26 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lack of fear, a li'l light, a rebirth of things green, a resurgence in spirit, a sense of security, a sorry spectacle of ourselves, at the end of the tunnel, baseless arrogance, be not wise in thine own eyes, be responsible and safe, beautiful to the eyes, bind them about thy neck, depart from evil, embrace your love and compassion, faithful believers, fear the Lord, foolish pride, Friday chant, good understanding, guidance of the Holy spirit, handle the situation, health to thy navel, heavenly showers of blessings, honour the Lord with thy substance, in the sight of God and man, lean not unto thine own understanding, length of days, let not mercy and truth forsake thee, let thine heart keep my commandments, LOVE, making a mockery, marrow to thy bones, my son forget not my law, not holding mih breath, not wearing masks, obedient in spirit, onimpotent help, partying plenty together, people still behaving stupid, repentance, satisfy God's demands, show them the error of their ways, some semblance of normalcy, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the first fruits of all thine increase, the Lord always prevails, the new normal, the ordinary workingman, the start of a new day, this lockdown business, thou shalt find favour, thy barns be filled with plenty, thy presses burst out with new wine, too big for our britches, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, trusting faith, wake up and smell the coffee, write them upon the table of thine heart
Proverbs 3:1. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
So it’s another brand new day! However, this one isn’t as bright and sunshiny as the last several ones have been. No, it’s wet and rainy, but it’s still beautiful, because we need the rain as well as the sun to keep nature refreshed and clean and growing like the Lord God intended. And since it’s springtime, which means a rebirth of things green and beautiful to the eyes, that means heavenly showers of blessings are necessary to accomplish such a feat, especially after all the cold, dryness of winter.
So let’s still be bright and grateful and obedient in spirit to our great God nuh, the One who made us and knows exactly what we each need to have a wonderful day and a glorious life walking with Him and His awesome Son, Jesus Christ, through the amazing guidance of the Holy Spirit!
Wow! Isn’t that a mouthful! But a beautiful mouthful indeed! (smile) And it’s also going to be a good day, because the ordinary workingman has something to say today. There seems to be a resurgence in his spirit, as he declares (steups!), though still not with his old fervour: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday and there’s a li’l light at the end of the tunnel! The boss called couple days ago and said a few of us, the senior ones, could come back to work Monday, at least for a couple days a week, according to how much business it have!
Oh brother! I don’t even know if I remember how to do the blooming work nuh, it’s been so long. But it is a start, and it gets me out of the old house…Glory be! I’ve never stayed cooped up so long in all mih life, and it was really starting to get on mih nerves. Couldn’t go to work, so no real money was coming in, couldn’t go down to the pub and drink a few pints with the boys, because the pub closed down. Couldn’t do all the things I like to do… Ah Lord eh!
Let’s hope this is the start of a new day yes, because I really couldn’t take much more of this lockdown business nuh. But ah not holding mih breath, because people still behaving stupid out there, not wearing masks and partying plenty together, and in spite of the vaccine, a setta people still catching the bloody virus. So leh we keep on praying yes…and if you weren’t praying before, yuh better had start now, because is only with God’s help we going to see a brighter day oui!’
And that friends, is the awesome, gospel, indisputable truth! Without sincere prayer, repentance and obedience to God’s word, our world will never return to some semblance of normalcy, call it the new normal or whatever, but there will never be a sense of security and a lack of the fear that has settled over us during the past year. And the scripture that seems to best fit our situation comes from Cousin Sol, from his wise words in Proverbs, as he exhorts us to obedience to God.
So please listen up: ‘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) Yuh see that friends, we don’t need to go far to find out the benefits of obedience to God’s laws; it lengthens our lives and brings us peace. But that isn’t all, it’s just the beginning. Hear Cousin Sol continue: ‘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)
Oh my people, what’s there not to understand in those simple and self-explanatory verses eh? If we embrace mercy and truth, keep them close to us like a piece of jewelry that adorns our bodies, and write them on the table of our hearts, our minds, we’ll find favour with both God and man. Now isn’t that something to be earnestly desired? It surely is!
And Cousin Sol’s not done yet: ‘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) 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) to thy bones. Honour the Lord with thy substance (possessions), and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses (vats) shall burst out with new wine.’ (Prov. 3:5-10)
Mama Mia! What awesome words of wisdom! And yuh notice that when God’s chosen people Israel followed those simple rules they prospered in all aspects of their lives. But when they got too high and mighty, too big for their tight britches, they suffered tremendously. And it’s the same scene that’s playing out in our sick, confused and strife-filled world right now. For we have also gotten too big for our britches, believed that our prosperity was our doing, and not the Lord’s, as it actually is, so we have turned away from Him, doing all we can to remove Him from our society.
But friends, if we have learned anything from history, is that the Lord always prevails in the end. Look at how many super societies fell upon hard times and eventual ruin when they despised God and turned away from Him. And simple common sense, which unfortunately doesn’t seem to exist today, tells us, that if we’ve tried all of our own remedies and they haven’t worked, then we should at least turn to God in prayer. Not that it should be the last thing we try, but rather, the first.
In any case, be it first or last, not turning to him in prayer is utter stupidity; stemming from foolish pride and baseless arrogance. So let’s do the wise thing now and turn to Almighty God for help nuh. In sincere, humble, but also confident voice, let’s call out to Him for divine help, through our Friday Chant.
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks.
And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And now, if we were sincere and serious, then we’ll handle the situation properly, with repentance and obedience. Otherwise, we’re just making a mockery, a sad and sorry spectacle of ourselves! Much LOVE!
…OBEDIENCE…the ONLY way we will ever satisfy God’s demands…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
25 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a personal relationship with God, assured that God is on the case, clear direction for my life, curse, divine protection, eternal life, everything will work out for good, eyewitnesses of his majesty, faith, favour, get prepared for Jesus' Second Coming, give Christ first place in our lives, give Him thanks and praise, glorify thy Son, I am the Lord, in the end, in whom I am well pleased, looking after our affairs, LOVE, more than an endless existence, my glory will I not give to another, negative word, new mercies and compassions, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, our bounden duty, promotion, reward every man according to his works, self-control, self-discipline, shall come in the glory of his Father, share our blessings generously, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the hour is come, the Messiah, the servant of God, the Son of man, the transfiguration, this is my beloved Son, Thursday Blessings, we are blessed, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, whosoever shall be ashamed of me
Matthew 17:5. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Here we are again people; alive and kicking on another wonderful day in God’s great universe! And all I can say is that we are BLESSED! Most certainly BLESSED to awaken to this day, even though everything’s not going our way. But we are also assured that God is on the case, looking after our affairs, setting it up so that in the end everything will work out for good!
