05 Jul 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: about sharing, baptize, bless the Lord, blooming greedy, bounden duty, Christ's gospel, crowns thee with loving-kindness, each step I take, enjoy the fruits of mih labour, eternal life, forget not all his benefits, forgives thine iniquities, Friday chant, from destruction, furthering God's kingdom, generous help, go ye into the world, God-given right, good news, heals thy diseases, I am the vine, I am with you always, in Jesus name, in the name of the Father, live it up, LOVE, make disciples of all nations, preach a good preach, preach the gospel, redeems thy life, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, salvation, satisfies thy mouth, show good fruit, sufficient fun, teach, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the Great Commission, the halls of heaven, the Holy Ghost, the slave master, the SON, the summer time, the weekend, the workingman's song, thy youth is restored as the eagle's, to every creature, two short days off, with good things, ye are nothing
Mark 16:15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
And so we come once more to Friday, the day that we all long and wish for, especially in the summer time, when we get to go out and do all those fun things outside. (smile) And believe me the hot days are upon us right now, with temps of 30 and 30 something degrees predominating. And if we don’t get some rain soon, we’ll be complaining about how it too hot! That’s just the nature of the human animal, we just LOVE our comfort and are never satisfied even when we get what we ask for.
And the 4th of July party is still in full swing down in the U.S. of A. And the workingman feels as though he’s died and gone to heaven. Hear him nuh: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday…and the weekend is finally here! What would we do without the weekend eh? The slave master and them would gladly work out we soul case if we give them the chance, and for next to nothing too, because they so blooming greedy! They preach a good preach about sharing, but is only talk oui.
But enough about them evil people yes. Is the summer time now and the weekend, we time to get out there and party, party like there was no tomorrow! And who knows whether there will be any tomorrow eh? What they say? You live today and tomorrow you die? Well then lemme live it up today eh? For who knows if I’ll wake up tomorrow? And the weather is fine, the beer’s cold, the grill’s waiting …and the winter soon come back! So lemme enjoy the fruits of mih labour eh, as Solomon says, that’s mih God-given right! So thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Oh friends, we do have to thank the Lord, but not only for Fridays and weekends, but for all that we have, because it all comes from Him! Remember how Bruh David put it: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’ (Ps.103:2-5)
Oh my people, what words of marvellous truth! Our wonderful God does it all for us! Without Him, we’d be absolutely nothing! Jesus said it plainly: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) So please let’s remember that as we chant our Friday Chant this beautiful summer’s day with a strong sense of purpose and reverence.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen!’
And that’s what it’s all about yes my faithful brethren, furthering Christ’s kingdom here on earth, bringing forth fruit in His name! That was His last command to the disciples; what we call the Great Commission. ‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:19-20)
So that’s our bounden duty: to teach and preach and baptize and spread the good news of Christ’s gospel, bringing unbelievers to the realization that they badly need His free healing and saving grace, so that they can enjoy salvation and eternal life in the beautiful halls of heaven!
Now here is something that I’ve never noticed before, Mark’s version of the Great Commission, because everyone seems to be fixated on Matthew’s take on the subject. But though Mark’s is somewhat different, it’s just as interesting. ‘And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (condemned).
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils (demons); they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not (never) hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’ (Mark 16:15-18)
What magnificent promises my people! But we have to believe and get out there and do the work Jesus commanded us to do before we see them coming to pass. And the last verse of Mark’s gospel tells us what happened after Jesus left them and ascended into heaven. ‘And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following (accompanying signs). Amen.’ (Mark 16:20)
Yuh see that mih people, when they did as Jesus asked, He did as He promised; being with them as they did His work! And it’s the very same way He will be with us in these evil and ungodly times when we step out in faith to spread His word, whether it be as preachers, evangelists, teachers, etc. or just by being good, ordinary Christian folks, letting our Christ-like lives speak for us. It’s all about staying securely attached to the vine! Much LOVE!
