The Overwhelming Importance of Prayer in a Christian’s Life!

03 Dec 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luke 18:1.        And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).

And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day. Hope you all have caught your second breath for the week to keep on keeping on strong in Jesus’ name. As for me, I’m not doing as badly as yesterday, but the ole cold is still bothering me, and though I’m doing my best to ignore it, it just refuses to be ignored, (smile) so I’m keeping up the good fight against it. 

And in regard to all of the above, here is a most useful scripture for us to follow. Luke writes: ‘And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1) Now that about says it all; we ought to keep on praying, not give up, even when things look rather bleak, because we never know when the Lord will intervene in our circumstances. 

Now this is the parable the Lord told them: ‘There was in a (certain) city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded (respected) man. And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him saying, Avenge  me of mine adversary (vindicate me against my enemy). And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard (respect) man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge (vindicate) her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ (Luke 18:2-5) 

Yes friends, that means we must never give up, never stop praying, never stop crying out to the Lord for help, or doing the work that He desires us to do, because when the time is right he will vindicate us, help us, or do whatever is necessary for us to be uplifted. It’s persistence that usually pays off. 

It’s like that famous quote by Calvin Coolidge, the 30th U.S. President. ‘Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On!’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.’ 

And that’s the undeniable truth my people! For whatever other talents you may have, if you don’t have persistence, you will most likely not succeed in your endeavours. And that’s what Jesus is trying to bring home to His followers; that spirit of never giving up, of persisting in the face of adversity, for you never know when things will suddenly turn around. That’s why they say the darkest hour is the one before the dawn. Things get very dark just before they lighten up. 

That’s why Bruh Paul wrote these ever so meaningful words to the church at Rome. ‘Not slothful in business (lagging in diligence); fervent (boiling over) in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient (persevering) in tribulation; continuing instant (steadfastly) in prayer.’ (Rom. 12:11-12) That ought to be the basic motto of all believers. 

This admonishment from Bruh Paul to the Ephesians re the armour of God, is also worthy of note. ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph. 6:18) Ah mih people, that just tells us that even when you have on the whole armour of God, it’s not sufficient until you pray, and keep on praying for all the saints. Prayer, and perseverance in it is the foundation of our Christian lives! 

It’s so important that almost every one of Bruh Paul’s letters says something about it. Hear this from the letter to the Colossians. ‘Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Withal (meanwhile) praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance (for the word), to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.’ (Col. 4:2-4) Yes my people, Bruh Paul knew the immense value of prayer, that’s why He also asked then to pray for him, that He might be able to dispense the Word properly. 

And what about this simple but oh so powerful directive from Bruh Paul to the Thessalonians? ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess. 5:17) That says it all my brethren. Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian, and if we don’t use it to the fullest, then we’re foolishly denying ourselves of what God has in store for us. And that’s certainly not a very wise move, is it? Obviously not! 

The important thing to remember is that the onus is on us to pray because we benefit the most from it, not God. He is in His high heaven and has all He desires, except possibly our LOVE for Him, but we are here on this hellish earth seeking to make a decent life for ourselves and our families and we certainly cannot do it without much prayer. 

Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And having said that, let’s not forget the promise that if we endure right to the very end with Jesus, the future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So, in true wisdom, let’s all endure right to the very end with Christ, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…to pray…and yet to pray…and to keep on praying…that is the lot of the Christian…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Salvation is a Free Gift of God, But the Fruit of the Spirit must outwardly manifest it!

04 Mar 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Philippians 2:12b.        work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

So friends, Monday’s gone and Tuesday’s here, let’s hope that we have better results in our lives today, than we did yesterday, as we walk the straight and narrow road, and work out our marvellous salvation with our magnificent Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave His sinless life as a blood sacrifice for us to be able to receive said salvation. Now that certainly sounds like one of Bruh Paul’s confuffling sentences! (smile) 

And what are we talking about here eh? Remember Bruh Paul’s letter to the Philippians? As he was in jail, he could not go to them and help them in their spiritual journey, so he wrote, ‘Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of (according to) his good pleasure.’ (Phil. 2:12-13) 

And what does work out our salvation with fear and trembling mean? The following commentary explains it in fairly simple language. ‘This statement implies a need to live out—to practice, demonstrate, and exhibit—the salvation which believers have in Christ. The concept of “fear and trembling” addresses worshipful respect for God. This echoes back to the context of every knee bowing before the Lord mentioned in verse 11.’  

And one other commentary tells us that  ‘The good news is that the phrase “fear and trembling” is actually a Hebrew expression for being awed by the goodness of God.’ In other words, you don’t have to work for your salvation, for you already have it by believing in Jesus, but you have to manifest or show that you’re a true believer by the way you now live. 

