13 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anxieties, bequeath, brave, can't stop God's time, centre of contention, Christ's Holy Spirit, confidence, conquer our fears, consternation, courage, courageous, dissension, energy, enthusiasm, evil, evil forces, fearlessly, fears, fellowship, for our children's sake, freedom, Friday chant, Friday the 13th, frightened, fun, further God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Gentile, glorified God, hate, Holy ghost power, holy spirit, inherent power, Jerusalem, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jew, Jewish leaders, John, joyfully, kindness, lead and guide, legacy, LOVE, miracle, opportunity, Pentecost, Peter, proclaim Jesus' name, pull up our socks, quandary, relaxation, resentment, rest, righteousness., salvation, source of power, stinking cesspool, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the church body, the Lord's will, the name of Jesus, the weekend, threaten, touches a hidden nerve, trillion dollar question, troubled, truth, try in vain, wake up and smell the roses, week of work, wisdom
Acts 4:19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
And then it was Friday…Friday the 13th to boot!
‘So what,’ shouted the people? ‘Who believes in those old-wives tales any way? We’ll still sing TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! And thank God the weekend is finally here! No evil forces can stop that. For it’s the Lord’s will and desire! So shout it out loud and proud: TGIF! Thank God is Friday, and the weekend’s here!’
Yeh Friends, sure believers in Jesus don’t worry about the evil forces who are supposed to be in the ascendance on a Friday the 13th. Simply because none of those evil forces can stop God’s time. Jesus has already defeated them all, so they are only ‘flimming and flamming’ now, without any real power at all, just working on our natural fears and anxieties.
So let’s chant our Friday Chant with much energy and enthusiasm, that some will rub off on all of those who hear us. As one harmonious voice 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.’
Good chanting Friends, good chanting! Now let’s go and put it into practice. (smile)
And we’ll continue studying the stuff that the mighty moving of the Holy Spirit wrought at that memorable Pentecost, some two thousand years ago.
Yesterday we saw the apostles, Peter and John, stand up strong and brave to the Jewish leaders, with Peter boldly declaring that the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was the source of their power. And that Jesus was the only one by whom salvation could be obtained.
Now the Jewish leaders were obviously unhappy with the situation, but what could they do? They had a group of uneducated, lower class men speaking bravely and powerfully to them, and a lame man who had been healed through their instigation, in the sight of countless people.
Those were facts they could not deny. But how were they to handle the delicate situation, without losing face and power; that was their quandary.
So they put Peter and John outside and ‘conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle (a remarkable sign) had been done by them is manifest (known) to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly (severely) threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.’ (Acts 4:16-17)
Oh Friends, how the forces of evil are troubled and affrighted by the name of Jesus! So much so, that they try and stop us from speaking His Holy Name. Hn! But they do try in vain!
As the scholars so wisely and rightly declare: ‘4:12. The name of Jesus Christ is the centre of contention (v. 7, 10, 12) and ever will be. Salvation for Jew and Gentile alike is exclusively through the name of Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:6).’
Oh yes my fellow believers, you can bring up any other name in the world, in any kind of company, and none will cause as much contention as Jesus’!
Why my people? Because of the inherent power vested in that most remarkable name! It just touches a hidden nerve in our beings; a chord programmed thus by our Creator, at our creation. Else why would a single name cause so much contention, consternation and dissension eh?
Anyway, having made their decision, the Jewish leaders called the apostles back into the room. ‘And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ (Acts 4:18-20)
Oh mih breddren, what a way Peter has developed into this brave and courageous believer! So that he can now look the Jewish elders in the eye and tell them to get lost. Oh the power of Christ’s Holy Spirit! For it was simply Holy Ghost power that Peter was operating on.
‘So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how (for which) they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed (had been performed).’ (Acts 4:21-22)
Oh Friends, I just LOVE it! I just LOVE the way our wonderful God moves in His most mysterious ways, His works to perform! The problem though is whether we are allowing His Holy Spirit to put such courage and confidence in our everyday lives? That is the trillion dollar question my people!
And it’s obvious that as a church, as a body of worshippers in the name of Jesus Christ, we are falling far short of expectations, otherwise our world would not be in such an awful mess, lacking LOVE and kindness, but full of hate and resentment.
Oh my brethren, it’s time for us to conquer our fears, anxieties, or whatever is keeping us from doing a good job in Jesus’ name. It’s full time we allow His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all truth and righteousness, so that we can joyfully and fearlessly proclaim His name to all the world, as He desires.
We’ve seen how the Holy Spirit moved in the early believers, and it’s still working the same way today. It’s just that we aren’t making the most of it, although we have more information, freedom and opportunity to do so.
Ah Friends, let’s wake up and smell the sweet perfume of those lovely roses nuh. Let’s see the evil and hateful world for exactly what it is – a stinking cesspool – and come to the great realization that without our best efforts, our world will only become more evil and hateful.
Is that the legacy we want to bequeath to our descendants? I greatly doubt it. So let’s hitch up our breeches, pull up our socks and allow the Spirit of Jesus to work in us as it should nuh… for our children’s sake. That’s wisdom to the nth power! Much LOVE!
…a believer who doesn’t embrace the leading and guiding power of Christ’s Spirit…is no true believer at all…
12 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: always forgiving God, apostles, awesome power, be saved, benevolent, burn the candle at both ends, Caiaphas, christianity, church history, confidence, courage, crucifixion, diligently heed, don't let me quit, drama, ever-merciful, face a mountain, faithful, fear, fellow believers, find a pass through, focus, glory hallelujah, gold mine, good deed, good success, Gramps Schuller, Hallelujah, heard the word, heavenly Father, helpless man, high priest, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, illegal sect, impotent, Israel, Jewish leaders, John, keep pushing forward, LOVE, lover of drama, machinations, mind-boggling, Mountian moving prayer, mysterious movements, no other name under heaven, omnipotent, one of those days, patience, Pentecost, perception, perilous circumstances, perseverance, Peter, Peter denies Jesus, phenomenal results, positive, Positive Thinker's, possibilities, power of the Holy Ghost, praise and glory to God, Praise the Lord, praise the name of god, Provincial Election, rabbis, redemption, refilled brain, resurrection, righteousness., robert h schuller, Sadducees, salvation, self-control, Solomon's porch, stop looking back, strength to keep on striving, surrender, teaching of the resurrection, the chief cornerstone, the Good Book, the Lamb that was slain, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the right path to truth, the stone rejected by the bulders, the workings of God's Spirit, transformation, tribulation, trust, truth, tunnel underneath, understanding, undivided attention, unmatchable, unstoppable, wake up call, wisdom, with God's help
Acts 4:8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…
Oh Friends, this Provincial Election day of 2014 is turning out to be just one of those days…
One of those days when I went to bed in the wee hours of the morning – around 2 a.m – and thus was unable to answer the Lord’s early morning wake up call. Hn! And believe me, I had to come up with plenty self-control not to just roll over and go back to sleep. (smile)
The ole fella’s apparently forgetting that he’s not such a young un anymore, and can’t afford to burn the proverbial candle at both ends simultaneously, as he did in bygone days. Hn, hn! I never opened my bleary eyes until six a.m.
