19 May 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time of opposition, an exposition of the greatness of God, Crystal Cathedral, Dr. Robert H. Schuler, dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, endure the journey to the end, forgiveness, from boring death, from discouragement to hope, from failure to success, from shame to glory, from weakness to strength, glad to be alive, Gramps Schuller, halfway home, hands fixed securely on the plough, Hour of Power Devotional, humble apologies, I will move, If I ascend into heaven, if I make my bed in hell, if I take the wings of the morning, in you I come alive, it is high I cannot attain unto it, kind indulgences, Lord I want your heart to be in my heart, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, nemeses, not turning back, one of the grandest psalms, psalm 139, such knowledge is too wonderful, the breath of life, the catalyst of God's Word, thou hast beset me behind and before, thy right hand shall hold me, to a glorious future with Jesus, to exciting life, Wednesday Wail, whither shall I flee from thy presence, whither shall I go from thy spirit
Psalm 139:7. Whither shall (can) I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall (can) I flee from thy presence?
My most humble apologies my Scrip-Bit friends and family for the lateness of the Bit. It’s just of those things; if one goes to bed very late, then the natural corollary is that one will also awaken very late! (smile) And thank you very much for your forgiveness and kind indulgences, but, as always, be it ever so late, the important thing is that the Bit, the energizer, the catalyst of God’s Word in our lives, gets sent out every day!
And to tell how soundly I slept, not even my two summer nemeses, a motorcycle in the neighbouring lane, and the seemingly ever-present sound of a lawn mower, didn’t disturb me at all this morning. Now that’s certainly saying something! But enough of my Irish blarney, let’s get down to brass tacks, which, this late Wednesday morning, begins with considering this interesting poem from the Hour of Power Devotional by Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) most appropriately titled ‘I Will Move…’
Please pray with me: ‘Lord, I want your heart to be my heart. For in you I come alive, moving ahead from boring death to exciting life! In your promises, I will move from discouragement to hope. In your pardon, I will move from shame to glory. In your power, I will move from weakness to strength. In your providence, I will move from failure to success! Thank you, Lord. Amen.’
Oh my people, when we take the blessings and promises of God seriously, we can certainly move ahead with a joyful heart, with oodles of hope, amazing strength, no shame or failure, but glory and success! That’s why Bruh David wrote these marvellous words of Psalm 139, explaining the everlasting presence and power of our great God.
‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compasseth (comprehendeth, understands) my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset (enclosed or hedged) me behind and before, and laid thine hand on me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.’ (Ps. 139:1-6)
And that’s certainly the awesome truth friends: we cannot ever attain the wisdom and power of Almighty God! But with His help, we can certainly do much better than we’re currently doing, if we’d only listen to His Spirit speaking in us and read His word that bears so many important messages and promises.
Now hear Bruh David, as he continues. ‘Whither shall (can) I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall (can) I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’ (Ps. 139:7-12) More everlasting truth there my faithful brethren!
And our Lord moves in such marvellous and mysterious ways friends, that as I was writing those moving words, I could see Gramps Schuller preaching them in his bold, expansive and daring style way back when in the Hour of Power Service at the Crystal Cathedral in California. That was the first time I can ever remember hearing those words preached, or acted out, as Gramps Schuller liked to do with his scripture readings. And believe me, that awesome picture of those words have remained with me down through the years, and every time I read or hear them, I picture that moment of revelation in my mind’s eye…
Oh, sorry mih bredrin for that little break, but I suddenly broke into a bout of laughter there because, as the Lord is wont to do, in His inimitable style, He just reminded me of a promise I made a couple days ago when we were talking about life in Psalm 16, that, if the Lord spared our lives, the following day we would continue and see how the saints of Christ ought to handle death. Now, that’s possibly because I had thought about making the same promise for Psalm 139, as there are some interesting scholarly explanations I wanted to add to our discourse today.
Anyway, now that the Lord has refreshed my memory, if He again grants us life tomorrow, we will continue talking about one of those two psalms. And there I was foolishly thinking I didn’t know what to talk about today eh. Yuh see what happens when you don’t consult, or properly listen to your Creator? But it’s too late to cry now, (smile) so here are those explanations from the scholars.
‘Psalm 139. Certainly one of the grandest of the psalms in all of the Psalter, it is also one of the richest theologically. It combines an exposition of the greatness of God’s character with the reality of human experience. From verses 19-22 we find that David wrote the psalm during a time of opposition. It therefore contains truths that were meaningful to him during these troublesome times. They may be summarized under four key thoughts as David addresses the Lord: You know me (vs. 1-6), You are with me (vs. 7-12), You created me (vs. 13-16), and Your cause is my cause (vs. 19-24).’
And that’s how it ought to be with ALL believers. Anyway, for those of us who have seriously taken up the mantle of Christ, let’s go home today declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, telling all and sundry of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong and sincere voice now: ‘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 will that future be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine if we endure the journey to end my dear friends! Much LOVE!
…living life with Christ can be tough…but it’s certainly never dull or uninteresting…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
12 May 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cry of anguish, a song of praise, another marvellous day on earth, be not far from me, between a rock and a hard place, cries for help, despised of the people, enjoy the day to the fullest, for trouble is near, foreshadowing of Christ's lament on the cross, glad to be alive, God is good, halfway home, he is governor among the nations, I cry in the day time, I was cast upon thee from the womb, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my god why hast thou forsaken me, none can keep alive his soul, not turning back, praise him all ye seed of jacob, praise our God with sincerity, salvation, sentiments of praise, shouts of praise, the breath of life, the Good News of Christ, the grace and mercy of a compassionate God, the kingdom is the Lord's, there is none to help, this is the day the Lord has made, thou didst make me hope, to a glorious future with Jesus, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday Wail, ye that fear the Lord
Psalm 22:11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
All thanks and praise be to thee my wonderful God for offering your saints another marvellous day on your glorious earth! As the psalmist so rightly said so long ago: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps. 118:24) And believe me fellow saints, if we don’t enjoy this day like it is the last one, we’re only shortchanging ourselves, for it just might be the last one.
