10 Sep 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a word to the wise, abominable sins, anitdote, aura of love, awe-inspiring, believe in Jesus, blessings, boldness, change our evil ways, coincidence, compassion, condemn the world, confidence, do Jesus' work, drought, economic deprivation, enthusiasm, eternal life, everlasting life, evil, faithful, famine, floods, for our benefit, friends, glorious kingdom, glory to God, God so loved the world, God's wrath, godless, he gave his only begotten son, heavenly Father, holy spirit, humble servants, humility, hurricane Gordon, inspiration, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, lies, LOVE, Love our God, man made problems, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, most precious gift, natural disasters, new every morning, plague, prayer, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, sacrifice, salvation, save the world, should not perish, showers of blessings, sinful, sinless life, sit up, so easy, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, storms, strife, sufficient, take a deep breath, take serious notice, Thank You Lord, the greatest, the most powerful force, the throne of grace, true, trust, truth, ungodly world, war, warning, what ails you, whosoever believes in him, wild fires, wiles, wisdom
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.
And through our heavenly Father’s mercy and compassion, which are new every morning, much needed showers of blessings are generously falling upon the dry land in my area! Thank You Lord! Let’s just hope it isn’t associated with rain that’s being caused by hurricane Gordon out on the East Coast. And just for your information, there were three hurricanes forming in the Atlantic yesterday, and one over Hawaii’s way.
Friends, let’s pray that they just fizzle out and don’t do any damage nuh, because we can’t handle much more of God’s wrath. And believe me, some, if not all of it, is indeed God’s wrath, for the sinful, evil and godless way we’re living!
Look at all over the world nuh, at how unexpected, unusual and very destructive natural disasters are happening. Just think about the famine, the plague, the drought, the wild fires, the floods and storms that are currently or have recently afflicted our world. Is that just coincidence? And I won’t bother to even throw in the man made problems like war and strife and economic deprivation that are so prevalent in today’s world!
Friends, it’s time we sit up and take serious notice. The Lord isn’t pleased, and He’s warning us to change our evil ways. What does the Good Book say? A word to the wise is sufficient? Let’s get wise and see the light nuh!
Anyhow, it’s Monday, and work is upon us again. And some of us still find it difficult to get up and get going. So what’s the answer eh? I humbly suggest singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with us, because I believe it’s the antidote for anything that ails you today. And why do I believe that? Because it’s prayer, the most powerful force in God’s great universe.
So let’s take a deep breath, get our prayer faces on, (smile) and come before the throne of grace with boldness and confidence, but also with suitable humility. 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!’
Yeh friends, yuh see how it works! Our spirits have been lifted though the working of the Holy Spirit, and now we’re enthused, ready and able, to go out and do Jesus’ work, spread His LOVE, care and compassion to all we meet. Glory to God! He’s such a wonderful, awe inspiring Deity! That’s why so many of us just live our lives for Him, by following in the footsteps of His sacrificed Son, Jesus Christ!
Oh people, don’t even get me talking about Jesus nuh! Because He’s just the GREATEST! Anybody who could leave a comfortable life in heaven and come down to this plagued earth and sacrifice their sinless life to pay for my abominable sins… well brother, yuh know in my book, they are indeed the GREATEST! And that’s exactly what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did!
So I’ll tell you again…He is the GREATEST! Maybe if you hear it often enough you might believe. (smile) And you know where all of that began, where it started? From the grace, mercy, compassion and LOVE of our heavenly Father, of our Creator! Wow! How could there be any other God but Him eh?
Listen to how His Son, Jesus Christ puts it in our Bit. ‘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.’
Mama Mia! What a great God we serve and worship my brethren! All the other supposed gods are only interested in taking away from us and making life difficult for us, but Jehovah God sincerely desires to give us, the most precious gift of all, eternal life through belief in His Son Jesus! Wow!
And hear Jesus again nuh: ‘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 that calls for another big Wow, friends! And He made it all so easy; just believe in His Son Jesus Christ! It couldn’t be any easier than that my brethren. So let’s get wise and pay serious attention to Jesus and all that He stands for nuh. Remember, it’s all for our benefit, not His. Much LOVE!
…believe…only believe…that’s all it takes…
P.S. I like it friends. I like how this Bit came together ever so smoothly. I didn’t have to work hard on it at all. The inspiration just flowed as I wrote. That’s why I must LOVE our God; He’s ever so faithful and true. But don’t think it happens so easily everyday nuh. Not on yuh life! Plenty days I have to work hard at it. But it’s all worth it. I sincerely hope that the Bits inspire you too. Much LOVE!
27 Sep 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: bold, children, choose the best, Christians, commitment to excellence, confident, deliverance, disappointments, energy, enthusiasm, excellence, faith, faithful and true, fortress, foundation, friend of Jesus, give his angels charge over thee, gladness, God's ever-faithful promises, godly intentions, habitation, harm, heavenly intercessor, honour, I will say of the Lord, if God is for us who can be against us, in him will I trust, Jehovah, joy, kingdom living, long life, LOVE, mediocrity, misfortunes, Mover, never leave nor forsake ua, no evil befall thee, out of step, out of sync, pitfalls, plague, Praise the Lord, presumptuous, price tag, ramps up our faith, reassuring, refuge, rejoicing, salvation, Satan, security, set him on high, set his love upon me, Shaker, share His love, shrivelling up enthusiasm, shun mediocrity, source of energy, spoon feed, steadfast, strike they foot, strong, test me, the beloved of God, the goodness of God, the Most High God, the will of God, this is the day the Lord has made, trample under feet, tread upon the lion, trust, try me, Tuesday Mantra, unconditional LOVE, we will rejoice and be glad in it
Psalm 91:2. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Ahoy there me ole shipmates! (smile) Monday’s in the books…Glory be! So let’s begin Tuesday on the right foot nuh by declaring our wise and godly intentions. ‘This is the day the Lord hath made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps.118:24)
Yes friends, that’s the only sensible way to greet this new day of life that we’ve been granted; in joy and gladness! All other ways are filled with numerous pitfalls and disappointments.