And as you can well imagine, half an hour later, I’m still trying to catch myself. But there’s no doubt that our most understanding and benevolent heavenly Father will soon bring me together unto myself, and unto Him, so that I can write a fairly sensible Bit. (smile)
And what better way to begin our Bit, this behind the eight-ball day, than with a rededication of the Positive Thinker’s Mountain Moving prayer from the pen of Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller). So my Friends, let’s pray big and strong, faithful and positive.
‘Lord, when I face a mountain, do not let me quit! Give me the strength to keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, or tunnel underneath. And if my best efforts fail, give me the patience to stay and the perception to see the possibilities of turning my mountain into a gold mine with your help. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, that’s what we need to do each and every day of our earthly lives; stop looking back and instead keep on pushing forward, striving, with God’s help of course, to move the mountains in our lives, one way or the other. Why? Because it’s only through patience, perseverance and faithfulness that we’ll ever have good success.
And right now I can surely use a big dose of the Holy Spirit that was so widely noised about during Pentecost, the memorable time in our church history, which we’re currently studying.
Don’t worry though Friends, we’re getting there, slowly but surely. The tired and sleepy eyes are starting to focus, and the renewed and refilled brain is beginning to get its thoughts together. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
And we’ll continue from where we left off yesterday. That’s where Peter was preaching his second Pentecost sermon, this one from Solomon’s porch in the temple, after John and himself had healed a lame beggar through the power of the Holy Ghost.
And here’s how the Good Book recounts it: ‘And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved (greatly disappointed) that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold (custody) unto the next day: for now it was eventide (evening). Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.’ (Acts 4:1-4)
Oh mih breddren, what a mighty moving sermon that must have been for so many people to come to salvation at one time! All praise and glory to God working in us through the unmatchable and unstoppable power of His Holy Spirit! Mama mia!
And the scholars share some useful info on those verses: ‘4:1. Luke gives an extended account here of the arrest and trial of Peter and John, as he does later with Paul, to demonstrate that Christianity is not an illegal sect even though continually attacked.
4:2. The annoyance to the Jewish leaders was twofold: (1) the presumption of the apostles to teach people as if they were recognized rabbis (cf. v.13); and (2) the teaching of the resurrection which was denied by these Sadducees (cf. 23:6).
4:4. Their phenomenal results may also have had something to do with their arrest. Five thousand men, plus women and children, have now turned to Christ in Jerusalem.’
But the drama of the story builds to even higher heights on the following day. For as you ought to know by now, that there is no greater dramatist and LOVER of drama, than our God Himself! (smile)
Listen to the Good Book tell it. ‘And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred (family) of the high priest were gathered together at Jerusalem. (Scholar’s note: Annas was the patriarchal, ex-high priest. His son-in-law Caiaphas held the political office (cf. Luke 3:2).
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of (are judged for) the good deed done to the impotent (helpless) man, by what means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of (rejected by) you builders which is become the head of the corner (chief cornerstone). Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:5-12)
And all God’s people declared a loud and thundering: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All praise to the Lamb that was slain for our redemption!’
Yes my fellow believers, what awesome power, courage and confidence the Holy Ghost put in Peter and the other apostles for them to stand up and speak so boldly to the powerful Jewish rulers and tell them where to get off! Praise the name of our great God!
Remember that just a few weeks earlier, Peter had been denying his association with Jesus. And at His crucifixion, only John, of all the apostles had had enough manly parts, been brave enough to show his face there. All the others apparently went into hiding, for fear of tribulation befalling them through association.
And truly, we can’t really cast a whole lot of blame and aspersion on the poor, uneducated, left in the lurch men for their less than stellar behaviour, because most of us would have done exactly the same thing – we do it now for even much less perilous circumstances.
But Friends, that’s the awesome, amazing, mind-boggling transformation that the Holy Spirit can bring about in us, if we’d only let it, if we’d only surrender our entire being to the LOVING machinations and wonderful, mysterious movements of our omnipotent, ever-merciful and always forgiving God!
So today, please let’s try and pay serious attention, diligently heed the workings of God’s Spirit within us nuh. For it’s right there within us, whispering quietly, trying to get our undivided attention, so that it can lead us on the right path to truth and righteousness, which Jesus requires of, and wishes for all those who sincerely surrender their entire being, and put their whole trust in Him.
That’s the wisdom of, and for the ages! Much LOVE!
…remember…if you don’t vote…don’t pray…don’t move as the Spirit guides you…you have no right to complain when things go awry…
10 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fighting chance, a lame man, a one-day affair, a strong hand to hold on to, amazement, ambassadors of Christ, apostles, astonishment, beautiful effects, begging for alms, behaviour of the first Christians, beliefs, busyness, but what I have I gve you, change our lives, christianity, Christians, clean up our act, correct our behaviour, disdain, enthusiasm, envious, evening sacrifices, everlasting life, evil, fallible beings, fight the battles of this ungodly world, filled with wonder, future generations, give courage, God is the only infallible being, God working wonders in our lives, God's mercy and blessings, greedy, heavenly wisdom, his feet and ankle bones received strength, holy spirit, Holy Spirit of Jesus, hypocritical lives, image of our faith, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, indwell all believers, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, Jesus christ of Nazareth, Jewish prayer time, John, lackadaisical attitude, last days, lead and guide, leaping, lifted hm up, living a good enough Christian life, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, loving god, make the necessary amends, memorable arrival, offering of incense, paths of truth, pecolate through our spirits, Pentecost, Peter, praising God, relieve fears, resentful, righteousness., rise to the occasion, rise up and walk, running amok, running riot, salvation, showing of gratitude, signs and wonders, silver and gold I have none, simpler times of life, Solomon's porch, something true to believe in, spirit of LOVE, stirring up the people, sustenance, take God's goodness for granted, terrible fate, test my patience, the apostles, the Beautiful gate of the temple, the Life, the ninth hour, the Truth, the Way, tide of Christianity, troubled times, unbelievers, wake up, walking, war mongering, wonder, worldly pride
Acts 3:6. Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Oh Friends, first of all, on this wonderful Tuesday morning, let me apologize for an error I made yesterday. I don’t know how many of you noticed it though, with the busy way we read stuff these days. (smile)
Originally I had intended to use Acts 4:31 as our Bit, and began writing thus. But then I was guided to change it to Acts 2:47. However in my busyness and enthusiasm and whatever else, I forgot to change the first heading, so that it still read Acts 4:31, while the second one read Acts 2:47.
