A Warning for Believers to Carefully Watch Their Words and Think before They Speak!

17 Jul 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

James 1:19.          Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

So it’s Thursday, our penultimate work day; one day closer to that blessed day of Friday. Thankfully, it might not be as hot as the last several days, but it’s also somewhat cloudy and windy. Guess you can’t always have it how you want it. (smile) Anyway, we have Jesus, and He’s all we need and will ever need! Give Him some thanks and praise for being the wonderful Lord and Saviour that He is!

Now, today,` we’ll look at a very interesting and very appropriate poem for these ungodly and evil times from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled ‘A Quiet Tongue.’ And for once, I’m sure that I’ve shared it before, (smile) but with so much senseless and unnecessary talking that’s bombarding us today from all different angles and places, I believe it’s something we should look at again.

So please read with me. ‘Lord, a revealing fact Began to surface today: I talk more than I listen. I seem to be thoroughly convinced That my ideas My inspiring experiences My bits of wisdom Are exactly what all my friends need. Too often I break into conversations Confident that my enlightened insight Will solve the predicament – Whatever it is. Obviously, I feel more comfortable when I’m expounding.

But this morning at a Bible study I cringed when I read Your command In the first chapter of James: “Don’t ever forget That it is best to listen much Speak little, and not become angry.” At first I wanted to run. But as the words kept battering away At my guilty heart I finally circled them with red ink. Now, Lord, please help me to obey them. Remind me daily, hourly That listening is a discipline And a discipline always costs. I know I must pay a price. The price for me Is a listening ear And a quiet tongue.’

Oh friends those words ring so true for so many of us although we try to deny it. In these times of so many new communication methods, we’re all trying to talk at the same time, thus we’re unfortunately only creating a cacophony of noise. That’s a harsh discordant mixture of sounds, from which not much sense can be made. I know that I’m guilty of talking too much, although I try not to. I’ve asked the Lord several times like Bruh David does in Psalm 141:3. ‘Set a watch (guard), O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door (keep watch over the door) of my lips.’ But I don’t think He’s listening, for I still talk too much. (smile)

And this commentary explains that ‘it is a prayer for self-control, specifically in speech. It’s a request for divine assistance in moderating one’s words, preventing harmful or inappropriate language. It highlights the power of words and the importance of using them responsibly.’ And do we ever need it badly in this over talkative society, especially with all the many social media platforms we have  where talk is cheap but wisdom and discernment are sadly lacking.

Yes my people many of us need to make that prayer, entrusting the guarding of our lips to God, for we open our mouths way too much and talk unnecessarily about things we don’t know. Our society is suffering from a surfeit, an excess or overabundance of opinions and idle chatter, and unfortunately most of it is ungodly and evil stuff. And there are several places in the Bible where it specifically talks about keeping one’s mouth shut as much as possible. Cousin Sol alone has three examples in Proverbs.

The first says: ‘He that keepeth (guards) his mouth keepeth (preserves) his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.’ (Prov. 13:2) And the second warning on talking too much tells us: ‘Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble.’ (Prov. 21:23) And the third is one that we hear very often, and  don’t pay much attention to, but it is very relevant to our faith.. It says: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.’ (Prov. 18:21)

And is that ever the gospel truth! For the Lord spoke everything but mankind into existence, and blessings or curses from our mouth are very powerful. Our words, be they good or bad, are very powerful my brethren, and I plead with us to take those three warnings to heart and sincerely ask the Lord to help us put them into action in our lives, for so many of us are getting in serious trouble because of our ‘chatty chatty’ lips.

Then there’s this other warning verse from James, that’s the Bible Promise verse for our poem today. In speaking about Hearers and Doers of the Word, he solemnly advises: ‘Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not (does not produce) the righteousness of God.’ (James 1:19-20) And we can see the indisputable truth in those words for our world has become so filled with angry people that godliness is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

So friends, if we want to reduce the anger and therefore the strife and all the negative things in our world, the fist thing we need to do is watch what we say, and then say as little as possible. For remember what Cousin Sol tells us again in Proverbs: ‘Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace (keeps silent), is counted (considered) wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.’ (Prov. 17:28) And it’s not like we don’t have the wherewithal to do it, for God has given us all that we need to live godly down here, but we’re just too lazy and/or too rebellious to do it.

