see her. Clearly Mary, in hastening to help her cousin, is focused on service to others. In this way she glorifies the Lord in reflecting (and “magnifying”) His goodness and LOVE. And, of course by becoming the Mother of God she will help Him redeem us for our salvation in His Passion!…
Speaking of magnifying, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen once referred to our Blessed Mother as being like “a magnifying glass that intensifies our LOVE of her Son.” Note that Mary’s joyful claim that “all generations shall call me blessed” in no way takes away from her humility. If she seems to boast here, it is much as St. Paul does later on in scripture when he says “whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord” (2 Cor 10:17), that is to say, in God’s work being done through us.’
And we’ll end with these soul-seeking words: ‘How about you? Does your soul magnify the Lord? We may never be able to approach Him from Mary’s level of sanctity as the Mother of God. Still, we are all called to be saints nonetheless. Your good example, like our Blessed Mother’s, can help others in their spiritual growth. Do people see Christ’s LOVE and goodness in you? Are you letting God work within you to accomplish His will? Let Mary help give you the graces you need to follow her Son and His Church in praying the Magnificat.’
Oh friends, I can’t say it any better than that nuh! Much LOVE!
…let Mary’s soul be in us… to glorify the Lord…let her spirit be in us…that we may rejoice in God our Saviour… (St. Ambrose)
P.S. Yeh, it’s long and late, but ti’s all for Christ…and ever so worthwhile! (smile) Much LOVE!
16 Nov 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accusations, adversity, after one time is two, all the while, allegations, as long as breath is in me, as long as I live, bacchanalian way, Bacchus, be of good cheer, black up, Christians, cohorts, desktop, doh give a darm, drink on an empty stomach, enjoy the fruit of your labour, enjoy yuh weekend, evil, fellowship, forget about work, freedom, Friday chant, Fridays, fun, furthering God's kingdom, generous help, God forbid, hardship, hold fast, i have overcome the world, in Jesus' name, in my nostrils, infinite wisdom, judgemental, justify you, laptop, let the alki flow, LOVE, make of mess of everything, man's penchant, messed up the moon, Microsoft Outlook, my lips shall not, of good integrity, off kilter, on the blink, pittance, pure, refreshed, relaxation, remove mine integrity, renewed, reproach me, rest, righteousness., sense of purpose, sincerity of heart, slave driver's whip, snowfall, soul body and mind, speak wickedness, terrestrial place, TGIF!, thank God, Thank God is Friday, the bulb blew, the god of pleasure, the Good Book, the slave labour, the Spirit of God, the workingman's song, till I die, tired, tribulation, truthful, turned on the light, unsullied by man, utter deceit, virginal, weekend, when Monday comes, working-class breddren
Job 27:3-4. All the while (as long as) my breath is in me, and the spirit (breath) of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Ah mih friends, as the ole people would say, when is not one thing is two yes… and sometimes even three, as happened with me this morning. Steups!
The first thing is I woke up late, about nine o’clock, because my sleep schedule was somewhat thrown off kilter last night. Then when I came down to write the Bit, I couldn’t get on to Microsoft Outlook, which is where my stuff is.
The server has proper access and good strength, but Outlook seems to be on the blink. For those of you who use it, the circle at the bottom of the stylized ‘O L’ just keeps going around in circles. So after about fifteen minutes of trying, couldn’t even get to it through Firefox, I decided to try the laptop upstairs.
And wonder of wonders, the third thing happened; as I turned on the light to go up the stairs, the bulb blew. Hn, hn! I couldn’t do anything else but laugh. But upstairs on the laptop, the same nonsense happened.
Now at eleven o’clock I’m back downstairs on my desktop, and still can’t get through to Outlook. I can get everything else but that. And without it, I can’t send off the Bit.
So finally, the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, put the brilliant idea to just write it in Word, like I always do anyway, and then transfer it whenever Outlook becomes available. Now why couldn’t I have thought about that two hours earlier eh?
And I would hate to think that the little snowfall that happened yesterday afternoon and overnight has put the great Microsoft system down for the count! Well, in fact it wasn’t a li’l snowfall, but the first big one for the season. (smile)
And during the night it looked so beautiful; pure, virginal and unsullied by man, covering the rooftops and the trees in a perfect white blanket. But then the morning comes, and man gets into it…and it gets all dirty and ugly, as man’s penchant is to make a mess of everything his hands touch.