I guess every so often the Lord brings up something to lower our worldly pride and remind us that we’re still, and will always be fallible beings, totally dependent on His mercy and blessings, as He is the only infallible Being in the universe.
And having said that, I want to continue our focus on Pentecost for at least today, for who knows what will happen tomorrow. (smile) And I want to do so, because that Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit made its rather memorable arrival to indwell ALL believers, wasn’t a one-day affair.
The beautiful effects continued for a while, with many signs and wonders being done through the apostles. And I just want us to have some idea of how it affected the overall beliefs and behaviour of those first Christians.
Now one day, soon thereafter, as the tide of Christianity was rising, Peter and John went up to the temple to pray around the ninth hour.
And the scholars give us some timely info here. ‘3:1. According to Jewish reckoning, the day began at 6 a.m. Hence the ninth hour is 3 p.m. The Jewish prayer time was held in conjunction with the evening sacrifices and offering of incense (c.f. Luke 1:8-10; Rev.8:3-4). Peter and John commonly went to the temple to pray at this hour. The Greek imperfect tense could well be translated “used to go up.”
On that particular day though, a lame man begging for alms, met them at the temple entrance. But instead of giving him money, the Good Book tells us: ‘And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.’ (Acts 3:4-8)
Oh Friends, that’s the way we ought to behave when God does something good in our lives!
Sadly though, too many of us just take His goodness for granted and pass off those occasions without the proper and necessary showing of gratitude. Please let’s try and correct that behaviour as of today. That is, if we want to see God continue working wonders in our lives.
Anyway, as the Good Book continues: ‘And all the people saw him walking and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat for alms (begging) at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
And as the lame man which was healed held (on) to Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering (amazed).’ (Acts 3:9-11)
Yes Friends, in those early days the Holy Spirit was just running riot, running amok, stirring up the people of Jerusalem! And that’s a good and positive riot and amok we’re talking about there! (smile)
Oh my brethren, how I dearly wish that the Holy Spirit could run a good and positive riot amongst us today, because in these rough and troubled times so many people need a strong hand to hold on to, so badly need something true and positive to believe in, to relieve their fears, and give them courage and sustenance to fight the battles of this evil and ungodly world.
And we know that Jesus Christ is the best, or rather the ONLY ONE who can do those things. For He is indeed the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE; the ONLY option whereby one can receive and embrace true salvation!
But unfortunately we the current believers are not doing enough and not living a good enough Christian life to cause that kind of wonder and astonishment in unbelievers.
In fact we’re doing just the opposite, living such hypocritical lives that we’re turning people off of Christianity and therefore off of Jesus Christ!
That means we’re not being very good ambassadors of Christ, else the number of unbelievers and the disdain with which many of them hold Christians and Christianity would never be as bad as it currently is. How sad my people!
And all I can do is ask us, plead with us to make the necessary changes to our lives and our behaviour, to let the Holy Spirit of Jesus that is supposed to indwell EACH and EVERYONE of us, to truly lead and guide us along the paths of truth and righteousness, so that we can correct the poor image that the world holds of us, and consequently our great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Oh Friends, like the apostles and early Christians we definitely need to, especially in these very crucial and critical last days, portray a much better image of our faith and what it truly stands for. How else would people come to Jesus and receive salvation and everlasting life eh?
We need to reawaken the dormant and/or dying spirit of LOVE and fellowship amongst all humans, so that we can turn this angry, wicked, war mongering, resentful, greedy, envious and ungodly world around, and thus give our children and future generations a fighting chance to know Christ, and be saved from the terrible fate that awaits them otherwise.
Please my people, for the sake of those that come after us, let’s clean up our act and make the necessary amends nuh. With the help of our wonderful and most LOVING God and His Holy Spirit we can certainly do it. Please allow that heavenly wisdom to percolate through our spirits, so that we can rise to the occasion. Much LOVE!
…wake up…oh please wake up my fellow believers…and see what dire circumstances lie ahead…if we continue in our current lackadaisical mode…
P.S. Ah mih people, like the Lord’s trying to test my patience yes! The Bit was already going to be late because of my tardiness, then just as I was about to send it, the ole computer froze on me, so I had to shut it down then reboot it. Oh for the simpler times of life! (smile) Much LOVE!
09 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life that's pleasing to god, a windy and fiery trail, adrenalin rush, all things in common, apostles, aura of love, baptism, breaking of bread, communal living, communism, confess their faith, doctrine, earthly pilgrimage, edification, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fear, fellowship, further God's glorious kingdom, gladness, god head, God's people, good works, heavenly Father, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, jobs, lead and guide, lies, like pulling teeth, live the gospel of Christ, LOVE, lustful world, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, new work week, outpouring of the Holy spirit, Pentecost, Peter, praise and thanksgiving, praising God, prayers, recharged your spiritual batteries, regeneration of the Holy spirit, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, return of Christ, rise and greet the new day, salvation, serve a useful purpose, sharing, singleness of heart, sold their possessions, spiritual armour, spiritual unity, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, taunts, the Good Book, the gospel, the Love Revolution, true faith, true followers of jesus Christ, ungodly world, unsaved souls, weary souls, wicked, wiles, wisdom, wonders and signs, worthwhile inroads
Acts 2:47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be (were being) saved.
Oh Friends, it’s a beautiful Monday morning, the day after Pentecost! That means the Holy Spirit has recharged your spiritual batteries only yesterday, so please rise and greet the new day with praise and thanksgiving, as befitting true followers of Jesus Christ.
And though many still muttered and groaned like a normal Monday morning, generally speaking, the response to that request wasn’t too bad at all. Wonder of Wonders! (smile) But I know we can’t do without our adrenalin rush on the first day of the new work week, so let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get our spirits activated.
All together in loud and hearty harmony 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!’
Now that was a pretty good rendition Friends, no doubt aided by our recent filling, regeneration of the Holy Spirit; that incredible aura of God’s LOVE!
