08 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer's day, all the upright in heart shall follow it, allow your incredible aura of love, another work week, As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, be not among the winebibbers, be ready to accept corrections from God, be thou in fear of the Lord all the day long, be wise and guide thine heart in the way, be zealous therefore and repent, Blessed is the man whom the Lord chastens, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, chasteneth him betimes, chastening, chastens him promptly, child abuse, Christians, completely congruous with human practices, conquerors, corporal punishment, dangerous jobs, deliver his soul from hell, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, discipline, don't envy sinners, drive it far from him, drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags, drunkards, erred in their upbringing, evil and ungodly ways, faith, fighting to stay alive, fill us with steadfast faith, foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, forgotten the exhortation, forsake his inheritance, freedom to do what they want, furthering your glorious kingdom, futile, get serious about living in righteousness, give him rest from the days of adversity, gluttons, god, God's principle of discipline, he that loveth him, he that spareth the rod hateth his son, hear thou my son, holy spirit, humble servants, if thine heart be wise, if you beat a child with a rod he will not die, invincible, irresponsibility, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, jobs we sometimes don't like, judgement shall return unto righteousness, judgement will prevail in the end, keeping lives and families together, lawlessness, let not thine heart envy sinners, LOVE, love and corporal punishment are not incongruous, make progress, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, minor hardships, my heart shall rejoice, my innermost being shall rejoice, my reins shall rejoice, no sense of responsibility, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him, over the weekend, parent like God, parental advice, prosper with the Lord's help, relief from adversity, reverence the Lord all day, riotous living, sally forth with confidence, salvation, scourgeth every son he receives, self-correction, speaketh unto you as unto children, surrender our all to you, teaches him out of thy law, tend to spoil those we love, thanks for our jobs, the church at Laodicea, the correction of a child, the current level of misbehaviour, the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty, the hustle and bustle of our crazy world, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, the Lord will not cast off his people, the Lord's mysterious movements, the pit be digged for the wicked, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the riotous eaters of flesh, the rod of correction, the thoughts of man are vanity, the throne of grace, there is a hereafter, there is an end, thine expectation shall not be cut off, this evil and deceitful world, time to tune in and listen to God's wisdom, to lead and guide all your servants, to meet the enemy in battle, tough love, truth, try to live as righteously as possible, two complimentary aspects of trianing, we're not afraid, wearing your protective spiritual armour, when thy lips speak right things, whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, wisdom, withhold not correction from the child, wrought in our weary souls, your hope shall not be cut off
Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 June 2026 Revelation 3:19.
Revelation 3:19. ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’
Another work week has opened my fellow believers, meaning it’s Monday, a beautiful summer’s day, and we’re back in the hustle and bustle of our crazy world, fighting to stay alive and prosper with the Lord’s help. Let’s remember we cannot make any progress in this evil and deceitful world without His awesome help, so it’s time to tune in and listen to His wisdom through the Holy Spirit that indwells us for that purpose.
And in keeping with the Lord’s mysterious movements, I opened the Good Book just now, looking for something to write on, and lo, and behold, it opened at this interesting scripture in Revelation, where Jesus is sending His message to the church at Laodicea, stating: ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’ (Rev. 3:19) And that’s a known fact, one that’s referred to several times in the scriptures.
The Lord is the original implementer of the system of tough LOVE. Unlike some of us earthly parents, when we LOVE a child or somebody else, we tend to spoil them, allowing them to get away with stuff you’d not let someone you don’t LOVE to get away with. And that’s one of the big reasons today’s children are so spoilt, have no sense of responsibility and cannot handle even minor hardships because their parents or someone who LOVED them erred in their upbringing. But that doesn’t work with our heavenly Father. If you want to be LOVED by Him, then you must be ready to accept corrections, discipline or chastening.
The author of Hebrews puts it quite plainly. ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children (sons), My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord LOVETH he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ (Heb. 12:5-6) And that’s a direct quotation from Cousin Sol’s wisdom in Proverbs 3:11-12.
