16 Aug 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a man of knowledge increaseth strength, a means of restoring faith in you, better examples of Christian living, carnality of the flesh, Christ died for us to have life more abundantly, compassion, dare to die, deeply grieves God, distress, faith, famine was in the land of Canaan, fast fading away, for thy sake, Friday chant, God commendeth his own love toward us, God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, hold a dearer place in our hearts, hope, I am persuaded, in all these things we are more than conquerors, in the last days, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus Christ, joy, LOVE, love of the first order, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, men shall be lovers of their own selves, mercy, my kindness shall not depart from thee, nakedness, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nothing shall separate us from the love of God, omnipotent help, our hope resides in Jesus, peril, perilous times shall come, persecution, return backsliders to your fold, salvation, should not perish but have everlasting life, steadfast love, summer season, sword, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that neither death nor life nor angels, the covenant of my peace, the error of their ways, the foolish way of the ungodly world, the gospel truth, the Lord that hath mercy, the simmering unrest, tribulation, truth, wake up and and smell the coffee, we are killed all the day long, while we were yet sinners, who shall separate us from the Love of Christ, whosoever believeth in him, wisdom, wise guidance
John 3:16. For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And just in case you don’t realize it friends, on this sunny Friday morning, we’ve just entered the second half of August 2024! And yes, it’s nice to shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ but at the same time the month, and thus our summer season is fading fast away! And you know what comes after August? (smile) Why is it though, that the winter season takes so long to finish, while the summer one just seems to rush by?
Because we enjoy the summer but not the winter. And whatever we enjoy, tends to move along more quickly than things we don’t enjoy. That’s just a simple fact of life. But it doesn’t have to affect us that much if all of our hope and joy and strength resides in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. No friends, with God’s LOVE living in and through us, we don’t have to worry about what seems to be quickly fading away.
So this Friday morning let’s look at a few scripture verses that encourage us in the LOVE of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. And there’s no better verse to begin with than this one that sets the stage for everything. The immortal and indisputable words of Jesus: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16)
Wow mih people! What an encouraging verse of scripture showing how great God’s LOVE is, was, and will always be for us, His most important creation. That’s why it hurts His heart, deeply grieves Him when we turn away to the selfish and foolish way of the ungodly world.
Now here’s this other scripture, one of my favourites, which shows just how much God desires us to have fellowship with Him. From the pen of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome: ‘For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure (perhaps) for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his LOVE (demonstrated his own LOVE) toward us , in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:7-8)
That calls for another ‘Wow!’ my brethren! Imagine that nuh. Our Creator caring about us so much, that He sent His One Son to die for us while we were yet mired in our sinful ways, instead of calling on us to change our evil ways before offering any help. Now if that isn’t LOVE of the first order, then I don’t know what is!
And what about this moving and rather encouraging verse from the Old Testament, as spoken through the prophet Isaiah. ‘For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness (steadfast LOVE) shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy (compassion) on thee.’ (Is. 54:10)
Oh my fellow believers, I don’t know how much more we need from God to show His awesome LOVE for us nuh, because He gives it all in His promises and shows it in His marvellous and miraculous actions. And if we would only listen and walk in His holy will and ways, then we’d surely see it all and it would boost our hope, our spirits and our joy to high heaven!
But the carnality of the flesh and the world, seem to hold a dearer place in our hearts, as Bruh Paul said to Timothy: ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…lovers of pleasures more (rather) than lovers of God.’ (2 Tim. 3:1-2a, 4b) And that’s the gospel truth in these reckless and riotous days!
However, wise and sensible people will turn to God’s Word with His many wonderful promises and words of LOVE to raise their faith in these terrible times. And although there are many scriptures showing God’s unconditional, undying LOVE for us, we’ll end with these further words of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome, words of truth that grip the believer’s heart so firmly that it’s useless to turn away.
Please read and inwardly digest with me, these awesome words of caring and compassion. ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us. for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35-39)
And my fellow saints, if reading that scripture doesn’t refresh and renew your LOVE for our Triune God, then I don’t know what will! But thankfully, through God’s grace and mercy, we have the option of going to Him in prayer for help, so let’s do that right now, through our Friday Chant, seeking His divine aid in these treacherous and turbulent times.
Altogether: Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough … because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land.
We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways.
And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And friends, if we truly desire divine aid, then we have to begin by setting better examples of Christian living than we’re currently doing! Much LOVE!
…God has already shown His LOVE…now He’s waiting for us to reciprocate…to show our LOVE…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
05 Jul 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a means of restoring faith in you, anixety, asleep on a pillow, Bible, break every fetter, but of power love and a sound mind, catastrophe, Christian living, confusion, crying out for help, divine aid, don't you even yet have confidence in me, Even God doesn't care, even the wind and the sea obey him, Even This, failure, faith, faith is from God, fear, fear is from the enemy, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, Friday chant, god, God's love never changes, God's presence never leaves us, how is it that ye have no faith, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus, Jesus Christ, LOVE, Master carest not thou that we perish, obscured your sense of God's presence, omnipotent help, One Year Book of Bible promises, our sinful world, pages of tear-stained script, pay the price for our folly, peace be still, rebuked the wind, return backsliders to your fold, Ruth Harms Calkin, send faith to answer it, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that habit that chains you, the error of their ways, the fear that paralyzes you, the frightened disciples, the loss that numbs you, trusting faith, unexpected storms, ungodly times, wake up and smell the coffee, when fear knocks, why are ye so fearful, wisdom, wise guidance
Mark 4:40. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And at last it was Friday. But after last weekend’s partying and this week’s tough sledding at work, some of us didn’t have the energy to shout: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ but merely mouthed it. (smile) Yes friends, that’s what happens when we get greedy and overdo it; we pay the price for our folly later on. And sometimes it’s a high price too, one we can barely afford. So let’s allow wisdom to prevail this weekend and concentrate on getting some rest nuh. End of Sermon. (smile)
Now, today, we’re going to look at something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin; a reading that’s oh so appropriate for these catastrophic times in which we live. It’s simply titled, ‘Even This.’ Please read with me: ‘It was a long letter – pages of tear-stained script. “Even God doesn’t care…” she wrote. Perhaps you haven’t put it in a letter, but has some overwhelming failure or fear obscured your sense of God’s presence? That was the catastrophe of the frightened disciples. The wind was boisterous, they had lost control… and Jesus went on sleeping. We quickly identify with the shouting: “Don’t you even care if we go under?” We’ve all shouted it, at least in attitude.