Wow! What a wonderful God we serve and worship my brethren! Let’s give him some thanks and praise nuh, for allowing us to see another day, for all the new mercies and compassions that He’s prepared new just for today! As I said a few days ago, with our God, there’s no stale stuff left over for the next day! No sir! Every day, everything is brand new!
And do we appreciate His wonderful blessings? I certainly hope so. But it’s obvious that many of us still don’t appreciate Him, else we wouldn’t be trying so hard to get rid of Him from our society. And how many times do I have to remind us that He won’t ever allow it eh? He’s the supreme ruler and if it’s one thing He doesn’t play with it’s His glory.
Hear what He says on that subject nuh, through the prophet Isaiah. ‘I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.’ (Is. 42:8) Here Isaiah is talking about the servant of God (the Messiah) coming to earth to glorify God through His earthly ministry. And though man may, and has most certainly disobeyed God and tried to give His glory to false gods and graven images, from God’s perspective, He, the Lord, the Creator will not allow it to happen.
Oh, He might declare that He is a jealous God, in respect to His covenant with believers, (Ex. 20:5, 34:14) But He is not a selfish God, and He does share His glory with His Son Jesus Christ, who is a member of our Triune Godhead, as so many passages of scripture declare.
Let’s look at a few nuh. Matthew records Jesus words as He foretells His passion (death) thus: ‘For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.’ (Matt. 16:27) Meanwhile, Mark puts it this way. ‘Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ (Mark 8:38)
Now hear Jesus from John’s gospel, as He speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit. ‘Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself (on his own authority); but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of (what is) mine, and shall show (declare) it unto you. All things the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.’ (John 16:13-15)
And some more from John, when Jesus prayed for Himself and His own. ‘These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son may also glorify thee: As thou hast given him power (authority) over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self (alongside thee) with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.’ (John 17:1-5)
Oh friends, those are words of extreme importance to us believers. Why, you ask? Because the time had come for Jesus to be glorified on the cross and in the resurrection, and that the salvation and eternal life we so highly cherish, depended directly on Jesus’ glorification. Let’s also remember that ‘Eternal life is more than an endless existence. It is a personal relationship with God.’
And finally, these words from Peter, re Christ’s temporary glorification at the transfiguration. ‘For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.’ (2 Pet. 1:16) Yes friends, Peter, along with James and John, were eyewitnesses at the transfiguration of Christ, when He was revealed in all His glory. (Matt. 17:1-8)
The scholars tell us that ‘This was a foreshadowing of Christ’s coming in power and glory to establish His kingdom. The presence of Moses and Elijah on the mountain represented all those who enter the kingdom by death or translation. The declaration of the Father, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.’ (Matt. 17:5) reinforces Christ’s dominion over His kingdom. Application: Since Christians live expectantly looking forward to the return of Christ, they ought to give Him first place in their lives today, just as He will have in the kingdom. (First Ref. Matt. 17:1-9; Primary Ref. 2 Pet. 1:16; cf. Heb. 9:12.)
Now that makes perfect sense friends. It’s best to give Jesus first place in our lives right here and right now, so we can get accustomed to it, for when He comes in all His glory with His angels, we won’t have any choice. (smile) And it’s now time for us to go home proclaiming our Thursday Blessings. Note, I didn’t say declaring (awright!) because I was afraid of spelling it wrong. (smile) But I did spell it right there.
So as one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection!
I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
It’s now our bounden duty to go out and share those blessings with others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us. Much LOVE!
…it’s wise…to get prepared for Jesus’ Second Coming…while we wait and look expectantly for it…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
23 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of the Most High God, a revival of godliness, be not proud, before he cause darkness, do not give up on your journey, for the Lord hath spoken, Give glory to the Lord your God, God doesn't make idle promises, he turn it into the shadow of death, hear ye and give ear, humble yourselves, I am the beloved of god, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not waht I do, I'm not what I do, in god's eyes, in sincerity and truth, let us rejoice and be glad in it, listen to the truth of God's word, LOVE, my God can turn it around, no one can take that from me, pay the price for disobedience, return to His fold, return to the God of our fathers, swallow our foolish pride, the bowels of hell, the darkness of national catastrophe, there's no time to lose, this is the day the Lord has made, Tuesday Mantra, unprecedented times of woe and sorrow, while there is life there is hope, your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, your pricipalities shall come down
Jeremiah 13:15. Hear ye, and give ear, be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken.
One more time friends, one more time to get out there and work for the Lord! That’s why He’s given us another beautiful day to enjoy and do His wonderful bidding! So let’s say and do as Bruh David so wisely said and did nuh: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it!’ That’s the best decision we can make this day my people!
So forget, yes, disregard the problems and circumstances that are trying to keep you down, because you are a child of the Most High God Jehovah, and He won’t allow anything to break you down. And He does have the power to turn all the things that are worrying you around. I can testify to that because I have seen my God turn it around…many many times too…for many many people too, so there is no need to give up on your journey because your God can and will turn it around for you also!
And in these unprecedented times of woe and sorrow in so many of our lives, this is as good a time as any other to listen to the truth of God’s word. Hear the prophet Jeremiah to his people Israel on God’s behalf, when they were in a state of turmoil, just like we currently are. ‘Hear ye, and give ear, be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken.’ (Jer. 13:15)
And I guess you want to know what the Lord hath spoken eh? Well, please listen very closely. ‘Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.’ (Jer. 13:16)
Oh my people, my people, that is a direct word to us from our great God today in this time of pandemic and strife and all the other negative problems our world is currently experiencing! How can we try to get rid of the Creator and Controller of our universe and expect to live a good life eh? That’s not wisdom in the least! It’s pure foolishness!
Look at Lucifer, who was so proud and haughty because he was an archangel and wanted to overthrow God, His Creator? It just isn’t possible for the created to overthrow the creator. And where is he now eh? Living in the bowels of hell, the most despicable place in our world! And if we keep thinking we can throw God out of society we’ll suffer the same fate as Lucifer!
I don’t know why so many of us believe that our God makes promises and won’t keep them. Oh we believe the good ones, but the ones that will come upon us for disobedience, somehow or the other, we convince ourselves that those won’t come to pass. But my friends, let me remind us that our God doesn’t make idle promises. Anything He promises, He will do, if the situations warrant them. And don’t talk stupidness about that’s in the Old Testament, for Jesus made many of the same promises in the New Testament.
If you don’t believe and obey, you will pay the necessary price. And please, please, don’t try to prove it nuh, because once you die without Jesus, or He comes back and you haven’t received Him as Lord and Saviour, your options are ended. The only thing then would be automatic living with Lucifer! And believe me, that’s an option you don’t want to end up with for eternity!