And the scholars offer this interesting explanation: ‘God’s principle of disciplining His own people is completely congruous with human practices. This quote from Proverbs 3:12, stating God’s practice corresponds to the commands God gave to fathers: ‘He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him chasteneth him betimes (promptly).’ (Prov. 13:24; cf. 22:15; 23:13). LOVE and corporal punishment are not incongruous; they are two complimentary and necessary aspects of training.’
But try telling that to some of the parents and administrators of today nuh. Many of them claim that corporal punishment is child abuse, no wonder the current level of misbehaviour and irresponsibility is so high in our society. But there is punishment or discipline, and then there’s’ abuse, or taking the punishment too far. So, we might get away with misbehaviour from our earthly parents, but rest assured, we’ll not get away with it from our heavenly Father.
And it’s certainly interesting that Cousin Sol had so much to say about raising children. Let’s look at a couple of those references from above. The first one says: ‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.’ (Prov. 22:15) Now listen to this passage explicitly on ‘The Correction of a Child.’
Cousin Sol declares: ‘Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with a rod, he shall not die. Thou shall beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Hades). My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine (indeed my own heart shall rejoice). Yea, my reins (innermost being) shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in fear (reverence) of the Lord all the day long.
For surely there is an end (a hereafter); and thine expectation (hope) shall not be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among the winebibbers (drunkards); among the riotous eaters of flesh (gluttons): For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.’ (Prov. 23:13-21)
And you cannot find better parental advice than that. But our society has gotten so into evil and ungodly ways that many parents repudiate such advice, and thus allow their children absolute freedom to do what they want and give them whatever their little hearts desire. That only leads to the lawlessness and riotous living that’s become such a large part of our culture.
And Psalm 94 puts it this way. ‘The Lord knoweth the thoughts of a man, that they are vanity (futile). Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth (instructeth), O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law: That thou mayest give him rest (relief) from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off (abandon) his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But the judgement shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.’ (Ps. 94:11-15) Yes friends, the Lord offers us self-correction, but in the end, He will surely judge. Let’s remember that and thus try to live as righteously as possible.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us do just that. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time to get serious about living in righteousness, so the Lord doesn’t have to correct us too much. Much LOVE!
…if we’d parent like God…with tough LOVE…half of today’s problems wouldn’t exist…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
01 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer Monday, a little folding of the hands to sleep, a little slumber, a prowler, a society is only as strong and productive as its people, a spirit of diligence, a wonderful work ethic, allow your incredible aura of love, another mistake, as good Christian folk, as one that travelleth, asking for forgivenss, be wise, begin a new week of work, beginning to decay, bring about positive change, christianity, Christians, Christians need to unite, colonies of ants are always busy, consider her ways and be wise, constantly buffeted, crazy idea, deeper and deeper, dire want, divine aid, do good work for Jesus, do nothing productive, do our duty, encouragement, enthusiasm, eventual poverty, expect forgiveness, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gathereth her food in the harvest, get serious and come together, getting on in age, glorify Jesus' awesome name, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go to the ant thou sluggard, God has not given us a spirit of laziness, habitual laziness, having no guide leader overseer, holy spirit, hope and pray, how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard, humble servants, industriousness, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible conquerors, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, leads to destruction, learn two important lessons from the ant, LOVE, make another apology, make living too easy, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mankind, many who choose to sit on our fannies, May only had thrity days, mercy, numerous separate entities, ONE body in Christ, one of the lowliest of God's creations, only human, our Father who art in heaven, over the weekend, perseveraance, poverty will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber, prepare for predictable circumstances, provideth her meat in the summer, quicksand, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-starter, serve a useful purpose, sluggard, so shall thy poverty come, somebody looking over their shoulder, standing over it to make it work, suffeing from a lack of positive production, surrender our all to God, the ant has no taskmaster, the apple of God's creation, the BIBLE, the enemy's evil schemes, the first day of June, the habitually lazy person, the last of my mistakes, the mind sometimes gets fuzzy, the poor are getting poorer, the result of laziness is dire poverty, the rich are getting richer, the society begins going downhill, the throne of grace, the wisdom and knowledge imbued in man by God, this wealthy comfortable society, thy want as an armed man, to, to lead and guide all your servants, too many amentities, truth, turbulent and uncertain times, unfortunate circumstances, we're not afraid, wealth distributed more equitably, wealth is consolidated in too few hands, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep, wisdom, wise enough to, wise words that seem appropriate, work ethic, wrought in our weary souls, yet a little sleep
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 June 2026 Proverbs 6:9.