Jesus quieted the sea that night, but his piercing question hits the target of our hearts: ‘Don’t you even yet have confidence in me?” The awe filled disciples said among themselves, “Even the winds and seas obey him.” “How wonderful,” we say. Then suddenly, often without warning, the winds of adversity beat against our personal lives, and we cry “Lord, don’t you even care?” Again he asks, “Don’t you even yet have confidence in me? That habit that chains you. That fear that paralyzes you. That loss than numbs you… even this – all of this you may fling upon me!” But it means more than half-heartedly singing, “He will break every fetter.” It means surrendering to him completely. He knows your every need – even this.’
Ah friends, how very descriptive that is of us! We talk the talk, but can’t walk the walk. We claim such strong belief and understanding, but when the forces of adversity lash us, we cry out panic stricken, wondering, where is God, and if He doesn’t LOVE and care for us anymore. But God’s LOVE NEVER changes… and His presence NEVER strays from us. It’s our weak faith and/or unbelief that drives us crazy. If we were truly surrendered to Him, then we would know that He’s always there with us, LOVING us, like no other.
We behave like the disciples on the boat. Yes, the winds and the waves were threatening to swamp the boat, but they had been with Jesus for some time and had seen all the miracles He did, yet, they were scared out of their wits. It’s the very same way with us. We’ve seen Jesus do wonderful things in our lives, but when the next problem arises, we still become overly scared. It’s okay to be afraid when the disaster strikes unexpectedly, but soon thereafter that fear ought to be reduced to concern, because we know that the Lord is on our side and is looking out for us.
Oh my people, it’s all a matter of faith and sincere belief, of truly surrendering our souls, hearts, minds and bodies to Christ. Let’s keep remembering these memorable words of Bruh Paul to Timothy: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (1 Tim. 1:7) And that’s the bottom line on which we should always be operating, the basic foundation of our earthly walk. For fear is from the enemy; it’s one of his most useful tools. However faith is from God, and it will overcome fear any ole day. No wonder the saying: ‘When fear knocks, send faith to answer it.’
And the Bible Promise for today’s story comes from the gospel of Mark, and is a very useful one to refresh our memories. (smile) Jesus and His disciples were crossing over the Sea of Galilee along with other small boats. ‘And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full (filling with water). And he (Jesus) was in the hinder part (stern) of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master (Teacher), carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they (the disciples) feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this (who can this be), that even the wind and the sea obey him?’ (Mark 4:37-41)
And that friends is the same Jesus to whom we’ve supposedly surrendered our lives, the One who can do any and everything, who controls the universe, and is in our corner, and who we know much more about than the disciples did back then. So why is He still asking us even today, ‘how is it that ye have no faith?’ And that’s a question we should certainly ponder, because we will each have to answer it for ourselves. But it’s certainly not one that Christ ought to be asking after all this time.
Anyway, let’s go to the throne of grace through our Friday Chant, asking for divine aid to help us with our many problems. Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And for divine aid to be forthcoming, our behaviour has to improve, we must become better examples of true Christian living. Much LOVE!
…we can’t say we have faith…when fear so easily overtakes us…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 May 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a utopian dream, able to build you up, abound to every good work, according as he purposeth in his heart, appreciate the benefits of a job, Bible, bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, christianity, commend you to God, crying out for your help, embrace your love and compassion, entitled to the good life, escalating problems, every good and perfect gift is from above, faith, firstfruits of his creatures, four day work week, Friday chant, give not grudgingly, giving demonstrates our trust in God, god, God loveth a cheerful giver, having sufficiency in all things, he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, homeless, hungry, if we don't work we won't eat, introduce a new flock of believers, it is more blessed to give than to receive, Jesus, Jesus Christ, living high on the hog, LOVE, make all grace abound toward you, no shadow of turning, no variableness, not enough room to receive it, open you the windows of heaven, pour you out a blessing, return backsliders to your fold, simmering unrest in our land, sinful world, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the error of their ways, the example we faithful believers set, the isolation of self, the long and short of the story, these hands have ministered unto my necessities, to the word of his grace, truth, unexpected storms, wake up and smell the coffee, wake up to the realities of life, wisdom, wise guidance
Acts 20:35b. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
So the short work week is over due to the Victoria Day holiday on Monday…and we’ve all joyfully shouted: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ All the while wondering why we couldn’t have a four day work week instead of a five day one. (smile) But even if that miraculously happened, we would still be grumpy and dissatisfied on the first work day of the week. Even if we had to work only one day a week, it would still seem like a big inconvenience, because we so LOVE to do what we want, when we want, and working to earn a living is not one of the things we enjoy doing. Many of us believe that because we exist, we are therefore entitled to the good life. Hn!
But the long and short of the story is that if we don’t work we won’t eat, have shelter over our heads, or clothes on our backs. So this wishing to exist in a utopian dream of living high on the hog without working for it is just that, a utopian dream. (smile) And until we’ve been truly hungry, homeless, and without clothes, many of us will never appreciate the true benefits of having a job and working diligently at it, be it the much exalted C.E.O of the company or the lowly janitor.
Now please, let’s wake up to the realities of this life which is daily getting harder and more frustrating with more people being thrown out of work every day due to no fault of theirs, just the pressures of the economic seesaw, and thus end up facing the unpalatable prospects of going hungry and possibly homeless. And it’s therefore the duty of those who have to help those who don’t. Why? Let’s remember these important words of Bruh Paul from Acts, when he was about to leave Ephesus to go to Jerusalem.
