27 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a calf, a Deity, a face as a man, a flying eagle, a lion, a sea of glass, a walk of faith, an abundant life, angelic vision, angels, character, compassion, courage, creative powers, creativity, curse, day and night, diligence, divine promotion, excellence, favour, forgiveness, full of eyes, God's throne room, good health, grace, in Jesus' name, intelligence, Isaiah's vision, Jesus Christ, John the Revelator, like crystal, lord god almighty, LOVE, mercy, movement, negative word, our Lord and Saviour, praise and thanksgiving, praise and worship, Praise the Lord, prosper, saints, saying Holy holy holy, self-control, self-disicpline, seraphim, sincerely cares, sincerity, six wings, strength, succeed, success, swiftness, talent, the Alpha and Omega, the beasts worshipped God, the body of Christ, the church, the Creator of All, the First and the Last, the four beasts, the Holy Spirit, the Lord's help, the right to rule, they rest not, Thursday Blessings, to serve and worship God, truth, wisdom
Revelation 4:8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest (cease) not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Well hello there all you beautiful saints in the body of Christ! Top o’ the morn to you!
The rains have fallen and washed and refreshed the earth, let’s hope the Holy Spirit has done, or will do the same work within each of us on this new day.
And that’s fill us with the LOVE, mercy, grace and forgiveness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, so that we can do His earthly work with diligence and excellence. For remember, we can’t do much of anything without the Lord’s help, and He expects a lot from us.
Yuh know friends, it’s so wonderful to serve a God who refreshes and renews us daily to enable us to do His bidding. No other supposed god does that! Only a Deity who sincerely cares for His people does that kind of thing.
So let’s praise and worship Him nuh, exalt His Holy Name and give Him all the glory He so rightfully deserves as we go through our day, because without His great and genuine compassion, we’d be nothing at all.
And all the saints of God declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His Holy Name! For He is indeed a wonderful God! May He live and reign forever! Amen!’
And we surely don’t have to worry about that last part nuh mih breddren, because our God is the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator of All, and He will most certainly live forever, ruling All creation from His heavenly throne! Glory Hallelujah!
Ah mih people, I’m chuckling here because it seems that the ole fella is in a worshipful and praising mood this Thursday morning. And so should we all be, since that is one of the reasons why the Lord created us; to serve and worship Him all the days of our lives, even until eternity.
And as out Bit tells us, even those in heaven praise and worship Almighty God! And if you don’t believe me, listen to John the Revelator, as he describes some of what he saw in God’s throne room.
‘And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne were four beasts (living creatures) full of eyes before (in front) and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast was like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest (cease) not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.’ (Rev.4:6-8)
Yeh friends, that’s some of what John claims he saw around God’s throne in his vision of heaven. And day and night the beasts worshipped God!
And the scholars add these explanations. ‘4:6-8.The four beasts or living creatures (lit, “living ones”) are probably angels (cf. Ezek.10:15-22) who guard the throne of God. The eyes symbolize wisdom, and the wings depict movement. They worship God as did the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision (cf. Is.6:1-3).
The lion represents strength (cf. Ps.103:20), the calf service (cf. Heb.1:14), the face of a man intelligence (cf. Luke 2:52), and the eagle swiftness (cf. Dan.9:21). The angelic vision has a strong allusion to Ezekiel 1:4-14.’
Hopefully that enlightens us somewhat to the happenings in heaven, (smile) but we would be even more enlightened if we took the time to read the references that the scholars gave us for their contentions.
Now let’s continue with John’s vision. ‘And when those beasts (living creatures) give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him, that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (by your will they exist).’ (Rev.4:9-11)
Yes my people, twenty-four elders also sat around the throne of God on their own thrones, ‘sitting clothed in white raiment (robes); and they had on their heads crowns of gold.’ (Rev.4:4) But when the time comes for worship, they all cast down their crowns and fall on their knees before God. That’s how revered He is.
Here is what the scholars say about that. ‘4:9-11. All of heaven worship the Father. The angels extol His character, and the elders (church) extol His creative powers. God has the right to rule and the sovereign authority to judge the earth, because He is both holy and the Creator of all.’ Matter fixed mih people!
Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings with a voice of praise and thanksgiving to the great and powerful and LOVING God who created us and wants us to live an abundant life.
In strong voice 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 everyday! Amen!’
Okay saints of Christ, let’s go out now and bless others as Christ has blessed us! Much LOVE!
…man was made to worship God…in all sincerity and truth…
24 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a green olive tree, abundance of riches, adrenaline, antidote, aura of love, Beelzebub, burdened, calamity, Christians, confidence, Corinthians, Egypt, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith, famine, friends, glorious kingdom, God meant it for good, God was with him, grace, he who tarries is lost, humble servants, ignorant of our trouble, invincible, Jesus' work, jobs, keep Jesus first and foremost, keep the family going, lies, LOVE, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, righteousness., salvation, spiritual armour, spreading His word, tarry, task of kingship, the Good Book, the mercy of God, the sentence of death, the trump's sounding, the wake up call, Though he slay me, thought evil, tribulations, trust, truth, ungodly world, wisdom, work, yet will I trust him
Job 13:15a. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…
Up and at ‘em friends! The trump’s sounding the wake up call, and we can’t afford to tarry, for he who tarries is lost. (smile)
Yeh mih people, unfortunately it’s Monday morning and work calls, got to get out and make some bread to keep the family going, keep them in the fashion to which they’ve become accustomed.
