19 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a calm temperament, a crying shame, a gung-ho society, a new week of work, a new working week, a sad commentary, a sad tale, a satisfied working class, a state of constant readiness, a true sense of purpose, a waste of lives, an anomaly, an inequitable society, be prepared for Christ's second coming, boost to our confidence, buffeted and bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, but my Father only, but of that day and hour knoweth no man, cementing powerful positions, coming down from God out of heaven, constantly rising prices, corruption, disappointed with life, disgruntled, do as little as possible, doing a fair day's work, egotism, enjoyment and ethusiasm in our working lives, enthused about going to work, every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, find no satisfaction in their jobs, firmly entrenched, flaunt their wealth and power, frustrated, furthering your glorious kingdom, give up hope, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go through the motions, God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, God shall wipe away all tears, greed, grieved him at his heart, have to work all five days, he that sat upon the throne, holy spirit, I am sorry that I made them, I heard a great voice out of heaven, I John saw the holy city, I saw a new heaven and a new earth, I will destroy man from the face of the earth, increasing their already enormous wealth, invincible, it repented the Lord that he had made man, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs being lost to technology, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, leading our society to higher ground, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, neither sorrow nor crying, New Jerusalem, no holiday to ease the pressure, no more death, no more pain, no more sea, not the angels of heaven, not very Christ-like, nothing's impossible for God, only evil continually, over the weekend, people only go to work for the money, poverty, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, salaries not rising to compensate for the increase in prices, sally forth with confidence, salvation, selfishness, shamelessly exhibited, short tempered, social media, sours our disposition, spout a lot of heifer dust, stay encouraged, stay focused on God, stop caring, strife, suppression, sure conquerors, technological advances, the economic situation, the evil and ungodly state of the world, the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, the former things are passed away, the numerous serious problems in our world, the poor keep losing the little they have, the power brokers, the rich and powerful, the rich getting richer, the tabernacle of god is with men, the technocrats, the throne of grace, the tough two way commute, these words are faithful and true, time for Christ to come again, to lead and guide all your servants, trust God's Word, truth, watch and pray, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 October 2026 Genesis 6:5a.
Genesis 6:5a. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
A new working week has begun my brethren; one filled with brilliant sunshine, bright colours of the flora, and fairly warm. That means today is Monday, and unless you have sick time in the bank, you will have to work all five days because there’s no holiday this time around to ease the pressure. (smile) And it’s somewhat of an anomaly that although many of us have been working five days a week for several years, we never seem to get accustomed to it, or handle it with a calm temperament. Many Monday mornings seem to find us disgruntled, short tempered and not very Christ-like.
And I don’t know if it’s because we don’t like our jobs, the people we work with, or the tough two way commute every day that sours our disposition to such an extent that we simply give up hope, stop caring and just go through the motions without any true sense of purpose or enjoyment and enthusiasm in our working lives. Now if that’s the case, it’s a sad commentary on both ourselves and our society. What a waste of many lives for many years! And what a sad tale it tells when so many people today only go to work for the money, try to do as little as possible, and find no satisfaction or enjoyment in their jobs.
The society is gung-ho about its social media and technological advances, but a high percentage of individuals appear to be more frustrated and disappointed with life, especially right now as our world is overwhelmed with strife, suppression and poverty, when the economic situation looks very bleak as prices for everyday necessities like fuel, housing, food and clothing are constantly rising, but salaries are not rising to meet the increases, and many jobs are being lost as technology takes over the work that people once did.
And to make that sad picture even sadder, in this rather inequitable society, the rich seem to be getting richer by leaps and bounds while the poor keep losing whatever little they have. I guess all of that doesn’t make for a happy or satisfied working class. Meanwhile, the powerbrokers and ruling technocrats spout a lot of heifer dust, but are really only interested in cementing their powerful positions and increasing their already enormous wealth. I don’t know if we’ve ever seen a time like this one where greed, egotism, selfishness and corruption have been so firmly entrenched, and even worse, so shamelessly exhibited by those who are supposed to be leading our society to higher ground.
It’s a crying shame the way the rich and powerful flaunt their wealth and power to excess, despite the numerous serious problems in our world. No wonder the ordinary worker isn’t enthused about going to work or about doing a good and fair day’s work even for decent remuneration. So what’s the answer to the problem, you ask? To tell the truth, I don’t know. The only thing that might answer all the problems is for the Lord to decide that it’s time for Christ to come again. (smile) Because our society is so sick and evil that it’s only the Lord who can clean it up.
Unfortunately though, it seems like our world might be as sick and evil as it was way back in time, that it could not be cleaned up, but had to be destroyed and started again. As the Bible enlightens us: ‘And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination (intent) of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (all day long). And it repented the Lord (he was sorry) that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me (I am sorry) that I have made them.’ (Gen. 6:5-7)
Ah friends, who knows what the Lord’s thinking right now, but I’m sure that He’s very displeased with the evil and ungodly state of His once wonderful universe. And although nothing’s impossible with our omnipotent God, it might just be wiser to destroy mankind again, especially after unsuccessfully sacrificing His only Son Jesus to try and turn things around. And the time might just be right for John’s great revelation to come true. ‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:1-5)
Yes my people I know we’re longing for the day when there are no more, tears, pain, sorrow or death on the earth, but that’s the Lord’s decision, and as Jesus said of that time: ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt. 24:36) But rest assured that day will eventually come, however, until then, we need to stay encouraged, trust God’s Word, watch and pray, be in a state of constant readiness for whenever that fateful day comes. And to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And with that boost to our confidence, let’s go out and do as we promised! Much LOVE!
…although evil is rampant in our world…believers need to stay focused on God…and be prepared for Christ’s Second Coming…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
05 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a light unto my path, a new week of work, a path forward, a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, a strong breeze cavorting through the neighbourhood, actioning God's word in our lives, adopt a good attitude, allow your incredible aura of love, an heavenly country, as the manner of some is, as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, as ye see the day approaching, assured of the promises, back on the work trail, be able to endure it, be of good cheer, buffeted and bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, build our faith, bundle up for the big chill, Christ walking beside us all the time, Christianity rests solely on faith, common to man, confessed that they were strangers and pilgirms on the earth, consider one another, desire a better country, develop our faith and trust in God, divine aid, divine fortification, divine grace, embraced the promises, exhorting one another, faith, fearlessly engage the enemy in spiritual battle, fellowship, fill us with steadfast faith, from a human point of view, from henceforth even for ever, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is faithful, God is not ashamed to be called their God, God will create a solution, God will not suffer you to be tempted more than you can bear, going through hardships, having seen them afar off, He is faithful that promised, he that comes to god must beleive that he is, help other believers to live sincerely for Christ, hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, holy spirit, humble servants, I have overcome the word, I will do a new thing, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, into the evil and ungodly world, Jesus Christ, Jesus conquered hell death and the grave, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, knowing God's word, LOVE, make a way in the wilderness, make a way to escape, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, no temptation taken you, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, not having received the promises, persuaded of them, prepared a city for them, promised to make a way for us, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, rivers in the desert, sally forth with confidence, salvation, shall ye not know it, spring forth, stand strong in our faith, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, tender mercy, the heroes of faith, the last days, the Lord is round about His people, the Lord surrounds his people, the Monday morning blues, the Omnipotent One, the throne of grace, these all died in faith, these things I have spoken unto you, they seek a homeland, through his death and amazing resurrection, thy word is a lamp unto my feet, to lead and guide all your servants, to provoke unto love and to good works, tough circumstances, truth, unpalatable situations, we know we're invincible, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, with the temptation, without faith it is impossible to please God, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 October 2026 Hebrews 10:23.
Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
We’re back on the work trail again friends, flushed with the Monday morning blues! And although it’s sunny, it’s somewhat cool, with a strong breeze cavorting through the neighbourhood, and it’s only going to get worse as the days get colder, calling for us to bundle up for the big chill. (smile) But that’s no problem, since we have the Omnipotent One, Jesus Christ, who created it all walking beside us all the time. Psalm 125 tells us like it is: ‘As the mountains are round about (surround) Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about (surrounds) his people from henceforth even for ever.’ (Ps. 125:3)
Oh my brethren, it might, or rather it will get rough, as Jesus says: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) And He’s certainly done that by conquering hell, death and the grave through His death and amazing resurrection, but He’s also promised to make a way for us to get through whatever dilemma we find ourselves in. As this overview explains: ‘God will create a solution or a path forward, even when a situation seems completely impossible or hopeless from a human point of view.’
And He most definitely will! Remember His promise to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ (Is. 43:19) And He did it for them; forty long years they spent wandering in the desert, but they always had food and water, and their clothes or shoes never deteriorated. And in Bruh Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he assures us of God’s grace and mercy when we find ourselves in unpalatable situations.
‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13) Yes my fellow believers our God will never see us in tough circumstances and leave us unaided. Now what we’ve got to understand here is that God will not always take us completely out of whatever undesirable situation we might be in, because He might be using it to test us or build our faith, or whatever His higher mind desires, but He will certainly give us a way to endure it through His divine grace and tender mercy.
But we do have to develop our faith and trust in Him and adopt a good attitude when we’re going through the hardships and difficulties He’s allowed in our paths. Remember what the Good Book tells us: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ (Ps. 119:105) So we can only do those things we just talked about with a good and faithful attitude by knowing God’s word and actioning it in our everyday lives.
That’s why the author of Hebrews strongly advises us: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb.10:23-25) So we must believe that God is faithful and stand strong in our faith, as well as gather with other believers and help them to live sincerely for Christ, especially as the last days are approaching.
And there is also this scripture from the Hebrews Heroes of Faith chapter that encourages us to acknowledge God’s faithfulness and be also faithful. ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him (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) And he goes on to relate about all the great men of God who lived by faith, like Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, etc.
‘These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded (assured) of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country (homeland). And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from when they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.’ (Heb. 11:13-16)
Now that’s the kind of faith we need to develop my people. And it’s certainly not easy to do, but for divine aid to do it, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And with that divine fortification, let’s get out there and fearlessly engage the enemy in spiritual battle! Much LOVE!
…Christianity rests solely on faith…on believing…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sincere disposition, above all these things put on charity, according to the flesh, all the days of the life of thy vanity, all the days of thy vanity, another week of work for Jesus, as unto the Lord and not unto men, be ye thankful, begin a new week of work, bread to the wise, Christian slaves serve Christ not their earthly masters, Christians, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, do it heartily, do it with thy might, drink thy wine with a merry heart, eat thy bread with joy, empty life, faith, favour to the men of skill, fearing God, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, give our best effort in everything, given thee under the sun, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go thy way, God now accepteth thy works, granted our wish, he that doeth wrong, holy spirit, humble servants, I returned and saw under the sun, imagine that we're working directly for God, in all wisdom, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, in sincerity, in singleness of heart, incredible aura of LOVE, indisputable truth, into the enemy's camp, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keep our promise, keeping lives and families together, knowing that of the Lord, length of life is not guaranteed, let the peace of God rule in your hearts, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, let thy garments always be white, let thy head lack no ointment, live a joyful and fulfilling life, live joyfully, live with a joyful attitude, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads, man knoweth not his time, man's ability cannot guarantee results, mercy, not with eyeservice as men pleasers, obey in all things your masters, over the weekend, receive the reward of the inheritance, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, riches to the men of understanding, sally forth with confidence, salvation, servants, serving the Lord, shall receive for the wrong that he hath done, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, snared in an evil time, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, teaching and admonishing one another, the battle to the strong, the beneficial influence of the indwelling word of Christ, the BIBLE, the birds caught in a snare, the bond of perfectness, the equalizing effect of time and chance, the fishes are taken in an evil net, the grim reaper, the labour which thou takest under the sun, the race is not to the swift, the sons of men, the wife whom thou lovest, there is no respect of persons, there is no work device knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, thy portion in life, time and chance happens to the all, to affect pubic and private worship, to control all areas of a Christian life, to lead and guide all your servants, to the which also ye are called in one body, truth, turn ordinary duties into acts of worship, we're not afraid, we're not guaranteed anything, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, whatsoever ye do, whatsoever ye do in word or deed, wisdom, work hard, work wholeheartedly, wrought in our weary souls, ye serve the Lord Christ
Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 September 2026 Colossians 3:17.
Colossians 3:17. 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.
And here we are on another sunshiny, though somewhat cool and windy Monday, beginning another week of work all for Jesus! Yes, let’s remember that whatever we do, it’s supposed to be for Him, and we do it the way He desires, not the way we want. As Bruh Paul says in Colossians as he talks about putting on the new man. ‘And above all these things put on charity (LOVE), which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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) And the scholars explain that last verse by saying: ‘The beneficial influence produced by the indwelling word of Christ is not only to affect public and private worship (vs. 16), but it is also to control all areas of a Christian life.’
Then, later in that same chapter, Bruh Paul addressing servants, admonishes them thus. ‘Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart (sincerity), fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to 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. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.’ (Col. 3:22-25)
Yes friends, even slaves were expected to work hard with a sincere disposition, wholeheartedly, not only when the master was watching, but always, because he was working not so much for his earthly master (unto men), but for his heavenly Master (to the Lord). And if they did that, then they would receive the reward of the inheritance, namely salvation. Then the scholars tell us: ‘The fact that Christian slaves will receive salvation from the Lord rather than from men verifies the assertion in verse 23 that they serve Christ, not their masters.’