So please look at what the Lord said to the people of Judah and understand that He is not a joking God! Oh He is indeed a LOVING God, and will give oodles of chances, but you WILL pay the price for gross disobedience, as the children of Israel did! Now let’s listen to the rest of the message.
‘But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.’ (Jer. 13:17) And there will be indeed weeping and gnashing of teeth and all sorts of other calamities, exactly like we are suffering right now, because we refuse to swallow our foolish pride and arrogance and return to the God of our forefathers!
And Jeremiah continues with the warning. ‘Say unto the king and to the queen (queen mother), Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory (your rule will collapse). The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.’ (Jer. 13:18-19) And it certainly was carried away captive, because of their obstinate refusal to turn back to God.
And please note that many of our cities and towns have been shut up in the past year because of the pandemic and awful strife that’s been taking place. So why can’t we at least contemplate that some of the recent happenings are because we have become a godless and disobedient society eh? Nothing we’re trying to do on our own seems to be working. There’s all kinds of rebellion and disobedience towards authority that’s only making matters worse. The only option we haven’t yet tried is a revival of godliness! So why not try it and see eh mih people? We have nothing left to lose, but a whole lot to gain.
Now here’s an interesting explanation from the scholars, re our text for today. ‘13:15-17. A third illustration (warning to Judah by Jeremiah) concerns a weary traveller in danger of being overtaken by the falling darkness of night. Such was Judah. It must renounce all pride and give God His rightful glory before the final darkness of national catastrophe engulfs it.’
And let’s hope that many of us today will compare our current situation to that of olden Judah, and don’t follow their foolish ways, because we are not coming out of our predicament with our own efforts. The vaccines might be helping a few, but there’s also strong reactions against taking them, and the racial problems are increasing rather than getting better. Strife, anger, jealousy, and all the negative emotions and actions are now prevalent in our world, instead of the godliness that we so desperately need.
But there’s good news friends, while we’re still alive there is always hope! And I know that our God can turn it around if we wake up and start doing right by Him. So for those of us who are prepared to stand up and fight for Him, let’s go home now declaring (awright!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are.
As one strong and sincere voice then: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
So let’s get on with it nuh my fellow saints in Christ. There’s no time to lose, if we want to turn it around…sooner rather than later. Much LOVE!
…God can, and will turn it around…if we first turn ourselves around…return to His fold…in sincerity and truth…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
21 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according to his riches of his glory, Christ is or strength, Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, divine enablement, filled with the fullness of God, God would grant you, he will keep my words, heaven's gate to open wide, if a man love me, Jesus Loves Me, know the love of christ, let them come to me, LOVE, obedience, rooted and grounded in love, sucfully live the Christian life., taking children on his knee, the Lord's Sabbath, walking with me on my way
Ephesians 3:17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye be rooted and grounded in LOVE,
Gather round friends, gather round your technological devices let’s have worship! Let there be praise and singing, adulation and exultation of God’s holy name throughout His universe! For it is the right thing to do on the Lord’s Sabbath! And the Lord looked down from His high heaven and saw that His people were being obedient to His word, and He said: ‘It is good!’ And God is especially grateful when we make the necessary effort, despite the pandemic lockdowns, to praise and worship Him, because it means that our hearts are in the right place, our motives are sincere, and that’s what He most desires of us.
So let’s begin by singing one of our favourite songs of worship nuh, Jesus LOVES Me. Yes mih bredrin, we going to mash that up today. Glory be! But before we do, here is some background info on the song, from the Wikipedia website.”Jesus LOVES Me” is a Christian hymn written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). The lyrics first appeared as a poem in the context of an 1860 novel called Say and Seal, written by her older sister Susan Warner (1819–1885), in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child.
The tune was added in 1862 by William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Along with his tune, Bradbury added his own chorus “Yes, Jesus LOVES me, Yes, Jesus LOVES me…” After publication as a song it became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world, especially among children.So let’s belt it out in a nice, sparkling, scintillating, harmonious, up-tempo version nuh.
As one sweet voice: ‘Jesus LOVES me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong. (Refrain: Yes, Jesus LOVES me! Yes, Jesus LOVES me! Yes, Jesus LOVES me! The Bible tells me so.) Jesus LOVES me! This I know, As He LOVED so long ago, Taking children on His knee, Saying, “Let them come to Me.” (Refrain) – Jesus LOVES me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give Light and LOVE to all who live.
(Refrain) – Jesus LOVES me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in. (Refrain) – Jesus LOVES me! He will stay Close beside me all the way; Thou hast bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for Thee. Yes, Jesus LOVES me! Yes, Jesus LOVES me! Yes, Jesus LOVES me! The Bible tells me so. Yes, Jesus LOVES me! Yes, Jesus LOVES me! Yes, Jesus LOVES me! The Bible tells me so.’
And isn’t that the awesome truth friends? Why else would Jesus sacrifice Himself for us on the cross at Calvary, taking such brutal punishment for sins He had not committed eh? There could only be one reason: LOVE! True compassion for us, not wanting us to end up in eternal damnation with the evil Satan.
And the website God Tube gives us this comforting explanation. ‘The Bible tells us that God LOVES each and every one of us, despite our sins and faults. Be comforted by the simple lyrics of ‘Jesus LOVES Me’ and remember that our Creator is almighty and all-LOVING. He is with us each step of the day and will never leave our side. We may be weak, but He is our strength.’ Now that ought to boost our trust and faith and strength in Him!
Oh friends, it all comes down to that marvellous and wonderful word LOVE! Hear Jesus when He spoke to the disciples re the promise of the Holy Spirit. ‘He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that LOVETH me: and he that LOVETH me shall be LOVED of my Father, and I will LOVE him, and will manifest (reveal) myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man LOVE me, he will keep my words: and my Father will LOVE him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode (home) with him.’ (John 14:21-23)
And the scholars tell us that ‘the divine indwelling of verse 23, is conditional on LOVE, and obedience to Jesus’ words. The Word of the gospel is primarily (though not exclusively) in view here.’ Try as we want friends, to be true believers, we can’t get away from LOVE, or obedience to Jesus words; one leads naturally to the other, they are inseparable.