Proverbs 6:9. How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Oh friends, the first day of June 2026 has turned out to be a beautiful summer Monday, which ought to give us encouragement and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Jesus! (smile) But, unfortunately, I need to make another apology for another mistake, don’t know how many of you noticed it, but this one was in Saturday’s Bit, where I claimed that that was the last day of the month … and I did it twice to boot, at the beginning and at the end. I don’t know where I got the crazy idea that May only had thirty days. My mind must be going on me.
And it seems like I had forgotten the old rhyme that they taught us back in the old days: ‘Thirty days have April, June and September; the rest have thirty-one, except February which has twenty-eight, but in leap years twenty-nine.’ But somehow or the other I got it in my mind that May only had thirty days. So again, I’m asking for your forgiveness, and as good Christian folk, expect you to give it to me most willingly, (smile) for the ole fella is only human and is also getting on in age, and you know the mind sometimes gets fuzzy when that happens. So, let’s hope and pray that will be the last of my mistakes for a while. (smile)
And on this marvellous Monday in June, let’s look at some wise words of Cousin Sol, that seem rather appropriate for these turbulent and uncertain times, and can only benefit us if we follow them. Now, Cousin Sol’s first admonishment in this passage is: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide (leader), overseer or ruler, Provideth her meat (grain or bread) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:6-8)
Oh my people, what wise and wonderful words and ever so applicable to many of us in this wealthy, comfortable society, who choose to just sit on our fannies and don’t do anything productive. It’s as the scholars explain: ‘The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. He is admonished to learn two important lessons from the ant: (1) the ant has no guide, overseer, or ruler (vs. 7), meaning that the ant does not have to have a taskmaster standing over it to make it work; it is a self-starter. (2) The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances (vs.8).’
Yes mih brethren, we’ve all seen how colonies of ants are always busy, especially in the summer months, when they go about collecting food and storing it away for the winter months when food is hard to come by. And they don’t need to be told to do that, or have somebody looking over their shoulder prodding them to do it. So, if ants, one of the lowliest of God’s creations, are so wise and have such a wonderful work ethic, why can’t mankind, the apple of God’s creation, with all the wisdom and knowledge imbued in Him by His Creator, react the same way to life eh?
Possibly because our society has gotten too wealthy and we have too many amenities that make living too easy. But wait, Cousin Sol isn’t done with the sluggard, for he continues: ‘How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (a prowler), and thy want (need) as an armed man.’ (Prov. 6:9-11)
And what’s that all about you ask? Listen to the scholars’ explanation: ‘Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard (vs.9). His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little bit more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dire poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber (v.11).’ And isn’t that the awful truth! Habitual laziness only leads to dire want and eventual poverty. No wonder there are so many needy people in our society. Now let’s note that all needy people are not lazy, but some have indeed endured genuine unfortunate circumstances.
However, there are indeed too many lazy people in our society, from which the work ethic is quickly disappearing, and once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before the society itself begins going downhill. That’s because a society is only as strong and productive as its people. And when we look around our world, despite our total wealth, which unfortunately is consolidated in too few hands, many societies are suffering from a lack of positive production and are thus beginning to decay.
Who knows if the wealth was distributed more equitably, if the situation would change, but for sure right now, the rich are getting insanely richer while the poor are getting inhumanely poorer, and that’s not a good situation for our world. So what can be done about it? We Christians, supposed believers in, and followers of Christ, are the only ones who can bring about positive change. But before we can do that, we desperately need to unite as the ONE BODY in Christ that we were created to be, not the numerous separate entities that we’ve become. And if we don’t unite soon, our world will just keep getting deeper and deeper in the quicksand that leads to total destruction.