Those scriptures therefore tell us that as believers, we must give our best effort in all that we do, be it a big or small task, a very important or not so important one. We must imagine that we’re working directly for God. And I like how this explanation puts it: ‘Turn ordinary chores or job duties into an act of worship.’ And we know that’s not always easy to do, especially with some of the work we do, and some of the supervisors we have, but it’s a good way to look at our daily tasks, and certainly to our benefit. (smile)
And all of that ties in nicely with this passage from Cousin Sol, writing as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, as he advises us to Live Joyfully. ‘Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments always be white; and let thy head lack no ointment (oil). Live joyfully (enjoy life) with the wife whom thou LOVEST all the days of the life of thy vanity (thy empty life), which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that this is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest (perform) 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. I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happenenth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes are taken in an evil (cruel) net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.’ (Eccl. 9:7-12)
Now, that’s wonderful advice my brethren, for none of us knows when the grim reaper will come for us, but until then, we owe it to ourselves, especially as Christians, to live a joyful and fulfilling life as possible while serving the Lord, because that’s our portion in this life, and there is no working in the grave. And per verses 11-12, the scholars explain. ‘Five statements of unexpected results are followed by an explanation. Man’s ability cannot guarantee the results (vs.11) because of the equalizing effects of time and chance.’
That’s the indisputable truth. No matter how good we are at whatever we do, we’re not guaranteed anything. That’s why we need to live with a joyful attitude, and do whatever we do well, as to the Lord. And to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And now, having been granted our wish, let’s go out and faithfully keep our promise! Much LOVE!
…length of life is not guaranteed…but it can be joyful…if lived for Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a certain man named Ananias, a communal system, about the space of three hours, agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord, allow Satan to twist our thinking, allow your incredible aura of love, an atmosphere of disunity and division, Ananias hearing these words fell down, Ananias' sin, be careful in all our dealings, begin a new week of work, better to be safe than sorry, breathed his last, brought the proceeds of the things they sold, buffeted and bombarded, buried her by her husband, carry thee out, christianity, conceived this thing in thine heart, deception is endemic in our world, deception is now the norm rather than the exception, deception leads from lie to another, deception will keep you entangled in bondage, distribution of possessions, distribution was made according to need, divine aid, faith, fell she down straightway at his feet, fill us with steadfast faith, filling the hearts of many believers, furthering your glorious kingdom, gave up the ghost, go out to meet the enemy in battle, great fear came on all them that heard these things, great fear came upon all the church, great grace was upon them all, growing by leaps and bounds, had all things in common, his wife also being privy to it, holy spirit, humble servants, hypocrisy about his actions, impossible to unravel or escape the consequences of continuous deception, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, kept back part of the price, laid them down at the apostles' feet, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, Marmion, mercy, none of them lacked anything, not knowing what was done, of one heart and of one soul, on a voluntary basis, possessors of land, rejuvenation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Sapphira, Sir Walter Scott, sold a possession, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the beginning of dishonesty in the church, the BIBLE, the early days of the church, the enemy's evil schemes, the feet of them which buried your husband, the possible consequences of lying especially to God, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, the truth shall set you free, thou hast not lied unto men but unto God, to lead and guide all your servants, to lie to the Holy Ghost, treacherous times, truth, upon as many as heard it, upon as many as heard these things, we know we're invincible, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive, why hath Satan filled thine heart, wisdom, witness of the resurrection of Christ, yielded up the ghost
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 September 2026 Acts 5:11.
Acts 5:11. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard it.
Now this Monday begins a full five-day work and school week; no holidays to ease the pain. (smile) And though it’s a somewhat cool and cloudy day, we’ll be thankful for it anyway. Today, we’ll look at a very interesting story back in the early days of the church re distribution of possessions. The Holy Spirit was working constantly and filling the hearts of many believers, so that the church was growing by leaps and bounds. And the writer of Acts describes the situation thus: ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought (any) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common.’ (Acts 4:32)
Well that would be a very good position for the church to be in today, but unfortunately that wouldn’t work in today’s atmosphere of disunity and division. The writer of Acts continues: ‘And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices (proceeds) of the things that were sold. And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.’ (Acts 4:33-35)
Yes friends, the church was small enough at the time for them to have a kind of communal establishment, though totally on a voluntary basis, where everything was put into one pot and then shared as needed. And it seemed to be running quite smoothly until a couple of incidents happened. The Bible tells us: ‘But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back a part of the price (proceeds), his wife also being privy to (aware of) it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.’ (Acts 5: 1-2)
Ah mih people, there we have the beginning of dishonesty and dissension in the church. ‘But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power (control)? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost (breathed his last): and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound (wrapped) him up, and carried him out, and buried him.’ (Acts 5:3-6)
Yuh see mih bredrin, what can happen when you don’t tell the truth, especially to God. And the sad part is that Ananias was in no way contracted to give them all the money, or any money at all, because the whole thing was voluntary; you gave what you wanted to give. And as the scholars say: ‘Ananias’s sin was not that of keeping back part of what he sold, but his hypocrisy about it.’
But the story doesn’t end there. The Bible continues: ‘And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt (test) the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which had buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway (instantly) at his feet, and yielded up the ghost (breathed her last): and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.’ (Acts 5:7-10)
Oh friends, yuh see what can happen when we lie and deceive. It’s like the saying from the 1808 epic poem Marmion by Scottish author and poet Sir Walter Scott (Canto 6, Stanza 17). “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” It just leads from one lie or deception to another and thus complicates the situation till it’s nigh impossible to unravel or escape the consequences like Ananias and Sapphira. And look at what happened to the church after that. The Bible says: ‘And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard it.’ (Acts 5:11)
Now that was indeed a sad situation which should never have happened, but that’s what happens when we allow Satan to twist our thinking. And sadly, that kind of situation is endemic, like a disease in today’s world, for almost everything is fraught with lies, fraud and deception. Our world is so corrupted and filled with greed, that those are now the norms rather than the exceptions. That means we must be exceptionally careful in all our dealings, even with our fellow believers. And though that’s not a nice thing to contemplate, it’s the truth, so as they say, better to be safe than sorry.
And to help with all our problems, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid in these deceitful and treacherous times. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And having received that divine aid, let’s go out and do as we promised; make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks! Much LOVE!
…deception will keep you entangled in bondage…but the truth shall set you free…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lack of responsible behaviour, a new week of work, a universal proclamation of the gospel, also to the Greek, as it is written, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, bring glad tidings of good things, cast our care to the wind, cause havoc in the enemy's ranks, Christians, constantly buffeted, divine assurance, divine help, Esaias saith, eternal life, exercise a modicum of circumspection, faith, faith cometh by hearing, faith is built by what one hears, faith must be preceded by hearing, faith must have a valid content, fiath that comes about by what is heard, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, hearing by the word of God, hearing requires a preacher, heavenly Father, holy spirit, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, how shall they believe in him, how shall they hear without a preacher, how then shall they call on him, humble servants, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, in whom they have not believed, inebriation, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, knowledge is essential to belief, Labour Day, let our hair down, Lord who hath believed our report, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, monergism, no better tidings than the gospel, no other way to be saved but by the explicit gospel of Christ, of whom they have not heard, overindulgence, partake of the day's festivities, preachers are necessary to spread the gospel, preachers bring the good news of the gospel of peace, preaching requires being sent, preaching to a disobedient people, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, salvation is completely from God, Salvation is God's work alone, Saving faith can come about only through the gospel, saving faith is not man doing his part in response to god having done His part, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, synergism, terrible misfortunes happen, the BIBLE, the call must be preceded by faith, the good news gospel of Christ, the just shall live by faith, the One who sends is God, the only thing that wake up and shake up this evil and ungodly world, the oral communication of Christ's gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, the throne of grace, they have not obeyed the gospel, to every one that believeth, to lead and guide all your servants, to the Jew first, truth, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 September 2026 Romans 10:15.