He’s even generously bestowed on us what we call our Thursday Blessings; undeserved blessings to do His earthly work. That means we have no grounds whatsoever for complaints. So let’s be wise and declare those blessings and thus activate them right now. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

And having made those declarations (steups!!!) we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings on behalf of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!

…words are one of our most powerful tools…be careful how we use them…

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

Some Of The Protections that God has put in place for Earthly Believers!

16 Jul 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Isaiah 54:17a.         No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn.

And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day! Imagine that nuh; it’s already the middle of our work week as well as the middle of the month of July. That means our summer is fading fast away, just the month of August is left, and that no doubt will fly away like the other summer months, quickly plunging us back into the dark and deadly throes of winter. (smile) But all’s not lost, for we have the greatest friend to man, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, on our side, and He’s promised that nothing that comes against us will harm us.

The prophet Isaiah boldly confirms it when he writes: ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) Yes friends, that’s our heritage as believers in Christ Jesus! And NO ONE can take it from us! As this commentary tells us: ‘It’s a promise of God’s protection and vindication for believers. It signifies that while challenges and opposition may arise, they will ultimately fail to overcome those who trust in the Lord.’

Now that doesn’t mean there won’t be advances upon, or attacks against us, but that in the long run they won’t succeed. Meanwhile God promises to give us the ability to refute any false accusations or negative words spoken over us and ultimately be vindicated. It’s all a part of God’s blessings, a gift for those who serve Him faithfully, giving us right standing with Him. And as the commentary so rightly assures us: ‘The verse offers comfort and assurance to believers, reminding them that they are under God’s protection and that He will ultimately bring them victory over their adversaries.’

Wow! What a wonderful God we serve my people! And on top of all that, we have these marvellous, reassuring and uplifting words of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome, where He confidently proclaims: ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, or life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35-39)

Wow mih bredrin! What a wonderful scripture, assuring us that once we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, nothing, or no one will ever separate us from Him, and the LOVE of the Father which lives in and emanates from Him! Not even death can separate us, for after physical death, we move into new life with Him. As Bruh Paul, when talking to the Corinthians about an Eternal Building in the Heavens, expressing his desire to be with Lord, but being stopped from getting closer by this physical life says: ‘We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’ (2 Cor. 5:8)  

That’s our Christian belief that once we die, we’re immediately transported into the Lord’s presence, suggesting a transition from the earthly, physical body to a spiritual state of being with God. Or as this commentary puts it: ‘The core idea is that death for a Christian is not an end but a transition. Upon death, the believer’s spirit or soul is believed to be immediately united with the Lord, leaving behind the limitations of the earthly body.’

And although the pleasures of the earth can be wonderful, the next life with God for all eternity promises to be so much better, especially when there’s this magnanimous promise that John reveals in the Book of Revelation. ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev. 21:4)

And oh how I’m dying to see that day, when there’s no more pain! Well not really dying to see it just yet (smile) because I still have work for the Lord to accomplish down here and will have to bear some more pain to accomplish it. But won’t that be a marvellous existence? No pain, sorrow, death, crying, none of that negative stuff! Just the loss of those things will be sufficient to make eternity worthwhile. And when we add the rewards for doing God’s work…

Brother! Life will then be truly worth living! But until such time, we can still enjoy what we have down here, for the Lord has set up lots of protection for us here too. So to acknowledge that, let’s go home now declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position 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 for those who stick with Jesus right to the very end, an even more glorious future is promised. One that we can neither contemplate or imagine! One that’s far above our mental capabilities. So, please, let’s be wise, and make a pact to meet there at the very end nuh, and enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…the rewards of eternal life with Christ…more than outweigh the problems of earthly living…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 June 2012 Psalm 141:3

