21 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a means of destruction, a sharp sword, almighty god, blessings, Christmas, Christmas-like spirit, face the music, faithfulness, fellowship, first day of winter, friendship, go to church, goodness, healing, helmet of salvation, invincible, joints and marrow, joy, like a hammer, like a twoedged sword, LOVE, my word is like a fire, naked before the Word, positive actions, praise, praise the Lord for His goodness, rejoice and be glad, Sabbath morning, sing songs of joy, slay the wicked, soul and spirit, speaking into existence, sword of the Spirit, thanks, the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the breath of his lips, the diverse uses of the Word, the Lord created the world through His Word, the promise of God, the rod of his mouth, the windows of heaven, the Word of God is quick, wisdom, worship Almighty God
Hebrews 4:12. For the Word of God is quick (living, alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.
Oh my people, welcome to the first official day of winter! Yes Friends, despite all the snow and cold we’ve had for over a month now, this Sunday, four days before Christmas, is officially the first day of winter. Go think on that nuh. (smile)
But we’re not going to allow a little thing like winter to trouble us when we have such a momentous occasion to celebrate; the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Obviously not!
So let’s rejoice and be glad this beautiful Sabbath morning, while gathering in the Lord’s sanctuary with other believers, to sing songs of joy and praise and give thanks for baby Jesus, for tis the season of Christmas. The season when we share LOVE, fellowship and friendship like no other.
Oh how beautiful a world we would have, if we could only keep a Christmas-like spirit all year round! It might seem like wishful thinking, but remember that all things are possible when Jesus is involved.
Anyway, in all of the Christmas excitement, please don’t forget to go to church as often as possible during the celebrations, for that is an integral part of the whole scenario. And there is definitely nothing to match believers getting together to praise and worship Almighty God!
That’s when the windows of heaven are truly opened and blessings abundantly rained down on us. Our God is so touched by our devotion that He can’t help but bless us abundantly, according to the promise of His Word.
Now let’s turn to out Bit, which describes the importance and power of God’s Word. ‘For the Word of God is quick (living, alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’
Yes my brethren, the Word of our great God is all those things; alive and kicking, powerful, sharp enough to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and also discern all our thoughts and intentions.
So like the scholars’ explained yesterday, we are to all intents and purposes naked before the Word. We can’t run nor hide from it, which means we have to stand up and face the music, come what may. (smile)
And today we’ll look at some scriptures that highlight the power and diverse uses of God’s Word. And there’s no better place to start than right at the beginning, where God created the world with His Word.
‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon (was hovering over) the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.’ (Gen.1:1-3)
And through the six days of creation, we see that everything was created through the Lord speaking it into existence. What can be more powerful than that eh Friends? Nothing really.
Then the psalmist, while declaring God’s wonderful works to the children of men, tells us: ‘Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING-kindness), and for his wonderful works to the children of men!’ (Ps.107:19-21)
What a moving statement my people! If we really gave God the thanks and praise He deserves for His goodness to us… hn, the world wouldn’t know what to do, it would be so full of joy, peace and LOVE!
Meanwhile, Psalm 147, in the telling of God’s greatness and power, declares: ‘He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.’ (Ps.147:15) And yuh better believe Friends that the Word of Almighty God is alive and kicking and moves very quickly.
Then Isaiah describes the Word as a means of destruction. I guess that’s only logical; if it can create, then it ought to be able to destroy too. ‘But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity (decide with uprightness) for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite (strike) the earth with the rod of his mouth. And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.’ (Is.11:4)
Ah mih people, just as the Word can be used for healing and other positive actions, it can also be used to cut down the wicked!
And furthermore, Isaiah, in talking about Israel being the Lord’s servant, confidently declares: ‘Listen, O isles (coastlands), unto me; and hearken ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels (inward parts) of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’ (Is.49:1-3)
Then Jeremiah confidently proclaims: ‘The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?’ (Jer.23:28-29)
Yes my people, the Lord’s Word is active in all aspects of our lives, and is also capable of doing anything that’s necessary. So please don’t take it lightly, because it will be used against us if we don’t acknowledge its might and power.
And we’ll end with an example of that from Hosea, in Israel’s reply to God’s admonishment. ‘O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness (faithfulness) is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
Therefore I have hewed them (hewn them in pieces) by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgements (the judgements on you) are as the light that goeth forth.’ (Hos.6:4-5)
Yes Friends, God’s Word is invincible and can be used in any situation! So let’s remember that and act accordingly, for it will be credited to us as wisdom. Much LOVE!
…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit…which is the word of God… (Eph.6:17)
20 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a two-part being, acknowledgement of God's power, active, activities of the mind, all and sundry, almighty god, Amen, atonement for sin, body and soul, bone structure, Book of Hebrews, build our faith, celebration, christ jesus, Christmas, crooked places become straight, cross, darkness becomes light, discerner, endearing personality, eternal life, excuse, Glory Halleujah, God delights in our praise and worship, God is intently scrutinizing our lives, God's Word, greetings, Immanuel, Immaterial Part of man, impossible feat, in Jesus' name, incarnate birth, inept, intentions of the heart, intents, Jesus Christ, joints, joy, judge, leader, lord jesus christ, LOVE, magnificent and magnanimous God, majestic presence, marrow, maturity, mercy, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, peace, percolate, preserved blameless, pretense, prince of peace, reconciliation, resounding truth, reverence, salvation, saving grace, sharper than any twoedged sword, son jesus christ, soul, soul and spirit, spirit, thanks and praise, the Book of All Books, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the nature of humanity, the newborn Son of God, the reason for the season, the Word of God is quick, thoughts, under the weather, understanding of god's Word, warms the cockles of God's heart
Hebrews 4:12. For the Word of God is quick (living, alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.
Aye mih breddren in Christ! Warm greetings to all and sundry this glorious Saturday morning before Christmas, before the birth of our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Yeh Friends, it’s just another five days before the most celebrated birth in all of human kind! I hope you all are excited and enthused about the occasion, because if that miraculous incarnate birth had not taken place, then there’d be no cross, no atonement for sins, no reconciliation with God, nor the saving grace of salvation and eternal life.
So let’s give our most magnificent and magnanimous God a great big shout of thanks and praise for sending His only Son Jesus Christ to be our sacrificial Lamb, and consequently, our Leader, our Lord and Saviour, our Prince of Peace and our Immanuel!