In addition to that, we also need to get out there and do Jesus’ work; important work that He’s depending on us to do – spreading His word to all and sundry so that they can receive salvation and eternal life, for the Father doesn’t want to lose even one of His creation to Beelzebub. So you see it’s of the utmost importance that we get up and get a move on.
And I know some of us find it hard to get going on a Monday morning, for whatever reason, that’s why we have the appropriate antidote for your Monday problems. It’s called our Monday Morning Battle Hymn and it activates all our faculties, gets the adrenaline flowing so we can function like the true conquerors we are in Jesus.
So let’s shout it out now nuh, in strong voice and much gusto. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Good showing friends, good showing! Our choirmaster Jesus was pleased with that rendition. Now let’s keep the energy and the adrenaline flowing by getting out onto the highways and byways with Jesus first place in our hearts. And let’s profoundly proclaim like Job did in our Bit: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…’
Yeh friends, unconditional trust in Jesus Christ is essential in our faith walk. As Job said, though the Lord put him under, he would still trust him. That takes mucho mucho faith. And unfortunately, it’s only as we go through trials and tribulations that we build faith. That’s why so many righteous people in the Bible went through so much calamity.
Check out Moses, Bruh Joseph, Bruh David and Bruh Paul. They were champions of faith, but they also suffered much tribulation for their belief. But yuh know what fellow believers, throughout all their trials the Lord was with them every moment and every step of the way.
The Good Book tells us that in every rough spot Bruh Joseph found himself, God was with him and made him well-liked. And listen to his words when he finally accosted his scalawag brothers as Prime Minister of Egypt, the second most powerful man in the most powerful country in the world, when they came begging for food in the time of famine. ‘But as for you, ye thought (intended) evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.’ (Gen.50:20)
Likewise friends, a lot of times when disaster strikes us, God is allowing it to make us strong, to prepare us for our destiny. Look at the amount of stuff Bruh David went through after he was anointed by Samuel, but before he actually became king. That was to prepare him for the immense task of kingship. And he turned out to be the best king Israel ever had.
But listen to his words from Psalm 52 – Caution to the prideful wicked – words that are not as popular as some others, but still very meaningful. ‘Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness (destruction). But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.’ (Ps.52:7-9)
Wow! What a powerful declaration of trust on Bruh David’s part, despite all the calamity he went through. And don’t talk about Bruh Paul…Hn! His life was just one calamity after the other; shipwreck, beatings, stoning’s, jail, etc. etc. But hear his words to the Corinthians.
‘For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble (tribulation) which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure (burdened), above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.’ (2 Cor.1:8-10)
Now that is what you call great faith, which can only be based on great trust in Almighty God! So friends, I implore us this Monday morning as we get back into work mode, please, let’s keep Jesus first and foremost in our hearts, souls, bodies and minds as He desires of us, so that we can do His work. Let’s trust Him implicitly and thus grow in faith. Much LOVE!
… faith grows…when trust grows…and vice-versa…one cannot grow without the other…
21 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a smooth path, another week of work, be of good courage, boundaries, breathe out violence, carnal lusts, Christian faith, eating and drinking, enjoy, faith, false witnesses, fear, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, give thanks, God bless, God's plan, good and faithful servant, I am thy servant, ignoring God, ignoring man and best, in Jesus' name, Jesus Christ, Lead me in thy truth, limits, LOVE, party time, persevarance, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, reverential awe, righteousness, see the light, sensible approach, serious consequences, servant, service, sincerity, singleness of purpose, smooching, summer's morn, teach me thy way, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, The God of my salvation, the goodness of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, the land of the living, the living God, thy spirit is good, trust, truth, unite my heart, wait on the Lord, walk in thy truth, walking out of God's will, weekend, whole hog
Psalm 86:11. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart (give me singleness of purpose) to fear (have reverential awe for) thy name.
Ah mih friends, what can I say this beautiful summer’s morn eh? Nothing but God bless! Enjoy it and give thanks! (smile)
Yeh, we’re alive and hopefully going about God’s plan for our lives in a successful and productive manner, for that’s what He desires of us, each and every day He causes us to see the light.
Walking out of His will is downright foolish, and sadly a lot of people are planning to do that today, as their weekend furlough begins. Just listen to their shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes!
Mama Yo, the weekend is here, party time is here, plenty eating and drinking and smooching! We call it the just do what you want to do time, ignoring both man and beast! Thank God for Fridays and weekends oui, otherwise we’d just go out we mind with worry!’
Oh my faithful brethren, it is quite all right to ignore man and beast, but ignoring God, as the weekenders are planning to do, is an entirely different matter, one fraught with serious consequences. Taking a break from work is fine, indeed it’s necessary and beneficial, but we have to pay careful attention to the limits to which we go.
