13 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a grateful heart, A Prayer for Deliverance, a psalm of victory, adversity, an attitude of appreciation, and share His love with the world, Awake up my glory, awaken the dawn, backslide, blessings, Bruh David, Christ's atoning death, Christ's love Revolution, compassion, confidence, faithfulness, feel the joy, for vain is the help of man, give thanks and praise, give us help from trouble, give us rest and peace, God's LOVING-kindness, grace, grow in christ-likeness, he shall tread down our enemies, hear the birds singing, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I will awake early, I will sing and give praise, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, it is a gift of God, lament, level of faith, LOVE, maturity in Christ Jesus, mercies, my heart is fixed, our heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our thanks meter, peace, persecutor, petition, productive labour, repent, rest, Saul, sincerity, steadfast, steadfastness, succour, take everything to God in prayer, thanksgiving, the breath of life, the LOVE of God, through God we shall do valiantly, thy mercy is great unto the heavens, thy truth unto the clouds, trials and tribulations, truth, Tuesday Mantra, victory, wisdom
Psalm 57:7. My heart is fixed (steadfast), O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast): I will sing and give praise.
Well Friends, the Thanksgiving partying is over and done with now! Time to get back to some productive labour. But that doesn’t mean we have to stop giving thanks and praise to Almighty God as individuals.Yesterday was just a day set aside to give thanks as a nation.
But really, every time we open our eyes to greet a new day, we ought to give thanks to our Creator, for the breath of life that He has imbued in us, because it is a gift of such immense proportions, which ONLY He can give.
And when we hear the birds singing, and feel the joy their trilling brings, our thanks meter ought to rise up even higher. Then when we enjoy the wonderful mercies and blessings of our heavenly Father throughout the day, and contemplate upon the salvation and eternal life He has provided through His awesome grace and the atoning death of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…
Oh brother, then our thanks ought to ramp up so high that it breaks the measuring equipment! That just shows we are so grateful for His LOVING-kindness and compassion to us, undeserving though we are.
So let’s never forget my people, that thanks and praise is an every day, all day attitude of appreciation to the Most High God Jehovah, our wonderful Creator and ever-generous Provider!
And since today is Tuesday, it’s only appropriate that we give some thanks and praise through our Tuesday Mantra.
Now as one harmonious body, let’s pray. ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to hurry. I don’t have to worry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen.’
And all of that is ever so true Friends! Once we have the LOVE of God flowing through us, then there is no need to worry or be anxious about ANYTHING! For in wisely taking EVERYTHING to Him in prayer, and casting ALL our cares upon Him, He will unburden us and give us rest and peace like no one else can. And that is even more reason to be generous in our thanks and praise.
And to show how real our thanks and praise ought to be, just listen to our Bit, taken from Psalm 57 – A Prayer for Deliverance – written when Bruh David fled from his persecutor Saul to a cave in the wilderness. ‘My heart is fixed (steadfast), O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast): I will sing and give praise.’
So you see my brethren, even during some of Bruh David’s roughest times he still was wise, steadfast and faithful enough to keep on giving thanks and praise to the God of his fathers. Likewise Friends, our wisdom, steadfastness and faithfulness ought to have us giving thanks to God in ALL situations, be they good or bad, for that’s what Jesus advised.
The first part of Psalm 57 is filled with Bruh David’s lament and petition to God for succour, while the second half, starting at our Bit, portrays his trust and thanksgiving.
Listen to Bruh David pour out his heart in praise after our Bit. ‘Awake up, my glory; awake psaltery (lute) and harp: I myself will awake early (will awaken the dawn). I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing unto thee among the nations (gentiles). For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.’ (Ps.57:8-11)
Oh my fellow believers in Christ, can we give such acknowledgement to Almighty God during our times of adversity? Most of us cannot, but we ought to be able to, according to the level of our faith and maturity in Christ Jesus.
Sadly, some of us don’t even sing His praises and give Him thanks during our good times, much less in the rough ones. But we must keep seeking to grow in Christ-likeness, until we can give thanks and praise even in the midst of our trials and tribulations. Then and only then will we have attained a strong enough foundation to take us through our earthly problems and tests.
But please be careful though, that if and when we achieve such a state, we don’t stop and rest on our laurels, but keep on striving, striving with Jesus to win this race of life.
Oh my people, we can never afford to stop learning, to stop growing in Christ Jesus – not until the day He takes us home – or else we are liable to backslide, and backsliding is one of the worst things a believer can ever do.
And please note that the verses of Psalm 57, which we have just read, are also the beginning stanzas of Psalm 108 – Israel looks to God for help.
And the scholars inform us, re ‘Psalm 108. This Psalm is composed of fragments from two other psalms. The first section verses 1-5, is taken from 57:7-11; the second section, verses 6-13, is taken from 60:5-12, with little change in the wording of either fragment.
Though taken from psalms of individual lament (ch.57) and national lament (ch.60), the present psalm is composed of the most positive sections of confidence in both. The resulting work is a psalm of victory that only briefly alludes to the nation’s lament, namely, their ever-present enemies (vv.12-13).’
And we’ll end with last two verses of Psalm 60 – A prayer for help against the foe – and Psalm 108, verses which are ever so appropriate to our current world situation.
Please pray with me Friends. ‘Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.’ (Ps.108:12-13)
Yes my people, it is indeed the great God of Hosts who will trample down our enemies! But first we have to repent and come back to Him in all sincerity and truth. Let’s wisely begin doing that today nuh, because that’s our ONLY hope. Much LOVE!