And all God’s people declared a grateful, enthusiastic and resounding chorus of: ‘Thank You Father God! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Thank You ever so much for Jesus, and all that He stands for! Help us to remember and greatly appreciate the reason for the season of Christmas; the birth of Your only Son!
And please keep on granting us your blessed mercy and grace each and every day, so that we can keep on honouring Your Holy Name and glorifying You to all the ends of the earth! This we pray in Jesus’ name! Glory Hallelujah to the newborn King, the newborn Son of God! Amen!’
Oh mih people, I don’t know if you all realize how heartwarming and gratifying writing those simple words of thanks and praise to Almighty God can be nuh! True joy, LOVE and reverence reverberate in my heart and soul like a plucked stringed instrument, because I know that our great God delights in our praise and worship!
There’s nothing that warms the cockles of His heart like our sincere and delightful acknowledgement of His awesome power, His majestic presence and His most endearing personality!
Consequently, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to share this beautiful and most appropriate poem from the One Year Book of Bible Promises called ‘The Book of All Books.’
Please pray it with me now: ‘Lord, I am overwhelmed As I read Your living Word. What power, what pungency I find within its pages. It stirs me, burns within me It challenges me, invigorates me And often disturbs me. When I obey its commands The results are what You claim: Darkness becomes light Crooked places become straight
The more I seek, the more I find. Within its pages, God I see beyond mere philosophy I see beyond a neat package of ethics. I crash head-on with a living Person The One who makes all things new. No other book can claim as much.’
Wow mih people! Wow! That’s all I can say to such resounding truth! There’s definitely NO ONE like our magnificent, magnanimous and merciful God! We don’t even have the words in our vocabulary to do justice to His description. And in truth, how could there ever be another One, another Deity of such magnitude eh? Now that might just be the only impossible feat in all the world!
And the promise on which that poem was based is also our Bit for today. ‘For the Word of God is quick (living, alive), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in (hidden from) his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (must give account).’ (Heb.4:12-13)
Yes Friends, Bruh Paul is making some mighty statements there! And I believe that the Book of Hebrews had to be written by Bruh Paul, or someone eerily similar to him, for there are two many of his trademarks therein. But that’s another sermon for another day. (smile)
Right now, let’s address ourselves to some explanations. And the scholars offer us a lot. ‘4:12-13. For the word of God: The reason given for one’s careful scrutiny of his life involves the reality that God is intently scrutinizing it. His word is quick (living).
This word is first in the Greek and is the emphasis. God’s Word is not old or archaic; it is alive. It is not inept or inactive; it is powerful (active). It reaches into the inner secrets of man’s mind to discern even his thoughts and intents. Likewise, God’s eye sees man as though he were naked, unable to hide behind excuse or pretense.’
Then, re the Immaterial Part of Man, they offer: ‘4:12. The writer here draws an interesting parallel between the joints and the marrow, which have different functions, yet both are part of a human’s bone structure. Thoughts and intents are also two distinct activities, yet both are activities of the mind.
And while the soul and spirit are distinct in function, both have an immaterial character. When considering the nature of humanity, we must realize a person is a two-part being, that is, with body and soul. But in activity or function the body, soul, and spirit of a person each has a different function.
Paul desired that his converts’ “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess.5:23). (First Reference, Gen.2:7; Primary Reference, 1 Thess.5:23;cf, Prov.4:23).’
Oh my brethren, please let all of that percolate in our souls, bodies and minds today and thus bring us to a better understanding of God’s Word. Please let it encourage us, build our faith and raise our level of maturity in Christ. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
And please excuse the lateness of the Bit, the ole fella was tired and somewhat under the weather, so I decided to sleep in some this morning. But as they say; better late than never. (smile) Much LOVE my beloved brethren in Christ Jesus!
…until you truly know and adore Jesus…your joy and peace will be severely limited…
19 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abhor that which is evil, actions, ascended into heaven, baptizing, cheerfulness, Christian love, Christians, Christmas, cling to that which is good, common sense, communication revolution, Easter Sunday, educate the world, eternal life, even to the end of the world, evil, exhorting, faith, free gifts of salvation, Friday chant, gifts, glorious kingdom, Good Friday, gospel truth, grace, gratitude, Great Command, heart-warming, heavenly wisdom, humility, I am with you always, if you don't use it you'll lose it, in the name of the Father, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy giving, knowing and following Jesus, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, mercy, ministering, precious stone, prophecy, proportion of faith, prosperous, reconciled to the Father, redeeming us of our abominable sins, rise up, sincerity, sins, soul-satisfying, spiritual lives, spread the gosple, talk, teach all nations, teaching, tear-jerking, TGFJ! Thank God for Jesus, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the cross at Calvary, the good news, the Great Command, the Holy Ghost, the second coming of Christ, the SON, triumphant victory, truth, ungodliness, use our God-given gifts, Virgin Mary, we don't practice what we preach
Romans 12:6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy, according to the proportion of faith.
The day is Friday, the season is Christmas… And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! TGFJ! Thank God for Jesus!’
Yes Friends, we do have cause to be thankful for both situations! We’re thankful for Friday because it means we have a brief respite from our labours. And we’re thankful for Jesus because He saved our spiritual lives and reconciled us to the Father.
Now what we need to do is to truly show that gratitude in our actions too, not only in our talk. We Christians are well known for our talk, but not as much for our actions. And that’s where we fall down; we don’t practice what we preach, as much as we ought to.
So this Christmas season, let’s promise ourselves to do better in the sharing and spreading of true Christian LOVE in action, as Jesus would have us do.
It’s the best way to tell others about our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of the Virgin Mary on Christmas Day, died on the cross at Calvary on Good Friday, redeeming us of our abominable sins.
He then rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, ascended into heaven some fifty days later, and has since been sitting at the Father’s right hand, waiting patiently and eagerly until the Father decides the time is right for the next installment of His great world drama; the Second Coming of His wonderful Son, in all might and power, splendour, glory and triumphant victory!
Wow! What a story! Nothing man can conceive can ever come up to its tear-jerking, heart-warming, soul-satisfying, spirit-filled, joy giving, LOVE endowing nature!
Therefore Friends, it is imperative that we go out and make it known to all the world, as Jesus requested in His last instructions, the Great Command to the disciples: ‘Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
Unfortunately my people, it is a world full of evil, hatred and ungodliness. Consequently, we desperately, and as quickly as possible, need to spread the gospel, the good news of His story and of His teachings around the world, so that every living human being can have a chance to come to Him in humility, sincerity and truth, to receive His wonderful free gifts of salvation and eternal life.