Our Friday Chant provides a much more sensible approach to the weekend, so let’s declare it now nuh, in all sincerity and truth. ‘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 friends, that is more in keeping with our Christian faith; making sure that we have and respect some boundaries in our lives, and not just going whole hog after the carnal lusts of the flesh, which are so prevalent today.
And as we’ve been seeing for the last couple of days, declaring and adhering to the glorious words of our Bit is one way to keep us safely grounded in God. ‘Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart (give me singleness of purpose) to fear (have reverential awe for) thy name.’
Oh precious people of God, if we approach the Living God of our fathers, sincerely and ask for His help and guidance, He will NEVER turn us down!
And Bruh David seems to have known that principle and used it quite often in His talks with the Almighty. Listen to him from Psalm 25 – A prayer for guidance and protection. ‘Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all day.’ (Ps.25:4-5)
Ah friends, do we ever call on God in such sincerity? If not, then perhaps we should. It might just change our whole perspective and consequently our lives for the better. Now hear Bruh David again from Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation.
‘Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain (smooth) path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty (violence).
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (patiently and in faith), I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:11-14)
Yeh mih breddren, it all boils down to faith and trust and patient but expectant waiting with a big dollop of perseverance, when it comes to dealing with Almighty God. And we’ll close with this last entreaty from Bruh David from Psalm 143- Teach me to do thy will.
‘Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken (revive) me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off (put an end) to mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.’ (Ps.143:10-12)
And the most poignant words in all of that friends, are the last ones: ‘for I am thy servant.’ Unless we are prepared to be God’s servant, as well as our fellow man in God’s name, our cries for help will not be answered. Remember Jesus said He came to serve, not be served.
And also bear in mind the greeting of the lord in the parable of the talents: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.’ (Matt.25:23).
Let’s not forget our purpose today my brethren as we walk in faithful service to out Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Much LOVE!
…to faithfully serve Jesus…in any manner He desires…is our Christian calling…
17 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blessed honour, a no-brainer, a viper's sting, adrenaline, antidote, aura of love, brilliant light of the Son, cloudy days, confidence, Creator of the universe, death, deliver the godly, deliver us from evil, enthusiasm, enticing, eternal life, eternal separation, evil, faith, faithfulness, fall victim to temptation, fleshly desire, for ever, free gift, glorious kingdom, glory to God, heavenly places, holy spirit, humble servants, Jesus Christ, lead us not into temptation, leading and guiding, life everlasting, LOVE, lust, Monday blues, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, on Jesus' behalf, punished, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, reserve the unjust, rest, reverberates in our hearts, right wrongs, salvation, sin, sinful nature, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, temptation, tempted of god, the day of judgement, the enemy's ranks, the gift of God, the glory, the hearts of all believers, the power, the wages of sin is death, thine is the kingdom, triumvirate God, trust, truth, ungodly world, unmerited favour, victory in Jesus, wisdom, work diligently
Matthew 6:13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Well friends, cloudy days are here again, but the hearts of all believers are shining brightly with the brilliant light of the Son! Glory to God!
Yes my believing brethren, the outside weather might be dark and dreary, but there’s absolutely no reason for our hearts to look the same since we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit of our omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent triumvirate God living within us, leading and guiding us to victory in Jesus!
Wow! What a blessed honour that is my people! That’s why on this cloudy Monday morning, at least in my area, we need to get ourselves together and get out strong and work diligently on Jesus’ behalf.
And since Mondays are not kind to many of us (smile) let’s belt out our antidote for those Monday Blues, our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. With one heart and voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein!
We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh I know friends, the adrenaline is just running through us now, and we’re rearing to go out and optimize our efforts in this evil and ungodly world and right whatever wrongs we can, all in the name of Jesus our Lord and Blessed Saviour!
And so we should, on the basis of all that He has done for us; selflessly bringing us salvation and eternal life through His woeful death on the cross at Calvary and then His triumphant Resurrection on Easter Sunday!
Now let’s look at our Bit, probably the last day for this one, (smile) who know eh? ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.’ Meaningful direction from Jesus on how we should pray.
Now yesterday we saw how He prayed sincerely to His heavenly Father for us, and it really touched my heart. Today we’ll look at why He had to pray for us, and why we still need lots of prayer.
Listen to James. ‘Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.’ (James 1:13) Words of absolute truth friends!
God doesn’t tempt us, for He doesn’t want us to do wrong. But He might allow some stuff to come against us to try our faithfulness. So why then do we fall victim to temptation eh?
James further enlightens us. ‘But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust (fleshly desires), and enticed.’ (James 1:14) Yeh mih people, it’s our sinful nature that propels us to temptation.
And what happens when we give into temptation? Hear James again. ‘Then when the lust (fleshly desire) hath conceived, it bringeth forth (gives birth to) sin, when it is finished (full grown), bringeth forth death.’ (James 1:15)
Oh friends, here we need to remember those immortal words of Bruh Paul to the Romans: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is everlasting life through (in) Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom.6:23)
Yes precious people of God, as the scholars tell us: ‘6:23. Wages: Emphasizes what we deserve. Gift of God: Emphasizes God’s unmerited favour.’
