08 Mar 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: another anomaly, appear before the judgement seat of Christ, by thy words thou shalt be condemned, by thy words thou shalt be justified, cast into the lake of fire, disobedience to God's law, don't have to hurry, don't have to worry, eternal separation from God, every idle word that men speak, fear God and keep his commandments, free will, free will can work for or against you, God shall bring every work into judgement, he hath showed thee O man, hear the conclusion of the whole matter, I am the beloved of god, LOVE, no beating round the bush, no one can take that from me, reverence God and keep His commandments, share His love with the world, sin, that thy days may be prolonged, the Preacher, they shall give account of on judgment day, this is the whole duty of man, to do justly, to love mercy, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, walk humbly with thy God, what doth the Lord require of thee, what is good, whether it be good or evil, whosoever was not found, with every secret thing, written in the book of life
Ecclesiastes 12:13a. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Oh, what a difference between yesterday’s opening and today! Yesterday it was rain, and damp and dark, meanwhile today is bright sunshine on a background of sparkling white! Yes, the snow did eventually come, but thankfully not much. And here is another anomaly of the season. Usually, my driveway is the one filled with all the stuff that’s blowing around in the lane, like the stuff I had to pick up this morning from the windstorm on Sunday. But today, inexplicably, there was no snow in my driveway, while the others around me were covered in the white stuff. Who knows what’s going on eh? Only our Creator, the Lord God Jehovah!
And to prove the point, His word opened this morning on this perfect scripture from the pen of the Cousin Sol, the supposed wisest man ever, who had the whole thing down pat in the early years of his life, but did not keep the Lord’s word as he moved into his latter years. Anyway, he dispensed perfect wisdom to us as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes when he concluded in his search for meaning and pleasure in this earthly life: ‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ (Eccl. 12:13.14)
That says it all yes mih bredrin! Our duty on this earth is to reverence God and keep His commandments, for in the day of judgement He will call all of us to account. Moses, the man who gave us the earliest Law of God, said it to Israel thus: ‘Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgements, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it. That thou mightest fear (stand in awe of) the Lord thy God, to keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.’ (Deut. 6:1-2)
It’s as simple as that! The Lord gave us free will so that we would show our LOVE and appreciation by obeying His moral rules. And when we read that last clause up there, ‘that thy days may be prolonged,’ we often take it for a joke, but please remember how in the early days mankind normally lived for several hundred years, and bore children well into what we now call old age, as Genesis 5 points out. Adam bore Seth when he was a hundred and thirty years old and lived for nine hundred and thirty years, bearing children all through that time. (Gen. 5:3-5)
Meanwhile ‘Jared lived a hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch. And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.’ (Gen. 5:18-20) Then there was Methuselah, Enoch’s son, who lived for nine hundred sixty and nine years, the longest recorded in the Good Book. (Gen. 5:27) But eventually the wickedness of man became so great that the Lord decided to cut man’s day to a hundred and twenty years. (Gen. 6:3)
And by the time Abraham’s father Terah came around man was only living two hundred and odd years at most. And nowadays we celebrate living for a hundred years as such a big thing. But sin, disobedience to God’s holy law and irreverence to His name has a terrible effect on all aspects of our lives. As the prophet Micah said to Israel many years later: ‘He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to LOVE mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?’ (Mic. 6:8)
There is no ambivalence or anything contradictory in that statement friends! It’s loud and clear! And it’s the same thing the Lord has been saying from the beginning of time: LOVE me and obey my law and it will be well with you. But we have chosen the free will that He gave us to do the exact opposite. No wonder the time will come when He will finally call all of us to account; some to receive rewards in heaven, but others to go to the dreadful lake of fire to experience eternal separation with his Satanic majesty.
Remember Bruh Paul’s words to the Corinthians in his second letter. ‘For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.’ (2 Cor. 5:10) And if you don’t believe Bruh Paul, then hopefully you will believe Jesus, when he says: ‘But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.’ (Matt. 12:36-37) As always, my fellow believers, Jesus says it plain and straightforward, no beating round the bush for Him.
And at the end, the Good Book even warns: ‘And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.’ (Rev. 20:15) That means it’s ever so important for our names to be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and that can only be achieved by accepting the sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and living the way He desires of us. Otherwise crapaud smoke we pipe, is lake of fire time. So please listen up now nuh people!. I plead with us, now is the time to come to Christ, for after you die, or He comes back the second time, then it will be too late, and you’re staring hell fire with Satan and his cronies right in the face. Can’t say it plainer than that.
Now, for those of us who have decided to do the right thing, that’s live for Christ and reverence Almighty God, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. So as one strong and sincere 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!’
Now, let’s go out and do just that nuh; share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to LOVE and worship Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…free will can either work for you…or against you…get you into heaven…or the lake of fire…it’s your choice…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
08 Feb 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: acclamations, as for me and my house, cut down on our Christian witness, don't have to hurry, don't have to worry, for where envying and strife is, for ye are yet carnal, God will supply all of my needs, I am the beloved of god, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I will get sufficient rest every day, I will live a balanced life, I will not tolerate strife in my life, in god's eyes, let me count the ways, living according to man not God, night owl activities, no one can take that from me, no sacrifice to live for Jesus, not what I do, not what I have, not what people say about me, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, our souls washed white as snow, share His love with the world, sleep thou sweet elixir, spend eternity in God's loving fold, that's for sure, the selfless sacrifices He made for us, the straight and narrow path, there is among you envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work, this is the day the Lord has made, through Christ our Lord and Saviour, through His riches in glory, to those that love God, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, unaccustomed sojourn in bed, walk as men, we know that all things work together for good, we will rejoice and be glad in it, we will serve the Lord, who are called according to His purpose, you never get something for nothing
Joshua 24:15d. As for me and my house, we WILL serve (follow) the Lord; that’s for sure!
Oh sleep, thou sweet elixir! How much do I LOVE thee eh? Let me count the ways! ( smile) Ah friends, last night the ole fella got his first all-night rest in a long while! I stayed in bed all night long from about eleven-thirty p.m. until seven a.m. Wow! That’s a record! I did awaken a couple of times and got up once to go the bathroom, but did not engage in any of my usual night owl activities. And the body does feel somewhat rejuvenated, but my ole aching back is paying for that long, unaccustomed sojourn in bed. (smile) But as they say, you never get something for nothing!