And with the worldwide communication revolution now in progress, this is the best opportunity we have ever had to obey that Great Command. That means we have to get busy and help spread the Word in whatever fashion is convenient and expedient to us.
But spread it we must! Otherwise, on that fateful day of Judgement, when the Lord asks us why we didn’t do better with the talents and resources He’d given us, what answer will we give eh? Sadly my brethren, there will be no plausible answer available, and we’ll just have to pay whatever price is decreed.
Now we obviously don’t want to find ourselves in that untenable situation, and the best and only way to prevent it is by going into action RIGHT NOW, sincerely and diligently doing our part to educate the world, or even our small corner of it, on the wonderful benefits of knowing and following Jesus.
And let’s not say that we can’t, because our Creator, in His everlasting wisdom, has given each of us certain talents and resources to enable us to do His work. We just have to figure out, with His help of course, in what area(s) those talents lie, and then go to work in those areas.
For example, I seem to have been given the gift of using words, of writing, therefore I’m using those writing skills to spread the Word as best I can through this Scrip-Bit.
And in Romans 12, Bruh Paul spells it our for us, starting with our Bit: ‘Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity (liberality); he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave (cling) to that which is good.’ (Rom.12:6-9)
Yes my brethren, those are the kinds of things I’m talking about! We each have gifts given to us by Almighty God, so let’s use them nuh. What’s the purpose of having them, if we don’t use them eh? None whatsoever!
And as Cousin Sol so wisely tells us in Proverbs 17: ‘A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: withersoever it (he) turneth, it (he) prospereth.’ (Prov.17:8)
So my people, let’s rise up and use our God-given gifts nuh, so that we can prosper wherever we go. That’s not only simple common sense, but also heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…a cardinal rule in life and living is…if you don’t use it…you will lose it…and that’s gospel truth…
P.S. Oh Friends, I didn’t forget our Friday Chant, I just couldn’t find anywhere to seamlessly put it in, so that it wouldn’t disrupt the flow of the narrative. However, we can chant it now. So let’s chant with 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.’
Till we meet again tomorrow, God willing! Much LOVE!
18 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, ask for help, by strength shall no man prevail, by the power of god, Christmas, confronting struggles, contrite heart, Controller, Creator, eternal life, flee before thee seven ways, forgiveness, generosity, glory hallelujah, God is a good god, God will never turn us away, God's good to the very last drop, grace, Hannah, holy spirit, Holy Trinity, humble spirit, I can do all things through Christ, I will never leave you, in all truth, Jesus Christ, leads and guides, lean not unto thine own understanding, life might not be fair, living our faith, LOVE, loving our god, magnanimous, magnnificent God, mercy, our Lord and Saviour, pilgrim's journey, provider, salvation, setting a good example, silent in darkness, song of praise, spiritual Leader, spreading the gospel, the Birth of Christ, the Good Book, the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives wisdom, the Lord shall preserve thy going out and coming in, the power to rise above, trust in the Lord with all thy heart, victory, work diligently
Psalm 121:8. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Aye Friends, on this Thursday morning, a week before Christmas, I have something very important to remind us of; that Almighty God, our heavenly father is a good God! Please don’t let anyone fool us into thinking otherwise. Life might not be fair, but believe you me, the One who created us is good indeed!
In fact, our God is extremely good, awesomely good, abundantly good… and all the other excellent words that describe generosity, grace, mercy, LOVE, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life.
Mama Mia! Anyone who could, and would offer all those rich and rewarding blessings, for free to boot, just had to be good! He just couldn’t be anything else. And that’s exactly what our God is – as they would say, He’s good to the very last drop. (smile)
But seriously though my people, we need to remember that we serve a magnanimous, majestic and magnificent God, Creator, Controller and Provider!
And in addition to Him, we also have the other two thirds of the Holy Trinity; Jesus Christ, our spiritual Leader, Lord and Saviour, and the Holy Spirit, the One who does all the leg-work, dwelling in believers, helping them to make a successful pilgrim’s journey, here on Planet Earth.
That’s why we can boldly reaffirm this affirmation. ‘I can have victory in my life by dealing with the things that are keeping me from God’s best. I am confronting my struggles head-on so I can overcome them.
God has given me the power to rise above. He has given me the strength to focus on Him and push through. Nothing will hold me back. This is my declaration of what I can do through Christ.’
Yes Friends, let’s believe all that and work sincerely and diligently towards that outcome, for as the Good Book tells us: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13)
Don’t ever forget that! Christ enables us to handle various circumstances in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, who leads and guides us in all truth. We just have to come to Him with a contrite heart and a humble spirit and ask for His help.
He will NEVER turn us away, for He has also made the very significant and encouraging promise to never leave nor forsake us. (Heb.13:5) And we all know that He is indeed faithful, who promised.
So this Thursday morning, as the tumultuous year of 2014 draws to an end, let’s bolster our courage, our faith, our trust and our belief in Jesus Christ, whose birth we are in the midst of celebrating, so that we can go out there and build His church, enlarge His earthly body and further His LOVE Revolution, which is the only movement that can save our sinful, evil and ungodly world from death and eternal destruction.
Remember too that the Father doesn’t want to lose even one of His human creation to the evil Lucifer. That means we have to work diligently to bring the heathen, the unbeliever to belief in Him. And we can only do that successfully by setting a good example, by living a life that’s worthy of Him.
That means truly LOVING our God, sincerely LIVING our Faith and diligently SPREADING His Word!
That brings us to the marvellous promise contained in our Bit. ‘The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.’ And that’s no lie Friends! It’s all based on God’s sustaining power.
Moses informed the Israelites of this fact a long time ago. ‘Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten (defeated) before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.’ (Deut.28:6-7)
What a promise my people; the Lord will rout our enemies if we hearken unto His voice and obey His commandments!
Meanwhile, in support of this topic, Cousin Sol tells us: ‘For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up (stores up) sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler (shield) to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgement (guards the paths of justice), and preserveth the way of his saints.’ (Prov.2:6-8)
And the good news there my brethren is that we are His saints! Glory Hallelujah!
And Hannah, Samuel’s mother put it this way in her song of praise and glory for the Lord granting her a son when she seemed destined to a barren and childless life. ‘He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.’ (1 Sam.2:9)
Now listen to Peter’s two cents worth. (smile) ‘Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet.1:5) Yes my brethren, it is indeed by the mighty power of God that we are able to lead safe and secure lives down here on earth!
