02 Nov 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a disicplined soul, a sound mind, a spirit of fear, a true believer, abolished death, accustomed to it, afford that luxury, am persuaded, attitude of jesus, be not ashamed, boundaries, brilliant sunshine, brought life, carefree, cause havoc, character, discipline, each step I take, eat and drink, Ephesus, eternal life, everyday lives, evil world, fellowship, followers of Jesus christ, forgiveness, Friday chant, full steam ahead, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, Gentiles, Glory be, God has not given us, grief, heartfelt plea, hold back, hold fast, immortality, in Jesus name, infiltrate our souls, laid back, lead and guide us, let the good times roll, LOVE, massa work, mercy, on our p's and q's, partaker of the afflictions, party time, power, power of God, qualities, rain, relaxation, rest, safely through, salvation, Satan, saved us, share the sufferings, slave mih life away, small pittance, sound words, stand strong, steadfast, steady diet, stop complaining, straight and narrow path, swing and sway, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, that good thing, the enemy, the gospel, the Holy Spirit, the testimony, the weekend, Timothy, week of work, win souls to Jesus, words of reassurance, workingman's song
2 Timothy 1:7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind (discipline).
Hear me calling: ‘Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day!’ That’s a heartfelt plea my brethren, because since I’ve come back from Jamaica, it’s been a steady diet of rain and more rain…and today looks like it might be more of the same. I guess the Lord’s reasoning is if we could have two weeks of brilliant sunshine, what’s wrong with a few days of rain eh?
And as the duchess recently informed me, in her usual frank manner: ‘Stop complaining. You’ve been here for forty years. You should be accustomed to it by now!’ (smile) But who ever gets accustomed to the cold October and November rains eh? I know one person whom it doesn’t seem to bother though, that’s the ordinary workingman, once it’s Friday he’s happy regardless of the weather. His primary focus is having two days off from work to party.
Hear him sing: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! And though the rain falling, and the place cold and miserable, I don’t care, because I don’t have to go to the massa work and slave mih life away for a small pittance and all the grief he want to cause me! Glory be! It’s the start of the weekend, that means is party time; time to swing and sway, eat and drink and let the good times roll! No holding back, just full steam ahead! Party, party, party! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Ah friends, don’t you wish we could be as laid back and carefree as the ordinary workingman? We all surely do. However, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we can’t afford that luxury because then the enemy, the evil Satan will joyfully infiltrate our souls and cause serious havoc therein. That’s why we need some boundaries in our everyday lives, points beyond which we won’t go, and that’s also why our weekend song, our Friday Chant is so different to his.
Chant it with me now nuh: ‘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 people, we need to be always on our p’s and q’s when dealing with this evil world we live in. We’re workers for Jesus and thus must show the character, qualities and attitude that’s becoming to His glorious name! And yes, it is difficult sometimes to stay on the straight and narrow path that Jesus recommends, but we do have the reassurance and wherewithal to stay the course.
Listen to these fruitful and famous words of reassurance from Bruh Paul to Timothy when the youngster was going through a rough time in his ministry in Ephesus. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind (discipline).’
Ah my people, each of us has been imbued with the Holy Spirit of Christ, which is supposed to lead and guide us in our daily lives; giving us that spirit of power, LOVE and a disciplined soul. However, it can only do its job if we listen to it and allow it to work its grace, mercy and forgiveness in our lives. So we do have what it takes to do Christ’s work, but most of us are not using those tools wisely.
Remember, the Lord, through the Holy Spirit can’t work properly in our lives unless we give up ALL aspects of our lives to Him. Many of us hold back some areas and only give over those we think the Lord might be interested in. But that’s a sure fallacy friends, the Lord’s interested in EVERYTHING in our lives. He doesn’t want bits and pieces of it, He wants it ALL!
Now listen, as Bruh Paul continues his reassurance to Timothy and to us. ‘Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions (share with me in the sufferings) of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (time).
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and LOVE which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.’ (2 Tim.1:8-14)
Oh friends, just a couple of points before we close. If we truly believe, then we cannot be ashamed of the gospel as so many of us are. And remember, Christ has abolished death and given us salvation unto eternal life. And that is assured! No one can take it from us. But we have to stand strong and steadfast in faith and do whatever it takes to win souls to Jesus and keep ourselves on the straight and narrow.