‘And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yes, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto (provided for) my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:32-35)
Yes my fellow believers, giving is a big part of our discipleship, be it the giving of our time, money or material goods, we ought to be generous givers, for as Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: ‘But as I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (compulsion): for God LOVETH a cheerful (joyful) giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.’ (2 Cor. 9:6-8)
Oh friends, our God is happy when we give generously from our hearts, and in return He then always causes us to have enough, both for ourselves and to share with others. Now having shown through scripture that giving is a large part of our duty as disciples, let’s see how it helps us emotionally. I believe these two commentaries ably explain the benefits of giving upon our own selves and souls. The first one says: ‘When we give, we demonstrate our trust in God in a tangible way. Hoarding resources demonstrates a trust in ourselves—we can take care of ourselves better than God can. Conversely, biblical generosity is an act of trust in God. We give our first and our best, trusting God will do as He says—provide for our needs.’
And the second tells us: ‘It is better to give than to receive because giving releases us from the isolation of self. To receive something is a privatized act. When we receive a gift from someone else—of money, goods, or even the gift of encouragement—we experience at minimum a sense of appreciation and often a time of great joy and comfort.’ So, giving and receiving show our trust in God, as well as lifts our spirits. And remember what God said through the prophet Malachi, about giving Him our tithes?
‘Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat (food) in mine house, and prove (test) me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.’ (Mal. 3:10) That shows we should be most generous to God, with the first fruits of our labour. And in reality NOBODY is more generous that God. As James concurs in his epistle. ‘Do not err my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.’ (James 1:16-18)
Yuh see my fellow saints, the Lord created us to be an important creation, and is ever generous to us, especially when He sent Jesus into the world to sacrifice Himself so our sins could be paid for. Thus we also have the responsibility to be generous and faithful to Him and to those around us. And yes, times are tough, and it’s not always easy to live the way we ought, but we have the resources of heaven at our command, so let’s go there right now, through our Friday Chant and ask for help in these needful times.
Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And though we can go to heaven for help, let’s never forget that that help will only come with our improved behaviour and faithfulness! Much LOVE!
…to give…to give…and yet to give…that should be our Christian motto…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
17 May 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: acknowledge God in all thy ways, backsliders, bastards, be not wise in thine own eyes, Bible, can wake up and smell the coffee, despise not the chastening of the Lord, error of their ways, escapades, examples of Christian faith, faith, fear the Lord, find favour and good understanding, fools despise wisdom and instruction, Friday chant, god, he shall direct thy paths, hijinks, honour the Lord with all thy substance, in subjection unto the Father of spirits, in the sight of God and man, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus, Jesus Christ, lean not unto thine own understanding, leggo-beasts, let thine heart keep my commandments, letting off steam, LOVE, mercy, my son forget not my law, open you the windows of heaven, pour you out a blessing, reverential awe, simmering unrest, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the beginning of wisdom, the table of thine heart, tithing, trust in the Lord with all thy heart, whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, wisdom
Proverbs 3:1. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
And at long last it was Friday…so we could all shout; ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’…with a summer-like weekend apparently in the offing. About time too! For we’re in dire need of some summer hijinks and escapades, to get the blood flowing after a cold and dreary winter. (smile) And yuh better believe those hijinks and escapades will soon be hitting the streets, with some of us behaving like leggo-beasts, instead of placid humans. But that’s understandable after such a long period of being locked up with very few avenues to let out our innate steam.
And on this fateful Friday, where we’re planning to let off some long pent up steam, we’re simply going to get into the wise words of Cousin Sol, that hopefully will keep us from doing anything foolish or unwise while doing so. According to the scholars the passage we’re about to read can be divided in to six sections, each containing a command and a reason to obey that command. So please read with me: ‘My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add unto thee.’ (Prov. 3:1-2)
Wow friends! Right away we see some of the benefits of keeping the Lord’s commandments; long life and peace. But that’ only the tip of the benefits. For as Cousin Sol continues: ‘Let not mercy (LOVING-kindness) and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them on the table (tablet) of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding (high esteem) in the sight of God and man.’ (Prov. 3:3-4) Oh my my! What wisdom! And which one of us doesn’t want or need favour and high esteem from both God and man eh? All of us do. And the scholars explain that ‘about thy neck,’ indicates that the father’s teachings should be as important in one’s life as an adornment around one’s neck. And the table of thine heart is our minds.
And to further our wisdom and understanding Cousin Sol then leads us down this narrow path, where he writes: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ (Prov. 3:5-6) What exquisite wisdom my brethren! And what do the scholars have to say about those verses? Simply this: ‘Three commands are given: trust, meaning “rely on, depend on”; lean not, meaning do not depend on your own native instincts; and acknowledge him, meaning have fellowship and intimacy with God in ALL of life. The result of such devotion is that God will make the paths straight before you.’
How can we want for more than that eh my fellow believers? But Cousin Sol insists that there are indeed more benefits to be had in keeping the commandments of God while knowing Him through an intimate relationship. So here are some more words of wisdom. ‘Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord (hold Him in reverential awe), and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength) to thy bones.’ (Prov. 3:7-8) Now that last instruction is a rather important one, because remember as Cousin Sol says earlier in Proverbs: ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov. 1:7) That means submission to God in all aspects, including a healthy fear of Him, that draws you to Him, rather than have you run away. And that healthy and hearty submission will gain you a healthy and strong body.
Then we have to ‘Honour the Lord with thy substance (possessions), and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses (vats) shall burst out with new wine.’ (Prov. 3:9-10) Now, that we know as tithing; as giving to God the first portion or tenth of our increase. It’s something He demands and expects. As He said to Israel when they were not offering their tithes. ‘Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat (food) in mine house, and prove (test) me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.’ (Mal. 3:9-10)
Yes friends, our God is very protective of what He thinks is His, and when we do the right thing, He blesses us even more. Now back to the last two verses of Cousin Sol’s instructions in this passage, which are ever so important. So let’s read: ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of (detest) his correction: For whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighted.’ (Prov. 3:11-12) Yes my fellow saints, God’s correction shows His undying and unconditional LOVE for us.