And we’ll close with these awesome words of wisdom from Cousin Sol that fit every situation and circumstance in our lives. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body) and marrow (strength) to thy bones.’ (Prov.3:5-8)
And that my people is the gospel, gospel truth!
So now, may the Lord bless and keep us safe and secure as we go out to put all that stuff into practice today, and may He cause His bright and smiling countenance to shine on us, give us His heavenly peace and fill our hearts with joy, until we meet again tomorrow, if that’s His plan. Much LOVE!
…only by walking sincerely with Jesus…can we truly reap the benefits of all His promises…
15 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, behold the days come, christianity, Creator of the universe, dig deep down., encourage, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, glorious kingdom, holy spirit, house of Judah, humble servants, I will be their God, I will make a new covenant with Israel, invincible, Israel, Jesus Christ, jobs, long commutes, lord god almighty, LOVE, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, New Covenant, Oh Lord God Almighty, presence of god, promises, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, saith the Lord, seed of Abraham, steadfast faith, the House of Judah, the second coming of Christ, the sun follows the moon, those who don't work don't eat, traffic jams, trust, truth, ungodly world, uplift, wisdom, work from home
Jeremiah 31:31. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.
Oh Friends, just as the sun follows the moon from one day to the next, and the seasons each other, so is Sunday followed by Monday, just as the Lord the Creator of the universe planned it. However, it is mankind who planned that most of us would work five days a week in this Western Society, starting on Monday.
But yuh know what? The Lord also admonishes us to obey those in authority over us, (Heb.13:17) and Bruh Paul advocates that those who don’t work should not eat. (2 Thess.3:10) So, as true believers, we have no choice but to get up and go out and labour, putting up with long commutes and endless traffic jams, envying those lucky few who can work from home.
And yes, it’s often difficult to get both the body and spirit up for work, but that’s why we have our Monday Morning Battle Hymn; to encourage and uplift us. So let’s sing it with much gusto and verve. Dig deep down in your souls this morning and find them. (smile)
‘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 mih people, that was only a so so version, but hopefully it will lift our spirits enough for us to get up and get a move on. And today is the last day in the series of messages on this life-changing Bit of immense promise. ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.’
Now let’s continue with the scholars explanations that we began yesterday. Some of you might think that all this is not necessary, but if you truly want to grow and mature in the Word, to understand it properly, then you have to take all this stuff into consideration. ‘As a document of prophetic promise, like the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, the new covenant is unconditional.
In form, it corresponds to the Royal Grant Treaties of the ancient Near East. As to subject matter, by comparing Jeremiah 31:31-34 with the other formulations of the new covenant (e.g. 32:37-44; 33:14-26; Is.55:1-3; 61:1-11; Ezek. 34:22-31; 36:22-38; 37:21,28) it may be seen that the new covenant assimilates the elements of the promises made to Abraham and channelled with progressive light through David, and brings them to full realization.
Thus the final blessing of Abraham’s seed will find fruition in Israel’s possession of the Promised Land in perpetuity under the rulership of Christ, the Greater Son of David, the Seed par excellence (cf. 33:26; Ezek. 37:25-27; Mic.7:19-20 with Luke 1:68-78; Acts 3:25-26; Rev.11:15). Further, by faith in Christ, Gentile believers also become the spiritual seed of Abraham and members of the family of God (cf. Is.45:22-25; rom.4:18-25; Gal.3:26-29; Eph.2:1-3,6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Pet.2:9-10).
Although the new covenant is now operative (Matt.26:27-28; 2 Cor.3:6; Heb.8:6-13) and is attended by the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is resident in believers’ lives (Acts 2:14-37; Rom.8:23; 2 Cor.1:20-22; 5:1-5; Eph.1:13-14; 1 Thess.5:19), the full realization of the new covenant, as the capstone of all the covenants, awaits the second coming of Christ.
He will give to Israel the promises distinctive to that nation, and will rule over the earth in an unprecedented period of universal peace (Is.2:4; Ezek.34:25; 37:26), prosperity (Is.61:7-8; Ezek.34:26-27), and the full knowledge (v.34) of the abiding presence of God. (Ezek.48:35; Joel 3:21).’
Ah Friends, it might all sound long and involved, but if you take your time and read it and check out some of the references, I’m sure you’ll come to a much better understanding of the scriptures. And as a supposed teacher and student too, I’ll be amiss if I didn’t give you all the information at my disposal.
And now let’s close with one of those prophetic references from Ezekiel. ‘Moreover I will make (cut) a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place (establish) them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore. My tabernacle (dwelling place) also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.’ (Ezek.37:26-28)
Oh Friends, after reading the same basic promise from all those prophets, and then having Jesus come and begin the implementation, how could I not believe eh? But each one of us has to come to our own conclusion. Let’s hope that we all come to the right one. Much LOVE!
…whoever is smart enough to come to Jesus…will never be disappointed…for they will find help and succour for their every need…in every circumstance…
14 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a full and living experience, Advent, ascension, atone for our sins, behold the days come, bow to Jesus' eternal majesty, Calvary, Christ's Second Coming, Christmas, comes from the heart, confess that Jesus is Lord, death on the cross, direct access to god, ever-LOVING God, ever-loving Lord and Saviour, faithful, family of god, fellowship, fill God's sanctuaries, forgive iniquity, forgiveness of sin, gladness of heart, glory, God's covenant making with Israel, God's policies of administration, God's prophetic programme, grateful praise, heartwarming, herald a new era, holy and sinless life, I will make a new covenant with Israel, in a blaze of glory, intimacy with god, inward code for living, Israel, Jesus Christ, joy, live lives that are pleasing to god, LOVE, merciful, moral civil ceremonial regulations, name of Jesus, New Covenant, new week, obedient to God's will, Old Testament, praise, prayer, pre Christian era, promise of a new covenant, remember their sin no more, resurrection, sacrifice, selflessly sacrificing, Sinaitic covenant, Son-light of Jesus Christ, Sunday, Thank you Jesus, thanks, the Christ child, the day of the Lord, the Good Book, the Sabbath Day, to know Jesus is to love Him, unchangeable prinicples of God's law, universality of the knowledge of God, victorious living, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, with the house of Judah, worship, worthy of your love, written in the hearts of God's people
Jeremiah 31:31. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.
Oh Friends, it’s a new week! Yeh! And today, Sunday, is the first day in it. So let’s give our wonderful Creator and God big thanks of praise and glory for bringing us safely through the dark, demon-filled night into the bright, brilliant, bountiful and ever so beautiful Son-light of Jesus Christ, our most LOVING Lord and Saviour!
