man became a living soul

The Importance of Believers understanding and appreciating God’s Breath of Life, and the Power of the Holy Spirit

06 Jul 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a heartfelt version, a temporary dose of the Holy Spirit, all filled with the Holy Ghost, as my Father sent me, as the spirit gave them utterance, began to speak with other tongues, Breathe on me Breath of God, breathed into his nostrils, cloven tongues like as of fire, do what you would do, Edwin Hatch, even so I send you, faith, fill me with life anew, for all eternity, for special ministries or tasks, glows with thy fire divine, God breathing life into Adam, God's breath of life, God's love grace and mercy, he breathed on them, holy spirit, I may be free, I was glad when they said unto me, it sat upon each of them, it's a joy to worship God, it's not a burden or a duty to worship the Lord, Jesus Christ, let us go into the house of the Lord, live with you, live with you the perfect life, LOVE, love the way you love, man became a living soul, mercy, my will is one with yours, peace be unto you, Pentecost day, receive ye the Holy Ghost, ruach, sacrifices of praise, salvation, set us free from all sin and ungodliness, so shall I never die, taking advantage of God's love, the breath of life, the breath of the Almighty, the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, the Holy spirit dwelling on the inside of believers, the Holy Spirit to transform the individual, the infusion of God's Breath of Life, the Lord's day. another scorcher, the simplicity of this profound hymn, the spirit of God hath made me, this earthly part of me, till I am earthly thine, to do and to endure, truth, until my heart is pure, wherever two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, wisdom, working on the outside

Job 33:4. The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Now, after a scorching Saturday, with a big shower of rain in the evening that cooled the place down some, Sunday, the Lord’s Day, has opened bright and sunshiny with another scorcher in the offing. And if it’s the Lord’s Day, then we should be saying like Bruh David says in the opening verse of Psalm 122: ‘I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.’ (Ps. 122:1)

And I like how this commentary explains the verse. It says: ‘It was not a burden, not a duty, alone to worship the Lord. It was a joy because that’s where God was in His mercy and His grace to His people.’ Now that’s how we also ought to feel when we go to church, or wherever two or three of us are gathered in Christ’s name. It’s not a duty or a burden to gather to worship Christ. No, sir! It ought to be a joy and a pleasure because we know we’re going where God’s LOVE, mercy and grace are found!

And as we gather today, I want us to sing this marvellous Christian hymn, ‘Breathe on Me , Breath of God,’ authored by Edwin Hatch in 1878. Hatch was a Church of England vicar and the Professor of Classics at the University of Trinity College in Canada. It’s a short and simple but oh so powerful hymn.

One commentary describes it thus: “The simplicity of this profound hymn belies the education and knowledge of its author.” But isn’t that the way it often is, although we have a great education, we can write very simple but powerful stuff. So enough talk. Let’s get to offering up our sacrifices of praise in a mid-tempo, soulful, scintillating and heartfelt version.

Singing: ‘Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may LOVE the way you LOVE, and do what you would do. Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours, to do and to endure. Breathe on me, Breath of God Till I am earthly thine Until this earthly part of me, Glows with thy fire divine. Breathe on me, Breath of God, So that I may be free, so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life for all eternity. Ohh breathe on me!’

And isn’t it wonderful when we feel the Lord’s presence upon us, like He’s breathing on us? It certainly is! And when we sing ‘Breathe on me,’ this commentary tells us we’re relating ‘directly to the biblical imagery of God breathing life into Adam in Genesis 2:7 and Jesus breathing on the apostles in John 20:22. Both passages emphasize God’s active role in imparting life and the Holy Spirit.’

So, here are those two passages. ‘The first says: ‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen. 2:7) Yes friends, man only came to life when God breathed His breath of life into Him. And the next passage deals with when Jesus first appears to the disciples, after His resurrection. Jesus greets them thus: ‘Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.’ (John 20:22)

That describes Jesus breathing on the apostles, anointing them with a temporary dose of the Holy Spirit, working on the outside, like it was given in the Old Testament for special ministries or tasks. But we see the marvellous moving of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, when it finally came to dwell on the inside of Believers on that fateful Pentecost Day.