Romans 10:15. ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.’
So it’s Monday, the first one in September, which means it is Labour Day! Glory be! That means many of us don’t have to get up and fight the chaotic situation that involves getting to work on time, but can lay abed and enjoy the benefit of the Labour Day Holiday, then get up leisurely and partake of the day’s festivities, and it’s certainly a beautiful summer’s day for doing so.
Remember though, there’s one proviso: please exercise a modicum of circumspection in all activities, so that no accidents occur, either from inebriation or overindulgence and lack of responsible behaviour, for it’s at times like these when we let our hair down, cast care to the wind, that the most terrible misfortunes happen. And remember tomorrow is a working day. But enough sermonizing! (smile)
And I just LOVE it when I don’t have anything particular to write about, and I simply open the Good Book, and it opens to one of my favourite scriptures. And that’s what just happened. It opened to Bruh Paul’s treatise in Romans about Preaching to a Disobedient People. He opens by declaring: ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. But they have not obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Rom. 10:14-17)
What a poignant, emotional picture Bruh Paul paints about the spreading of the gospel. The scholars say that ‘he is presenting a universal proclamation of the gospel, and in this passage, he gives reasons why a universal proclamation is necessary. First, because the call must be preceded by faith; second, because faith must be preceded by hearing. This shows that knowledge is essential to belief. Faith must have a valid content; third, because hearing requires a preacher; fourth because preaching requires being sent. The One who sends is God. Salvation is completely from God.’
Yes, it can be somewhat ‘confuffling’, but let’s see if we can’t make it a little simpler. In other words, the oral communication of Christ’s gospel is necessary to begin the proceedings. When one hears it preached, then faith is built by what one hears. However, for one to hear the word preached, there must be a preacher, or someone to preach and explain it. But how does a preacher come about? That preacher must be sent to those who have not heard the gospel. Therefore, preachers or teachers of the word are absolutely necessary for the gospel to be spread.
And I just I LOVE the scripture that points it out by saying: ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.’ (Rom. 10:15) Because it’s oh so true! Preachers bring the good news of the gospel that include belief and faith in Jesus, as well as salvation and eternal life, and there are certainly no better tidings to hear and accept in this whole wide world! And that quote originally comes from Isaiah 53:1. Bruh Paul is so adept at using the scriptures to form His own pronouncements.
Now here is an interesting note from the scholars re faith and hearing. They say: ‘It is not faith in what is heard, but faith that comes about by what is heard. This is what Paul meant in Rom. 1:16, when he said the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation.” Saving faith is not man doing his part in response to God’s having done His part (synergism). Saving faith can come about only through the gospel. Salvation is God’s work alone (monergism). This also shows there is no other way to be saved but by the explicit gospel of Christ.’
And here is what Bruh Paul actually says in that passage: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’ (Rom. 1:16-17) And the as it is written comes from Habakkuk 2:4. (smile)
Now, although many of us are off work today, some of us still have to keep the 24-hour modern day machine a rolling, so you need some help to do that. Therefore, let’s go to the best place to get divine help, to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And now that we have that awesome divine assurance, let’s get out there and cause havoc in the enemy’s ranks! Much LOVE!
…the good news gospel of Christ…is the only thing…that wake up and shake up this ungodly and evil world…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
31 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: allow your aura of love, and again I say rejoice, be careful for nothing, be thankful for small mercies, be thankful unto God, bless His name, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, christianity, come before his presence with singing, cometh down from the Father of lights, constantly buffeted, didn't do us any favours, disobedience, enter into his gates with thanksgiving, even in th darkest times, every gift originates from God, every good and perfect gift is from above, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, get off course from God's will, give thanks, give thanks in whaever we do, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is our Creator and Provider, god's mercies reset every day, great is thy faithfulness, his compassions fail not, his mercy is everlasting, his promise to be near us when we call, his truth endureth to all generations, humble servants, in all wisdom, in every thing give thanks, in everything by prayer and supplication with thanskgiving, into his courts with praise, it is he that made us not we ourselves, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, know ye that the Lord he is God, let the peace of God rule in your hearts, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, let your moderation be known unto all men, let your requests be made known unto God, look for fresh quiet graces at the start of every morning, LOVE, make a joyful noise unto the Lord, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, our bounden duty to serve him with gladness, pray without ceasing, rebelliousness, rejoice evermore, Rejoice in the Lord always, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve the Lord with gladness, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, shout joyfully unto the Lord, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, sure conquerors, teaching and admonishing one another, thankful for just being alive, thankfulness - the number one attitude of every believer, the best of the summer months, the BIBLE, the last day of August, the Lord is at hand, The Lord is good, the peace of God which passes all understanding, the right attitude, the sheep of his pasture, the throne of grace, therefore I have hope, they are new every morning, this is the day the Lord has made, this is the will of God in Christ concerning you, this recall to mind, to begin a new week of work, to lead and guide all your servants, truth, undeserving children of men, we are his people, we can praise God for his love, we know we're invincible, we surrender our all to you, we will rejoice and be glad in it, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whatsoever ye do in word or deed, wisdom, with whom there is no variableness, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 August 2026 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
1 Thessalonians 5:18. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
And then it was Monday one more time… but unfortunately, this last day of August did not do us any favours by being damp and cloudy. However we must give it thanks for being possibly the best of the three summer months; with no heat warnings and smoke from forest fires, but a constant, bearable summer temperature with plenty sunlight. And as the ole people would say, be thankful for small mercies, for who knows what kind of weather we’ll be having next. So goodbye August. Hope you come around quickly again! (smile)
And since we’re on the topic of being thankful, why don’t we check out a few of the many scriptures, especially in Psalms, that admonish/and or encourage us to be thankful to Almighty God. And possibly the best way to begin is with these words of wisdom from Bruh Paul to the Thessalonians: ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:16-18) Yes friends, those are the three basic duties of the Christian believer; pray, rejoice and give thanks. And if we do those in the right spirit, with the right attitude, then we can never get far off course from God’s will.
And regarding God’s mercies, we have this very poignant reminder from Jeremiah’s Lamentations. As he remembers his afflictions and how they humbled him, he says: ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:21-23) Now right there are some things we should continually be giving thanks for; God’s mercies, compassions and faithfulness, for without them we’d have already been consumed a long time ago by His wrath for our rebelliousness and disobedience. Or as this overview says: ‘God’s mercies reset every day. They remind us to look for fresh, quiet graces at the start of each morning.’
