The Importance of Understanding that God Created the World and that ALL We are and have, Originates with Him!

18 Oct 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 16:33.        But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

And then it was our lazy-day Saturday…another beautiful sunshiny day! Bless the Lord oh my soul! No work today; that means no bosses telling us what to do, no sitting in traffic twice a day tired and frustrated with life. No sir! Today, we, or at least some of us (smile) can just laze around and do nothing all day, if we so desire! And yes, it’s tough on those with young children and household chores to do that cannot be done during the work week. But that’s just life, and the more we desire to have, be it children or material things, the more we will have to do, because children and things need looking after. 

Enough of that negative perspective though, let’s take a break from it all and simply offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, seeking greater intimacy with our EVER-LOVING God. So, in all sincerity and truth: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And as we keep saying, there’s nothing better than growing intimacy with our God, for it not only reassures us of His great LOVE for us, but it also enlivens and encourages us to be our best; to surrender our will to His and do His work with obedience and excellence. In other words, it helps us to be better followers of Christ! And let’s not forget that one of God’s reasons for creating us was that we could share a reciprocal LOVE; He LOVING us, and we LOVING Him in return. 

But unfortunately, down through the years, the scales have become unevenly balanced, and God has done most of the LOVING, while we’ve been rebellious and disobedient. And though He sent Jesus to try and bring us back into balance, the scales are still a long way from being balanced, because too many of us like the sinful lusts and pleasures of the world. We’re too caught up in acquiring the material things it proclaims that are so important. And in a lot of cases they might be important, but NOTHING is as important as seeking Almighty God! 

And whenever the things of the world threaten to overwhelm us, these wise words of Jesus ought to rise up in our hearts, mind and spirits, and make us think before we react. He says; ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) Yes friends, the Lord knows all that we need, and when we place Him first in our lives, He’s promised to meet all our needs. Listen as Bruh Paul tells the Philippians. ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) 

Now what part of that don’t you understand? And if you’re a believer, that ought to be one of the many scriptures you have at the ready when the enemy intrudes into your life. Please also remember the Bible tells us that ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods (rivers).’ (Ps. 24:1) And according to this commentary, ‘It means that God is the creator and owner of the entire world, including all of its inhabitants and everything within it. This concept establishes God’s ultimate authority over creation and is often cited to explain that all of humanity and the natural world belong to him.’ 

Then there’s this other most important scripture, as Moses warned the Israelites long ago: ‘But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee the power to get wealth, that he may establish (confirm) his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.’ (Deut. 8:18) And that has not changed my people. Today, we still need to be reminded that our prosperity comes from God and not from our own might, and consider it as confirmation of a divine covenant. 

And all of that was practically proven when Cousin Sol ascended his Father Bruh David’s throne and the Lord asked him what he desired, and he asked for ‘an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?’ (1 Kin. 3:9) And the Lord was pleased that Cousin Sol did not ask for riches, or long life or his enemies lives. 

Consequently, He told him: ‘Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:12-13) Yes my brethren, because of Cousin Sol’s humility, the Lord made him the wisest and richest man the world has ever seen! 

However, there was one caveat to God’s goodness. ‘And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen (prolong) thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:14) Unfortunately though, in Cousin Sol’s old age, he allowed his many foreign wives to turn him away from the Lord to their worthless gods and idols. The Bible tells us: ‘And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after (did not fully follow) the Lord, as did his father David.’ (1 Kin. 11:5) 

He built high places for the gods of his wives, and burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods. Therefore the Lord stirred up several enemies against Cousin Sol, but even then, for Bruh David’s sake, the Lord did not take away all he had, or dethrone him, but allowed him to die as king. However, because of his turning to foreign gods, his house lost the rule of most of the tribes of Israel. (1 Kin. 11) 

Ah mih people, let’s hope that all we’ve said and read today will powerfully resonate in our hearts, and thus cause us to stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to Christ, with salvation and eternal life as our rewards! Much LOVE!

…how often must we hear and see the omnipotence of Jehovah God…before we believe…and become obedient to His will…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Enormous Importance of Keeping God FIRST PLACE in Our Lives!

25 Oct 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Proverbs 3:1.       My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Well, it looks like another day filled with mostly sunshine, but not balmy temps; just seasonal ones! (smile) But we’ll take the sunshine anytime over the gloom, and thus we can joyfully shout: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last! 

And I do hope that all of us gave much thanks to the Lord for allowing us to wake up and see another day on this amazing, though too sinful and ungodly earth, because it’s only through His goodness and mercies, His amazing compassions, which are new every morning, that we are not destroyed! (Lam. 3:22-23) And all God’s children gave a grateful shout of, ‘Thank You Lord for Your goodness and mercy to us undeserving children of men! We LOVE You and praise Your Holy Name! Amen.’ 

Now, if those words truly came from our hearts, if we were sincere in our prayer, then, let’s try and live up to it nuh, as we go about our lives today. And how do we do that? Basically by keeping God first place in our lives, and there are lots of scriptures that remind us of that, especially this one from Jesus, that we sometimes get tired of hearing, (smile) but which is oh so necessary for us to remember each and every day. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) 

Yes, it can be somewhat tiring to hear it, but we need to constantly remember it, so that we can practice it daily. God cannot get to be and stay first place in our lives unless and until we put Him there, and keep Him there! And that can only be done by having the Holy Spirit constantly reminding us of it. 