So yesterday we saw where the Holy Spirit blazed a windy and fiery trail down from heaven, and fell upon the apostles at Jerusalem, enabling them to speak of the gospel in the many different languages and dialects of the city dwellers. And after Peter preached a mighty sermon, some three thousand lost souls were saved that day. ‘And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:42)
Now listen to this explanation from the scholars. ‘2:41-42. The pattern set here for new believers is normative throughout this age. They publicly confess their faith through baptism and join in fellowship, edification, and service within the assembly of God’s people.’
Oh my brethren, how I wish it was that simple in these convoluted and compelling times! But getting supposed Christians to publicly confess and participate in their faith today is like pulling teeth without anaesthetic. Anyway, what I want us to see today is the effect that outpouring of the Holy Spirit had on those first time believers.
The Good Book describes it thus: ‘And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by (through) the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted (distributed) them to all men, as every man (anyone) had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord (mind) in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat (food) with gladness, and singleness of heart (simplicity), Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be (were being) saved.’ (Acts 2:43-47)
Yes Friends, it evolved into a kind of communal living; of sharing and praying and praising God together, and God increased their numbers daily. Yuh see what can happen when we live a life that’s pleasing to God!
However, here are some interesting comments from the scholars on that situation. ‘2:44-45. Communal sharing was practiced for a brief time by the early church but not throughout Acts. These believers were expecting the very soon return of Christ (as Peter demonstrates in his sermons of chs. 2 and 3), and they therefore sold their possessions. This did not last.
Such communal life is not taught by the apostles. Rather we are taught to be good stewards of that with which God has entrusted us and to share willingly and cheerfully (2 Cor.8, 9). Further, this does not correspond to Communism, because this resulted from a spiritual unity among the people and was a voluntary act (cf. 5:4).’
Oh Friends, I guess that style of living would be rather difficult, nigh impossible to do in these modern, greedy and selfish times. But my fellow believers, that shouldn’t stop us from fellowshipping and generously sharing what’s been entrusted to us by God, with those in need. For remember all that’s in our possession truly belongs to God, and we are just His managers while on our earthly pilgrimage. That’s why we can’t take it with us.
Now let’s get out there this Monday morning, in this wicked and lustful world, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, spread His LOVE Revolution, ably guided and assisted by His Holy Spirit, so that unsaved souls can see our good works and true faith and greatly desire to come to Jesus for salvation and eternal life. For there’s no greater wisdom in all of heaven and earth than that! Much LOVE!
…what a powerful and intriguing God-head…the Father…the Son…and the Holy Ghost…
06 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all God's works are done in truth, be filled with the Spirit, Bruh David, dissipation, drunk with wine, enthusiasm, everlasting joy, fellowship, Friday chant, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, giving thanks always, glorify God, glory hallelujah, God gives songs in the night, God my maker, goodness, harbinger of the weekend, heartfelt, heavenly wisdom, holy holy Lord God Almighty, holy spirit, hymns, it's all good, Jesus Christ, joy, joy and gladness, LOVE, magnify God with thanksgiving, making melody in your heart to god, mercy, praise and worship, praise is comely, Praise the Lord, praise the name of god, psalms, redeemed, Rejoice in the Lord, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, sacrifice in songs, saviour jesus christ, sing a new song, sing unto God, singing, Song of songs, songs, songs are an integral part of worship, spiritual songs, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, thanksgiving, the Book of Life, the Lamb of God, The Lord is my strength, the ransomed of the Lord, the seven seals, the weekend soon come, the word of the Lord is right, wisdom, with my song will I praise Him
Psalm 69:30. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
And then it was Friday, the harbinger of the weekend! And the working people were joyful and sang with great enthusiasm: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and slaving for massa done! Thank God is Friday yes! That means the weekend soon come, time to party!’
And who can really give them wrong, for after a hard week’s work, one needs to have some fun. But Friends, fun is not the most important part of the weekend, merely one of them.
Now let’s chant our Friday Chant, which will give us a better perspective on how to handle these important two days off. As one, in strong voice 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 people, the weekend is also a time for rest, relaxation and contemplation of God’s goodness and mercy with fellowship amongst other believers.
And then we have today’s Bit: ‘I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.’
Oh my brethren from the moment my eyes fell on it this morning I knew it was our Bit. That verse touches my heart and brings a tear to my eyes, (smile) because it’s so heartfelt, and besides that, songs are such an integral part of worshipping our magnificent and majestic God!
And as the psalmist, Bruh David, as I just discovered, tells us in the next verse: ‘This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.’ (Ps.69:31)
So Friends, we see that our God even prefers sacrifice in songs of praise and worship to that of animals. As Hebrews informs us: ‘By him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.’ (Heb.13:15)
And what better way to do that than in song? Throughout the Good Book songs are mentioned numerous times as worthy praise to God. When we check out the Psalms, most of them were written as songs, many by Bruh David, who was an especially good ‘songmeister’ and used them all the time.
Cousin Sol was also a good tunesmith. He even wrote a whole book of them – Song of Solomon or Song of Songs – bursting with LOVE for his adored.
And what I want to do today is show how very important songs were, and still are, in praising and worshipping our wonderful Most High God. Let’s delve into some of those beautiful scripture passages now.
And where else we would start eh, but with God’s own ‘songmeister’, Bruh David. (smile) Listen as he profoundly declares: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.’ (Ps.28:7)
Even to Job’s buddy, Elihu, songs were important, as he bewails: ‘But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night.’ (Job 35:10) So we see here that even God puts songs in our hearts.
Now hear the psalmist as he heartily advises us to praise the Lord for His creation. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely (beautiful) for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery (small lute) and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise (joyous shout). For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.’ (Ps.33:1-4)
Oh my people, how can we ignore such expressive feelings eh? No way!
Meanwhile, in his foretelling of Israel’s return to Zion, Isaiah positively declares: ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ (Is.35:10)
And Bruh Paul will not be left out, (smile) as he provides us with these wise words. ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph. 5:18-20)
Now here’s the clincher; even in heaven, or should I say especially in heaven, songs are of great importance. Around God’s throne, John saw four ugly beasts, and what were they doing?
‘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.4:8)
Yes Friends, even the ugly beasts were continually chanting God’s praises!
And that’s not all. When the Lamb of God took the Book of Life, what happened eh?
‘And he came and took the book (scroll) out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts (living creatures) and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials (bowls) full of odours (incense) which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sung a new sung saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred (tribe), and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.’ (Rev. 5:7-10)
Yeh mih people, songs of praise and worship are oh so important in worshipping our magnificent God and Saviour Jesus Christ! Not only do they glorify Him, but they also put joy and LOVE in our hearts too.
