14 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: and now abideth faith hope love, avenge not yourselves, be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good, be patient, be patient unto the coming of the Lord, Beauty for Ashes, boggle our finite minds, catch our second wind, cease from being a nation, Christians, don't take personal revenge, Dr. Robert H. Schuller, endure to the end with Christ, establish your hearts, even when it's behind the clouds, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, faith in Almighty God, faith is the substance of things hoped for, give place unto wrath, God's greatest attribute is love, God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, halfway home, hands on the plough, hath long patience for it, heap coals of fire upon his head, heap shame on his head, holy spirit, Hour of Power 50th Anniversary Book of Daily Motivation and Inspiration, I beleive in faith even when betrayed, I beleive in God even when my prayers aren't answered, I beleive in hope even when hurt, I beleive in love even when rejected, i beleive in the seed, I believe in the sun, if he thirst give him drink, if thine enemy hunger feed him, in God's kingdom belieiving is seeing, it lies unsprouted under the ground, it takes faith to believe in the faithfulness of God, Jesus Christ, keep on doing good work for Jesus, leave it all in God's hands, LOVE, love covers the multitude of sins, mercy, not looking back at the past, not turning back, on a late bus, planted by the Lord for his glory, rooted and grounded in faith, salvation, seeing is believing, so glad to be alive, sow good seeds in good soil, stand strong in Faith, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, the conviction of things not seen, the earth bringeth forth the fruit of herself, the essence of a Christian's belief system, the evidence of things not seen, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, the fruit ripens, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, the greatest commandments, the greatest of these three is love, the harvest is come, the kindom of God, the Lotd gives the sun for a light by day, the oil of joy for mourning, the ordinace of the moon and stars for a light, the planting of the Lord, the realization of things hoped for, the seed of Israel, the truth of God's word and His promises, to a glorious future with Jesus, to give unto them that mourn, trees of righteousness, truth, vengeance is mine I will repay, Wednesday Wail, wisdom, you see it when you believe it
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 October 2026 Hebrews 11:1.
Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.
Ah mih people, we’re on a bit of a late bus today, because I was up early, then went out to my Wednesday church group and ran a couple of errands afterwards, so by the time I got back home, I was tired and had to rest a spell to catch my second wind. (smile) Let’s hope we all do that today, so we can keep on doing good work for Jesus.
And today we’ll look at an interesting prayer from the Hour of Power 50th Anniversary Book of Daily Motivation and Inspiration, with writings by the late Dr. Robert H. Schuller. It’s a short prayer simply titled, ‘Faith.’ Please pray with me: ‘Lord, I believe in the sun, even when it’s behind the clouds; in the seed, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground; in faith, even when I have been betrayed; in LOVE, even when I have been rejected; in hope, even when I have been hurt; in God, even when you do not answer my prayers. Amen.’
And to be a true Christian you must believe in al those things, even when you don’t see them, or when you feel them, or when God’s says no. That’s because we have faith; faith in Almighty God and the truth of His word and His promises. And why do we have faith? We have faith because we simply need to believe that what God says is true, since we don’t see everything He says or does in our time frame. Remember His thoughts and ways are both higher and different than ours, (Is. 55:8-9) therefore not everything He does or doesn’t do we’ll understand, so something is necessary for us to believe Him and His doings. We call that thing faith.
And what is faith? Hebrews tells us that ‘Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1) Now all that basically means is believing for things that you don’t see, but expect them to happen, because God promised them. The world says ‘seeing is believing,’ but God says, ‘believing is seeing,’ or you see it when you believe it. That’s why we can believe in the sun, even when we don’t see it on cloudy days, because we know it’s still there, just not visible because of the clouds.
God promised the Israelites, through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light, which divideth (disturbs) the sea when (and) the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.’ (Jer. 31:35-36) Yes friends, the Lord promised that if the sun, moon and stars ever disappear, then so will the nation of Israel. And it takes faith to believe in the faithfulness of God!
It’s the same thing with the seed that remains unsprouted in the ground. Jesus tells it thus: ‘So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast his seed into (upon) the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (grain in the head). But when the fruit is brought forth (ripens), immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.’ (Mark 4:26-29)
Yes friends, we sow the seeds, and they eventually sprout, how, we don’t know, but we believe by faith that they will sprout and produce a harvest, because God’s promised that when we sow good seeds in good soil they will grow. It’s also like James remind us about the value of patience and prayer. ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and later rain. Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (comes nearer every day).’ (James 5:7-8)
Ah mih bredrin, patience plays a large part in faith, for we oftentimes have to wait for things we desire, just like the farmer waits long months for the seed to grow and produce a harvest. In other words, faith is impossible without a large dose of patience. (smile) And as Christians, even when we’re betrayed, rejected or hurt, we’re still expected to stand strong in faith, hope and LOVE, for the Lord has promised that He will repay, comfort and restore us in times of trouble.
Remember Bruh Paul’s words from Romans. ‘Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire (shame) on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom. 12:19-21) That means we’re not to take personal revenge against those who do us wrong, but leave it all in God’s hand. And the ‘it was written,’ pertains to Deut. 32:35, when Moses first told that to the Israelites.
Remember also, the Lord’s promise in Isaiah: ‘To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, (console them) to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.’ (Is. 61:3)
And I like how this overview breaks down that promise. ‘Beauty for Ashes: Replaces dust and ashes—ancient symbols of grief, mourning, and repentance—with a crown, garland, or diadem of beauty. Oil of Joy for Mourning: Replaces sorrow and weeping with gladness and comfort. Garment of Praise for Heaviness: Replaces a spirit of despair, heaviness, or faintness with festive praise and thanksgiving. Trees of Righteousness: Describes those who receive this restoration as strong “oaks of righteousness” planted by the Lord for His glory.’