And on this auspicious day of the Lord, the Sabbath, let’s joyfully remember the reason for the seasons we’re celebrating; Advent, the eagerly awaited expectation of the Christ child; Christmas, the actual birth of the Christ child.
And all God’s people gave out with a heartwarming shout of grateful praise. ‘Thank You heavenly Father, for sending Jesus to sacrifice and atone for our sins. We’re not worthy of Your LOVE, but You still bless us with it because You are a merciful and ever-LOVING God.
We praise Your Holy Name, and will endeavour to live lives that are pleasing to You, and glorify You. This we pray in the name of Jesus, whose birth at Christmas gave us hope for a new future, heralded a new era in our lives, and whose death on the cross at Calvary, along with His resurrection and ascension brought Your promise of a new covenant to pass.
And we can’t end without saying a big, big thank You to Jesus for selflessly sacrificing His holy and sinless life for us. He didn’t have to do it. But He was obedient to Your will. Help us to be likewise obedient to Your dictates. Thank You Jesus! We bow to Your eternal majesty, and confess that You are indeed Lord of All! Amen.’
Ah mih people, that prayer might seem long and disjointed, but the important thing is that it came from the heart, as all prayers ought to, regardless of their length or correctness of language. (smile) And please don’t forget that today is the day for worship, praise and fellowship with both man and God.
Please let’s fill God’s sanctuaries with our bodies as well as with joy, thanks and gladness of heart, because our Bit is now in a sure mode of fulfillment. ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.’
Yes Friends, that wonderful promise was set in motion through Christ’s birth and His selfless actions as a young man. We’re now awaiting its culmination through His Second Coming in blazing glory!
And today I want to share some important explanations of the scholars, re that covenant, because they are invaluable in helping us to understand it. I don’t know how much I’ll be able to get in, because it takes up almost an entire page of the Good Book.
But here goes: ’31:31-34. The new covenant is the culmination of God’s covenant-making with Israel. It may be viewed as a document of God’s prophetic programme and of His policies of administration.
As an administrative document, it renders obsolete and succeeds the old Sinaitic covenant that served as the manual of procedure for carrying out the moral, civil, and ceremonial regulations relative to national Israel in the pre-Christian era (cf. Deut.7:6-11; Heb.8:7-13).
Some features of the old covenant are carried over into the new covenant: (1) There is in the new covenant a stress on the importance of the unchangeable principles of God’s law.
However, these will now be written not on stone but in the hearts of God’s people – they will become part of their inward code for living, and will conform in all respects to the moral law of the Scriptures.
Accordingly, the ideal that the old covenant called for (cf. Deut. 6:6-7; 10:16; 30:6) in external commandments will be internalized under the terms of the new covenant.
(2) With the establishment of the covenant at Sinai, Israel had become nationally God’s people (Ex. 6:6-7; 19:5-6). As such, they were to be a faithful and obedient people, reflecting His standards in their lives (Deut. 14:1-2; 26:16-19).
In a far greater way, the intimacy of the believer with God makes the realization of God’s relation to His people under the terms of the new covenant to be a full and living experience. Moreover, not just the Israelites but all believers (those who know God, v.34) are now called under the new covenant my people. (See 2 Cor.6:16; Gal.3:6-9, 15-18, 26-29; Titus 2:14)
These features of vital inwardness and a universality of the knowledge of God stand out as the two great distinctive elements in the new covenant.
(3) A third feature that represents continuity with the old covenant, yet superiority under the new covenant is the matter of forgiveness. Although God is said to forgive their iniquity under the administration of the Sinaitic covenant (Ex.34:6-7; Num.14:18; Deut.5:9-10; cf. Ps.86:15; Joel 2:13), in the stipulations of the new covenant, God will remember their sin no more.
This feature is a reminder that men in Old Testament times were saved in anticipation of the finished work of Calvary. Under the old economy, believers approached God in their worship experience through human mediators (Ex.20:19); but with the completed redemption by Christ, the members of the family of God now have direct access to God (cf. 1 Tim.2:5-6; Titus 2:11-14, 3:5-7; Heb. 9:1-10:22).
Where full forgiveness has been granted, there is no more remembrance of sin. Positionally and experientially, with the living reality of both God’s law in the heart and the indwelling Christ (Col.1:20-27) in the believer, there is not only full and continuous forgiveness of sin (1 John 1:8-9), but full provision for faithful and victorious living.’
And we’ll stop there for today. I do hope that some of that explanation does improve our understanding of some of the differences between the old and new covenants. I apologize for some of the big words and terms the scholars use that might have you running to your dictionary. But that’s just the nature of the beast – scholars just use big words because they feel that shows their scholarship. (smile)
So basically Friends, the new covenant writes God’s law in our hearts, rather than on outward things like tablets of stone; allows us to go directly to God not through some other human mediator, and in addition to forgiving our sins, now throws them far behind God’s back, never to be remembered again.
As I keep saying, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! And whoever rejects Him is a total idiot. Much LOVE!
…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…
13 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a grateful heart, a pleasant personality, advocating on our behalf, as for me and mine, beauty, behold the days come, Bruh David, Christmas, covenant, Davidic covenant, debt, everlasting rule, father and child relationship, glory, glory hallelujah, God's LOVING-kindness, goodness, house of Judah, I will be pleased, I will make a new covenant with Israel, Israel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus' miraculous birth, Jesus' Second Coming, joy, judgement, justice, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, magnanimous, messianic era, One Year Book of Bible promises, peace, peace floods my tranquil heart, praise me joyfully, Praise the Lord, promise, repayment, righteousness., saith the Lord, Saturday, sitting at the father's right hand, sleep in late, talk with me intimately, Thank you Jesus, thankful, the birth of Jesus Christ, the House of Judah, the hubbub of confusion, the Lord our righteousness, the righteous Branch of the Lord, those who delight to please God, triumph, trust me totally, walk in the light of God's presence, warm love that flows from Jesus, we shall follow Jesus, what a wonderful God we serve and worship
Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.
Well my brethren, it’s Saturday morning, and life is moving right along, exactly the way it was planned to unfold. Some of us can afford to sleep in late, while others unfortunately have to get up and do stuff, either at home or out in the community.
But please, whatever we do today, let’s do it with a grateful heart, a pleasant personality and a warm LOVE that flows from Jesus, because that’s what he expects of His followers, especially as we are celebrating the two thousand and fourteenth anniversary of His wonderful and miraculous birth, this Christmas season.