Let’s hope that these words of Bruh Paul will reassure us and remind us of all the power and LOVE and discipline that we do have through the Holy Ghost, from the work of Jesus Christ. Amen. Much LOVE!
…a true believer…should not be ashamed…of whatever he believes in…
23 Nov 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a settling quietness, a word in my tongue, attributes, beloved, bend god, bending our will, bow to God's will, change your mind, Christian, comparative attributes of God, Controller, divine nature, dream wish, emotionally pulverized, everlasting presence, fervently, find God's mind, fooling ourselves, glorious future with Jesus, glory hallelujah, gospel truth, grace, grogginess, groggy, guarded resistance, harmonize, hide from God, human abilities, I cannot attain unto it, I'm halfway home, in league with Jesus, in my deepest heart, it is high, java, joy, knowledge, known me, laid thine hand upon me, leadership, LOVE, mercy, minions, my downsitting, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, my uprising, night owl, O Lord, omni-presence, omnipotence, omniscience, One Year Book of Bible promises, pleadingly, power of God, praying, put it into action, relationship, Ruth Harms Calkin, stupendously, surrender, the Creator, the Garden of Gethsemane, the purpose of prayer, the true way of life, thou hast searched me, thoughts, thy will be done, time of need, Turnabout, understand my thoughts, unlimited power, want, Wednesday Wail, worries
Psalm 139:1. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Ah friends, I think I prefer the going to bed late and getting up late yes. At least when I get up I don’t have any back pains. I might be a li’l groggy (smile) but a few sips of java usually banishes that grogginess.
And if I so desire, I can always go back to sleep after writing the Bit. I know it makes the Bit later than I want it to be, but I can’t change the night owl nature in me. I just feel more comfortable that way.
Anyhow, enough of my rambling, the grogginess is gone. (smile) Here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, which I think is quite applicable to many of us Christians. It’s called ‘Turnabout.’
Please read with me: ‘God, for so long I thought that by praying I could change Your mind. Often I prayed Fervently, pleadingly Until I felt Emotionally pulverized.
Then I gradually began to grasp That the purpose of prayer Is to find Your mind And let You change mine.
Little by little The turnabout is renewing me. Slowly I begin to feel A settling quietness. I wait while You woo me To Your will, dear Lord. I wait until my thoughts Harmonize with Yours.
For in my deepest heart Despite my guarded resistance I somehow sense That what You want for me Is stupendously more Than anything I could Dream or wish or want For myself.’
And isn’t all of that the gospel truth friends? It surely is! So many times we get these ideas and try to bend God to our will, rather than bending our will to His.
But if we’re serious about our relationship with Him, gradually, li’l by li’l, He’ll show us that life is so much better when we bow to His will than if we try to force ours on Him. Remember who is the Big Boss?
He is the Creator and Controller, we are merely His minions, beloved though we might be. And thus it is our job to bow to Him, rather than the other way around.
And the promise for that poem is our Bit for today. ‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.’
And if we hearken back to what we were just saying, we’ll understand that our great and wonderful God knows everything about us, since He created us. Listen to Bruh David as he continues to expatiate (smile) on the everlasting presence and power of God.
‘Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compasseth (comprehendeth) my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset (enclosed or hedged) me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.’ (Ps.139:2-6)
That says it all my brethren! The Lord knows EVERYTHING about us, even before we do. That’s why it doesn’t make sense to hide anything from Him. We’re just foolishly fooling ourselves if we think we can do that.
Now let me share an interesting explanation from the scholars, re the Comparative Attributes of God. ‘Psalm 139. The comparative attributes of God contrast human abilities with the divine nature. Everyone has some knowledge, but only God has all knowledge (omniscience). Every person has some degree of power, but only God has unlimited power (omnipotence).
Illustration: Psalm 139 lays a foundation for understanding the comparative attributes. The omniscience of God is seen in verses 1-6. The omnipresence of God is seen in verses 7-11. The omnipotence of God is seen in verses 12-16.
Application: A Christian’s response to the comparative attributes of God should be to surrender to His leadership because He is wise, He is able to protect us, and He knows the true way to life with Himself. (First Ref. Gen.3:8; Primary Ref. Ps.139:1; cf. Eph.1:8).’