At least when we are rejoicing in the goodness of our God, we can be strong and steadfast in times of misfortunes, standing on His ever-faithful promise to never leave nor forsake us.
Now let’s bolster all of that by declaring our Tuesday Mantra with supreme belief and overwhelming faith and trust. As one now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me.
I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’ Ah mih people, what a beautiful and reassuring declaration!
Wow! Knowing that I am the beloved of God and a true friend pf Jesus is just the ‘mostest’! (smile) There isn’t even a real word to truly convey the importance and satisfaction of those situations.
And to be true followers of Jesus we must base our lives on what Jesus says about us, rather than how the world beholds us. That is ever so important to kingdom living my people!
And let’s not forget the last part of our Mantra: ‘share His LOVE with the world,’ for that’s one of our basic purposes on planet earth.
In Jesus’ world, we need to both believe and do, otherwise we’re out of sync, out of step with our Lord and Saviour. And that surely won’t do.
Now here’s a li’l something that ties in with our Leader’s expectations. I’m not sure where I got it from, or if I’ve ever shared it before, but it does hit the nail right on the head in today’s message.
It says: ‘Choose the best; shun mediocrity. Mediocrity has a way of shrivelling up enthusiasm. But commitment to excellence taps an incredible source of energy. Elect the best, no matter what the price tag!’
Oh friends, those are certainly words of truth for anyone to live by, but more so for Christians, because our heavenly intercessor, Jesus, expects us to live by a definite standard of excellence.
And though it’s not an easy motto to live by, we can successfully attempt it through our station as beloved children of the Most High God, Jehovah!
Especially when we have the faith to declare like the psalmist in our Bit. ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.’
What wonderful words for a believer to both hear and declare my brethren! It just ramps up our faith, encourages us to be bold and confident in all that we do, knowing that God is on our side. And as the scripture says: If God is for us, who can be against us eh? (Rom.8:31)
NOBODY my people, NOBODY! That’s because our God is the greatest Mover and Shaker in the entire universe!
And all God’s children gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His Holy Name!’
And we have a great example of all that in the unique style of the psalm from which our Bit is taken. Yesterday we saw where the psalmist was declaring God’s wonderful attributes of strength and protection; today we’ll hear where God declares His side of the story.
Listen up: ‘Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear (lift) thee up in their hands, lest thou dash (strike) thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder (cobra): the young lion and the dragon (serpent) shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his LOVE upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ (Ps.91:9-16)
Oh friends, what glorious promises from the Creator of the universe for those who sincerely believe in Him and surrender their lives to Him with absolute trust and faith!
Listen though, to these words of caution from the scholars. Psalm 91: An important caution is necessary here. The great promises of verses 3-13 should not be taken in an absolute sense. One may not be presumptuous in applying them – Satan has already suggested that (Matt.4:6-7).
Rather, the believer must recall that deliverance still has to do with the will of God and that even if harm should come, he can still be secure (cf. Luke 21:16 with 21:18 and Rom.8:28 with 8:35).’
All the scholars are saying friends is that we don’t take everything literally. Harm can still come to us, but even then, we can still be secure in the Lord our God.
Please read those scriptures (that’s your homework) to get a better understanding of what the scholars are talking about. I can’t spoon-feed you all here, (smile) because it’s just too much, and we don’t have the time or space to do it.
Now let’s go home with a feeling of joy and gladness, based on the strong and true foundation of God’s word, filled with promises of security and deliverance and unconditional LOVE, for that’s the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!
…try me…test me…says the Lord Jehovah to the unbeliever…and you’ll find me faithful and true…
14 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affliction, all things are possible to him that believes, ambassadors for Christ, an issue of blood, answer my prayers, beautiful, before God honesty is a wise course, belief in Jesus, betrayed, bow down, celebrations, compassion, confess to Jesus, disciples, dr robert h schuller, duty, embrace a faith, faith, faithless generation, fasting, festivities, go about the Lord's business, go in peace, gospel truth, have compassion, help, help thou mine unbelief, help us, honesty, Hour of Power Devotional, hurt, I believe, I believe in god, if thou canst believe, inner turmoil, Jairus, Jewish law, long and late, LOVE, mark, motives of our hearts, of the utmost importance, outward actions, plague, power, power of faith, prayer, rejected, reservoir of spiritual power, restoration, seizures, smile, spirit, spiritual power, stand strong in belief in Jesus, strong and courageous, strong faith and belief, Thanksgiving Day, thanskgiving must be ongoing, the fountain of her blood dried up, thy faith hath made thee whole, to be right with Jesus, touched His garment, trust, unclean, virtue, who touched my clothes, words and actions
Mark 9:23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Well well my Canadian Friends and Neighbours, the party done now! Thanksgiving Day is over now, although the practice of thanksgiving must be an ongoing movement. I hope we all had a good time, we didn’t over do it, and the Lord was pleased with our devotions.