And we have that marvellous example of doing just that in Cousin Sol’s early days, when he asked the Lord for wisdom and understanding to rule His people Israel, and the Lord was so pleased, that he didn’t ask for wealth and long life and the lives of his enemies, that He gave him those very things; wealth and honour, power and wisdom like no other man before or after him. (1 Kin. 3:6-13) But there was also this most important proviso. ‘And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen (prolong) thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:14) 

Yes friends, Cousin Sol needed to walk in God’s will for all those blessings to continue and come to pass. But sadly, in his old age, he forgot about God and turned to the many gods of his concubines. And that’s why the Lord LOVED Bruh David and elevated him and his name so much; despite all of his wrong doings, he never turned away from the God of his forefathers, always had a place in his heart for Him, always turned to Him for guidance and wisdom. 

And it’s rather sad and unfortunate that Cousin Sol lost his way with God, especially after writing all the wonderful things in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Now, let’s check out this one passage from Proverbs that covers it all; that marvellous scripture in chapter 3, so aptly titled – Keep My Commandments. 

Please read and inwardly digest with me (smile). ‘My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee.’  (Prov. 3:1-2) It’s the very same things the Lord had told Cousin Sol in the passage above from Kings. Then he continues: ‘Let not mercy (LOVING-kindness) and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding (high esteem) in the sight of God and man.’ (Prov. 3:3-4) 

More absolute truth my fellow believers. But here are the most practical guidelines ever, in keeping God first place in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, all from the pen of Cousin Sol. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength, refreshment) to thy bones. 

Honour the Lord with thy substance (possessions), and with the first fruits of thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses (vats) shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be thou weary of his correction: For whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:5-12) 

And that’s basically how we keep God first place in our lives! It’s not always easy, but that’s why we were given the Holy Spirit to help and guide us in doing so. Now, with all of that wonderful scripture under our belts, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant to get divine aid to help with our earthly problems. 

Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough…  because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. 

Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. 

We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

But you know what friends, in the long run it all boils down to us being improved and better examples of Christian living. Unless that happens, we will not see any divine aid. Please, let’s remember that and act accordingly, Much LOVE!

…with God first place in us…there’s no need to worry…about anything…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 June 2020 Job 32:8.

10 Jun 2020 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Job 32:8.    ​But there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 
 

Well I’m like the weather this morning; some early rain with the sun pushing through some dark clouds that are still hanging around. Hn! I guess the truth is I don’t have any remarkable opening remarks to offer this morning. There are some things I would like to say, but prefer not to touch on because they will only provide negative vibes, and I really don’t want to sully my soul, or yours, with too much negative stuff since there’s enough circulating around the globe in what we call the news to dampen the spirit of the strongest personality in the universe.

 Instead, I’m going to throw out a few verses that I just noticed in the Good Book, verses that seem to have a particular reference to these troubling times. They come from the book of Job, when Elihu, the youngster in the group of Job’s friends finally got up to speak. Like a well-mannered young man, he had allowed his elders to speak first… something that’s no longer an accepted way of life in these modern days. Elihu had been afraid to voice his thoughts because of the age of his friends and his relative youth. 

‘I said, Days (age) should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men (men of many years) are not always wise: neither do the aged (always) understand judgement.’ (Job 32:7-9) Ah friends, those words are even truer today than they were back in Elihu’s day. Technically speak, men of great years ought to be wise, but as we are seeing in these turbulent times that is certainly not the case. 

And even with the Holy Spirit now living in believers, and ought to give us understanding, for whatever reason, too many of us are not listening to the Lord’s Spirit and following its instructions. That’s why there is so much strife and dissension and struggle in our world. We’re not seeking wisdom and understanding like Cousin Sol did back when the Lord raised him up to the throne of his father, Bruh David. When the Lord asked him in a night vision what he wanted, he replied: ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people.’ (1 Kin. 3:9) 

And it pleased the Lord that Cousin Sol hadn’t asked for long life, riches, or the life of his enemies. Unfortunately though friends, those are the things that too many of us are asking for these days, instead of wisdom and understanding. And what did the Lord do? ‘Behold I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:12-14) 

Yuh see friends, that’s the magnanimity of our great and wonderful God showing out there. When we’re not preoccupied with the things of this world, then the Lord showers us with some of those very things. As Christ advised. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) My people, the Lord knows what we need to live this earthly life and if we keep Him first in our lives, we will be well looked after. That’s His faithful promise. 

And it’s a sad commentary on Cousin Sol, that when he got on in years he turned away from the Lord who had given him such wisdom and understanding and wealth. His many wives apparently led him to turn to their pagan gods. And no, I won’t say it. Don’t want to get into trouble with the wives. (smile) I guess what I’m trying to say is that our elders and leaders with age and experience behind them, ought to be doing a better job of leading the people than they’re doing. 