The Bible recounts that the early believers were all in one place, when ‘suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven (divided) tongues like as of fire , and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (in other languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance (enabled them).’ (Acts 2:2-4)

And that’s a very special moment in the church’s life, for it highlights the gift of God’s Spirit, His Breath of Life or ‘Ruach’ the Hebrew name for the Holy Spirit, to empower believers. Now, I guess these words of the hymn, ‘Breathe on me, Breath of God Till I am earthly thine Until this earthly part of me, Glows with thy fire divine.,’ refers to the miraculous fire of cloven tongues that fell on the believers on that Pentecost Day.

Meanwhile, this commentary tells us that the words ‘Breathe on Me, breath of God, expresses the hymn’s desire for the Holy Spirit to fill and transform the individual, bringing new life, purity, and a deeper relationship with God.’ And friends, do we all ever need that new life, purity and deeper relationship with Almighty God in these disastrous and ungodly times. We need the Holy Spirit to breathe on us, to set us free from all the sin and ungodliness that’s currently wreaking havoc in our world.

We need that Ruach, that Breath of God, so that we can be transformed, with obedience and surrender, and never die, but live with him eternally. It’s like Job’s friend Elihu says; ‘The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.’ (Job 33:4)

Oh my people, no matter how godly and religious we might feel, or be, let’s not fool ourselves, we all need to pray for the renewal and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. So let’s seriously contemplate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives today, and then make the necessary changes so that our lives can be uplifted in Jesus’ name, and we can make a real difference here on earth. That’s my prayer for us this Sunday morning! Much LOVE!

…mankind cannot survive…without the infusion of God’s Breath of Life…so why are we so disobedient and ungodly…taking advantage of His LOVE…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost!

08 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a deeper relationship with God, a desire for the Holy Spirit to fulfill and transform the individual, a new covenant, a new heart will I give you, a new spirit will I put within you, a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and Israel, a rushing mighty wind, a source of renewal, all filled with Holy Ghost, all shall know me, all with one accord in one place, as the spirit gave them utterance, be merciful to their unrighteousness, be to me a people, be to them a God, began to speak with other tongues, Breathe on me Breath of God, breathed into his nostrils, cause you to walk in my statutes, celebration of the church's baptism with the Holy Ghost, cloven tongues, commemorating the harvest harvest, do what you would do, Edwin Hatch, every man his brother, faith, fellowship, fill me with life anew, fill our spiritual tanks to overflowing, for mine own sake, from the least to the greatest, glows with fire divine, God breathing life into Adam, holy spirit, I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions, it filled all the house, it sat upon each of them, Jesus Christ, John baptized with water, keep my judgements and do them, know the Lord, life giving breath, like as of fire, live with you the perfect life, LOVE, love the way you love, man became a living soul, mercy, my will is one with yours, new life, obedient to Jesus, Pentecost Sunday, purity, put my laws into their mind, put my spirit within you, remain in Jerusalem, salvation, seeks the breath of God, shall shall not teach every man their neighbour, so shall I never die, suddenly there came a sound from heaven, suffer in hellfire for all eternity, sweet sacrifices of praise, take away the stony heart out of your flesh, that I may be free, the anniversary of the Ten Commandments, the biblical imagery, the breath of life, the breath of the Almighty gives me life, the day of Pentecost was fully come, the Feast of weeks, the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, the Lord God, the Spirit of God has made me, there appeared unto them, till I am earthly thine, to do and to endure, to fulfill and transform the individual, truth, until my heart is pure, wait for the promise of the Father, will not remember thy sins, wisdom, write them in their hearts, ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost

Acts 2:3. And there appeared unto them cloven (divided) tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And then it was Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the day the early church was baptized with the Holy Ghost! But, as this commentary tells us, ‘in the Old Testament, Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot, was a celebration commemorating the harvest of wheat and barley, as well as the anniversary of God giving the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was a time of thanksgiving for God’s provision and a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and Israel.’

And, as we all know, Jesus ascended back to heaven forty days after His resurrection. However, before He left, He commanded the disciples and the other followers to remain in Jerusalem and ‘wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.’ (Acts 1:4-5) So, being obedient to His desire, they stayed in Jerusalem. And this is the amazing and mind boggling scenario the Lord contrived, some two thousand years ago on the Pentecost Sunday, that fell ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven.