And on this damp, cloudy Tuesday morning in early February of this crazy and troubled year of 2022, I believe we should turn to, pay some much needed attention to what we call acclamations; Bible verses and other li’l sayings that we can use to refresh and renew our spirits when the enemy tries to beat us down, as he so dearly likes to do. So, let’s begin with this one that we all know and hopefully repeat every day. ‘This is the day the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps. 118:24)
And what about this one that so gratefully releases our faith? ‘God will supply ALL of my needs through His riches in glory through Christ our Lord and Saviour!’ (Phil. 4:19) Mama oh Mama! What a powerful scripture that is my people! It enables us to go about our Christ-centred business, each and every day, without worrying about how, why, where and when our personal needs will be met. Please give our great God some thanks and praise for that most awesome and faithful promise!
Then there’s this most amazing and edifying scripture: ‘I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!’ (Phil. 4:13) Yes, friends, there’s nothing we can’t do through Christ who is our awesome strength! He created the universe and all therein, and still controls it from His heavenly throne. He is omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present; meaning He is all-powerful, sees and knows all, and His almighty presence is all over the globe at the same time. And He LOVES us unconditionally, showing that majestic LOVE by sending His Only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross of Calvary to atone for our abominable sins…and that while we were yet sinners. (Rom. 5:8)
Imagine that nuh mih people, before we ever thought about God, He thought the most wonderful things about us; reconciling us to Himself, justifying us through the blood of Jesus, sanctifying us, setting us apart for His own…etc. etc. just giving us every chance possible to come back to Him, to have our sins paid for and thrown away as far as the east is from the west, our souls washed white as snow, and thus able to spend eternity in His LOVING fold! What an awesome God we serve my faithful brethren!
Now here is an acclamation I don’t think you’ll find written as such in scripture, but it is certainly alluded to all the time. It says: ‘I will not tolerate strife in my life!’ And that’s certainly something we should always be aware of, because strife can crop up at anytime and anywhere and it’s oh so detrimental to our health, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Bruh Paul had this to say about strife. ‘For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions (dissensions), are ye not carnal (fleshly), and walk as men (living according to man and not God)?’ (1 Cor. 3:3)
Meanwhile, Jesus’ brother, James, puts it thus: ‘For where envying and strife is (where self-serving exists), there is confusion and every evil work.’ (James 3:16) Yes my people, wherever and whenever jealousy, selfish ambition, foolish pride and those negative things exist, strife and confusion will be there with them. And that does nothing but distract from and cut down on our Christian witness.
Now hear this marvellous acclamation that I make sure and say every day, because it’s possibly the most important. In the profound words of Joshua: ‘As for me and my house, we WILL serve (follow) the Lord; that’s for sure!’ (Josh. 24:15) Yeh friends, every day I ask the Lord to make that a fact, make it come true, because I can only do so much to bring it to pass, but He has the power to lead my family along the right path, the straight and narrow one. So that sort of encompasses everything.
And here’s this last acclamation for today: ‘If God be for me, who can be against me eh? (Rom. 8:31) And the immediate and confident answer is NOBODY! Ah friends, if the Creator and Controller of the universe is on your side, who the dickens can be against you eh? Not a single soul! For the One who looks out for you is the mightiest of the mighty, and can turn any situation into a good one, as He’s so faithfully promised to do in this magnificent and overwhelming scripture: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28)
Glory be! What a wonderful affirmation the believer in Christ Jesus has for his eventual future! And yes, I know I said that the acclamation before that one would be the last, but you have to go with where the Holy Spirit leads you. (smile) And it has finally led me to this one, to be the last. And though again, you can’t find it romanticized in the scriptures, it is embedded very deeply therein. And it declares: ‘I WILL live a balanced life, and I WILL get sufficient rest each and every day!’
Now, that’s what I am attempting to do, because I can see and feel how not living a balanced life and not getting sufficient rest is taking a negative toll on me, in all aspects of my life. And here is the truly last acclamation (smile), it’s called our Tuesday Mantra. So, let’s declare it in full and sincere 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!’
Now, with all that ‘acclamating’ (smile) let’s hope that we have a wonderful day, as we go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to LOVE and serve Him as faithfully as we do. Much LOVE!
…it’s no sacrifice to live for Jesus…not after all the selfless sacrifices He made for us…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
18 Jan 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a proof of spiritual rebirth, a search for righteousness, bad money management, blessed are the meek, blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, complete satisfaction, exalted them of low degree, for he satisfieth the longing soul, from them that walk uprightly, he filleth the hungry soul with goodness, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I'm not what people say about me, infringe on our free will, led astray by our sinful nature, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, made allegiance to Christ, no good thing will he withhold, no one can take that from me, reading and meditating on God's word, satisfy our famished souls, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, share His love with the world, spiritual awakening, spiritual famine, that's life, the Beatitudes, the big cleanup, the lies and deceits of the enemy.reading God's word, the rich he hath sent empty away, the Sermon on the Mount, there is no want to them that fear God, they shall be filled, they shall inherit the earth, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, worry
Psalm 107:8. He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
And the big cleanup is in progress this bright, sunshiny Tuesday morning after the big storm yesterday. And it was a real big one, one like we haven’t seen possibly in a decade. My driveway is clean now, but not the lane, especially the entrance to it, where the snow plow just moves up and down the main road cleaning that, while blocking up the laneways with piles of unpassable snow.
The lanes are always left for last, though I don’t know how they expect us to get to a clean main road, if we can’t get out of our lanes. And when they do the lanes they block up the driveways, so that ofttimes you can’t get out because the snow pile at the bottom is so big and icy. But that’s the government for you!
Now let’s hope that we don’t get any more snowfalls even close to the magnitude of this one, because then we’ll hear that they’ve run out of money to do the clean up properly. Steups! Every year they raise the taxes that’s supposed to pay for that amenity, but every year they clam to run out of money. Is it just bad money management…or something entirely different eh? (smile)
But that’s a story for another day. Today, let’s consider something much more important – a search for righteousness, one that will automatically improve that money situation we were just talking about. (smile) Now, Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount spoke of some traits that believers ought to possess, and what happens when they possess or ardently seek them. We call them the Beatitudes, and one of them goes like this: ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.’ (Matt. 5:6)
But before we get into what that means, let’s look at another even important statement Jesus made later on, where He warns His listeners. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33). Now, if we are supposed to seek God’s righteousness, then that gives us some idea of how important righteousness is, and it’s a continual thing.
Once you have found God, made allegiance to Christ, you don’t ever stop searching for righteousness. And righteousness is basically wanting to do the right thing. Most of us know what’s right from wrong, but don’t always do it, being led astray by our sinful nature and the lies and deceit of the enemy and this evil world. And seeking righteousness is just trying not to be led astray, through reading God’s word, meditating on it, praying, mingling with other believers, and accepting His promises for your future.
And going back to our Beatitude, we find this explanation from the scholars. ‘5.6. These future possessors of the earth (referring to the previous Beatitude – blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth: Matt. 5:5) are its presently installed rightful heirs, and even now they hunger and thirst after righteousness. They experience a deep desire for personal righteousness, which in itself is a proof of their spiritual rebirth.