I didn’t do much myself, just had a quiet day, since we had our small family festivities on Sunday. And furthermore, the weather in my area didn’t lend itself to any raucous celebrations –cloudy and unfriendly – although I know that didn’t stop a whole lot of others from being raucous and rambunctious. (smile)
I surely hope that we didn’t give Lucifer and his evil compadres any space for advancement in our souls, but most importantly, for those of you who sang our Monday Morning battle Hymn so boisterously yesterday morning, knowing that you did not have to go to work, I certainly hope that you all have the wherewithal to go out and labour this Tuesday morning after the festivities. (smile) Yuh know it always catches up to us.
Now let’s take a gander at our Bit. ‘Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’
It deals with faith and belief, and today we’re going to look at situations of faith, of people coming to Jesus for help through some kind of inbred faith, some of which astonished even Jesus.
But before we get into the scriptures, let’s hear a word on the subject from Gramps Schuller – Dr. Robert H. Schuller – from his Hour of Power Devotional.
It’s titled ‘FAITH’ and it says: ‘Lord, I believe in the sun, even when it is behind the clouds; in the seed, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground; in faith, even when I have been betrayed; in LOVE, even when I have been rejected; in hope, even when I have been hurt; in God, even when you do not answer my prayers. Amen.’
Yes Friends, that’s what it means to have faith! Even when things aren’t going your way, you still stand strong in your belief in Jesus.
Now let’s look at the particular situation which occasioned our Bit from Jesus. A sorrowful father had brought his young son to the disciples for healing. The lad was infected by a dumb (mute) spirit, which caused him to have crazy, dangerous seizures, but the disciples couldn’t heal him. (Mark 9:17-18)
Jesus’ response was: ‘O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer (bear with) you? Bring him unto me.’ (Mark 9:19)
And as the Lord would have it, the youngster had a seizure as soon as they brought him before Jesus. ‘And he (Jesus) asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child (from childhood). And oftimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us and help us.’ (Mark 9:21-22)
That’s when Jesus repeated the words of our Bit: ‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.’ (Mark 9:23-24)
Yes my people, in some form and fashion, deep down the father believed, that’s why he brought his son to the disciples in the first place.
The scholars; describe it thus: ‘9:24. He had a certain faith; but it was confession of his undeniable inner turmoil and doubt that marked his faltering faith as truly authentic, if imperfect, trust. Before God honesty is a wise course.’
That last sentence is gospel truth my brethren! If we are anything less than totally honest with God, we’re simply wasting our time, for remember He reads the motives of our hearts, not our outward actions.
Jesus healed the lad right there and then. He had no choice, since the father had backed Him into a corner with his declaration of apparently sincere though confused and troubled faith.
But later on, in private, when the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out the spirit, He answered them: ‘This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.’ (Mark 9:29)
And the scholars have an interesting comment on that verse: ‘9:29. While some manuscripts omit fasting, it seems crucial to the context. Jesus does not seem to have resorted to prayer in the course of this healing. Perhaps he refers to a life-style of prevailing prayer that yields a reservoir of spiritual power for just such a crisis as this.’
Who knows Friends? But to influence spiritual power, prayer and fasting, in a serious and sincere manner, are of the utmost importance!
And I believe we have time for one more example of strong faith and belief. Jesus was on His way to raise the daughter of a Jewish ruler Jairus, when this situation occurred.
‘And a certain woman, which had an issue (a flow) of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered (no better), but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press (crowd) behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.’
(Scholars note: Popular belief had it that a person’s dignity and power extend to what he wears.) ‘And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (affliction). And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue (power) had gone out of him, turned him about in the press (crowd), and said, Who touched my clothes?
And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague (affliction).’ (Mark 5: 25-34)
Oh my people, what a great story! But back in those times it was a very dangerous game that the woman played.
Listen to the scholars explain: ‘5:33. The woman would be fearful of a rebuke, since her bleeding rendered her “unclean” according to Jewish law. She ought not to have been mixing in the crowd, nor reaching out purposely to touch a man. That she owned up openly indicates that her interest lay not only in physical health: she wanted to be right with Jesus Himself. Her faith, not the grasp of her hand, brought restoration to her.’
Yes Friends, that’s the power of faith! So today, while we go about the Lord’s business, please let us embrace a faith as strong and as courageous as the folks we’ve read about, and let’s allow it come out, to show in all our words and actions, because that’s our duty as ambassadors for Christ. Much LOVE!
…like the woman with the issue of blood…let’s bow down and confess to Jesus…so that we can be made right with Him…
P.S. Oh Friends, it’s long and late, but it’s beautiful! (smile) Much LOVE!
03 Apr 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: after-shocks, almighty god, always and forever, an endless sea, anchor, angels, becalmed, buckle down to our tasks, can never recapture time, caught napping, charge over thee, Chile, Christ's Second Coming, Christian ethic, comfort, crapaud smoke we pipe, deliver, die by the sword, disasters, don't ne lazy, drifitng, earthquake, eternity, evil, fallacy, forever lost, forgiveness, freer use of guns, get serious, glorify the gun, God is a refuge and fortress, God is alive, gospel truth, guide and protect, habitation, healing, heartfelt prayers, heralding, honour, Jesus, just our imagination, killing machines, known my name, lift thee up, live by the sword, long life, loss of life, LOVE, make our way right, mend our fences with God, mercy, natural disaster, nebulous being, no evil shall befall thee, no solid foundation, on the outside looking in, plague, property damage, Psalm 91, pull up our socks, put our lives in God's hands, salvation, set on high, shall not stumble, shooting in fort Hood, spending eternity with Lucifer, spirit is willing, stop fretting, strike thy foot, stumble and fall, take the bull by the horns, the flesh is weak, the Lord's grace, the Most High, the trumpet sounds, Thursday, thy dwelling place, time, trample, tread upon the lion, trouble, tsunamis, unconcerned about mankind, universe, use time fruitfully, use time wisely, walk safely, war zones, waste our God-given time, what have I done for the week, worrying
Proverbs 3:23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
And then it was Thursday… ‘Thursday,’ I asked myself? How could it be Thursday already eh? It was just Monday a couple days ago…
And then I ask myself: ‘What have you done for the week?’ And myself truthfully replies: ‘Not a whole lot nuh.’