And all God’s children sang out: ‘Praise the Lord! Glory Hallelujah! Thank You my Lord and Saviour Jesus!’
Oh Friends, there’s so much we have to be thankful for, especially in Jesus, that we can’t even consider repaying the debt we owe, it’s of such great magnitude. But as I said recently, Jesus is not really interested in debt repayment since He knows we don’t have the wherewithal to do so.
He just wants us now to simply live lives that glorify Him and our heavenly Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit that indwells us. And this poem from the One Year Book of Bible Promises nicely points that out.
It’s titled – I Will Be Pleased. ‘Lord, this fresh early morning As I sit in our quiet living room You’ve just reminded me Through David the Psalmist That there is incomparable joy For those who delight to please You – For those who are thinking about ways To follow You more closely.
Lord, the day stretches out before me. In a few brief moments I must arouse my family And face again the noise, the distraction The hubbub of confusion. But while we are still alone Just the two of us, my Lord While your peace floods my tranquil heart Please tell me what I can do This duty-packed day To follow you more closely.’
And here’s the Lord’s reply ‘Dearly LOVED child Praise me joyfully Talk with me intimately Trust me totally And I will be pleased.’
Matter fixed my people! Yuh see, our God is just looking for a warm and LOVING father and child relationship; walking and talking with Him in complete trust and surrender. What more can we ask for eh? Not a whole lot nuh!
And the Bible Promise for that poem was: ‘Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.’ (Ps.89:15, NIV)
And Friends, our God is so magnanimous that He even made us a big promise in our Bit, way back in olden times. ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.’
And we all know the beginning of that covenant was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus Christ, but will not be completed until His Second Coming, this time in glory and triumph to begin His everlasting rule.
Oh what a wonderful God we serve and worship my people! I can’t help but point that out whenever I consider how good He’s been to us, though we are definitely unworthy of His LOVING-kindness.
Now listen to Jeremiah again, as he expands somewhat on our Bit, where it’s promised that a descendant of Bruh David will be king. ‘Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David, and he shall execute judgement (justice) and righteousness in the land (earth). In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.’ (Jer.33:14-17)
Oh Friends, that promised king is our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! And He’s just biding His time, sitting at the Father’s right hand, advocating on our behalf, waiting patiently and eagerly until the Father decides the time is right for Him to launch the final sortie. (smile)
Now here is some important info from the scholars re the covenants. ’33:14-17. The provisions of the Davidic covenant remain in force as they are incorporated into the new covenant. The phrase the days come refers to the messianic era, when the righteous Branch of the Lord will grow up unto David.
Jeremiah looks forward to the time when the Messiah, Israel’s Shepherd and King will sit on the throne of David in fulfillment of the promises of the Davidic covenant. His reign will be a time of renewed peace, justice and righteousness. The Messiah’s title The Lord our Righteousness will also be given to Jerusalem because the Righteous One will be there.’
Oh Friends, how can we not grasp and hold on tightly to that marvellous promise eh, especially when we see its fulfillment being wonderfully orchestrated and embodied in the person of Jesus Christ? We’d be foolish not to!
And I know that many do not accept, in fact angrily reject Jesus and all that He stands for. But all I can say to them is wake up and smell, see and taste the beauty and goodness and LOVE that’s Jesus!
To think or believe otherwise is simply the wisdom of a fool! Let’s sincerely hope that we don’t ever fall into that foolish category. Much LOVE!
…the world can say what it wants…but as for me and mine…hn…we will follow Jesus right through to eternity…
12 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new covenant, battle the heathen, bring them out of Egypt, cherish every moment with those you love, Christ's atonement for the sins of mankind, Christmas, circumspection, cold, end of the workweek, enjoy each other's company, every stage of your journey, fell on deaf ears, fellowship, forgive and forget, Friday chant, Friends and family, further God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Gentiles, give us His peace which passes all understanding, giving thanks, glory hallelujah, God will extend His grace to the gentiles, God willing, grace, greater toronto area, heavenly wisdom, here today gone tomorrow, holy spirit, house of Israel, house of Judah, I was a husband unto them, I will be their God, I will forgive their iniquity, I will put my law in their inward parts, I will remember their sin no more, Israel, Jack Layton, Jeremiah, Jesus Christ, joy, know the Lord, live in the now, LOVE, material gifts, may the Lord bless and keep us, New Covenant, peace, promise, prophecy, psitive human emotions, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, restorative function, saith the Lord, shopping putting up lights, slave driver supervisors, snow-filled, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the big house in the sky, the bride of Christ, the coming of Jesus, the Good Book, the hous of Israel, the House of Judah, the indwelling of the Holy spirit, the miraculous birth of Jesus christ, the weekend, they shall all know me, they shall be my people, till we meet again tomorrow, warning, who knows what the future holds, wrapping presents, write it in their hearts
Jeremiah 31:31. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.
Well Friends, we’ve finally reached that day for which we’ve all been waiting and longing for – Friday!
But it’s a cold and snow filled one for those in and around the Greater Toronto Area. That means it will be a longer, slower and more miserable drive this morning.
So please leave home a little earlier and be very careful in your driving, if you want to get to work on time and in one piece, that’s bodily piece, because your mind might be very frustrated after this morning’s commute. (smile)
But that warning fell on deaf ears, it didn’t stop some of us from still declaring, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! And snow or no snow won’t stop me from giving thanks that the last day of the workweek is here. Glory Hallelujah!
My time will soon be my own, to do what I please with it during this upcoming weekend. No more listening and kowtowing to slave driver supervisors! Let’s give God some more praise nuh. Thank God is Friday yes! Wow!’
Ah mih people, Friday has such an appealing and restorative function in our lives that we care less about the inclement weather conditions than the end of the workweek.
But remember though, the weekend is not ours to do completely as we please; we have to have a bit of circumspection about our time and our doings. So let’s chant our Friday Chant, which helps to give us a better perspective of our insufficient two days off.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my brethren, that’s the way we ought to spend our weekend. I know though, that this close to Christmas, the weekend will be filled with a flurry of activities, like shopping, wrapping presents, putting up lights, and all the other necessities we feel the season ought to have.
But just be sure to get enough rest, relaxation and fellowship, so that you can go back out on Monday bright and fresh to battle the heathen to a standstill. (smile)
And today we have a beautiful, heartwarming and ever so wise quote from the recently passed away Leader of the Opposition New Democratic Political Party in Canada, Jack Layton (1950-2011). Jack is reputed to have said: ‘Cherish every moment with those you LOVE at every stage of your journey.’