Oh my people, yuh see the only behaviour that makes sense in our position is to surrender our will to the Lord, because He knows best!
Even Jesus in His gravest and greatest time of need – before His crucifixion – pleaded with the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane: ‘O my father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except (unless) I drink it, thy will be done.’ (Matt.26:42)
Yeh friends, we can plead for grace and mercy and whatever, but in the long run we must, or ought to submit to the Lord’s will, for that’s what it means to be a true and faithful Christian. End of sermon! (smile)
Now let’s go home wailing our Wednesday Wail with true passion and sincerity. All together now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday!
I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And I sincerely hope we put all of that into action today my people. Oh, what a joy it is to be in league with Jesus! Much LOVE!
…when a Christian surrenders to God’s will…he has no more worries…Glory Hallelujah…!
P.S. I know it’s late, but it’s glorious! (smile) Much LOVE!
06 May 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a pox on our society, ashamed, at thy right hand, bless my soul, bombarded, busy, cares of the world, compliced, do thy will, enjoy the beauty of god's world, fast paced society, follies, fortress, fullness of joy, God's presence, goodness, gossip media, greased lightning, guidance and protection, Guide, heartfelt cry, in thy presence is fullness of joy, jehovah god, know my heart, know my thoughts, lead me, Lead me in thy truth, lifestyle of the rich and famous, like chickens with our heads cut off, LOVE, loving kindness, magnificent and magnanimous God, mercy, mish-mash society, on thee do I wait, one on one, outpouring of God's word, overseer, perception, perfect antidote, pleasures for evermore, power of God, prayer, presence, refuge, righteousness., Rock, salvation, search me, seek God, Show me thy ways, sinful, slow down, solution, stressed out, studying God's Word, sufficent time to spend with God, superiority, supremacy, teach me, teach me thy paths, the answer to our problems, the blind leading the blind, The God of my salvation, the good shepherd, the joy of the Lord is our strength, the land of uprightness, the middle of the workweek, the path of life, the way everlasting, thou art my God, thou wilt show me the path of life, thy spirit is good, tow seconds worth, traffic jams, troubled times, trust, try me, turn back to God, ungodly, ungodly world, Wednesday, wisdom at its zenith, working in tandem
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Aye Friends, can you believe that it’s already Wednesday, the middle of the workweek? Brother! The days they are moving along like greased lightning. Truly though, the days aren’t really any faster than normal nuh, it’s just our perception. We live in such a busy and fast paced society that everything just seems speeded up.
And our God doesn’t want us being so busy with the cares of the world that we don’t have sufficient time to spend with Him. However that’s exactly what happens to many of us; we lead such busy lives, or rather believe we lead such busy lives that we can’t seem to find time to give God His two seconds worth, because that’s just how much time we dedicate to most things.
That attitude is wrong though my people. We need to slow down and enjoy the beauty of God’s world around us, and also spend a fair amount of time in His presence, studying His Word and communicating one on one with Him, for remember the joy of the Lord is our strength. (Neh.8:10) Only as we are filled with His strength can we be truly joyful. Or put the other way; only as we are filled with His joy can we be strong.
Ah mih people, everyday we’re bombarded with some new device that’s faster, and can do more stuff, but do we really need that? I don’t think so. What are we going to do when we reach the point that we can’t go any faster eh? It’s ironic, but the only place that many people slow down is in their daily commute to and from work, in the massive traffic jams that occur every day of the workweek, and even on Saturdays and Sundays nowadays.
The other day I got caught on the highway during the afternoon rush hour and was I ever surprised to see the number of vehicles parked up in the 12 to 16 lanes of highway, going nowhere fast. I don’t know what’s the answer nuh Friends, all I know is that it’s a pox on our society. We lose so much time and money sitting in traffic every day that it’s not funny.
Isn’t it laughable though, that with all our brilliance in other areas of life, we still can’t find a better, more productive and positive way for the basic function of getting to and from the jobs that provide our livelihood. That’s why we’re so stressed out and keep running aimlessly, like chickens with our heads cut off.
There’s no need to worry though Friends, for we have the perfect antidote to all those problems; seek God sincerely and continually and He will give you the necessary parts to handle our crazy society. It’s as simple as that. But for many of us in these modern times that’s just too simple and easy. Unless a solution is complicated, we find it difficult to accept.