However, we can only receive that unmerited free gift by believing on God’s Son, Jesus Christ. So it’s a decision each human being needs to make. Succumb to temptation and thus death; eternal separation from Almighty God, or accept Jesus and live forever with Him in heavenly places.
And that’s a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned, since eternal separation from God is the WORST thing that can ever happen to a human being.
Now let’s close with an interesting statement from Peter. ‘The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished.’ (2 Pet.2:9)
Ah mih people, hopefully that statement reverberates in our hearts today and helps to keep us away from temptation. Much LOVE!
…temptation always seems so enticing…but in reality…it holds a deathly viper’s sting…
16 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a;ll may be as one, anguish sore, bitter grief, Charles Wesley, compose so rich a crown, deliver us from evil, evil, exalt, flow mingled down, for ever, glorify, grace, growing up in Tobago, guidance, I count but loss, I should boast, in the death of christ, in the world, in thy name, isaac watts, joy, Judas, lead us not into temptation, LOVE, Lucifer, mercy, none is lost, pegged for hell, pour contempt on all my pride, praise, ransomed race, richest gain, righteous Father, sacrifice them to His blood, sacrificial deed, sanctify, sinners grace, sorro, St. Andrew's church, strength, temptation, the cross of Calvary, the evil one, the Gentiles, the glory, the Lord's sanctuary, the power, the Prince of Glory, the scripture might be fulfilled, the son of perdition, the upcoming week, the whole realm of nature, the world hated them, thine is the kingdom, thorns, thy truth, thy word, thy word is truth, vain things, when I survey the wondrous cross, worship, worthless sinners
Matthew 6:13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Ah friends, it’s another glorious Sunday morning and we’re gathered in the Lord’s sanctuary to praise and worship, glorify and exalt Him, as well as receive His awesome grace and mercy, strength and guidance for the new week that’s upcoming.
And as always, let’s open with a song of wonderful praise; ‘When I survey the wondrous cross.’ This is one of my favourite hymns, and it brings back fond memories of a boy growing up in Tobago and St.Andrew’s church in Scarborough during the Easter season, packed to capacity on a Sunday morning, full of young people, all raising their voices in praise.
So let’s raise our own voices in sacrificial praise now my people, let the heavens reverberate with the powerful and sincere sound of our voices, singing these inspirational words penned by Isaac Watts many moons ago, which Charles Wesley, another prominent hymn writer, reputedly said he would have given up all his songs, to be able to say he wrote this one.
‘When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and LOVE flow mingled down! Did e’er such LOVE and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o’er His body on the tree; Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me. Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; LOVE so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
[Added by the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern] To Christ, who won for sinners grace By bitter grief and anguish sore, Be praise from all the ransomed race. Forever and forevermore.’
Oh my fellow believers what a magnificent pouring out of praise in words that just touch the heart and truthfully reflect the awesome and sacrificial deed that Jesus so selflessly suffered on our behalf!
Without His sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary, we’d all still be worthless sinners pegged for hell with the evil one Lucifer. But through Jesus’ superhuman efforts we now are bound for glory instead through salvation and eternal life! Oh Glory be my brethren!
Ah friends, as Christians we should be happy like pigs in mud! (smile) And when we check out our Bit, those immortal words of Jesus in His blueprint for prayer, we should get even more joyful – if that’s possible (smile), because it assures us that we have a heavenly Father who is constantly watching over and guiding us, to whom we can turn to for comfort and succour in ALL situations!
Wow! How could we not LOVE Jesus eh, after all He’s done for us? And if you don’t believe me, then please listen to how Jesus prayed to His heavenly Father on our behalf before He underwent His own tough times.
‘I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more (longer) in the world, but these are in the world; and I come to thee Holy Father, keep them through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost (destroyed), but the son of perdition (destruction); (Judas), that the scripture might be fulfilled.
And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one).
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart for your purposes) through thy truth: thy word is truth. And as thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou has sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast LOVED them, as thou hast LOVED me.
Father, I will (desire) that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou LOVEDST me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the LOVE wherewith thou hast LOVED me may be in them, and I in them.’
Wow mih breddren, what an awesome prayer! I never intended to print it all, but once I got started I just could not stop. I doubt that anyone else has ever prayed so sincerely and fervently for any of us. Jesus even prayed for those that would come after Him, meaning the Gentiles, people like us.
And I have to confess, that though I’ve read those words before, they’ve never meant so much, or made such a difference before. I truly appreciate them now, and so I hope do you my fellow believers. It just goes to show the truth in the saying, the more we read the Word, the more our eyes are opened. Much LOVE!