And that’s the gospel truth Friends, because I can see the load of stuff sitting next to me, either to be read or actioned in some way. And it’s not like I’ve been watching a lot of television, playing computer games, or even sleeping. Hn!
But some how or other, time has gotten away from me. Unfortunately though, time passes so quickly these days – that’s just our imagination yes, time’s been passing at the same speed all along (smile) – and once it’s passed, we can never recapture it. So it therefore behoves us to use it wisely and fruitfully while we have it.
On the other hand though, once it has passed, we need to stop fretting and worrying over it, and just move on with whatever time we have left. Hopefully, I can begin doing that today, because there is a fair amount of stuff to be done. And it’s not difficult stuff either, just time consuming. And though the spirit is often willing, the flesh is too often weak. (smile)
So Friends, let’s all try and pull up our socks today nuh, take the proverbial bull by the horns and simply buckle down to the tasks we need to accomplish. And that is all a part of our Christian ethic too – not to be lazy and waste our God-given time.
And we’ll just quickly mention two of the latest disasters to hit the West; that of the 8.2 level earthquake that hit off Chile’s north coast yesterday. Let’s pray for all those involved and hope that there is no further loss of life or property damage, through tsunamis and after shocks.
Now that natural disaster we can’t do much about, but the shooting in Fort Hood, the U.S. Army Base … Steups! When is the foolish shooting going to stop eh? So many people are killed everyday by guns, outside of war zones, totally unnecessary deaths, yet we still glorify the gun, even allowing it greater and freer use within our society nowadays, as well as making improvements, to make them even better killing machines.
Ah Lord eh! We seem to have conveniently forgotten the old adage that he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. That pertains to guns too my people.
Anyway, despite all the negatives involved, let us send up heartfelt prayers to heaven, asking for the Lord’s grace, mercy, healing, comfort and forgiveness on all those involved.
That brings us to our Bit: ‘Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.’
Yes Friends, if more of us would put our lives in God’s hands, and try to live the way He desires of us, fewer of us would stumble and fall. But foolishly we seem to consider God as some nebulous being, way out there in the farthest reaches of the universe, either unconcerned about mankind, or simply unable to help him.
Oh my people, that is a fallacy of enormous proportions! Our God is alive, in control, and right here with us – ALWAYS AND FOREVER!
But until we truly believe that and consequently act on it, we’ll be forever lost, becalmed on an endless sea, just drifting, hither, thither and yon, with no solid foundation to anchor us.
And we have the perfect scripture to back all of that up. It comes from Psalm 91, appropriately titled, ‘God is a refuge and fortress.’ Please listen closely to the psalmist as he declares his holy case.
‘Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation (dwelling place); There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh (near) thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear (lift) thee up in their hands, lest thou dash (strike) thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder (cobra): the young lion and the dragon (serpent) shalt thou trample underfeet.
Because he hath set his LOVE upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life (length of days) will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ (Ps.91:9-16)
Oh Friends, what’s more to say eh? NOTHING! For that passage of scripture says it all!
Oh mih breddren, it’s so simple and easy – just like the work I’ve been putting off. (smile) We just need to get serious and do it. If we make our way right with Almighty God, He will guide and protect us. If we don’t, then it’s cleaners for us; crapaud smoke we pipe; we’ll end up on the outside looking in, spending eternity with Lucifer rather than Jesus.
Now that surely doesn’t sound like such a wonderful idea! So please, let’s mend our fences with our Creator as soon as possible nuh; preferably today, RIGHT NOW, so that we won’t be caught napping when the trumpet sounds up yonder, heralding Christ’s Second Coming. Much LOVE!
…God has given us two choices…spend eternity with ME in heaven…or spend it in Hades with Lucifer…the choice is ours…wisdom though, strongly advises we pick the first option…
24 Feb 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, adrenalin pumping, arguments, aura of love, battlefield of the world, be wise, blessed, Christians, comfort of the scriptures, complaining, correction, crapaud smoke yuh pipe, Creator of the universe, crisis mode, day star arises in your hearts, disobedience, doing good, end times are nigh, enemy's wicked taunts, ensconced in Jesus' fold, enthusiasm, evil, evildoing, faith, fellowship, fence sitting, further your glorious kingdom, godliness, grounded in truth, heart and soul, heavenly wisdom, helping others, holy men of God, Holy Name, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, inspiration, inspiration of God, instruction, invincible, Israel, Jesus Christ, Jesus' return, jobs, keeping families together, lead and guide, left out in utter darkness, light, LOVE, make Jesus proud, man's basic nature, miracle, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, moved by the Holy Ghost, Oh Lord God Almighty, pagan deity, patience, perseverance, pertinent plea, plague, profitable for doctrine, Promised Land, rebellions, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, reproof, righteousness., rise and shine, sally forth with confidence, salt, scripture, sinful, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strife, take heed, the light of Christ, the prophetic word, the will of man, true followers, ungodly world, unity in Christ, useful purpose, warnings, weary souls, whining, wisdom, worthwhile inroads
2 Timothy 3:16. All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Well well mih lovelies, it’s Monday once again! What a way the weekend flies by! Unfortunately it’s time to rise and shine and get out into the world and spread our highly flavoured and tasty salt, and our bright and shining lights, as Jesus asked and expects of us, His true followers. (Matt.5:13-16)
It’s no use whining and complaining that we’re tired and feeling low down, because we spent the weekend partying and overdoing it, instead of resting and getting ready for the new work week. Being negative will only make matters worse, so let’s just get a move on with the help of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Please put some real heart and soul in it now. (smile)
‘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!’