24 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , ,

Psalm 141:3.    Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a new day, and we’re still alive and kicking, full of God’s breath, vim and vigour! Praise the Lord for His goodness to the undeserving children of men! And thankfully, I don’t have any negative testimony to report re the use of my mouth, at least as far as I know. The Lord didn’t pull me up on anything either. So, so far, so good! (smile) But seriously though Friends, these days we talk far more than is necessary, and logic dictates that the more we do something, the more opportunities we have to make mistakes. Just listen to all the angry, resentful, evil words that are being spoken all over our rapidly declining world nuh! Many of them are leading to wars and strife between nations, between different levels of society, and unfortunately way too much in the foundation unit of our society, the family. Too often I’m hearing appalling stories about strife between parents and children, or between siblings that just boggles my imagination. At those times I thank my dear departed mother that I was an only child yes! That’s because in most of the cases there’s absolutely no need for the anger and resentment that’s tossed around, nor the dissension and divisions that are created, for they usually stem from greed and petty jealousies. I’ve been telling my children from they were old enough to understand, that if I see or hear them carrying on with such nonsense, I will come back from my grave to haunt them. And that still stands mih children! Now to help us understand how powerful our words are, listen to this quote from Rudyard Kipling, (1865-1936) the renowned British author of novels like ‘The Jungle Book,’ and ‘The Man Who Would Be King.’ He declared, even way back then: ‘Words are, of course, the most powerful drug, used by mankind.’ That’s the living truth my people! And can you imagine if it was that way almost a century ago, what it’s like today? There’s nothing else that has the awesome power to effectively change our minds, moods, feelings and attitudes, either for evil or good, like the words that trip off our tongues. That’s why so many of us are taken in by the many scam and fraud artists so prevalent today, plus politicians, preachers, teachers, friends, family and even virtual strangers. Oh yes Friends, there is mighty power in our words! But it’s vital, of the utmost importance that we learn to use words to bless and not curse, to bring about good, positive, godly results, not evil, negative ones, if we’re going to stop the decline of our civilization. Look at all the animosity between the world’s main religions,  with Father Abraham the source of them all, and also the many divisions and distinctions within each of them. The acrimony, resentment and outright hatred that exists all stem from inappropriate words, and can be traced back to inappropriate thoughts. But fortunately we don’t have to continue down that ungodly path, because as Norman Vincent Peale, the father of the Power of Positive Thinking, so rightly says: ‘Change your thoughts and you change your world.’  Gospel truth mih people, gospel truth! But how do we do that eh? Well, like every change we desire to make, by first invoking God’s help, one individual at a time.  By raising up serious prayers to heaven, along the lines of our Bit: ‘Set a watch (guard), O Lord, before my mouth; keep (watch over) the door of my lips.’ But then we have to consistently and diligently do our part; find and study the scriptures that pertain to the particular problem, and there are many that pertain to the mouth, then practice and persevere to bring about the necessary change(s). It won’t be easy Friends, especially in these evil, troubled, ungodly times, with so many distractions vying for our attention. But if we stand strong in our beliefs and keep in constant contact with our God, always asking for His guidance, there’s no doubt we’ll eventually rise to a height of excellence that’s pleasing to Him. Remember that we can do all things through and in association with Christ, who strengthens us. (Phil.4:13) Then we’ll be able to say like Bruh David, in his prayer for protection against oppressors: ‘Thou hast proved (tested) mine heart; thou hast visited (searched me out) in the night; thou hast tried (examined) me, and shalt find nothing (evil): I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. ‘ (Ps.17:3) Oh my brethren, when we can truthfully say something like that, then we’re on our way to glory, we’re using the awesome power in our words aright; in the service of God, not of Beelzebub! Much LOVE!…the power of our words…will only be used aright…when they’re guided by…the all-encompassing Power of the WORD…