…only through Christ’s LOVE Revolution…can the world be saved…
12 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new week of work, anger, aura of love, blessings, confidence, conquerors, Creator of the universe, cussing, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, enthusiasm, faith, fighting, friends, further God's glorious kingdom, fussing, generous help, give thanks and praise, glory hallelujah, God shall redeem Israel, God's ever-loving ways, God's merciful ways, grace, Granny's warning, hear the birds singing, holiness, hope, humble servants, I wait for the Lord, in his word do I hope, iniquities, inspiration, invincible, Jesus Christ, joy, let Israel hope in the Lord, lies, LOVE, loving kindness, man's fallen nature, mercy, my soul doth wait, my soul waiteth for the Lord, O Lord God Almighty, peace, plenty to be thankful for, Praise the Lord, redemption, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, rest, righteousness., spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strife, surrender our all, taunts, Thanksgiving Day, the best things in life are free, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, to rise and greet a new day, trust, truth, ungodly world, wiles, wisdom, with the Lord there is mercy
Psalm 130:5. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA!
And do we ever have plenty to be thankful for in this Canada my people, the best big country in the world! Glory Hallelujah!
And I recently heard one of my old favourite reggae songs that’s ever so appropriate for this Thanksgiving Day, that I had to share it. I believe I’ve shared it some time long ago, and I don’t even remember the singer’s name, but it does fill today’s bill.
Please sing along with me. ‘The earth is Jah Lord’s, and the fullness thereof! Jahman, give thanks and praise! It’s five o’clock in the morning, As I rise to greet a new day, I wish everyone could feel the way I do today. Just to hear the birds a-singing, and the joy that they’re a-bringing. We are Jah gifts for we are life.
Don’t you see what I see? Give thanks and praise, give thanks and praise, give thanks and praise to Jah for His ever-LOVING ways. Ah say: Give thanks and praise… do you hear: Give thanks and praise, Give thanks and praise to Jah for His merciful ways.
I think to myself, that beautiful days like these, should not be wasted in a cussing and fussing and fighting. As I trod along the way, As I trod along today, I know the best things in life are free.
O do you hear: Give thanks and praise, Give thanks and praise, Give thanks and praise to Jah for His merciful ways. Can’t you see what I see? Give thanks and praise, give thanks and praise to Jah for His ever-LOVING ways!’
Oh my people, now isn’t that ever the most appropriate way for us to behave each and every day, not only on Thanksgiving Day! It surely is! For just being able to rise and greet a new day is sufficient to give much thanks for.
And when you add the sweet singing of the birds and the joy they bring us with their song, plus the beauty of the day itself – and today indeed looks like another beautiful one – then our God’s merciful and ever-LOVING ways, with all the best things in life being free, why should there be any cussing and fussing and fighting eh?
This earthly life should be all about giving thanks and praise to Almighty God for all the goodness He’s so generously bestowed on us. Unfortunately though, with our fallen nature, it just doesn’t work out that way. We seem to have more cussing and fussing and fighting, more strife and anger than praise and thanks. What a pity!
Anyway, today is Monday, and though we in Canada don’t all have to go out and labour, many others over the world have to. So in sympathy with them (smile) let’s belt out a wonderful rendition of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to give them some inspiration and faith to go out and serve God with holiness and righteousness.
All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was wonderful Friends! Jesus was pleased, as the broad smile on His handsome face revealed. Although I believe that most of the enthusiasm came from us Canadians who don’t have to go to work today. (smile) But nonetheless it was a good rendition.
Now let’s try and do what our Bit says, for this last day nuh. ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.’ That’s a must Friends, if we need to see God’s grace and mercy in our lives!
Now listen to how the psalmist continues his song of hope and faith. ‘My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING-kindness), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Ps.130:6-8)
Oh Friends, isn’t all of that the living truth? It most certainly is! We just have to hold on to it my brethren, and not let the nonsense that the world is so full of today, to get into and disrupt our godly lives.
So let’s all have a good day, giving thanks and praise for our God’s grace and mercy, as we ought to, for that’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!
…remember Granny’s warning…drunk or sober…mind yuh business (smile)…
10 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a future and a hope, a place in heaven, be of good courage, dreams are like hope the true essence of our lives, end up with nothing, excellence, expectant faith, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, God's never late, grace, he shall strengthen thine heart, hungry hope, I hope in thy word, I know on which side my bread is buttered, I wait for the Lord, I've seen the light, immorality, in his word do I hope, in limbo, in the land of the living, insubstantial stuff, live an abundant life, living for Jesus, LOVE, mediocrity, mercy, my soul doth wait, my soul fainteth for thy salvation, never give up on a dream, not of calamity, peace, quality, quantity, righteousness., Scrip-Bit family, second class, seek Jesus and his righteousness, sheds this earthly coil, simmering on the back burner, team up with Jesus, the bells and whistles, the Good News of Christ, the goodness of God, the Lord is my light and salvation, the rate race, thoughts of peace, throw in the towel, to give you an expected end, trust in the Lord, ungodly world, wait on the Lord, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation, wealth, wisdom
Psalm 130:5. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Aye Friends, grace and peace and LOVE and mercy to all my Scrip-Bit family from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! It’s so wonderful to team up with Jesus to do this life, and it’s so sad to realize that those who don’t, will never know what they’re missing.
They foolishly believe that the bells and whistles and wealth and immorality, the outward show and otherwise of this world are so great that they spend their entire lives chasing that insubstantial stuff, and in the end, end up with nothing.
Meanwhile Jesus places quality and excellence above quantity and mediocrity, and if you seek Him and his righteousness you will get all that you need to live an abundant life in this world, plus a place in heaven when your mortal body eventually sheds this earthly coil and returns to the dust from which it was originally formed.
So why would we want to get involved in the rat race of this ungodly world eh, when Jesus has so much more and so much better to offer? I don’t know the answer to that puzzling question nuh Friends, I can only talk for myself, and since I’ve come to really know Jesus, I’ve seen the light and know on which side my bread is buttered. (smile)
All we can do is tell others about the good news of Christ and live in a worthwhile manner; one which is an excellent representation of that good news in action.
Now check out this recent quote from our friend Anselm, who is always trying to inspire us to have a better tomorrow. This one says: ‘Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to achieve it. The time will pass anyways.’