Those who are poor and empty in their own spiritual poverty recognizes the depth of their need, and they hunger and thirst for that which only God can give them. They shall be filled refers to a complete satisfaction. The psalmist proclaimed : ‘He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.’ (Ps. 107:9).’
Yes friends, that’s one of the many promises of our faithful God! If you come to Him spiritually hungry and thirsty, He will indeed fill your soul with His righteousness. But sadly, in these times of great spiritual hunger and thirst, of spiritual famine, not enough of us are recognizing our drastic need for spiritual awakening, and thus are not turning to Almighty God to refresh and satisfy our famished souls.
How sad is that eh? And it’s one of the reasons why our world, why Christ’s church, and our own lives are in such disarray, that we are miserable and unhappy, and not living the abundant life that Christ died for us to have, first down here on earth, and then with Him in heaven for all eternity. Now let’s check out a few scriptures that reinforce our contention of blessedness for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
And the first one comes from Bruh David’s immortal, or more correctly, one of his immortal psalms. (smile) That’s Psalm 34, where he writes with exceptional confidence: ‘O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want (lack) to them that fear (revere) him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want (lack) any good thing.’ (Ps. 34:9-10) How reassuring and encouraging are those words when we take them seriously!
Then we turn to one of my favourite passages of scripture, the Magnificat, the soul and spirit baring or emptying words that Mary, Jesus’ mother spoke of her rather unusual situation when she went to visit her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother. Amongst her outpouring of heart-felt words, were these, on our current topic. ‘He hath put down the mighty from their seats (thrones), and exalted them of low degree (the humble). He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away.’ (Luke 1:52-53)
Oh my people, our God does take pleasure in exalting and filling the humble with good things, but those who don’t have time for Him, He leaves up to their own devices. The Lord LOVES and cares for us all, but He desires us to come to Him. In most cases, He won’t infringe on the free will that He’s given us. So the responsibility lies with us to answer His call.
And the last scripture again comes from the psalms, this time from the pen of the sons of Korah, who in Psalm 84, positively declare: ‘For the Lord is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.’ (ps. 84:11-12) And that’s the gospel truth, as all of us who trust in Christ Jesus know from long experience!
Now for those of us who sincerely seek the Lord’s kingdom and His righteousness, let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and confident 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!’
Now let’s go out and action those statements like Jesus desires of us, sharing His amazing LOVE and awesome friendship with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…in Jesus…we find ALL that we need…no ifs, ands and buts about it…
P.S. They have finally cleaned my lane, but if you see the two big piles of snow they set up in front of my two neighbours’ houses, completely blocking sight of the main road. Then, as the duchess complained, there will be noise all during the night as the big trucks come to remove the snow. But that’s life! You have to put up with some discomfort to get the final comfort! (smile) Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
11 Jan 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: an attitude of trust, because he is at my right hand, child's play, Christ has paved the way, clothed in forgiveness, delight in God's people, freedom from the bondage of sin, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I have set the Lord always before me, I shall not be moved, in thy presence is fullness of joy, Jesus will fulfiil all His promises, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, no one can take that from me, open our hearts to Jesus, praise for the Lord's counsel, satisfaction in God's gracious provisions, separation from idolatrous worship, share His love with the world, steadfastness in spiritual devotion, terminate in God's joyful presence, thou wilt not allow thy Holy One to see corruption, thou wilt show me the path of life, to see corruption, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, wallowing in the mire of sin, worry
Psalm 16:8. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
It’s a chilly Tuesday morning, and I’m still having trouble accessing my E-mail account, for some mysterious reason that I can’t get a proper answer to, and when I do what they say to rectify it, I keep getting the run around. That means no e-mails of the Scrip-Bit have been going out for the last few days, but I have found a way to blog it and do the podcast, and I do hope my faithful readers will be guided, be enabled by the Holy Spirit to find it on one of those platforms.
And if you do know anyone who has been thus inconvenienced, please inform them that they can still find it, for I’m not going to stop writing it until the Lord specifically tells me to stop! It’s all in His hands now! Matter fixed!
And today, in these dangerous and uncertain times, I believe that we all need to turn to the Lord, seeking preservation and blessing like Bruh David did in Psalm 16. So please pray his faithful words with me. ‘Preserve (watch over) me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee (is nothing apart from thee);
But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent (they are the excellent), in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintenest (uphold) my lot.’ (Ps. 16:1-5)
Oh friends, I sincerely hope that we all feel the same way; that the Lord God Jehovah is the ONE and ONLY God for us; the One who uplifts our spirits, who keeps us blessed and contented in these turbulent times! And for good reason too, because He is also the ONLY ONE who can perform that miraculous task!
Now let’s continue praying the immortal words of Bruh David. ‘The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a godly heritage (inheritance). I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel; my reins (heart) also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope (dwell securely). For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (the abode of the dead); neither wilt thou suffer (allow) thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.’ (Ps. 16:6-11)
And isn’t all of that the everlasting truth! It surely is! In God’s presence and at His right hand there are eternal pleasures my faithful brethren! Now what does all we have said and prayed mean eh? Let’s see if I can paraphrase it from the scholars’ explanation.
‘Psalm 16. The attitude of the righteous man is described in life (vs. 1-8) and death (vs. 9-11). In life, his attitude is one of trust (vs. 1), gratefulness for God’s goodness (vs. 2), delight in God’s people (vs. 3),separation from idolatrous worship (vs.4; cf. Ex.23:13; Deut. 12:3), satisfaction in God’s gracious provisions (vs. 5-6), praise for the Lord’s counsel (vs. 7), and steadfastness in spiritual devotion (vs. 8)
In facing death, the righteous man rejoices and is hopeful (vs. 9). He is confident that God will preserve him from the decay of death and that death will not result in his corruption (vs. 10). Rather, he will travel down the path of life, that is the path leading to life, which will terminate in God’s joyful presence (vs.11). David’s confidence in his ultimate destiny is valid for him (and for all believers) only because Christ has travelled down that path and paved the way for all who believe in Him (Acts 2:25-28).’
Yes friends, that’s what it means to be in the fold of the Lord God Almighty and His majestic son, Jesus Christ! Oh we do suffer injustice and hard times, but through their strength and faithfulness we can walk safely through it all, clothed in forgiveness, freedom from the bondage of sin, in other words, salvation, while looking forward to the eventual promise of eternal life in their awesome presence.
Oh brother! What can be better than that eh? NOTHING! And no other supposed god is offering anything even close to what Jesus offers. That’s why it’s so important, so wise and wonderful to accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, for He has the best to offer!