And whether it’s through their own greed, lust for power, the devil’s machinations, or simply failing brain functions, or a combination of them all, the world leaders are not leading properly, there’s no wisdom and understanding amongst them, and consequently the world’s going up in both real and psychological flames. You can’t remove the great stabilizing power of Jehovah God from society and expect it to run smoothly, for Beelzebub is the prince of chaos and destruction. And right now he is indeed ruling the roost. 

Friends, we need leaders and elders who are actively seeking wisdom and understanding to lead their people, rather than wealth and power and revenge and a heavy hand to keep them in subjugation. And as James says: ‘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 anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8) 

Oh my people, faith in Almighty God ought to be our driving force, else we’ll end up lost and drifting aimlessly in the wilderness like the Israelites. And above all, we must seek wisdom and understanding, so that we can appoint the proper people to lead and guide us, for remember the words of Cousin Sol: ‘Where there is no vision (revelation), the people perish (cast off restraint): but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.’ (Prov. 29:18) Our leaders need to have more godly counsel, and our morality must be based on God’s revealed will. 

Fellow believers, the long and short of the story is we the people must be actively involved in our government, not just leave it up to a bunch of greedy and evil politicians. We must elect godly people, and make sure they toe the line. Ensure that they remember, they are working for us, not we for them! Now let’s go home declaring (awright!) our Wednesday Wail, describing our wonderful situation in Jesus. 

‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And it will be, if we endure to the end. Much LOVE!

…righteousness exalteth a nation…but sin is a reproach (shame, disgrace) to any people… (Prov. 14:34)

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 December 2014 Matthew 6:33

28 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 6:33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Aye mih breddren, it’s the blessed day of the Lord; Sunday, the Sabbath Day! The day on which our great God rested, took a break from His labour of creating the  universe and all therein. And in His Word, He specifically advises us to do the same.

‘Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made the heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.’ (Ex.20:8-11)

Now that ought to wake some of us up, because we feel that we should be working all the time, everyday of the week. That’s obviously wrong, for work is not the panacea for our ills; Almighty God is! So today let’s put that idolatry behind us and get some rest, as well as darken the church doors, especially for those of you who seldom darken them. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear or read about those folks who only go to church at high times like Easter and Christmas.

Steups! Hope if any of you are reading this, that you went to church and fellowshipped with other believers this Christmas season. And from here on in, you will go to church regularly.

Remember Friends, we’re not doing God a favour by going to church, but ourselves, because church is where we’re supposed to come together as one in the body of Christ, to praise and worship Him and receive encouragement and uplifting of our faith, so that we can stand strong and face the persecution and unfairness of the evil and ungodly world in which we currently live.

That brings us to our Bit: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ And as with most things that have to do with faith and God, my people, we have to step up to the plate first, before the promises of God are fulfilled.

We have to first see the promises through the eyes of faith, believe that they will come, before they come. Otherwise faith would not be necessary for ‘faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb.11:1) So if we see something, then there’s no need to hope for it, as Bruh Paul told the Roman church. (Rom.8:24-25)

Now hear are some timely and important explanations from the scholars, re our Bit. ‘6:33-34. This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is summarized by the statement seek ye first the kingdom of God. The disciples who have pledged their allegiance to the King must continue seeking the kingdom and its righteousness. The present imperative form of the verb (Gr. zeto) indicates a continual or constant seeking.

The contrast between the spiritual and material is again emphasized. The believer is to seek first the righteousness that is characteristic of God’s kingdom and then all these things (material things) shall be added to him. When our priority is spiritual, God will take care of the material, for where God guides, He provides.

We need not even worry about tomorrow, for sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (v.34) This means that each day has its own troubles and challenges to be responsibly handled, without worrying about the hypothetical problems that could arise tomorrow.’

Yes Friends, glimpses into the past and the future are indeed necessary at times, but generally speaking we need to live in the present, seeking the righteousness that is found in the kingdom of God, and if we do so, the Lord will fulfill all our material needs. That’s a promise of Jesus, and we all know that Jesus doesn’t lie, cannot lie, therefore doing as He advises is common sense and sound wisdom.

And we have one of the best examples of the promise being fulfilled when upon ascension to his father, Bruh David’s throne, the Lord asked Cousin Sol what he desired. And Cousin Sol, instead of asking for wealth and power, wisely asked for wisdom and understanding. ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgement (justice); Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.’ (1 Kin.3:9-14)

Oh Friends, yuh see how our God keeps His word! And He even goes overboard too, giving Cousin Sol the wealth and power that he had not asked for. He will act in the same manner towards us, if we sincerely seek the things of His kingdom and His righteousness.

And we’ll close with a word on the subject from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.’ (1 Tim.4:8)

And the scholars explain that thus: ‘4:8. That verse may be paraphrased, “For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness, the result of spiritual exercise, has unlimited values, since it brings blessings for both now and eternity.’And that’s the gospel truth my people! So please, let’s go out today and start seeking the righteousness of God and not the unrighteous things of the world. For that’s wisdom of the highest order. Much LOVE!

…true wisdom comes from sincerely seeking God…not from dallying in the lusts of the world…