But Friends, just listen to the words of our Bit and then tell me why I’d refuse to do what it says eh? ‘Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.’ That’s sounds so wonderful to me, so why would I want to bother with anything else eh?
Oh my people, please, let’s wake up and appreciate the goodness and LOVING-kindness of our magnificent and magnanimous God nuh! Instead of trying to rid our society of Him, let’s bring Him back with a great outpouring of His Word and His marvellous LOVE!
That’s the answer to most of our problems in the world today; reinstating Jehovah God as our guide and overseer.
Sadly though, too many of us are caught up in the frenzied lifestyle of the rich and famous, seeking to copy it in our own lives, or wasting our time by paying too much attention to their follies and sinful, ungodly lifestyles. That’s why all the gossip media is flourishing in these troubled times.
Anyway, enough of my venting, (smile) let’s see what the scriptures have to say about the subject. Listen to Bruh David’s call on God from Psalm 25 – A prayer for guidance and protection. ‘’Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.’ (Ps.25:4-5)
Oh Friends, are we crying out to God for His guidance and direction, and waiting patiently for Him to answer our prayers? I surely hope so, otherwise we’re losing out big time on His goodness and mercy. For He is the only one who can successfully lead and guide us through this mish-mash society and ungodly world.
Listen to Bruh David again, this time from Psalm 31. ‘In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust (do I take refuge); let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock (rock of refuge), for a house of defense (fortress) to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.’ (Ps.31:1-3)
Yeh Friends, it’s all about our God; about working in tandem with Him! That’s the only way we’ll ever be able to successfully navigate this madhouse that our world’s become.
Now more Bruh David, (smile) this time from Psalm 143: ‘Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.’ (Ps.143:10)
Oh my people, I don’t how else to put it nuh, but that Bruh David knew on which side his bread was buttered. And since this seems to be a Bruh David day, (smile) let’s end with some more of his fine words from Psalm 139- The everlasting presence and power of God.
He tearfully declares: ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts (anxious thoughts): And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ (Ps.139:23-24)
Oh Friends, oh Friends, that ought to be the soulful, heartfelt cry of every believer this morning!
Let’s seriously and sincerely turn back to God nuh my people, for that’s where all the good answers lie! Let’s wise up and acknowledge His superiority, His supremacy, and the fact that we can do very little without Him. That is indeed wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…following the world…is like the blind leading the blind…but following Jesus…oh bless my soul…that is like the Good Shepherd leading his sheep…
25 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a free gift of God, a true child of God, appreciation, awesome truth, bless His name, by grace are ye saved, child of God, christ jesus, covered me in my mother's womb, created in Christ unto good works, doing good works, enter his gates with thanksgiving, evil ways, faith, faith strengthened, fear the God of Israel, fearfully and wonderfully made, forgiveness, formed my inward parts, give me understanding, Glory Halleujah, grace, greetings, hope, inner beauty, into his courts with praise, Isaiah, it is meet and right to do so, it is the gift of God, Jesus Christ, knives through the darkness, lest any man should boast, look to the future, LOVE, marvellous are thy works, mercy, my life will be beautiful, new creations, not of works, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, positive actions, power of God, praise, recreated by Christ, s bright spotlight, Sabbath Day, salutations, salvation, sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, saturated with Christ, Something Beautiful, spirits renewed, spiritual life, Sunday, the living truth, the Lord he is God, the One Year Book of Bible Promises, the redemption of Israel, the sheep of his pasture, the work of mine hands, they shall sanctify my name, token of love, we are his people, we are his workmanship, worship
Ephesians 2:10. For we are his workmanship (creation) created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath before ordained (prepared) that we should walk in them.
Greetings and salutations my people, in the glorious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on this blessed but damp and foggy Sunday morning! All power and glory be to the One who sacrificed His holy and sinless life for us disgusting sinners.
And to show our grateful appreciation of that wonderful token of LOVE, let’s gather together in His sanctuary on this Sabbath Day, as He desires, to praise and worship Him, give Him the thanks that He so rightfully deserves, and in return receive His grace, mercy and forgiveness, so that our spirits can be renewed, our faith strengthened, and our actions positive and LOVE-filled!
And all God’s people said a loud and sincere: ‘Yes, let us do that, for it is meet and right so to do!