…if you truly believe in Jesus…then you need to work His work…and show good fruit…
03 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abraham Issac and Jacob, almighty god, an act of homage, anxious, as a tree planted by waters, backbreaking labour, blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, carnality, cease from yielding fruit, Christian Manifesto, consciousness, disasters, do their own thing, drought, ever-faithful, fear, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, he who has ears to hear, heat, her leaf shall be green, hope, in Jesus' name, in the year of drought, introspection, judges, kings, kiss the son, Lenten season, live it up, living for, on Christ's behalf, perish, pittance in pay, Praise the Lord, prayer, promise, rejoice with trembling, relaxation, rest, revel, rid our society of God, serve the Lord, shall not be careful, shall not fear when heat comes, sing and dance, sing praise, spreadeth out her roots by the river, submission, temptation, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the god of Jacob, the God of their forefathers, the Jews, the weekend, the workingman, the world's lust, times of dire need, trembling, truth, ungodliness, week of work, whose hope the Lord is, worshipping, wrath
Jeremiah 17:7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
Well friends, it’s Friday, and the weekend looms large around us! That’s why there is so much joyful shouting in the streets around the world; the workingman is free for two big, whole days!
And who can truly blame him when he joyfully declares: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes people! The weekend is here! The weekend is here! Glory Hallelujah! No more backbreaking labour for a pittance in pay!
So let’s sing and dance, live it up while we have the chance, for Monday will soon be here, then it’s back to the grindstone again! Oh Thank God for Fridays and the weekends oui!’
Now that’s a temptation the enemy throws out at us each weekend; the opportunity to revel in the world’s lust and carnality. But hopefully we believers are able to withstand it, especially in this Lenten Season of prayer and introspection, because it’s not the right thing to do.
Our Friday Chant is a much better way to use the weekend, so let’s chant it now with sincerity and a true sense of purpose nuh. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my people, that’s how we ought to spend our weekends; renewing and refreshing our bodies and spirits so that come Monday we can be refreshed, ready to go out and labour on Christ’s behalf. That’s the only way that makes any sense under our Christian Manifesto.
And likewise, our Bit falls squarely under that public declaration of policy decreed by Almighty God. ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.’
Ah friends and neighbours, there’s absolutely no doubt about that statement! And why is that you ask? Well listen to the verse that follows our Bit.
‘For he shall be as a tree planted by waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:8)
Oh what a beautiful promise my breddren! And we all know that the Sovereign Lord is ever-faithful and keeps all His promises, so why won’t I put my utmost trust in Him eh, especially in these crazy and uncertain times? Hn!
But unfortunately, more people seem to be running away from God these days, than are running to Him! And that’s such a sad state of affairs, because He is the ONLY ONE who can help us in our times of dire need.
I really don’t understand people of today nuh, they are all trying to do their own thing, and what mankind says, but look at the mess it has our world in, why not try something else, like returning to seriously worshipping and living for Almighty God eh?
But that doesn’t seem to enter their consciousness at all! They just keep on trying to rid our society of God, regardless of the serious disasters that are happening, both natural and man-made.
Now the Jews of early times had their faults, but one thing I admire about them is that when they saw their world falling apart through ungodliness, they were quick to get back to worshipping the God of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Why friends, can’t we be as smart, or even as logical eh? I guess only the Lord can truthfully answer that question.
Now let’s check out some scripture that agrees with our Bit. Listen to the psalmist from Psalm 2 – Why do the heathen rage? ‘Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son (perform an act of homage and submission), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.’ (Ps.2:10-12)
Oh my fellow believers do we even need a better reason than that to trust the Creator of the universe? I don’t think so. Just the fear of His wrath and anger should propel us to trust Him.
Now hear the psalmist from Psalm 146 – The blessedness of trusting God. ‘Praise ye the Lord (Hallelujah). Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praise unto my God while I have any being.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man (human being), in who there is no help (salvation). His breath goeth forth (spirit departs), he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is the Lord his God: which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.’ (Ps.146:1-6)
Oh friends, I can’t think of a better argument than that for worshipping the Lord God Jehovah! Let’s hope that you agree and will continue to do so steadfastly, because that’s the only source of true wisdom in these trying times. Much LOVE!