And before I forget, (smile) that passage in the scholars’ explanation that mentions Acts 2:25-28, is where Peter, in his magnificent Pentecost Sermon, while talking of Jesus and His sacrificial death for us all, quoted verses 8-11 of Psalm 16, noting that it was because of Bruh David’s insight and confidence in his God, and Son Jesus Christ, he could make such powerful statements in the psalm.
And do we ever need those promises and reassurances more than ever in our current world predicament. That’s why I keep encouraging us to turn to the Lord for succour and divine help, because He is the ONLY ONE who can solve all of our problems, the same way He solved the problem of our sinful existence and gave us salvation through Christ’s sacrificial death.
It’s only logical to believe that if the Lord could wash away our terrible sins, that He could handle the less difficult problems that face us today. That would be child’s play for Him. But we have to go to Him in sincere repentance and ask for His help. And that’s where the whatever hits the wall. We are too proud, foolish, egotistical and stubborn to do it. So we unwisely keep wallowing in the mire of sin and suffering, ever-sinking down to the land of the dead, while solutions sit unused on our doorsteps, and all we have to do is open our hearts to Jesus. But I guess that’s what we call life.
Anyway, for those of us who have opened our hearts to Jesus and are confident in His promises, let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. So, as one, in 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!’
And having said that, it now behooves us to go out and share that amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE him like we do. Much LOVE!
…promises, promises, promises…Jesus will fulfill them all…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
16 Nov 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a powerful presence, a thorn in my side, an explosion of life, calamity, emptied my spleen, God has our best interest at heart, grin and bear it, Hope is a revolution, household chores, I am the beloved of god, I am the Lord and there is none else, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I form the light and create darkness, I girded thee, I make peace and create evil, into a world marked by death, Joshua Ryan Butler, keep on fighting the good fight, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, LOVE, no one can take that from me, not what I do, not what I have, not what people say about me, plans to give us a future and a hope, share His love with the world, teach us to number our days, the choosing of life over death, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Prince of Peace, them's the breaks, there is no God beside me, though thou hast not known me, Tuesday Mantra, we may apply our hearts unto wisdom
Isaiah 45:5a. I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me:
Ah friends, it’s a pleasure to be with you all this bright and shiny but chilly Tuesday morning. Sorry that I’m only now getting to you, although I’ve been up for over an hour, but I had household chores to do that required doing asap. That’s putting out the garbage, the easy part, but before that picking up the humongous pile of leaves sitting in the driveway outside my side door and bagging them, for at least the third time this week, so that the garbage truck could take it away later on.
It’s a thorn in my side (smile) that the Lord’s given me for the last thirty odd years that I’ve lived here. Unfortunately, for me, the way the houses are built, it creates a whirlwind in my driveway, right outside my side door, so every fall the leaves blow from all over and congregate in my driveway, and so does the snow. You look outside, and all the neighbours’ driveways are spotless, but mine is either filled with leaves or snow.
In my more youthful years, it wasn’t a major problem, but now with the onset of age and all its aches and pains, it’s become a pain in the butt and back, both literally and figuratively. (smile) But I guess them’s the breaks. You win some, you lose some, and you just have to grin and bear it. So now that’ I’ve emptied my spleen, (smile) let’s see what the Lord wants us to talk about today.
And it seems that it’s a very timely reminder, as the Good Book just opened on this most important scripture, where the Lord is giving a charge to the Persian king Cyrus. And yes, He often used the heathen or pagan kings for His purposes. This is a portion of what He said to Cyrus, through the prophet Isaiah.
‘For Jacob, my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by name; I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me. That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west (to its setting in the west), that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (calamity): I the Lord do all these things.’ (Is. 45:4-7)
Yes friends, the Lord was going to use Cyrus to liberate His people Israel from exile in Babylon, and that message through Isaiah was a means of reassuring them that their God, He of their forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, was still on the throne and still had their best interest at heart. And that’s the same message He’s sending to us today my faithful brethren: Our God is still on the throne, still controlling things, with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ sitting at His right hand advocating on our behalf!
And since He doesn’t change, it means, He still has our best interest at heart, He still has plans to give us a future and a hope, but we need to come to Him and make things right. The sinfulness, the depravity, the ungodliness, the move to drive him out of our society is not sitting right with Him. And how can we expect anything else eh, when we defame, blaspheme and turn away from a most holy, righteous and just God?
How do you think He feels when we refuse to acknowledge His Son as the Saviour of the world, as the King of kings, the Lord of Lords and the Prince of Peace, amongst His many other titles? He must feel UNLOVED, hard done by, not wanted or needed, like all of us would feel, and do feel, when we are rejected by our fellow human beings.
But please remember this most salient fact; there is no God beside Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim, or whatever you choose to call Him. And remember too His words to Cyrus: ‘I form the light and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (calamity): I the Lord do all these things.’ That means He has control over everything and every situation in our frail and finite lives, because He is our Creator and Controller.
Oh yes, he’s given us free will, but that’s only to a certain extent. In the long run, He’s still the BOSS, and can do exactly as He pleases without any input from us. And until we understand that, we will always live fearful and anxious, with a shadow of calamity hanging over our heads.
But let’s clear up one situation here. The scholars explain that ‘The phrase I…create evil. (in verse 7 above) refers to physical evil or calamity, rather than moral evil. God is in no way pictured in Scripture as the author of sin.’ So, let’s get that straight once and for all: God doesn’t deal in sin, but He does cause calamity to overtake us because of or sin!
And yuh know what friends, all I’m trying to point out here is the power and sovereignty of Almighty God. If he is Creator and controller of ALL things, then why are we so foolishly trying to fight Him, to have our own way, when we can’t even handle our everyday lives properly. That’s why Moses in his psalm prayed to the Lord. ‘Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (gain a heart of wisdom).’ (Ps. 90:12)
And do we ever need hearts of majestic and godly wisdom in these turbulent and oh so dangerous times my people! It’s the lack of wisdom that’s catapulted us into the terrible times we are now experiencing. But friends, we know that once there’s life, there’s hope. And you ask, what’s hope, or what does it have to do with anything? Well hope is believing that good things are possible, then sincerely working towards those good things.
And I just LOVE how Joshua Ryan Butler described hope in an article titled ‘Prisoners of Hope.’ He writes: ‘Hope is a revolution, a powerful presence that breaks in from the future and transforms today. Jesus’ arrival has brought God’s destiny for humanity crashing into now – an explosion of life into a world marked by death. It changes everything!’
That’s the gospel truth my fellow saints. Jesus’ arrival marked the beginning of hope, the beginning of life in this world marked by death. And that’s what we ALL need to work towards – the choosing of life over death. Thus crushing the enemy, who desires a world continually marked by death. So though our world is in tumult, please, please, let’s not give up hope. Remember Jesus is still with us in ALL we do, and He will help us overcome each and every situation we face. So, we need to keep on fighting the good fight in His name, more than ever right now!