The Bible tells us: ‘And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they (the followers) were all with one accord (one purpose or mind) in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven (divided) tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (other languages), as the Spirit gave them utterance (enabled them to do).’ (Acts. 2:1-4)

Yes friends, on that day the Christian church was officially born, with the Holy Spirit alighting on each of the believers, showing that the Spirit’s baptism included them all. This spiritual baptism also fulfilled the promise of a New Covenant between God and Israel, as prophesied by Ezekiel 36: 26-27: ‘A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements and do them.’

Meanwhile, the author of Hebrews records it thus: ‘For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man their neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me. From the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities (lawless deed) will I remember no more.’ (Heb. 8:10-13)

And did He ever do all of that in a majestic and breath-taking manner! First, sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, then filling every believer after that with the promise of the Holy Spirit, as Guide, Comforter and Helper. And also fulfilling another Old Testament promise as prophesied by Isaiah. ‘I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.’ (Is. 43:25) Wow! What a great and faithful God we serve my brethren! Who calls things as though they were, (Rom. 4:17) then turns around and fulfills them.

Now, having opened up our spirits, hearts and minds with scripture and understanding of it, this warm, bright and sunny Pentecost Sunday, let’s raise the roof of the Lord’s sanctuary with sweet sacrifices of praise as we offer up a mid-tempo, soulful and scintillating version of a hymn that’s usually sung at this time. It’s aptly titled, ‘Breathe on Me , Breath of God, an English Christian Hymn, written by Edwin Hatch, a Church of England vicar and the Professor of Classics at the University of Trinity College in Canada. It was first published privately in 1878 and publicly published in 1886.

It’s a short and simple, but very meaningful hymn. One commentary says: ‘The hymn expresses a desire for the Holy Spirit to fill and transform the individual, bringing new life, purity, and a deeper relationship with God.’ While another describes it thus: ‘The author invokes the Holy Spirit to come into his life and transform it. Using the first-person perspective throughout the hymn adds to the hymn’s power as the singer seeks the breath of God (Genesis 2:7) as a source for renewal.’

But enough talk, let’s do exactly as those commentaries say; seeking a more meaningful and intimate relationship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit as we sing this marvellous hymn. But wait, before we begin, let’s note that one video version had this most appropriate scripture from Job 33:4, as a prologue, and I want it to be our prologue too. So let’s declare it: ‘The Spirit of God has made me, And the Breath of the Almighty gives me life.’ That’s the gospel truth friends!

So, finally singing: ‘Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may LOVE the way you LOVE, and do what you would do. Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours, to do and to endure. Breathe on me, Breath of God Till I am earthly thine Until this earthly part of me, Glows with thy fire divine. Breathe on me, Breath of God, So that I may be free, so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life for all eternity. Ohh Lord… breathe on me! Yes Lord…breathe your ever-LOVING, life giving breath on me…’

Oh my people, what an outstanding rendition! All heaven was moved by our heartfelt, soulful sacrifices of praise! And as this commentary expresses: ‘The hymn’s request to “breathe on me” directly relates to the biblical imagery of God breathing life into Adam in Genesis 2:7 and Jesus breathing on the apostles in John 20:22. Both passages emphasize God’s active role in imparting life and the Holy Spirit.’

Now, nuff said, let’s go home, with hearts rejoicing after much praise and thanksgiving in the Lord’s house, hopefully, with all of our spiritual tanks refilled to overflowing with God’s Holy Spirit, this Pentecost Day of 2025. Much LOVE!

… And the Lord God…formed man of the of the dust of the ground…and breathed into his nostrils…the breath of life…and man became a living soul… (Gen. 2:7)

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Mover and Shaker of our Christian Faith – The Holy Spirit!