Now that is certainly not wisdom, especially in the turbulent times we’re currently experiencing! It’s only the grace and mercy of a very compassionate God that’s keeping us from being swallowed up in the wily tentacles of the enemy’s negative circumstances. That’s why I am advising us to both enjoy the day to its fullest, but also to praise our God with as much power and sincerity as we can muster.
That brings me to these interesting verses from Psalm 22 – A cry of anguish and a song of praise. That means the two; cry for help and words of praise are not inseparable or exclusive, but can exist together in harmony. And it’s not surprising that Bruh David is the author of this psalm. Let’s read with him as he opens with the state of his agony: ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring (groaning)? O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not: and in the night season, and am not silent.’ (Ps. 22:1-2)
Yes friends, Bruh David was obviously between a rock and a hard place. And please note the similarity in that first verse, a foreshadowing of Christ’s lament on the cross, as described by Matthew. ‘And at about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt. 27:46) Then David tells how His forefathers had cried out to the Lord for help in time of trouble and had been delivered, (Ps. 22:3-5)
However, as he further explains: ‘But I am a worm, and no man: a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip (show contempt with their mouths), they shake their head saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.’ (Ps. 22:7-8) Ah my fellow believers, that’s how many of us are treated; laughed to scorn when we talk fervently about God, then get caught up in trouble with no seeming help coming from Him.
But please let’s not lose our faith or the sight that our God is good and will not turn away from us forever. Please believe like Bruh David did: ‘But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope (cause me to trust) when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.’ (Ps. 22:9-11) And isn’t that the living truth my brethren. The Lord sees us in our mother’s womb and designates us as followers, and it’s only Him, and Him alone that can help us in times of misery and trouble!
Then, after pouring out some more of the anguish of his soul to God, (vs.12-18) Bruh David changes tack; he turns to sentiments of praise. But let’s pause here for a moment and take note of verse 18: ‘They part (divide) my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture (for my clothing).’ That’s another foreshadowing of Christ on the Cross. Matthew 27:35 reads: ‘And they crucified him, and parted (divided) his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.’ So, this psalm is incredibly significant in foreshadowing Christ’s coming.
But getting back to the praise section. Hear Bruh David: ‘I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Ye that fear (LOVE) the Lord, praise him all ye the seed (descendants) of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him (hold Him in awesome reverence), all ye the seed of Israel. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.’ (Ps. 22:22-24) Yuh see friends, how praise and worship can cause our heavenly Father to look upon our affliction with grace and mercy? He never turns away from those who sincerely praise and glorify Him when they call upon Him in their time of trouble.
As Bruh David so reverently continues. ‘My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations. All they that be fat (prosper) upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust (death) shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul (keep himself alive).’ (Ps. 22:25-29).
Truer words were never spoken my people! The universe and all therein is the Lord’s! And He will judge it righteously. And furthermore, NONE of us can save ourselves. So what’s our best option? Turn to the Lord, like Bruh David did, with shouts of praise and thanksgiving, with the spreading of His salvation, through the good news of Christ, and calling on Him in times of trouble without fear. In other words, living a life that glorifies Him! That’s the only way to make it through this sinful world with peace, LOVE and joy in our souls, despite the trials and tribulation we all will suffer.
And for those of us who believe that, and are doing our best to live such a life, let’s go home now declaring (yeah!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘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 is a given, that if we endure to the very end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Glory Be! Much LOVE!
…cries for help…can only be based…on shouts of praise…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
05 May 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a state of turmoil and uncertainty, at the foot of Christ's cross, be not afraid or dismayed, cast all our cares on god, desperation and anxiety, endure to the end, fear and confusion, I am halfway home, I'm so glad to be alive, in the waiting arms of God the Father, Jehoshaphat, keep your eyes steadfastly on Christ, LOVE, mid-week crisis, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, neither know we what to do, Nobody can possibly help me, not focusing on the past, not turning back, one place of safety, our eyes are pon thee, raise the level of our faith, standing achingly helpless, Stay with God, stumbling through confused days, thank God, the battle is the Lord's, the breath of life, the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, the Lord has given me cause to rejoice, to a glorious future with Jesus, tossing through sleepless nights, we have no power, Wednesday Wail, wisdom of the ages
2 Chronicles 20:12b. …neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
And then it was Wednesday; the mid-week relief moment, the time when we were just getting reaccustomed to the new work week. But that was then…now, Wednesday is the mid-week crisis moment, when we’re wondering how and if we are going to make it through the rest of the week. Life has changed so drastically and unexpectedly during the past year that everything is in a state of turmoil and uncertainty.
But yuh know what friends, in all the desperation and anxiety, fear and confusion, there is ONE place of safety for all of us, one place that has never, and will never change. That is at the foot of Christ’s cross, or in the waiting arms of our heavenly Father, or in the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. It simply means that our great God is the definitive place we must turn to for refuge from anything, or anyone, that comes against us in this earthly life.
And these words from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin magnificently describe the process. The piece is titled: ‘Nobody Can Possibly Help Me.’ And as true believers in Christ, deep down we know that is not true, but it’s just when troubles keep coming relentlessly at us, we tend to lose the faith we need to carry us through the moment.
But listen to what Ms. Calkin writes: ‘How wonderful! You can shake hands with a king. His name is Jehoshaphat, and his story reads like a letter from someone who feels desperate – maybe like how you feel right now. You don’t know where to turn. Neither did he. Jehoshaphat had no forces to oppose the “great company” marching against him. Standing achingly helpless (as you are), what did he do? He literally threw himself on God. He prayed. “O our God, we have no power to face this vast army attacking us. We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (You’ll find the story in 2 Chronicles 20.)
Do you see yourself in the mirror of the story? Do you feel overpowered by a “great company” of temptations? Are you stumbling through confused days and tossing through sleepless nights? What is the answer? Stoic endurance? No. That brings only deeper despair. But you can pray Jehoshaphat’s prayer! His God is your God if your faith is in Jesus Christ. You can plead with God on the grounds of His great power, His promises, and His LOVE. And all the while you can keep your eyes steadfastly on Him. The result? As you trust, you will one day say as Jehoshaphat said, “The Lord has given me cause to rejoice.’