And there’s much truth to that statement my people, for dreams don’t usually come to pass overnight, but in our busy and rushed society, we expect them to. And if you’re living for Jesus, then that dream may take even longer to come to pass, because it won’t until He decides that you’re ready for it, or all the other stuff that’s necessary to fulfill it are in place.
And a lot of us supposed believers give up on our dreams and throw in the towel, simply because they are taking too long to come pass. I can tell you about waiting on God to have dreams fulfilled. I’ve had several over the years, some have come true, but some that I consider important, some that He’s placed in my heart are still in limbo, still simmering on the back burner. I’ve done what I can do and just have to bide my time until He believes the timing is right.
And over the years Friends, I’ve learned from hard experience, never to push or rush some of those dreams because they inevitably fail if they’re not in God’s plan for your life, or in His time frame. The one thing though, is that we must never give up on our dreams, otherwise we might as well be dead, for a life without a dream to pursue is essentially a stagnant, unproductive life.
Dreams are like hope; once we’re alive, there is always a chance that they can come true. So please hold on to your hopes and your dreams because they are the true essence of our lives. No wonder in Psalm 130 – My soul waiteth for the Lord – the psalmist declared with much confidence in our Bit: ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.’
Oh my fellow believers, in these troubled and confused times that is exactly what we need to do; trust in the Lord and wait for Him with hungry hope and expectant faith, for that is the only way we will ever have true peace, joy and comfort down here on earth!
How did Isaiah put it? ‘And it shall be said in that last day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:9)
Yes my people, waiting patiently on the Most High God Jehovah is of the utmost importance in the lives of His followers! We can always try to do stuff in our own strength, but usually it fails or ends up second class.
The writer of Psalm 119 knew this, and gladly acknowledged it. ‘My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word saying, when wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle (wineskin) in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.’ (Ps.119:81-83)
Yuh see my brethren, although the psalmist was having his problems, he still felt confident enough in the God of his fathers to wait patiently for Him and do His will.
Meanwhile, in Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation – Bruh David confidently proclaimed. ‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith) I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:13-14)
Yeh Friends, if we don’t expect to enjoy God’s goodness down here on earth, what’s the purpose of believing and trusting and having faith eh?
Remember Jesus died that we might have abundant life, not only in heaven, but also down here on earth. And He does provide that for us, but we can’t want and expect to have everything now-for-now, like the world demands, we must learn to wait on His timing, though He often cuts it rather close to the wire. (smile) But He’s NEVER late, that much I can vouch for.
So this Saturday morning, let’s settle down and wait on the Lord, as we ought, and stop allowing Lucifer and his greedy, evil minions to play head games with us, and draw us away from the LOVING, and caring arms of our heavenly Father. Now that’s wisdom to the nth degree! Much LOVE!
…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)
02 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new workweek, bounden duty, Bruh Paul, busyness, charlatans, Church of Christ, Colossians, commuting, doctrine, easily led astray, encouragement, endure afflictions, energy, enthusiasm, enticing words, evangelist, exhort, faith, false teachers, feel good, fellowship, feting, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, godliness, good news of Christ, good works, gusto, heap to themselves teachers, I am with you always, in season, in soul body and mind, itchy ears, lest any man should beguile you, long-suffering, LOVE, lusts, New Testament, observe all things I commanded you, out of season, party time, party-animal mentality, peace, preach the word, rebuke, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, reprove, rest, rested, salvation by faith, strengthened, teach all nations, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the daily grind, the end of the workweek, the gospel, the Great Commission, the weekend, this I say, Timothy, turn away their ears from the truth, unto the end of the world, warning, wisdom, with your generous help
Colossians 2:4. And this I say, lest any man should beguile (deceive) you with enticing (persuasive) words.
And then it was Friday Friends, the day we all seem to LOVE, because it heralds the end of the workweek and the beginning of the weekend, which many of us consider to be party time. (smile)
And thus it leads to the mantra that many of us declare each and every Friday: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Work will soon be over and then the feting will begin! TGIF! Thank the Lord it’s Friday yes! Ah can’t wait for this work day to be over!’
Ah mih people that state of mind is understandable because of the daily grind and steady task that our work week has become, with all the busyness, the commuting, or rather parking lot highways and byways, that has become such a major part of our modern-day lives.
But the party-animal mentality is definitely not the best one to have each and every Friday, because it diminishes the importance of the weekend and our days off. Our Friday Chant offers a much better perspective on the way our weekend should be used. So let’s chant it now nuh, with plenty enthusiasm and thankfulness.
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my brethren, our weekends should be spent with elements of godliness and rest along with some amount of partying. But the end product should allow us to be strengthened and rested so that we can go back out fresh on Monday and began a brand new workweek full of gusto, energy, enthusiasm and peace.
Otherwise our week will undoubtedly be rough and dreary. And that is exactly why Bruh Paul found it necessary to often warn his readers about false teachings and teachers, and in our particular case, the Colossians, which is our Bit for today. ‘And this I say, lest any man should beguile (deceive) you with enticing (persuasive) words.’
And unfortunately my people, our world today is filled with so many charlatans and false teachers with sweet mouths and persuasive words that unless we are well grounded in the Word of God, we can be so easily led astray.
That brings us to Bruh Paul’s warning and encouragement to Timothy. ‘Preach the word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering 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 itchy ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.’ (2 Tim.4:2-5)
What wonderful words of advice and wisdom my brethren, for that is exactly what’s happening in these sorry and sorrowful times! People no longer want to hear real truth, but what makes then feel good, and find and follow those who do so.
Listen to some explanations from the scholars. ‘4:1-4. 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 into fables (myths or legends).’
‘4:5-8. 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 since we are all a part of the New Testament Church of Christ, then it means that we too should be involved in evangelism; leading people to the Saviour by our godly words and godly lifestyle.
Now many of us make the mistake of thinking that it’s only priests and pastor and preachers who should be involved in evangelism, but that’s totally wrong my brethren! Every believer in, and follower of Jesus Christ has the bounden duty to teach the gospel of Christ; the doctrine of salvation by faith, and not by good works.