Look at the mess we’ve made of God’s great earth…and how we’ve messed up the moon and are in the process of messing up any other terrestrial place we happen to land. But the most refreshing action of the morning is the workingman out there singing his song of weekend freedom, despite the snow and the hard times.
‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes mih working-class breddren! The weekend is here; two days of freedom from the slave driver’s whip! And don’t mind the snow nuh, because we don’t have to go outside to party, we can do it inside just as well.
So let the alki flow…and bring on all the food, because yuh know a man can’t drink on an empty stomach…is not a wise thing to do! And just forget everything about work and the slave labour we involved in for the next couple days…And besides, if when Monday come yuh still black up and tired, then don’t go to no blooming work!
What the slave massa going to do eh? Fire yuh… so what! Yuh go to work for another slave driver. It have plenty ah them out there who willing to hire you for the li’l pittance they willing to pay.
The important thing though, is to enjoy yuh weekend and the li’l free time as much as possible and doh give a darm about anything else! Just thank God for Fridays and weekends so you could enjoy the fruit of yuh labour like the Good Book says!’
And as always, the basic thing that’s wrong with the workingman’s song is his worship of the god of pleasure Bacchus and his bacchanalian ways. We as believers in Christ are not allowed to go that far because then the enemy will delightedly grab the opportunity to invade our souls and cause enormous confusion.
Thus our weekend song, our Friday Chant, is not as liberal and essentially borderless as the workingman’s song. Please chant it here with me now nuh, in sincerity of heart and a strong sense of purpose.
‘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!’
Oh friends, it is important to realize that as Christians, we too are entitled to have fun, to rejoice and enjoy the fruit of our labour, but not to the extremes that the workingman takes it to. We still have to keep a level and sober head, because the evil leader of this evil world and his evil cohorts are just lying in wait to destroy us.
And here, I opened the Good Book to these wonderful words of Job that comprise our Bit. His spirited response to the overly judgemental accusations and allegations of his supposed friends. ‘All the while (as long as) my breath is in me, and the spirit (breath) of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.’
Yeh friends, those are words that we should both think and utter whenever life seems to come against us. Despite hardship and adversity we should always try to be truthful and of good integrity.
As Job continues: ‘God forbid (far be it from me) that I should justify you (say you are right): till I die I will not remove (put away) mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach (reprove) me as long as I live.’ (Job 27:5-6)
Ah my fellow believers, that’s the attitude we need to have in this evil world. As the scholars explain. ’27:6. In spite of the loss of family, wealth, and health and the accusations of his friends, Job maintained his integrity to the end.’
Please let that be said of us in these tough and trying times nuh! Much LOVE!
…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world… (John 16:33b)
P.S. At 12.45 I’ve published the Bit on the Blog, but I still can’t send it out by email! Steups! But what can one do eh, now that we are slaves to technology! Much LOVE!
24 Oct 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, a grain of faith, a mustard seed, a reprieve, adversity, blessings, Christ-like, Christians, coexist, comfortable position, confirm, confirmed by Christ, covenant partners, diaspora, do our part, establish, eyes fixed straight ahead, faithfulness, fall short, fellowship, flood, from glory to glory, glad to be alive, glory hallelujah, God is faithful, good to me, goodness, grateful, hands on the plough, in everything, infinite wisdom, knowledge, LOVE Revolution, loving kindness, mature us, more than we can handle, not looking back, peace, picked up the baton, praise his holy name, reassuring words, recuperate, settle, sickness, spiritual gift, spread His Word, strengthen, suffered a while, suffering, testify, testimony of Christ, thank my God, the breath of life, the God of all grace.grace, throne on high, through the fire, utterance, Wednesday Wail, ye are enriched
1 Peter 5:10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm) strengthen, settle you.
Oh friends, oh friends, a reprieve, a reprieve! Yes the ole fella’s been granted a reprieve! He’s not going home today as originally planned! Glory be! The good Lord looked down from His throne on high and apparently saw that I was not doing, recuperating as well or as fast as expected, and in His infinite wisdom and abundant goodness and LOVING-kindness granted me a few more days in this paradise called Jamdown (Jamaica)!
Wow! Praise His holy name my people because He is such a wonderful deity who comes through for you when you least expect it. Ah friends, it’s like Jesus said, all you need is a grain of faith as small as a mustard seed and you’ll be able to move mighty mountains. (Matt.17:20)
And it was indeed a small seed that was planted. A few days ago the idea of extending our stay suddenly flitted into my thoughts and I shared it with the duchess. Then unbeknownst to me, she picked up the baton and ran with it. Between her and our two daughters they made it a reality.