So please, let’s keep right on singing those glorious psalms and songs of praise to Almighty God, so that we may continually glorify Him, and also keep our hearts and minds full of joy and LOVE! Oh Friends, that’s indeed heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…praise Him, praise Him…Glory Hallelujah…He is LOVE…He is LOVE…
P.S. Oh Friends, please excuse the lateness of the Bit, but I was somewhat tardy in rising this morning, (smile) and then there was so much info to cull together and try to make sense of, that it took me longer than expected. But remember, it’s all good. Much LOVE!
02 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a faithful saying, a roof over your head, abuse, aura of love, be of good cheer, bonds, bread on the table, Bruh Paul, chains, chosen ones, christ jesus, confidence, deleted expletives, endure, enthusiasm, eternal life, every knee should bow, every tongue should confess, evildoer, exhorting them to continue in the faith, faint of heart, faith, faithful, faithful words, faithless, fellowship, for my name's sake, freedom of worship, glorious kingdom, good examples, good soldier in Christ, gospel, groans, hit the ground running, humble servants, i have overcome the world, inner strength, invincible, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus christ is Lord, jobs, LOVE, moans, Monday, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, new blessings, new mercies, not giving up, persecuted, preached the gospel, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, salvation, spiritual armour, standing strong, strengthening the souls of the disciples, suffer, surrender, the name of Jesus, through tribulation we enter into the kingdom of God, timid of mind, to the glory of God the Father, tribulation, trouble, true follower of Jesus, trust, understanding, ungodly world, wisdom
Acts 14:22. Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Well hello there you wonderful Friends and faithful believers and followers of Jesus Christ! It’s a new day; a beautiful one, filled with new blessings and mercies, and it’s called Monday…
And I immediately hear the moans and groans and deleted expletives and comments like: ‘Chuh! Yuh really mean is Monday already! Steups! I really have to get up and go to this stupid job!’
Yes Friends, provided you want to earn a living, keep a roof over your family’s head, and bread on the table for your LOVED ones. And I am somewhat disappointed in us my brethren, because it was just last week we woke up with a better perspective, LOVING Mondays and all that it entailed.
Oh, so that’s what it was eh; just a dream, as someone in the penny section cried out. (smile) However Friends, the reality is that it’s Monday, and if you’re a true follower of Jesus, you have to get up and go and labour, whether you want to or not. End of story!
And remember, as Jesus promised, He will always help us to do whatever He desires of us. And His first helping tool today is that we sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in full, sweet voice. So let’s raise our heads, hearts, eyes and hands heavenward and sing as though there’s no tomorrow.
‘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!’
Not bad mih people, not bad, though I did hear some hoarse, cackling voices. (smile) Now let’s get ourselves together and hit the ground running for Christ; living up to the words of our Bit! ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.’
Yes Friends, that’s what all believers are called to do; strengthen the faith of others, encouraging them through faithful words and good examples, because walking in the big footsteps of Jesus is not an easy job, definitely not for the faint of heart or timid of mind.
The unfortunate fate of the believer is to pass through many trials and tribulations, like Jesus did, before we enter God’s heavenly kingdom. But as I keep saying, the rewards for enduring are fantastic, and totally worth it.
Look at what happened to Jesus eh, after He endured His heart-rending tribulation, the Father anointed and exalted Him; ‘and given Him a name to which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:9-11)
So if the Father did it for Jesus, why wouldn’t He do it for us eh? No reason whatsoever!
Our Bit comes from the section of Acts where Bruh Paul and Barnabas were on a missionary journey, including Lystra, where Bruh Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city and left for dead. (Acts 14:19)
But as the Good Book so famously declares: ‘Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and had taught many (made many disciples), they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch.’ (Acts 14:20-21)
Fortunately though my people, most of us won’t have to endure such tribulation. But just being a believer WILL bring us trials. As Jesus said, simply ‘For my name’s sake.’ (Luk2 21:12) But please remember Friends, that true faith, trust in and surrender to Jesus brings us an inner strength that nothing or no one can match or take away.
Just look at our still severely persecuted brethren all over the world. Despite disastrous persecution, they are still standing strong, not giving up. So why can’t we in this fairly free Western society do the same eh? I guess life’s just too easy for us, we take freedom of worship for granted and thus abuse it.
Enough batting of my gums though (smile), time to share this most appropriate scripture from Bruh Paul to Timothy, re being a good soldier in Christ.
‘Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds (chains); but the word of God is not bound (chained).
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s (chosen ones) sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer (endure), we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not (are faithless), yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.’ (2 Tim.2:7-13)
Oh Friends, please let those words encourage us, let them sink deeply into our consciousness, so that we can develop into good and faithful soldiers of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Why? Because that’s the ultimate wisdom of life! Much LOVE!
…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world….’
P.S. Yes Friends, it’s long, but it’s good. (smile) Much LOVE!
01 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good hearty laugh is therapy for our minds and bodies, a time to dance, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, a time to weep, abundant life, Arnold Glasow, Blessed are ye that weep now, bringing in the sheaves, cause for joy laughter and celebration, Christmas, crapaud smoke we pipe, crying, dancing, depressing economic times, faith walk, fixing our affairs with Jesus, follow Christ, friends, functions of a believer, God shall wipe away all tears, gospel truth, I am come that they might have life, I make all things new, indisputable truth, Isaiah, Israel, Jesus, laughing, laughter cause a feeling of well being and joy, laughter costs nothing, Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects, laughter loosens all the cares and woes of the day, laughter makes trouble easier to bear, living fountains of water, LOVE, mourning, New Year's, no more death, no more hunger or thirst, no more sorrow, not backsliding, pain, positive attitude, rebirth, reconciliation, sighing and sorrow shall flee away, songs and everlasting joy and gladness, the faithful are called to courage, the former things are passed away, the Lamb, the ransomed of the Lord, the tabernacle of god is with men, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy, true and faithful words, we shall come rejoicing, weeping
Ecclesiastes 3:4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Oh Friends, can you believe it’s already the first of June? Wow! Half the year has already gone by, and it seems like it was just yesterday we celebrated Christmas and New Year’s, and it’s almost time to celebrate them again. Hn, Hn, Hn!
Yeh mih breddren, the days are quickly flying by, and thus we have no time to lose in getting our affairs with Jesus fixed right, since He can return at any time, and if we’re found wanting, then crapaud smoke we pipe. And we obviously don’t want that to happen, so please let’s get smart and get right with Him nuh mih people.