And friends, we’ve left the best for last; that’s LOVE; God’s greatest attribute. And Bruh Paul rightfully testifies to the values and worth of LOVE in 1 Cor. 13:, then finally makes this declaration: ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity (LOVE), but the greatest of these three is charity (LOVE).’ (1 Cor, 13:13) Peter then puts it all together by saying: ‘And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.’ (1 Pet. 4:8) And that’s why LOVING God and LOVING ourselves and our neighbours are the greatest commandments! (Matt. 22:36-40)
Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 those who endure to the very end with Jesus, will experience such a glorious future that it will boggle our finite minds. So let’s be wise and endure to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the essence of a Christian’s belief system…is rooted and grounded in faith…in Almighty God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, a light unto my path, a morning without clouds, among whom ye shine as lights of the world, another sunny autumn day, as the tender grass springing out of the earth, be as the light of the morning, by clear shining rain, catch our second wind, choose the wise path- the path of life, difficult the way, do all things without murmurings and disputings, do not travel on it, drink the wine of violence, eat the bread of wickedness, endure to the end with Christ, enjoy a more than glorious future together, enter in at the narrow gate, enter not into the path of the wicked, enter ye in at the strait gate, faith, few there be that find it, glorify your Father which is in heaven, go not in the way of evil men, halfway home, hands on the plough, have the light of life, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, he that ruleth over men must be just, hear O my son, his word was in my tongue, holy spirit, how narrow is the gate, I am the light of the world, in the light or in the darkness, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, Jesus Christ, keep her, keep on doing good work for Jesus, keep on praying for showers of blessings, led thee in right paths, let her not go, Let your light so shine before men, living for Satan or living for Jesus, LOVE, many there be whcih go in thereat, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, narrow is the way, narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, not looking back at the past, not turning back, only two paths to choose from, only two ways to live this life, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, receive my sayings, ruling in the fear of God, salvation, see your good works, she is thy life, so glad to be alive, strait is the gate, take firm hold of instruction, taught thee in the way of wisdom, thank God, that shineth more and more, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the children of God, The God of Israel, the path of darkness leads to death, the path of light leads to everlasting life, the path of the just is as the shining light, the Rock of Israel, the sons of God, the spirit of the Lord spake by me, the true light of the world, the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, the way of the wicked is as darkness, the years of thy life shall be many, their sleep is taken away, they know not at what they stumble, they sleep not unless they've done evil, thou shalt not stumble, thy steps shall not be hindered, thy word is a lamp unto my feet, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, unless they cause some to fall, unto the perfect day, walk a path of light, Wednesday Wail, when the sun riseth, when thou runnest, wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, wisdom, wisdom and understanding, without rebuke, Ye are the light of the world, ye may be blameless and harmless
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 October 2026 Proverbs 4:18.
Proverbs 4:18. But the path of the just is as the (bright) shining light, that shineth more and more (ever brighter) unto the perfect day.
And then it was Wednesday, the day we catch our second wind. Let’s hope and pray that we do it, and can thus keep on doing good work for Jesus. And all His people said ‘Amen!’ Now, surprisingly, the day has turned into another sunny autumn one. For earlier on there was some cloud cover, but the strong breeze that’s cavorting through the neighbourhood easily blew it away, very effectively ending any hopes we might have had of rain. (smile) We’ll just have to keep on praying for some showers of blessings, and when they do come, they won’t come in excess.
Right now though, let’s look at some of Cousin Sol’s immense wisdom from Proverbs. Re wisdom and understanding, he wisely advises us: ‘Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (hindered); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast (firm) hold of instruction: let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, pass not by it (do not travel on it), turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not except (unless) they have done mischief (evil); and their sleep is taken away (they are robbed of their sleep), unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the (bright) shining light, that shineth more and more (ever brighter) unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.’ (Prov. 4:10-19)
Yes friends, the wicked don’t know where they are going in the darkness of their life, but the just surely do, because their path is ever shining brightly, and getting even brighter as the day of the Lord approaches. And there’s plenty scripture to prove that the way of the just is bright and shiny as Cousin Sol says. So let’s check out a few of them, with this first one coming from his father, Bruh David, supposedly his last words, as recorded by the prophet Samuel.
‘The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining rain.’ (2 Sam. 23:2-4) Yes my fellow believers, when we’re true and just, we shine like a bright light and everyone can see it.
That’s also why Jesus referred to us thus: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid… 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) Christians are supposed to be like shining lights so that they can show others the way to Jesus, the true light of the world, as John says of Jesus in John 1:9. ‘That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ Then Jesus follows that up by declaring: ‘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)
And the last scripture about the just being light comes from Bruh Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he advises them: ‘Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil. 2:14-15) So there can be no doubt that we believers ought to walk a path of light, and Psalm 119 tells us how. ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path.’ (Ps. 119:105) That means our path of light begins with God’s Word; knowing it and then actioning it in our lives.
And I like what the scholars say about the verses we read from Proverbs 4. ‘Here is a good summary of the theology of the entire book: two paths to choose from (cf. vs. 16 with Matt. 7:13-14).’ And that’s quite true, for throughout the Book of Proverbs Cousin Sol keeps talking about the right and wrong way to live this earthly life. And Jesus did corroborate that fact when He said: ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way (how narrow is the gate and difficult the way), which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt. 7:13-14)
No doubt about it my people, there are only two ways to live this life; good or bad, in the light or in the darkness, living for Satan, or living for Jesus! Let’s hope that most of us will choose the wise path, that’s the path of life and light which leads to Jesus, and live sincerely for Him for evermore! Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Jesus Christ.
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 it’s been promised that those who endure with Jesus to the very end, will experience a future even more glorious than our puny minds can imagine. So please, let’s endure right to end with Jesus nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the path of darkness leads to death…the path of light leads to everlasting life…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a custom for the condemned man to carry his cross, a dedicated learner, a personal relationship with Christ, a student, a theological basis for holy living, an earthen ware jar depicts humanity in its weakness, be wise and stick with Jesus to the end, being a true disciple of Jesus, bounden duty, carry the Christian message worldwide, catch our second wind, Chrisitans striving to follow Christ's example, christianity, commanded light to shine out of the darkness, disicples, do extraordinary things in Christ's name, doing good work for Jesus, drawing people to faith, embracing whatever challenges that come our way, empowered them to heal the sick, endure to the very end with Christ, experience an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine, eyes fixed straight ahead, eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection, faith, fish for people wherever we are, fishers of men, flawed people like you and me, followeth after me, future leaders of the church, God works through unexpected people, halfway home, hands on the plough, he that taketh not his cross, holy spirit, humanity in its strength, humans are fragile and brittle, if any man will come after me, in the face of Jesus Christ, is not worthy of me, Jesus anticipated His mode of death, Jesus Christ, Jesus picked ordinary flawed people as His disicples, Jesus trained the disciples to preach and to teach, Jesus wanted a personal relational community, let him deny himself, live to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, living according to the teachings of Jesus, LOVE, mercy, not looking back at the past, not turning back, observe his way of life, of the glory of God, one who tries to live according the the teachings of a leader, our bodies are not our own, our bodies are the temple of the Holy spirit, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, ourselves your servant for Jesus' sake, salvation, share the message of His good news, shined in our lives, so glad to be alive, take up his cross daily and follow me, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the earthenware Jar, the excellency of the power may be of God, the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us, the gospel is not a product of human genius, the gospel resides in men of clay, the power of the Holy spirit, the twelve tribes of Isreal, the wisest decision a human being can ever make, to a glorious future with Jesus, to become fishers of people, to build the foundation of the church, to cast our demons, to give the light of knowledge, to share the message of the kingdom of God, today god dwells in the believer's heart, truth, unspeakable truth, visible signs of God's work, we have been bought with a price, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord, Wednesday Wail, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 September 2026 Matthew 10:38.
Matthew 10:38. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
And then it was Wednesday; our second wind day. Let’s hope we all catch our second wind, so that we can go on doing good work for Jesus, because that’s our bounden duty as His disciples. Now some of you might query the use of the word disciple with our modern day roles in Jesus, but if we look at the meaning of the word as provided by the Cambridge dictionary, we’ll see that it’s still totally appropriate to these modern times. And the dictionary defines ‘a disciple as a dedicated learner, student, or follower who accepts and tries to live according to the teachings of a leader or master.’