And to help us do all we need to do to turn the situation around, let’s confidently, but humbly, approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s get serious and come together, so that we can do our duty and glorify Jesus’ awesome name! Much LOVE!
…Jesus has not given us a spirit of laziness…but one of diligence…industriousness…and perseverance…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a disciplined mind, add any enthusiasm to the situation, all for the glory of Jesus, all the days of thy life, allow your incredible aura of love, another new work week, as I was with Moses so will I be with thee, be constantly in thy mouth, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed, be strong and of a good courage, but of power love and of a sound mind, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, dangerous and unfair jobs, depend on us to a large extent, divide for an inheritance, divine aid, don't be afraid of any task God gives us, don't turn away from the law, drilled into Joshua's brain, encouragement, face challenges, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, furthering your glorious kingdom, get into the groove, God's conversation with Joshua, have good success, have I not commanded thee, have success, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I praise and thank you God, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, inclement weather, inspire us to rise to greater heights, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keep our promises, keeping families together, living in fear, LOVE, make thy way prosperous, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mano a mano, meditate therein day and night, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, no man shall be able to stand against thee, no partying on Monday, observe to do according to all the law, observe to do all that's written therein, our omnipotent and merciful God, perform like you're capable of performing, positive reassurance of our faith, prerequisites for success, prosper, put it into action, reassurance, regardless of what happens, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, step up to the plate, sudy the law and live by it, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the evil and ungodly world, the fulfillment of promises, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the gospel truth, the Lord thy God is with thee wherever you go, the lustful ways of the world, the throne of grace, this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, to lead and guide all your servants, too comfortable in the pleasures of the world, truth, turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, we're not afraid, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, work all five days, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 May 2026 Joshua 1:9.
Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Another new work week my people. And this time we have to work all five days, no partying on Monday, like we did last week. (smile) And it will undoubtedly be difficult for some of us to get back into the five-day groove, but get back into it we must, if we’re to do Jesus proud. Then the inclement weather we’ve had over the weekend certainly doesn’t add any enthusiasm to the situation, but the bright sunshine and warm weather of this Monday ought to inspire us to rise to greater heights, all for the glory of Jesus! (smile)
And as we face our challenges today, please, let’s remember we can face them mano a mano, because of this most important acclamation, this positive reassurance of our faith: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengetheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13) And that’s the gospel truth, for whatever we need to do on Christ’s behalf, He will enable us to do it. And that reminds me of God’s conversation with Joshua, when He made him the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. He promised him: ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Josh. 1:5)
Yes friends, the Lord gives us all wonderful promises, but sometimes the fulfillment of those promises depends on us to a large extent. And so it was with Joshua. The Lord made sure He pointed out certain things he needed to do to have a successful mission. He warned him: ‘Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance (you shall give as a possession) the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper (have success) whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:6-7)
Please note that the Lord specifies two things in those two verses; that Joshua must stick to the letter of the law, and twice He warned him, to be strong and very courageous. Those were the prerequisites for success. Now that warning hasn’t changed since then. We modern day believers are still required to be strong and very courageous and obey the law in living for Christ. And let’s not say we can’t do it, because Bruh Paul has already declared that we are more than able, for ‘God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) In other words, we need not be afraid of any task we are given.
But the Lord took His commands to Joshua so seriously that He expanded on them in the next couple of verses, when He warns: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (shall be constantly in thy mouth); but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:8-9)
Oh my brethren, you see how the Lord drilled those three things into Joshua’s brain: First we need to study the law and live by it, don’t turn away from it regardless of what happens. Then we need to be strong and courageous, and we have all the tools to do that. And last but not least, don’t be afraid, because the Lord our God is with us wherever we go! What wonderful assurance that is my fellow believers! No other supposed God offers that kind of assurance and confidence to their followers because they can’t fulfill it. They don’t have the power or wherewithal to do so. Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, omnipotent and merciful can make such a promise and fulfill it!
But yuh know what friends, we can have all the encouragement and reassurance in the world from God, but until we believe it and put it into action, it’s all wasted. And that’s what the Lord was trying to push home to Joshua; you can do it, because I’ve given you all you need, and I’m here to back you up, but you need to step forward, step up to the plate and perform like you are capable of performing. The same goes for us today, as so many of us are living in fear, or have simply gotten too comfortable in the lustful ways of the world and thus are not stepping forward to do our duty.