On a point of interest, not because I haven’t been on our case to see if and how we are adhering to our New Year’s resolution to follow Christ more completely, means that you shouldn’t review it yourself on a periodical basis. One of the functions of a believer is to police him or herself without outside pressure. Anyway, I’m going to take it for granted that we are indeed improving our faith walk. I refuse to believe that we could be backsliding! (smile)
And in light of all that, here’s a rather appropriate and interesting quote from Arnold Glasow (1905-1998), an American author and humorist. Arnold says that: ‘Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.’ And that’s quite true – except for the stitches in your side and the tears you shed when you laugh too much.
And to back up Arnold’s theory, here are some thoughts from my One More Day Daily Devotional for People with Chronic Illness. ‘Unlike medicine, laughter costs us nothing, and can be partaken of as often as we see fit… A good, hearty laugh is therapy for our minds and bodies. Mirthful laughter can cause a remarkable feeling of well-being and joy. Laughter loosens all the cares and woes of the day and makes them somehow easier to bear.’
And all of that Friends in indisputable truth! But unfortunately laughter has become less prevalent in our current society, than it was just a few years ago. Today we’re all so busy, concerned and anxious about our lives and livelihood, especially with the depressing economic times, that we find it difficult to laugh much and make laughter a treasured part of our lives.
But Friends, as the Preacher tells us in our Bit, there is ‘A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.’
However, it seems like we’re doing way too much weeping and mourning, when we should be instead laughing and dancing. Oh Friends, weeping and mourning very seldom help the situation. They don’t ease our troubles and woes. But laughter and dancing do. They might not solve our problems, but they surely do make us feel better, bring a more positive attitude to our perception, which in turn helps us to better solve those same problems.
And Jesus did tell us in the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.’ (Luke 6:21b)
Likewise, Isaiah, in talking about Israel’s eventual return to Zion declared: ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return to Zion with songs and everlasting joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ (Is.35:10) Now Isaiah felt that verse so keenly that he reiterated it in chapter 51:11, when he talks about the faithful are called to courage.
And that’s another bit of gospel truth there Friends. To be truly faithful to serving and worshipping Jesus, we need to be very courageous, for walking with Him causes all sorts of stuff to come out of the woodwork at us.
But the psalmist greatly reassures us by steadfastly proclaiming: ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth (to and fro) and weepeth, bearing precious seed (a bag of seed for sowing), shall doubtless come again with rejoicing (shouts of joy), bringing his sheaves with him.’ (Ps.126:5-6)
Oh my fellow believers, that brings to mind the joyful hymn that says: ‘Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves. We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves!’
It’s obvious my people that Jesus wants us to have a good, pleasant and happy life overall. That’s why He came and died for us.’I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10b) And having abundant life certainly doesn’t mean more weeping and mourning and sorrow and tears, than dancing and laughing and joy.
And we’ll end with two very important scripture passages that uphold that theory. This deals with the numberless multitude when Jesus ascends His throne. ‘They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on (strike) them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed (shepherd) them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears (every tear) from their eyes.’ (Rev.7:16-17)
And if you didn’t believe those verses, (smile) then try these: ‘And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev.21:3-5)
Oh my people, my people, yuh see what a wonderful future we have to look forward to! So please, let’s stop with all the sorrow and mourning nuh, and get some more joy and laughter into us, for that’s why Jesus came to earth and sacrificed His sinless life: so that we could enjoy a rebirth, a reconciliation with the Father. Hn! And if that isn’t great cause for joy and laughter and celebration, then I don’t know what is! Much LOVE!
…laughing openly and spontaneously…will always make me feel better… (From One More Day Devotional for People with Chronic Illness).
31 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abide in me, absolute truth, accolades, activism, all bets are off, appreciation, backbone, bear fruit, Beelzebub, belly, bigoted society, Bruh Paul, deceit, faith in Jesus, Godfather of Soul, gospel truth, grow up Black, heresy, I am the vine, I can do all things through Christ, I'm black and I'm proud, immortal words, interracial marriage, James brown, Jesus' Second Coming, jump on Jesus' bandwagon, jump on the glory train, lies, LOVE, lukewarm, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, no one to blame but ourselves, on the outside looking in, oppression, ornery, persecution, perseverance, Philippians, put up with the hard knocks, racial problems, racism, refreshing and reassuring voice, repenrting, salvation, saving grace, stood her bounce, stubborn, suppression, the help of Jesus, thumbed her nose, truth, vindicated, white racist states of America, who stengthens me, wisdom, without me you can do nothing
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
Oh Friends, another cultural icon has gone home to rest in Paradise after bearing the unholy pangs of this earthly life. I’m talking about Maya Angelou (1928-2014), the wonderful female American author, activist, educator, poet and actress, who died a couple days ago.
And believe me, hers was not an easy journey, definitely not an easy pilgrimage. But how could it ever be when you grow up Black in the racist white southern states of America in the early twentieth century eh?
And to make matters worse, you’re stubborn and ornery enough to marry a white Greek man, when interracial marriage was so strongly condemned, and even banned in some states. But such was the perseverance, the belly and backbone of Maya Angelou, that she stood her bounce and did her own thing, regardless of the racial problems.
Obviously she paid for thumbing her nose at society, white society at that. But just like Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison, so too Maya, in the long run was vindicated, thereby proving that it was indeed possible to live life the way you saw and wanted it, provided you were willing to put up with the hard knocks it brought.
Eventually, her writings and her activism earned her numerous rewards, accolades, the LOVE and appreciation of a grateful public. Somehow or other though, I never became a big fan of Maya. Don’t ask me why, because I can’t say. She was indeed a good and prolific writer, but her overall work never thrilled me. Some of her stuff I did like, but when everybody was raving over her, I was just lukewarm.
And I know that some of you might consider that heresy, (smile) but that’s just the way it is. I suspect too, that since some of her stuff that I read earlier on didn’t move me, I never had the inclination to delve deeply into her works. And it’s obvious that she didn’t suffer any lack for my not being her fan. (smile)
Anyway Friends, she was a refreshing and reassuring voice in the midst of a bigoted society. And she did stand up to all her detractors, like her forefathers did. And her life exemplified the saying that the Godfather of Soul, Papa James Brown made famous: ‘I’m Black and I’m proud!’
Unfortunately though, after some four hundred years, that is something a lot of Black people still have to put into practice. But then too, nobody can stand up to the rigours of racism, oppression and suppression without the help of Jesus!