And that’s why Bruh Paul prayed thus for the Ephesians, and we also ought to pray for ourselves and others. ‘That he (God) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye be rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fullness of God.’ (Eph. 3:16-19)
Oh my people, Christ’s LOVE for us is so big, so enormous, so wide, deep, long, and high, that it’s only through the help of His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, that we can ever come close to understanding it! Yes, we need divine enablement to successfully live the Christian life. That’s the only way that the characteristics and virtues of God will ever develop in us. So as we go about our business today, let’s concentrate on those two immortal words nuh; LOVE and obedience, for they are the basic foundation of our very lives in Christ Jesus. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley) likes to say…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him…that’s divine wisdom…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
18 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, brings solace in the face of death, but my Father only, but of that day and hour knoweth no man, Christ's Second Coming, comfort one another with these words, curse, divine protection, divine responsibility, eternal damnation, eternity with Jesus, from spiritual apathy, hopelessness of the heathen, I show you a mystery, in the twinkling of an eye, leave you behind, LOVE, negative word, prosper, sooner than we expect, spiritual laziness, succeed, that fateful day, the Christian's hope of resurrection, the dead in Christ shall rise, the dead shall be raised incorruptible, the fiery depths of hell, the majestic halls of heaven, the Son of man cometh, the time of the Rapture, the trump of God, the trumpet shall sound, this corruptible must put on incorruption, this mortal must put on immortality, Thursday Blessings, wake up my people, watch therefore, we shall all be changed, we shall not all sleep, would yo be ready
1 Thessalonians 4:18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Please wake up my people…and I’m not talking about from physical sleep, but from spiritual apathy, from spiritual laziness, for the day of Christ coming for His church is closer than we think, and every day it draws nearer still. So are you prepared? If the trump of God was to sound right now in the sky and Jesus were to appear in glory, would you be ready to go with Him, or would He be forced to leave you behind?
We all hope that the first situation will be the one, yet every day we keep putting off our preparedness, believing that we still have a lot of time. That’s a fallacy though friends, a betraying thought of Satan, for remember he wants us to go down into the fiery depths of hell with him and not to the majestic halls of heaven with Christ.
So today I’m warning us about the fact that on any day, and at any time, we could hear that trump blowing in the wind of high heaven and Christ appearing. Remember too, that even He didn’t know when that marvellous occasion would occur. ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt. 24:36) And thus He warned: ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24:42, 44)
Oh friends, we’re sure that Jesus is coming back for us, we just don’t know when. However, it is imperative that we’re ready for whenever He comes, like the five wise virgins who took extra oil for their lamps were ready when the bridegroom eventually showed up. I don’t want us to be like the five foolish ones who didn’t take any extra oil and were shut out when he came. (Matt. 25:1-13) So please, let’s get serious and take this whole Rapture business to heart nuh!
Remember Bruh Paul’s words to the church at Corinth: ‘Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump (trumpet): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.’ (1 Cor, 15:51-53)
Yes my fellow saints, we must become immortal and incorruptible to enter the hallowed halls so heaven. But, unfortunately, that will not happen to everybody; just those who are prepared for that big day. Again, remember Jesus’ words on the subject: ‘Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.’ (Matt. 24:40-41) And there will not be any more chances after that my brethren. That’s why it’s ever so important to get ready, RIGHT NOW!
But let’s go back to Bruh Paul’s words to the Corinthians, on which the scholars have an interesting explanation. ‘15:52. At the last trump: This is not the last trumpet of Revelation 11:15, but the last trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4:16. It is so designated because it signals the end of the present age. Two groups are distinguished. The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. The term dead refers to those who have died in Christ. The term we refers to those who are still living at the time of the Rapture.’
So you see friends, this is indeed serious business, and will determine where you spend eternity, which is a long, long time. Now, there are only two options, heaven with Jesus, or eternal damnation with Satan. It’s your choice. But I’m warning us that if Jesus comes back and you’re not ready, then the automatic choice will be eternal damnation. That’s all I’m saying.
So let’s turn now to Bruh Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, re the coming of the Lord. ‘But I would not have you be ignorant brethren (I have something to tell you), concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not (you will not continue to grieve), even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep (dead).
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever (always) be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’ (1 Thess. 4:13 -18) Oh my people, we surely can take comfort from those words, but we still must be ready for whenever that day comes, otherwise crapaud smoke we pipe!
Now let’s check out some scholarly explanations.‘4:13. That ye sorrow not is in the present tense: “So you will not continue to grieve.” Apparently these believers were concerned about their LOVED ones who had died in the Lord, especially in view of Christ’s promised second coming. (cf. vs. 14-15).Hope (Gr. elpis) means “certain expectation.” Glory be! That’s what we believers have…and lots of it!
‘4:14. Jesus died and rose again: The certainty of the believer’s hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:20-23). Bring: This supposes that those who sleep in Jesus are with Him, and when He comes they will come with him.’ 4:15. Prevent(Gr. phthano “precede”): The Greek emphasizes that the living will have no advantage over the dead when Christ returns.’
‘4:16-17.The order of events of Christ’s coming is clearly given: (1) The Lord will descend with a shout, accompanied by the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God (cf. 1 Cor. 15:52); (2) the dead in Christ will be resurrected; and (3) then those remaining will be caught up with them in the clouds. Dead in Christ is a technical expression for believers of the church age. Caught up (Gr. harpazo, “to seize or snatch”): The Latin word for carry off is raptus. From which we get rapture. The doctrine of the Rapture of the church is given its clearest expression in this verse.’
‘4:18. Comfort :The Christian’s hope of the resurrection brings solace in the face of death – in contrast to the hopelessness of the heathen.’ And that’s exceedingly good news friends! Just imagine that because we believe in Christ we will live through eternity with Him, and furthermore be comforted by the fact that our LOVED ones will also be there with us! Wow! Nothing can be better than that! Both for this life and the one to come!
Now for those of us who are convinced of those immortal, immovable and unchangeable facts, (smile) let’s go home declaring (awright!) our Thursday Blessings, which the Lord has generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. Altogether now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
Now it’s our divine responsibility to go and share those blessings with others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!
…please be prepared…for that fateful day…is coming sooner than we expect…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
17 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, another day of life, awesome blessings and love, believe also in me, dr robert h schuller, empower us to do His work, failure, failure will not overtake you, fear not, God is the strength of my heart, gratitude, hold on tightly to Jesus, Hour of Power Devotional, I am halfway home, I have put my trust in the Lord, I may declare all his works, I'm not turning back, if at first you don't succeed, if only you persevee, if we endure to the end, it is good for me to draw near to God, keep looking to Jesus, lay the foundation of the church, let not your heart be troubled, LOVE, more glorious than we can ask or imagine, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my flesh and my heart faileth, my hands are on the plough, my portion for ever, never fear, never give up, no concrete examples to follow, no giving up in Jesus, our Christian heritage, seeing our lives fall apart, that go a whoring from thee, the breath of life, the future, the sorrowful path we call failure, the wicked shall fall into mischief, they that are far from thee shall perish, thou hast destroyed all them, to a glorious future with Jesus, try try try again, Wednesday Wail, ye believe in God, you will conquer, your courage will appear
Psalm 73:26. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Oh friends, it’s such a wonderful feeling to wake up and realize that our heavenly Father has given us another day of life, one filled with His awesome blessings and LOVE! Let’s not misuse such an unbelievable gift nuh, because if we don’t show the proper attitude and gratitude, one day He might just decide not to allow us to wake up to another beautiful day. You know He has the power to do it. And believe me, that would be to our detriment not His.