However, we hope and pray that very soon, before it’s too late, we’ll all wake up and see the light and perform the way we ought to. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine help to turn things around. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s go out and keep our promises! Much LOVE!
…it’s not if we can…for we have all it takes…but if we desire to…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
18 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, addiction, alcoholic beverages, alcoholism has both physical and psychological effects, allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, allow your incredible aura of love, be as he that lieth in the midst of the sea, be filled with God's own life character and virtues, be filled with the Holy Spirit, be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, be ye not unwise, begin a new week of work, behold strange things, believers not allowed to be intoxicated, brings accidents, Chrisitans ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit, christianity, Christians, common courtesy, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, contrary to God's will, cottage country opening, debauched society, delusion, divine help, don't get drunk on alcoholic beverages, drunkenness leads to moral intemperance, enslavement, experienced the feeling of inebriation, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, fire water, furthering God's glorious kingdom, giving thanks always for all things, go easy on the fire water, go out to meet the enemy in battle, he that lies upon the top of a mast, heartbreaking stuff, holy spirit, humble servants, I felt it not, I was not sick, I will seek it yet again, imbibe too much, in the fear of God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, into the evil and ungodly world, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, invincible, it biteth like a serpent, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, leggo beasts, long weekend that ushers in the summer, look thou not upon the wine when it is red, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, making melody in your heart to the Lord, mankind takes pleasure in the devil's delights, mercy, negative consequences, not as fools but as wise, prohibition, redeeming the time, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, seek another drink, since Adam was a little boy, singing, sparkles in the cup, stingeth like an adder, strong drink is raging, stumbling, submitting yourselves one to another, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, thank you for jobs, the BIBLE, the days are evil, the gospel truth, the nitty gritty of drunkenness, the planting of gardens, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the throne of grace, they harm him in every possible way, they have beaten me, they have stricken me, they that go to seek mixed wine, they that tarry at the wine, truth, unconscious wounds, understanding what the will of the Lord is, unto the Father, utter perverse things, Victoria Day long weekend, walk circumspectly, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whatever is in you influences your behaviour, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when shall I awake, who hath babbling, who hath contentions, who hath redness of eyes, who hath sorrow, who hath woe, who hath wounds without cause, whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise, wine is a mocker, wisdom, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 May 2026 Ephesians 5:18.
Ephesians 5:18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Oh friends, you won’t believe that it was only late Sunday evening, I realized that this was the Victoria Day long weekend, with cottage country coming alive for the summer and people beginning to plant their gardens. That just goes to show I was totally wrapped up in whatever I was wrapped up in. And don’t ask what that was, because I don’t even know. (smile) Anyway, many of us are blessed to have this Monday off, and with yesterday’s good weather, most likely to be repeated today, I can imagine the celebrations for this long weekend that usually ushers in the summer will be very big and boisterous.
But as always, let’s remember to have a modicum of circumspection as we celebrate, and don’t behave like leggo beasts, or imbibe too much of whatever you plan to imbibe, because you know that kind of behaviour only brings accidents and other heartbreaking stuff, that can often have serious, lifelong negative consequences. End of Sermon!
And as I was looking through the Bible for something to write on, my eyes caught this section of Bruh Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, that seems rather appropriate for today. (smile) He writes: ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully) not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ (Eph. 5:15-18) Now didn’t I say that this passage was rather appropriate for today? (smile)
And if you don’t want to listen to my warning, then you should at least have the common courtesy to listen to Bruh Paul’s and not get inebriated. And as the scholars explain: ‘This verse gives an example of what is and what is not the Lord’s will (vs. 17). Believers are not allowed to be intoxicated with alcoholic beverages; the reason for this prohibition is wherein is excess; that is, drunkenness leads to moral intemperance.