And the author of Hebrews corroborates Cousin’s Sol’s words (Heb. 12:5-6) but then adds this addendum. ‘If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, wherefore all are partakers, then are ye bastards (illegitimate), and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence (respect): shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?’ (Heb. 12:7-9) And the answer to that question is an obvious ‘YES!’ So please let’s get wise and follow the directions outlined above, that is, if we want to live the abundant life that Christ died for us to have.
Now, let’s go humbly but confidently to the throne of grace through our Friday Chant, seeking divine help in these desperate times of need. Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And to activate divine help, one of the things we need to do, is be much better examples of Christian faith than we currently are. Much LOVE!
…God’s commandments are given for our benefit…not His…let’s remember that…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 May 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a caring and compassionate manner, a demanding mistress, Bible, bore us in the womb, divine help, erred from the faith, faith, Friday chant, God's omnipotent help, have rule over all my labour, heaven, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus, Jesus Christ, lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, LOVE, material wealth, money, Mother's Day, our sinful world, restoring faith in you, return backsliders to your fold, rewards for faithful service, simmering unrest, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the accumulation of things, the LOVE of money, the root of all kinds of evil, the spiritual realm, thieves do not break through and steal, truth, wake up and smell the coffee, we brought nothing into this world, we can carry nothing out, where moth and rust doth corrupt, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break through and steal, where your treasure is there will be your heart also, wine and dine, wisdom, Ye cannot serve God and mammon
Matthew 6:21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be.
And though it’s a cloudy kind of a sunny day, we don’t care because we’ve gotten to shout, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Yes friends, the weekend’s here, work’s done for another week and we’re joyful as we set out to celebrate another eventful Mother’s Day, where we’ll wine and dine those wonderful women who bore us in their wombs for nine tough months, and then showed us what LOVE and life are all about, as they raised us in a caring and compassionate manner. And that’s a good Bruh Paulian sentence! (smile)
Today, we’re going to talk about something near and very dear to all of our hearts; that’s treasure, material wealth of the world, which all of us need to live, but too many of us live to get, to accumulate it, and will do anything necessary to get it. However friends, that’s not a good way to live at all. For running down material wealth is fraught with all kinds of problems, some even life threatening. Remember Bruh Paul’s serious warning to Timothy? ‘For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds) of evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith (for which some in their greediness have strayed from the faith), and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (ruined themselves).’ (2 Tim. 6:10)
And that’s the gospel truth my people! When we run down money and all it’s inherent trials, we lose track of life, of our families, of ourselves, because the accumulation of money is a very demanding mistress. It can spoil everything around us, and even drive us from faith in God. And that’s the devil’s greatest hope. That’s why Jesus gave this very intentional warning: ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal:’ (Matt. 6:19)
Now we all know that to be true, because we hear and see it every day, where someone with lots of money is either defrauded out of it, or it’s physically stolen. And if your treasure happens to be in things like clothes, art, books or some mechanical device, then, with the passing of time, moth and rust will certainly attack them and thus drive down their value, or even make them completely worthless. So what’s the answer to that conundrum, that difficult problem of storing up our treasures?
Jesus answers it thus: ‘But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves do not break through nor steal.’ (Matt. 6:20) More gospel truth my people! For heaven is such a secure place where there’s no moth, rust nor thieves. No, none of those negative things exist in God’s, and our soon to be home. So it’s obviously the best place to lay up your treasures. Then Jesus makes this oh so important statement: ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be.’ (Matt. 6:21)
And there’s absolutely no doubt about that, for wherever your treasure is laid up there you will concentrate your focus. Thus, if you have an accumulation of earthly treasures, you will focus on them down here on earth more than on anything else. That means God will most likely not be an important aspect of your life. However, if your treasures are in heaven, in the spiritual realm, then there will your heart be also, and God will be the focus of your life. What Jesus is saying my brethren, is that the spiritual things of life are more important than the material things. And therefore one must concentrate on building up one’s spiritual maturity and life.
That brings up Bruh Paul’s words to Timothy shortly before he told him about the destruction the LOVE of money can cause. ‘For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.’ (2 Tim. 6:7) More indisputable truth, since we didn’t bring anything when we were born, and we certainly cannot carry all, or any of the material wealth we’ve accumulated here on earth. So why kill our selves to accumulate it eh? Only to leave it for others to enjoy and waste.
As Cousin Sol so wisely says in Ecclesiastes about leaving one’s wealth to others. ‘And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity (futility).’ (Eccl. 2:19) That’s another problem with leaving behind too much material possessions; people either waste it, or fight over it and the lawyers end up getting most of it. That’s why it’s so important to lay up treasures in heaven where you will be spending eternity.
And the scholars offer these explanations on the subject. ‘The attention of the believer is directed toward treasures in heaven. The term ‘treasures’ implies the addition or accumulation of things. The two kinds of treasures are conditioned by their place (either on earth or in heaven). The concept of laying up treasures in heaven is not pictured as one of meritorious benefits but rather of rewards for faithful service, as is illustrated elsewhere in the teaching of Jesus.’ And since treasures in heaven come from faithful service to God, that means we cannot both focus on earthly treasure and heavenly rewards at the same time. As Jesus puts it: ‘Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money, riches).’ (Matt. 6:25b)
More gospel truth! So we therefore have to decide which one we’re going to serve, and for all the reasons listed above, serving God is obviously the wisest decision. And to help us make that crucial decision today and stick to it, in light of all wiles and lies of the devil, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, for divine help. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land.
We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And to get that divine aid rolling, as our prayer directs, we first need to show ourselves as true and faithful believers. Much LOVE!