Oh my people, the Lord’s been so good to me, how can I not LOVE Him with all my heart, mind and body, be eternally grateful, testify to His amazing faithfulness, help spread His Word and seek to maximize His LOVE Revolution? I would be exceedingly ungrateful if I did anything less, and He would be quite right to cut me off.
And if you’re wondering why and how come the Bit is so early today, as always, with the ole fella the answers are invariably simple. (smile) I got up around five to go to the bathroom, then went back to bed. However, after an unsuccessful half an hour of trying to find a comfortable position for back, knees and elbows to coexist so I could fall asleep again, I just decided to get up and begin the day earlier than expected.
Ah Lord eh friends! The things we are asked to go through in our later years! (smile) But I’ll gladly put up with them in return for the many blessings I’m currently enjoying.
And my faithful brethren, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate Bit for today than these most reassuring words of Peter to the scattered diaspora of Christians in the early days of our faith. ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm) strengthen, settle you.’
What a wonderful God we serve my fellow believers! After allowing us to go through the fire, the flood and whatever adversity He might deem appropriate to move us from glory to glory, to mature us and make us more Christlike, He will eventually settle us down, strengthen and establish us.
Mama Mia! Let’s hope that’s what He is doing with me right now yes, because I really don’t feel up to any more sickness and suffering at the present time. I need a break from it, so I can recuperate properly and thus be able to handle the next round with a good attitude. But I’m not really worried because I know the Lord doesn’t give us more than we can handle, so whatever He allows to come against me, He will help me to overcome.
Remember friends, we are covenant partners with the Lord, and whatever we can’t handle, He’ll step in and control. That’s the awesome benefit of partnering; what one can’t do the other will. But remember too that we first have to do OUR part, or the Lord will not step in to help.
Now listen to these majestic and most reassuring words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians on the subject of grace and being called and confirmed by Christ. ‘Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf (concerning you), for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind (short) in no (spiritual) gift; waiting for the coming (revelation) of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (1 Cor.13-9)
Oh my people, we are like those Corinthians; granted grace and peace through Christ, brought into and everlasting union with Him and strong communion with each other. So let us enjoy it all and work diligently and excellently to preserve and spread it nuh, so that at Jesus’ return we might be found blameless. For whatever God has promised to those who believe in His Son, He will fulfill.
Now let’s go home declaring (Steups! Spelt it wrong again!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the world know our exact position in Christ Jesus. In true sincerity and strong sense of purpose: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday!
I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And that’s a future we can’t even begin to imagine! Much LOVE!
…and am I ever glad…in fact ecstatic…to be alive…on this bright and sunny day…hope you are too…
25 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brother is born for adversity, a friend is cleared than the light of heaven, a friend loveth at all times, a froward man soweth strife, a man sharpens the countenance of his friend, a man that hath friends must show himself friendly, a man with many friends comes to ruin, adversity, Antioch, be without friends, Bishop of Constantinople, celebrities, enhance each other's growth, faithful are the wounds of a friend, forever grateful, friends, Friendship is our greatest achievement and reward, gossip destroys friendships, hangers on, infinite wisdom, iron sharpens iron, Istanbul, loving kindness, offer help and hope, on the cross at Calvary, one more day, reconcile us to you, sacrifice of Jesus, serve and worship, share each other's pain, social standing, St. John Chrysostom, such a magnificent and magnanimous God, Thank You Lord, thanks for Jesus, the kisses of an enemy are deceitful, the sun were extinguished, there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, Turkey, unquenchable love, unworthy humans, we Love you Lord, we praise your Holy name
Proverbs 17:17. A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Ah Friends, one more day, one more day on God’s planet earth this Saturday morning! Praise the Lord! He allocates them one at a time, which means we have to enjoy each one as it comes along, because we don’t know if we will see another one tomorrow. In His infinite wisdom He might just decide that we have enjoyed enough of His breath of life down here, and it’s time to move on to higher matters and heights.
So please, let’s all give our Creator, Provider and heavenly Father a rousing shout of ‘Thank You Lord! Thank You for Jesus and all that You have done for us unworthy humans. We are Your creation and though we rebelled against You, Your LOVE for us was so great, You found a way through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross at Calvary to reconcile us to You. We can never repay Your LOVING-kindness, but we will be forever grateful! Thank You Lord! We LOVE You and Praise Your Holy Name!’
Yes my people, it’s ever so wonderful to serve and worship such a magnificent and magnanimous God!