And for those of us who are sincerely doing that, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are, to whom we gladly and joyfully belong. As one strong and grateful 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!’
And having said that, we must now go out and share that amazing LOVE and wonderful friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to trust and LOVE Him like we do. Much LOVE!
…God is calling out to us through our calamities…but unfortunately…we are not listening to Him…and until we do…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
02 Nov 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a city set on a hill cannot be hid, a modicum of circumspection, and glorify your Father in heaven, and put it under a bushel, breath of life, Christ-like walk, commotion mixed with contentment, don't have to hurry, don't have to worry, from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord, grace mercy and peace, have life more abundantly, I am come that they might have life, I am the beloved of god, in god's eyes, It was known that He was in the house, Let your light so shine before men, Lord it's never a secret when you live in a home, LOVE, neither do men light a candle, no one can take that from me, not what I do, not what I have, not what people say about me, of power love and a sound mind, One Year Book of Bible promises, our bounden duty, problems mixed with prayer, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, share His love with the world, shine a little for Christ, that they may see your good works, the Christian's mission is being light to the world, the neighbours soon know, the smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness, the thief comes only to steal and destroy, there is a radiance that speaks of joy, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, we don't have a spirit of fear, Ye are the light of the world, You cannot be hid
Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Oh my people, on this bright and sunny but chilly Tuesday morning, let me greet you as Bruh Paul liked to greet his fellow believers. ‘Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.’ And I believe that’s one of the best greetings we can ever get, for what’s greater, more important and soul-satisfying than grace, mercy and peace from our Creator and our Saviour eh? Nothing! Absolutely nothing…well except for salvation and a place in heaven with them. (smile) But then, we only get that through His free gift of grace anyway.
Oh what a wonderful God we serve my faithful brethren! And with His marvellous breath of life still flowing through us on another brand new day, means that He expects big things from His marvellous children! Ah friends, I think I’m getting excited here, and likely to be carried away on the wings of that excitement, so I guess had better handle it with a modicum of circumspection. (smile) But that’s what happens when the goodness and grace of God gets into your spirit.
And that’s as it should be too, otherwise, what’s the use of those goodies eh, if not for us to live the abundant, excited life in Christ? Like He so faithfully promised in that famous verse. ‘The thief cometh not, but for (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) And that doesn’t mean only eternal life when we die and go to heaven, but a good life right here on earth too. And we ought to be excited about it, otherwise Christ’s death was in vain.
And I believe that this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, appropriately expresses how our excitement in living for Christ, ought to show out. It’s aptly titled ‘You Cannot Be Hid.’ Please read with me: ‘Lord, I’ve discovered that it’s never a secret When You live in a home For You simply cannot be hid. The neighbours soon know You are there Even strangers learn of Your presence.
When You are the Great First in a home There is a radiance that speaks of joy There is gentleness, kindness Laughter and LOVE. There is commotion mixed with contentment There are problems mixed with prayer. Lord, Your own Word says it so vividly: ‘It was known that He was in the house.’
And that’s how every Christian home should be reflecting Christ! People shouldn’t have to ask if we’re believers in Christ Jesus, they should be able to see it from our behaviour, from the acts of LOVE, prayer and kindness that exist in our homes. Unfortunately though, too many supposed Christian homes do not show these attributes, so others don’t know that Christ lives there. Remember what Christ said, that those who reject Him before humans, He would reject before His heavenly father. (Matt. 10:33)
And not being able to see Christ in us, in the way we live our earthly lives, is indeed tantamount to rejecting Him before men. For some of His most important words to us was in the Bible Promise on which our poem above was based. Namely: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (a lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (a lampstand); and it giveth light unto the whole house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14-16)
And right there lies the crux of our problems friends: unbelievers are not seeing our light that comes from having Jesus within us, they are not seeing our good works, meaning that we are not doing enough of them to make a difference in this evil and ungodly world, otherwise it would not be so evil and ungodly. There’s no way for us to dispute the less than satisfactory Christ-like walk that we supposed Christians are taking in the world. Too many of us are either ashamed or afraid of showing out to others that Christ is a major, if not the most important person in our lives.
Therefore, if our light isn’t shining in Jesus’ name, then it’s obvious we cannot do a good job for Him down here on earth. However, that’s our essential mission as believers in Christ. As the scholars explain. ‘The Christian is the condition (salt) to meet the world’s needs and he has a mission (light) to the world. His light is to clearly shine forth into the darkness of human depravity. He is to set his light upon a candlestick, not hide it under a bushel, that is, a basket. Darkness is the absence of light, and darkness alone cannot dispel the light, but the smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness.’
Glory to God my people! And that last sentence says a lot about our incompetence and lack of shown excitement for Jesus. I mean that if we had shown even a little light, there would not be as much darkness in the world today as it is. And please note the recently completed Halloween celebrations, where it was all about darkness and ugliness and evil accoutrements! That ought not to be in a world full of Christ’s light.
Anyway, we will all answer individually for our actions and non-actions come the judgement day, but please, it is not too late for us to step up our Christian activities and try to do better in whatever time is left to us down here on this troubled earth. And I’m asking that we do just that. Remember that we don’t have a spirit of fear, but of power, LOVE and a sound or disciplined mind, so let’s put them to work in God’s behalf, like we are supposed to nuh! It would be to the benefit of all mankind.
Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to do our best for Christ, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, blissfully letting the whole world know who and whose we are, to whom we most definitely belong. 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!’
And having said that so vociferously, (smile) it is now our bounden duty to go out and actively and joyfully share that awesome LOVE and amazing friendship of Christ with all those we meet. Much LOVE!
…Christ gave up everything for us…why can’t we shine a little for Him eh… that isn’t too much to ask…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
26 Oct 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brother is born for adversity, a friend loveth at all times, all praise and glory to the Most High God Jehovah, and hate his brother that he's seen, bearing much good fruit, do unto others as you want them to do to you, don't have to hurry, don't have to worry, except your righteousness, hatheth his brother, he is a liar, herded to the left with the goats, herded to the right with the sheep, how can he love God, I am the beloved of god, if a man say I love God, in god's eyes, my God shall supply all your needs, no one can take that from me, not what I do, not what I have, outward show of self-righteousness, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, share His love with the world, simple common sense, stand strong and steadfast, the golden rule, this is my commandment, thou shalt love the Lord thy God, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, whom he hasn't seen, with all thy heart soul and mind, ye love one another as I have loved you, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven
John 15:12. This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you.