Christianity can only be spread by teaching, and if you are a Christian, then you are expected to do your part in spreading it. For remember some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples. ‘Go ye therefore, and teach 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(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
And that is exactly what the disciples did my people, otherwise we would never have known about Jesus and His Good News Gospel. Now the duty falls on us to carry on their work, to continue spreading the gospel, until it has reached the four corners of the earth.
So please, let’s go out today and every day that we’re alive and do just that nuh, for it is indeed the wisdom of heaven. Much LOVE!
…ALL believers are expected to uphold the Great Commission of Jesus…
30 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all flesh is as grass, all the glory of man as the flower of grass, believe in Christ, but my words shall not pass away, calls the faithful to courage, damnation, death, dental work, eternal life, excruciating pain, follow Christ's commandments, glory hallelujah, guide and protect us, heaven and earth shall pass away, I am halfway home, I had a hard night, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, it was a rough night, Jesus Christ, LOVE, my children walk in truth, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, no greater joy, no ifs ands and buts, our Lord and Saviour, painkillers, peace, pilgrim's journey, Prince Buster, righteousness., salvation, severe discomfort, testify to the truth, Thank the Lord, the Alpha and Omega, the breath of life, the earth shall wax old like a garment, the flower falls away, the grass withers, the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, the privileged few, the same yesterday today and for ever, the solution cause more problems, the stomach growling for food, the word of the Lord endures for ever, to a glorious future with Jesus, unrelenting pain, walk steadfastly with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, wisdom
Matthew 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Ah mih people, in the immortal words of the old Jamaican singer, Prince Buster, I have to say: ‘I had a hard night…last night. It was a rough night…last night. I feel so mash up today…’ (smile)
Unfortunately though, my hard and rough night was not a result of sexual activity, like the Prince was referring to in his song, but of a trying and unrelenting pain in my right cheek, the results of dental work. Hn!
Ah Lord eh! That’s what happens when the solution causes more problems than the original problem. The tooth in the upper right corner only caused me problems when eating. Otherwise it didn’t hurt at all. But in my wisdom I decided to go and get it and another problem fixed before they escalated.
Now I was finished at the dentist around 12.30 p.m, left there obviously with my whole face fat and unfeeling because the other problem was in the bottom left half of my mouth. However, I ran around and did a few errands before the rain started falling and I decided to just come home and rest and wait for the freezing to go away.
Now the bottom left freezing went away before the top right and brother, when that did eventually go away, around four o’clock, the pain began seriously. And though it was not a terrible, terrible pain, it was sufficient to cause severe discomfort, as any pain in one’s face is liable to do.
I couldn’t even eat anything solid, because any pressure on the tooth just caused more excruciating pain. And to make matters worse, I did not have any breakfast before I went to the dentist, so the ole stomach was growling for food. Finally about 5 o’clock I made some porridge and drank that to ease the pains in the stomach..
And though I tried valiantly to wait out the pain in my jaw, I had to take some painkillers around 9.pm. But by 3 a.m that had worn off and I got up with my cheek throbbing again. More painkillers followed, and I finally got back to sleep.
Right now it’s not feeling too bad, though in the background I can still feel a slight throb. Hope that’s the end of the strong pain yes, and I don’t have to take any more painkillers. And that’s my story for this morning. (smile)
But Friends, if that’s my biggest problem, then I can truly say, thank the Lord, because compared to the problems of a majority of the world that is indeed a minor one. Many of them don’t even have a dentist around that they could go to, even if they have the necessary funds.
So many of them don’t have any clothes, food or shelter, and here I am complaining about a little pain. Chuh! But that’s how it goes when you live amongst the privileged few in this dangerous and turbulent world. Anyway, enough about me, it’s Wednesday, so let’s wail our Wednesday Wail with much sincerity and truth.
As one enthusiastic wailer 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!’
Yes Friends, that is exactly where our focus ought to be; on the wonderful future of salvation and eternal life that we have assured with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour! But that’s only if we sincerely believe in Him and follow His commandments.
Otherwise, we’ll just end up in death and eternal damnation. And believe me, that is not a very nice place to spend eternity. And we have the assurance of that from Jesus Himself as He says in our Bit: ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’
Now that is indeed a truth that we cannot query! Why? Because it comes from God Himself! And simple logic dictates that if we can query God’s Word, then He can’t be a true God. End of story!
Now let’s check out a couple of scripture passages that testify to the truth of Jesus’ words. Listen to Isaiah as he calls the faithful to courage. ‘Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and earth shall wax (grow) old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.’ (Is.51:6)
Yes Friends, our God and His righteousness will last forever; no ifs, ands and buts about that!
Now hear Peter as he stresses the words of Isaiah, hundreds of years later. ‘For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word (spoken word) of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.’ (1 Pet.1:24-25)
Oh my brethren, when something is true, you simply cannot deny it. And that’s the way it is with the words of Jesus; undeniably true!
And we’ll end with these simple but ever so true words from Hebrews. ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ (Heb.13:8)
Yes my people, our Jesus: the ‘Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.’ (Rev.1:8)
Now my fellow believers, may we walk steadfastly and sincerely with Jesus, and may He guide and protect us, give us His wisdom and His peace, as we tread this woeful earth in our pilgrim’s journey. Much LOVE!