And isn’t that what we’re doing today; living and learning according to the teachings of Jesus Christ? At least that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. And this overview describes discipleship in Christianity thus: ‘A disciple is a committed follower of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, it most often refers to the people who walked, learned, and lived with Jesus during his ministry, which included his twelve core Apostles. Today, it describes any Christian striving to follow Christ’s example.’ And as supposed Christians in today’s world, that’s exactly what we’re supposed to be striving for!
Now, just for good measure, let’s see what Jesus had to say on the topic. He declared: ‘If any man will follow (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) Ah mih people, there’s nothing to misunderstand in Jesus’ statement. He made it quite clear that following Him, or being His disciple was a daily duty, embracing whatever challenges might come our way, as we strive to live the way He desires us to live. So, if we’re not embracing our challenges every day, taking up our crosses daily and doing as He desires, then we’re not truly disciples or followers of Christ.
And according to Christ in the gospel of Matthew: ‘And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.’ (Matt. 10:38) Another very clear statement. If we cannot take up our cross on a daily basis and follow Christ, then we’re certainly not worthy of His name or benefits. And the scholars raise an interesting point here about ‘Taketh not his cross: This is the first mention of the cross in the New Testament. It was the custom for the condemned man to carry his cross on the way to his execution. There is plenty of evidence that our Lord anticipated the mode of His death.’
Thankfully though, very few, if any of us will die by such sadistic and tortuous means today. So that’s one less thing we need to worry about. (smile) And I like how this Overview draws from several different documents and authorities, the key reasons for Jesus calling the disciples. Those reasons were: ‘To be with Him: Jesus wanted a personal, relational community. They lived, traveled, and ate together so the disciples could learn His teachings and observe His way of life. To preach and teach: He trained them to share the message of the kingdom of God with others.
To have authority and power: He empowered them to heal the sick and cast out demons as visible signs of God’s work. To become “fishers of people”: He called them to transition from their everyday jobs, like fishing or collecting taxes, to drawing people into faith. To build the foundation of the Church: The twelve chosen apostles symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel. They served as eyewitnesses to His resurrection and future leaders who would carry the Christian Message worldwide.’
And yuh know what friends, those are the same reasons for our partaking in discipleship today. We still need to have a personal relationship with Jesus so that we can learn His teachings and His ways, so that we can share the message of His good news gospel, with the Holy Spirit that dwells within each believer, enabling us to have the extraordinary power of Christ, so that we can do extraordinary things in His name. Unlike those first disciples though, we don’t all have to give up our regular jobs to become ‘fishers of men’, for today we are expected to fish for people in whatever regular job we do.
In fact, wherever we go we must be on the lookout for opportunities to spread Christ’s good news and try to attract people to His wise and most worthwhile cause, which is all a part of building His church and taking the Christian message worldwide. And one last thing about Christ’s call to discipleship. The Overview tells us about the nature of Christ’s selection. The disciples were intentionally chosen. ‘Jesus did not pick the religious elite or the most educated scholars. He chose ordinary, flawed people—including fishermen and a tax collector—to show that God works through unexpected people.’ And believe me people, God is still doing that today, working through flawed people like you and me!
It’s like Bruh Paul writes about Preaching Christ Jesus the Lord in 2 Corinthians. ‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God who commanded light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’ (2 Cor. 4:5-7)
As the scholars say: ‘In the wilderness under the old covenant, God’s presence dwelt in a tent. Today He dwells in the believer’s heart. This is unspeakable truth and forms a theological basis for holy living (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 – our bodies are not ours, but the temples of the Holy Ghost, that we were bought with a price, so live to glorify God in our bodies and spirits). But the stress here is on earthen. An earthenware jar is brittle. It depicts humanity in its weakness. The gospel is not a product of human genius or clever intellect (humanity in its strength). Yet it resides in men of clay, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’
Yes mih bredrin, although we are fragile and brittle, God still cherishes us so much that He allows His wonderful Word to live in our bodies. And that’s why we can go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then it’s promised that we will experience an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine. So let’s be wise and stick with Jesus right to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…being a true disciple of Jesus…is the wisest decision a human being can ever make…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
02 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Jesus freak, a lamb without blemish, aimless conduct, and ye are not your own, be not ye the servants of men, Bless His Holy Name, blue eyes aglow, by him do believe in God, catch our second wind, Christ gave his all for us, Christ's servant, christianity, Christians need to stay brave and openly admit their faith, endure to the end with Christ, even around hostile people, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, fear of what people will say, for ye are bought with a price, foreordained before the the foundation of the world, from your vain conversation, gave him glory, give our all for Christ, glorify God in your body and spirit, halfway home, hands on the plough, he that is called being free, him will I also confess before my father in heaven, him will I also deny before my Father in heaven, holy spirit, I love her exuberance, I want that too, in great big letters, indelible ink, it works both ways, Jesus Christ, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, let every man wherein he is called, living in a strife-free society, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, manifest in these last times, mercy, motives, my thoughts, never be ashamed of proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, not looking back at the past, one strong and sincere voice, One Year Book of Bible promises, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, Praise the Lord, raised him up from the dead, rather expose them, rather reprove them, received by tradition from your fathers, refreshing spontaneity, rushed into the house, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, secret dreams, so everybody knows it belongs to me, so glad to be alive, so that everybody knows I belong to you, stay faithful to the end, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord's freeman, the name cannot be erased, the precious blood of Christ, therein abide in God, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, Wednesday Wail, which are God's, which ye have of God, whosoever shall confess me before men, whosoever shall deny me before men, wisdom, without spot, working for Jesus can be hard and dangerous, write my name on my book, write your name on my total being, write your name on the chapters of my life, ye are bought with a price, ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, your body is the temple of the holy Ghost, your hope and faith might be in God
Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 September 2026 1 Corinthians 19b-20a.
1 Corinthians 19b-20a. and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price:
It’s a cloudy, rainy, second wind Wednesday morning, but most importantly, it’s a warm day! Yes my faithful brethren, the early days of September have stayed warm, so we have no need to be aggrieved. (smile) A little rain and dark clouds never hurt anyone yet, so let’s be glad that we’re alive and living in a fairly, strife-free society, and give the Lord much thanks and praise for the many blessings He’s bestowed on us. And all God’s children said a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His holy Name! Amen!’
And to help us catch our second wind, we’re going to check out an interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, simply titled ‘Indelible Ink.’ Now, it’s the poem dedicated to September second. Remembering that the last poem we did was on the actual day dedicated to it, I decided to see if today’s poem would also be suitable and it was not one we had recently used. And to tell the truth I don’t know if we have used it before, (smile) but we’ll do so today.
So please read with me: ‘I LOVE her exuberance, Lord, Her refreshing spontaneity. I smile when I think How she rushed into the house (Blue eyes aglow) And thrust her new book Into my hands: “Please write my name on my book In great big letters So everybody knows It belongs to me.” Yes, Lord Yes. I want that too. Write Your name On the chapters of my life – My thoughts Motives Secret dreams … Write Your name On my total being So everybody knows I belong to You. And Lord Indelible ink, please.’