And now, from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin, here is ‘Something Beautiful!’ ‘Here I am dear God Your Child A member of Your Family Asking You To make something beautiful of my life. Yet, even as I ask I am convinced That the one beautiful thing About a child of God Is You, Jesus Christ. So, dear Lord As You saturate me with Yourself My life will be beautiful.’
And isn’t that the living truth Friends! There’s nothing as beautiful as a human being saturated with Jesus Christ! That inner beauty and LOVE of a true child of God just shines through the darkness of this world, knives through it like a big, bright spotlight closely focused on a performer on a stage! Oh my brethren, there’s no better state for us to be in, than to be filled with the beauty and joy of Jesus Christ! For we become new creations, old, evil ways are forgotten, and we look to the future with hope and faith.
And the Bible promise for that poem is our Bit today; fateful words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘For we are his workmanship (creation), created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ Friends, that’s truth to the nth degree!
And here are some explanations from the scholars to enlighten us. ‘2:10. For verifies the assertion of man’s good works having no part in obtaining salvation. (vs.8-9) Workmanship refers not to our original or physical birth, but to our spiritual birth: what we are spiritually in the good sense is due to God, not ourselves.
Created in Christ Jesus unto good works means “having been (morally) re-created by Christ Jesus for good works,” that is, Jesus remade our spiritual lives so that we could then do good works. The apostle’s thinking is this; since the Christian has been given spiritual life for the purpose of doing good works, there could have been no good works by him prior to conversion that would merit salvation. Good works follow – do not precede – salvation.’
And I’ll be my usual nice self (smile) and quote the two verses we mentioned above, re good works having no part in salvation. ‘For by grace are ye (you have been) saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ (Eph.28-9)
Yes Friends, part of the reason why salvation is not achieved by good works is so that men can’t boast about obtaining it on their own strength or merit. Remember, it is a free gift of God!
Now let’s look at a couple scriptures that reflect the theme of our Bit. Hear the palmist declare from Psalm 100 – A call to praise the Lord. ‘Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.’ (Ps.100:3-4)
Oh my people, if we’d only follow that wise advice of the psalmist, our lives and our world would be a much better place than it currently is!
Now listen to Isaiah, as he talks about the redemption of Israel. ‘But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify (hallow) my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.’ (Is.29:23)
Without a doubt Friends, we are God’s handiwork, His greatest creation! Glory Hallelujah!
Another psalmist joyfully proclaims: ‘Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.’ (Ps.119:73) Words of awesome truth my brethren! And we’ll end with Bruh David’s version from Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God. ‘For thou hast possessed my reins (formed my inward parts): thou hast covered (weaved) me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right (very) well.’
My substance (frame, bones) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me), when as not there was none of them.’ (Ps.139:13-16)
Yes Friends, Jehovah God was the planner, designer, architect and builder of every human being that was ever made. Therefore He knows all about us. We are definitely His, for He is our Creator, our Provider and our God. Without Him, we would not exist. Please, let’s remember that and give Him the appropriate level of praise, worship and thanks He deserves. That’s the duty of a sincere child of God. Much LOVE!
…without the Most High God Jehovah…nothing that was made…would be made…
09 Sep 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a halfway moment, a haughty spirit before a fall, Babylon, blessings, boantrophy, break off thy sins, breath of life, by the might of my power, change our minds, Creator, Daniel, decision making, decree of the most High, dream interpretation, dreams, drive thee from men, earthly days, eat grass as oxen, evil pride, exile, for the honour of my majesty, god moves in mysterious ways, graven images, hair was grown like eagles' feathers, hands of Almighty God, humiliating experience, I am the Lord, iniquities, Israelites, king nebuchadnezzar, Lord God Jehovah, LOVE, master of the magicians, mental illness, mistakes, mortal man, my glory will I not give to another, nails like birds' claws, Nebuchadnezzar, neither my praise to graven images, omnipotent god, Pearl S. Buck, possible outcomes, power of God, praise, pride, pride goes before destruction, provider, ramifications, righteousness., rough and tumble world, showing mercy to the poor, Spirit of the Holy God, split second moment, stump of the tree, the kingdom has been taken from thee, the most High rules in the kingdom of men, thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, tranquility, visions, warnings, wet thee with the dew of heaven, wisdom, zoantrophy
Daniel 4:30. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for for the house of the kingdom (a royal dwelling) by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
Oh Friends, it doesn’t seem as though my late night endeavours are blending well with my early morning rising to write the Bit nuh. What a momentous discovery! (smile) But it’s all good. Sometimes some things just have to be done late at night. Let’s just hope that they are the exception rather than the rule.