Yes Friends, yuh feel the miracle that worked in your spirit! That’s what sincere prayer does! And now that we’ve got the adrenalin pumping, let’s go out there on the battlefield of the world and do our thing nuh, make Jesus proud of us, by helping others and doing good, just like He did when He was here on earth. (Acts 10:38)
And if we believe that, then we also ought to believe what our Bit says: ‘All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.’
Ah mih people, so many arguments, and so much strife has occurred down through the ages over the veracity of the Bible, that it’s best we either believe it in its entirety, or don’t believe it at all. On this matter there can be no fence sitting.
Now let’s talk a little about the last part of our Bit, which declares that the scriptures weren’t only written through God’s inspiration but also ‘is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.’
First up is Bruh Paul speaking to the Roman church, re Unity in Christ, and how we ought to help, please and edify each other more than ourselves, for even Christ didn’t please Himself. (Rom.15:1-3) ‘For whatsoever things were written aforetime (beforehand) were written for our learning, that we through patience (perseverance) and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.’ (Rom.15:4)
So true, my fellow believers, so true! The scriptures surely provide us with the strength to persevere, be comforted, and have hope, without which, we’d never be able to function properly as Christians.
And here’s Bruh Paul again, this time talking to the Corinthians, re early Israel’ being a warning example, when enroute to the Promised Land, twenty something thousand of them died of the plague in one day, because they had turned from the God of their fathers to worship the pagan deity Baal-peor. (Num. 25)
‘Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition (instruction), upon whom the ends of the world (ages) are come.’ (1 Cor.10:11)
Yes Friends, God knew that the Corinthians and many other societies would follow the disobedience of Israel, and end up in crisis mode with Him. And that’s why He had all those examples recorded for the benefit of those to come, since mankind’s basic nature would still be sinful and prone to disobedience and rebellion.
So please, let’s pay serious attention to the warnings contained in the scriptures, especially as we are now at a very high state of evildoing, and a rather low one of godliness, and there are several signs that the end times are nigh. And unfortunately Friends, once that happens, once Jesus returns, if you’re not safely and securely ensconced in His chosen fold, then crapaud smoke yuh pipe, you’ll be left out in utter darkness, looking in on those who believed, enjoying the light of Christ.
And we’ll end this series of messages on the inspiration of God on the scriptures with a very pertinent plea from Peter, where’s he’s referring to the scriptures as being all grounded in truth. ‘We have also a more sure word of prophecy (the prophetic word made more sure); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation (origin). For the prophecy came not in old (any) time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.’ (2 Pet.1:19-21)
Oh Friends, we couldn’t end on a better passage of scripture than that, because it’s the truth of all truths! So please, I’m pleading with all my heart, please don’t let that happen to you. Please be wise and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, RIGHT NOW, for that’s heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…when Jesus comes again…and that could be any time…it will be too late to whimper…if only I had believed…
24 Nov 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accusations, accusers, actions, adversaries, anger, anguish, arrows, betray, between a rock and a hard place, bones, bowed down, broken, Bruh David, burden, Canada, chasten, chilly Sunday morning, comfort, confess, corrupt, deaf, deception, defend ourselves, depressed state, desertion, destruction, displeasure, dumb, enemies, fallible, feeble, fester, figurative speech, foolishness, friends, god, great man of God, groaned, hate, health, heartfelt, heavy, heavy laden, help, hope, hot and bothered, infallible, iniquity, Israel, labour, lay snares, light of mine eyes, loathsome disease, loins, LOVE, lowly in heart, make haste, meek, mourning, O Lord, over my head, penitent heart, personal problems, petition, physical illness, pierce, plague, ponder the situation, prayer, problems, quandary, ramifications, rebuke, reliable, render evil for good, reproofs, responses, rest, retaliate, sensible, silence is golden, sin, sinful, snow, sorrow, souls, stand aloof, stink, strength fails, succour, tender mercies, threats, troubled, truth, turmoil, turn to God, unburden our hearts, unfaithful, unreliable, warrior king, winter season, wisdom, wise, words, wounds, yoke
Psalm 38:1. O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s a chilly Sunday morning in the last week of November and there’s snow on the ground. Chuh, Steups! (smile) Granted, it’s not much snow, but snow is snow, especially when winter is not officially due for another month. But this is also Canada, and in these times of climate change anything can happen. Let’s hope that this winter season isn’t too bad.
And strangely enough, this morning the Lord led me to Psalm 38, the prayer of a penitent heart, written by Bruh David to remind him of his troubles, how he needs to respond to them, and where he needs to go to get help.
Our Bit opens the psalm with an earnest, heartfelt petition: ‘O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.’
Bruh David must have been in a real quandary, as he penitently continues: ‘For thine arrows stick fast in me (pierce me deeply), and thy hand presseth me sore (down). There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest (health; lit. peace) in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities have gone over my head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
My wounds stink (are foul and festering) and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease (inflammation): and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore (severely) broken: I have roared (groaned) by reason of the disquietness of (turmoil in) my heart.’ (Ps.38:2-8)
Mama Mia! Bruh David must have been in a real sad state friends. But before we continue, here are some interesting notes from the scholars.