Oh friends isn’t that a most wonderful sentiment! It surely is! Just like a young child is exuberant when they get new book and wants their name written in it, so that everyone knows it’s theirs, we should also want the Lord’s name written on our lives, on each and every chapter, so that everyone knows we belong to Him, lock, stock and barrel! And please note we want it written in indelible ink, meaning it cannot be erased. (smile)
The truth though is that many of us don’t want anyone else to know that we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, for although we claim to believe in Him, there’s still that little fear of what people will say if they know. Perhaps they’ll call me a ‘Jesus freak,’ or laugh at me and don’t invite me to their gatherings because they fear that I will only want to talk about Jesus and scriptures, and/or expose their sinful habits. It’s like Bruh Paul says in Ephesians. ‘And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them.’ (Eph. 5:11)
Yuh see friends, it works both ways. We’re afraid of what others would say, but they are also wary about how we’ll affect them. However, we should never be ashamed of proclaiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour for remember what Jesus said to the disciples when He was sending them out to preach: ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 10:32-33)
That’s how it is! If you are proud to talk about Jesus before mankind, then He’ll also put in a good word for you to His heavenly Father. But if you’re too afraid to talk about Him to unbelievers, then He’ll not put in a good word for you with His Father in heaven. Yes, working for Jesus can be hard and dangerous, but He’s asking us, His followers, to stay brave and openly admit our faith, even when people around us are hostile.
And we do have a great responsibility to do that as noted by the Bible verses for today’s poem which come from 1 Corinthians. ‘What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.’ (1 Cor. 6:19-20) That says it all my fellow believers! Once we claim Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we no longer belong to ourselves, but to Him, because He paid for our sins and salvation with the awesome price of His shed blood on Calvary.
And in the next chapter, when talking about marriage, Bruh Paul again makes the point. ‘For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.’ (1 Cor. 7:22-24)
And Peter is also forceful and adamant on the subject. ‘Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible (perishable) things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (aimless conduct) received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who was verily foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest (revealed) in these last times to you. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.’ (1 Pet. 1:18-21)
Ah mih people, Christ gave His all for us, and the least we can do is give our all for Him. So lets’ go home now declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 it’s promised that if we endure to the end with Christ, we will enjoy a future so glorious that we cannot ever comprehend or imagine it. So please, let’s stay faithful to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…you can’t be a Christian…and deny or be ashamed of Christ…the One who saved you…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
26 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a pronouncement of victory, all power is given unto me in heaven and earth, an authoritative declaration, another beautiful day on Planet Earth, as a good soldier of Christ, baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost, be strong in the grace that's in Christ Jesus, catching our second wind, competes in athletics, diligence, do good work for Jesus, do the work of an evangelist, endure afflictions, endure hardness, endure tough times, entangles himself with the affairs of this life, even unto the end of the world, excellence, exhort, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, faith, first partaker of the fruits, go ye therefore and teach all nations, greater sincere involvement from Christians, halfway home, hands on the plough, having itching ears, heap to themselves teachers, holy spirit, I charge thee therefore before God, I have commanded you, Jesus Christ, judge the quick and the dead, LOVE, make disciples of all nations, make full proof of thy ministry, mercy, no man that warreth, not looking back at the past, not turning back, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, perseverance, playing by the rules, please him who hath chosen him, preach the word, sacrifice, salvation, sends forth his ambassadors, so glad to be alive, stay faithful to god, step up to the plate, strive for masteries, suffer privation in order to be rewarded, teaching them to observe all things, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Great Commission, the Lord give thee understanding in all things, the same commit thou to faithful men, the time will come, the triumphant living Lord, to proclaim His gospel throughout the world, truth, turned into fables, watch thou in all things, Wednesday Wail, white washing sinful behaviour, will not endure sound doctrine, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 August 2026 2 Timothy 2:3.
2 Timothy 2:3. Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
And all the people joyfully shouted: ‘Let the Lord be praised for allowing us to see another beautiful summer’s day on His marvelous planet Earth!’ Yes friends, this last Wednesday in August is turning out to be another glorious day. And since we don’t know how many more of them we might have, because the days sure are slipping by quickly, it’s imperative that we make good use of today, by catching our second wind and continuing to do good work for Jesus. It’s like Bruh Paul admonished Timothy in his second letter about preaching the word.
‘I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’ (2 Tim. 4:1-4)
And what does all of that mean? The scholars explain it thus: As per ‘Preach the word: Preaching is the God-ordained means to prevent defection from the truth. Teachers who appeal to itching ears tell people what they WANT to hear, not what they NEED to hear. Thus both shall be turned unto fables (myths or legends).’ And all of that is very prevalent today my brethren. People don’t want to hear about turning away from their sinful behaviour, but instead want to white wash it, and unfortunately there are a lot of preachers who are quite willing to do that, if it will increase their congregation and their finances.
Unfortunately, in today’s new world, the main focus behind many churches is increasing the congregation and thus their finances, rather than the true preaching and spreading of God’s Word. That’s why Bruh Paul further admonished Timothy: ‘But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.’ (2 Tim. 4:5) And the scholars tell us, as per ‘Do the work of an evangelist: Paul commands Timothy to fully discharge his evangelistic ministry by preaching the gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. Evangelism is viewed by the New Testament writers as an essential task of the New Testament church.’
And so it ought to be, because that’s what Jesus decreed in the Great Commission. ‘All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:18-20)
And I like how the scholars describe that passage. ‘The Great Commission brings the first Gospel to its grand finale. Christianity is not represented here as the mere reverential devotion of disappointed men who honour their martyred leader. Here is a far different scene. The triumphant, living Lord sends forth His ambassadors to proclaim His gospel throughout all the world. The Great Commission is not just an order but a pronouncement of victory by the risen Saviour through His disciples. All power or authority is now in the hands of Christ, in heaven and on earth. On the basis of that authority and power the Christian disciple is to carry out the Great Commission of the church.’
Wow! Yes mih bredrin, the Great Commission is not merely a simple order, but a pronouncement. And what’s a pronouncement? This overview explains it thus: ‘A pronouncement is a formal, official, or authoritative statement made by someone in charge. It is an explicit declaration that often carries a sense of finality, judgment, or expert opinion.’ So that pronouncement of the Great Commission is an authoritative declaration, decree or edict, of the All Powerful Lord and Living Saviour, Jesus Christ! Therefore it must be carried out in good time, with diligence, excellence and perseverance.
That’s why Bruh Paul earlier exhorted Timothy: ‘Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries (competes in athletics), yet is he not crowned, except he strive (competes) lawfully. The husbandman (farmer) that laboureth must be the first partaker of the fruits (crops). Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.’ (2 Tim. 2:1-7)
And do we all ever need God to give us understanding in all things, especially in these trying and unpredictable times! (smile) But here’s what the scholars say about that passage. ‘Paul warns Timothy of the difficulties of the ministry and urges him to be strong, in contrast to those who defected. Faithful men were to be selected and trained to be leaders and teachers. Thus, personal discipleship was to be avital part of Timothy’s leadership. Endure hardness (suffer affliction): Paul illustrates this truth by a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer, all of whom suffer privation (loss of basic necessities) in order to be rewarded. Strive lawfully means to play by the rules.’