I’m still enjoying my semi-summer weather though, which usually ends up with an early morning spell on my front porch, communing with the peaceful moments of nature and my wonderful Creator. So it’s not all fun and frolic. (smile)
Now here’s an interesting quote from Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) American writer and novelist. ‘Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied.’
And that’s quite true. Decision making is often a process, rather than just a split second moment, and just before pulling the trigger there’s usually a point where we can change our minds. The problem though is that once we make up our minds on something, it’s often difficult to change them, despite warnings of the dangers ahead.
That means we need to take our time, try and not rush the decision making process without properly considering the ramifications of all the possible outcomes. That brings us to our Bit, a perfect example of what we’re talking about.
‘The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of my kingdom (a royal dwelling) by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?’
And we all know the story of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king who besieged Israel and carried the Israelites into exile in Babylon. This particular episode deals with his dream about a huge, powerful, stately and useful tree. (Dan.4:10-16) His astrologers, magicians and soothsayers though couldn’t interpret the dream, so he called in Daniel to do it.
And it’s interesting to see how king Neb perceives Daniel, from prior experience with his dream interpretation. (Dan.2) ‘But at last Daniel came before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods (Spirit of the Holy God):
And before him I told the dream saying, O Belteshazzar, master (chief) of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods (Spirit of the Holy God) is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell (explain to) me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.’ (Dan.4:8-9)
However, after being told the dream, Daniel was troubled by the interpretation he received from God. The king saw this and said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, (if only) the dream be to (concerned) them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to (concerned) thine enemies.’ (Dan.4:19)
Then Daniel goes on to tell the king that the dream heralded his sickness, mental illness. (Dan. 4:20-23) The essence of the vision was thus: ‘This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times (years) shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure (assured) unto thee, after that thou shalt have known (come to know) that the heavens (heaven, God) do rule.’ (Dan.4:24-26)
Now to most of us, hopefully such an interpretation would have made us think twice about our current lifestyle. And Daniel even warns king Neb about it. ‘Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness (by being righteous), and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening (prolonging) of thy tranquility.’ (Dan.4:27)
But Neb fails to take Daniel’s advice, and a year later, while walking in his sumptuous palace, he foolishly declares the words of our Bit.
And the Good Book tells us: ‘While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed (has been taken) from thee.
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times (years) shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.” (Dan.4:31-33)
Ah mih people, yuh see how our omnipotent God does move in mysterious ways, His power and glory to protect!
Neb unwisely felt that his glory was all his doing. But the Lord God Jehovah showed him differently. The same thing happens to us daily Friends; we mistake the power and blessings of Almighty God for our power. But as Cousin Sol so wisely informs us: ‘Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (stumbling). (Prov.16:18)
So please, let’s pay careful attention to the lustful and evil pride that tends to rise up in us when we are on top of the world and wisely realize that it’s not our power and might that got us there, but that of our Creator and Provider. For remember what He so vividly states in Isaiah 42: ‘I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.’ (Is.42:8) Nuff said!
And we’ll close with some significant information from the scholars re Neb’s illness.’4:33. Two important questions arise form this incident: (1) Could it happen to a man? and (2) Could it have happened to Nebuchadnezzar? The answer to both questions is Yes. There is a mental illness known as zoantrophy in which a man thinks and acts like an animal. It is also called boantrophy, more specifically when a man thinks of himself as an ox.
In answer to the second question, this illness is not mentioned in Nebuchadnezzar’s annals, but one would not expect such a humiliating experience to be chronicled. On the other hand, his long reign of 43 years (605-562 B.C.) is more than long enough to include the lengthy sickness.’