26 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a true and genuine love, as the heavens are higher than the earth, Bible, breathed into his nostrils, but can't tell where it comes from, but canst not tell whence it cometh, Christ died for us, Christ's sufferation, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, god, God commendeth his own love toward us, God created the heaven and the earth, God formed man of dust, God's love is vaster still, halfway home, hands on the plough, hell bound, help me find beauty in the unknown, holy spirit, in the beginning, In Touch Devotional, Jesus, Jesus Christ, like a midnight sky, live the Christian life, LOVE, love Christ with all our hearts, love whatever I glimpse of you, man became a living soul, moved upon the face of the waters, my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are higher that your ways, not looking back, sacrifices, selfish emotion, so is every one born of the Holy Spirit, so much remains a mystery, the breath of life, the Lord's greatest gift- Jesus christ, the mystery of you God, the Spirit of God, the wind bloweth where it listeth, the wind blows where it wants, thou hearest the sound thereof, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, while we were yet sinners, wind dance, wisdom, you hear the wind but don't know where it comes from or where it goes

Genesis 2:7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

And it’s another warm, sunshiny but windy day in our neighbourhood. And I’m so sorry for the poor trees as they are forced to dance this continuous wind dance. (smile) But seriously though, for the last couple of years we’ve been having a lot of strong winds for no apparent reason, but this year it’s been the worst ever. Several days at a time the wind just keeps on tearing across the neighbourhood: sometimes hot, sometimes cool, but always in a hurry to go where no one knows.

As Jesus so correctly said to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader when teaching him about being born again in the Holy Spirit. ‘The wind bloweth where it listeth (wishes), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one born of the Spirit.’ (John 3:8)

And if you’re wondering what that all means, what’s the symbolism of the wind in the Bible, then this commentary gives a good explanation. ‘Wind is a Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit. Like the wind, the Holy Spirit comes in suddenly and from seemingly nowhere – He whirls about the atmosphere and changes everything. The Spirit, like the wind, moves wherever He wants and is, at times, unpredictable. Breath is also a Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit.’

It’s like how the Bible says of the Creation: ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon (hovered over) the face of the waters.’ (Gen. 1:1-2)

So the Holy Spirit was there right at the beginning of creation, ready to perform whatever job was necessary. Likewise, it was the Holy Spirit that provided life in man. As the Bible tells it: ‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen. 2:7)

Yes friends, like the proverbial potter, the Lord formed man’s body from the dust of the ground then breathed the breath of life or Spirit (Heb. ruach) into him, making him a living creature. So the Holy Spirit is indeed important and like the wind moves and grooves wherever it is needed, but most importantly, today it dwells within each believer to lead, guide and comfort us as we live the Christian life here on earth. And unless we pay close attention to the still, small voice that the Spirit usually speaks in, we will miss God’s amazing plan and purpose for our lives.

That brings us to this prayer from the Let Us Pray section of this month’s In Touch Devotional, which seems to jive rather well with what we’ve been speaking about, the mystery of God and His Holy Spirit. So please pray with me: ‘God, I know some things about You, but so much remains a mystery – and that often unsettles me. The mystery of You is like a midnight sky – so immense it could swallow me whole. But I know Your LOVE is vaster still. God, help me find beauty in the unknown, and to LOVE whatever I glimpse of You. In Jesus’ name, amen.’

Yes mih bredrin, our God is great and full of mystery, and we’ll never understand the half of what and who He is. But that’s why He is God! His omnipotence, omniscience, and omni-presence is way above the ability of our finite, puny minds to comprehend. And He’s informed us of that in His word, through the prophet Isaiah: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8-9)

That’s it in a nutshell my people! We can never understand all that our God is, we just have to believe and have faith, because we see and experience His goodness towards us. And if we get close enough to Him, every so often He will give us a glimpse of Himself; of His imperial majesty, of His miracle working power, of His comforting Spirit, and of His unconditional LOVE.

But all of that is just window dressing, for He’s already given us the biggest and most important part of Himself, that’s His only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who came to earth and died as a propitiation, an appeasement for our sins. As one of my favourite Bible verses reminds us: ‘But God commendeth his LOVE (demonstrated his own LOVE) toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8)

Oh my fellow saints, there could never be a bigger, heartfelt, genuine showing of LOVE than that! The Lord LOVED us so much that He broke His own heart to save us from eternal damnation and hellfire. And now, that’s where our eyes must be focused – on the Lord Jesus Christ. Living the way He desires, doing the things He wants us to do, making sacrifices for others like He did for us, but above all…LOVING Him with all our hearts, souls, bodies and minds.