Then there’s this ole faithful: ‘This is the day the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps. 118:24) Yes my brethren, we need to be oh so thankful for just being alive today. And these marvellous words of Psalm 100 – Serve with Gladness – puts it all into the proper perspective. ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (100:1-5)
And there is no doubting those words, for God is indeed our Creator and Provider, and thus it’s our bounden duty to serve him with gladness and offer up much praise and thanksgiving for His wonderful goodness to us undeserving children of men. Meanwhile Bruh Paul advises the Philippians thus: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation (gentleness, graciousness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:4-7)
There again we have those three things; rejoicing, praying and thanksgiving; the basis of our Christian life. And James reminds us that: ‘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.’ (James 1:17) Meaning, everything good—no matter how small or simple—originates from God, and we ought to be thankful for whatever He gifts us with.
Then there are these awesome words from Bruh Paul to the Colossians. ‘And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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. 3:15-17) There again, we’re called to give thanks in whatever we do.
And I want to end with these interesting and wise words from one commentary. ‘When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, thankfulness overflows. Even in the darkest of times, we can praise God for his LOVE, his sovereignty, and his promise to be near us when we call (Psalm 145:18). Thank you, Lord, for your peace that transcends understanding and your LOVE that endures forever. Amen!’ And for help to get it right, let’s go the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now let’s go out and do as we promised; further God’s kingdom here on earth! Much LOVE!
…thankfulness…should be the number one attitude of every believer…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new work week, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, a personal relationship with jesus, alcoholic beverages, all rested up, ambassadors for Christ, an inclement weekend, ask and it shall be given you, ask and ye shall receive, ask anything in my name and I will do it, ask for things that fit into God's will, ask in faith nothing wavering, ask me nothing, ask the Father in my name, ask what ye will and it shall be done, asked the Good Lord, be the salt of the earth, bear much fruit, because ye have loved me, believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, believed that I came out from God, buffeted by the enemy's evil schemes, chomping at the bit, christianity, confidence toward God, confident of our victory, conquerors, divine aid, do those things that are pleasing in his sight, don't ask for selfish carnal things, driven with the wind and tossed, every one that asketh, faith, figurative language, fill us with steadfast faith, fired up, furthering your glorious kingdom, giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, he gave it to me, He gives liberally and without reproach, he that seeketh findeth, he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, he will give it to you, herein is my Father glorified, hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name, holy spirit, humble servants, I will see you again, if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, if our heart condemn us not, if ye abide in me and my words abide in you, in that day, incredible aura of LOVE, invincible, it shall be given him, it shall be opened, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, knock and it shall be opened unto you, lead and guide all your servants, let not that man think, LOVE, love one another as he gave us commandment, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, no more speak to you in proverbs, not doubting, pray the Father for you, receive anything of the Lord, rejuvenation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, satisfying our sinful urges, seek and ye shall find, serve a useful purpose, show you plainly of the Father, so shall ye be my disciples, spoken unto you in proverbs, submission to the Lordship of Christ, surrender our all to you, that will I do, the BIBLE, the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus, the energy and enthusiasm, the evil and ungodly world, the Father himself loveth you, the Father may be glorified in the Son, the inherent power in the name of Jesus, the light of the world, the promise of answered prayer, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the Sermon on the Mount, the throne of grace, the time cometh, the vine and the branches, to get out there and do good work for Christ, to him that knocketh, to tell the truth, truth, unlimited resources to do God's work, we keep His commandments, we receive of him, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, whatsoever we ask, whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, wisdom, words of absolute wisdom, you now have sorrow, your heart shall rejoice, your joy may be full, your joy no man taketh from you
Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 August 2026 John 14:13.
John 14:13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
It’s a brand new work week friends, and we’re all rested up, fired up and chomping at the bit, to get out there on this Monday morning in August 2026! I know some of you must be wondering what I smoke or drank to be so enthusiastic about a windy and somewhat cloudy Monday morning, after a rather inclement weekend, that spoiled a lot of our outside entertainment. To tell the truth friends, I didn’t smoke or imbibe any kind of alcoholic beverage or uplifting drugs, I just asked the Good Lord for the energy and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Him, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that He desires me to be, and He gave it to me.
We keep forgetting what Jesus told us about asking for things. First off in the Sermon on the Mount He says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt. 7:7-8) So that’s the first lesson; if we want something, we must ask, seek and or knock for it. However, that does not refer to selfish, carnal, meaningless stuff. It must be things and stuff that fit into God’s will.
And having noted that proviso, we can now look to the gospel of John, where Jesus again informs us about asking for stuff. ‘And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:13-14) And as the scholars explain: ‘In my name means “as My Agent.” The promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus’ will (cf. 16:23-26). The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.’
Then in the very next chapter, where He mentions about Him being the vine and we the branches, Jesus again talks about asking. This time He declares: ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto (for) you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.’ (John 15:7-8) Yuh see mih bredrin, it’s all about bearing good fruit for Jesus; not just satisfying our own sinful, lustful urges.
And in the following chapter in telling the disciples about His going away, Jesus says: ‘And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day, ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name. He will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
These things I have spoken unto you in proverbs (figurative language): but the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs (figurative language) but shall shew (tell) you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself LOVETH you, because ye have LOVED me, and have believed that I came out from God.’ (John 16:22-27)
Ah mih people, as we saw yesterday, it’s all about the name of Jesus, the inherent power in His name because of His selfless and marvellous works. There must be faith, a personal relationship to Christ, as well as submission to His Lordship, if we hope to ask for stuff and be granted it. Remember we’re mainly ambassadors for Christ; meaning we need to do the work He desires of us, and if we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, then He will give us the resources to do His will. It’s as simple as that! (smile)
And James, Jesus’ brother, further informs us about asking, when He declares: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8) Words of absolute wisdom my brethren!
But John has the last word from his epistle. (smile) ‘Beloved if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and LOVE one another, as he gave us commandment.’ (1 John 3:21-23) And now, having all of that knowledge about asking for stuff, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, confidently, but humbly and faithfully seeking divine aid to do God’s work.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And with our prayer being successfully answered, let’s go out and meet the enemy in battle, confident of our victory in Jesus’ name! Much LOVE!