…I have no greater joy…than to hear that my children walk in truth… (3 John 4)
24 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a voice crying in the wilderness, a way of escape, another glorious summer's day, as sheep having no shepherd, chilly days, cold winds, compassion, dreams, escape-door, faithful words, fellowship with God, forgiveness, glory to God, God desires all of us, God is the source of all our hopes, God is your Source, God wants all of you, God-given weather, hardheaded children, He must increase, I must decrease, Jesus is the way, John the Baptist, longings, Lord and Saviour, Lord remind me often today, lost sheep, LOVE, mercy, my joy therefore is fulfilled, name of Jesus, no sorrow, no tears, One Year Book of Bible promises, peace, possessions, praise and glory to God, reminders, role, Ruth Harms Calkin, stubborn, surrendered to God, temptation, tender-hearted love, testifies of Jesus, the bridegroom, the coming of the Messiah, the friend of the bridegroom, the Life, the Light, the light of love, the Messiah, the obits, the sick, the suffering, the Truth, this is the day the Lord has made, tossed and turned, truths, turbulent world, turn to Almighty god, voice of the bridegroom, we will rejoice and be glad in it
John 3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, another glorious summer’s day is in the offing in my area on this Thursday in late September! Oh Glory to God! Usually, by now we’ve had some chilly days and cold winds, but this past week has been perfect summer weather; not hot and sticky, but just right, at least in my opinion.
So let’s all enjoy it to the fullest nuh, because we know it’s not going to last for much longer. Therefore, let’s declare, and mean it: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’
Now we ought to say and do that for any day that our name doesn’t’ appear in the obits, (smile) but more so for these unexpected and unusual days of such wonderful, God-given weather.
And would you believe I went to bed early again last night, woke up a couple times, found it too early to get up, tossed and turned then woke up late… Ah Lord eh!
But this time I woke up feeling fairly refreshed and the back pains were not too bad. Oh much praise and glory to our most wonderful God, who looks down on His stubborn, hardheaded children with such tender-hearted LOVE and compassion! (smile)
Now here is something from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that we all should wisely heed. It’s titled ‘Lord Remind Me Often Today.’
And it says: ‘Lord, remind me often today… That if there is some area in my life Not fully surrendered to You That is always the area In which I will be most severely tried. Lord, remind me often today… That You’ve already done Your part: You’ve provided a way of escape Against every temptation I shall face. I must choose Your escape-door.
Lord, remind me often today… That You want more than first place In my heart and life. You want all of me, always. Surrender means every detail of my life Under Your careful scrutiny. Lord, remind me often today… That You alone are my Source. Only God Always God Totally God You alone are my Source.’
Oh my people, what glorious truths are ensconced in those most timely reminders! Our God desires ALL of us, ALL the time! And furthermore, He IS the Source of ALL our longings, hopes, dreams, possessions… whatever happens or doesn’t happen to us in this life!
Remember He made us for Himself; to have fellowship with Him! That means EVERY aspect of our lives ought to flow through and revolve around Him. And the Bible Promise attached to that poem is also our Bit for today. ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’
Oh Friends, those are faithful words of John the Baptist as he testified of Jesus. Some of John’s disciples had seen Jesus baptizing, ‘And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.’ (John 3:26)
And John just nodded his head in acknowledgement, because he knew that he was just the messenger; the lonely voice crying in the wilderness of unbelief, the one sent to awaken the people to the coming of their Messiah.
Thus ‘John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.’ (John 3:27-29)
Yes Friends, John knew his role, and played it perfectly. The question today is do we know ours? Do we know what part God has destined for us to play in His kingdom? And if so, are we playing it as best we can? Remember we all have a part to play, but we have to turn to God to enlighten us on it.
Oh Friends, have you done that? Or are you still wandering in this evil, confused and turbulent world like lost sheep; sheep with out a shepherd? If so, then please turn to Jesus without delay, for He is the wonderful shepherd of ALL sheep; both lost and found!
He came to earth especially to save the lost, the sick, the suffering, those going through hard and excruciating times. So if you fall into any one of those categories today, then I beg and plead with you to call on the wonderful, caring, compassionate and ever-LOVING name of Jesus right now, so that your life can be made aright through His tender, LOVING care!
For HE IS THE ANSWER my people! The ONE and ONLY ANSWER to ALL of our problems! And until we truly realize that and consequently bring ALL our fears and cares to Him, we will continue to be lost sheep in this ungodly world, anxious and afraid, plagued by all its evil and ungodliness.
So Friends, in godly wisdom, let’s now turn to Almighty God in confession and repentance, accepting His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as the ultimate power, our very best friend, the one who died that we might be saved, and who will someday soon return to earth to rule His kingdom with peace, LOVE, compassion, mercy and forgiveness, where there will be no tears, no sorrow or anything dark and evil to cause us fear or anxiety; when we’ll bask in the amazing and wonderful light of LOVE that’s Jesus! Much LOVE!
…Jesus is indeed…the Way…the Truth…the Life…and the Light…no man can have joyful fellowship with God…unless they go through…first accept Him as their Lord and Saviour…
21 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all ye that hope in the Lord, almighty god, aura of love, battle armour, battle formation, be of good courage, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, come to save that which was lost, compassion, condemn the world, confidence, enthusiasm, expectant faith, expectations of victory, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, glorious kingdom, glory to God, good news, grace, he shall strengthen thine heart, helmet of salvation, holy spirit, humble servants, hungry hope, I came not to judge the world, in the land of the living, invincible, Jesus came to save the world, Jesus Christ, joy, lies, LOVE, Love the Lord all his saints, mercy, our fearless Leader, peace, people of god, prayer, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, righteousness., salvation, shield of faith, shoes, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strife-filled world, sword of the Spirit, taunts, the call to arms, the goodness of the Lord, the halls of heaven, the Lord is my light and salvation, the Lord preserves the faithful, the Lord rewards the proud doer, the Lord's power, the Son of man, the trumpet's sounding, trust, truth, ungodly world, wait on the Lord, wiles, wisdom
Psalm 31:24. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Arise O people of God and put on your battle armour! Don’t you hear the trumpet sounding the call to arms? It’s Monday morning and there’s no time to waste, for the enemy is already lined up in battle formation and our fearless Leader, Jesus Christ is also out at the front surveying and reconnoitring the situation.
So get thee up and about, arm thyself with helmet, breastplate, belt, shoes, shield and sword, and having asked protection of heaven, join in the fray with enthusiasm, strength, wisdom and expectations of victory!