And we’re talking about a true and genuine LOVE, not some wishy-washy, opportunistic, selfish emotion, because that’s exactly what He deserves after all the earthly ‘sufferation’ He endured for our sakes. Now, for those of us who are truly trying to live for Christ, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful, enviable and incomparable situation in Christ Jesus.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’

And if we truly endure to the very end with Christ, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So see you there! Much LOVE!

…but for the Lord’s greatest gift…His son Jesus Christ…we’d all be hell bound…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 April 2022 Proverbs 18:21.

30 Apr 2022 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: be not rash with thy mouth, bite us in the rear, boomerang back, breathed into his nostrils, counted wise, death and life are in the power of the tongue, even a fool when he holdeth his peace, excellence takes practice, expresses our happiness founr in the promises of God, false words infect the soul with evil, formed man from the dust of the ground, God is LOVE, have it more abundantly, he that shutteth his lips, I am come that they might have life, is esteemed a man of understanding, it is better to give than to receive, joyful giving, let not thine heart be hasty, let thy words be few, man became a living soul, practice makes perfect, quotes from our friend Anselm, shame shall be the legacy of fools, the breath of life, the wise shall inherit glory, they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof, to utter anything before God, where there is love there is life

Proverbs 18:21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Saturday…at long last Saturday! And no work to go to; that means no traffic to fight, no annoying co-workers or ignorant bosses to put up with! Blessed be Saturday! And the weather seems good too; sunny and getting warmer. So, all in all, we seem to be in for a fine Saturday. (smile) But let’s get right to what we do here on Saturdays; that’s review the quotes our friend Anselm sends us in the past week, to see how they fit into our Christian walk of faith.

And the first one makes this dramatic statement: ‘Where there is LOVE there is life.’ Now I guess that’s quite true if you take it in the context that ‘God is LOVE.’ John says it quite clearly in his first epistle. (1 John 4:8) And if we recognize that God is also the giver of life, as the Good Book tells us: ‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen. 2:7) Therefore, under those circumstances, where there is the LOVE of God, the possibility of life seriously abounds. (smile)

And the next quote imparts much wisdom, when it says: ‘Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.’ That’s oh so true! And we have several warnings on that subject from Cousin Sol both as the Proverbs writer and the Preacher. Listen up, as he says in Proverbs: ‘The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion (legacy) of fools.’ (Prov. 3:35) And also from Proverbs: ‘A fool uttereth all his mind (vents all his feelings): but a wise man keepeth it in (holds it back) till afterward.’ (Prov. 29:11)

Then there are these marvellous words of Cousin Sol as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes. ‘Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth: therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business (effort or activity): and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.’ (Eccl. 5:2-3) It couldn’t be put any clearer than that friends. Fools are known by their many words. And that takes us right back to Proverbs, where it says that ‘Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace (keeps silent) is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding (is considered wise).’ (Prov. 17:28)

Now that segues very nicely into the next quote. ‘False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.’ That’s gospel truth my brethren. And Cousin Sol also has a whole lot of wise sayings on that subject. Amongst them being these: ‘Bread of deceit (bread gained by deceit) is sweet to a man; but afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel.’ (Prov. 20:17) Yes, whatever we gain through deceitful means usually turns sour on us afterward. Telling us that deceitful methods don’t pay.

Then there is this: ‘Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.’ (Prov. 19:1) And this one takes the cake: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.’ (Prov. 18:21) Oh my people, nowadays we talk so much, and talk so much foolishness, what we know nothing about, that there’s a lot to come back as a boomerang and bite us in the rear!

So that’s why our enemy, the devil, Satan, Beelzebub, whatever you choose to call him deals in false words, in lies and deceit. He wants to infect our souls with evil. He wants to turn us away from Jesus, away from the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life, to follow his evil and ungodly wide and destructive path that leads to death and damnation. That’s why Jesus describes him as ‘The thief that cometh not, but to (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10)

Remember now that Jesus only deals in truth, not falsehood. That’s why He could confidently say: ‘If ye continue (abide) in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ (John 8:32) Oh my fellow saints, truth is the elixir of our very existence, and it comes only from Jesus! He is the very personification of the word!