…to ask…to ask…and yet to ask in faith…in Jesus’ name…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a built-in barrier, after ye have suffered a while, all will face temptation, allow your incredible aura of love, ambassadors of Christ, as a roaring lion, be able to bear it, be sober be vigilant, be tempted above that ye are able, begin a new week of work, buffeted by the enemy's wicked taunts, called us unto his eternal glory, cast into the lake of fire, casting all your care upon him, christianity, destructive schemes, disobedient to God's will, embrace Jesus and His salvation, eternal separation from God, exalt you in due time, experienced by your brethren, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is faithful, god the father, God the Holy Ghost, God the son, God will make a way of escape, greater is he that is in you than he that's in the world, have it more abundantly, have overcome them, he careth for you, hell fire and damnation, holy spirit, humble servants, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, I am come that they might have life, if god be for us who can be against us, in bondage to sin, Jesus Christ, Jesus has the keys to hell death and the grave, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, live under the heavy yoke of Satan, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, make you perfect, mercy, negative consequences, no temptation has overtaken you, our weary souls, out and about on Monday, penchant for the lustful things of the world, rejuvenation of spirit, resist Satan, resuscitation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan's looking for company, scriptures to strengthen us in temptation, sealed until the day of redemption, secured by God through the Holy Spirit, spread our salt and light, stablish strengthen settle you, such as is common to man, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the BIBLE, the crucifixion death and resurrection of Christ, the evil one, the God of all grace, the lake of fire, the options of salvation and eternal life, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the same afflictions are accomplished by your brethren, the strongest trio in our corner, the thief cometh not but to steal, the throne of grace, the way to spend eternity, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, to kill and destroy, to lead and guide all your servants, tormented day and night for ever, truth, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, we know we're invincible, we're not afraid, wearing your protective spiritual armour, whom resist steadfast in the faith, wisdom, with the temptation, work diligently for Christ, ye are of God little children, your adversary the devil
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2026 1 John 4:4b.
1 John 4:4b. greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And we’re out and about again on a sunshiny but somewhat cloud-covered Monday, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, anxious to spread our salt and light before the unbelievers of this evil and ungodly world, so that they can come to know and understand the valuable options of salvation and eternal life that the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus made available to all mankind.
That they would no longer have to live under the heavy yoke of Satan, the evil one, whose only desire is to turn us away from Jehovah God, to keep us in bondage to sin and darkness, to be rebellious and disobedient to God’s holy will, thus destroying our souls and ending up in eternal separation from our Creator, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul.
That’s why Jesus in His talk about being the good shepherd warns us: ‘The thief cometh not but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) The long and short of the story friends is that Satan is looking for company to face all the negative consequences that He will eventually face, like hell fire and damnation for a thousand years, then after being released for a short while to continue his destructive behaviour, finally being tossed into the great lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night for ever. (Rev. 20: 1-10)
Oh my people, is that the way we desire to spend eternity? Obviously not, that’s why we must embrace Jesus and His salvation while resisting Satan and all his destructive schemes, or as Peter puts it: ‘Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world. (1 Pet. 5:6-9)
Yes mih bredrin, all of us will face temptation, but when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we receive a built-in barrier, the Holy Spirit, that helps us to resist said temptation. But it doesn’t occur automatically; we also need to talk to and listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide us. Please note that the devil has no real power against us unless we give it to him, for the Holy Spirit has sealed us until the day of redemption, (Eph. 4:30) which means that believers are marked, owned, and secured by God through the Holy Spirit until their final salvation. (Eph. 1:13-14)
And the wonderful thing about all of that is as John says in his first epistle: ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (false prophets): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4) And that’s one thing we must never forget; Jesus, in the form of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, is greater than Satan or any of his evil cohorts in this dark world. And Satan knows that too, since He’s been defeated by Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection, and now possesses the keys to hell death and the grave.
But the evil one is optimistic if nothing else, plus he knows our penchant for the lustful things of the world and thus keeps coming back to us every so often to try to inveigle us to fall for his temptations. But here are a couple of scriptures that ought to strengthen us in the face of Satan’s attacks. Bruh Paul writes thus in his first letter to the Corinthians: ‘There has no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13)
In other words, the Lord might not allow us to escape the temptation, for whatever reason(s) He has, like testing our faith, but He will certainly give us the strength to endure said temptation. And Peter ends his talk about resisting the devil thus: ‘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. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet. 5:10-11)
So you see once we’ve accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are never alone, so there’s no reason to fear the evil doers and evil schemes of this evil world, because we have the strongest trio in the universe in our corner; that’s God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And they are so wonderful that they have invited us to come to the throne of grace at any time to find help. So, let’s do that right now through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn nuh.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having had that resuscitation of spirit and confidence, (smile) let’s go out and work diligently for Christ, like we ought to! Much LOVE!
…if God be for us…who can be against us eh… (Rom. 8:31)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
03 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fugitive, a lowly sheperd, all of it, all the earth may know, allow your incredible aura of love, always remembered, anointed king of Israel, August Civic Holiday, avoid negative consequences, begin a new week of work, carrying your loved ones as you go, celebrating, Christians, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, David moves from glory to glory, David refused to kill Saul, David taunted Goliath, divine aid, doing heroic deeds, doing right by everyone, every day, every hour, every minute that we have breath, expect the best, faith, faithfully holding them in prayer, fight the traffic, fill us with steadfast faith, filled with the Lord's Spirit, furthering your glorious kingdom, get to work on time, give the carcasses of the Philistines, go out to meet the enemy in battle, Goliath, good example of moving forward is faith is David's story, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine, holy spirit, honouring this life, how you move beyond what's comfortable, how you move forward in faith, how you show up, I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, I will smite thee, if the Lord spares life, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, July In Touch Devotional, keeping lives and families together, killing a lion and a bear, knowing God is carrying you through, lead and guide your servants, LOVE, loving sacrifically, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, modicum of circumspection, moving forward with God, not perfectly, on the long days, on which side his bread was buttered, out of the paw of the bear, out of the paw of the lion, places his trust, present with the people around you, rejuvenation of spirit, remaining steady, remembering where God has taken you so far, rise and shine, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Saul's jealousy, stand strong in the Lord, staying open to where God will take you, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, take thine head from thee, the battle is the Lord's, the BIBLE, the boring days, the God of his forefathers, the God of the armies of Israel, the life you'e been entrusted with, the Lord be with thee, the Lord saveth not with sword and spear, the Lord that delivered me, the Lord will work it out to your advantage in the end, the Lord's anointed, the rain dampened the party spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days, there is a God in Israel, these difficult and uncertain times, this day will the Lord deliver thee into my hands, to the wild beasts of the earth, truth, unto the fowls of the air, waited twenty years to become king, we're here for that journey, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 August 2026 1 Samuel 17:37a.
1 Samuel 17:37a. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.
And then it was Monday; the August Civic Holiday, which means many of us don’t have to rise and shine early and fight the traffic to get to work on time, but can continue partying,. (smile) And although yesterday’s rain somewhat dampened the party spirit, today has opened bright and sunshiny, so that party spirit will obviously be easily renewed.. Anyway, let’s remember not to overdo it, to apply that modicum of circumspection, and thus avoid any negative consequences. (smile)
Now, let’s look at an interesting article in poem form from the July In Touch Devotional. There’s no title as such, so please read with me. ‘This is how you move forward in faith: by remembering where God has taken you so far and staying open to where He’ll take you tomorrow. This is how you show up: by carrying your LOVED ones as you go, every hour, every day – not perfectly but faithfully holding them in prayer. This is how you move beyond what’s comfortable: by LOVING sacrificially, doing right by everyone, honouring this life you’ve been entrusted with. Even on the long days, the boring days, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days. Remaining steady, present with the people around you. Knowing God is carrying you through. We’re here for that journey. All of it.’