…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…or he will certainly feel…
04 Nov 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: another glorious day, assurance, be not dismayed, blame, blessed, boggles the imagination, condolences, different perspective, diligently, encouragement, end times, evil world, fail thee, faith, faithful God, faithfully, fear not, fellowship, forsake thee, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, God the Good, godlessness, godly upbringing, gospel truth, hold thy right hand, I am thy God, I am with thee, I will help thee, I will uphold thee, in Jesus' name, Isaiah, Israel, judgement, leadership, like there was no tomorrow, live it up, miracles, mortality, of a good courage, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, on God's great earth, our work for christ, plodding on, promises, rampant, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, righteousness, sad news, security, Selvin Goldson, sincerely, smell the roses, stand strong, strong, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the grim reaper, the Holy One of Israel, the Holy Spirit, the onus, the right hand of my righteousness, the weekend, the Word of god, thy Redeemer, time of grief, wake up, week of work, widespread, worm of Jacob
Isaiah 41:10. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Ah friends, the working people as usual declaring their loud shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Hurray! The weekend finally here and we going to live it up like there was no tomorrow. Thank God for Fridays and the weekend yes!’
But my heart really isn’t in the celebration nuh, because once again I turned on my computer this morning and received the sad news of the passing of one of my University mates, Selvin Goldson in Jamaica.
Apparently he died of a heart attack while driving. That’s all I know. But…Chuh! This scenario is playing out too often these days yes! One day I might just turn on the computer and see news of my own demise. (smile)
But seriously friends, each passing of our friends and associates makes us think more acutely about our own mortality. We know we all have to go over to the other side at some time or other, but for some reason or other we never seem prepared for it. It always seems to take us unawares.
Anyhow, there’s not much we can do when the Grim Reaper comes a calling, and I’d like to extend sincere condolences to the Goldson family, and let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them in their time of grief.
Those of who remain though, have to keep diligently and faithfully plodding on in our work for Christ, and since today is Friday, let’s chant our Friday Chant with sincere appreciation for being blessed to see another glorious day on God’s great earth.
All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, we need to handle our weekends differently than the majority of the world. We need to put a different perspective in place if we truly want to be followers of Christ. And our God is so wonderful that He gives us oodles of encouragement and security in these difficult times.
Listen to our Bit: ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’
What awesome promises my brethren! The problem though is that God makes them, but we have to receive them, and that’s where we often fall down. Our faith sometimes doesn’t allow us to accept and believe them, since they seem contrary to what we’re facing in this evil world.
But friends, by now we should all know that our wonderful God is also a faithful God! He never promises stuff that He can’t deliver. And since He’s the Creator and Controller of the universe, since He’s omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present, then there’s absolutely NOTHING He can’t do.
That means the onus is on us to build our faith, to stand strong on His word. That’s why He also gave us His Holy Spirit; to help and comfort us in times of need and sorrow. And if we don’t find strength in our Bit, then listen to Isaiah a few verses later.
‘For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’ (Is.41:13-14)
How much more encouragement and assurance do we need eh my brethren? With all the Lord has done for us, the many miracles He’s wrought in our lives, our faith should be much stronger by now.
And the scholars offer these insights on that section. ’41:10-20. In view of the judgement that is coming upon Israel, God reminds her, I am with thee…I am thy God.
The designation thou worm Jacob is a reminder to Israel of her frailty and need for God who is pictured as her redeemer and the Holy One of Israel. The latter designation is Isaiah’s favourite expression for God and appears equally throughout both halves of the book…’
And friends, do we ever need God’s help in these end times. I believe we’re in even worse shape, even frailer than Israel back in those days, for godlessness is so rampant and widespread now that it’s unbelievable to us of the older generation.