This is clearly contrary to God’s will. His will is that Christians be filled with (by) the Holy Spirit; that is, they are to allow Him to fill them with God’s own life, character and virtues. The analogy between these two moral states is this: a person filled with wine is under its influence; similarly, a Christian is filled with the Spirit when he controls his thoughts attitudes, and actions.’
And that’s all basic common sense my brethren! Whatever your mind and body are filled with, will influence your behaviour. Now, if you don’t believe that Bruh Paul and I know what we’re talking about, then listen to the wisest man ever, Cousin Sol, as he warns from Proverbs. ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging (intoxicating drink arouses brawling): and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ (Prov. 20:1) And that’s not a lie, because we see it every day in our debauched society, meaning there are a lot of unwise people around us.
But here’s the real kicker, as Cousin Sol gets right down into the nitty gritty of drunkenness. He earnestly asks: ‘Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? (Prov. 23:29) Now those are very good questions. And can you guess the answer? ‘They that tarry (linger) at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.’ (Prov. 23:30) And that’s the gospel truth!
Cousin Sol then continues with this wise advice. ‘Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour (sparkles) in the cup, when it moveth itself aright (goes smoothly). At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (viper). Thine eyes shall behold strange women (things), and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst (heart) of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick (hurt); they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it (another drink) yet again.’ (Prov. 23:31-35)
Ah my people, Cousin Sol does know what he’s talking about. And so do many of us, who have either experienced the feeling of inebriation, or seen someone intoxicated, behave rather poorly. And the scholars add their take on the situation. ‘Six rhetorical questions drive home the fact that alcoholism has both physical and psychological effects (vs. 29). These effects are further specified: physical and psychological poisoning (vs. 32); delusion (vs. 33); stumbling (vs. 34); unconscious wounds (vs.35a); and enslavement (vs.35b).’
And isn’t it strange that all this stuff has been happening since Adam was a little boy, and yet we still greatly desire to imbibe the fire water. Fortunes have been made, and still are being made, on its production and sale. The devil certainly has us hooked on that one. But here’s what we should really be doing, as Bruh Paul advised the Ephesians. ‘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 the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph. 5:19-21)
And to help us do just that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn for some divine help. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And to be able to do that, we must stay away from the fire water this holiday Monday! Much LOVE!
…mankind takes pleasure in the devil’s delights…although they harm him in every possible way…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heightened desire, a new week of work, a new zest for life, a serious rampage, allow your incredible aura of love, as a lion in his den, be rewarded for your faithfulness, blesses the covetous, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, constantly buffeted, delight themselves in the abundance of peace, diligently consider his place, divine aid, don't give up hope, draws him into his net, evil doers shall be cut off, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, fun-filled weekend, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God has forgotten, God hides his face, God is not in his thoughts, God keeps all His promises, God will never leave nor forsake us, he says in his heart, he sitteth in the lurking places of the villages, heaven is getting ready to quench the fires of hell on earth, his mouth is full of cursing, holy spirit, I shall not be moved, in secret places, into the swing of things, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, lies in wait secretly, lies in wait to catch the poor, look diligently for the wicked, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, murders the innocent, never be in adversity, new insight, one for Jesus all for Jesus, our new best friend, raise our spirits, rejuvenation of spirit, ruling the roost, sally forth with confidence, salvation, stand strong and steadfast for Christ, stay faithful to the end, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, taken in the devices they have imagined, thank you for jobs, the BIBLE, the evil and ungodly world, the hands of the clock turn, the indisputable truth, the poor are getting poorer, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the rich are getting richer, the throne of grace, the wicked are ruling the roost, the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, the wicked in his pride persecute the poor, the wicked sneers at his enemies, the wicked's ways are always prosperous, those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, through the pride of his countenance, to do good work for Christ, to lead and guide all your servants, triumph over the righteous, truth, under his tongue is mischief and vanity, under his tongue is trouble and iniquity, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, when the right time comes, who renounce the Lord, whom the Lord abhorreth, why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble, why standest thou afar off o Lord, will not seek after God, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2026 Psalm 10:1.