‘Psalm 38. Some debate as to whether the details of verses 1-8 should be taken literally, and thus as a reference to a physical illness, or figuratively, making them a vivid picture of psychological and moral distress. The detail and length of the description, as well as its personal nature seem to point to some serious disease from which David is suffering as he writes.’
Yeh Friends, whether Bruh David’s words were literal or figurative, there’s no doubt that he’s certainly between a rock and a hard place, as he continues his plaintive cry. ‘Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning (sighing) is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me.’ (Ps.38:9-10)
Ah mih people, when the warrior king of Israel, that great man of God is brought to such low levels, then something must be truly wrong in his life. And we get some idea of the other ramifications in the next couple verses.
‘My lovers (loved ones) and my friends stand aloof from my sore (my plague); and my kinsmen (neighbours) stand afar off. They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things (of destruction), and imagine deceits (plan deception) all the day long.’ (Ps.38:11-12)
Yeh mih breddren, desertion by friends and family, and serious threats from one’s enemies can bring us to a rather low and depressed state, especially if we already have other personal problems. However Friends, please note carefully Bruh David’s actions in these next verses.
‘But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs (responses).’ (Ps.38:13-14)
Bruh David didn’t answer his accusers, or plead with his supposed friends and family, but kept his mouth shut, so that there could be no further accusations against him. That’s one of the many times when silence is truly golden. And that’s what many of us have to learn to do when false accusers and unworthy friends and family betray us.
Too often though, we get all hot and bothered and angrily try to defend ourselves or retaliate, through words or actions. But usually the smartest thing is to keep quiet, since making important decisions when we’re angry or upset just make matters worse. First we need to ponder the situation, to see if there’s any truth in it, then follow Bruh David’s action, turn to God for succour.
‘For in thee O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear (answer), O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. For I am ready to halt (fall), and my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for (in anguish over) my sin. But mine enemies are lively (vigorous), and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.’ (Ps.38:15-20)
Ah my fellow believers, that is the only wise and sensible way when we’re dealing with overwhelming problems, in fact with any problems at all. We need to get ourselves quiet, then go to God, FIRST, not last as we tend to do. And then we need to unburden our very hearts and souls to him, truly confessing all that we’re aware of, for In Him, there is sure hope and comfort from all our earthly problems.
As Bruh David concludes: ‘Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.’ (Ps.38:21-22)
And Jesus made that very clear when He invited us to ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek (gentle) and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
Oh my people, what a wonderful God we serve! It just boggles my mind to think how much He cares for and looks after us, despite our sinful, unfaithful nature.
So please, let’s be grateful for His tender mercies and give Him much thanks and praise, today and everyday that we’re alive, for that’s wisdom of the highest magnitude. Much LOVE!
…why do we keep turning to fallible, unreliable man for help with our problems…when we have an infallible, exceedingly reliable God to turn to eh…
18 Oct 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adder, adult believer's life, Amen, angels, answer, assurance, blessed, body, confidence, conquer evil thoughts, cycles of earthly life, darkness, defence, deliverance, desolation, destruction, duty, dwelling place, enemy, essentials, ever-LOVING God, evil world, excitement, faithful God, fear, fellow believers, fellowship, Friday chant, friends, fun, generous help, get on with God's tasks, glorious kingdom, God is our refuge and fortress, God will never leave nor forsake us, godly stuff, happy, hearts, honour, humility, indisputable truth, jesus name, lays waste, lion, long life, Lucifer, meaningful scripture, meekness, mind, omnipotent god, personal experience, pestilence, plague, Psalm 91, reason of the hope, relaxation, responsibility, rest, reverential awe, reward, righteousness sake, salvation, sanctify, serpent, soul, spiritual exhaustion, stand faithful, succumb, sudden fear, suffering, terror, Thank God is Friday, the Most High, the reward of the wicked, the wicked, threats, trample underfeet, troubled, trust, truth, ultimate truth, ungodly world, week of work, weekend lives
Proverbs 3:25-26. Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).
The young, female teacher turned to her class and asked: ‘Does anybody know what day today is?’
And much to her amazement, the dozen ‘kindergarters’ all joyfully shouted: ‘Today is Friday! Thank God, cause that means no school tomorrow, or the next day. Yeah! Thank God is Friday!’
Ah Friends, even the young and uninitiated know and look forward to the cycles of this earthly life. However, unlike the children, we adults have a responsibility to do godly stuff even on our days off. We might not like it, but it’s a sure duty in an adult believer’s life.
So with Lucifer knocking loudly on the doors of our hearts, minds and souls, telling us we don’t have to do anything of the sort, let’s chant our Friday Chant, so that we can conquer the evil thoughts of the enemy and get on with God’s tasks.
As one chanter now: ‘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 fellow believers, somehow or the other we’ve got to get in those essentials of rest, relaxation and fellowship in our busy weekend lives, or else we’ll eventually succumb to mental, physical and spiritual exhaustion, which will only delight the deceitful Lucifer.
However, to successfully do those necessary things, while thwarting and disgusting the enemy, we have to stand faithful and trust our faithful and ever-LOVING God.
We have to live as our Bit so assuredly declares. ‘Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).’
Oh Friends, those are words of indisputable truth, as many of you know from personal experience, because you have adopted them and consciously live by them. Our God will NEVER leave nor forsake us!
The problem though is for us to truly believe it and then live by it. Obviously it’s not easy in this ungodly, evil world, but with the help of our omnipotent God, we can do anything we put our hearts, minds and souls to.
Now listen to some scriptures which support our Bit, beginning with Psalm 91 – God is a refuge and a fortress. And isn’t that the ultimate truth, my brethren!