So every morning that He’s kind enough to open our eyes to the world, evil though it may be, let’s give Him sincere thanks and praise for that awesome blessing, so that He may continue our earthly journey and empower us to do His work with excellence and powerful faith! And all God’s people said a loud and grateful ‘Amen!’
And today we’ll talk about something that’s of great concern to so many of us in these very trying times, where many of us are seeing our lives fall apart before our very eyes, and are thus terrified as we slowly and ofttimes with no apparent recourse, journey down the sorrowful path we call failure. Yes friends, the fear of failure in this pandemic time is very real. In fact, many have already suffered, succumbed that terrible indignity through no fault of their own. So how do we combat this real demon that’s stalking so many of us eh?
To begin, let’s get a few facts about what constitutes failure or what we believe it is, from the writings of Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) from his Hour of Power Devotional. He says: ‘Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure…It does mean you haven’t succeeded yet. Failure doesn’t mean you have accomplished nothing…It does mean you have learned something. Failure doesn’t mean you have been a fool…It does mean you had a lot of faith. Failure doesn’t mean you have been disgraced…It does mean you were willing to try.
Failure doesn’t mean you don’t have it…It does mean you have to do something in a different way. Failure doesn’t mean you are inferior…It does mean you are not perfect. Failure doesn’t mean you’ve wasted your life…It does mean you have a reason to start afresh. Failure doesn’t mean you should give up…It does mean you must try harder. Failure doesn’t mean you’ll never make it…It does mean it will take a little longer. Failure doesn’t mean God has abandoned you…It does mean God has a better idea.’
Oh my people, all those words of Gramps Schuller are gospel truth. What the world terms failure is nonsense, because failure only happens when we give up. But until then, we always have a chance to succeed. And if you’re a believer in Christ Jesus, then it automatically behooves you to NEVER GIVE UP, because there is NO GIVING UP in Jesus!
When the world says that we’ve failed, all it really means is that we’ve got to start again, try again, for success very seldom comes with the first, second or even third try. Just ask people like Walt Disney, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. All of them failed numerous times, but they kept on trying, and eventually succeeded. What’s the children’s song? ‘It’s a lesson all should heed, Try, try, try again; If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again; Then your courage will appear, If you only persevere, You will conquer, never fear! Try, try, try again.’
That’s the awesome truth of the situation my brethren. Failure wants you to give up, but success calls for you to keep on trying, to persevere, to endure. And yes, many of us know all that stuff, but we have never gone through a time of worldwide sickness and strife like we are now experiencing, so there are no concrete examples to follow, and thus we are at a total loss at where to turn, when everything bad seems to be coming our way.
‘Fear not,’ friends. Those were the words our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ continually used to those around Him when their faith was low or non-existent. He also said: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.’ (John 14:1)
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘14:1. Let not your heart be troubled refers to Peter. Jesus having just told him of his imminent denial of his Lord (13:38). But the larger reference is to all the apostles, through whom Jesus is going to lay the foundation of the church. His comfort also includes instructions about His departure, the sending of the Holy Spirit, the promise of spiritual power, of answered prayer, and of peace, but especially the promise of His return.’
And yuh see what a difference the apostles made with only promises, several of which have long come true before our time – like the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, answered prayer, spiritual power and His awesome peace – and we now enjoy them as normal aspects of our Christian heritage. So friends, when we turn to Jesus, failure should not be a part of our makeup, because we know that He never gave up, He fought through all the shame and disgrace and persecution on our behalf, and expects the same of us.
Remember, we are His ambassadors, and as such, we have to represent him properly. And my fellow believers, there are so many scriptures in the Good book that encourage us to not give up, to stand strong and endure. Let’s look at a couple nuh. Hear Cousin Sol from Proverbs. ‘For a just man faileth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief (stumble into calamity). (Prov. 24:16) Yuh see that people? The one who sincerely believes in Jehovah God keeps getting up EVERYTIME he falls.
Now hear Asaph, the psalmist in his famous Psalm 73 – The mystery of prosperous wickedness, where he found himself envying the wicked their prosperity, until he went into God’s house and understood their end, and thankfully concluded. ‘My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from (are unfaithful to) thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare (hn,hn) all thy works.’ (Ps. 73:26-28)
Yes my fellow saints, it is indeed good and wise for us to draw near to God and put our trust in Him, for He’s the Creator and Controller of the universe and all therein, and our fate is in His hands. So now, for all of us who acknowledge that indisputable fact, let’s go home declaring (chuh man!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most excellent position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘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’s a fact that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So let’s hold on tightly to Jesus my people! Much LOVE!
…keep looking to Jesus…and failure will not overtake you…
16 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according to Christ Jesus, breathe a sigh of relief, bright and warm with the amazing love of christ, but as thou wilt, Christ has overcome the world, Christ took the weight of all our sins on His sinless shoulders, don't deserve to be called Christians, eternal damnation, even Christ pleased not himself, fell on me, for his good to edification, gain salvation, get down to business with the Lord's work, get our hearts with right motives, glorify God, grant you, in god's eyes, let evey one of us please his neighbour, let this cup pass from me, LOVE, might have hope, not as I will, not to please ourselves, one toward another, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, our actions be off kilter, petty dissension, reconciled to the Father, selfish petty scruples, share His love with the world, subjugate our feelings, the beloved of God, the God of patience and consolation, the number one stumbling block, the ole fella's heart and spirit, the prince of darkness, the reproaches of them that reproached thee, the world badly needs Christ, through patience and comfort, to be like-minded, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, unity in Christ, we then that are strong, whatsoever things that were written aforetime, written for our learning, ye may with one mind and one mouth
Romans 15:5. Now the God of patience and consolation (comfort) grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Well, at last, and I breathe a sigh of relief, after all sorts of interruptions and annoyances – none really detrimental, we can finally get down to business with the Lord’s work! (smile) And it’s a cold, cloudy morning in my area, but the ole fella’s heart and spirit are bright and warm with the amazing LOVE of Jesus Christ flowing through it!
Wow! I just hope that all of you out there are experiencing the same joy and fire that I’m experiencing, for that’s the only thing that will successfully get us through these turbulent and destructive times! Oh friends, our world badly needs Christ and all that He has to offer and all that He is, if we hope to solve our current problems.