Psalm 10:1. Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
And the hands of the clock turn, and the days fly past until they come to our new best friend; Monday! And someone says, Are you crazy? How can Monday ever be our best friend when it suddenly shows up and disrupts and disturbs our nice, fun-filled weekend? Because it gets you back into the swing of things with a new zest for life, with new insight and a heightened desire to do good work for Christ, as the times get more troubled and uncertain. And besides, this Monday is a nice, bright, sunshiny day, so that should also raise our spirits. (smile)
That brings us to this interesting Psalm 10, where Bruh David cries out to God about the oppression of the poor. ‘Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?’ Now that seems to be a very good question to ask of our current times. For as Bruh David continues: ‘The wicked in his pride doth persecute (hotly pursues) the poor: let them be taken in the devices (plots) that they have imagined (devised). For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous (greedy), whom the Lord abhorreth (who renounces the Lord).
The wicked through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts (all his thoughts are, there is no God). His ways are always grievous (prosperous); thy judgements are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth (sneers) at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity (trouble).’ (Ps. 10 :2-6)
And doesn’t that sound just like the wicked of today? It certainly does, because they believe that they are ruling the roost, and therefore have no time for God nor for the poor. They do whatever they like, with thoughts only for themselves and what they can gain. And we can see that happening all around our world right now, where the rich and powerful are getting richer and even more powerful, while the poor are getting poorer and even more powerless. And that’s not all; Bruh David continues: ‘His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud (oppression); under his tongue is mischief (trouble) and vanity (iniquity).’ (Ps. 10:7)
And is that ever the indisputable truth! For we now hear very blatant base, coarse and deceitful language from our leaders and power brokers, like we’ve never publicly heard before. It seems that they have absolutely no class at all. But how can they, when Bruh David declares: ‘He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily (secretly) set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself (bows down), that the poor may fall by strong ones (strength). He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.’ (Ps. 10:8-11)
And sometimes when things get really bad, when the wicked go on a serious rampage, like we’re seeing right now, we tend to think that God has forgotten us, is hiding His face from us. But we know better than that, for He has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us several times in His word, (Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:8) and we also know that He keeps every promise He makes. In His opinion, it’s just not the right time. But as the song says, ‘when the right time come,’ He’s also promised that the wicked will be destroyed, will perish from off the earth.
As per Psalm 37 when Bruh David declares: ‘For evil doers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider (look diligently for) his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’ (Ps. 37:9-11)
Yes my fellow believers, though times might look pretty bad right now, as though God seems to have permitted the wicked to triumph over the righteous, with the wicked doing all they can to drive the righteous into the grave, the end of the story however, as promised by our faithful God is that the wicked is the one who will pay the eventual price for his unrelenting and perverse iniquity. So please don’t give up hope; stay faithful to the end, and the Lord will reward you for your faithfulness. And to help us hang in there right down to the wire, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to stand strong and steadfast in Christ.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Yes friends, let’s get out there and put it to the enemy for Jesus’ sake! As the late Ernie Smith’s song puts it: ‘one for Jesus…all for Jesus!’ Much LOVE!
…when the fires of hell seem to burn bright and hot here on earth…let’s remember that heaven is getting ready to quench them…
Visit the Scrip-Bit Blog at https://randyobrien50.com
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a false witness that speaketh lies, a hodge podge of wannabes, a lying tongue, a proud look, admire people for mediocre achievements, all of you be subject one to another, allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, allow your incredible aura of love, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, be clothed with humility, blowing their own trumpet, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, change unwise phiosophy, christianity, Christians, Christians are not expected to be glory seekers, comparisons sometimes make things easier to handle, constantly bombarded by, devises wicked plans, distressing times, divine aid, draw near to God and he will draw near to you, enjoy glory with humility, every little bit helps, faith, feet that be swift in running to mischief, fill us with steadfast faith, for men to search their own glory is not glory, furthering God's glorious kingdom, glory is bestowed, glory is earned, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God gives grace to the humble, God resisteth the proud, hands that shed innocent blood, haughty eyes, he may exalt you in due time, he that humbleth himself shall be exalted, he that soweth discord among brethren, hear those words over a loud speker, help us wake up from our slumber, holy spirit, humble servants, humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, humbly ask, into the evil and ungodly world, it is not good to eat much honey, Jesus Christ, Jesus looks for humility in christians, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, let another man praise thee, LOVE, lovely weather, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, not thine own mouth, nothing to match God's exaltation, over the weekend, reached the peak of your existence, resist the devil and he will flee from you, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self aggrandization, self- gratification, seven are an abomination unto him, social media, submit yourselves therefore to God, sure conquerors, thank you for our jobs, the BIBLE, the far reaching tentacles of social media, the living truth, The Lord dislikes what the world likes, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the wise words of Solomon, the world seeks pride and haughtiness, these six things doth the Lord hate, to begin a new week of work, truth, we know we're invincible, we surrender our all to you, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Proverbs 27:2. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
And then it was Monday … a beautiful, sunshiny though somewhat windy Monday, with temps around 20 Celsius! So, there ought to be no problem in getting up and going out to work today, with such lovely weather. Just think about the many Mondays in the past few months when every Monday was a cold snowy one, and you’ll just breeze through today! (smile) Seriously though friends, sometimes the comparisons between things and times do make them easier to handle. And yes, it might be just in our minds, but every little bit helps.