…Jesus didn’t only die for us…He also prayed for us…
12 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a prudent man, a warning, alternative truth, bend their bows, bend their tongues, bitter words, bond, British Columbia, captains of industry, comeuppance, council of the wicked, deceit, detractors, diligent search, disaster areas, due diligence, evil, evil lifestyle, faithful, forest fires, fraud, from evil to evil, glorious future with Jesus, godliness, halfway home, hands on the plough, health, insurrection, Jeremiah, lies, like bows, loss of life, LOVE, meditation, money, Mt. Vesuvius, not looking back, not valiant for truth, plot, politicians, prayer, punishment, saith the Lord, sharpen their tongue, shoot thier arrows, shrewd shceme, strength, supplant, take ye heed, the fire next time, the midst of deceit, they know not me, trickle down, trustworthy, truth, volcano, Wednesday Wail, wisdom, workers of iniquity
Jeremiah 9:3. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.
A good Wednesday morning to you my Scrip-Bit friends and family! I hope the Lord has blessed you with health, strength and wisdom to face another glorious day.
However, a lot of our fellow believers are not so lucky. I’m talking about the 14,000 people displaced in the Western Province of British Columbia, after being plagued for almost a week by some 219 brush fires; fires that are still in progress and threatening to spread even wider.
I’m also talking about those saints on the side of Mt.Vesuvius, the smoking volcano near Naples in Italy. The volcano itself apparently has not erupted, just smoking, but its slopes are covered with numerous fires.
Please friends, let’s pray earnestly and sincerely that those who live in these two disaster areas will be saved from any serious damage, especially loss of life. Remember, fire is probably the most devastating disaster that can happen to us, and that the Lord promised not water, but the fire next time.
So probably we can just take some of these fiery disasters, (Portugal and California earlier on) as a warning to cease and desist from our evil lifestyle. Who knows? But a wise and prudent man will consider everything.
That brings us to an interesting Bit. ‘And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.’
Ah friends, those words are just as true of our present world as it was of Jeremiah’s time. Truth is not considered as being overly important – we even have alternative truth now (smile).
And evil…oh my people, evil is so rampant now that it just chills the soul when you hear of some of the ungodly and disgusting things that are happening in our world. And the sad part is that the more sophisticated and intelligent we become, the level of evil also increases.
The people in the Bible would just die in amazement at the level of evil that we have reached. For, compared to ours, theirs was just a joke. But friends, we should also pay attention to Jeremiah’s warning after our Bit.
‘Take ye heed every one of his neighbour (friend), and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour (friend) will walk with slanders.
And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:4-6)
Ah mih people, fraud and deceit are major detractors of our current society. A person’s word is no longer his bond. And when you get to our leaders, our politicians, our captains of industry… Hn! You can’t take anything they say as truth, for that’s now become the nature of the beast.
And deceit, fraud and lies are some of the few things that actually trickle or rather flow speedily down from the top to the bottom. Godliness, truth, LOVE and money don’t seem to do so. And they are the things that we need to flow down speedily and widely throughout our world.
Now listen as Bruh David prays for protection from his enemies, in Psalm 64 – Plot and punishment. ‘Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer (meditation, complaint): preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret council of the wicked; from the insurrection (tumult) of the workers of iniquity:
Who whet (sharpen) their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the perfect (blameless): suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune (talk) of laying snares, privily (secretly); they say, Who shall see them? They search out (devise) iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search (have perfected a shrewd scheme): both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart is deep.’ (Ps.64:1-6)
Oh my brethren, Bruh David could have been talking about our society, so riddled is it with evil, lies and deceit, like his was; just on a higher scale. That means we have to be very careful in our dealings with our fellow man.
We don’t have to be overly anxious and scrutinize everything to the last detail, but we must do our due diligence in whatever we undertake or get involved in, for our world is definitely not as trustworthy and faithful and true as it used to be just a generation or two ago.
Please remember though, that Almighty God, the Creator and Controller of the universe stands securely in our corner, so there is nothing to worry about or fear, but we must be diligent. Therefore, we can go home loudly, proudly and sincerely declaring our Wednesday Wail.
All together now: ‘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 what a glorious future lies ahead of us with Jesus my brethren! Words cannot adequately describe it. Just trust and believe! Much LOVE!
…evil might predominate today…but in due course…the evil will all get their rightful comeuppance…thus says the Lord…
10 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lazy weekend, antidote, appear before God, aura of love, blessed day, blues, Christians, confidence, enthusiasm, ever-faithful promises of God, faith, friends, glorious kingdom, hold in our hearts, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, lift up my hands, living obediently, LOVE, loving kindness, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my lips shall praise thee, my soul thirsts for God, powerless, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, rest, revel in God, righteously, righteousness., seek thee, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the hart longs for the water brooks, the living God, thy power and glory, truth, unfortunate circumstances, ungodly world, utter from our lips, wilderness, wisdom, work for Jesus
Psalm 42:2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Welcome to another blessed day in the life my people! Oh, I know it’s Monday and some of you don’t consider Mondays blessed because you have to get up and go to work after a lazy weekend. But that’s just the way our society is structured, and the sooner we get accustomed to it being that way, the better off we’ll be, and the more we’ll enjoy our lives.
If you know something is a certain way, and you are powerless to change it, why allow it to keep on making you miserable eh? No good reason whatsoever! So please let’s stop all the nonsense about it being so hard to get up on a Monday morning. If we live our weekends right then getting up on a Monday morning to go to work and earn some money to buy bread won’t be a problem.