And today, I want us to look at something that’s oh so important to all of us, something called ‘unity in Christ.’ That simply means accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour, then behaving in the manner He desires, walking together, in brotherly LOVE, not in dissension and disunity. But let’s hear how Bruh Paul said it to the church at Rome nuh, he puts it much better than I can. (smile)
Read with me: ‘We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities (weaknesses) of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification (to being built up). For even Christ pleased not himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.’ (Rom. 15:1-3)
And the scholars explain those verses thus: ‘15:1-3. Strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak: The strong brother is morally obligated to take the initiative and bear with the weak brother in those things that bother him. The stronger brother must forego his liberty for the good of the weaker, so he is not offended or impaired in his spiritual life. The best example is Christ, who took our sins upon himself.’
And I can hear some steupsing and grumbling from some of us because we don’t agree that we should be our brother’s keeper, and should not allow his weakness to affect our lives. But look at this way nuh friends: What did Christ do for us eh? As our strong, big brother, He took the weight of all of our sins on His sinless shoulders so that we could be reconciled to the Father and gain salvation rather than eternal damnation!
Now wouldn’t you say that’s going a whole lot further than any of us are expected to go in helping the spiritual growth of our fellow man? It certainly is! And yes, it’s not always easy to subjugate our feelings, our emotions and actions to those of our weaker brothers and sisters in Christ, but that’s what is expected of us, and it’s what we must strive to do. I know we won’t always be successful in doing it, but the important thing is that we have to try, have to get our hearts with the right motives, though our actions might be a bit off kilter.
And these words of Christ ought to inspire and remind us of our great privilege and responsibility. That night in the Garden of Gethsemane, before His crucifixion, when He went to pray. He said to His disciples: ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matt. 26:38-39)
Oh my people, do you think Jesus really wanted to face the painful and oh so agonizing death on the cross? Obviously not! But because the Father desired it on our behalf, He ceded His will to the Father’s! Now, if we can’t cede our will sometimes, in much less difficult circumstance for our fellow brethren in Christ, then we don’t deserve to be called Christians!
What could ever be a better example of unity and brotherhood and LOVE, than ‘the Righteous One dying a substitutionary death for guilty mankind?’ And the simple but impeccable, faultless and perfect answer is NOTHING!’ So let’s look to getting rid of our selfish and petty scruples when it comes to helping our fellow brethren in Christ nuh.
And as Bruh Paul continues to the Roman church: ‘For whatsoever things were written aforetime (beforehand) were written for our learning, that we through patience (perseverance) and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.’ (Rom. 15:4) Yuh see that friends! The scriptures were written so that we could have hope and comfort and cultivate faith and patience through perseverance and endurance.
Oh my fellow saints, the entire Christian faith and belief is based on endurance and perseverance, because it’s not an easy life to lead, especially in this evil world ruled by the prince of darkness, Satan himself! Jesus didn’t have it easy, and He assured us that we wouldn’t have it easy either, but with true grit and firm, faithful belief in Him, we could do it.
Listen as He reassures us: ‘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 that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has overcome the world by defeating hell, death and the grave and wresting the keys of death from Satan through His awesome resurrection on that first Easter morn. So there’s nothing left to fear from the toothless tiger, the devil only has power when we give it to him.
And Bruh Paul ends his li’l speech with these most important words. ‘Now the God of patience and consolation (comfort) grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Rom. 15:5-6) And that’s how it ought to be friends; living in unity, glorifying our heavenly Father, for that’s His number one purpose in creating us.
Now for those of us who have accepted that role, let’s go home declaring (steupsss!) our Tuesday Mantra, proudly and loudly letting the whole world know who and whose we are. Altogether now: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
So then, what we waiting for eh? Let’s get a move on, let’s start sharing that awesome LOVE of our trusted friend Jesus! Much LOVE!
…the number one stumbling block in today’s church…selfish, petty dissension and disunity…
13 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good attirude, apart from Jesus we live in darkness, dissatisfaction and anger in our souls, don't breed resentment, don't lie to ourselves, dreaded darkness of the soul, have the light of life, he that followeth me, I am the light of the world, in the person of Jesus, Jesus - our living hope, Jesus speaks from God and for God and as God, John Piper, keep you so busy, knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour, lazy time, let go of your dark past, let the improvement of yourself, look on the bright side, LOVE, make excuses to stay in our comfort zone, never lose hope, put Jesus first in your life, putting all your trust in him, regardless of the circumstances, shall not walk in darkness, shining on the retina of the human soul, social media platforms, storms never last forever, stymie our growth, take bitter root in our souls, take risks, the brightness of god, the light is right at our fingertips, the light of Christ, the light of the world paid for our freedom, you deserve a bright future, you have no time to criticize others
John 8:12. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Come on friends, it’s Saturday, let’s get some lazy time going! And some of us unhappily reply: ‘Lazy time? I don’t want any more lazy time! That’s all I’ve had for the past week…in fact for the past few months. So you know what you can do with your lazy time!’
Yes my people, there’s a lot of dissatisfaction and anger in our souls right now because of the pandemic and many other problems in our world, but being sour and miserable won’t solve them or make them easier to bear. The only thing that will soften them is a good attitude in conjunction with knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour and putting all your trust in Him! So let’s concentrate on doing that nuh, rather than letting resentment breed and take bitter root in our souls.
Anyway, since it’s Saturday, let’s take a gander at the quotes our friend Anselm sent us this past week. Here’s the first one: ‘Once you realize you deserve a bright future, letting go of your dark past is the best choice you will ever make.’ Now that’s basically what we were just saying; regardless of the circumstances we have to look on the bright side. We can’t let unfortunate circumstances stymie our growth by keeping us in negativity and that dreaded darkness of the soul that the enemy wants us to wallow and sink in.
And how do we find the light? By sincerely seeking it; by moving through our darkness like a tired swimmer heading for a distant shore. They know that the shore is a way off, but they don’t intend to fall victim to the deep, dark water in which they are currently flailing around. So they keep on fighting….until they reach the shore and safety. The good thing though, re those who are actively seeking light, is that they don’t have to go very far to find it. It’s right at our fingertips in the person of Jesus Christ! He proclaimed it thus: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)
It’s a plain and simple, yet profound statement. If you follow Jesus, the light in your life will replace the darkness that’s naturally found there if you hold on the world’s values. Now here is an interesting commentary on the subject from the biblestudytools.com website. “I am the light of the world,”is rooted in Jesus’ relationship with His Father. John Piper states, “Jesus speaks from God and for God and as God.” Apart from Jesus, we live in darkness. We have limited capacity to understand who we are or what we see in the world. And Aimee Joseph writes, “The beauty of our humanity is still evident, but ugliness abounds.”