Now here is a quote attributed to one of our early church fathers, St. John Chrysostom (349-407). He was born in Antioch and became the Bishop of Constantinople. Constantinople was founded by the Roman emperor Constantine on the already existing city of Byzantium, part of the Byzantine Empire. It is now known as Istanbul, part of modern day Turkey.
St. John was well known for his writings, public speaking and influence on church affairs, including his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders. Anyway, his quote says: ‘A friend is clearer than the light of heaven, for it would be better for us that the sun were extinguished than that we should be without friends.’
Ah mih breddren, I don’t know if I would go so far nuh, (smile) but Friends definitely are useful and necessary, especially in these very trying and deceitful times. And according to my One More Day Devotional for People with Chronic Illness: ‘Friendship is our greatest achievement and reward. Our friends are people to care about, celebrate with, and count on.
Within the closest friendships we find the best of each other at all times. Friendships enrich our lives… It is no accident that we become close and maintain our contact. We offer help and hope. We share each other’s pain and enhance each other’s growth. We appreciate our friend’s unique qualities.’
It’s all true my people, but it’s ever so hard to find one of those real friends nowadays, where distrust, deceit, fraud and all kinds of evil are rising to the forefront of our society, where trust is no longer the rule, but rather the exception.
All of that eventually brings us to our Bit. ‘A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’ What awesome truth my people! And how lucky, or rather blessed we are, if we can find even one person to fit that bill in our earthly lives!
The scholars explain it thus: ‘17:17. A true friend has unquenchable LOVE that is not diminished by adversity.’
Ah Friends, do we have that kind of LOVE for anyone in our lives, or does anyone have that kind of LOVE for us? I certainly do hope so, otherwise we’re missing out on a most important part of life.
And what I want to do now is to quote some scripture from Proverbs, where Cousin Sol writes a lot about friends and friendships. Don’t know how many we’ll get in, because there quite a few. We’ll do it by chapters, beginning with 14. ‘The poor is hated even of (by) his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends (the LOVERS of the rich are many.’ (Prov.14:20) And that’s gospel truth!
The scholars put it this way. ‘14:20. Social standing is improved with riches, but the good neighbour will have concern for all, regardless of their status.’ That’s how it’s supposed to be, but there aren’t a whole lot of good neighbors around these days nuh.
In Chapter 16, Sol writes: ‘A froward (perverse) man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief (the best of) friends.’ (Prov.16:28)
And the scholars simply say of this: ‘16:28. Gossip destroys friendships.’
Now we all know that is an indisputable truth since we all have experienced it to some extent. And it hurts like the dickens!
And in chapter 17, early on, Sol says almost the same thing. ‘He that covereth a transgression seeketh LOVE; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very (the best of) friends.’ (Prov.17:9)
Now that’s the real difference between a true friend and an imposter! One will keep quiet about certain private matters, while the other will go and broadcast them to the world.
Meanwhile in chapter 18, Sol pens this highly interesting and oh so true proverb. ‘A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ (Prov.18:24)
Now that doesn’t mean exactly what it says. Listen to the scholars. ‘18:24. A man that hath many friends must show himself friendly may also be translated, “A man of many friends comes to ruin.” In other words, a man must not spread himself too thin among many superficial relationships. Far better it is to have (a few) genuine friends who become like family and LOVE at all times (17:17).’
And isn’t that the unfortunate truth my brethren! We all know of people who have suffered irreparable damage by having too many hangers on in their lives. Celebrities are a very good example of that. Some of us might even have experienced it.
And these last two come from chapter 27. ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.’ (Prov.27:6)
Hear the scholars: ‘27:6. True criticism from a friend may hurt for a time but may be welcomed, for it issues from his LOVE, whereas the kisses of an enemy are an attempt to conceal his hatred.’
And last but definitely not least: ‘Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.’ (Prov.27:17)
And the scholars explain that thus. ‘27:17. As the proper tool shapes and sharpens iron for its desired use, so a man sharpens his friend morally and intellectually by their personal friendship.’
Now that is the kind of friends we need in these last desperate days! Oh my people, I do hope now that we have a better understanding of what true friendship is all about. So let’s put that understanding into practice nuh, but carefully, for easy does it. Much LOVE!
…I bring myself honestly to my friendships… (One More Day Devotional).