And that’s heavenly wisdom Friends! For life is so finicky and uncertain that our LOVED ones could be here today and gone tomorrow, either to another earthly place or to the big house in the sky. So we do need to cherish any time we get to spend with them. And this Christmas season is one of those times.
Around the world, a lot of us don’t see our friends and families except at holiday time like this upcoming one. I therefore encourage us to just enjoy each other’s company, forgive and forget old hurts and disappointments, live in the now, not the past, because that’s already gone, neither in the future, for who knows what the future holds for each of us.
So please enjoy the present, not the material gifts now (smile) but the time spent with those we cherish, for this might just be the last opportunity to do so.
That brings us to our Bit: ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.’
And my brethren, this Christmas season, or rather, the first one, two thousand years ago, is when our most wonderful God decided to implement that new and forever covenant, beginning with the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ.
And the Good Book details it thus: ‘Not according to the covenant I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lord.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts (mind), and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sin no more.’ (Jer.31:32-34)
Oh Friends, what a mighty promise! One that we all know has been fulfilled by the coming of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit amongst believers.
And the scholars explain this New Covenant thus: ’31:31. In this prophecy Jeremiah foresees the new covenant (testament) that God will make with mankind by extending His grace to the Gentiles. Under this new covenant, God will call out a people for Himself from all the nations of the earth to form the bride of Christ (Rev.21:1-9).
This new and unconditional covenant is better than the old covenant because it rests on the efficacy of Christ’s atonement for the sins of mankind (Heb.8:10-12). (First Reference, Jer.31:31; Primary Reference, Luke 22:17-20; cf. Eph.1:10.)’
Oh Friends, please take a few moments and check out those references, because they will help us in better understanding the scriptures.
And now may the Lord bless and keep us, guide us safely and give us His peace that passes all understanding, till we meet again tomorrow, Him willing. Much LOVE!
…nothing on earth compares to the joy and other positive human emotions…that resonate between true and LOVING friends and family…
10 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a well of water, a whole lot of sense, bane of our current world, born incarnate of the Virgin Mary, Christmas, competition, competitors, death, despair, down through the ages, drink of the wine I have mixed, eat of my bread, eternal separation from God, even paths, everlasting life, feast of Tabernacles, fellowship, for all eternity, free, friends, glorified, God's age old invitation, gospel, halfway point home, Harold Kushner, holy spirit, human creation, humanity, I am Alpha and Omega, individual goals, it is done, Jesus, Jesus Christ, jubilant cry, life is not a contest, life with Jesus, losing, LOVE, option, our Lord and Saviour, our spirits will soar, personal race to run, preached the gospel, process, references, rivers of living water, Samaritan woman, sensible way to live, source of new life, spiritual experiences, Thank you Father, Thank you for Jesus, the beginning, the end, the goal of life, the heavenly realm, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, the lustful pleasures of the world, the water of life, the well of Jacob, this earthly life, threats to our happiness, topsy-turvy, understand the scriptures, warm and cuddly, Wednesday, winning, Wisdom's invitation, worldly pleasures
Proverbs 9:5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled (mixed).
And then it was Wednesday – the halfway point home my people! So please keep on keeping on, because the sun, the light of Jesus Christ will soon appear over the horizon. It’s also the tenth of December, which means we’re two weeks away from that fateful day, Christmas, the day when our wonderful Lord and Saviour was born incarnate of the Virgin Mary.
And all God’s people sent up a loud and jubilant cry of ‘Thank You Father! Thank You for giving us Jesus! Giving us Jesus as a baby! Thinking of Him as a baby, we can lavish all the LOVE on Him that we normally lavish on babies. He is so wonderful, so warm and cuddly. We embrace Him with all our hearts, souls, minds and bodies! Thank You again for Jesus heavenly Father!’
Ah Friends, the Father must be chuckling at that prayer, as I was while I was writing it. But there’s nothing wrong with it. It might just seem a little different from normal prayers, but it’s well within the borders of overall prayer. The same way we pray for our babies, the same way we can be thankful for Jesus as a baby to cuddle and snuggle Him.
Now here’s an interesting quote from the prominent American Rabbi, Harold Kushner (1935-) which I believe I have shared with you before, but it is one of those which needs repeating as often as possibly in this confused world. And it simply states: ‘To see the goal of life as “winning” forces us to see other people as competitors, threats to our happiness. For us to “win,” they have to “lose.”
And that my people is the bane of the current world we’re living in; everything is based on competition, on someone winning and some one losing. But that’s not a sensible or godly way to live. We need to understand that life is not a contest, it’s a process. One by which we establish our individual goals and work towards them. If we keep putting ourselves up against others, for whatever reason, we will bring too much despair into our lives when we lose one of those competitions, and our lives will constantly be topsy-turvy, up and down, up and down.
We need to have smooth, fairly even paths in our lives, and that certainly doesn’t come from judging life as a competition. Each individual has a personal race to run. As Bruh Paul says: ‘let us run the race that is set before us.’ (Heb.12:1) That’s just our race Friends, God’s plan for our lives, not a competition between us.
And all of that brings us to our Bit; Wisdom’s Invitation to: Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled (mixed).’
Yes my brethren, that’s God’s age-old invitation to His human creation! But unfortunately, down through the ages, not too many of them have accepted it, preferring the lustful pleasures of the world. But I can assure us that those worldly pleasures will not get us far, merely to the end of this earthly life.
But what happens after that eh Friends? What happens to the spirit that dwells with us? If we only hold on to the earthly stuff, then we’ll suffer the earthly consequences; death and eternal separation from Almighty God! However, if we accept wisdom’s invitation, which you’ll note in passing, is completely free, then after the return of our earthly bodies to the dust from whence it came, our spirits will soar in the heavenly realm with the Holy Trinity for ever and ever, throughout all eternity. Now I put it to you Friends, that is a much better option than the earthly one.
And we have so many instances where that invitation has been offered, and yet we refuse to even consider it, much less accept it. Let’s look at a few of those instances. Jesus, when talking to the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob, painstakingly informed her: ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well (fountain) of water springing up into everlasting life.’ (John 4:13-14) Oh Friends, what a powerful invitation! And that Samaritan woman was smart enough to accept it.
Meanwhile, ‘In the last day, that great day of the feast (feast of Tabernacles), Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (heart) shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37-39) There again my people, that great, free invitation to come and have a wonderful life with Jesus.