Oh brother, when it rains, it does rain yes! All day yesterday, last night, and it’s still wet and drizzly now with no apparent let up in sight. But our God is a good God, and through His most wonderful Son, Jesus Christ, He allows, or rather, enables us to handle any negative aspects of the weather, or for that matter anything else that comes against us in this crazy and mixed-up world. All praise and glory be to the Most High God Jehovah, Creator and Controller of the universe and all therein!
So what’s happening with us this rainy Tuesday eh my brethren? Are we putting God first and foremost in our lives like Jesus advised, when He said: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) And hopefully, if we are doing that, then we are also leaning wholeheartedly on this promise from Bruh Paul that ‘my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) And that He will too.
But then, we come to the next important aspect of our Christian faith; the way we treat each other. Now that’s something I don’t believe we’re doing such a good job at, for there’s too much dissension, disunity, feuds and strife amongst the brethren, even amongst the same denominations and cliques. Whatever happened to this directive of Jesus eh? ‘This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you.’ (John 15:12) I don’t think you have to look very far to realize that that’s not a prominent aspect of our Christian fellowship.
Yes friends, whatever happened to the Golden Rule, that so many of us were brought up to uphold? Jesus also decreed it: ‘Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.’ (Matt. 7:12) Oh my people, that wasn’t something new Jesus was teaching, but it was the law and had been preached by the prophets since the beginning of time.
And furthermore, it’s just simple common sense; you do to others what you want them to do to you! You can’t want to abuse and reject people, but then when the shoe falls on the other foot, you cry out for injustice and mercy! But that’s the way of our current world, for selfishness, anger, strife and injustice rule the roost. And yet we expect to live good, healthy and sane lives.
Hn! Look at the world my fellow saints; it’s in a total uproar. Nobody’s happy about anything. Everybody has some kind of axe to grind; some injustice to be corrected, some right to be fulfilled, but in the meanwhile, we don’t care that we are causing injustice to others, and trampling on the God-given rights of others. No, we just want what we believe we are entitled to, and crapaud smoke the pipe of those who get in our way of achieving it! We couldn’t give a ‘darm’ about their interests or betterment!
So where does that put us in respect to these words of John in his first epistle? ‘If a man say, I LOVE God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that LOVETH not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he LOVE God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who LOVETH God LOVE his brother also.’ (1 John 4:20-21)
Now that’s a very good question! And in our current society we see that very thing playing out to a great extent. Even in many biological Christian families, there is serious hate churning amongst the members. The same with Christian congregations. So where is the LOVE and affection we spout about so much eh? And how do we expect others to come to Christ through our unchristian-like examples eh?
Oh my fellow saints, please, please, let’s remember these telling words of Jesus. ‘For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt. 5:20) Yes friends, the scribes and Pharisees were considered the most religious and righteous people back then, but their righteousness was mostly an outward show of self-righteousness. And outward shows of righteousness profits no one anything! It’s what inside a body that really counts.
That’s why the Lord looks at our hearts before He even listens to our words. And sadly, in these times when believers are supposed to be standing strong and steadfast and bearing much good fruit, too many of us are like the blooming scribes and Pharisees, only outward show! We talk a most excellent talk, but our walk leaves a lot to be desired. Oh my people, whatever happened to these heartfelt verses of scripture from Bruh Paul to the Ephesians?
‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ (Eph. 4:29-32) We have either forgotten them, or simply chosen to ignore them, because today, when they are so badly needed, they are not being practiced by believers as much as they ought to.
Oh friends, there are so many verses of scripture that deal with treating each other good, that I could go on for the whole day, and still not be done. It’s one of the most important topics in the Good Book; in fact it’s the second most important as Jesus pointed out when questioned by a pompous, arrogant Pharisee lawyer about the most important commandment. ‘Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (Matt. 22:37-40)
And just for our information friends, our neighbour is anyone with whom we come into contact! So why is there all this bad blood betwixt and between us eh? As believers in Christ Jesus, there is no justified reason for it. So please let’s move to cut it out nuh…asap… for if we don’t, when Jesus comes back, many who thought that we’d be herded to His right side with the sheep, will unfortunately find ourselves herded to the left with the goats. (Matt. 25:31-46) And friends, if you don’t know that scripture, then please read it as quickly as possible, because it is very important. It has to do with your earthly behaviour and where you will spend eternity on account of it.
Now for those of us who are sincerely trying to live for Christ, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know who and whose we are. Altogether now: ‘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!’
Well then, let’s go out and do exactly that; share the LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…A friend LOVES at all times…and a brother is born for adversity… (Prov. 17:17)
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
19 Oct 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious life with Christ in heaven, and have it more abundantly, carry our back-breaking burdens, comfort in the storm, enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, full of grace and truth, he that followeth me, I am come that they might have life, I am the beloved of god, I am the good shepherd, I am the light of the world, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way the truth and the life, in god's eyes, Jesus is essential in everyone's life, LOVE, no man cometh unto the Father but by me, no one can take that from me, not what I do, not what I have, not what people say about me, one mediator between God and men: Jesus Christ, our earthly body returns to dust, resurrection from the dead, shall have the light of life, shall not walk in darkness, share His love with the world, the gift of salvation, the holiest of holies, the only begotten of the Father, the thief comes to steal, the veil was torn down, the word was made flesh, there is one God, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, unprecedented times, without Jesus we are nothing
John 14:6. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And then it was Tuesday; another bright sunshiny, though somewhat chilly day in my area. But who cares what the physical day looks like eh, when we’ve got our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to brighten it up in all circumstances eh? Ah mih people, I do hope that we are realizing just how important Jesus is to us, especially in these dangerous and unprecedented times, for without Him, we don’t stand a chance of defeating the numerous problems that are currently facing us.
He is the ONLY One who can bring us some sort of peace and comfort within the depths of the storm! He is the ONLY One who can help us to carry the back-breaking burdens so many of us bear! And He is the ONLY One who can offer us the free and marvellous gift of salvation, of resurrection from the dead and a glorious life with Him in heaven when our feeble and fragile earthly body returns to the dust from whence it originally came! So, bearing in mind all of that, how important is He to you eh? I hope your immediate and most emphatic answer is ‘Mucho, Mucho Importante!’ (smile)
And if you claim to be one of His followers and He isn’t very important, or rather of the utmost importance in your life, then something is seriously wrong with your belief system. Please remember this conversation that Jesus had with the disciples. He told them: ‘And whither I go ye know (talking about His return to heaven), and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:4-6)
And don’t forget this other attribute, when He said to the disbelieving Pharisees: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) Therefore friends, if Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life and the Light, how can anything or anybody be more important than Him in our lives eh? No way! Not if we are His sincere followers.