Yes Friends, it’s our favourite day Monday; the one we LOVE to hate, but one that we need to put to good use, if we want the rest of the week to go smoothly. That’s because Monday takes its cue from Sunday, and the remainder of the week from Monday.
Have you ever noticed that when you have a rough Monday, the rest of the week usually goes the same way? That’s why I keep on encouraging us to come out strong and vibrant, just rearing to go on Mondays.
Now let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with zest, urgency and sense of purpose. As one harmonious choir now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh Friends, that rendition wasn’t bad at all! You could see traces of a smile forming on Jesus, our choirmaster’s face, but nowhere good enough for a standing ‘O’ from the halls of heaven. (smile) Anyway we’ve gotten the message, our adrenalin is running, so let’s get out in the evil, deceitful and strife-filled world and spread some LOVE and cheer, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and good news, Jesus style nuh.
And to help us do that with strong faith and sincere trust, listen to the encouraging and uplifting words of our Bit from the pen of Bruh David. ‘Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.’
Yes my fellow believers, when we come to the Lord with hungry hope and expectant faith, He will strengthen us and give us the wherewithal to do His will. So be not afraid to get out there and face the heathen, once you are dressed in your spiritual armour, backed up by prayer and the Lord’s power is running through your veins.
Now let’s back that up with earlier testimony from Bruh David in Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation. ‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:13-14)
Yes my brethren, if we don’t expect to see and receive God’s goodness and blessings down here on Mother Earth, then we might as well be dead. But when we expect the Lord’s grace and mercy to flow down on us, then in faith and with patience, we wait for it. He has promised to bless us if we are obedient to His Word, and we all know that He is faithful to keep his promises. So there’s no need to worry once we’re doing our best to follow His leading and guiding.
And this can all be reinforced by the words of Isaiah in the song of praise by the redeemed. ‘And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:9) And yuh know Friends, that is exactly what happened. The Father sent the Son, Jesus Christ to save us, to be our salvation… Oh glory to God!
Listen to Jesus talk about His role. ‘For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.’ (Matt.18:11) And again: ‘For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.’ (Luke 9:56) Then: ‘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) And finally: ‘And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.’ (John 12:47)
Oh my people, Jesus couldn’t be any clearer about His main purpose in coming to earth…to save its inhabitants. He laid it all on the line for us, including His sinless life, so I don’t know what else we expect from Him. He threw down the gauntlet to us, now it only remains to see if we have the parts and the wisdom to accept the challenge. Only time and time alone will tell! Much LOVE!
…O LOVE the Lord…all ye his saints…for the Lord preserveth the faithful…and plentifully rewardeth (fully repays) the proud doer… (Ps.31:23)
19 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bombardment of prayer, a prayer revolution, and not faint, ask for forgiveness, confess your faults to one another, evil machinations, feeling of discouragement, God is faithful, God will not allow more temptation than we can bear, God will not forsake you, gospel truth, grace be unto you, grow in God's righteousness, healing, life is a bully -boy, lose heart, LOVE, making mention of you in our prayers, men ought always to pray, patience, peace, peace from God our Father, perseverance, pray for one another, prayer is indispensable, prayer is the greatest power on earth, prayer power, praying always, put on the whole armour of God, return to worshipping God, righteousness., spiritual growth, steadfastness, strengthened in your faith, supplication for all saints, temptation, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, the flesh is weak, the Lord jesus christ, the spirit is willing, walking in obedience to God's word, watch and pray, we give thanks to God always for you, with all perseverance, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Greetings my Scrip-Bit family! ‘Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.’ (1 Thess.1:1b-2)
Yes Friends, we do bring you grace and peace from on high, and it’s true that we always remember you in our prayers. Praying that you might be strengthened in your faith and grow in God’s righteousness each and every day. Do not forget that prayer is the greatest power on the earth, and Jesus recommended ‘that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1)
Meanwhile James wisely advises: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16)
That’s gospel truth my people! And what we need in these turbulent times is a prayer revolution around the world, where people of every creed and race, denomination and faith are praying for each other. With such a bombardment of prayer up to heaven, God would find it difficult to refuse our requests for peace and LOVE, healing and forgiveness.
But then too my brethren, the other side of the coin is that we would have to return to worshipping God the way our forefathers did, walking in sincerity and obedience to His Word. For remember it takes two to tango, two hands to clap, and one hand has to wash the other. So we can’t expect a whole lot of blessings from heaven without doing our part of walking in righteousness.
Now here is some more true and interesting advice from our Friend Anselm, aspiring to inspire us for a better tomorrow. He simply says: ‘Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed.’
That my Friends is indeed wise counsel! Why? Because discouragement only brings us down, makes us lose hope and faith and eventually give up on all our dreams and whatever desires the Lord has put in our hearts.
Now it’s not always easy to avoid discouragement, especially when our whole world seems to be falling down around us. But through patience, perseverance, steadfastness and stick-to-itiveness, we can succeed.
Life is in reality a bully-boy and will beat you down if you allow it to. But stand up strong to it and never give in to its bullying and false advice, and you will be surprised how it will step away from you…for a time that is. (smile)
And if we follow Bruh Paul’s advice to the Ephesians, re putting on the whole armour of God, in conjunction with our Bit, life and its cohorts like discouragement will never defeat us. ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’
Yes Friends, not too long ago we delved into the subject of the armour of God and discovered it was not enough to protect us from the evil one, but it needed prayer; that prayer was indispensable for the armour to work. But praying is not a one-time thing either. One must be constantly at it, as the first two words of our Bit declare: ‘praying always…’ and then ‘with all perseverance…’
That means not giving up, but keeping on regardless of the circumstances, knowing deep down in your heart of faith, that your ever-faithful heavenly Father will not abandon nor forsake you.
We also need to remember these words of Jesus to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion, when His soul was exceedingly heavy and they couldn’t watch with Him while He prayed to the Father for a possible stay of execution. ‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but flesh is weak.’ (Matt.26:41)
Yes my people, we certainly need prayer power to keep us from falling into temptation, especially in these advanced days when there is so much temptation around. Note though, that prayer won’t stop us from being tempted, because that’s a normal fact of life, but it will help us from falling prey to temptation.