That poem definitely contains some very interesting and valuable information, and I like how they break it down into sections; like how to move forward in faith, etc. And talking about moving forward in faith, the article advises we do that by remembering where the Lord has taken us from and staying open to where He’ll carry you later. And one of the best examples of that in the Bible is Bruh David. As we read his story, we see how he moves from glory to glory as he places his trust in the God of his forefathers.
He began as a lowly shepherd, then suddenly found himself anointed to be the next king of Israel. (1 Sam. 16:13) And when King Saul questioned his ability to fight the Philistine giant Goliath, he confidently informed Saul about his killing of a lion and a bear while managing his father’s sheep. ‘David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.’ (1 Sam. 17:37)
Furthermore, when Bruh went out to meet Goliath, he boldly taunted him: ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite (strike) thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.’ (1 Sam. 17:45-47)
Mama Mia! Was Bruh David the teenager, ever filled with the Lord’s Spirit, remembering how the Lord had helped him in his fight with the lion and the bear, and expecting Him to do the same against the giant Philistine. And so said, so done. Bruh David became a hero, and continued doing heroic deeds, but always remembered on which side his bread was buttered, constantly moving forward with God, growing in faith, even when Saul’s jealousy made him a fugitive. Then, when he had the chance to kill Saul, he refused to do it, considering him the Lord’s anointed.
And how many of us would have waited some twenty years after being anointed to become king eh, while going through all the tough times he encountered? Not many. But that’s the only way to grow in faith; remember what the Lord has taken you through, expect the best, but stand strong in the Lord, even if it doesn’t happen, knowing that in the end, the Lord will work it all out to your advantage.
And I’m chuckling here friends because I never expected to spend so much time on this one aspect of the poem, but that’s how I was led. And since time and space are now in short supply, if the Lord spares life tomorrow, we’ll continue looking at the other aspects of the poem. In the meanwhile, let’s humbly but confidently approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid in these difficult and uncertain times.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And we’re expected to make inroads into the enemy’s ranks and further God’s kingdom, every minute that we have breath, meaning that we do it all the time, even when we’re celebrating. (smile) Much LOVE!
…never forget who brought you to where you are…and who will take you further…Almighty God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
22 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all whose works are truth, allow your incredible aura of love, an idol, be disobedient to God, before the God of his fathers, begin a new week of work, besought the Lord his God, better relations can blossom from interaction, better to have some interaction than no interaction, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, bound him with fetters, brings estranged fathers and children together, bronze chains, brought him again to Jerusalem, built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the temple, built altars in the house of the Lord, carried him to Babylon, caused his children to pass through the fire, children must make their own personal choice for God, constantly buffeted, consulted mediums, dangerous jobs, dealt with a familiar spirit, desecrated the Lord's temple and the grounds, divine aid, do as we promised, don't depend on their parents relationship to God, Dr. Charles Stanley, emphasizes the need, faith, Father's Day celebrations, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gives it to whom he will, giveth it to whomsoever he will, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God abases those that walk in pride, he built again the high places, he did that which was evil in the Lord's sight, his ways judgement, holy spirit, humble servants, humbled himself greatly, I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the king of heaven, in affliction, in Jerusalem shall my name be for ever, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, justice, keep us on the straight and narrow path, keeping lives and families together, know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, lead and guide all your servants, like unto the abominations of the heathen, LOVE, made groves, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, man is naturally stubborn and rebellious, Manasseh made Judah and Jerusalem to err, mercy, Nebuchadnezzar's boast, nose hooks, obey God and leave all the consequences to him, observed times, parents need to communicate personal godliness to their children, places for pagan worship, practiced soothsaying, prayed unto him, provoked the Lord to anger, put an idol in the temple, reared up altars for Baailim, refused to listen, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, sentenced him to seven years of madness, serve a useful purpose, set a carved image in the house of God, sorcery, spiritists, spiritual armour, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, the Lord brought upon them, the Lord heard his supplication, the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, the number one rule for earthly living, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the son of the godly Hezekiah, the throne of grace, the wickedness of Manasseh, then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God, they would not hearken, those that walk in pride He is able to abase, to do worse than the heathen, took Manasseh among the thorns, truth, used enchantments, was intreated of him, weak and puny, wisdom, witchcraft, wizards, wooden images, worshipped all the host of heaven, worshipped the gods of the Assyrians, wrought in our weary souls, wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 June 2026 2 Chronicles 33:13b.
2 Chronicles 33:13b. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
So the Father’s Day celebrations are finished now, and it’s back to work on a somewhat wet and cloudy Monday. But there are questions as to whether the celebrations are necessary because of the many unused, not needed or wanted gifts the occasion produces. However, using that same argument you can cut out almost every major celebration we currently enjoy. And we certainly do have too many celebrations nowadays, for almost every day something is being celebrated. The important thing about Father’s Day though is that it brings children and fathers together who might not see, talk to, or associate with each other very often during the year.
What we’re trying to rebuild is the rather poor connection that exists today between too many children and their fathers, because of the unfortunate prevalence of divorce, separation and single-family homes At least on a day like that there’s some interaction and better relations can blossom from it. It’s always better to have some interaction than no interaction at all. So, the vote is against repealing Father’s Day! (smile)
And friends, today we’ll look at a very interesting story that deals with the reign of King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah. The Bible tells us first off that ‘Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.’ (2 Chr. 33:1) So he had a long reign, but was it profitable?
Not to begin with, for the Bible continues: ‘But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places (places for pagan worship) which Hezikiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves (wooden images), and worshipped all the host of heaven (the gods of the Assyrians) and served them.’ (2 Chr. 33:2-4.) Yes mih bredrin, Hezkiah had broken down all the pagan worship places and forbidden them during his reign, but unfortunately his son Manasseh restored it all.
And furthermore, ‘Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. (2 Chr. 33:4-5) He even desecrated the Lord’s temple and the grounds, thus destroying all the good work that his father Hezekiah had done. And the scholars make an interesting statement here. They say, ‘The wickedness of Manasseh, the son of the godly Hezekiah, emphasizes the need for parents to communicate personal godliness to their children. Children must make their own personal choice for God and not depend simply on their parents’ relationship to God.’
And it’s obvious that Manasseh did not make his personal choice for God, but for Satan. For as the Bible continues: ‘And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times (practiced soothsaying), and used enchantments (witchcraft), and used witchcraft (sorcery), and dealt with a familiar spirit (consulted mediums), and with wizards (spiritists): he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.’ (2 Chr. 33:6)
That would drive anybody to anger. But to make things even worse, the Bible tells us: ‘And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God (the temple), of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever.’ (2 Chr. 33:7) Now imagine that nuh, putting a carved image in God’s sanctuary. And what was the consequence of all that?
The Bible says: ‘So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the Lord spake to Mannaseh and his people: but they would not hearken.’ (2 Chr. 33:9-10) And my fellow believers, we all know that when the Lord speaks to you about your disobedience, and you fail to listen, then the eventual consequences won’t be very pleasant.