And that’s the gospel truth my fellow believers! In times of difficulty the Lord wants and expects us to cast all of our cares upon him, because He cares for us. Remember, Jesus unequivocally invited us in His Great invitation, to bring our burdens and woes to Him because He can take them from us and lighten our load. So, in spite of how things may seem, once we turn in all sincerity to God, our rocky road will gradually get smoother. As we raise the level of our faith in our Creator and Provider, we get better at handling the problems that we encounter in this earthly life.
So as the song says: ‘There’s life in Him…There’s Hope in Him…There’s a bright future in Him. So don’t give up now… don’t give in…hang in there until things get better.’ And they will eventually, if we do like Jehoshaphat did; that’s stay with God. And here is the Bible Promise for our story today, Jehoshaphat’s pleading prayer. ‘O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen (nations)? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? …O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.’ (2 Chr. 20:6-7, 12)
Ah friends, the same thing applies to us today: we need to keep our eyes steadfastly focused on God, for that’s where the answer to everything and every question in our lives lie. Like Peter, when he walked on water with Jesus, if we take our eyes off Him and focus on the circumstances and problems then we’ll begin to sink. And if the great king Jehoshaphat could call out to God in such fear and uncertainty, who are we to do differently eh? And yuh see how the situation ended?
Jehoshaphat and all his people of Judah fasted and prayed, then God sent them a message through Jahaziel: ‘Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s….Ye shall not need to fight in the battle: set (position) yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.’ (2 Chr. 20:15, 17) And the next day the Israelites went out and didn’t lift a hand but ended up victorious, for our great God made the three armies that were coming against them to fight amongst each other and destroy themselves.
Oh my people, our God has not changed or become weak and immobile. He is still the omnipotent Creator and Provider, and He is telling us the same thing in these trying times: to not fear, leave your life in His powerful hands, just do what we are supposed to do, and He will protect us, because the battle is not ours but His. So let’s remember that in these turbulent times and stand strong and faithful. That’s all God is asking of us. He will do the rest!
Now for those of us who are sincerely trying to do just that, let’s go home declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. So 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 just in case you’ve forgotten, (smile) if we endure to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…in spite of what comes against you…stay with God…that’s wisdom for the ages…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
14 Apr 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all these things will be added unto you, corruption, do whatever sutis their evil and ungodly purposes, every evil thing, God's bar of justice, halfway home, hands on the plough, heaven is more appealing than hell, inept cowards, Johnny yuh too bad, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, persevere to the end, run to the rock for rescue, seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, so entrenched in power, take away the right from the poor, tarnished with greed, that write grievousness, the blatant manner in which it's now perpetrated, the breath of life, the LOVE of money, the Mighty One of Israel, the morally empty, the root of all evil, the season of dictators, there'll be no rock, they may rob the fatherless, to a glorious future with Jesus, turn aside the needy from judgement, Wednesday Wail, where yuh gonna run, which they have prescribed, widows may be their prey, wisdom in spades, woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees
Isaiah 10:1. Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed;
Morning mih bredrin. Yuh know, I was just thinking of how to begin today’s sermon, (smile) that’s what a friend of mine calls it, and for a moment I was lost in thought, thinking in my own strength, when suddenly it occurred to me, ‘Why not check the Good Book and see what it says eh?’ Yes friends, wisdom in spades! So I turned to the Lord’s Word, to check what it says at the place where I had opened it. And, lo, and behold, it had opened at this very appropriate scripture in Isaiah.
Listen up closely please. ‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed; To turn aside (deprive) the needy from judgement (of justice), and to take away the right (what is right) from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!’ (Is. 10:1-2)
And yuh better believe that Isaiah could be writing to our very society right now, because it is so tarnished with greed, corruption and every evil thing in the corridors of power that those words written so long ago about the evils in Israel, also apply most appropriately to this current time. But what saddens me ever so much, is not the evil itself, but the blatant manner in which it is now perpetrated.
Oh, there’s always been greed and corruption and all the other negative stuff in leadership circles, but it’s never been as blunt, blatant and doh-care as it is now! Our current leaders simply don’t care about anything or anybody else but themselves and their evil cronies and just do whatever suits their evil and ungodly purposes, and who don’t like it, tough! They feel they are so entrenched in power, that the ordinary man in the street, the ones to whom they owe allegiance, fidelity and good governance, can’t touch them, so they’ve become bold faced enough to be thinking about dictatorship.
Yes friends, another era of strongmen, of dictators, is currently blossoming all over our world, and it doesn’t augur well for the lowly and downtrodden, because that’s where dictators, the morally empty and inept cowards usually plant their heavy yoke. But my people, those fools who crave earthly power so badly that they are willing to sell their souls to Satan and his evil dominion for it, unfortunately don’t realize that there is a power greater than all of us, including the evil one, and when that august personage, the Lord of hosts is his name, is ready to wreak vengeance on the perpetrators of evil, they don’t stand a chance of escape, like a snowball in the fiery chambers of hell!
Hear how the prophet describes that time of awakening nuh. ‘And what will ye do in the day of visitation (punishment), and in the desolation which shall come from far? To whom will ye flee for help? And where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under (among) the prisoners, and they shall fall under (among) the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (in judgement)’ (Is. 10:3-4) Oh my faithful believers in Christ, what a sad day it will be for the evil ones, when the Lord of hosts unfurls His awesome plan of justice for the poor and downtrodden! As the prophet queries: ‘To whom will ye flee for help?’
That reminds me of an old reggae song ‘Johnny yuh too bad,’ by the Slickers, featured in the Jimmy Cliff movie, ‘The Harder They Come.’ And the lyrics say: ‘Walking down the road With your pistol in your waist, Johnny yuh too bad. Walking down the road With your ratchet in your waist, Johnny yuh too bad. Yuh just robbing and yuh stabbing and yuh looting and yuh shooting And yuh too bad.
Yuh just robbing and yuh stabbing and yuh looting and yuh shooting, And yuh too bad. One of these days When you hear a voice say come, Where you gonna run to? One of these days When you hear a voice say come Where you gonna run to? Yuh gonna run to the rock for rescue There will be no rock, Yuh gonna run to the rock for rescue There will be no rock.’
Oh my fellow believers, in the day of judgement, that fateful day, when the Lord of hosts comes seeking justice for His people, the wicked will run to their rock, the evil one, for protection, but he will not be around, because the Mighty One of Israel will have already tethered him, securely imprisoned him in the fiery realms of hell!