We have seen it go from being pretty good to being pretty bad in such a short time, that it boggles the imagination. But then again, a lot of the blame lies with us; we weren’t as strong and faithful as we ought to have been, therefore this generation doesn’t have the same godly upbringing that we had.
But it’s not too late for us to try and recapture some of what we’ve lost, if we sincerely and diligently get in the groove with Jesus and work steadfastly towards it.
Now let’s end with some help from Moses, as he passes on the mantle of leadership to Joshua. He tells him: ‘Be thou strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go before thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Deut.31:6)
And that’s gospel truth precious people of God! Therefore, let’s wake up and smell the roses and try to make the world a better place than it currently is nuh. Not so much for us, but for our children, and our children’s children. That is wisdom for all time! Much LOVE!
…there is only one Power…and one Presence here…God the Good Omnipotent…!
21 Oct 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a present help in trouble, a shield around me, a sincere heart, all or nothing at all, all them that love him, an integral part, balance, bet yuh bottom dollar, Bless His Holy Name, burn out, Creator, despair, direction, disgrace, fellowship, Friday chant, from one extreme, fulfill the desire, fun, furthering God's kingdom, generous help, give God the glory, glory hallelujah, God is our refuge and strength, help, illness, in black and white, in Jesus' name, in truth, Israel, judgements, live it up, LOVE, Moses, never to leave nor forsake us, no help in God, obedience, praise God, problems, provider, refreshed, refuge, relaxation, renewed, rest, righteous, Selah, shame, statutes, strength, stress, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the affairs of men, the Lord sustained me, the right mix, the weekend, the workweek, trouble
Psalm 46:1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present (an abundantly available) help in trouble.
So how do we begin this morning eh friends? I don’t have a clue as to how to engage your attention on this cloudy Friday morning in the fall of 2016, except to say: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the workweek is almost done! The weekend is here…
Give God the glory for that, because if the slave master had his way, we’d work seven days a week. Steups! The greedy fool! But thanks be to God for the weekend where we can do as we please… And am I going to live it up? You could bet yuh bottom dollar on that! Just watch me!’
Ah mih people, just like us eh? We go from one extreme to the other, from working too hard to partying too hard. But that only causes undue stress, burn out and eventually illness. What we need is some kind of balance in our lives, and our Friday Chant gives us direction on that.
So let’s chant it nuh. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes friends, rest, relaxation, fellowship and play are all necessary for us to live full and godly lives, but we need to mix them in the right proportion, don’t over do any of them. And if we find it difficult to get the right mix, the right balance, there is always our great God to turn to for advice and help.
What does our Bit say: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present (an abundantly available) help in trouble.’ And that’s the living truth in a nutshell!
Our Creator and Provider is always there for us. In times of trouble we only need to call upon Him with a sincere heart and He will guide us to victory. Remember, He promises never to leave nor forsake us, and He stands by His promises.
And my brethren, we all have problems that we can’t solve, or handle, so there is no shame or disgrace in turning to the Lord for help. In fact, that’s what He wants us to do; come to Him for every purpose in life, be they big or small. The Lord wants to be an integral part of our lives, involved in EVERYTHING that we do.
But foolishly, we only want to allow Him to become involved in certain things, the others we want to deal with ourselves. Unfortunately though precious people, the Lord doesn’t work like that. He wants to be involved in ALL or NOTHING AT ALL!
So please, let’s check our lives and see if there are any areas that we are keeping God out of nuh, and then wisely invite Him to be a part of those areas. Yuh know that might be a part of our problem, why our lives aren’t going right at the moment; God isn’t totally involved in them.
Now let’s check out some scripture which reinforces our Bit. Hear Moses as he exhorts Israel to obedience. ‘For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh (a God so near) unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call him for?
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?’ (Deut.4:7-8)
And the answer to both questions friends is NONE! Truly, there is no other God who is so involved, who takes such great interest in the affairs of men! And that’s the way it ought to be. We don’t need a God who is far off, unconcerned about our trials and tribulations, but one who is around when we need help.