…since earthly life is short and heavenly life lasts forever…wisdom dictates storing up more heavenly treasures than earthly ones…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
12 Jan 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all came to pass, all should come to repentance, being not weak in faith, divine help, faith, Friday chant, given rest unto his people Israel, going the way of all the earth, hard slogging, imputed to him for righteousness, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus Christ, light in the darkness, LOVE, not willing that any should perish, Promise Keeper, promised by the hand of his servant Moses, restoring faith in you, salvation, simmering unrest, strong in faith, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the awesome help of Jesus, the deadness of Sarah's womb, the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel, the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, the way the truth and the life, there failed notof any good thing, throne of grace, trusting faith, truth, unexpected storms, wake up and smell the coffee, Way Maker, wise guidance, with God all things are possible
Joshua 21:45. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
The week’s finished mih people! That means we can cry out: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday…and the weekend’s here at long last!’ Yes, I know some of us had it hard slogging through a whole five day work week, having not done one for a while. But I’m sure, with the awesome help of Jesus, we all came through it with flying colours. And that’s the beauty of having Jesus as Lord and Saviour; we can always depend on Him, trust Him to help us in our time of need. That reminds us of the song that calls Him, the Way Maker, Promise Keeper and Light in the Darkness.
And why is he called the Way Maker? Because He can, and does make a way where there seems to be no way! For He is the way, the truth and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by Him.’ (John 14:6) So, in the first place if we’re looking for a way, Jesus is the One to turn to. And secondly, ‘By serving as the atoning sacrifice for all of the world’s sins, Jesus made a way for EVERYONE to enter into Heaven.’ How wonderful is that eh my brethren! Jesus made a way for all of us to go to heaven! And thirdly, as He said to the disciples re the camel passing through the eye of a needle: ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26)
That means that Jesus can do ANYTHING! Therefore, He is the person that we need to put our total trust in, to surrender our all to, because He is also a faithful Promise Keeper! Yes friends, our wonderful God and Saviour is still in control of the universe He created and His promises are true. He’s never reneged on one! And there are many scriptures which proclaim that truth. Let’s look at a couple of them nuh, beginning with the Book of Joshua, where it speaks of the division of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel. The Word says: ‘There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.’ (Josh. 21:45)
That’s for sure my brethren! Not a single word that the Lord spoke to Israel failed! And later on, Joshua himself said to the people: ‘And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth (going to die): and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.’ (Josh. 23:14) And if the Israelites were truthful, they would have admitted that, since all the promises God made to them about bringing them out of bondage in Israel to the Promised Land were faithfully fulfilled.
Cousin Sol said the same thing when he made His great prayer to God and speech to Israel after the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the newly built temple. He said: ‘Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest (peace) unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of his servant Moses.’ (1 Kin. 8:56) And what about the father of our faith eh, Abraham? At seventy years of age, he packed up family and his belongings and left his homeland to wander where he knew not, because a God he didn’t know told him to do so. And what of it, you ask?
Listen to Bruh Paul as he writes to the Roman church on the subject of Abraham’s faithfulness. ‘Who against hope (contrary to the circumstances) believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he (Abraham) considered not his own body now dead, when he was an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: he staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded (convinced) that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.’ (Rom. 4:18-22)
Yuh see friends, the Lord always keeps His promises, though they may take a long time to come to pass, like the twenty five years it took for Abraham and Sarah to have the child, Isaac, who would enable the promise of ‘the Father of nations’ to be kept. But though we sometimes have to wait a long time for the Lord’s promises to come true, like Abraham, we need to be strong in faith, never doubting that they will eventually happen. For as Peter writes: ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but he is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Pet. 3:9)
Oh my people, our God takes His promises very seriously and doesn’t make them unless He intends to keep them. Let’s believe that with all our hearts souls, mind and bodies, for if we do, it will stand us in very good stead in this fickle and faithless world. And since we don’t want to make the Bit too long for our short mind spans, (smile) we’ll deal with the ‘Light in the Darkness’ aspect of Jesus’ attributes tomorrow, obviously if God spares life. Now let’s go to the throne of grace through our Friday Chant seeking divine help for our many earthly problems.
Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And the best way to invoke that divine help is by taking action and truly setting the example of faithful believers we talk about! Much LOVE!
…there’s no reason whatsoever…to doubt the power, promises and faithfulness of our God Jehovah…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
08 Dec 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as unto the Lord and not unto men, be responsible, become faithful believers, by the example we set, change our evil ways, Christ-like character, crying out for help, diligence, do anything to escape wor, do it with thy might, embrace your love and compassion, excellence, faith, fervent in spirit, Friday chant, handle the unexpected storms, high level of entitlement, humility, intregirty, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus Christ, LOVE, not slothful in business, of the Lord, our society despises work, receive the reward of the inheritance, repent of our sincs, return backsliders to your fold, serving the Lord, simmering unrest, stay safe, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the error of their ways, there is no work device knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, truth, wake up and smell the coffee, whatsoever thy had findeth to do, whatsoever ye do do it heartily, wisdom, wise guidance, ye serve the Lord Christ
Colossians 3:23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.
And then it was Friday, that magical day we all long for and pray to see, so that we can joyfully declare: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ And we don’t care so much what the weather is like once it’s Friday and our work week is winding down. And by the way, today will be mostly cloudy, though somewhat warmer than normal.
But what a way our society doesn’t treasure work eh! Some of us will do anything to get away from it, even when doing nothing is more difficult than working. I’ve seen people go to a job and spend the entire 8 or twelve hours trying to shirk the li’l work involved. But come quitting time and payday, they’re brazen enough to find fault, although they haven’t performed their duties to the best of their abilities. But that’s the way of life these days!
The level of supposed entitlement is dreadfully high in today’s wasteful and lazy society. Don’t know how we got to that awful stage, but hopefully though, true believers in Christ, who are expected to do their best under all circumstances, will not fall into that trap of Satan. And yes, sometimes that’s difficult, especially when you see others continually lazing around with no adverse consequences, and receiving the same remuneration as yourself.