For the life of me, I just can’t fathom what’s so grand and enthralling about a lot of power nuh, because the more power you have the more responsibility comes with it. And likewise money: the more you have, the more you have to take care of. But mankind just seems fascinated by the aura of power and prestige and money. But please remember what Bruh Paul told Timothy about the LOVE of money: ‘For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil (all kinds of evil): which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Tim. 7:10)
Yes my brethren, whenever we covet something, it leads us astray, and often to ruin, because the inherent power of the word means we will do anything to get what we covet. And sadly, that’s what happens to so many of us, we covet the wrong things in life, like power, money, social status, and the things the world considers so important and must have.
But in the truthful words of Jesus, what we need to do is seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all those things shall be added unto us. (Matt. 6:33) And the beauty of getting those things from Jesus is that once we get them from Him, the probability of losing them is very low, unlike when we get them through selling our souls to Satan.
As the scholars explain: ‘10:1-4. A prophetic Woe is pronounced against those administrators who pervert justice. These government officials have abused their power and are now called to God’s bar of justice.’ And my Scrip-Bit friends and family, I sincerely hope that none of us will be amongst the sad and sorry lot that will eventually be called to God’s bar of justice, because it will be a sad day of reckoning. So for those of us who sincerely try to keep evil out of our souls, let’s go home now declaring (awright!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘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 there’s indeed no better place for us to be focused my fellow saints, because if we persevere to the end, that promised future will be even more glorious and amazing than we can either think or imagine. Much LOVE!
…the option of heaven…is definitely more appealing…than that of hell…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
10 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: an oppressive early morning sleep, bushwhacked, disappointment can't, distress, eternal life, fail until I feel old and beaten, fall flat on my face, famine, glad to be alive, God's measureless love, halfway home, hands on the plough, I show you a mystery, listening to worship music, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, nakedness, not turning back, o death where is thy sting, One Year Book of Bible promises, pain can't, peril, Romans 8---to Me, Ruth Harms Calkin, separate us from the love of God, sword, thanks be to God who gives us the victory, the breath of life, the dream, the great I AM, the row be tough to hoe, to a glorious future with Jesus, tribulation, Wednesday Wail, who shall separate us from the Love of Christ
Romans 8:35a. Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ?
Ah friends, it’s been a rough morning…I was bushwhacked by an oppressive early morning sleep, (smile) just couldn’t get up though I wanted and tried to. Yuk know how sleep can be very determined at times. And it wasn’t because I went to bed late. In fact, I went to bed pretty early – by my standards. And then the dream…oh the dream! A big open grassland with a band stand and several bands playing beautiful music! Wow! Again, I wanted to leave but couldn’t because the music was so sweet and scintillating! Brother! Was it ever hard to get up…
But now I’m up and listening to some worship music, reminding me that there is a God, and He is alive, in Him we live and in Him we breathe. He is the Great I AM! And because He is the Great I AM, this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, is ever so appropriate, especially for these turbulent times in which we’re currently living. And it’s a poem that I can’t ever remember sharing. It’s titled ‘Romans 8 —to Me.’
So please pray with me: ‘God I may fall flat on my face I may fail until I feel Old and beaten and done in Yet Your LOVE for me is changeless. All the music may go out of my life My private world may shatter to dust Even so You will hold me In the palm of Your steady hand. No turn in the affairs Of my fractured life Can baffle You. Satan with all his braggadocio Cannot distract You
Nothing can separate me From Your measureless LOVE. Pain can’t Disappointment can’t anguish can’t. Yesterday, today, tomorrow can’t. The loss of my dearest LOVE can’t. Death can’t. Life can’t. Riots war insanity unidentiy Hunger neurosis disease — None of these things Nor all of them heaped together Can budge the fact That I am dearly LOVED. Completely forgiven and forever free Through Jesus Christ Your beloved Son.’
Oh mih bredrin, how great is that eh! I would say it’s amazing, awesome, without precedent and can’t ever be bettered! So why do so many of us refuse to truly and sincerely believe in Christ Jesus, the Son of the Great I AM eh? Yes friends, there is a God, who is alive, in Him we breathe, and we’ll survive. But we have to come to Him in true surrender and humility.
He’s already done His part in the covenant with us; providing redemption and forgiveness of sins with eternal life through belief in His son, who paid our sin debt in full on the cross of Calvary. It’s now our turn to keep the covenant by coming to him and accepting the free gift of grace and salvation that Jesus earned for us with His selfless sacrifice, showing both His and the Father’s great and overwhelming LOVE for us.
And the scripture promise for our poem is none other than Bruh Paul’s mighty acknowledgement to the church at Rome. ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35-39)
Oh Mama, Mama! What a powerful and oh so true discourse! NOTHING can separate us from our heavenly Father and Christ Jesus! Once we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour and are sealed by the Holy Spirit as His follower, as His co-heir in the Father’s will, the only person or thing that can break that bond is we ourselves! And why would we ever want to do that eh, after all the wonderful guarantees we have from our ever-faithful God.
Hear Bruh Paul tell it to the church at Corinth and consequently to us and all creation. ‘Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump (trumpet): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave (hades), where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour will not be in vain (futile) in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 15:51-58)
Yes, my fellow saints in Christ, accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour is a no-brainer! Just look at all the great and faithful promises nuh – too numerous to mention! But that’s why the Lord gave us free will, the opportunity to choose between Him and Satan; to spend eternity with Him in the wonderful place called heaven, or with Satan in the fiery dungeons of hell. The choice is left up to each individual, so hopefully ALL of us will make the right one. All anybody can do is give us advice, we have to make the final decision for ourselves. Please make the sensible one and choose Jesus.
And for those of us who have already made that marvellous and wise decision, let’s go home now declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know our amazing and most awesome position in Christ Jesus! So altogether now in strong voice and humble confidence: ‘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 here’s another li’l secret; (smile) if we endure to the end, that future with Christ will be even more glorious that we can ever ask or imagine. That’s how wonderful it will be my people! So let’s keep on keeping on nuh, though the row be tough to hoe! Much LOVE!