Listen to Bruh David from Psalm 3 – A prayer of confidence in God – as he cries out in despair. ‘Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for (around) me; my glory, and the lifter up of (the one who lifts up) mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill (mountain). Selah. I laid down and slept; I awaked: for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.’ (Ps.3:2-6)
Oh what a glorious God we serve my people! That’s the kind of confidence He instills in us when we walk obedient to His will! So I really can’t understand why we refuse to walk steadfastly with Him. There is so much to be derived from a genuine walk with Christ, that it would take me a whole day to list them. (smile)
Now let’s go home with these wonderful words of Bruh David echoing in our minds, souls, bodies and hearts. From Psalm 145 – the Lord is gracious – he faithfully proclaims. ‘The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy (gracious) in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that LOVE him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.’ (Ps.145:17-21)
Wow! Oh my fellow believers right there we have the gospel truth in black and white! Please, please, I implore us, let’s take it heart nuh, so that our lives can be fulfilled! Let’s continually praise our wonderful God and bless His holy name at all times, for that is wisdom at its highest level! Much LOVE!
…praise Him, praise Him…Glory Hallelujah…He is LOVE…He is LOVE…
06 May 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abuse God's name, asaph, atonement, attitude, Babylonian captivity, berate, birds chirping, blessed day, blessings, boldface, castigate, children of God, Christ-like path, comeuppance, Controller, Creator, deliver us, deliverance, desolation of Jerusalem, early mornings, evil, eyewitnesses, fools, forgiveness, Friday chant, friends, fun, futility, generous help, glorious kingdom, grace, heathen enemies, help, humiliation, intercession, Jesus Christ, laments, late nights, live it up, LOVE, make fun of god, materialistic behaviour, mercy, misery, no need to fear, O God of our salvation, offspring of Lucifer, petition to god, purge away our sins, recognized God's existence, redemption, refreshed, relaxation, remove god from our society, renewed, repenting, rest, retribution, revenge, revenging of the blood, safely through, salvation, shun, sinfulness, songs of praise, sufferation, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the destruction of Jerusalem, the error of your ways, the glory of thy name, the lusts of the flesh, the tender mercies of God, the weekend, to go to bed late is to be up early, turning to god, ungodly world, welcome you, where is their God, wisdom, with open arms
Psalm 79:9. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away (provide atonement for) our sins, for thy name’s sake.
Well friends, it was just one of those days; one of those interesting, divinely blessed days when everything just seems to go right! Glory to God! Oh, there were a few hiccups, a few bumps along the way, but none too serious to overcome or simply absorb. (smile)
Yes precious people, yesterday was indeed a good day in the ole fella’s life; busy, but not frustratingly so. And it’s strange that those sort of days simply morph into real late nights, or very early mornings. For as Willie Shakespeare was won’t to say; to go to bed late is to be up early.
And I had to chuckle when I heard the birds chirping their early morning songs of praise as I was going to bed this morning. Now that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it! (smile)
But I’m sure you all don’t really care because it’s Friday, and I can hear all the hoopla about ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend has finally come and we going to live it up as much as possible! Thank God for Fridays and the weekend yes!’
Ah mih breddren, that is the wrong attitude to have towards the weekend. It’s not just for play, as so many of us seem to believe, but for a combination of things, including rest and renewal for the following week.
And to help us better understand the purpose of the weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant, which lays out a more positive, sensible and Christ-like path. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that sounds more like the right way to use the weekend, not simply for partying and satisfying the lusts of the flesh!
That brings us to our Bit, which is certainly an interesting verse of scripture. ‘Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away (provide atonement for) our sins, for thy name’s sake.’
Here, the psalmist Asaph, in his prayer for the destruction of heathen enemies, pleads for God’s intercession on the basis of glorifying His holy name. And he continues in the same vein. ‘Wherefore should the heathen (nations, gentiles) say, Where is their God? Let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging (avenging) of the blood of thy servants which is shed.’