And if it is, then we have the antidote for the Monday Blues, it’s called the Monday Morning Battle Hymn. So let’s sing it right now, so we can drive away those depressing Monday Blues and get us ready for a productive day of work in the field for Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh friends, if you’ve prayed those words with sincerity, your blues would have been chased away, like the wind blows away storm clouds from a darkened sky, and you’re ready now to go out into the world, courageously face the enemy and give it your best shot for Jesus. And why would you want to do that? Because you LOVE Him and want to see His realm flourish. You have an intense longing for God.
As the sons of Korah sing in the Psalm. ‘As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?’ (Ps.42:1-2)
Yes my fellow followers of Christ, that’s the way we ought to feel about our God; hungry and thirsty for all that He has to offer, while living obediently and righteously in His name! There will be rough spots in our lives, and we won’t always understand why, but it is essential that we hold on tightly, especially in those tough times, to the ever-faithful promises of our God.
As the psalmist continues in the following verses: ‘My tears have been my meat (food) day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday (a pilgrim feast). Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps.42:3-5)
Oh friends, it’s of the utmost importance that when things seem the darkest that we hope the strongest, exhibit the greatest faith. As the psalmist said, though he doesn’t understand why he’s so depressed, he’ll still hope in God and acknowledge His presence. Now that is true faith! Are we exhibiting that kind of faith? Or are we giving up, getting down on ourselves when things aren’t going right?
Precious people of God, we need to stand strong, faithful and righteous in this evil and ungodly world. That’s the only way we’ll survive, prosper, and also further the church of Christ here on earth.
And we’ll end with these most appropriate words of Bruh David from Psalm 63 – God satisfies the thirsting soul – related to when he was in hiding in the wilderness of Judah from his enemies. ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen (looked for) thee in the sanctuary. Because thy LOVING-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow (the best) and fatness (abundance); and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:’ (Ps.63:1-5)
Oh my Christian brethren, just imagine Bruh David hiding out in the wilderness nuh, in a dry desert-like place without water, but yet his soul longs for the God of his fathers, and he insists on giving Him praise despite his unfortunate circumstances. Friends, there are no better words to hold in our hearts and to utter from our lips, as we go out to work this Monday morning. Much LOVE!
…true Christian faith… causes us to revel in our good God…despite our circumstances…
06 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a realtionship with God, abundance, at Calvary, blood work, boast, can't fake joy, can't hide joy, circumstances, circumstantial, creativity, curse, dejected, earthly wealth, encouraging, exhort, Gelatin, Give God a ransom, glory to God, God's creation, godly, happiness, iniquity, inviting, Jesus Christ, joy, joy stays forever, live soberly, looking for that blessed hope, LOVE, magnificent experience, multitude of riches, my favourite word, negative word, on the right foot, One Year Book of Bible promises, our Lord and Saviour, percolate, prosper, protect it with our life, purify, ransom, rebuke, redeem his brother, righteously, Ruth Harms Calkin, sad, salvation, self-control, sleep, speak, specail people, spell check, succeed, sweetly honest, the Christian life, the cross, the glorious appearing, the grace of God, the great God, the joy of the Lord is your strength, the One and Only One, Thursday Blessings, trust in wealth, trying times, typo, ungodliness, weak, well mannered Canadians, wicked ways, wisdom, worldly lusts, zealous of good works
Psalm 49:6-7. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.
Awright mih people, awright! Yesterday did end much better than it began, and today’s begun on the right foot, no aches and pains like yesterday! Wow! Glory to God in the highest!
And I’m up an hour earlier than I had planned because I have to go out the street and be early in line at the lab for that blood work. The truth is, I didn’t plan on getting up this early, but I misread the clock; instead of seeing 5.30, I saw 6 30, and by the time I realized my error, I was already getting dressed.
And though another hour’s sleep did sound very inviting, I decided to forego it and come down and begin writing the Bit. Hn! Yuh see how much I care about getting it out as early as possible to you? (smile)
But before we go any further, let me apologize for a typo yesterday. It seems like I created a whole new nation called the ‘Gelatins’ to whom Bruh Paul wrote an epistle. Don’t know how many of you noticed it. And I don’t see how that escaped me, since I read the Bit several times before I send it out, and the Galatians showed up quite right elsewhere.
But I guess the spell check never picked it up because ‘Gelatin’ is also a word. However, all of that is now history and I have something wonderful for us to begin our day with. It’s simply called ‘JOY!’ And it comes from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin.
Please pray with me: ‘Joy! My favourite word. Circumstances may determine my happiness But, Lord, You determine my joy. Joy is sweetly honest. No wonder the minister said: “You can’t hide joy if you have it – You can’t fake it if you don’t.” Who can manufacture it, Lord? Joy is your creation. Who may have it? Anyone who asks. Thank You, Lord For joy!’
Mama Mia! Isn’t that beautiful and ever so encouraging my fellow believers? It certainly is! And the thing is we can only find real joy when we are in a good relationship with the Lord through His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, because those are the people the Lord made joy for – true believers like you and I!