29 Mar 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ability to make choices, believe, blessings, book of life, bringing us down easy, brow beat, buy wine and milk, cold temps, come to the waters, compassion, consideration, decisions, distortion, disturbing, eternal life, eternally grateful, fear not, floods, genuine believer, gift of grace, God's invitation, God's Word, heap abuse, holy city, holy spirit, horrific winter, hunger nor thirst, I come quickly, ice storm, infinite wisdom, Israel, Jacob's Well, Jesus, Jew, litany of woes, living water, Lord jesus, loving kindness, magnanimous god, mind-boggling, molly-cuddle, multitude, New Jerusalem, northern climes, offspring, palm branches, plagues, pour water on who thirsts, prophecy, repercussions, Revelation, right and wrong, Samaritan, shepherd. living fountains of water, sigh of relief, snow, snow belt, spring, substraction, testify, thanks and praise, the gift of God, the greatest, the Lamb, the Spirit of God, the throne of God, the water of life, thumbs up, too late, Toronto and environs, tribulations, warning, we bless your holy name, we Love you Lord, white robes, whoever is thirsty, winter weather, wipe away all tears, wisdom, without money, without price
Isaiah 55:1. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Oh Friends, we’re going to begin this morning by giving our wonderful God some thanks and praise for His infinite wisdom and LOVING-kindness to us up here in the northern climes, in particular Toronto and its environs. Why you ask?
Remember how we’ve been complaining about the terrible winter weather and the great amounts of snow piled up all around, wondering where we’d put it if any more fell, and also about spring taking long to come?
Well mih people, spring still isn’t here on a consistent basis, but there’s been method to the Lord’s madness, meaning that there’s hardly any snow on the ground now, and the Lord in His wisdom, compassion and consideration for us did it slowly. That’s why we’d have a day of warmish weather, then some cold ones.
All to allow the snow to melt a little at a time, because if He had allowed it all to melt at once, we’d surely be adding floods to our litany of woes; abundant ice and snow and bitterly cold temps for far too long. Some people and places have not even fully recovered from the ice storm, can you imagine if there were floods to add to their tribulations.
So all you people who live in the snow belt, please give the Lord a big thumbs up for bringing us down easy after such a horrific winter. And all God’s people uttered a huge sigh of relief, then let loose with an astounding voice of praise. ‘Thank You Father for looking after us! You are indeed the GREATEST! We LOVE You Lord and bless Your Holy Name, today and for ever more! Amen!’
Yes my brethren, I don’t know about you all nuh, but I am eternally grateful, for with the three or four feet of snow on my back deck, my backyard and by the side of my driveway, I don’t know what I would have done if it had all melted at once. At least I can now see some of the grass in my backyard, and some of the floor boards on my deck.
That’s why Friends it’s so disturbing and mind-boggling that people constantly ignore, and even heap abuse on our magnanimous God and His free gift of grace as outlined in our Bit. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’
Today’s the last day for this Bit, and I’m not going to get into any arguments over it or try to change anyone’s mind. We have done enough of that over the last few days, and if people aren’t wise enough to accept God’s invitation, then too bad for them. We shouldn’t have to brow beat people, or molly-cuddle them. The Lord gave us all the ability to make choices and also showed us what’s right from what’s wrong. We’ll just have to live with the repercussions of our decisions.
Today we’ll just quote a few more scriptures that deal with the living water, the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promises to every one who believes in Him. And the first scripture comes from Jesus’ opening parry with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. She obviously was most surprised when Jesus, a Jew, asked her, a Samaritan for a drink, since Jews despised Samaritans and had nothing to do with them.
‘Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.’ (John 4:10) And we already know how that story eventually panned out.
The next scripture comes from Isaiah, some chapters before our Bit, where he is also promising that the Spirit of God would be upon Israel. ”Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground:
I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord (write with his hand, the Lord’s), and surname himself by the name of Israel.’ (Is.44:2-5)
Then in Revelation, where the numberless multitude stand before the throne of God and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, holding palm branches, serving the Lord day and night, having borne great tribulations, (Rev. 7:9-14) John reveals: ‘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 finally, from Revelation again, John concludes: ‘And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst (thirst) come. And whosoever will (desires), let him take the water of life freely. for I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things (Jesus) saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.’ (Rev.22:17-21)
Oh Friends, that says it all! It’s a serious warning against distortion and subtraction of God’s Word!
And per the scholars: ‘Anyone who wilfully distorts the message of the Book of Revelation shows himself not to be a genuine believer and will not participate in eternal life or the blessings of the New Jerusalem.’
So please my brethren, consider ourselves warned. Much LOVE!