So my brethren, let’s take all of this to heart as we make our journey through this rough and tumble world, always remembering where the real power of the universe lies…in the hands of Almighty God! Now that is truly heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…wherefore does mortal man think he’s so powerful…when he does not even have power over the breath of his life or length of his earthly days…
16 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, a sound mind, abolished death, adoption, afflictions, all in vain, another week of work, anxiety, ashamed, awesome value, blood of jesus, bondage of sin, bring you to your knees, celebration, christ jesus, Christian joy, christianity, concern, confronting it head on, courage, died for me at Calvary, distill our fear, eager beavers, encouraging words, eternal life, exasperation, fear, fellowship, freedom, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gentle, Glory Halleujah, God's family, God's unconditional LOVE, gospel, grace, heathen, heaven laden, holy calling, humble, humble apologies, I will give you rest, immortality, insight, intimacy, Jesus Christ, jesus name, Jesus' great invitation, joy, joy in Jesus christ, labours, let's dance, let's party, let's shout, let's sing, life, LOVE, lowly in heart, meek, my burden is light, my yoke is easy, no fear, power, power of God, privilege, problems, promises, purpose, realtion to God, reconciled to God, reconciliation, relaxation, renewed and refeshed, rest, sacrificed on the cross, sacrificial death, sacrificial lamb, salvation, sense of responsibility, sin, sinless life, spirit of adoption, spirit of fear, sufferings, testimony, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the gift of God, the importance of the weekend, ungodly world, uplifting promises, wisdom, wisely, with God's help, woe, yokes of bondage
Romans 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! Let’s dance, let’s sing, let’s party, let’s shout: ‘Praise the Lord! TGIF! Thank God is Friday and the workweek finish! Just imagine nuh, for two whole big days, no more early morning rising and facing the ever-worsening traffic twice a day! Wow! Glory Hallelujah! Thank God is Friday in true yes!’
Yes my people, it’s indeed a wonderful feeling that Friday brings to most of us, but let’s do it as Jeeves, our major domo would advise – with a modicum of circumspection please.
That’s right Friends, the weekend is upon us, and it is indeed a time for some joy and celebration from our labours, but we have to use it wisely, so that it doesn’t cause us problems later on.
So with all of that in mind, let’s chant our Friday Chant with a sense of circumspection and responsibility nuh. As one 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.’
Hopefully my brethren, that will give us some insight into the importance of the weekend besides just for partying, and we can wisely do our do, so that come Monday morning we’ll be bright and fresh, like eager beavers, just panting at the bit to go out and do Jesus’ work amongst the heathen and ungodly world.
Okay, okay mih breddren, I hear you. (smile) So you’re not thrilled that it’s barely Friday and I’m already talking about Monday, the nemesis of so many of us. Please accept my humble apologies, but the only way I know to fight fear or exasperation is by confronting it head on.
So if Monday’s bring you woe, then face it full in the face and say: ‘Mondays, I will defeat you! With God’s help, I WILL bring you to your knees! No longer WILL I allow you to steal my joy and bring me woe. This I pray on the shed blood of Jesus, who died for me at Calvary to give me freedom, salvation and eternal life! Amen!’
Yeh mih people, only by confronting stuff that’s keeping us back from enjoying all the stuff that Jesus has in store for us, can we be set free from their unpalatable yokes of bondage. For as our Bit so wisely and encouragingly declares: ‘For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.’
That’s for sure my brethren! Otherwise, Christ’s horrific and sacrificial death would be all in vain! And we definitely can’t have that now, can we?
And the scholars’ say this about our Bit. ‘8:15. ‘The Spirit of adoption: The Holy Spirit places the believer as a son in God’s family. Abba (Aramaic for “father”). This is the intimate name used only by members of the family. It’s use here denotes the intimacy of the believer’s relation to God.’
Oh Friends, I can’t help saying it nuh: What a wonderful God we serve and worship! Mama Mia!
Now hear this powerful passage of scripture, where Bruh Paul exhorts Timothy to endure: ‘Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on (laying) of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions (share with me the sufferings) of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (time),
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:’ (2 Tim.1:6-10)
Oh my fellow believers, what encouraging words! Please, let them stir up our courage and distill our fear! For in Christ Jesus there is no real fear for the true believer!
Yes, there is concern and some anxiety, but NO FEAR, especially when we truly receive Jesus’ great invitation: ‘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 and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
Oh my people, my people, there could be no more encouraging words than those of our Lord and Saviour! Wow!
And what better way is there to greet the upcoming weekend than with those uplifting promises buried deep in our hearts, minds and souls eh? None really my Friends!