Hear John Piper again: “The light of Christ is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul.”Life can be wonderful on earth, but not fully complete without Jesus. We are all created to crave the Creator, our Father, and only through a relationship with our Savior Jesus can the dark parts of our hearts brighten. And Aimee Joseph adds: “When I admit I am not enough, I’m freed to run and cling to the God who is.” The Light of the world paid for our freedom on the cross.’
And that’s the indisputable truth my brethren! I didn’t intend to spend so much time on that quote, but that’s where I was led, and I think it was worth it. Hope you do too. And the second quote segues nicely from the first. ‘We have to be honest about what we want and take risks rather than lie to ourselves and make excuses to stay in our comfort zone.’ Oh friends, is that ever so true. We all want to be special people and do special things, but too many of us don’t want to step out of our comfort zone to be and do what we really want. However, unless we take some risks and venture into the unknown, we will never rise to the level we desire.
Wishing and talking and envying don’t get it done. Only sincere action and genuine desire do. So let’s stop wishing and hoping and get a move on nuh. And again, the best way to do that is in the company of Jesus. If we tell Him the desires of our hearts, He will willingly and LOVINGLY guide us through life to them.
One problem though. The desires of our hearts must fall within Jesus’ will for our lives, for when we surrender our lives to Him, then what He wants becomes uppermost, and our will becomes subjected to His. But the good news there is that He only wants the best for us, and though He may lead us in a direction we didn’t expect, be assured that it will be a good direction, or rather the best direction.
And I can personally testify to that. I never intended or expected to be doing what I’m now doing, and when the Lord suggested it, I laughed, because I figured I didn’t know enough scripture to write about it. But He persisted, and over the years I can vouch for His amazing faithfulness, because I could not be writing this blog for fourteen years now without His awesome help.
Now here’s the next quote, which also segues nicely with the other two. ‘Let the improvement of yourself keep you so busy that you have no time to criticize others.’ Now that’s the gospel truth. And do we ever need to stop the annoying and often unfair and untrue criticism that is so prevalent in our world today, especially on the social media platform. It’s so sad that anybody, fool or wise, can get on social media and sling criticism at others and have it take off around the world in seconds.
But friends, when we are wrapped up in ourselves with Jesus, busy doing His work, we don’t have time for unjust and unfair criticism. And remember what He said: If you criticize, others are going to criticize you too, and just as unmercifully. (Matt. 7:1-2) Let’s not forget that, because we all like to criticize, but very few of us can take criticism.
And the last quote is another wonderful one. ‘Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.’ And what shall we say to that eh? The first point is that while we are alive, there is ALWAYS hope. And when you’re walking with Jesus, that hope is everlasting, for there’s no giving up in His vocabulary. And He is our living hope! Hear the apostle Peter tell it in his writing to the scattered believers of his day. ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again in to a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’ (1 Pet. 1:3)
Yes my fellow saints, we have a living hope because Jesus rose from the dead and is alive and well! That means we who believe in Him will also see a resurrection morn! All praise and glory to the Father! One more point on our last quote; storms never last forever, but they don’t always make people stronger. Ofttimes they weaken people and make them hopeless, but when you’re walking with Jesus, when He is your guide and pilot through the storms of life, that’s when they strengthen you!
Oh my people, I do hope that what we’ve said has proven that we desperately need Jesus in our lives to fully live this earthly life, the abundant life that He came to give us, and then gain eternity with Him in heaven. Nothing less will suffice! For only He can fill the empty space in our souls! Much LOVE!
…if Jesus is not first in your life…then you’re lost…now and forever…
10 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: an oppressive early morning sleep, bushwhacked, disappointment can't, distress, eternal life, fail until I feel old and beaten, fall flat on my face, famine, glad to be alive, God's measureless love, halfway home, hands on the plough, I show you a mystery, listening to worship music, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, nakedness, not turning back, o death where is thy sting, One Year Book of Bible promises, pain can't, peril, Romans 8---to Me, Ruth Harms Calkin, separate us from the love of God, sword, thanks be to God who gives us the victory, the breath of life, the dream, the great I AM, the row be tough to hoe, to a glorious future with Jesus, tribulation, Wednesday Wail, who shall separate us from the Love of Christ
Romans 8:35a. Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ?
Ah friends, it’s been a rough morning…I was bushwhacked by an oppressive early morning sleep, (smile) just couldn’t get up though I wanted and tried to. Yuk know how sleep can be very determined at times. And it wasn’t because I went to bed late. In fact, I went to bed pretty early – by my standards. And then the dream…oh the dream! A big open grassland with a band stand and several bands playing beautiful music! Wow! Again, I wanted to leave but couldn’t because the music was so sweet and scintillating! Brother! Was it ever hard to get up…
But now I’m up and listening to some worship music, reminding me that there is a God, and He is alive, in Him we live and in Him we breathe. He is the Great I AM! And because He is the Great I AM, this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, is ever so appropriate, especially for these turbulent times in which we’re currently living. And it’s a poem that I can’t ever remember sharing. It’s titled ‘Romans 8 —to Me.’
So please pray with me: ‘God I may fall flat on my face I may fail until I feel Old and beaten and done in Yet Your LOVE for me is changeless. All the music may go out of my life My private world may shatter to dust Even so You will hold me In the palm of Your steady hand. No turn in the affairs Of my fractured life Can baffle You. Satan with all his braggadocio Cannot distract You
Nothing can separate me From Your measureless LOVE. Pain can’t Disappointment can’t anguish can’t. Yesterday, today, tomorrow can’t. The loss of my dearest LOVE can’t. Death can’t. Life can’t. Riots war insanity unidentiy Hunger neurosis disease — None of these things Nor all of them heaped together Can budge the fact That I am dearly LOVED. Completely forgiven and forever free Through Jesus Christ Your beloved Son.’
Oh mih bredrin, how great is that eh! I would say it’s amazing, awesome, without precedent and can’t ever be bettered! So why do so many of us refuse to truly and sincerely believe in Christ Jesus, the Son of the Great I AM eh? Yes friends, there is a God, who is alive, in Him we breathe, and we’ll survive. But we have to come to Him in true surrender and humility.
He’s already done His part in the covenant with us; providing redemption and forgiveness of sins with eternal life through belief in His son, who paid our sin debt in full on the cross of Calvary. It’s now our turn to keep the covenant by coming to him and accepting the free gift of grace and salvation that Jesus earned for us with His selfless sacrifice, showing both His and the Father’s great and overwhelming LOVE for us.