And they certainly won’t for Manasseh and the people. The Bibe declares: ‘Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns (with nose hooks), and bound him with fetters (bronze chains), and carried him to Babylon.’ (2 Chr. 33:11)
Now I don’t think that made Manasseh very happy, but it did do wonders for his wisdom. For as the Bible relates: ‘And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.’ (2 Chr. 33:12-13)
Oh my people, why do we have to be disobedient to God, and thus put ourselves through so much distress, when we can easily do His will in the first place? Because we’re naturally stubborn and rebellious, thinking that we are powerful and know it all, when we’re weak and puny, and don’t know anything.
That’s another story like the Babylonian king Nebuchadnnezzar, who felt he had built a mighty palace through his own power, but before he could even finish speaking, the Lord had sentenced him to seven years of madness, living with beasts in the field and eating grass like the oxen, ‘until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.’ (Dan. 4:32) And Neb did achieve wisdom after the seven years of madness, as he subsequently declared: ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble).’ (Dan. 4:37)
Now let’s hope that delves deep into our hearts and keeps us on the straight and narrow path. And for help to do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that, we now need to get out there and do as we promised. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley)…so wisely declared…the number one rule for earthly living is…obey God and leave all the consequences to him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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The Overwhelming Importance of Christians staying focused on God, and being prepared for Christ’s Second Coming!
19 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a calm temperament, a crying shame, a gung-ho society, a new week of work, a new working week, a sad commentary, a sad tale, a satisfied working class, a state of constant readiness, a true sense of purpose, a waste of lives, an anomaly, an inequitable society, be prepared for Christ's second coming, boost to our confidence, buffeted and bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, but my Father only, but of that day and hour knoweth no man, cementing powerful positions, coming down from God out of heaven, constantly rising prices, corruption, disappointed with life, disgruntled, do as little as possible, doing a fair day's work, egotism, enjoyment and ethusiasm in our working lives, enthused about going to work, every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, find no satisfaction in their jobs, firmly entrenched, flaunt their wealth and power, frustrated, furthering your glorious kingdom, give up hope, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go through the motions, God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, God shall wipe away all tears, greed, grieved him at his heart, have to work all five days, he that sat upon the throne, holy spirit, I am sorry that I made them, I heard a great voice out of heaven, I John saw the holy city, I saw a new heaven and a new earth, I will destroy man from the face of the earth, increasing their already enormous wealth, invincible, it repented the Lord that he had made man, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs being lost to technology, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, leading our society to higher ground, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, neither sorrow nor crying, New Jerusalem, no holiday to ease the pressure, no more death, no more pain, no more sea, not the angels of heaven, not very Christ-like, nothing's impossible for God, only evil continually, over the weekend, people only go to work for the money, poverty, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, salaries not rising to compensate for the increase in prices, sally forth with confidence, salvation, selfishness, shamelessly exhibited, short tempered, social media, sours our disposition, spout a lot of heifer dust, stay encouraged, stay focused on God, stop caring, strife, suppression, sure conquerors, technological advances, the economic situation, the evil and ungodly state of the world, the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, the former things are passed away, the numerous serious problems in our world, the poor keep losing the little they have, the power brokers, the rich and powerful, the rich getting richer, the tabernacle of god is with men, the technocrats, the throne of grace, the tough two way commute, these words are faithful and true, time for Christ to come again, to lead and guide all your servants, trust God's Word, truth, watch and pray, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 October 2026 Genesis 6:5a.
Genesis 6:5a. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
A new working week has begun my brethren; one filled with brilliant sunshine, bright colours of the flora, and fairly warm. That means today is Monday, and unless you have sick time in the bank, you will have to work all five days because there’s no holiday this time around to ease the pressure. (smile) And it’s somewhat of an anomaly that although many of us have been working five days a week for several years, we never seem to get accustomed to it, or handle it with a calm temperament. Many Monday mornings seem to find us disgruntled, short tempered and not very Christ-like.
And I don’t know if it’s because we don’t like our jobs, the people we work with, or the tough two way commute every day that sours our disposition to such an extent that we simply give up hope, stop caring and just go through the motions without any true sense of purpose or enjoyment and enthusiasm in our working lives. Now if that’s the case, it’s a sad commentary on both ourselves and our society. What a waste of many lives for many years! And what a sad tale it tells when so many people today only go to work for the money, try to do as little as possible, and find no satisfaction or enjoyment in their jobs.
The society is gung-ho about its social media and technological advances, but a high percentage of individuals appear to be more frustrated and disappointed with life, especially right now as our world is overwhelmed with strife, suppression and poverty, when the economic situation looks very bleak as prices for everyday necessities like fuel, housing, food and clothing are constantly rising, but salaries are not rising to meet the increases, and many jobs are being lost as technology takes over the work that people once did.
And to make that sad picture even sadder, in this rather inequitable society, the rich seem to be getting richer by leaps and bounds while the poor keep losing whatever little they have. I guess all of that doesn’t make for a happy or satisfied working class. Meanwhile, the powerbrokers and ruling technocrats spout a lot of heifer dust, but are really only interested in cementing their powerful positions and increasing their already enormous wealth. I don’t know if we’ve ever seen a time like this one where greed, egotism, selfishness and corruption have been so firmly entrenched, and even worse, so shamelessly exhibited by those who are supposed to be leading our society to higher ground.
It’s a crying shame the way the rich and powerful flaunt their wealth and power to excess, despite the numerous serious problems in our world. No wonder the ordinary worker isn’t enthused about going to work or about doing a good and fair day’s work even for decent remuneration. So what’s the answer to the problem, you ask? To tell the truth, I don’t know. The only thing that might answer all the problems is for the Lord to decide that it’s time for Christ to come again. (smile) Because our society is so sick and evil that it’s only the Lord who can clean it up.
Unfortunately though, it seems like our world might be as sick and evil as it was way back in time, that it could not be cleaned up, but had to be destroyed and started again. As the Bible enlightens us: ‘And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination (intent) of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (all day long). And it repented the Lord (he was sorry) that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me (I am sorry) that I have made them.’ (Gen. 6:5-7)
Ah friends, who knows what the Lord’s thinking right now, but I’m sure that He’s very displeased with the evil and ungodly state of His once wonderful universe. And although nothing’s impossible with our omnipotent God, it might just be wiser to destroy mankind again, especially after unsuccessfully sacrificing His only Son Jesus to try and turn things around. And the time might just be right for John’s great revelation to come true. ‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:1-5)
Yes my people I know we’re longing for the day when there are no more, tears, pain, sorrow or death on the earth, but that’s the Lord’s decision, and as Jesus said of that time: ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt. 24:36) But rest assured that day will eventually come, however, until then, we need to stay encouraged, trust God’s Word, watch and pray, be in a state of constant readiness for whenever that fateful day comes. And to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And with that boost to our confidence, let’s go out and do as we promised! Much LOVE!
…although evil is rampant in our world…believers need to stay focused on God…and be prepared for Christ’s Second Coming…
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