The psalmist declares with supreme confidence: ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for (of) the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth (lays waste) at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation (dwelling place); There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear (lift) thee up in their hands, lest thou dash (strike) thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder (cobra): the young lion and the dragon (serpent) shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his LOVE upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life (length of days) will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ (Ps.91:5-16)
Oh Friends, again, I never intended to use so much of the Psalm, but every verse just rang true to our Bit and raised the level of trust and excitement in my soul. Hope it does in yours too.
And we’ll close with this very meaningful scripture from Peter, re suffering and reward. ‘And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy (blessed) are ye: and be not afraid of their terror (threats), neither be troubled;
But sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer (a defence) to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (reverential awe).’ (1 Pet.3:13-15)
Yes my people, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we have to be strong and confident in the Lord, and also be ready to give good reason why we’re believers.
The scholars say this about that last verse. ‘3:15. An answer (Gr. apologian, “a defense of one’s beliefs:). The Christian faith is to be defended by a reasonable apologetic with meekness and fear.’
Oh how wonderful it would be if we could all answer the questions put to us with a quiet and confident strength and reverential awe!
So please let’s look to that today my Friends and fellow believers, for it’s what Jesus dearly desires of us. It’s essential that we know why we believe! Much LOVE!
…to bring others to Christ…both our speech and actions…must resound with confidence, humility and truth…
29 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all thy heart, all thy soul, be obedient to God's voice, calamity, catastrophe, celebrate God's Holy Name, destinty, destroy thee, disaster, disobedience, eternal life, ever-LOVING God, evil world, faithful keeper of promises, fellow believers, fellowship, find God, forget the covenant of thy father, forgiving Deity, forsake thee, God is LOVE, God Jehovah, graven images, heathen, hope, hymn of praise, idol worship, idolatrous things of the world, idolatry, idols, Israelites, Jesus Christ, latter days, lord god almighty, LOVE, loving embrace, loving god, merciful God, Moses, mover and shaker, plague, praise and worship, praise God, precious souls, Promised Land, prosperous, provoke God to anger, rat-race, reassurance, repentance, repented, replenish our souls, righteous life, righteousness., rocket scientist, Sabbath Day, salvation, sane, seek the Lord, sensible, serve gods, silver and gold, siren call, strength, successful, thanks and praise, the Lord God Almighty, the work of men's hands, time today, tribulation, turn to God, ungodly things, unlock the door, warnings, wise, wonderful god, wood and stone, worship
Psalm 135:15. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
Oh Friends, on this glorious, but a tad chilly morn, the last Sunday in September 2013, I think we should begin our message with a hymn of praise to our wonderful God, Jehovah. So please sing this old, but ever timely hymn with me.
‘Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children, God is LOVE, God is LOVE; (repeat). LOVE Him, LOVE Him, all ye little children, God is LOVE, God is LOVE; (repeat). Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children, God is LOVE, God is LOVE; (repeat)
Oh yes my people, there’s no better way to start our day than with some thanks and praise to our ever-LOVING God! Now let’s hope that all of us who are able to, will get out some time today and fellowship with other believers, for we need that strength and reassurance that fellowshipping brings.
That’s why the Lord gave us ONE day each week, regardless of which one you choose, to get together and worship and celebrate His Holy Name. That’s a chance to get away from the evil world and all the ungodly things it has to offer and filter some godly stuff into our precious souls with praise and worship. And all of that fits in very nicely with our Bit: ‘The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.’
Ah mih Friends, during our work week, we’re constantly bombarded by all the idolatrous things the world has to offer, so we’ve got to make the most use of the opportunity on Sundays, or whenever you celebrate the Sabbath, to put replenish our souls by reasserting that the Lord God Almighty is the ultimate mover and shaker in our lives.
Now for the last two days, we’ve been looking at scripture that supports our Bit, and today we’ll continue to do the same. There’s plenty scripture on idolatry my Friends, and we need to get it all into us, so that we can resist the attractive siren call of the idols of the world.
And we’ll begin with Moses’ warning the Israelites. In Deuteronomy Chap. 4, from verses 15-27, he warns them about turning to the worship of idols when they go into the Promised Land and become prosperous and successful. Letting them know that it would provoke God to anger, and He would then scatter them amongst the heathen.
‘And there shall ye serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy father which he sware unto them.’ (Deut.4:28-31)
And Friends, we all know that the Israelites did not heed Moses’ warning and eventually turned to idol worship, not once, but several times. And God, being the faithful keeper of His promises, dutifully scattered them amongst the heathen. But by the same token, each time they woke up from their stupidity and repented, He was also faithful and merciful to restore them to their land and prosperity.
Oh my people, please remember that our God doesn’t change, and like the Israelites, we have a covenant with Him, through Christ Jesus to stay away from idols and graven images. However, like the Israelites again, we’re not fulfilling our part of the contract, but instead are heavily into worshipping the things of the world. No wonder so much calamity and disaster are currently plaguing our world.
So it’s obvious that if we want to eliminate the catastrophe in our world, then WE have to change. We have to get out of the worldly rat race, CUT OUT the pre-eminence of worldly things in our lives. We can see from the Israelites’ example that all is not lost, that while there’s life, there’s always hope, for our God is a most merciful and forgiving Deity.
Thus, if we sincerely repent and turn from our evil ways, He will once again, enfold us in His LOVING embrace, but it all depends on us my people. We hold the key to both our earthly and eternal destiny, and His name is Jesus!
So let’s use it to unlock the door to righteousness, salvation and eternal life, like we’ve been taught nuh. It’s the only wise, sane and sensible thing to do, provided we want to save and improve our world. You don’t have to be rocket scientist to figure that our Friends.