Let’s remember though my brethren that in the long run, we are working for Almighty God, not for men, and He expects us to put our best foot forward at all times, even when it’s difficult and/or unfair. As Bruh Paul writes so emphatically to the Colossians, in the passage where he describes some of the duties and responsibilities of husbands and wives, fathers, children and slaves: ‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.’ (Col. 3:23-24)
Yes friends, whatever we do, whatever kind of work we are doing, we ought to work heartily at it. In other words ‘with all your heart and all the different ways that plays out in scripture, with Christ-like character, with honesty, with diligence, with integrity, with humility.’ And why is that you ask? The second verse answers the question. We know that if we do as the Lord desires, we will receive an inheritance of reward from Him, for we are serving Christ.
And then this last verse in the passage confirms the wisdom of working as for the Lord and not for man. ‘But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.’ (Col. 3:25) There we have it my brethren; however we do our work, there shall be consequences involved, either good or bad, but that depends entirely on us.
And not only Bruh Paul encourages us to work diligently, but Cousin Sol, as he is won’t to do, (smile) also has a take on the subject. Writing as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, in a passage where he extols his readers to live joyfully, he exhorts: ‘Live joyfully (enjoy life) with the wife whom thou LOVEST all the days of the life of thy vanity (empty life), which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest (performest) under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.’ (Eccl. 9:10)
Trust Cousin Sol to say it like it is. We ought to enjoy our lives, for that’s our portion granted to us by God. Whatever we’re doing then, we ought to do it well, for there’s no work where we’re all going to end up eventually; that’s the grave. That reminds us of another scripture, where Bruh Paul is writing to the church at Rome, telling them about overcoming evil with good. Part of the passage exhorts believers to ‘Be kindly affectioned (be affectionate) one to another, with brotherly LOVE, in honour preferring (giving preference to) one another; Not slothful in business (lagging in diligence), fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.’ (Rom. 12:10-11)
There we have it again my people; the importance of doing whatever we do well, because it’s ultimately in the Lord’s service! And earlier in Colossians chapter 3, where Bruh Paul talks about putting on the new man, he ends with these encouraging words. ‘And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col. 3:17) So we see my fellow saints, that it’s not only our work we should be diligent in, and do it as unto God rather than men, but whatever we say or do in this life ought to be done in Christ’s name, so that the Father can get the thanks and glory, He so well deserves.
And having said all of that, let’s now go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine help to do all that we’ve spoken about. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times.
We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And as we all know, the first rule in receiving divine help is to repent of our sins and change our evil ways, and become truly faithful believers. So let’s set about doing those things nuh! Much LOVE!
…Jesus expects diligence and excellence…in ALL things…from His followers…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
20 Oct 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: action is needed to complete the scenario, cease not to give thanks for you, crying out for help, divine strength in daily living, embrace your love and compassion, faith if it hath no works is dead, faithful believers, Friday chant, heavenly blessings, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus Christ, knowledge and understanding are not enough, living for Christ, LOVE, love unto all saints, making mention of you in our prayers, obedient to the word and will of God, omnipotent help, priceless treasure to God, return backsliders to your fold, show them the error of their ways, spiritual maturity, step up our godly actions, the Father of glory, the knowledge of him, the mighty power of God, the priceless value of salvation, the spirit of wisdom and revelation, totally surrender our souls, turn from our evil ways, wisdom, your faith in the Lord Jesus, your mind's understanding be fully enlightened
Ephesians 1:17. the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.
And this morning, as we declare (steups!!!) ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ a gentle rain is falling upon the land, providing some most needful nourishment, for lately, rain is not something we’ve been seeing much in our area. So we are indeed grateful for this heavenly blessing. And on this rainy Friday morning, I want to share an interesting prayer of Bruh Paul’s in his letter to the Ephesians. We all know that he had some interesting prayers, not so much for blessings in health, material and worldly things but more for spiritual maturity, and this one is a gem.
So let’s read, as he writes: ‘Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and LOVE unto all saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.’ (Eph. 1:15-17) What a powerful prayer that is my brethren, for it involves our spiritual understanding of Christ and the Father, that we might get to know and understand them better. The scholars term it ‘a disposition consisting of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him.’
Yes friends, it’s all about spiritual maturity, which is the Father’s eventual wish for us, for all to eventually be as close as possible to the character of Christ. That’s why we’re going through all the unfair, unjust and distasteful stuff we’re going through; to grow us into the likeness of Christ. And it’s not easy, but as we keep on saying, whatever God desires of us, He gives us the wherewithal to accomplish it. And if He wants us to be like Christ, then He’s given us the tools to do so, we just have to wake up and use them, and above all be committed to accomplishing God’s will for our lives! That’s where the wisdom and revelation of knowing Him comes in.
And furthermore, Bruh Paul sweetens the pot by continuing: ‘The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.’ (Eph. 1:18-19) And yes, Bruh Paul can be extremely complicated, as though he’s speaking to scholars, and not ordinary, mostly unlearned people. But that’s the way it is with some very educated persons, they just can’t explain things simply. (smile)
However, the scholars explain those verses thus. ‘When the figurative terms are removed from the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, the clause means that “your mind’s understanding may be fully enlightened.” This clause further explains verse 17. That ye may know signifies that the believer comes to know three things upon being enlightened: (1) what is the hope of his calling; that is, he realizes how sure and certain is his heavenly destiny; (2) what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; that is, the illuminated Christian recognizes more and more both the priceless value of his salvation, and what a priceless treasure he is to God; and (3) what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe: perceiving how God’s power has changed him since conversion, he experiences to a greater extent this divine strength in daily living.’
Oh my people, what a glorious prayer for both the Ephesians and all believers! That the Lord will help us understand what’s going on in our lives, especially the spiritual aspect, so that we can wake up and more fully understand and believe, then totally surrender our souls and so truly enjoy the life that Christ died for us to have! Now, that’s what the majority of us need to learn and know and put into practice, if we are to ever turn this evil and ungodly world around. Because knowledge and understanding don’t cut it by themselves, action is needed to complete the scenario.