…in Jesus…there is no death…only eternal life…who…in their right minds…wouldn’t want that eh…
03 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abundant in goodness and truth, and upbraideth not, another day in the life, as far as the east is from the west, endure to the end, for God so loved the world, forgiving iniquity and transgressions, God does not change His standards, God sent not his son into the world, halfway home, hands fixed on the plough, have everlasting life, he gave his only begotten son, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, if any of you lack wisdom, keeping mercy for thousands, let him ask of god, Like as a father pitieth his children, long-suffering, LOVE, magnanimous and magnificent God, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, new mercies and compassions, not turning back, of a truth, so far hath he removed our transgressions, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him, that giveth to all men liberally, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, the breath of life, the expansiveness of God's heart, the Lord is merciful and gracious, the sacrificial Lamb, to a glorious future with Jesus, to condemn the world but to save it, Wednesday Wail, while we were yet sinners christ died for us
John 3:16. For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Welcome to another day in the life friends! And as I keep reminding us, this life might sometimes be on the rough side, but it certainly is worth living, especially if you have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! Glory be mih bredrin! That just got the ole fella excited, energetic and encouraged to start another brand new day, filled with new mercies, compassions and all the other good things our amazing, magnanimous and magnificent God delights in showering down on us new every day!
Yes, there’s no doubting His magnificence and magnanimity! He shows it in oh so many ways. And today we’ll look at a few scriptures that show that generous and big-hearted nature of our God. And I think the most generous and kind thing our God has ever done is sacrificing His Son Jesus Christ on our sinful behalf. The Good Book tells us, from the very mouth of that sacrificial Lamb: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16)
Now if that isn’t magnanimous, and generous…and all those other synonyms, then I don’t know what is. You can your bottom dollar that I wasn’t sending my only one son to die for no bunch of ungrateful sinners! (smile) And I believe that very few of us would have done it too. But that just shows the expansiveness of God’s heart and His undying LOVE for us, His most precious creation.
And Jesus followed that up with this other magnificent verse that shows the awesome care and compassion of our heavenly Father. ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:17) Oh yeah precious people! Instead of wiping us off the map, as God had every reason to do because of our abominable sinfulness, He instead chose to save us. Hn! And are we thankful for that compassion and mercy? A lot of us aren’t.
That leads us to this other magnificent scripture…oh, they are quite a few in the Good Book! (smile) Bruh Paul tells the church at Rome: ‘For when we were yet without strength, in due time (at the right time) Christ died for the ungodly… But God commendeth (demonstrates His own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:6,8) I don’t know how we cannot take away or derive immense generosity and largesse from those actions nuh.
And James describes the Lord’s goodness and non-discrimination thus: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.’ (James 1:5) Yuh see that friends? God is no discriminator of persons. He gives to each generously. And then in Acts, as Peter preaches to the Gentiles, the Good Book says: ‘Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons (He’s impartial): But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.’ (Acts. 10:34-35)
But it’s important to note that God is impartial to those who fear, reverence Him, do His bidding, and live by His standards, for sin is sin, and if you don’t accept His Son as your Lord and Saviour, then there’s nothing He can do, since that’s the law He laid down as a just and righteous God. And being just and righteous, He must uphold His law. It means He does not change His standards for anyone.
Now hear how Bruh David puts it in Psalm 103 – Thanksgiving for God’s mercy. ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-kindness). He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear (reverence) him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame (understands our constitution); he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:8-14)
Oh fellow saints of Christ, do we really appreciate the magnanimity of what Bruh David is saying there? The Lord doesn’t give us what we deserve, and even casts away our sins and forgets them if we serve and reverence Him in all sincerity and truth! And I think it’s only fitting to declare the words of the Lord Himself on the subject, this when He passed before Moses on Mt. Sinai.
‘And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him (Moses) there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.’ (Ex. 34:5-7)
And since the Lord Himself said it, and He’s not a man, therefore has no cause to lie, then that must be the ultimate truth! Matter fixed! Our God is a wonderful magnanimous, magnificent, holy, just and righteous Deity! Therefore we will serve and worship Him with all our heart, strength, soul, body and mind! And to show that we are sincere, let’s go home now declaring (yeahhh!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘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!’
So let’s keep our eyes focused on Jesus and endure unto the end, when that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…if after all God’s done for us…we don’t revere and LOVE Him…then something’s definitely wrong with us…
24 Feb 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a discernerof the thoughts and intents of the heart, all things are naked, be preserved blameless, devise not evil against they neighbour, envy thou not the oppressor, food for thought, halfway home, hands are on the plough, I can deliver as well as forgive, Immaterial Part of man, in everything give thanks, in the house of the wicked, in the power of thine hand, keep thy heart with all diligence, keeping up the Joneses, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not manifest in his sight, not turning back, of joints and marrow, opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do, out of it are the issues of life, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, put that in your pipe and smoke it, shame shall be the legacy of fools, sharper than any twoedged sword, strive not with a man without cause, the breath of life, the curse of the Lord, the Good Book, the last word, the nature of humanity, the whole spirit and soul and body, the wise shall inherit glory, the Word of God is quick and powerful, to a glorious future with Jesus, until the coming of our Lord Jesus christ, Wednesday Wail, withhold not good from whom it is due, your sins are forgiven
Proverbs 4:12. For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.
So how shall we begin this bleak and cloudy Wednesday morning eh? (smile) And since the Good Book opened this morning on the words of Cousin Sol from Proverbs, I think it’s a good idea to start with some of his wise advice on the treatment of neighbours, advice we can certainly use in these selfish and greedy times. So hear ye, hear ye: ‘Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do so. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by (in safety with) thee.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and chose none of his ways. For the froward (perverse person) is abomination to the Lord: but his secret (secret council) is with the righteous. The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation (dwelling) of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly (humble). The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion (legacy) of fools.’ (Prov. 3:27-35)
Oh my people, what wisdom! Wisdom for the ages! But wisdom we have not taken, thus the sorry state of our neighbourly behaviour. And here’s how the scholars summarize those verses. ‘3:27-35. The needy neighbour is to be helped (vs. 27-28); the innocent neighbour is to be respected and left alone (vs. 29-30); and the wicked neighbour is not to be envied (vs. 31-35).’