So, though I have more stuff to share, taking into consideration our busy schedules and already overworked mental systems, (smile) I’ll leave us to ponder on those things that make for a godly and righteous life. Much LOVE!
…God’s world doesn’t change…He who is disobedient….will ALWAYS pay a stiff price for their disobedience…
15 Sep 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: action, altar of stones, Amen, Ark of the Covenant, blessngs, Book of the Law, burnt offering, children of Israel, christianity, city of Ai, commonsense, cursing, dangers, darkness, death, destruction, education, faithfulness, father in heaven, fear, fellowship, good success, jehovah god, jesus name, Joshua, judges, knowledge, Law of Moses, levites, living our faith, logic, LOVE, loving god, make thy way prosperous, meditate on God's Word, meditation, Moses, Mt. Ebal, obedience, partnership, peace offering, physical numbers, plague, power, practice what you preach, presence, priests, Promised Land, prosperity, sacrifice, serve, sincere faith, spiritual strength, spreading God's Word, strangers, success, sunshine, thanks and praise, trust, wisdom, wise advice, wonderful god, worship
Joshua 1:8. This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Oh mih people, on this bright and beautiful, though somewhat chilly Sunday morning, let’s give our wonderful God a shout of thanks and praise nuh!
Please pray with me. ‘Dear Father in heaven, as we get ourselves together this first day of the week to go and fellowship with other believers, we give You plenty thanks and praise for bringing us safely through the lurking dangers and dangerous darkness of the night just past, into the illuminating sunshine of another blessed day.
Thanks for having Your far-reaching presence constantly watching over us, and Your awesome power always protecting us. For without You as our champion, we’re helpless and destitute. Please enable us to continue worshipping and serving You in sincere faith and trust, so that we can count on Your everlasting faithfulness to lead and guide us on our earthly pilgrimage. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!’
Yes Friends, in these desperate, frantic and troubled times, we need God’s goodness and protection more than ever before. But as in most things, we also have to do our part in making the partnership work, which is to faithfully serve and worship Him. Not just talk it, as we’re so good at doing, but more importantly put it into practice. And I guess it’s time to remind us that CHRISTIANITY IS AN ACTION WORD!
And one of the ways we can accomplish that action is by consciously and seriously following the wise advice contained in our Bit. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’
Again, it’s simple logic and commonsense mih breddren! If our boss tells us to do something legitimate, don’t we do it? Of course! Often without even asking why, for fear of getting fired. So why when our God, who is the boss of all bosses, tells us to do something that will obviously benefit us, we hem and haw, complain and too often ignore Him eh?
Oh Friends, no matter what our endeavour, we can’t do it properly unless we learn about it, study it well, know all the nuances, the little ins and outs that causes it to be the unique and exceptional thing it is. None of us acquire education and knowledge without going to school, or putting in a fair amount of time learning stuff, so why should God’s Word be any different eh?
Some of us have several degrees and diplomas, go to school for umpteen years, even make a career out of going to school, spend a lot of time in man-made study, but find it difficult to spend a few minutes each day reading and meditating on God’s Word, the MOST IMPORTANT BOOK IN THE WORLD! And yet, we still expect to reap worldly benefits from Him. What ‘boldfaceness’ mih breddren!
Now that certainly doesn’t make sense, especially when the Lord’s been telling us for ages, that the ONLY WAY to have TRUE prosperity and success here on planet earth is by reading and studying His Word, His wise guidelines!
And it’s not like we haven’t seen the Word in operation over the last how many centuries; that’s bringing success and prosperity to those who make it their duty to study it thoroughly and then practice what it preaches. We’ve also seen what happens to those who don’t obey God’s Word; death and destruction plague them, just like it’s plaguing us now.
Anyway, nuff said. Go to church if you want to hear a sermon. (smile) Now we going to get into some relevant scripture on the necessity of meditating on God’s Word, and the undeniable, indisputable wisdom inherent in doing it.
And what better place to start than with Joshua doing as Moses, the Law and God commanded. After entering the Promised Land and capturing the city of Ai, (Josh.8:1-29) Joshua built an altar of stones at Mt. Ebal and sacrificed peace and burnt offerings unto the Lord there.
‘And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders, and their officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side (either side) before the priests and the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, as well as the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, (Ex.20:24-25; Deut.27:2-6) that they should bless the people of Israel.
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant (living) among them.’ (Josh.8:32-35)
Oh Friends, that is what you call obedience! Joshua did all that Moses and the law called for in the sight of Jehovah God, and therefore the people of Israel were blessed.
Now the same thing could happen today if the majority of us bowed in worship and sincere obedience to God’s will. And as believers in Jesus Christ, we are all anointed to bring unbelievers to Him, by truly LOVING our God, sincerely LIVING our Faith and diligently SPREADING His Word! So let’s get out there and do our job nuh Friends.
It would make such a wonderful difference to our bewildered, battered and bruised world if we could only bring more people to Christ. Much LOVE!
…if one simply teaches another…then the church of Christ would soon grow…both in physical numbers and spiritual strength…and our world would become a much better place to live…
P.S. Just some interesting info from the scholars which I thought I should share. ‘When Joshua read the blessings of the law, the people on Mount Gerizim responded with an “Amen”; when he read the curses of the law, the people on Mount Ebal responded with an “Amen.” Thus, Mount Ebal became known as the Mount of Cursing. The tops of the two mountains are about two miles distant from each other. Jebel Eslamiyeh is the modern name for Mount Ebal.’
For your information. Much LOVE!
SCRIP-BITS 