And the big difference between joy and happiness is that the former is circumstantial, based on circumstances and flees when the circumstances are not amenable, but joy, once we have found it in the Lord stays with us forever, regardless of the circumstances! Glory to God!
And before I get carried away with the joy in my spirit, (smile) let me give us the Bible Promise associated with that poem. Obviously it’s the great verse we all know: ‘Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Neh. 8:10) That’s from the New Life Translation.
But we all know when we lose our joy that we become weak, sad and dejected. That’s why the enemy is always behind us to steal it, and we have to protect it, literally with our life, for once it’s lost, it’s ever so hard to regain.
So this Thursday morning my faithful brethren, let’s decide to stay strong in Jesus and let our joy just percolate quietly and ecstatically in our hearts and souls. Let’s show the world the magnificent experience that we gain by sincerely serving the Lord, and they too can have, if they change their wicked ways and accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
Now there’s not much time or space left for out Bit, but we’ll push on regardless. ‘They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.’
Yeh friends, that’s exactly why our souls are filled with joy! We know that no earthly wealth can redeem us, so we don’t focus on it. But Jesus Christ is the ONE and ONLY ONE who can redeem us!
And He did just that by dying on the cross at Calvary, carrying our sins to the grave and burying them there. That’s why we concentrate our focus on Him and not anything that’s in the world.
Anyway, got to run out now. See you in a bit…
I’m back friends, an hour and a half and several vials of blood later. (smile) I got out there about ten after seven and was the fourth in line. So it wasn’t too bad, just the standing around waiting for them to open. And you’d be proud to know that as well mannered Canadians, we all stood nicely in line as we got there. (smile)
And like all we have time and space for now are these immortal words of Bruh Paul to Titus, as he tells him how to live the Christian life. ‘For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (age);
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (his own special) people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.’ (Titus 2:11-15)
Those words also pertain to us in these trying times my brethren. So please let’s hold on to them diligently, so that we don’t lose our joy in the Lord, and can also go home now, sincerely declaring and truly believing the words of our Thursday Blessings.
As one 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 everyday! Amen!’
And since blessings are made to be shared, let’s go out now and bless others nuh, as Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!
…the truly redeemed…can be known by their joy in the Lord…
04 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 4th of July, a time of celebration, addressing problems, better shape, boast, caught up, Christians, coming together, common grind, daily task, destinies, dictatorial attitude, disciples, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, eternal life, everyday life, family gatherings, give to God a ransom, God's goodly purposes, godly people, gospel truth, Granny's warning, individual selves, live righteously, LOVE, multitude of riches, none can redeem his brother, patriotic displays, petty, political parties, ransom, redeem, redemption of their soul, resurrected, seeking worldly wealth, sit and ponder, small-minded, the beloved of God, the friend of Jesus, the good of the country, the ungodly drive for riches, True wealth is what you are, trust in God, trust in wealth, Tuesday Mantra, U.S Independence Day, universal application
Psalm 49:6-7. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY U.S.A!
So as one North American party winds down, another one ramps up: Canada’s 150th Birthday is now history. We have reluctantly gone back to the daily task and common grind of everyday life.
And I plead with each of us Canadians, please let’s try and live righteously together nuh, so that on our birthday next year, we can look at each other and truly declare that our great country is in better shape that it was a year earlier. And it’s only by coming together and seriously addressing our problems will that ever happen.
In the meanwhile the U.S is celebrating their 4th of July Independence in 1776 from their British colonial masters. It’s one of their biggest days, possibly matched only by Thanksgiving.
It’s a time of great celebration in the nation with lots of patriotic displays and family gatherings, and I don’t think it will be any less so this year, although the country is seriously divided due to the petty, small-minded, dictatorial attitude of its President.
So let’s hope that they too will be able to work through their many serious problems and will also be at a better position this time next year. But then again, that will only come about if they all work together for the good of the country rather than for that of their individual selves or political parties.
And we wish them a day of joyful celebration, with no untoward or negative events. And please remember Granny’s warning today, my U.S brethren: ‘Drunk or sober, mind yuh business.’ It will surely be of great help in this time of intense celebration.
And as we move along, here is a li’l mind enhancing something from my ‘P.S. I LOVE You,’ Poster. It tells us in no uncertain terms: ‘True wealth is what you are, not what you have.’
And I think it will do many of us a lot of good if we sit and ponder that truthful statement for a while, since too many of us are still caught up in the seeking of physical, worldly wealth and possessions, believing that things will make us truly wealthy and/or happy. But that’s just a fantasy my people.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, it is nice and very convenient to have worldly wealth, but that should not define us, it should not make a statement of who we are. When others look at us, the first thing they ought to say is not that we are rich, or wealthy, but that we are godly people, despite our wealth.
That brings us to our Bit. ‘They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.’
And that’s gospel truth my brethren! No amount of wealth or riches can redeem any of us! The scholars tell us that back in the time when the psalm was written, many evil people were boasting about their riches, just like is happening today.