For remember that’s why Jesus gave up His easy, sinless life in heaven to come to earth and die as a sacrificial lamb on our behalf – so that we could be free from the bondage of sin and be reconciled to God – so that we could once again be part of His family, such an intimate part, that we now have the overwhelming and everlasting privilege of calling Him, Abba – Father!
It’s all so wonderful my fellow believers, that we should just be jumping and shouting and thanking Jesus every moment of everyday for putting His life on the line for us because of the Father’s great LOVE for His most wonderful creation!
So please, let’s show our Christian joy and gratefulness on the outside today and everyday nuh, so that others will see it, and recognize it’s great and awesome value, and eagerly come to want what we have – plenty, plenty joy in Jesus Christ! Much LOVE!
…without the Father’s great and unconditional LOVE…there would be no Jesus sacrificed on the cross…thus no reconciliation…no salvation…no eternal life…no adoption…and no calling out to Abba, our Father…
13 May 2013
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, awesome truth, burden, celebrations, Christ crucified, christianity, confidence, downtrodden, enthusiasm, foolishness of God, forgiveness, glorious kingdom, grace, holy spirit, humble servants, humility, invincible, jobs, lies, loving god, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, oppressed, power of God, renewed vitality, scorn, sincere heart, steadfast faith, summer weather, sure conquerors, the Lord respects the lowly, the weak and pitiful, though the Lord be high, totem pole, true repentance, useful purpose, weakness of God, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, wisdom, wisdom of God, yoke
Psalm 138:6. Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Ah Friends, unfortunately it’s Monday once again, and the Mother’s Day celebrations are over for another year. Sadly, they were marred somewhat in my area by cloud, rain and strong winds. I understand that we had hailstones too, and some places further north even had snow. So much for the blossoming summer weather. Chuh! Hopefully though, not too many of us are suffering this morning from the aftermath of those celebrations, (smile) and won’t get up feeling worse than is customary on a Monday morning. I know celebrations are wonderful, but when we overdo it, the price we pay later on is simply not worth it. Anyway, life goes on, whether we’re feeling up to it or not. The good thing though is that we worship a healing, caring and LOVING God, who’s only too willing to fix us when we’re hurting and/or broken. And one way He does that is by hearing our cries for help, our prayers, and granting them. So on this rough Monday morning, let’s cry out to Him for help and sustenance by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Now, in whatever voice you can manage, croaking or otherwise (smile) but with a sincere and true heart, let’s sing. ‘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 wasn’t very powerful. Truthfully, it might be better termed pitiful. But that’s the whole idea about crying out for help. If you’re strong and able, then you don’t need help. And if it’s one thing our God LOVES to do, is to help the weak and pitiful. Our Bit declares that quite plainly. ‘Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto (He regards) the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.’ Yes my brethren, it’s the same Bit from two days ago. I wasn’t finished with it, but Mother’s Day forced me to put it aside till today. And if you remember, we ended that day with Jesus quoting Hosea 6:6, to the hypocrite Pharisees, re the Lord desiring mercy, faithfulness and not sacrifice from His followers, when they complained to the disciples about His eating with sinners and tax collectors. And as Bruh Paul told the Corinthians: ”For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than man.’ (1 Cor.1:22-25) Words of awesome truth my people! Remember too, that Jesus Himself dealt more with the sick and suffering, the outcasts and those from the lower rungs of society. As He said: ‘For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.’ (Matt.18:11) And unfortunately, those at the bottom of society’s totem pole, are usually the lost ones, who need healing and saving more than those higher up. However we put it though Friends, our God is undoubtedly a champion of the small, oppressed man. Cousin Sol wisely tells us: ‘Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly (weak, humble) (Prov.3:34) And Isaiah solemnly declares, re condemnation of Israel’s idolatry: ‘For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ (Is.57:15) Yes my people, it is always the Lord’s will to help those who are downtrodden, oppressed, fallen on hard times and any other negative situations that may affect their lives! But we have to call on Him in humility and true repentance. That’s the key to His mercy and forgiveness. Please, let’s remember that and act accordingly today. Our lives will be all the better for it. Much LOVE!…come unto me…all ye that labour and heavy laden…and I will give you rest…for my yoke is easy…and my burden is light… (Matt.11:28, 30)
SCRIP-BITS 