As James says, ‘Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.’ (James 2:17) And that’s what’s wrong with our world today. We Christians claim to have a whole lot of faith, but our works, our godly actions are very negligible in the great scheme of things, consequently our world has fallen deep into the mire of Satan’s evil and ungodly power. Thus, it’s become of the utmost importance for believers to stop talking as much as we do, and instead, step up our godly actions.
But getting back to Bruh Paul’s prayer, he’s not done yet nuh. (smile) No, he goes on to explain about the ‘mighty power’ of God. But I believe we’ll leave the rest of it until tomorrow, obviously if God spares life, because it will make the Bit too long, and you know we strive to keep it as short as possible…not that we’re always successful (smile) So let’s consider what we’ve learned today, and try to put it into practice, pray for those we LOVE to be filled with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in Christ Jesus, that we can all truly know Him and all the benefits and riches His saving grace bestows on us.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace in confidence, but sincere humility, and through our Friday Chant, ask for divine help to handle our many earthly problems. As one prayerful voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And since the eyes of our understanding have been enlightened, (smile) we now know that the only way to get divine help is by turning from our evil ways and by being obedient to the Word and Will of Almighty God! So let’s do it nuh! Much LOVE!
…to truly understand living for Christ…one must spend serious and sincere time with Him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
13 Oct 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fruitful bough, be responsible, blessings of heaven above, blessings of the breasts, crying out for help, divine help, Friday chant, Friday the 13th, he whom thy brethren shall praise, Him to Whom It Belongs, his clothes in the blood of grapes, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus Christ, Lion of the tribe of Judah, LOVE, on the crown of the head, on the neck of thine enemies, one truth from the Bible, return backsliders to your fold, simmering unrest, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the error of their ways, the example your faithful believers set, the Messiah, the sceptreshall not depart from Judah, the twelve tribes of Israel, the unexpected storms, the weekend, thy father's children shall bow down before thee, until Shiloh come, wake up and and smell the coffee, washed his garments in wine, wise guidance, worth more than all the wisdom of man
Genesis 49:8. Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: …thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.
And it’s one of those Friday the 13th days, when all the old wives tales surface. Tales like don’t walk beneath a ladder today, or don’t let a black cat cross your path. There’s also the superstition that the number 13 itself is unlucky, that’s why you don’t find 13th floors in buildings or elevators. But be that as it may, we’ll still joyfully declare ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at last!’ Although this was just a four-day work week. (smile) So, without further ado, let’s get down to the Father’s business. That means to continue looking at Bruh Joseph’s amazing and intriguing story, as we promised if God spared life. And since He most mercifully did so, let’s get to it!
We’ve reached the point where the old patriarch Jacob, hitherto known as Israel, calls his sons together to bless them. And it’s from him that we derive the twelve tribes of Israel. Now there are actually eleven sons of his loins, but we’ve seen where He adopts or calls the first two sons of Bruh Joseph his. But when the Promised Land is divided up, Bruh Joseph doesn’t have a tribe, but his two sons do, which makes it twelve. Anyway, Jacob on his deathbed calls his sons together and blesses them according to the order of their birth, with Reuben the oldest first, and Benjamin, the youngest last.
The scholars tell us: ‘Jacob concludes his life as other saints who spoke a blessing before their end: Isaac (Gen. 27), Moses (Deut. 33), Joshua (Josh. 24), and Samuel (1 Sam. 12).’ Now, we don’t have either time nor space to go through all the blessings, so we’ll only go through the two most important ones, Bruh Joseph’s, because it’s his story we’re dealing with, and Judah’s because his line turned out to be the most influential. And just for interest’s sake, those two have the longest blessings.
So, let’s begin with Bruh Joseph’s blessing. Jacob said: ‘Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. The archers have sorely (bitterly) grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength (remained strong), and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under (beneath), blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The blessings of thy father have prevailed (excelled) above the blessings of my progenitors (ancestors) unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.’ (Gen. 49:22-26)
Yes friends, though Bruh Joseph was separated from his brothers through envy and jealousy, the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept him strong, showed him favour in his many trials, and eventually blessed him with great honour and material wealth, and he would go on to do well, if he kept walking with the Lord.
As for Judah, Jacob said: ‘Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in (on) the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee (reminiscent of Bruh Joseph’s dream). Judah is a lion’s welp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped (crouches), he couched (lies) down as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
The sceptre (symbol of kingship) shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering (obedience) of the people be. Binding his foal (donkey) unto the vine, and his ass’s (donkey’s) colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: His eyes shall be red with (darker than) wine, and his teeth white with (whiter than) milk.’ (Gen. 49:8-12)
And what does all of that mean eh? Let’s get some insight from the scholars. They say ‘The key thought is expressed as the sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. The sceptre was a symbol of royal power. Lawgiver, according to Speiser, refers to a mace. Etymologically (in its origins), it is something pertaining to a legislator or one in authority, and from the context, an analogue of (comparison to) the sceptre. When a dignity was seated, the staff would rest between his feet.
Jacob was not saying his (Judah’s) rule would end when Shiloh came. On the contrary, this term denotes the turning point at which the superiority of Judah will continue, and at that time to be enlarged to embrace all nations. Shiloh is a hidden name for Messiah; it is made up of three grammatical parts (sh–l– oh) meaning “Him to Whom it (the Sceptre or Kingdom ) Belongs.” It is not to be taken as a proper name for Messiah, nor does it refer to the town where the tabernacle was later established, for this would be meaningless prophetically.
The phrase and unto him shall be the gathering of the people be means, literally, “And unto him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” This can refer only to the Messiah. Thus the reference to a lion in verse 9 points to that One who is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” (Rev. 5:5). Verses 11 and 12 describe the millennial prosperity (cf. Is. 11:1-9; Ezek. 34:23-31; Amos 9:11-15).’