And the scripture promise for our poem is none other than Bruh Paul’s mighty acknowledgement to the church at Rome. ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35-39)
Oh Mama, Mama! What a powerful and oh so true discourse! NOTHING can separate us from our heavenly Father and Christ Jesus! Once we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour and are sealed by the Holy Spirit as His follower, as His co-heir in the Father’s will, the only person or thing that can break that bond is we ourselves! And why would we ever want to do that eh, after all the wonderful guarantees we have from our ever-faithful God.
Hear Bruh Paul tell it to the church at Corinth and consequently to us and all creation. ‘Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump (trumpet): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave (hades), where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour will not be in vain (futile) in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 15:51-58)
Yes, my fellow saints in Christ, accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour is a no-brainer! Just look at all the great and faithful promises nuh – too numerous to mention! But that’s why the Lord gave us free will, the opportunity to choose between Him and Satan; to spend eternity with Him in the wonderful place called heaven, or with Satan in the fiery dungeons of hell. The choice is left up to each individual, so hopefully ALL of us will make the right one. All anybody can do is give us advice, we have to make the final decision for ourselves. Please make the sensible one and choose Jesus.
And for those of us who have already made that marvellous and wise decision, let’s go home now declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know our amazing and most awesome position in Christ Jesus! So altogether now in strong voice and humble confidence: ‘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 here’s another li’l secret; (smile) if we endure to the end, that future with Christ will be even more glorious that we can ever ask or imagine. That’s how wonderful it will be my people! So let’s keep on keeping on nuh, though the row be tough to hoe! Much LOVE!
…in Jesus…there is no death…only eternal life…who…in their right minds…wouldn’t want that eh…
08 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cruel dream, against the workers of iniquity, awesome grace and mercy, bring for thy righteousness as the light, but their walk leaves a lot to be desired, cease from anger, come hell or high water, Commit thy way to the Lord, delight thyself in the Lord, do good, don't give up, for the crumbs that remain, forsake wrath, Fret not thyself over evildoers, give thee the desires of thine heart, it was all a dream, it's a balancing act, It's B.S., it's not equal or equitable, Jehovah Rapha, keep on fighting, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, neither be thou envious, only one sure way, praise Your Holy Name, rectify this untenable situation, Rest in the Lord, scrape the bottom of the barrel, show others the way, sincerely seek your face, Surrender our lives and souls to God, the disenfranchised, the God who heals, the haves talk a good talk, the many are suffering more than the few, the poor are getting poorer, the privileged are enjoying their privileges, the rich are getting richer, the righteous shall inherit the land, the true state of the wicked, the underprivileged, they shall soon be cut down like grass, this too shall pass, thy judgement as the noonday, trust in our Creator, trust in the Lord, wait patiently for him, wake up from our sinful slumber, walk our talk, wise guidance and direction, wither as the green herb, your humble servants
Psalm 37:1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
The 5. a.m. alarm sounds…and I roll over and mutter, ‘O Lord, is Monday, got to get up and go and open the shop. Customers will soon be there knocking on the door anxious to get in…’ and I see myself bustling to fix up the place before opening time. But then something significant happens. I finally open my eyes and realize that it was all a dream, a cruel one, but still a dream. No real alarm went off, and one won’t go off until I don’t know when, for I have not opened the shop in months, because of the lockdown, and it won’t be opening this morning either, although the lockdown has been eased some.
I am a barber, I am a hairdresser, I am an esthetician, but my premises must still remain closed, while the liquor stores, the pot stores and the big groceries are open and making a killing. They won’t even allow me one or two customers at a time. Steups! But they still want me to pay rent on a shop that they’ve closed up, not me. And how do I get money to do that eh? From the li’l pittance the government so graciously grants me every few weeks? Chuh blast! And what am I supposed to live on, and feed my family with eh? It’s B.S! It’s all B.S!
The rich as usual are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer, and the status quo still holds; the privileged ones are enjoying their usual privileges, while the underprivileged and disenfranchised scrape the bottom of the barrel for the crumbs that remain. But isn’t that the way it’s always been, from the beginning of time? The haves sometimes talk a good talk, but their actual walk leaves a lot to be desired.
I know it’s a balancing act, but the powers that be are not doing a good or even fair job of it. Those at the bottom of the feed trough are suffering so much more than those at the top, but they are still talking about we are all in this together. Yes, we are, but not equally or equitably! For the many are suffering a lot more than the few!
And how do we rectify this rather untenable situation eh? Let’s see now. The first thing is that we must not give up. Come hell or high water we must continue fighting, because like all adversity, this too shall and must pass! And how do we do that? There’s only ONE sure way that I know, and that’s to trust in our Creator, Almighty God. Surrender our lives and souls to Him completely. He created us and still cares for us, and is the best one to lead and guide us through the universe He’s created for us to spend our formative years – eternity is our adult years. (smile)
And believe me, our God is allowing this pandemic to terrorize us because He’s trying to wake us up from our sinful slumber and bring us back to Him. Now the best way to do that is by taking His holy word to heart. Listen, as Bruh David teaches how from Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked. ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.’(Ps. 37:1-2)
Oh friends, that’s the initial step; do not envy or be jealous of the wicked who seem to prosper in their wickedness, for when the Lord is ready, their time of reckoning will come upon them. He has faithfully promised us that: ‘the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.’ (Ps. 37:28b-29)
Then here comes the mainstay: ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness). Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday.’ (Ps. 37:3-6)
Yes my faithful brethren, that’s the starting point for us to stay strong and never give. Trust and delight in the Lord, and commit our way to Him, follow His lead and guidance, His plan for our life. No it’s not easy, but once we truly surrender to Him, He will enable us to do it. Then, as Bruh Paul would say: ‘And having done all that, thenSTAND!’(Eph. 6:13b) (smile)
But Bruh David puts it this way. ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil for it only causes harm). For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps. 37:7-9)
And that my people, is the only way to get through this pandemic successfully; turn your eyes heavenward to the One who made you and cares a whole lot about you, judging from the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, that He made on your behalf. So let’s begin at the beginning nuh, turning our lives over to God through sincere prayer, namely our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
As one voice now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive and standing in faith despite the mass confusion that’s currently prevailing in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems; the pandemic of Covid -19, the racial, political, and religious strife that’s ignited worldwide, plus the many natural disasters that now seem more prevalent than ever.
Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction to bring our problems under control.
And for those who are currently suffering from the many negative situations, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
Now let’s go out and live up to our word. Much LOVE!
…like the haves…we Christians also talk a good talk…but in these troubled times…we desperately need to walk our talk…Jesus is depending on us to show others the way…
Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
SCRIP-BITS 