And before we go any further, let’s check out the scholar’s take on Psalm 79. ‘Psalm 79. A companion poem to Psalm 74, this psalm laments the destruction of Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian captivity. The psalm has two distinct parts: expression of the lament to God (vv.1-5) and petition to God for deliverance of His people and retribution on their enemies. (vv.6-13)
Three motives for God to act are cited: the misery God’s people are experiencing (vv.1-4) the tender mercies of God Himself (v.8), and the humiliation brought to his name (v.10) Unlike Psalm 137, which seems to have been written during the Captivity, this psalm was apparently written by eyewitnesses of the desolation of Jerusalem.’
How typical eh friends, that after the wanton sinfulness of Israel, in the time of their comeuppance, they cry out to God for mercy, redemption and revenge. And they boldface enough to use the non-glorification, the humiliation of God’s name as an excuse for His intervention.
But at least the Israelites recognized the existence and power of the heavenly Father, even though somewhat late. However, today, although we are in the same basic plight as the Israelites, undergoing much ‘sufferation,’ we won’t even acknowledge His existence – or rather we acknowledge it, by trying to remove Him from our society.
Foolishly, unlike the Israelites, we figure He is of no earthly use to us. Instead of repenting and crying out to Him for help, since He’s the Creator and Controller of the universe and everything therein, we shun, make fun of, abuse His holy name and relegate Him to the backwaters of our society.
That’s a fool’s wisdom, my brethren! And there certainly are a lot of fools walking around in this evil and ungodly world!
Hopefully, if you are reading this, you are not one of them. Or better yet, if you are one of those unwise people, you will see the error of your ways and repent and come back home to Jesus, where you rightfully belong.
And there’s no need to fear returning to His fold, for He will not berate or castigate you, but welcome you with open arms, showering you with LOVE and tenderness, just like Jesus talked about in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Oh my people, it’s about time we see the lack of wisdom in our sinful, lustful, materialistic behaviour, the futility of trying to erase God from our lives, for He is the One who gives us the very breath of life.
Without Him, His LOVE, forgiveness, mercy, blessings and grace, we are nothing. Let us please remember that and start behaving like the children of God that we are, and not the offspring of the fool Lucifer, as our society is currently reflecting. For turning to God, is indeed the wisdom of all the ages. Much LOVE!
…even in our most sinful state…crying out to God for mercy and forgiveness…is undoubtedly…the wisest thing to do…
24 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crown of righteousness, a fool despises instruction, a foolish son is the grief of his mother, a haughty spirit before a fall, a modicum of circumspection, a wise son makes a glad father, abides among the wise, aches and pains, another week of work, be humble, before honour is humility, Cousin Sol, despises his own soul', dishonour, disobey God's laws, don't give up, don't stop the party, fellowship, foolish, foolishness, fraud, Friday chant, generous help, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, God has a plan for your life, hanging in there, he that regards reproof is prudent, he that regards reproof shall be honoured, honour, honoured, humility, instruction, invade, Jeeves, let my hair down, listen to wise instruction, listening, live it up, Lucifer, mih dan dan, never never give up, not giving up the fight, obedience, old fashioned things, pay a price, personal space, poverty and shame, pride goes before destruction, Proverbs, prudence, prudent, rebuked, relaxation, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, rest, righteousness., TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the fear of the Lord, the instruction of wisdom, the Lord gives and He takes, the pressures of age and time, the reproof of life, the right perspective, the weekend's here, to him that refuses instruction, understanding, violate, wisdom, wisdom of the ages, wise, with God's help
Proverbs 13:18. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth (disdains, ignores) instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Oh Friends, it’s another beautiful day in God’s great universe! Wow!
However, the night wasn’t so great nuh. Though I went to bed earlier than normal, sleep was hard to come by. The aches and pains gave me a rough time, couldn’t find a comfortable position for any length of time. Then I come down here and my ole trusty computer acts up, so I have to waste time and reboot it.