And unfortunately all of that stuff up there also applies to every Christian, not only preachers, because each of us has a ministry, in which we must stay faithful, sacrifice and endure tough times, while playing by the rules. Let me tell you, that’s easier said than done, but as true disciples of Christ, who are seriously and sincerely interested in spreading His Good News gospel, we will step up to the plate and make the effort! Praise the Lord! Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 if we endure with Christ to the very end, then we will experience such a glorious future, one that our minds cannot imagine or comprehend! So let’s be wise and endure to the end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…in these desperate and ungodly times…Jesus needs greater sincere involvement from His people…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
19 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a true child of God, add thou not unto his words, Agur, all his works are done in truth, all thy commandments are righteousness, an intrument of ten strings, and again I say rejoice, believe whatever God says without doubting, by them is thy servant warned, catches up to the perpetrator, christianity, cloud cover, converting the soul, endure to the end with Christ, enduring for ever, enjoy a more than glorious future together, enlightening the eyes, every word of God is pure, eyes fixed staight ahead, faith, God's word has everything we need, halfway home, have more understanding than all my teachers, he is a shield unto them that trust him, holy spirit, How I love thy law, I declare things that are right, I keep thy precepts, I the Lord speak righteousness, imprisoned in a Roman jail, in keeping of them is great reward, in the Lord's time and way, it is my meditation all day, Jesus Christ, learn the truth, lest he reprove thee, LOVE, made me wiser than mine enemies, making wise the simple, mercy, more to be desired than gold, my lips shall utter praise, my tongue shall speak of thy word, not looking back at the past, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, play skillfully with a loud noise, praise is comely for the upright, praise the Lord with the harp, priase for God's goodness, Rejoice in the Lord always, Rejoice in the Lord O ye righteous, rejoicing the heart, righteous art thou O Lord, salvation, shout for joy, sing unto him a new song, sing unto him with the psaltery, so glad to be alive, sweeter also than honey, taking liberties with God's word, than much fine gold, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the commandment of the Lord is pure, the deceitful encouragement of Satan, the drippings of the honeycomb, the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, the fear of the Lord is clean, The Heavens Declare God's Glory, the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous, the law of the Lord is perfect, the Lord be praised, the Lord loves righteousness and justice, the negative consequences of such ungodly actions, the statutes of the Lord are right, the testimony of the Lord is sure, the word of the Lord is right, thou be found a liar, through thy commandments, thy testimonies are my meditation, thy testimonies are righteous and faithful, to a glorious future with Jesus, to suit their own selfish purposes, truth, understand more than the ancients, upright are thy judgements, Wednesday Wail, when thou hast taught me thy statutes, ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God, ye shall not add unto the word which I command you
Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 August 2026 Psalm 33:4.
Psalm 33:4. For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.
And the week’s rolled by to Wednesday, our second wind day; not as bright and sunshiny as yesterday, with a cloud cover threateningly hanging around, but good enough to say, ‘the Lord be praised for another marvellous day!’ (smile) And is there ever good reason to and great joy in praising our wonderful God. Listen as Psalm 33, titled ‘Praise for God’s Goodness,’ tells it.
‘Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely (beautiful) for the upright. Praise the Lord with the harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise (shout of joy). For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He LOVETH righteousness and judgement (justice): the earth is full of the goodness (LOVING-KINDNESS) of the Lord.’ (Ps. 33:1-5)
And all of that is the glorious truth my people! No wonder Bruh Paul wrote thus to the Philippians: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice.’ (Phil. 4:4) And remember he wrote that while chained up in a Roman jail, so there must be plenty cause to rejoice in the Lord if he could write that while imprisoned in the most ghastly conditions. And the psalmist gives us some, for example when he writes: ‘For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He LOVETH righteousness and judgement (justice): the earth is full of the goodness (LOVING-KINDNESS) of the Lord.’
And there are several scriptures that attest to those facts. Let’s look at a few. First up are these words from Proverbs, supposedly written by Agur the son of Jakeh. According to the scholars, nothing is known of Agur, but he was likely one of the international sages of Solomon’s day. He writes: ‘Every word of God is pure (tried, found pure): he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.’ (Prov. 30:5-6)
And that last verse about not adding to God’s word is also very important my brethren, because the Lord does not joke with His Word. Right from the beginning, He warns the Israelites: ‘Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought (take anything) from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.’ (Deut. 4:2)
Unfortunately though, down through the ages, with the deceitful encouragement of Satan, many people have either tried to add to or subtract from God’s word, and today we’re doing the same thing; people are taking liberties with God’s word and phrasing it, or changing it to suit their own selfish purposes. However, in the Lord’s time and way, the negative consequences of such ungodly actions eventually catches up to the perpetrator.
But getting back to the purity and rightness of God’s word, through the prophet Isaiah He said: ‘I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.’ (Is. 45:19) And if you desire to be a true child of God, then you need to believe whatever He says, without any doubting at all.
Then in Psalm 119, we find these wonderful verses: ‘Oh how I LOVE thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients (aged), because I keep thy precepts … Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgements. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and faithful … My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.’ (Ps. 119: 97-100, 137-138, 171-172)
Then there are these awesome words on the subject from the pen of Bruh David in Psalm 19, titled ‘The Heavens Declare God’s Glory.’ He writes: ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (the drippings from the honeycomb). Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them is great reward.’ (Ps. 19:7-11)
Yes friends, the word of our Lord isn’t only right and true, but is also ever so important and necessary for us, so we can also learn the truth and behave in a righteous and godly manner that seeks the Lord’s will. And yuh see how important Bruh David thinks the Lord’s justice is; ‘more to be desired than gold, and sweeter than honey.’ Now that ought to wake us up to the worthiness of God’s Word, His goodness and greatness! For gold is what we compare anything worthwhile to, and honey is the sweetest natural substance in the world. Therefore anything that is more desirable than those two things surely is of the utmost importance.
And having gotten a glimpse into the importance of and the workings of God’s word, (smile) let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 it’s been promised that those who endure to the end with Jesus will experience an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine. so let’s be wise and endure to the end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…God’s Word…has everything we need…to live a good and godly earthly life…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christ-like manner, a trip to Toronto, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, according to the riches of his glory, be able to comprehend with all the saints, be filled with all the fullness of God, being rooted and grounded in Love, bring about glory on their part, by Christ Jesus, Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, christianity, developed more courage to fearlessly speak the word, divinely enabled to live the Christian life, don't lose heart, edification, endure to the end, eyes fixed staight ahead, faint not at my tribulations for you, faith, faithfulness, for this cause I bow my knees, gentleness, glad to be alive, God is omnipotent omniscient and omni-present, God would grant you, goodness, halfway home, hands on the plough, high stress levels, holy spirit, in the inner man, Jesus Christ, joy, kindness, LOVE, many of the brethren in the Lord, mercy, much bolder to speak the word, not looking back at the past, not turning back, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, patience, Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, Paul's tribulations will spiritually benefit his recipients, peace, praise and honour God, reap the full benefits of the partnership, road rage, salvation, seeing Paul standing strong despite his imprisonment, slef-control, somewhat overcast day, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Christian family derives their spiritual life from God, the enormous love of Christ, the fruit of the spirit, the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, throughout all ages, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit, to do exceeding abundantly, to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, truth, unto Him be glory in the church, unto him that is able, unto the Father of our Lord Jesus christ, Wednesday Wail, which is your glory, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 August 2026 Ephesians 3:20.
Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
And then it was Wednesday; our second wind day. And brother, do I ever need to catch my second wind, having just returned at mid-day from taking the Duchess to an early morning doctor’s appointment in Toronto. And it’s not something I can do very often. No sir! The traffic’s disgusting, the roads are full of potholes and cracks, with lanes blocked off everywhere for construction or some such thing. I don’t know how some people traverse those rough, traffic filled roads, twice a day, five days a week. No wonder stress levels are so high, and road rage is prevalent.
But as a certain friend would tell me; ‘that’s progress.’ Well you can keep that kind of progress yes. I certainly don’t want to live, or even visit a city that looks uglier and dirtier than it did fifty years ago. But that’s only my opinion…and who cares about that? Nobody! So let’s see what kind of scriptural message the Lord wants to bless us with this warm, sunshiny August day that’s slightly overcast. And today, it seems He wants us to look at Bruh Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.
After explaining how he came to be an apostle, (Eph. 3:1-12) he says: ‘Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.’ (Eph. 3:13) And the scholars explain that verse by saying: ‘God will use Paul’s tribulations and sufferings in the ministry to spiritually benefit his recipients. Such edification will then bring about glory on their part in that they praise and honour God.’ It corresponds to what he says in Philippians: ‘And many (most) of the brethren in the Lord, waxing (becoming) confident by my bonds (chains) are much bolder to speak the word.’ (Phil. 1:14) Meaning that the majority of the Roman believers, seeing Burh Paul standing strong despite his imprisonment, depending on God, developed much more courage to speak the Word fearlessly
Then Bruh Paul continues: ‘For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’ (Eph. 3:14-15) That means the whole Christian family, those saints now departed and in heaven, and those saints still living derive their spiritual life from God. And furthermore; ‘That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints, what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph. 3:16-19)
And per the scholars in verses 16-19, Paul makes three prayer requests for the Ephesians.: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his Spirit (vs. 16), that is, they be divinely enabled to successfully live the Christian life. (2) That the readers be able to comprehend … the LOVE of Christ, that is, to better understand the enormous LOVE Christ has for them. And (3) that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, that is, that the life, character and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in them.’
Ah friends, it’s the same sort of prayer that I pray for us in these critical times. For do we ever need our inner man to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, so that we can successfully handle, in a Christ-like manner, all the ungodly and evil stuff that’s happening around us every day, as well as the personal temptations that Satan are constantly bombarding us with, to make us turn away from God. And one of the aids to doing that is our understanding the great LOVE that Christ has for us, so that our faith can be rooted and grounded in that LOVE, for if out faith isn’t solidly rooted and grounded, then we can be very easily led astray by all the seemingly wonderful temptations of the evil one.
And when we understand and have that overwhelming LOVE of Christ buried and rooted deep in our souls, then we will begin to see the virtues and characteristics of God blooming forth in us. In other words the fruit of the Spirit; LOVE, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness and self-control, will begin to flourish in our lives. Then Bruh Paul ends the prayer thus: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amne.’ (Eph. 3:20-21)
And according to the scholars, Bruh Paul ‘In making the three above petitions (vs. 16-19) (strengthened with might, understanding the LOVE of Christ, and filled with the fullness of God), he’s not asking too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that he can ask or think.’ Meaning that our God is so great that those things He’s asked for are not too difficult for Him to accomplish. And we all know that nothing is impossible for our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God! That’s why He’s the Creator and Sovereign Ruler of the Universe!
Above all though friends, let’s remember that all the good things that Bruh Paul prayed for are within God’s reach, but individually, we all have a part to play by living obediently to God’s Word and Will, else none of it will happen. And with those words of wisdom (smile) let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 if we’re serious, then for all of those who endure to the end with Jesus, a more than glorious future lies ahead. So let’s be wise and endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…God’s already done His part of our partnership…it’s now up to us to do ours…so we can reap the full benefits of the partnership…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cool breeze rustling through the trees, a more glorious future than we can ask or imagine, as a human body works together like one, as thou Father art in me and i in you, as thou hast sent me into the world, Bless His Holy Name, broken into numerous denominations, carry out the mission of the church, Christianity is a Oneness in Christ, Christianity lacks unity, Christians, continue its disastrous spiral, disunity breeds futility, do good work for Jesus, don't take them out of the world, endure to the end with Christ, even as I am not of the world, even as we are one, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, flowing through me, for their sakes, for them also which shall blieve, given them thy word, glorify your Father which is in heaven, halfway home, hands on the plough, has loved them as thou has loved me, have my joy fulfilled in themselves, holy spirit, I also sent them into the world, I have given them, I in them and thou in me, I sanctify myself, ineffectiveness, into the mire of Satan's evil domain, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the greatest, Jesus' awesome generosity, keep them from the evil one, Let your light so shine before men, LOVE, many members in one body, may be made perfect in one, members have different functions, mercy, neither pray I for these alone, not doing a good job in that respect, not looking back at the past, oneness in spiritual unity, organizational unity, our light is dim, our salt is flavourless, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, preach different doctrines, reenergize us, sacrificed His sinless life to save us, salvation, sanctify them through thy truth, see your good works, set apart for God's purposes, so glad to be alive, thank God, that they may be one, the BIBLE, the breath of life, the church in Christ is one body, the glory which thou gavest me, the great responsibility christians have, the light of the world, the one and only superstar, the salt of the earth, the world hated them, the world is becoming more evil and ungodly every day, the world may believe that thou hast sent me, the world may know that thou hast sent me, them which shall believe on me through their word, these things I speak in the world, they all may be one, they are not of the world, thy word is truth, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, Wednesday Wail, where there's unity there's strength, work together like one
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 July 2026 John 17:22.
John 17:22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one:
So it’s Wednesday, our second wind day; another beautiful, hot, sunshiny, summer’s day with a cool breeze rustling through the trees, and hopefully it will reenergize us all to go out and do good work for Jesus. And all God’s people said a loud and grateful, ‘Bless His Holy Name, for He is indeed the Greatest!’ And so He is my people, Jesus, the one and ONLY Superstar in this vast universe! For He created it, then He turned around and sacrificed His sinless life to save it. What more can we ask eh? Absolutely nothing!