As Bruh Paul so succinctly but wisely and truthfully says it in our Bit: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’
And please believe me Friends, that’s the gospel, gospel truth! I’m sure people like Maya and Mandela could not have suffered the persecution they did, yet stand up to it and succeed in their efforts without strong faith in our omnipotent God. And if they could do it, when it was so much harder and dangerous, then so can we, my people, in these less risky times.
But we have to put the utmost faith in Jesus, which sadly, too many of us are refusing to do. And you know, before even Bruh Paul wrote those immortal words to the Philippians, Jesus Himself said them, or rather intimated as much. Listen, as He teaches the disciples through the story of the vine and the branches.
‘I am the true (genuine) vine, and my Father is the husbandman (vinedresser). Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth (prunes) it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through (because of) the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:1-5)
Oh Friends, that last statement is so profound and undeniably true, that every time we read it, we ought to stop and ponder the absolute truth it represents! Without Jesus, we can truly do nothing! Yet still, we foolishly try to live this life in our own strength.
Oh my brethren, when are we going to wake up and realize and acknowledge that fact eh, and then begin living for and through Jesus? Please remember that Jesus’ second coming is imminent; it could be today or tomorrow, and once He returns, all bets are off, there’ll be no longer any repenting and coming to salvation.
So if we’re smart, we’d jump on His bandwagon RIGHT NOW! We’d jump on the glory train that’s bound for heaven and getting closer with every powerful chug of its engine.
Oh my people, let’s stop being unwise nuh, stop listening to the lies and the deceit propagated by this evil and ungodly world, and grab hold of Jesus and all He stands for before it’s too late. Remember that the Father doesn’t even want to lose one single one of His greatest creation, mankind, to the master of darkness, Beelzebub.
And the Father has already done His part; provide Jesus as our saving grace. Now it’s up to us to receive that saving grace, believe in it, and put it into practice in our daily lives, because it’s wisdom from heaven above! Much LOVE!
…oh how it’s going to hurt the Father’s heart…when He looks out of heaven…and sees so many of His finest creation…woefully on the outside looking in…and there’ll be no one to blame but ourselves…
30 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a li'l jig, a walk of faith, Aloha, Aloha Friends and neighbours, awe inspiring god, awesome wisdom, backbone, balanced, belly, brought men to the end of themselves, Bruh Paul, condemn the sinner, contented, Corinthians, covenant, curb that negative attitude, danced off into the sunset, daunting tasks, everyday lives, externalism, faith, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, get a grip, God's Word, godly knowledge, good, holy, holy spirit, insight, internalism, just, living for Jesus, LOVE, magnanimous, ministers, missing out on god's goodness, Mosaic Law, Moses' law, omnipotent, our sufficiency is of God, patience, persecuted the church, perseverance, ponder, positive, power, power and authority of Jesus, put it into practice, put on blinders, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, rest, satisfied, setting a good example, skills, soul body and mind, spiritual blessings, sufficent of ourselves, Thank God it's Friday, the enabling of Christ, the grace of God, the law kills, the least of the apostles, the New testament, the Old Testament, the resurrection of Christ, the right way to live, the spirit, the spirit gives life, time to be about Christ's business, trust, was not in vain, week of work, weekend, what a shame, winning souls for Jesus, wisdom of heaven, with the Lord's help, worthy, your faith is worthless
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Aloha Friends and neighbours! It is Friday…
And all the people just began dancing a li’l jig and chanting: ‘Friday, oh Friday! Thank God it is Friday! The stupid work soon finish, then the fun shall begin! Friday, oh Friday! Thank God it is Friday!’
And then they danced off into the sunset, just chanting the chorus: ‘Friday, oh Friday! Thank God it is Friday! Friday oh Friday…’
Ah mih people, what a hold Fridays and the weekends have on us eh! Some of us just live for that time. Monday to Thursday isn’t important, simply doesn’t exist for some people. They put on their blinders on Monday morning then drift through the week, only taking them off on Friday.
But my Friends, that’s not the right way to live. We need to have some balance in our lives, not necessarily esteeming some days more important than the others, for good things as well as bad things can happen on any day whatsoever.
And remember too that during the work week we’re supposed to be out in the world living our lives for Christ, setting a good example, letting people see in us the wonderful benefits that can be derived from a walk of faith with Him.
We shouldn’t be just drifting through it, as though we don’t have a care in the world. It’s a serious time my brethren; a time to be about Christ’s business, winning souls for Him.
And so, to try and curb that negative attitude, (smile) let’s chant our real Friday Chant nuh. 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.’
Now doesn’t that sound a little more positive and balanced, as it should be? It surely does!
And don’t tell me you can’t adopt that more rational and balanced attitude, because then you’ll be negating the very power of our Bit; the affirmation of the awesome power, the omnipotence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!’
That’s a blanket power and authority in Jesus my people! And if you don’t practice it, your faith is worthless!
Remember, as the scholars told us yesterday, it is God who ordered Bruh Paul’s various situations and gave him the strength to be satisfied and contented in all of them, regardless of how trying and perplexing they were. And our wonderful, omnipotent and magnanimous God also does the same for each and every believer today.
It is through Him that we get the power to do most things here on earth. So if you don’t believe and practice that tenet, then you’re missing out on a whole lot of God’s goodness. What a shame Friends!
Now let’s look at some scriptures that corroborate our Bit. In 1Corinthians where Bruh Paul is talking to them about the resurrection of Christ, he declares to them: ‘For I am the least of the apostles, that I am not meet (worthy) to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.’ (1 Cor.15:9-10)
So you see my brethren, although Bruh Paul wasn’t what mankind would consider worthy of being an apostle, because of his earlier brutality towards the church, God in His awesome wisdom, transformed him and used him to do His work.
And Bruh Paul also in his wisdom recognized that although he worked harder than the other apostles, it wasn’t his doing really, but the grace, the power, the enabling of Christ that gave him the necessary skills, patience, perseverance, backbone and belly to perform the daunting tasks he performed.
Oh Friends, I can’t help but say it: What a most awe inspiring and magnificent God we serve and worship!
Now hear Bruh Paul again, this time in his second missive to the Corinthians. Here he’s talking about ministers in the New Testament. ‘And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also made us able (sufficient as) ministers of the new testament (covenant); not of the letter, but of the spirit, for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.’ (2 Cor.3:4-6)
And the scholars explain that last verse: ‘3:6. The new testament (lit. “New Covenant”) is both new in time (not being inaugurated until Christ – Matt.26:28; Luke 22:7-23: 1 Cor.11:25; Heb.8:8) and new in quality (providing better spiritual blessings than did the old Mosaic covenant).