And that brings us to this next quote: ‘Excellence is not a gift, but a skill that takes practice. We do not act rightly because we are excellent, in fact we achieve excellence by acting rightly.’ Mama Mia! How right that is! We are not naturally or automatically excellent at anything. Like everything in this life, we only become good or excellent by practice. As the old saying goes; ‘Practice makes perfect.’ And as a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, it’s of the utmost importance that we become excellent in all aspects of life, as He is excellent.

He expects it of His followers, for an organization is only as good as its weakest link. And we can only become excellent followers of Jesus if we live right, live the way that He desires of us. The same thing goes for the enemy: we can live excellently for him if we faithfully practice evil. But in whatever it is, we will never become excellent, unless and until we keep doing it over and over.

And this last quote is also an eye-opener. It says: ‘LOVE has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything.’ And as followers of Jesus, we are expected to give a lot, but in so doing, we also receive a lot from our Lord and Saviour. He sacrificed His sinless life for us on the cross of Calvary, bringing forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God, salvation and eternal life to anyone who sincerely believes in Him. So, when He says: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) He knows a whole lot about giving!

And it’s interesting to note, per the scholars that ‘Here alone is a quotation from Christ that is not recorded in the Gospels.’ Imagine an important pronouncement like that not being recorded by any of the gospel writers nuh. Makes you wonder if it’s true at all. But there’s no doubt about it, because Jesus was all about giving, about sacrificing without looking for any rewards, and so ought we to be as loyal and true followers.

So friends, let’s go home today, on this sunny Saturday morn, the last day of April 2022, with a such joy in our hearts from all the wonderful things that we’ve received from Jesus, that we now want to share it all very generously with those around us. That’s the good life; the abundant life Christ died for us to have! Much LOVE!

… joyful giving…expresses our happiness and contentment…found in the promises of God…

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 August 2021 Hebrews 4:12a.

03 Aug 2021 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, a mirage, acknowledge and honour God in our celebrations, activities of the mind, All thanks and praise to the Lamb of god, all things are naked and opened, breathed into his nostrils, celebrations are not bad things, dividing asunder of soul and spirit, don't have to hurry, don't have to worry, give an account of our earthly behaviour, I am the beloved of god, imperfect beings, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, just our imagination playing tricks on us, keep thy heart with all diligence, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, man became a living soul, mano a mano, no creature not manifest in his sight, no one can take that from me, not what I do, not what I have, not what people say about me, of the joints and marrow, opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do, out of it are the issues of life, pagan style rituals, part of the human's bone structure, prince of peace, reaches into the inner secrets of man's mind, ruling the roost, set our minds to it, share His love with the world, sharper than any twoedged sword, spies an oasis, the Battlefield of the mind, the breath of life, the Immaterial Part of Man, the seat of the intellect, the soul lives on forever, the Word of God is quick and powerful, to know Jesus is to love Him, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus christ, whatever captures our minds captures our hearts, who gives us the victory, whole spirit and body be preserved blameless, Wise counsellor

Hebrews 4:12a. For the word of God is quick (that’s alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,

So what’s up this Tuesday morning eh friends, after a riotous Civic Holiday long weekend? Hope your work doesn’t, or didn’t interfere too much with your celebration. (smile) On a more serious note though, the Lord does expect us to enjoy our days down here on earth. So, celebrations are not bad things. Have you ever noticed the amount of feast days He mandated for the Jewish people back in the old days? Several…some even a week long! But the important thing is that we acknowledge and honour Him in ALL of our celebrations. They ought not to be just pagan style rituals, celebrations for celebrations sake, but in some manner glorify and honour our great God.

Unfortunately, in these current times, we are seeing less and less celebrations with God’s name and honour glorified, and more of them based on Satan’s desires and lifestyles. It certainly seems like our society has thrown Jehovah God to the back of the bus. We no longer consider Him, Number One, El Numero Uno. The evil enemy now seems to be ruling the roost. But friends, that’s just our imagination playing tricks on us; like a thirsty man in the desert who spies an oasis in every step he crawls…but it’s never real, always a mirage…existing just in his mind.