But Jesus, in His awesome generosity gave us more, when He prayed to His heavenly Father on our behalf. Halfway through the prayer, He declares: ‘And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil (the evil one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes, I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.’ (John 17:13-19)
Yes friends, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be set apart for God’s purposes, and kept out of the evil one’s reach, while going into the world to carry out their mission as the church, which corresponded to Christ’s mission, of saving souls, bringing them to God the Father. But that wasn’t all. Jesus in His amazing foresight prayed for us too, those who would come after. He says to the Father: ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.’ (John 17:20-21)
Oh my fellow believers, please notice that last statement; ‘that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.’ That means Jesus is depending on us, His supposed loyal followers, to live and behave in a certain manner so that the world can believe through us, that the Father sent Him to save the world! Yuh see the great responsibility we have; Jesus as a physical man, could not be all over the place at the same time, but through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, He can be in numerous places at the same time. That’s why He called us the salt of the earth and the light of the world, bequeathing His properties to us so that we can do His work. In other words: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:16)
Unfortunately though, it doesn’t seem that we’re doing a good job in that respect because our world is becoming more evil and ungodly with each passing day. Our salt appears to be rather flavourless, and our light very dim, therefore the world’s not paying much attention to us. And one of the big reasons for that is because we’re not in unity, as Christ so earnestly prayed that we’d be. Listen, as He continues. ‘And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast LOVED them, as thou hast LOVED me.’ (John 17:22-23)
Yes friends, Jesus emphasized our oneness in spiritual unity, but the truth is we’re neither one in spiritual nor organizational unity, with the many different doctrines we preach and the numerous denominations we have been broken into, all as supposed children of the same One God. That disunity of both spirit and organization will never encourage a disbelieving, evil world to turn to Christ in any worthwhile numbers. And until we can draw closer together, both in spiritual and organizational unity, our chances for being the true salt of the earth and light of the world will indeed be negligible. Meaning our world will continue its disastrous spiral down into the mire of Satan’s evil domain.
Oh my people, Christianity is a Oneness in Christ! It’s like Bruh Paul says, when he compares the church to the human body. ‘For we have many members (parts) in one (human) body, and all members have not the same office (function): So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one (individually) members one of another.’ (Rom. 12:4-5) That means that the members of the church, or body of Christ have different gifts and functions, but are supposed to work together like one, as our human body does.
And until we sincerely believe and begin behaving like one body, working together in both unity of spirt and organization, all our little separate efforts won’t make a whole lot of difference to the overall scene. Let’s remember that where there’s unity, there’s strength, and disunity only breeds futility or ineffectiveness. Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 it’s been promised that those who endure to the very end with Christ will enjoy an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine. Let’s therefore be wise and stick with Christ to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together nuh! Much LOVE!
…the church in Christ is ONE body…let’s make it function like ONE…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a froward man soweth strife, a tinderbox, a whisperer separates chief of friends, above all things have fervent charity among yourselves, an ungodly man diggeth up evil, and have not charity I am nothing, and now abideth faith hope love, be ye therefore sober, beareth all things, become as sounding brass, bestow all my goods to feed the poor, charity envieth not, charity is not puffed up, charity suffereth long and is kind, charity vaunteth not itself, christianity, Christians, discretion over gossip, do today's work today, don't put aside for tomorrow what can be done today, doth not behave itself unseemly, endures to the end, endureth all things, enjoy a more than glorious future together, err from the truth, exercises restraint, extends forgiveness, faith, from the error of his way, give my body to be burned, halfway home, hands on the plough, hate seems to be making the world go round, hatred is causing chaos and disaster in our world, hatred is running amok, hatred stirreth up strifes, have faith to remove a mountain, have not charity, he that covereth a transgression seeketh love, he that repeats a matter separates friends, he which converteth a sinner, hide a multitude of sins, holy spirit, in his lips there is as a burning fire, infinite God rules both heaven and earth, is not easily provoked, it profiteth me nothing, Jesus Christ, keeps no account of evil, knowledge shall vanish away, life is moving at a fast pace, LOVE, love covereth all sins, love covers a lot of wrong doing, love does not broadcast flaws and mistakes of others, love is God's favourite tool, love is God's greatest attribute, love let's go of minor slights and annoyances, Love never fails, love shall cover a multitude of sins, love the ooposite of hatred, mercy, more strife-filled situations are happening every day, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, no time for pussy footing, not looking back at the past, not turning back, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, overlooking minor offences, prophecies shall cease, protects the dignity of others, rejoiceth in truth, rejoiceth not in iniquity, salvation, save a soul from death, seeketh not her own, set the world afire, so glad to be alive, speak with the tongues, strife-filled days, sweep things under the rug in the name of love, sweeping serious wrongdoing under the rug, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the end of all things is at hand, the gift of prophecy, the greatest of these is charity (love), the ultimate forgiveness shown by God, the wheel of life, tinkling cymbal, to a glorious future with Jesus, tongues shall cease, truth, understand all mysteries, waiting to be set alight, watch unto prayer, Wednesday Wail, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 June 2026 Proverbs 10:12.
Proverbs 10:12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE covereth all sins.
Oh dear me, is it really Wednesday, our second wind day already? How quickly we’ve gotten there! (smile) And we had better catch that second wind, because at the fast pace that the days and life in general are moving, we don’t have much time for pussy footing and leaving things that should be done today, for tomorrow. The proverbial wheel of life that’s supposed to turn slowly, has certainly sped up in the last little while. As least, so it seems to me. But what do I know eh? Not much. For I am a mere mortal with a finite understanding, while the great infinite God in heaven, is the sovereign who controls things down here.
And He’s given me this scripture for us to look at today. Wise and oh so truthful words from the Proverbs of Cousin Sol: ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE covereth all sins.’ (Prov. 10:12) And even if we didn’t know it from personal experience, there’s no doubting it in these strife-filled days, where hatred is running amok in our world and causing all kind of chaos and disaster. And the hatred doesn’t seem to be abating either; in fact it seems to be escalating because none of the strife-filled situations are being peacefully resolved.
We might not hear of some of them, but that’s not because they’ve been peacefully resolved, but because more newsworthy ones have come upon the scene. And right now, all we need is one flash of craziness from one person imbued with hatred to set the world afire. Our world is currently like a tinder box just waiting to be set alight. But then there’s LOVE, the opposite of hatred, which according to Cousin Sol, covers all sins. How true is that eh. According to the scriptures it’s very true.
Listen to Peter tell it: ‘But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover a multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging (grumbling).’ (1 Per. 4:7-9) Meanwhile James puts it thus: ‘Brethren, if any of you do err (turn) from the truth, and one convert (cover) him; Let him know, that he which converteth (covers) a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide (cover) a multitude of sins.’ (James 5:19-20)
Yes friends, LOVE does cover a lot of wrongdoing. And this commentary gives us a rough break down of what that means. ‘Overlooking Minor Offenses: True LOVE is patient and chooses to let go of minor slights, annoyances, and daily frictions rather than keeping score. Discretion over Gossip: Instead of broadcasting the flaws and mistakes of others, a LOVING person exercises restraint and protects the dignity of the person. Extending Forgiveness: Drawing on the ultimate forgiveness shown by God, LOVE forgives wrongs rather than allowing them to breed resentment and divide a community. What it doesn’t mean: It does not mean sweeping serious harm, abuse, or illegal actions under the rug. LOVE protects by addressing destructive behaviour appropriately.’