…to believe or not to believe…that is the question…and the choice must be made NOW…for when Jesus comes again, it will be too late…
23 Mar 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: acquaintance, anger, angry, arrogant, be ashamed, believe, blessed be the Lord, blessings, bounden duty, bow down, Bruh David, Christian community, church brethren, contemptuous, crying out to Almighty God, deliver me, depressed souls, dilgently seek god, enemies, faith, faithlessness, fear, foolish pride, fortress, God of truth, good courage, grief, help, hope, hope in the Lord, house of defence, human frailities, I'm sorry Lord, immortal words, infinite wisdom, iniquity, insolence, Jesus' flock, kindness, lead and guide, Lord God Jehovah, lose contact with God, Love the Lord, lying lips, mercy, negative emotions, neighbours, O Lord, passion, persecution, please God, positive results, pride, put my trust, redeemed, reproach, resentful, rewards, righteous, righteousness., rock of refuge, rules his spirit, saints, save me, schemed, self-control, serious problems, shame, sighing, silent in the grave, slander, slow to anger, stand strong, stew for a while, strength, strength fails, strengthen your heart, stress, strong rock, supplications, take away my life, take refuge, teach me a lesson, the Good Book, the Lord's own time, thy name's sake, trouble, truth, unbelievers, wicked, wickedness
Psalm 31:1. In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust (take refuge); let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the ole fella’s stressed out this Sunday morning! Chuh! It’s been one of those days. I got upset over something that I possibly should not have gotten upset over, and thus foolishly allowed it to steal my peace and joy. Ah Lord eh! I’m tired with these human frailties yes! (smile)
Consequently, I couldn’t get my head around anything in the Good Book to write about. And although I beseeched the Lord to relieve my stress and show me what He wanted me to write about, in His infinite wisdom, He allowed me to stew for a while.
Oh, I had no doubts that in His own good time, He would lead and guide me for His name’s sake, but I guess He was trying to teach me a lesson in self-control, reminding me that: ‘He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.’ (Prov.16:32)
And all I can say is that I’m sorry Lord, and I do hope that I learned the lesson, but you know that the ole fella’s blood is very close to his skin, his passion is such that he can’t put up with much nonsense. In any case, thank you Lord for reminding me that those negative emotions make me lose contact with you.
Anyway my people, as you can see, in the Lord’s good time, He brought me around and led me to these immortal words of Bruh David lamenting his plight. ‘In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust (take refuge); let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.’
Apparently it was one of those times when Bruh David was at an all time low, when both his body and spirit were in real bad shape. For he continues plaintively: ‘Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock (rock of refuge), for a house of defence (fortress) to save me.
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily (secretly) for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.’ (Ps.31:2-5)
Now Friends and fellow believers, that’s a move we ought to imitate rather than shy away from, or simply dismiss out of hand, through stupid shame and foolish pride, based on what others might think. You don’t know what other people do when they are faced with serious problems.
So please don’t allow them to stop you from crying out to Almighty God in your time of need, because that’s what He is there for, and also what He greatly desires. Yes my brethren, our God desires nothing more than that we come to Him for help with ALL of our problems!
If a mighty king like Bruh David could cry out to God with these words: ‘Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed (wastes away) with grief, yea, my soul and my belly (body). For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed (waste away).
I was a reproach (a despised thing) among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without (outside) fled from me. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised (schemed) to take away my life.’ (Ps.31:9-13)
Now why can’t we do the same eh my people, especially if we claim to believe and trust in the Lord God Jehovah?
Bruh David not only declared his trust, but put it into action by calling on the Lord in faith. ‘But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.
Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous (insolent) things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.’ (Ps.31:14-18)
Oh my people, there is absolutely no fear or shame in calling on the Lord! The fact is, if many more of us would do just that, instead of being too proud and arrogant to bow down and plead for mercy from our Creator, and try to fix our problems ourselves, there’s be a whole lot less miserable, gloomy, depressed, resentful and angry people in the world.
And I’m just talking about those of us in the Christian community, because there are so many downtrodden, lost and depressed souls in Jesus’ flock today, that it grieves my heart.
And we’ll close with the overwhelmingly positive results of Bruh David’s crying out to his heavenly Father. ‘Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shown me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
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.31:21-24)
And that my people is absolute, incorruptible, unadulterated truth!
In this modern day and age of so much wickedness and faithlessness, it is up to us, true believers in Christ, to rekindle the hope, faith and trust in our great God – first among the church brethren, then amongst the unbelievers at large.