Yes my people, it sounds very complicated and difficult to understand, but the long and short of the story is that Judah would be the tribe, the line from which the Messiah, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ would come. That’s why Jacob prophesied so mightily in Judah’s blessing. And it just goes to show all the foreshadowing that the Lord did when compiling His Word. Even from the days of Jacob a Messiah was in the works. That’s why we say the Lord is indeed the greatest dramatist there is! But He is also the Creator and Controller, the One to whom we need to go for divine help for our earthly problems. So, let’s do that right now nuh, through our Friday Chant.
Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times.
We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And the operative words in that prayer my people are ‘by the example, we, your faithful believers set.’ So please, let’s be about setting a good example nuh. Much LOVE!
…one truth from the Bible…is worth…more than all the wisdom of man…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
29 Sep 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: at the drop of a hat, be responsible, between a rock and a hard place, boomerangs back on us, chickens coming home to roost, divine help, Friday chant, God did send me before you to preserve life, introduce a new flock of believers, Jesus Christ, knocked them down with a feather, machinations, made me a father to Pharaoh, mercy, problems escalating, return backsliders to your fold, struck fear in their hearts, sunshine lollipops and roses, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the apex, the climax of the story, the error of their ways, the moral of the story, the thrilling saga, the tremendous ramifications, throne of grace, to preserve you a posterity, turn into a nightmarish scene, wake up and smell the coffee, wisdom, wise guidance, wrong doings come back to haunt us
Genesis 45: 5b. for God did send me before you to preserve life.
And today when we say, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ we truly mean it, because it’s just another beautiful day in the life! Sunshine, lollipops and roses! Oh friends, it’s too good to be true, but we had better enjoy these wonderful days while we have them, for the weather is so contrary these days, that it can turn into a nightmarish scene at the drop of a hat.
So, let’s give our great God thanks and praise for all the many undeserved blessings He’s so generously bestowed on us. And all God’s children declared (yesss!!!): ‘We thank You Lord for Your goodness and mercy. Please help us to truly appreciate them and live the way You desire, in sincere obedience to You and Your word. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And now it’s time to turn to the next episode in the thrilling saga of Bruh Joseph that set the stage for so much stuff, many, many moons ago. And some of us who don’t know Bruh Joseph’s story will be surprised to know the tremendous ramifications it had in the world back then, and still has to this day. Now, we saw yesterday where Judah implores Bruh Joseph to keep him as a slave instead of Benjamin, because if they returned without Benjamin, it would surely kill his father.
And finally friends, we’ve reached the apex, the climax of the story. Bruh Joseph, set between a rock and a hard place by his brother’s heartfelt plea, finally breaks down. The Bible tells it thus: ‘Then Joseph could not refrain (restrain) himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren!’ (Gen. 45:1)
Yes mih people, our ingenious machinations always catch up with us at some time or the other. And now the chickens are finally coming home to roost between Bruh Joseph and his brothers. And the Good Library continues: ‘And he (Joseph) wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him, for they were troubled (dismayed) at his presence.’ (Gen. 45:2-3)
What an incredible moment that must have been in the brothers’ lives! Discovering that this powerful, well-dressed Egyptian-looking man was there long lost brother obviously came as a big surprise, you could have knocked them down with a feather! And furthermore, the revelation must have struck tremendous fear in their hearts, as they remembered the terrible deed they had done to him so long ago. Oh mih bredrin, our wrong doings, do come back to haunt us, so please, let’s refrain from them as much as possible nuh, so we won’t have them boomerang back on us at some future date.
Anyway, the heightened drama of the saga continues: ‘And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved or angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.’ (Gen. 45:-5) Wow! Bruh Joseph had finally understood what God was doing in his life! Wish many more of us could do the same, for we would cause ourselves much less pain and heartache.
And Bruh Joseph continues to reveal the situation to his brothers. ‘For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing (plowing) nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity (a remnant) in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharoah, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.’ (Gen. 45:6-8)
Mama Mia! What must the brothers have thought? They must have trembled with fear. It’s surprising that none of them fainted. But according to the scholars: ‘In spite of many assurances, this uneasiness before their brother persisted for many years (cf. 50:15). They were literally “terrified, trembling.” Joseph gave a clear testimony to God’s working providentially in his own life when he said: God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity … and to save your lives … so now it was not you that sent me hither, but God. The phrase He hath made me a father unto Pharaoh is an expression applied to Egyptian viziers (Prime Ministers) as far back as the third millennium B.C.’
Yes, my fellow believers, we finally see and understand what God was doing in Bruh Joseph’s life! All the trials and tribulations he unfairly underwent were necessary for him to become the Leader and Saviour of his family as the Lord’s script required. That’s why I keep repeating that our God is the greatest dramatist ever! No one else can envision and produce the kind of ups and downs, the ins and outs and connect the dots like He can. And I’m sure that many of us today are being used in the same manner, for some uplifting purpose of which we’re completely unaware, and consequently undergoing troubles that we don’t understand.
But the moral of the story is that we must leave it all in God’s hands, for He created us, as well as the plans for our lives, which He solemnly promised were for good and not calamity, to give us a future and a hope, just like He did for Bruh Joseph and his family way back when. So, let’s not get upset and angry with God when we undergo stuff that seems unfair, for He’s working it all out for our good, just in His way and time. And if we faithfully endure with Him, we’ll eventually see the masterpiece that He’s planned for our lives finally blossom forth, and then we’ll fully understand His amazing dramatic potential. (smile)
Now, let’s go to Him, at the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, confidently, but humbly asking for divine grace and wisdom in these very serious times of need. As one voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times.
We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And if we truly want to see divine help, then we need to do what it requires; that’s turning from our evil ways, and being obedient to God’s dictates! Much LOVE!
…the Lord’s plans for our lives…are seldom clearly understood…but through sincere faith and total trust…we can see them through to fruition…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
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