Now that last explanation needs to be more forcefully administered, because many of us sweep things like abuse and serious harm under the rug in the name of LOVE. But that’s not always right, for oftentimes it only encourages and increases the bad behaviour. It’s as Cousin Sol further says in Proverbs. ‘An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A forward (perverse) man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief (the best of) friends.’ (Prov. 16:27-28) And in the next chapter Cousin Sol declares: ‘He that covereth a transgression seeketh LOVE; but he that repeateth a matter separateth friends.’ (Prov. 17:9)
So LOVE is a powerful tool, motivator or attribute. And so it should be, since it’s God’s greatest attribute and His favourite tool, the one that caused Him to send His Son Jesus to earth to die for our sins and causes Him to reach out to us in times of need. And with all we’ve said about LOVE, here’s the best treatise on it from the pen of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians.
‘Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (LOVE), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling (clanging) cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge: and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (LOVE), I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (LOVE), it profitheth me nothing.
Charity (LOVE) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (LOVE) envieth not; charity (LOVE) vaunteth not itself (does not brag on itself), is not puffed up (arrogant), Doth not behave itself unseemly (rudely), seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil (keeps no account of evil); Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity (LOVE) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail (cease); whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away (cease)… And now abideth faith, hope, charity (LOVE), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (LOVE).’ (1 Cor. 13:1-8; 13)
And that’s why LOVE is so great, and so necessary in our too evil world! And hopefully with all that talk on LOVE, some more of it will seep into our souls, bodies and minds and help us turn our world around, as we so badly need to do. Now let’s declare our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 it’s been promised that whoever endures to the end with Christ will enjoy an even more glorious future than we can ever imagine. So let’s endure right to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…LOVE is supposed to make the world go round…but right now…hate seems to be doing it…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a more than glorious future, a spiritual wake-up call, a time of intense persecution, as in the day, be ready and waiting for Jesus, be watchful, be ye also ready, behold I come as a thief, blessed is he that watcheth, cast off the works of darkness, Christ can come like a thief in the night, Christ's return is fast approaching, Christ's Second Coming, consistent with the new life in Christ, don't seek opportunities to satisfy our sin nature, enanmoured of sinfulness, encourage vigilance and purity., endure to the very end with Christ, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, faithlessness, for in such an hour as ye think not, going about their creator's business, halfway home, hands on the plough, high time to awake out of our sleep, hold fast and repent, holy spirit, I have not found thy works perfect before God, Jesus Christ, keepeth his garments, knowing the time, known when the thief would come, lack of enthusiasm, lest he walk naked, like a thief in the night, lost in the darkness, LOVE, lustful pleasures, make not provision for the flesh, mercy, not in chambering and wantonness, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in strife and envying, not looking back at the past, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, put on the armour of light, put on the Lord jesus christ, remember how thou hast received and heard, salvation, so glad to be alive, spiritually prepared, strengthen the things which remain, thank God for all his blessings, that are ready to die, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the day is at hand, the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night, the earth also, the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the end of the age is near, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the new era of righteousness, the night is far spent, the period of spiritual darkness is coming to an end, the seriousness of the situation, the Son of man cometh, the works that are therein shall be burned up, they see his shame, to a glorious future with Jesus, to fulfil the lusts thereof, today's state of our world, truth, ungodly behaviour, urgent readiness in a christian's daily walk, walk honestly, walk properly as in the daytime, watch therefore, Wednesday Wail, will you be ready if the trumpet sounds today, wisdom, works consistent with the new life in Christ, ye know not what hour your Lord doth come
Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 May 2026 Revelation 16:15.
Revelation 16:15. ‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.’
And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day. Already, you ask? Yes already. The days are not waiting for us my brethren, they’re going about their Creator’s business, just like we should be doing, instead of wasting time on lustful pleasures and other unnecessary stuff.
And remember how Bruh Paul warned the Romans: ‘And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of our sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we (first) believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly (properly), as in the day, not in rioting (revelry) and drunkenness, not in chambering (licentiousness) and wantonness (lewdness), not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.’ (Rom. 13:11-14)
Yes friends that’s a mouthful, but it’s very appropriate for today’s state of our world and our ungodly behaviour. And I like how this overview summarizes the passage. It says: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand” is a famous passage from the Bible (Romans 13:12). It serves as a spiritual wake-up call, urging believers to cast off the works of darkness, walk properly as if in the daytime, and put on the “armor of light”.
The verse uses the natural transition from night to day to illustrate a major spiritual concept: the period of spiritual darkness, sin, and ignorance (“the night”) is coming to an end, and a new era of righteousness, salvation, and Christ’s return (“the day”) is fast approaching. Because the end of the age is near, this phrase is often cited to encourage vigilance, purity, and urgent readiness in a Christian’s daily walk.’
And that’s how we ought to be behaving, because Christ’s Second Coming is drawing nearer with each passing day, and if we’re not ready for it, then we’ll be lost in the darkness with Satan and his evil cronies. And as the scholars explain: ‘Make not provision for the flesh means: One should not seek opportunities to satisfy the deep-seated desires of the sin nature, but should seek occasion to manifest works that are consistent with the new life in Christ.’ Now that’s exactly what we ought to be about instead of the sinfulness with which our world is so enamoured.
And to further highlight the seriousness of the situation, let’s remember what Jesus said about His Second Coming? ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman (master) of the house had known in what watch (hour) the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered (allowed) his house to be broken up (into). Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24:42-44) That’s right my brethren, Jesus summarized His Second Coming like that of a thief in the night; unexpected, sudden, and unpredictable.
And Bruh Paul wrote it thus to the Thessalonians. ‘But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.’ (1 Thess. 5:1-2) Neither should we need to be told about the times and the seasons for we ought to already know them, and be ready for whenever Jesus returns. But unfortunately many of us seem unprepared, either because we don’t know, or because we believe we have time to carry on with our carnal lives then hopefully shift to godliness just before Jesus comes back.
But that’s a sad and foolish game we’re playing my people. For Peter also warned us of the unpredictability and suddenness of Jesus’ return, when he writes: ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’ (2 Pet. 3:10)
And if you still persist in doubt or unbelief, then listen to the message that Jesus sent to the church in Sardis, through John in the Book of Revelation. ‘Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect (complete) before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.’ (Rev. 3:2-3)
Ah mih people, more warning right from the horse’s mouth! The godly remnant should strengthen themselves, while the rest of us must remember what we’ve received and heard; the wonderful gospel of Christ; and therefore hold fast to it and repent of our faithlessness and lack of enthusiasm for His work. And later on in Revelation, Jesus also issued another warning to be ready and on the constant lookout for His sure but unpredictable return. ‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.’ (Rev. 16:15)
Yes friends, the time is coming when Satan will intensify his persecution of the brethren, but we need to remain faithful and loyal to Christ and be both spiritually and physically prepared (have garments and not walk naked). So we cannot say that we’ve not been warned, several times, by several people, including Jesus Himself, of His unpredictable and unscheduled return. It’s therefore our obligation to be ready and waiting for whenever He shows up…provided we desire to spend eternity with Him.
Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world 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 if you endure right to the very end with Jesus, then He promises that the future will be even more glorious than your finite mind can imagine or understand. So let’s be wise and endure to the end nuh, so that we can endure that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…if the trumpet sounds today…will you be ready for Jesus’ return…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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