Please, let us stand strong and do our bounden duty, as Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!
…without faith…the substance of things hoped for…one cannot please God…for he that cometh to God…must believe that he is…and that he is a rewarder of them…that diligently seek him… (Heb. 11:6)
20 May 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty creator, aura of love, baptism of the Holy Spirit, confidence, Cornelius the centurion, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, energy, Holy Ghost, humble servants, infinite wisdom, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, lies, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, New Covenant, Pentecost, Queen Victoria, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, speaking in tongues, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, truth, useful purpose, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, wonderful god
Acts 2:4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday! And I receive two different reactions to that news: An irritable ‘Chuh! Steups!’ from those who had to get up and go to work. While those with the day off in honour of Queen Victoria, exhaled a grateful sigh of relief, turned off their alarms, rolled over and uttered an enthusiastic, ‘Thank You Lord!’
But what can I say eh Friends? Them’s the breaks. You win some, you lose some, but it will all work out for our good in the end, as our wonderful God has so faithfully promised. (Rom.8:28) Anyway, in solidarity with those who have to venture out to the battlefield of work today, let’s all sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, to help them go out there safely, brimming with confidence and energy.
All together 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!’
And a word of warning to those who are not going to work; please don’t get too smug and reckless in any celebrations today, because the enemy never takes even one minute off. He’s always on the prowl for ways to cause our downfall. So please remember Granny’s advice: ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober, mind yuh business.’
And here are the answers to the Bible questions I posed yesterday. Re the most frequently mentioned woman, between Eve, Sarah, the Virgin Mary and Rachel? That’s Sarah! And as to the most frequently mentioned man other than Jesus, between Bruh David, Moses, Abraham and Bruh Paul? The winner, hands down was Bruh David! (smile)
Now let’s look at our Bit. ‘And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’
And what I want to do today, is offer some enlightenment, some information on the workings of the Holy Spirit. The scholars have provided me with so much info, in different places and contexts, let’s see if I can pull it together and make a coherent whole, so that even the newest believer can get a decent understanding of that miraculous force and power that indwells him.
Now there are two basic acts or parts to the Holy Spirit; baptism and then the filling and regeneration. Baptism occurs when a person receives Christ as Lord and Saviour. As per the scholars: ‘that’s the act by which Jesus, through the Spirit, at conversion brings the believer into relation with Himself and makes the believer part of God’s people, the church.’
We can attest to that from John telling the Pharisees and Sadducees who enquired about his baptism: ‘I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.’ (Matt.3:11)
The scholars further explain that ‘John’s baptism in water was not Christian baptism. The death and resurrection of Christ had not yet occurred in order to be depicted by this baptism. John’s baptism was similar to the Old Testament offerings (washings) that symbolized a cleansing of personal repentance on the part of the believer. Notice that Jesus submitted to this baptism to “fulfill all righteousness.” (v 15)’
That’s when Jesus came to John to be baptized. ‘But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer (allow) it to be so now: for thus it becometh us (is fitting for us) to fulfill all righteousness. Then he (John) suffered (allowed) him.’ Matt.3:14-15)
The scholars then explain Jesus’ baptism by John thus: ‘By identifying Himself with those He came to redeem, Jesus inaugurated His public ministry as the Messiah. In regard to the Jewish religious observances, such as synagogue worship, attendance at feasts, and payment of the temple tax, Jesus always met the duties of a faithful Jew.’
So although, He came to provide a New Covenant, a new way of life, He always met the requisites of the Old, once it did not contradict or contravene His moral requirements.
And we’ll look at one more passage of scripture that deals with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. That’s when Peter is rebuked by the Jewish Christians for hobnobbing with the Gentiles at Cornelius the centurion’s house. (Acts 10)
In his defence, Peter states: ‘And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. (Pentecost) Then remembered I the word of the Lord how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?’ (Acts 11:15-17)
And that’s a very good question my Friends. Who are we, mere mortals, that we should try to withstand the Living God, Creator of the universe and all therein?
Enough for today though. Let’s now read, mark and inwardly digest all that we’ve heard today, and come back for more tomorrow, God in favour of course. Because it’s ever so important that we learn as much as possible about that mighty power that lives and works in us, the Holy Spirit. Much LOVE!