Letter, but of the spirit: This expression corresponds to the thought of verse 3 contrasting “ink” with the “Spirit.” The contrast is between the externalism inherent in the Old Covenant and the internalism inherent in the New Covenant.
The letter killeth: Since certain Jews in the assembly at Corinth were concerned with Paul’s defection from Moses’ law, Paul here explains his position. The best the law could do was to condemn the sinner. It is not here implied that the law of Moses was evil. On the contrary, it is holy, just, and good (Rom.7:12). This can be asserted because it brought men to the end of themselves, to Christ (Gal.3:24).’
Oh Friends, I hope that helps you to understand what Bruh Paul is talking about, and please check out those scripture references, for they will definitely give you greater insight into the subject. I know that many of us dislike, or rather are too lazy to check out the references, (smile) but believe me, they do help, and I try to check them before I write them down.
Anyway, I guess that’s enough for today. Don’t want to encroach too much on your weekend thoughts and plans. (smile) But please do ponder the stuff we’ve spoken about, and as much as possible, obviously with the Lord’s help, do get a grip on the aspects on which you are not up to scratch, for that is indeed the wisdom of heaven. Much LOVE!
…our godly knowledge and wisdom will not improve…until we spend more serious time in God’s Word…then put it into practice in our everyday lives…
28 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Amen, ask to receive, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, Bruh Paul, carried to the fountain, dr robert h schuller, drink from the mountain spring, enjoy the heat of the sun, Ephesians, ever-changing weather patterns, Fill Me, filled with wisdom, filling our hearts with food and gladness, forgiveness, fruitful seasons, fullness of God, generous God, give us our daily bread, glory hallelujah, goodness, grounded in love, heavenly wisdom, Hour of Power Devotional, inner growth, Jesus, John the Baptist, just, kind, know the love of christ, lead us safely along life's treacherous paths, LOVE, Luke, mercies and blessings are new every morning, mercy, Moses, my soul will be filled with your love and truth, nature of the beast, peace, praise the Lord for His goodness, prophecy fulfilled, rain from heaven, Simeon, standing steadfast in faith, thank you, the Beatitudes, the child became strong in spirit, the empty pitcher, the glory of the Lord, the Good Book, the grace of God was upon Him, the growing flower, the knowledge of god, the Lord fills the hungry soul with goodness, the Lord satisfies the longing soul, the satisfying sun, the Spirit of God, the thirsty deer, they shall be filled, this time of prayer, till the day of his manifestation, understanding, walk in faith, wisdom, wise
Luke 2:40. And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Oh Friends, it’s such a joy to be able to sit on my front porch or back deck, in very little clothing, and just enjoy the heat of the sun pulsing through my arthritic body! Glory Hallelujah!
I’ve done that for the last two afternoons, and is it ever wonderful to actually feel the sun’s heat, not just see it shining brightly, while shivering from the cold that envelops us. It seems that at long last some truly summer weather might be upon us.
But please don’t get too excited and carried away Friends, for the weather people have forecasted lower temps until the weekend. I guess with the ever-changing weather patterns, that’s the new nature of the beast. Anyway, there’s not much we can do about the weather, but once we ‘re standing steadfast in faith, we will be able to deal with whatever comes our way.
Now here’s an interesting prayer from one of my favourite preachers, Gramps Schuller (Robert H. Schuller) from His Hour of Power Devotional. I think I might have shared it before, but that’s neither here nor there, because prayer is always fresh and timeless, regardless of age or how often we say and hear it.
And this prayer is titled ‘FILL ME!’ Wow! Even the title sounds good! (smile)
My people, let’s pray: ‘O Lord, like the thirsty deer which goes to drink from the mountain spring; like the growing flower which turns hungrily to the satisfying sun; like the empty pitcher which is carried to the fountain to be filled; so I come, O God, knowing that in this time of prayer my soul will be filled with your LOVE and your truth. Thank you! Amen.’
Yes my brethren, I surely hope that the Lord did fill you with His goodness, His mercy, forgiveness, peace, LOVE and whatever else you need to walk in faith with Him today. That’s why His mercies and blessings are new every morning; to give us our daily bread and lead us safely along life’s very treacherous paths.
And to show how our great and generous God fills us with what we need, let’s look at a couple scriptures, beginning with our Bit. ‘And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.‘
Oh Friends, that’s Jesus, the Good Book’s talking about, after He was presented to the Lord at the temple and Simeon had His prophecy fulfilled. (Luke 2:21-40)
And before that, almost the same thing was said about John the Baptist. ‘And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing (manifestation) unto Israel.’ (Luke 1:80)
The scholars note though: ‘2:40. Jesus’ progress may be compared with that of John (1:80). The former overshadows the latter from the very start.’
And that was how it should be! Our God doesn’t leave things to chance, but has a set plan for everything. We even have Jesus, in the Beatitudes talking about God filling us. ‘Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.’ (Matt.5:6)
And the psalmist proudly proclaims: ‘Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING-kindness), and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.’ (Ps.107:8-9)
Then we have Bruh Paul preaching at Lystra, before they stoned him and left him for dead. Hn, hn! What a man was our Bruh Paul my people!
‘(God) Who in times past (past generations) suffered (allowed) all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling out hearts with food and gladness.’ (Acts 14:16-17)
Then we have him praying for the inner growth of the Ephesians. ‘That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph.3:17-19)
Now that was Bruh Paul’s general style; praying that his people would be filled, infused with the knowledge of God. And my brethren, there’s no doubt that our God fills us with whatever we need to walk holy and faithfully before Him.
And we’ll close with a scripture from the earliest of times, when the Lord was instructing Moses about the building of His tabernacle. This refers to the craftsmen. ‘And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship… and in the hearts of all that are wisehearted (gifted artisans) I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.’ (Ex.31:1-3,6b)
See mih Friends, right from the beginning, God gave us the tools to do whatever He asked of us, and it hasn’t changed up to this day, and never will. That’s because He’s just that kind of God; kind, just and wise, empowering us to do His bidding, because He knows, without it we’ll fail miserably most of the time.
Therefore don’t be afraid to ask Him to fill you with whatever you need to do His will. You’ve got to ask, if you want to receive. Jesus said it. That’s means it’s heavenly wisdom. Much LOVE!
…for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord…as the waters cover the sea… (Hab.2:14)
P.S. Please excuse the lateness, but I went to bed late, got into a good novel (smile), then some fool or crook called on the phone around two a.m, and thinking that it must be something important at that hour of the morning, I answered it, only to get an annoying beep for my troubles. Chuh! That certainly didn’t help my sleep any. But not to worry, it’s all good! Much LOVE!
Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