And on the point of temptation, hear these encouraging words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians. ‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.’ (1 Cor.10:13)
Now there are a few points we need to note in that passage my brethren. The first is that we’re not alone in temptation; all men suffer temptation during their lifetime. The second noteworthy point is that our faithful God will not allow more temptation to come upon us than we can bear.
And the third and most important point in that scripture is that the Lord will not necessarily make a way for us to escape the temptation completely, but on most occasions He will allow us to endure it and come out safely and stronger on the other side.
So please don’t go thinking that that means we’ll always escape or get away from temptation, because we won’t. Instead we’ll have the Lord’s help to handle it successfully. And that’s about all we can really ask.
So Friends, on this Saturday morning in mid-September, regardless of what activity we might be engaged in, let’s never forget the importance, the necessity and the power of prayer in a believer’s life, for without it, we will be severely stunted in our spiritual growth and easily fall prey to Lucifer’s evil machinations. Much LOVE!
…have a constant attitude of prayer…pray any and everywhere…pray about everything…pray for everyone…
12 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blessed day, a guide book to earthly life, against spiritual wickedness in high places, anxious, appreciative, bringing into captivity every thought, calamity, Casting down imaginations, Christians, disobedience, eagerness, economic downturn, exalted above God, fearful, forgiveness, God's blessings, God's promised never to leave nor forsake us, grace, greed, holy character, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, Jesus Christ, joyful, lack for nothing, LOVE, mercy, moral conduct, mouth scriptures, negative, negative circumstances, obedience to God's word, our Lord and Saviour, our weapons of warfare are not carnal, peace, powers, praying always, principalities, righteousness., spiritual warfare, stand strong and faithful, take the fight to the devil, the breastplate of righteousness, the Good Book, the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, the hope of salvation, the knowledge of god, the pulling down of strongholds, the righteousness of God, the rulers of darkness, the saints, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, the whole armour of God, theoretical tome, this is the day the Lord has made, though we walk in the flesh, time with God in prayer, to the obedience of Christ, truth, warfare, we do not war after the flesh, we will rejoice and be glad in it, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, willingness
Ephesians 6:12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of ) wickedness in high places.
Greetings mih breddren! All the saints greet you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, and wish you a most blessed day! A day where all your needs are met by our heavenly Father, where peace, LOVE, forgiveness, mercy and grace reign supreme in your household. And as such you can sincerely say: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we (my whole household and I) will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps.118:24)
Oh Friends, if only the majority of Christians would sincerely declare that statement, then actually rejoice and be glad during the day, what a wonderful world this would truly be. But unfortunately, a lot of us just mouth these scriptures and don’t actually put them into practice. How can we call down God’s blessings if we are not joyful and appreciative of them eh?
And sadly, with the disastrous state of warfare, greed and economic downturn in our current world, more and more people, including Christians, are becoming negative, fearful and anxious, just waiting for calamity to hit.
But Friends, with Jesus as our guide and leader we ought not to fear what the world can do, or what happens therein. For Jesus promised never to leave nor forsake us, as well as if our first priority is seeking the righteousness of God, then all that we need will be provided.
We might not get an abundance of earthly riches, but we will certainly lack for nothing that’s necessary. So this Saturday morning, as we spend some quiet time with God in prayer, let’s ask Him to show us how to be joyful and appreciative of all that He’s done for us nuh, and how to stand strong and faithful despite any negative circumstances that may be overwhelming us.
I know it’s not easy to do, but with the help of Almighty God, we believers can most certainly do it. Remember this other scripture that we all mouth. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13)
Well let’s truly believe it nuh, and allow God to help us put into practice. The Good Book is not just a theoretical tome yuh know, but a very practical and applicable guide book to earthly life. Let’s begin using it as such nuh, because that’s the only way we will ever get its full benefits.
And all of that ties into our Bit rather nicely. ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places.’ Yes my fellow believers, a lot of the fear and anxiety and negative emotions we experience stem from the actions of the evil one and his disgusting cronies.
Note Bruh Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians in his second letter. ‘For though we walk (live) in the flesh (in a body), we do not war (fight) after (according to) the flesh (human standards): (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of the flesh), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)
Casting down imaginations (arguments) and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. And having in a readiness to revenge (punish) all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.’ (2 Cor.10:3- 6)
Yes Friends, we fight the spiritual warfare by destroying all the arguments, anything that we think or is brought to us which tends to be exalted above Jehovah God, and then making sure that all our thoughts are in obedience to God’s word, and not that of the world. And we obviously cannot do that in our own strength. The only way for us to protect ourselves from the barbs of the enemy is by putting on the whole armour of God. And we promised to delve into that armour a bit more, so here goes.
The scholars explain: ‘14-17. The whole armour of God consists of six pieces. (1) Truth (v.14a) is a knowledge of the truth of God’s Word (cf.4:21). The ancient soldier’s loins (waist) were girt about with a leather belt which held most of the other pieces of his armour in place. Similarly, the other pieces of the Christian’s armour depend on, and are held in place by his spiritual “belt” or his knowledge of the “truth” of Scripture.
(2) The breastplate of righteousness (v.14b) may be read, “the breastplate which is righteousness.” It represents a holy character and moral conduct. Obedience to the “truth” known produces a godly life (“righteousness”)
(3) Preparation of the gospel of peace (v.15) means “eagerness that comes from the gospel of peace.” That is, as the Roman soldier wore special shoes called ‘caligae’ on his feet, enabling him to advance against his enemy, so the Christian must have on his feet (possess) a sense of “eagerness” or willingness” to advance against the Devil and take the fight to him.
Such “eagerness” to contend with Satan “comes from the gospel of peace.” The gospel gives peace to the believer, freeing him from anxiety though he advances against such a powerful opponent.