But sadly, so often we do the opposite of that advice, especially in times like these when selfishness, greed and personal advancement are all the rage. We do not help the needy neighbour, neither respect the innocent one, but are quick to engender strife and ill-will towards them. And oh, how we do envy and covet the things of our prosperous but wicked neighbour…what do we call it? ‘Keeping up with the Jones’…ofttimes to our own detriment and financial ruin.
And I saw an interesting poem in our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that I think might be rather appropriate for us today. It’s titled the ‘Last Word.’ I wonder who shall have that eh? (smile) Please pray with me. ‘I read, “In everything give thanks.” I said, “Lord, I’m in deep trouble…You know I can’t thank you for this.” You said, “My word is a command And not a suggestion, dear child.” I read, “Your sins are forgiven you.” I said, Thank you for forgiving me…I repeat the same sin so often.” You said, I can deliver, as well as forgive.” I read, “Trust in the Lord at all times.” I said, “You know how earnestly I try.” You said, “My Word says Trust.” Lord, it seems to me You always have The last word.’
Of course! He’s the Boss, so whom do you expect to have it eh? You, or I! No way Jose! Both the first and last words belong to Almighty God, our Creator and Controller! And until we understand that deep down in our souls, we will always have problems with His Word. But we are certainly foolish to dispute or denigrate or disobey it? Why, you ask? I don’t think you really want to know nuh. (smile)
Here’s how the Good Book describes the Lord’s Word. It’s our Bit as well as the Bible Promise for our poem above. ‘For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’ (Heb. 4:12)
Yes friends, that’s the mighty power that God’s Word has! It’s alive and sharp and discerns the thoughts and intents of mortal man! ‘Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in (hidden from) his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (must give account).’ (Heb. 4:13)
Now hear the scholars.‘4:12-13. For the word of God:The reason given for one’s careful scrutiny of his life involves the reality that God is intently scrutinizing it. His word isquick(living). This word is first in the Greek and is the emphasis. God’s Word is not old or archaic; it is alive. It is not inept or inactive; it ispowerful(active). It reaches into the inner secrets of man’s mind to discern even histhoughts and intents.Likewise, God’s eyes sees man as though he were naked, unable to hide behind excuse or pretense.’
And I sincerely hope that last sentence opens our foolish minds and hearts and lets us know that we can’t hide from God, as so many of us try to do. Oh friends, we claim that our great God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. That means He sees all and knows all, and NOTHING can be hidden from Him. So let’s stop trying to do that nuh, for it’s a complete waste of time. Let me tell us another li’l secret here; (smile) the Lord knows our thoughts and intentions before we are even aware of them! Hn! Put that in yuh pipe and smoke it!
Now here is some more interesting info from the scholars as to how the author skillfully uses the human terminology to describe how God’s Word operates .‘Immaterial Part of Man. 4:12.The writer here draws an interesting parallel between the joints and the marrow, which have different functions, yet both are part of a human’s bone structure. Thoughts and intents are also two distinct activities, yet both are activities of the mind. And while the soul and spirit are distinct in function, both have an immaterial character.
When considering the nature of humanity, we must realize a person is a two-part being, that is, with body and soul. But in activity or function the body, soul, and spirit of a person each has a different function. Paul desired that his converts “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:2). (First Ref. Gen 2:7; Primary Ref. 1 Thess. 5:23; cf. Prov. 4:23).’
And since we have a whole lot of food for thought there, (smile) let’s go home declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, telling all and sundry of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘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 what a truly glorious future it will be, if we endure unto the end! Much LOVE!
…keep thy heart with all diligence…for out of it are the issues of life… (Prov. 4:23)
27 Jan 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a double-minded man is unstable, a total lie, anger, ask of God, be strong fear not, be the salt and light of the world, born to manifest the Glory of God, children of the Most High God Jehovah, confirm the feeble knees, Corona and its cousins, doubt, endure to the end, even God with a recompense, expected to show strength, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith comes by hearing, faith conquers fear, fear, feel inadequate, halfway home, hands fixed securely on the plough, he will come and save you, hiding in fear and compromise, if any of you lack wisdom, in it for the long haul, intimidated by the virus, jump willy-nilly into the fire, let our own light shine, liberated from our fear, light conquers darkness, making light of the situation, making of naught all the promises of God, negative emotions, not turning back, nothing enlightened about shrinking, of no use, Our Deepest Fear, our presence liberates others, playing small doesn't serve the world, powerful beyond measure, refusing to adhere to the rules, say to them that are of a fearful heart, so glad to be alive, strengthen ye the weak hands, supposed bravado, thank God, that giveth to all men liberally, the breath of life, the hump day, the undefeatable tools of the believer, to a glorious future with Jesus, to show what Christ and Christianity are about, uncertainty, Wednesday Wail, wisdom conquers stupidity, without reproach, your God will come with vengeance
Isaiah 35:3. Strengthen ye the weak (sinking) hands, and confirm (make firm) the feeble knees.
And then Wednesday arrived, the much awaited hump day! Yeh, once we get over hump day we know we’re in the clear, off and running towards Friday and the weekend.
At least that’s how it used to be. But since Corona and its cousins took over there is no more really looking forward to Friday and the weekend, because for too many of us, everyday seems like Friday; no work, nowhere to go, etc. etc.
Therefore, there currently exists a lot of fear, doubt, anger, uncertainty and a whole lot of negative emotions in our society, making too many of us feel inadequate, unnecessary and of no use.
But friends that’s a total lie! We are the children of the Most High God Jehovah, so how can we be ever inadequate and unnecessary eh? No way!
And I just saw this poem on the wall of my young daughter’s old room, which admirably handles the situation. There is no title or author, but the expressive words say it all. Don’t remember if I have ever shared it before, but if so, it’s definitely worth another go round. (smile)
So please read with me: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’
And my people, I don’t think that there’s ever been a period in this generation that the children of God need to be more liberated than now! We are the ones who are supposed to show the way, to be the salt and light of the world! Believers in Christ are expected to lead the way when fear, anxiety, doubt and all those other negative emotions show up in abundance.
Remember what the poem says: ‘We are born to make manifest the Glory of God.’ And that’s the gospel truth! As ambassadors of Christ in this evil and fearful world, we are expected to show strength, to show others what Christ, what true Christianity is all about.