I guess, like its owner, it is feeling the pressures of age and time. (smile) But yuh know what? Just like it’s owner though, it’s not stopping, it’s not giving up the fight. Age and time might slow us down, but Glory Hallelujah we’re hanging in there to the very end! And with God’s help we will be successful!
So all you other ole fogeys out there who are experiencing the same aches and pains and drawbacks, please take note and don’t give up. Slow down if you must, but never, never give up! You’re still alive, that means God still has a plan for your life.
And having said all of that, I guess I’ll remind us that today is Friday…
And the shouts of joy suddenly echo through the atmosphere. “TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday oui! The weekend’s finally here, and I’m all ready to party! I have mih dan dan (dress clothes) all ready and waiting for me to step out later and live it up!
What’s the purpose of working so hard all week, then can’t let mih hair down for even one night eh? Steups! Thank You ever so much that it’s Friday yes Lord!’
Ah Friends, there is some logic to that, but please remember that the weekend is not only for partying, and we have to be very careful when we let our hair down that we don’t give the ole crook Lucifer a chance to invade and violate our personal space, because that’s what he is always on the lookout to accomplish. So don’t stop the party, but do have ‘a modicum of circumspection,’ as Jeeves would say. (smile)
And to help us get the right perspective on handling the weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant with sincerity and faith. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, that is more like how we should handle the precious two days off, rather than just partying them away. And that segues rather nicely into our Bit for today.
Isn’t the Lord just grand, the way He leads us to do His work? But of course! He never gives us stuff to do without giving us the wherewithal to do it.
That’s why our Bit is so pertinent. ‘Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth (disdains, ignores) instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.’
Yes my brethren, those of us who choose to refuse or disobey godly instruction and advice will be brought to shame in any of many ways. But those who choose to obey, or be rebuked, will be honoured, again, in any of many ways.
Remember Friends, the Lord gives and He also takes, so if we don’t step up to the plate as required, how can He bless us eh? One of the most important considerations in God’s law is OBEDIENCE, and for those who follow it, a crown of righteousness is set up for them in the end.
The same goes for the law of man; when we break it, we are punished, have to pay a price in some form and fashion. So therefore obedience; to our parents, to our bosses, to man’s law in general, and to God’s dictates is something we ought to value highly and try our best to follow so that we won’t have to pay a heavy price of shame and dishonour.
And Cousin Sol points that out to us several times in Proverbs. Listen up. In Proverbs 10, where he contrasts the wise and the foolish, he opens by declaring: ‘The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness (grief) of his mother.’ (Prov.10:1)
And that’s no lie Friends! The choice between wisdom and folly is of great importance to our parents, and can either gladden or break their hearts. Then in chapter 15, Sol spells it out in black and white. ‘A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.’ (Prov.15:5)
Now that word ‘prudent’ is one that I believe has been lost to this generation. I don’t know if they ever learned it, but they surely don’t practice it. And sadly, we the older generation behave like we’ve forgotten all about it, and also just rush headlong into whatever captures our fancy and imagination.
That’s one of the reasons why there is so much successful fraud in our world right now, especially amongst the older folks. We have forgotten about the word prudence, and are not as careful as we ought to be in our dealings with the many people and things that buffet us these days.
But to try and remind us about the old fashioned things like prudence, listening and obedience, let’s end with these marvellous words of advice from Cousin Sol. ‘The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth (disdains, ignores) instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth (heeds) reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom: and before honour is humility.’ (Prov.15:31-33)
Yes Friends, before we can be honoured, we have to be humble, by being obedient, by listening to wise instruction and not thinking that we know it all. So today may we go out, and with God’s help, put all that we’ve learned into action, that we may be honoured with a crown of righteousness later on. That’s the wisdom of the ages. Much LOVE!
…pride goeth before destruction…and a haughty spirit before a fall (stumbling)… (Prov.16:18)
SCRIP-BITS 