(4) The shield of (which is) faith (v.16) means taking God at His word by believing His promises. Such trust will protect one from doubts induced by Satan. (5) The helmet of salvation (v.17a): Since the readers are already Christians (2:8), they are not here urged to be saved. First Thessalonians 5:8 describes the helmet as “the hope of salvation” that is the certainty (assurance) of salvation.
(6) The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (v.17b): The Greek term rendered “word” is not ‘logos’, referring to the whole Word of God, but ‘rhema’, referring to certain portions or selected verses of Scripture.’
Oh Friends, I do hope that that brings greater understanding of the armour of God, and also gives us a strong foundation to build upon. However, there is one postscript to all that, ‘Praying always…’ (v.18) for without prayer my people, the armour of God is not fail-safe.
As the scholars say: ‘Without prayer God’s armour is inadequate to achieve victory. Prayer is indispensable.’ Please remember that. So until we meet tomorrow, God willing, let’s all make sure we are totally dressed in God’s armour at all times nuh… And keep praying, for that is heavenly wisdom. Much LOVE!
…to wage successful spiritual warfare against Lucifer…one must always be dressed from head to toe in God’s armour… accompanied by the awesome power of prayer…
08 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: act wisely, allegiance to God, back to school, be strong and very courageous, blind alleys, common sense, Competition with God, controversy, do according to all the law, embrace personal desires, emptiness, freedom, God-assigned tasks, gospel truth, happen haphazardly, have success, heavenly blessings, it may be well with thee, joy, Labour Day, lazy hazy days of summer, Moses, obeying God's dictates, peace, personal possessions, productive work, prosperity, righteousness., Ruth Harms Calkin, seek ye first the kingdom of God, self-indulgence, summer vacations, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the party done now, the straight and narrow path, the things of God, the time is drawing nigh, thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, this is the way, too late to look to Jesus, turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, understanding, vikey-vie, walk ye in it, waste time, when ye turn to the left, when ye turn to the right hand, wisdom, worshipping the God of our Fathers, ye may live
Isaiah 30:21. And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Well Friends, the party done now! Labour Day is over and that means the summer vacation is also history; time to get back to school and work and serious pastimes now, no more lazy, hazy days of summer. (smile)
And on this Tuesday morning after Labour Day, many of us are feeling like it’s Monday morning and thus having difficulty in getting up and going back to work.
But them’s the breaks Friends, we can’t party all the time, there must be some sort of productive work involved in our lives, and we need to plan properly for it, not just let it happen vikey-vie (haphazardly).
One good thing though, in my area we arose to a wet and cloudy Tuesday. Thank the Lord! The parched ground has been crying out for at least two weeks for heavenly blessings, and at last its prayers have been answered.
Don’t know how much it will receive, possible not enough to satiate its hungry appetite, but these days we’re thankful for any blessings whatsoever from heaven.
And with all that, listen to this interesting and ever so true passage from our One Year book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one’s entitled ‘Competition with God.’
It says: ‘Often me must ask, what is my competition with God? When life seems to stand still, when my thoughts saunter through blind alleys, those very thoughts become my competition with God. When I embrace personal desires instead of giving allegiance to God, desire becomes my competition with God.
When I waste valuable time, ignoring God-assigned tasks, time becomes my competition with God. When personal possessions erase my concern for a desperately needy world, possessions become my competition with God. If we allow a controversy in our lives, our praying may be with pretense, but it will not be with power.
Walking the path of self-indulgence eventually leads to emptiness. Seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness leads to freedom and joy.’
Oh what gospel truth that is my believing brethren! And all the other stuff about our competition with God is also true, because many a time we do those things; putting our personal interests and desires before those of God, which we know is wrong. But our wonderful God knows our weaknesses and frailties and gently and LOVINGLY nudges us back to His will.
And the biblical promise for that writing is also our Bit for today. It comes from Isaiah’s appeal to his people to turn to the Lord for help. ‘And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.’
Oh Friends, likewise, today I’m encouraging us to turn back to truly and sincerely worshipping the God of our fathers, so that peace and prosperity can return to our land. Please remember God’s fateful words to Joshua when He made him leader after Moses’ death.
‘Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper (have success, act wisely) withersoever thou goest.’ (Josh.1:7)
Yes my people we have to stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to Jehovah God, not turn to the right or to the left, if we want to be prosperous and successful. It is the only true and lasting way!
And that’s one of our major problems today, our big stumbling block in this so-called advanced society; we have stopped following the Word of God. How foolish is that eh my brethren? All through the Good Book we’ve been warned about turning away from God, but do you think we listen.
Not at all! We all want to do our own thing. But when the mark, our bubble, bursts on us, we quick to run to God for help and boldfacely expect Him to just jump up and help us. Steups!
Unfortunately though, life doesn’t work like that friends. The Lord will jump to help those who worship and serve Him faithfully. It’s no different with us; for we run to help those who help us, not those who don’t.
Now listen to this scripture from way back when, when Moses was trying to calm the Israelites fear in the wilderness. ‘Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.’ (Deut.5:32-33)
Oh Friends, from day one, God has been telling us the right and proper way to be come successful and prosperous is by following His Word! And we’ve seen much evidence that it’s true. So what’s it going to take to bring us back to him eh? When are we going to wake up from our foolish slumber and realize that we’re heading down the rocky road to oblivion, death, hell and total damnation eh my people?
And even when Jesus came, He told us the same thing, just in somewhat different words. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)
Oh Friends, for all our sakes, plus those of our children, and our children’s children, please, I implore us, let’s take those words of Jesus to heart nuh, and put them into practice, ASAP, for the days are growing short, and the time is drawing nigh, when all things in the Good Book will be fulfilled, and then it will be too late to look to Jesus.
Please, let’s make wisdom and understanding in the things of God our watchwords and desire this day and forever more. Amen! Much LOVE my fellow believers!
…it’s simple common sense…that if God created the world…and still controls it…that true success can only come from obeying His dictates…
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