Now let’s look at a few scriptures that certify that Jesus was indeed all those things He claimed, beginning with the Way. Before He came sins were paid for with animal sacrifices, and the high priest entered the holiest of holies once a year to offer prayers for himself and the people. But after Jesus was crucified and the veil was torn down that separated the holiest of the holies from the other parts of the temple, Jesus became the Way, the sacrifice, once and for ALL time for ALL sin!
No more sacrificing of animals for forgiveness, or the high priest going into the holiest of holies once a year. Forgiveness and salvation were now accomplished through Christ! As Hebrews tells us: ‘Having therefore brethren, boldness (confidence) to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.’ (Heb. 10:19-20) Yes friends, Jesus is indeed ‘the new and living way by which believers have direct access into the very Holy Place of God.’ With Jesus seated at God’s right hand, we don’t need anybody else to intercede for us. We can personally go in His blessed name.
And as per the Truth, John tells us in no uncertain terms. ‘And the Word was made (became) flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth… For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.’ (John 1: 14, 17) Yuh see that people, grace and truth only came with Jesus. before that there was only the law, which was abused by man for their own evil and selfish purposes. But grace and truth could not be used thus.
And Jesus Himself claimed truth came from Him. Listen as he speaks to the Jews who believed on Him. ‘If ye continue (abide) in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.’ (John 8:31-32) Oh people of God, only if we abide in the Word of Jesus can we ever know the truth, and nothing but the truth, for He is the truth, and if you don’t know Him, you won’t know truth! It’s not complicated at all. (smile)
And furthermore, hear Jesus as He talks to Pilate. ‘Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest (rightly) that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.’ (John 18:37) That means, if you don’t know Jesus and hear His voice, then you don’t know the truth!
And per the Life, listen to Jesus talk to Martha before He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. ‘Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die), yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’ (John 11:23-26)
And as the scholars explain: ‘11:25. I am the resurrection is one of Jesus’ greatest “I am” statements, signifying His power to give eternal life.’ Consequently friends, if you’re seeking eternal life, then you must go through Jesus, for that’s the only way to get it! (smile)
And if you want to dispute about ‘no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,’ then listen to these pertinent and most decisive scriptures. This one from Bruh Paul’s first letter to Timothy. ‘For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.’ (1 Tim. 2:5-6) Jesus died at the right time, giving proof that God wanted all men to be saved.
Now listen to Jesus as He spoke the parable about being the Good Shepherd and the people not understanding Him. (John 10:1-6) ‘Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for (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. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:7-11)
And that’s exactly what Christ did friends; He gave His life, as the Good Shepherd for us sinful sheep! And if we don’t appreciate it and consequently live for Him, then we’re only fooling ourselves and headed down the path of destruction and eternal separation from God. There’s no more that I can say to convince you of Jesus’ utmost importance in your life.
However, for those of us who do believe and are trying to live a suitable life, then let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know 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 must now go out and share the LOVE and friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do, because He is ever so essential in everyone’s life! Much LOVE!
…to put it simply…without Jesus…we are nothing…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
12 Oct 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a couple pounds heavier, a little folding of the hands to sleep, a truth based society, and share His love with the world, as one that travelleth (a prowler), busybodies, consider her ways and be wise, deliver thyself as a roe, depend on the Good Book, dire poverty, distractions on social media, fill the world with Jesus, from the hand of the fowler, from the hand of the hunter, gathereth her food in the harvest, gave much thanks for our many blessings, give not sleep to thine eyes, go to the ant thou sluggard, having no guide leader overseer, how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard, I am the beloved of god, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, idle hands are the Devil's workshop, idleness, if any would not work, in god's eyes, keep up the attitude of thanksgiving, LOVE, lowering the temptation to celebrate, neither should he eat, no one can take that from me, not what I do, not what I have, not what people say about me, provideth her meat in the summer, rear their ugly heads, sleep is one of the enemy's traps, slothfulness, slumber to thine eyelids, so shall thy poverty come, some which walk among you disorderly, Thanksgiving Day, the food was over the top, the habitually lazy person, the skies were blue, the sun shone brightly, thy want (need) as an armed man, to fill the world with love, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, yet a little sleep
Proverbs 6:6. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Well, it was indeed a beautiful Thanksgiving Day! The sun shone brightly for a change, and the skies were blue (smile) with temps in the mid to low twenties! Wow! We haven’t seen that type of day in my area for a while now. And I do hope that all of us gave much thanks for the many blessings we have in this blessed land. I know the celebrations were plentiful, what with the recent opening up of the lockdown conditions, and though my own celebration was fairly quiet, the food was over the top and unfortunately, I partook of it with a zest that I’ve not seen or experienced in recent times. (smile)
And since West Indian food, though nourishing and strengthening is also fattening, consequently I am a couple pounds heavier this morning. But what to do eh? When you celebrate and give thanks these things will happen. (smile) The problem now is to keep up the attitude of thanksgiving while lowering the temptation to the celebration aspect. Remember, we can never give too much thanks, but we can always overdo the celebration part, which can get us in serious trouble when laziness, idleness, slothfulness and their fellow companions rear their ugly heads.
Sadly though, a lot of that is now floating around in our current turbulent and unhinged society. That’s why right now is a good time to consider the marvellous advice of Cousin Sol from his writings in Proverbs, where he warns against laziness and falsehood. Please listen up closely to this wise and godly advice. ‘Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe (gazelle) from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler (the bird trapper).’ (Prov. 6:4-5)
Yes friends, we must not let the seeming beauty of sleep to capture us unawares, like a hunter captures a deer, or a fowler traps a bird in his snare. Sleep is necessary to reset our tired bodies and souls, but overdone, it can lead to very disastrous situations. And yuh better believe that sleep is one of the best traps the enemy uses to ensnare us and get us away from doing the Lord’s work. That’s why Cousin Sol in his advice directs us thus: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:’ (Prov. 6:6)
And you ask, what’s he talking about eh? How can you learn wisdom from the ways of the ant? Well then, he explains it by saying that the ant: ‘Which having no guide (leader), overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat (food) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:7-8) Now isn’t that a wonderful example of self-reliance and wisdom? It surely is! Then Cousin Sol goes on to ask these most pertinent questions. ‘How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?’ (Prov. 6:9)
Oh my people, those are questions that each of must seriously consider, especially in these dangerous and crazy times of sickness and dissatisfaction. And why is that you ask again? Cousin Sol also provides the answer to that question. ‘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. 6:10-11) Yes mih bredrin, that’s how laziness, idleness and slothfulness bring us to our knees without our realizing it. Working too hard is not good, but not working hard enough is even worse.
Now here are some explanations on the subject from the scholars. ‘6:6-11. 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). Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard (vs.9). His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dire poverty, which will come as suddenly and as decisively as a robber (vs.11).’