And the scholars explain that all, re the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. ‘7:39. One of God’s purposes since the beginning has been to dwell with humanity and enjoy fellowship with us. He does it in this dispensation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1) occurs automatically when a person is saved; (2) is not an “experience,” but produces spiritual experiences; (3) remains permanently; (4) is the basis of all other ministries of the Holy Spirit; and (5) is the source of new life in the believer.
Illustration: When Paul met 12 disciples of John who did not know of the Holy Spirit, he knew they needed to be saved. So he preached the gospel to them (Acts 19:1-5). Application: The Holy Spirit’s indwelling should motivate the believer to be careful not to harm his body nor indulge his body in sin (1 Cor. 6:19-20). (First Reference, Ex.35:31; Primary reference, John 7:37-39; cf. 1 cor.12:13.)’
Ah Friends, please check out those references, for they will help us to better understand the scriptures. And remember, it makes a whole lot of sense to come to Jesus, to accept wisdom’s invitation, rather than the foolishness of the world. Much LOVE!
…And he said unto me…it is done…I am Alpha and Omega…the beginning and the end…I will give unto him that is athirst (who thirsts)…of the fountain of the water of life freely…
09 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's wisdom, a man after God's heart, agony, almighty god, an all-loving god, believes with all his heart, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, blessed is the man, buy wine and milk withour money, chart our position, come up higher, come ye to the waters, committed to God, confident trust, delight your soul in fatness, delights in the law of God, diligence, doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, drink of the wine I have mixed, earthly things, eat of my bread, essence of the scripture, eternal life, ever-present, everlasting covenant, excellence, faith, fleeting pleasures of the world, forgiveness, forsake foolishness, free gift of salvation, free offer of mercy, friends and neighbours, get with the programme, go in the way of understanding, godly characteristics, he that hath no money, hearken diligently unto me, his times are in god's hands, honour him with every blessing, hunger satisfied, invitation, Jesus' promise, joy, joy of God's wisdom, LOVE, magnanimous god, meditates on god's law day and nght, mercy, misunderstanding, obey God's Word, omnipotent, omniscient, One Year Book of Bible promises, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, pain, past, prayer, present. future, priority is prayer, pushing forward, reverence, righteousness., salvation, sitteth in the seat of the scornful, spiritually hungry and thirsty, standeth in the way of sinners, supenatural God, supernatural ways, the man God honours, the sure mercies of David, the things of heaven, they shall be filled, times of turbulence, travelling along God's pathway, Tuesday, uncertainty, understanding, whatever the cost, Wisdom's invitation, worship
Proverbs 9:5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled (mixed).
Oh Friends and Neighbours, we’re well on our way this Tuesday morning! And as I noted yesterday, it wasn’t as difficult to get up this morning as it was yesterday.
Anyway, let’s keep pushing forward with diligence and excellence because that’s what our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ desires of us, His followers.
And though I don’t like to quote from the same source too often, I just couldn’t pass up this treasure trove of words from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, which talks about ‘The Man God Honours.’
It says that there are all kinds of men (people) in the world, ‘But the man that God honours is marked by at least five characteristics. First: He is a man totally committed to God, and his concern is that he will obey God’s Word, whatever the cost.
Second: He is a man whose faith can be defined as confident trust. His highest priority is prayer, knowing that a supernatural God moves in supernatural ways.
Third: He rests his past, present, and future in the hands of an all-LOVING God, even in times of turbulence, uncertainty, agony, misunderstanding, and pain, assured that his times are in God’s hands.
Fourth: He believes with all his heart that, as he keeps steadily travelling along God’s pathway, God will honour him with every blessing. Fifth: He has one consistent desire: “God, make me a man after your own heart.”
Now that’s all gospel truth Friends! It also provides a convenient and useful breakdown of godly characteristics that we can each use to chart our position in light of being a person whom God honours.
So please find some quiet time to sit and ponder them, honestly critique ourselves, then try to come up higher, because as believers, our motto should be to come up higher, to improve each and every day in the reverence and worship of Almighty God.
And the scripture promise for that stuff is the opening verses of Psalm 1 – Blessed are the righteous: ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder) day and night.’ (Ps.1:1-2)
They quoted the New Life translation, but I didn’t like it. Some of these modern day translations just don’t sound right to me. Though they may give you the basic idea, they seem to lose the essence of the scripture. (smile) And all of that ties in, dovetails quite nicely with what we want to talk about today; Wisdom’s Invitation.
According to Cousin Sol, Wisdom is crying out to all and sundry: ‘Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth (lacks) understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled (mixed). Forsake the foolish (foolishness), and live; and go in the way of understanding.’ (Prov.9:4-6)
Now that’s a wonderful invitation my people, but how many of us are making use of it eh? Definitely not as many as should, otherwise our world would not be in such a turbulent and troublesome mess.
Oh my brethren, from the earliest times our magnanimous God has been calling us to come and partake of the joy of His wisdom and LOVE, but we have continually declined it for the fleeting and flimsy pleasures of the foolish and destructive world in which we live.
Now let’s look at a couple of those invitations, beginning with Isaiah’s free offer of mercy to all. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness (abundance). Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.’ (Is.55:1-3)
Oh my people, how could we ever refuse such a wonderful invitation eh? Our omnipotent, omniscient, and ever-present God is offering a free gift of salvation to any one who will accept it! If you are spiritually hungry and thirsty, then you can come to Him and have your hunger satisfied, for free to boot!
Yes Friends, FOR FREE! You only have to receive it. But I guess with our foolish worldly ways, we tend to look askance at anything that’s free, especially such a great godly offer. We run when the worldly things are cheap, but when God offers His salvation for free, we back off and beg to be excused. That’s the wisdom of a fool my Friends!
For if we remember Jesus’ promise in the Sermon on the Mount, re the Beatitudes, a prominent one is ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.’ (Matt.5:6)
Yes my brethren, it’s the same basic offer! If you are spiritually hungry and thirsty, you can come to Jesus at any time and be filled with His righteousness, LOVE, mercy, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life!
Wow! Where else can you find such a magnificent offer eh my people, and for free to boot? All you have to do is to believe in Him! Nowhere else in God’s great world my brethren!
So please, I implore us to get with it, get with the programme nuh, and wisely accept the offer of our Creator, our God, and our Great Provider, for in so doing, we will be accepting Wisdom’s Invitation. Much LOVE!
…if earthly things seem too good to be true…then most likely they are…but the things of heaven…they are ALWAYS TRUE…
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