Well since I had nothing specific in mind to talk about today, I opened the Word to find something worthwhile to discuss. And, lo, and behold, it opened unto the Book of Proverbs, which houses those wise words of Cousin Sol; the wisest man ever. And my eyes caught upon this most provocative second verse of Chapter 27. ‘Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.’ (Prov. 27:2)
Oh my people, how I wish our world could hear those wise words continually over a loud speaker, so that they could change their unwise philosophy of being the ones to blow their own trumpets and let their associates know of their great deeds. For that’s the current philosophy of today’s world. No one waits for others to say wonderful things about them, they broadcast it themselves. No wonder our world is such a hodge podge of wannabes, who will never be, especially with the far reaching tentacles of social media. It’s all a matter of self-gratification and self-aggrandization.
But the Lord’s Word totally rejects that situation. Listen to Cousin Sol again, earlier on in Proverbs. ‘It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search (seek) their own glory is not glory.’ (Prov. 25:27) And that is indeed the living truth my brethren! When we seek our own glory, how can that be glory eh? For as a general definition of glory states: ‘Glory generally means high renown, honor, praise, or magnificent splendor, often earned through achievement or bestowed upon something.’
And I like those last two statements, meaning that glory must first be earned and then bestowed upon you. People notice your achievements then bestow glory on you. You don’t bestow glory on yourself. And Jesus said it quite explicitly, when speaking on humility. ‘For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased (humbled); and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.’ (Luke 14:11) But our world doesn’t pay attention to that philosophy; we allow people to exalt themselves and we admire them for middling achievements.
But the Bible staunchly demands humility from God’s people. Listen to Peter: ‘Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.’ (1 Pet. 5:5-6) Oh friends, sometimes it’s good to know that you are appreciated by your fellow man, and looked upon with fondness, but there’s nothing to match God’s exaltation! When the Lord exalts you, that’s when you know you’ve done really worthy stuff in His name, and thus you’ve reached the peak of your existence!
That’s why James also encourages us to seek humility. ‘God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh (near) to you. … Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.’ (James 4:6b-7; 8a;10) It’s obvious that Christians are not expected to be glory seekers, but should enjoy it with some humility if it comes.
Oh, and I just remembered a good scripture passage for us to close with; one that wraps it up all very nicely and also reminds us of what not to do as believers. (smile) Please read with me from Cousin Sol’s proverbs. ‘These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look (haughty eyes), a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations (devises wicked plans), feet that be swift in running to mischief (evil), A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.’ (Prov. 6:16-19)
And isn’t it interesting to note that all things the Lord dislikes are what the world likes and is very focused upon today. Just thought I’d throw that scripture in there to help us wake up from our slumber, from our comfortable world driven lifestyle. (smile) Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help in these distressing times.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And with all the reminders we’ve had today, we ought be able to go out and do good work for God! Much LOVE!
…Jesus looks for humility in Christians…the world seeks pride and haughtiness in its people…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
SCRIP-BITS 