We’re not supposed to be hiding in fear and compromise, but standing strong so that the unbeliever can also gain strength from our resistance and composure. That’s what Christ expects of His followers!
But unfortunately, in these troubled times, I don’t think we have been doing enough of that. We have also been too intimidated by the virus and all that comes with it. Oh, we do need to take it seriously and do what we’re required to do to slow it down, but we don’t have to be fearful and exhibit that fear because then we’re making of naught all the promises of God.
What don’t we remember about, I will never leave nor forsake you? Do not fear, for I am with you wherever you go. What about: ‘Strengthen ye the weak (sinking) hands, and confirm (make firm) the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense, he will come and save you.’ (Is. 35:3-4)
That’s exactly what we believers ought to be doing in these troubled and dangerous times my brethren. But I don’t believe we’re doing it at a sufficiently high level, otherwise there wouldn’t be so much doubt and fear in our society. And sadly, there is also too much supposed bravado and foolishness from those who disregard the virus out of hand and keep doing what they ought not to do.
When you sit and think about it, mankind is indeed a different breed yes. Some of us are so afraid that we don’t know whether we’re coming or going, while a handful are being respectful and careful, and a whole bunch is making light of the situation and causing even more damage than necessary.
Even some believers are taking the situation to foolish lengths believing that since we’re God’s children nothing can harm us, and thus behaving like spoilt children, refusing to adhere to the rules, despite the sickness and death of many of their colleagues. Steups!
Oh friends, it’s wonderful to have faith, great faith, but that faith must be tempered with wisdom, great wisdom, else we become even more foolish than the unbelievers.
Why do you think James told us: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unpbraideth not (without reproach), and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8)
Oh my people, just like faith comes by hearing and all of that, wisdom also comes by seeking it from the Lord…and being sensible about it. Not because He says He will protect us from the fire and storm means that we ‘re going to jump willy-nilly into the fire or the stormy sea.
All God’s promises need to be addressed with godly wisdom and common sense, two things that seem to be very sparse in our society right now. But we of this now generation have the ability, and are expected to build it up. It’s for this particular time that we were made, so let’s buckle down and do what the Lord expects of us nuh. We have all the parts to do it.
And so, with all that good inspiration under us, (smile) let’s go home declaring (yes!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus and inviting them to join us.
Altogether now: ‘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 I guess I need to remind us that we’re in it for the long haul, and if we endure to the end, the future will be even more glorious than we ask or imagine. And that’s the indisputable truth! Much LOVE!
…faith conquers fear…light conquers darkness…and wisdom conquers stupidity…the undefeatable tools of the believer…
13 Jan 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a frightful state, a future and a hope, a new day, angry, better late than never, bounden duty, Christ's redeeming presence, compassion, confused, deprave, divine purpose, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, God is always good, halfway home, hands on the plough, hateful, hatred stirreth up strifes, have not Love, lost, LOVE is of God, Love never fails, Love thy neighbour as thyself, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, names not in the obits, not turning back, sounding brass, the first great commandment, thou shalt love the Lord thy God, though I speak with the tongues of men, thoughts of peace and not of evil, tinkling cymbals, to a glorious future with Jesus, to give you an expected end, turbulent times, Wednesday Wail, when ye shall search for me, with all of your heart, with all thy heart soul and mind, without me ye can do nothing, ye shall seek me and find me
Jeremiah 29:13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
So a new day has dawned, and we’re still alive to tell about it! That means there’s a reason why; a purpose for our names not being in the obits. Glory to God! Let’ seek that reason, that purpose nuh my people, why the Lord has us on the planet in these turbulent times. Yes, my fellow saints in Christ, we were made and placed here especially for this moment, this opportunity and occasion to fulfil His divine purpose and plan concerning our lives. And it is our bounden duty to enquire of Almighty God, our Creator, what that purpose and plan entails so we can diligently pursue it.
And we know it will never be a bad plan, because our God is always good, but since sin abounds in our world, there will be troubles and adversity involved in some form and some area of our lives. Hear how the prophet Jeremiah characterizes God’s plan for us. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) But His plans don’t just unfurl before us with no sense of interest and/or activity on our part. No sir! Here’s what He further says: ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ (Jer. 29:13)
Now Jesus reiterated that when asked what was the great commandment in the law. ‘Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.’ (Matt. 23:37-38) And that’s the cut-tail part of this whole life my brethren! Too many of us are either not seeking the Lord at all, or we’re not doing so with all of our heart, mind, body and soul. No wonder we’re so confused, so lost, depraved, angry and hateful and our world is in such a frightful state.
Oh friends, when are we going to wake up and truly learn that without God in our lives, our lives are not worth a whole lot eh? It’s only with Him in the lead are we ever, and can we ever be truly fulfilled. Jesus said it quite plainly: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) I don’t know how else He could have said it for us to understand nuh people. It as clear as day: if you don’t have Jesus and He doesn’t have you, then your life’s worthless!
Please note how many rich and powerful people, who supposedly have it all are still basically miserable and unhappy. All their earthly possessions don’t satisfy a certain hunger that we all possess in our souls; that hunger which is for God, and until He comes and fills that void in our lives we’ll never be completely satisfied. Yeh friends, our God’s not stupid yuh know. Oh, He gave us free will and all that, but He also made a li’l empty space in our hearts and souls that will always yearn for Him, and can only be filled with His divine presence.
That’s why, try as hard as we can, we can never run away from Almighty God! He’s continually monitoring us, has us on His radar 24/7. So please, let’s stop running from Him and instead run to Him through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ nuh. It’s the only thing that makes sense in this turbulent and unstable world. Yuh think if we were keeping the first two commandments…oh, Jesus threw in this one for a lagniappe: ‘And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (Matt. 23:30-40)
Yes, friends, if we were sincerely seeking God and LOVING our neighbours as ourselves, do you think our world and consequently our lives, would be in such an awful mess? No Way Jose! Another major problem we have besides not seeking and LOVING God, is that so many of us don’t LOVE ourselves either. So how can we LOVE others if we don’t LOVE ourselves eh? And that doesn’t mean in a narcissistic manner. Oh my people, it’s all about LOVE! As Cousin Sol says in Proverbs: ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE covereth all sins.’ (Prov. 10:12)
And as Bruh Paul informed the church at Corinth on the way of LOVE: ‘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…Charity (LOVE) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not (does not brag on) itself, is not puffed up…Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things. Charity never faileth…’ (1 Cor. 13:1,4,6-8)
Oh mih people, mih people, that wonderful thing we call LOVE, NEVER FAILS! No, it doesn’t! Why is that you ask? I believe John gives us the basic answer in his first epistle. ‘Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God. He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE.’ (1 John 4:7-8) Yes friends, to know true LOVE, one must know God; and to truly know God, one must know LOVE! For that’s whom God is; that His most outstanding trait.