And that’s the same way the enemy believes that he’s winning the war. Oh, he might win a battle here and there, but the victor of the overall war is a foregone conclusion, Jehovah God, through His majestic warrior Son, Jesus Christ, possessor of the mighty two-edged sword, the Word of God! And all God’s children shouted a loud, proud and grateful: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All thanks and praise to the Lamb of God, who gives us the victory!’

Yes my brethren, Jesus is our mighty warrior King, our Lord, Saviour, Prince of Peace, Wise Counsellor, and ALL that we can ever hope or long for! Please, please, let us continually remember the Word of God, and let it lead and guide us in these most trying and troubled times, for it is only by, and through it, that we can ever hope to have victory in our individual lives.

And I just LOVE how the scriptures describe it. ‘For the word of God is quick (that’s alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in (hidden from) his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (to give account).’ (Heb. 4:12-13)

Wow! What powerful, enlightening and remindful scriptures! So let’s see what all of it means. Listen to the scholars. ‘4:12-13.For the word of God: The reason given for one’s careful scrutiny of his life involves the reality that God is intently scrutinizing it. His word is quick (living). This word is first in the Greek and is the emphasis. God’s Word is not old or archaic; it is alive. It is not inept or inactive; it is powerful (active). It reaches into the inner secrets of man’s mind to discern even his thoughts and intents. Likewise, God’s eye sees man as though he were naked, unable to hide behind excuse or pretense.’

Now friends, that reality alone, that God can see right down into our very souls and discern our thoughts and intentions, see us as though we were naked, ought to give us serious pause and make us truly consider the way we live our lives. And don’t forget, that at the judgement day, we have to stand before Him and give account of our lives. So we cannot come with any excuses or lies, because He will know every single thought, intention and action we’ve ever done.

And then, based on verse 12, re the ‘Immaterial Part of Man,’ the scholars further offer: ‘The writer here draws an interesting parallel between the joints and the marrow, which have different functions, yet both are part of a human’s bone structure. Thoughts and intents are also two distinct activities, yet both are activities of the mind. And while the soul and spirit are distinct in function, both have an immaterial character (nothing you can actually touch or see).

When considering the nature of humanity, we must realize a person is a two-part being, that is, with body and soul. But in activity or function the body, soul, and spirit of a person each has a different function. Paul desired that his converts’ “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23). (First Ref. Gen. 2:7; Primary Ref. 1Thess. 5:23; cf. Prov. 4:23).’

So what does it all mean eh? That since we will stand and give an account of our earthly behaviour, that we ought to try and make that earthly behaviour as good and blameless as possible. The Lord knows we will never be perfect, because He made us as imperfect beings, but He does expect us to try our best as we have daily communion with Him.

And since I like to spoon feed us so much, (smile) I am going to quote the two verses of scripture that the scholars mentioned above there. The first one says: ‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen. 2:7) That’s how man came alive – both in body and soul; by receiving the breath of the living God! The material or mortal body dies, but the soul is immaterial, immortal and lives on forever.

And next up, in the words of Cousin Sol: ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.’ (Prov. 4:23) And per the scholars: ‘4:23. Heart could often be translated “mind” in the book. Since the Hebrews had no separate word for “mind,” the word “heart” often served to represent the seat of the intellect. The key to the whole man is his mind. Whatever captures the mind captures the man.’

And that’s the indisputable, gospel truth my people! Whatever our minds focus on, that’s where our lives will lead. Hence the truthful saying, ‘The battlefield of the mind.’ And that’s why the enemy strives to gain control of our minds above all else. But let’s remember that God’s word is stronger than anything in this world, and that through prayer and thanksgiving we can fight the enemy mano-a-mano and defeat Him. We just have to set our minds to it.

And for those of us who have made that marvellous decision, let’s go home now declaring (yeahhh!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, proudly and sincerely telling the whole wide world who and whose we are. As one strong voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’

That means we now have to go out and put our big talk into action; sharing Jesus’ amazing LOVE and friendship with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do. Much LOVE!

…to sincerely know Jesus…is to LOVE Him…LOVE Him like nothing…or no one else in this whole wide world…

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