…in His infinite wisdom…the Father marks us as His…by putting His wondrous Spirit in us…to lead and guide us in all truth…
07 Apr 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: actively speaking out for God, anarchy, attention span, balancing acts, busy lives, christian music radio, Christians, church, divinely ordained institutions, drinking milk, eating solid foods, evil, foolish men, gems of wisdom, God is good, Good Book, gospel truth, government, grin and bear it, infinite wisdom, Jesus is enough, let go, let God, LOVE 101 F.M., obeying lays, paying taxes, pray for those in authority, punishment of evildoers, scripture, self-evident principles, social responsibility, standing up for God, state, tests, the things of Caesar, the things of God, wasting time, will of God
Matthew 22:21. They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Oh Friends, sometimes the Lord really tests our spirits yes! I was going along quite well about ten minutes ago, almost finished the Bit, but at one point, when I looked up at the screen, I only saw half a line there. And when I went to the supposedly saved draft, only that half line was saved. Ah Lord eh! So now I have to rewrite everything. And as luck would have it, today I didn’t do much of it as a rough draft first. Anyway, as I keep saying, them’s the breaks. I just have to grin and bear it. I had originally opened with some words I heard from three songs while listening earlier on to the Christian music radio station, LOVE 101, F.M. broadcasting out of Kingston, Jamaica. The words just resonated with my spirit and I felt compelled to share them. The first set was: ‘God is good. How can I let Him down when He’s so good to me?’ That’s an excellent question Friends! The answer to which is, we should try very hard not to, since He’s indeed been so good to us, what with giving us Jesus and all the other benefits we derive as believers. The next set was: ‘I have Jesus, and that’s enough.’ Oh my brethren, that’s certainly the gospel truth! Once we have Jesus living within us, then we need nothing else, for He is our EVERYTHING! And the last set is: ‘Let go, and let God control your mind, cause if you try to make it on your own, you’ll be wasting your time.’ Words of infinite wisdom and truth my Friends! Now let’s ponder those truths for a moment and see how our lives match up with them nuh. Selah. (smile) And having done that, it’s time for our Bit. ‘They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.’ Certainly more important words to live by! And here are some explanations from the scholars on them. ‘In distinguishing obedience to God from obedience to Caesar, Jesus identified the underlying principle of two different kingdoms: church and state. Both are divinely ordained institutions, but ought to remain separate, since they have two distinct purposes. When church and state are united, the integrity of each institution is often called into question. This separation does not prohibit the involvement of Christians in areas of social responsibility. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people is an anarchy unless governed by eternal, self-evident principles, which are reflected in Scripture. Illustration: Jesus taught us not only to “render unto God” but also to “render unto Caesar.” Christians are therefore responsible for obeying laws, paying taxes, praying for those in authority, and actively speaking out and standing for God and His laws in government. Application: The example of Christians involved in the political system demonstrates how God uses them to be both salt and light to the world. (Matt.5:13-14). (First Ref, Dan.6:2; Primary Ref. Matt.22:21; cf. Eph.5:32).’ And you all think this Christian life easy eh. Not one bit! As followers of Jesus, we’re oftimes called to do some delicate balancing acts, some stuff that goes against man’s nature, against his natural grain. But remember my people, the Word of the Lord MUST ALWAYS PREVAIL. (Acts 5:29) And today we’ll continue looking at scriptures that support our Bit. Listen to Peter’s take on it: ‘Submit yourselves to every ordinance (institution) of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness (evil), but as the servants of God. Honour all men. LOVE the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.’ (1 Pet.2:13-17) Oh my people, we certainly can’t go wrong if we heed that wise advice! But since we have so much to contemplate today, we’ll end here. Tomorrow though, God in favour, we’ll finish up with this Bit. And I hear a loud sigh of relief emanating from those of you who like a new Bit everyday. But please remember Friends, that this is not a fly by night project, offering quick fixes and feel good answers to life’s many problems. It’s a serious study of the Word of our God, how it ought to affect our lives, and thus, not every topic can be dealt with in one sitting, especially with the low standard of our attention span and busy lives. We’re maturing now, time for us to stop drinking milk and start eating solid foods. (smile) But sadly, our current culture is built on the quick fix, which unfortunately never lasts, and that’s why so many of us are running around lost, desperately looking for answers. Oh my brethren, please realize, and/or remember, that the answer or answers to ALL our problems can be found in ONE place, the Good Book, the Word of God, which has been especially written as the guidebook for our earthly pilgrimage. However, it must be constantly studied in a serious manner to ensure we glean all the gems of wisdom it contains. So stand strong and put on a big smile. Jesus is in your heart. That means you don’t need anything else. Much LOVE!…believers must give to everyone…their rightful due…
SCRIP-BITS 