Thus the psalm is a means of enabling ‘God’s people to rise above the ungodly drive for riches. There is first an invitation to listen (vs.1-4): the poet calls on all men because the psalm has a universal application. Second, he demonstrates how woefully inadequate riches are (vs.5-12): on the day of one’s death they cannot redeem (vs.6-7).
Finally, the divergent destinies of the wicked and the righteous are vividly stated (vs.13-20): the wicked man has no hope beyond this life (v.14), but the righteous man will be resurrected to eternal life.’ And so it ought to be!
Now listen to how the psalmist puts it after our Bit, as he encourages us to trust in God and not worldly wealth. ‘(For the redemption of their soul is precious (costly), and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption (the pit, hell).
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish (senseless) person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not (does not endure): he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly (the way of those who are foolish): yet their (and of their) posterity approve their sayings. Selah.’ (Ps.49:13)
Oh friends, please let’s not be like the rich and wicked and foolish who believe that their way is the right one, because it very clearly isn’t! Man’s wealth might be able to make this life on earth comfortable, but it can do nothing for us in heaven unless we use it for God’s goodly purposes!
And we are not supposed to be known by what we have but who and whose we are. And that is clearly spelt out in our Tuesday Mantra. So please let’s joyfully declare that as we go home with plenty enthusiasm and true sincerity.
As one now: ‘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!’
Yes friends, that’s our definition as Christians; the beloved of God and the friend of Jesus! Now let’s go out and show that to the wicked world that surrounds us! Much LOVE!
…when others see the LOVE of Jesus in us…then are we truly His disciples…
03 Jul 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 4th of July, a roaring lion, afflictions, aura of love, be ye holy, Canada's 150 birthday, celebrations, Christians, confidence, confirm, croaking voices, dedication, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, encouragement, enthusiasm, eternal glory, evil, faith, follow Christ, friends, fun, grace, groundings in Christ, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, joy, lies, life changing, life ending, LOVE, Lucifer, make you perfect, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, obedient children, on our p's and q's, on the lookout, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, resist the enemy, salvation, seeking whom he may devour, sober, society runs 24/7, spiritual armour, standing strong, steadfast faith, strengthen, the devil, the God of all grace, the prince of this evil world, trust, truth, ungodly world, vigilant, walking tall, walks about, watchword, weaknesses, wisdom, your adversary
1 Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
So the celebrations continue apace! Yeh friends, Canada’s 150th Birthday Party is still going strong. It ought to wind down today, but tomorrow is the U.S. 4th of July Independence Day Celebrations, and whoever in the U.S was lucky enough to get today off would have a wonderful real long weekend!
Hn, Hn! That means this is a big partying weekend in North America. But nonetheless, because the society runs 24/7, some people have to go to work today, so they still need some encouragement to get up and go out on a Monday Morning, especially when so many of their co-workers don’t have to. So let’s give them a rousing sendoff nuh, with a rousing rendition of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn! (smile)
All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
And wasn’t that a blast! Lots of enthusiasm and hoarse, croaking voices from those who are staying at home, while those headed for work, could only resignedly shake their heads in jealousy. Jesus, our choirmaster, sighed wearily and shook His head too.
But friends, please let caution be our watchword in these long days of celebration, and let Granny’s advice be front and centre in our minds and souls: ‘Drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’ I know some of us are tired hearing that bit of wisdom, but if we heed it, it will keep us out of a lot of problems, some of which can be very serious and life changing, as well as life ending.
That’s why Peter warns us so strongly in our Bit: ‘Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’
Yeh friends, Lucifer is always on the lookout for those of us he can infiltrate. That’s all he does; walks to and fro in the earth looking for people to destroy, especially in times of celebration when all our weaknesses are most exposed. And he gets the most pleasure from destroying Christians. That’s why it is ever so necessary for us to keep our p’s and q’s about us, and don’t give him a chance to get into our lives.
And Peter continues his advice. ‘Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) by your brethren that are in the world.’ (1 Pet.5:9) So the enemy doesn’t choose us specially to come against, he comes against everybody, all Christians, wherever he might spy an opening. That’s why we have to be strong in our faith and resist his evil overtures, otherwise we’ll just muddy up our heavenly situation.
Now earlier on, Peter took a broader look at the situation when, in talking about Christian dedication, he declares: ‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind (prepare you minds for action), be sober, and hope to the end for the grace (rest your hope fully upon the grace) that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children, not fashioning (conforming) yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is holy, so ye be holy in all manner of conversation (conduct.) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.’ (1 Pet.1:13-16)
That’s the way it is my brethren. If we intend to follow Christ, then we need to be serious, well-disciplined and as holy as possible, because that’s what Christ is about. And in any case, the best way to foil Lucifer’s unwanted advances is to stick close to Jesus. And Peter acknowledges that, as he puts the finishing touch on today’s story, a couple verses after our Bit.
‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:10-11)
Ah mih people, this life is not easy to handle, but if we are serious about following Jesus, then He will give us the wherewithal to handle the prince of this evil world and all his evil cohorts. So please keep standing strong and walking tall for Jesus and the glory of God. That’s the greatest state to which we can ever attain! Much LOVE!
…in proportion to our groundings in Christ… will be our ability to resist the enemy
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