No wonder Bruh Paul put it so nicely and so succinctly: ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity (LOVE), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (LOVE).’ (1 Cor. 13:13) No getting away from that friends; LOVE is indeed the GREATEST! And when we talk about LOVE here, we’re not talking about mere human LOVE, but that which comes from having Christ’s redeeming presence in our lives, cause basic human LOVE falls far short of God’s perfect and infinite compassion.
Well I’ve done my best to convince you, hope I got through. (smile) So let’s go home now declaring (yippee!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most wonderful position in Christ. As one strong, 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 we don’t need to be reminded that if we endure to the end, that that future will be even brighter than we can ask or imagine. (smile) Much LOVE!
…God made the world with LOVE…so that we all could enjoy LOVE…with Him…and with each other…
P.S. We’re a tad late because I had to go out and do some blood work this morning. But better late than never. And it’s oh so goodddd! (smile) Much LOVE!
09 Dec 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
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Psalm 145:1. I will extol (praise) thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
‘Oh Lord, why Lord eh? Yuh know I wanted to go out the street today and do some things that I believe would bring glory to your name, so why yuh make the day so dark and dreary and wet and snowy eh? Yuh know the ole fella don’t like to go out in them conditions… Chuh man Lord!
Now ah not really complaining, (smile) and yuh know is not the cold I’m on about, but it’s just so much better and safer and more encouraging when the place dry and sunny. And though I know that you’ll protect me in both my comings and goings, that doesn’t mean I have to like the nasty weather.
And yes Lord, if you say I should sacrifice and go out the street later, then you know that I will, even though I don’t like it. And that’s my resolve for today Lord! Thank You for all the many blessings you keep sending me. I LOVE and worship you with all my heart. Amen!’
Ah friends, the ole fella is only human, please remember that, and not as young and spry as he used to be, so though my head may be a bit muddled, there’s nothing wrong whatsoever with my heart, and after that plaintive concern above, I went looking for something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin to sort of purge my soul. (smile)
And this is what I came up with. It’s titled ‘Celebration!’ Please pray with me: ‘When I think of Your lavish goodness The longings You’ve satisfied The forgiveness You’ve granted The promises You’ve kept When I think of Your irresistible LOVE Your ceaseless care Your unfailing protection…
Oh Lord God I want to raise flags And fly banners And sound bugles. I want to run with lighted torches And praise You From the mountaintop. I want to write symphonies And shout for joy. I want to throw a festive party For ten thousand guests. I want to celebrate with streamers And bright lights And an elaborate banquet.’ (And the Lord replies) ‘Fine dear child I’m ready.’
Oh yes my faithful brethren, that’s how we ought to feel about our great and wonderful God! And He’s certainly up to any celebrations we want to throw on His behalf! Nobody likes a party in their honour like our God! I think the three words that best describe Him are majestic, magnificent and magnanimous! They just seem to encompass all that He is in our poor, finite vocabulary.
And we ought to celebrate Him everyday, for without Him, where would we be eh? I hate to really contemplate the answer to that question yes. So I’ll just leave it alone and simply be grateful for all the many blessings, the awesome grace and undeserved mercy He showers me each and every day!
And that’s why I can’t understand why we don’t acknowledge and reverence the Lord more than we do. He’s done, is doing, and has promised to do so much for us… but giving Him a li’l LOVE, a li’l thanks and praise, we find it so hard, behave as though it’s pulling teeth without anesthetic…
Chuh mih people, our God deserves much more and much better than what we grudgingly and ‘chinksily’ offer Him, as though we doing Him some big favour. Steups! Is a good thing that ‘The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.’ (Ps. 145:8) Otherwise we’d already been consumed by hellfire and damnation yes!
Anyway friends, is time we change the not so important attitude we have towards our Maker to one of oh so important; more important than anything or anyone else! And when we do, we’ll see a wonderful change in our lives. But enough of me, let’s hear the Bible Promise for our poem today.
And they are momentous and marvellous and indisputable words of Bruh David, from psalm 145 – The Lord is gracious. ‘I will extol (praise) thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Everyday will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.’ (Ps. 145:1-2)
Yeh precious people, Bruh David found those words so nice that he had to say them twice! (smile) And so should we! And what he says afterwards is also wonderful and of great value. ‘Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable (beyond our understanding). One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
I will speak of the glorious honour (splendour) of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible (awesome) acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter (eagerly bubble forth) the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.’ (Ps. 145:3-7)
Mama Mia! Now that’s how the Lord’s people are supposed to behave! But unfortunately we’re not doing it to the extent needed and necessary. In the first place, our generation hasn’t really praised the Lord’s works to the upcoming one, that’s why they have very little or no knowledge of Him and are falling for the world system of Beelzebub. We haven’t spoken enough about God’s mighty works, or His awesome acts, or His majestic splendour! No wonder the new generation doesn’t hold Him in high regard!
We certainly aren’t eagerly bubbling forth reciting His great goodness and singing of His divine righteousness. But yuh know what friends? It’s not too late for us to begin doing better. For remember that while there is life, there is ALWAYS Hope! And hopefully (smile) this scathing commentary on our rather unsatisfactory behaviour will touch our hearts and bring us to our knees, and ultimately raise the level of our hope and faith. That’s my prayer for us this cloudy, snowy Wednesday morning.
And now, let’s go home declaring (awright!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus our marvellous Lord and Saviour. Altogether now: ‘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 brother, if we endure till the end, that future will be even more glorious than our finite minds can comprehend! Much LOVE!
…God made man to be…first and foremost…an instrument of praise an adoration…
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