And yuh better believe that our society currently seems overwhelmed with laziness, or always seeking the easy way out, or just looking at today and not tomorrow. But we must also prepare for the future, for the hereafter. And yes, not many of us want to work, but it’s wise if we do… and don’t consume everything all at once either, put aside something for the rainy day too. At least in earlier generations some of us had no choice whatsoever but to work, if we wanted to eat and a place to sleep.
That brings to mind Bruh Paul’s directive to the Thessalonians: ‘For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.’ (2 Thess. 3:10-11) And there are many like that in our current society! Meanwhile, the scholars explain: ‘3:10-12. Paul expounds his simple and straightforward ethic. If a person will not work, he should not eat! The Thessalonians’ diversion encouraged their meddlesome ways, demonstrating that ‘idle hands are the Devil’s workshop.’
And is that ever the truth! We get into trouble most often when we are not doing anything, or anything productive. And that is exactly what’s happening right now in our society. Too many people have nothing constructive to do, so they are engaging in a whole lot of negative and evil devices and schemes. And with so much government and charitable help around, it would be hard to implement a scheme of no work, no bread. On top of that, there just are not enough jobs so that everyone can be gainfully employed.
So what do we do eh? The best we can. That’s working ourselves, showing forth the benefits of living for Jesus, and encouraging others to do something constructive, whatever it might be. Something that would benefit them and the society. Time to stop paying so much attention to the foolishness, lies and distractions on social media, and return to a fact and truth based society. That means depending on the Good Book, the Lord’s Word! It’s not an easy task, but if we work in concert with Jesus, we can certainly do it, because He gives us strength to do any and everything He needs us to do! Glory be!
Now for those of us who are willing and able to work for our Saviour, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, loudly and proudly proclaiming to the whole world, who and whose we are; in other words, to whom we belong! 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!’
And having said that, let’s go out now and share that amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him! Much LOVE!
…to fill the world with peace and LOVE…we must fill the world with Jesus…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
05 Oct 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all things work together for good, be of good cheer, being confident of this very thing, casting all your care upon him, cleanse your hands ye sinners, don't have to hurry, don't have to worry, draw nigh to God, eternal freedom, even unto the end of the world, for he is faithful that promised, he may exalt you in due time, he that cometh to God, he which hath begun a good work, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, I am the beloved of god, i have overcome the world, I'm not what people say about me, if god be for us who can be against us, in god's eyes, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, let us hold fast the profession of our faith, lo I am always with you, LOVE, must believe he exists, never to leave nor forsake us, no one can take that from me, no sign of the sun, not what I do, not what I have, purify your hearts ye doubleminded, relief from this sinful world, resist the devil, share His love with the world, Stay with God, submit yourselves to God, the Christian's eternal security, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, will perform it until the day of Jesus, without faith it is impossible to please God
Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).
Well, after two days of almost steady rain, it’s finally eased up. But everything is still wet, and the skies are still dark, no sign of the sun, so who knows what’s going to happen next. The good thing though is that despite what we see or feel, or what may come our way, the wise thing to do is to stay with God! He controls everything and has promised to not allow more than we can bear to come upon us. He will give us the strength to overcome. A strength that we never knew we had. That’s why Bruh Paul says: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!’ (Phil. 4:13)
And don’t forget this most marvellous promise either from Peter: ‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ (2 Pet. 5:6-7) Yes friends, when things get rough, or we just don’t know what do, wisdom dictates that we lose our inherent pride and arrogance, and humble ourselves before our heavenly Father, because He cares for us, even more than our earthly parents. We have life in Him, there’s hope, a bright future, and the awesome promise never to leave nor forsake us!
Oh my people, Jesus promised it in so many words: ‘and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:20) So we have no reason to fear or feel lost in the turmoil of this current world. That is, if we put our lives in God’s hands, let Him lead and guide us through His Holy Spirit that indwells us. He is always there for us, but we have to go to Him, and stay with Him, fully believing that He can and will do all that He has promised. Remember, walking with God calls for faith, for trust and surrender.
As Hebrews so clearly puts it: ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is (that He exists), and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb. 11:6) And then you ask, what then is this faith you talk about? It’s just believing for things that you don’t see, things that God’s promised, and waiting expectantly for them. For as Hebrews wisely advises: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).’ (Heb. 10:23)
Yes, my fellow believers, we very much need to stand strong in our faith, because life is never easy, therefore, we need someone more powerful than us to help us walk through it successfully. And who is more powerful than Jesus eh? NOBODY! He conquered hell, death and the grave through His triumphant resurrection on the Easter morning so long ago. That’s why He could make this amazing statement: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33)
Oh my brethren, who else could make such a truthful statement eh? No one but Jesus, because He did exactly what He said! That means no matter what happens we can rest assured that God is working in our lives for our good. Bruh Paul told us that in his epistle to the church at Rome. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28) Yes my fellow saints, if we LOVE God, put our lives in His awesome hands and try our best to walk in faith with Him, then He will eventually work everything out for our good.
So, though the rains pour down, the skies stay dark and life seems forsaken, do not believe that all is lost, for when Christ is in your life, nothing is ever lost! It might be misplaced for a while, but NEVER lost, because Jesus has faithfully promised that it won’t be. And He never makes idle promises. Why would Father God send His only Son to die on the cross that we might be forgiven, then leave us in the lurch after that eh?
No way! Bruh Paul made that abundantly clear to the Roman church when he wrote: ‘What shall we then say to these things (that God has done for us through Jesus, like justification, sanctification and reconciliation)? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ (Rom. 8:31-32)
That’s only common-sense friends. Why would God put Himself out for us, then just leave us to fend for ourselves afterwards eh? No reason whatsoever, since that’s not the kind of God He is. And Bruh Paul emphasizes that in his epistle to the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Oh, how wonderful that is my fellow believers; that the Lord will continue working in us, offering us His grace, LOVE and all that we need until Christ returns!
And as the scholars explain: ‘This speaks of the Christian’s eternal security. For God had a purpose in view when He began His saving work in the Philippians, and that purpose will neither be abandoned nor unrealized.’ Glory be, mih people! The Lord’s plans for us will not be thwarted! You can’t beat that news! But that means we must also play our part in the partnership. As James advises: ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw night (near) to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye doubleminded.’ (James 4:7-8)
So friends, our role is basically to stay close to God, and if we do, He will work everything out for our good. Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to stay attached to God, let’s go home declaring (ah Lord eh!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong. As one strong, confident and sincere 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!’
And the upshot of that declaration (yeah!!!) is that we must now go out and share that amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him! Much LOVE!
…in Christ Jesus…there is relief from this sinful world…and eternal freedom in the next…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
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