Having been saved by Jesus’ sacrifice, you now have to learn how to live and grow spiritually, showing the outward manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit that’s been planted in you when you received Christ. And the Lord will help you do that, if you’re serious and pay attention to His guidance. However, it all comes down to you and God, and no one else. Each believer must walk their own path with God’s help. No one else can walk it for you. 

As another commentary says: ‘Essentially once saved, you learn how to live a sanctified holy life. You work out your salvation daily.’ And that last word ‘daily’ is a rather important point in the working out of our salvation, because it’s something we must work on every day, not once in a while. For we can only grow spiritually when we keep at it regularly. 

Now, we all know that’s a tough nut to crack, but crack it we can, if we really try. And Author Betsy Wise, in her article on the subject on the writingforjesus.com Website offers these practical steps to help us persevere and succeed. She first advises, not to compete with God, because He is sovereign, Creator and Lord. and our Spirit man ought to submit to His will for all of our lives. 

Then we should honour His voice above all other life’s voices that strive to disconnect us from Him. And we know His voice when we get deep in His word, through His Holy Spirit and the spiritual people around us. Then we need to be consistent in and out of season. We must evaluate what lives in our heart, and if it doesn’t fit God’s will, remove it. And we’ll know what fits and what doesn’t by daily meditating on God’s Word. We already know what’s right and wrong so that should make it easier. 

Then we need to allow God to show us how to build a strong foundation, by being ready to receive His words of knowledge in every situation. And we do need strong spiritual mentors, tried and tested people to associate with. People who know God intimately, and are not simply religious, or willing to live by the traditions of men. And finally, allow God to establish other preparations in us to build up our salvation, like this example from scripture. 

Having fed the five thousand, Jesus ‘said unto them (the disciples), Come ye yourselves apart (aside) into a desert (deserted) place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure, so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert (deserted) place by ship privately (by themselves).’ (Mark 6:31-32) There Jesus saw the tiredness in the disciples and recommended they take a break. And it’s on occasions like those that we need to allow the voice of God to guide us to greener pastures. 

Ah friends, as we say all the time, it’s not easy living sincerely for Jesus, but it surely is interesting and rewarding! And I do hope that some of those practical examples offered by Ms. Wise helps us to successfully work out our salvation. Remember though, we have to implement them individually, regardless of how much others may try to help us, in the long run it’s our individual responsibility to work out our own salvation. And one of the scriptures Ms. Wise quotes in her article to help us do that is this most powerful one where Bruh Paul in his letter to the Philippians, states his reason for living. 

‘That I may know him (Jesus), and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto (arrive at) the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained (obtained it), either were already perfect: but I follow after (press on), if that I may apprehend (lay hold of) that for which also I am apprehended of Christ.’ (Phil. 3:10-12) 

Now, not many of us are as zealous as Bruh Paul was, but those sentiments are very useful for us to work towards. So please, let’s press on and do our best to achieve them nuh. And to help us do that, let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel! 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

That now means we are duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…salvation is free…but manifesting it takes work…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 April 2018 James 1:2.

21 Apr 2018 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

James 1:2.    My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials).

At last friends, at long last, some of the ice that’s covered the ground from the ice storm a week ago has finally melted…Yay! And we can now see some of Mother Earth’s dirtyish brown grass with specks of green thrown in for good measure. Glory be! 

But not all of the ice has melted, there are still several patches of it all around. And from my kitchen window I can see about three or four solid boulders of ice lying at the side of the road, and the big lump of ice that clogged the entrance to my lane when they cleaned the main road last week is still there, blocking traffic and making it difficult to enter the lane. 

But God is good! Let’s remember that, and a few weeks from now when spring has finally sprung and the leaves and beautiful blossoms are out in all their glory, we’ll look back and laugh at this inconvenience. Hn, hn! Yeh mih people, it’s a good thing the Lord blessed us with short memories. 

However, it’s Saturday, so let’s turn our attention to some of this week’s quotes from our friend Anselm, as he aspires to inspire us to a better tomorrow. Here is the first one: ‘Learn to value yourself, which means fight for your happiness.’ 

Oh my people, too many of us don’t value ourselves highly enough, we have a poor self-image, thus others take advantage of us. Therefore we need to raise our self- image through Bible study and assertive action if we want to control our lives and thus our happiness. And the next quote is basically about the same thing; taking control of our lives. 

‘Don’t let other people decide whether you are going to have a fantabulous or bad day, make that decision yourself.’ Again, too many of us allow others to run our lives and decide what kind of day we’re going to have. That is counter productive friends. We have to learn to stand on our own two feet and make those kinds of decision for ourselves, otherwise we’ll always be at the mercy of others. 

And the final quote says: ‘If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.’ In other words, take a chance! And that is gospel truth! If you never take chances and just stay with the tried and true, the same old, same old, then the same old, same old is all you’ll ever get. 

Our society and our Christian faith was built on our forefathers and the early Christians taking chances, even when it meant running afoul of the authorities and thus possible loss of life. And as we Christians know, whenever we step out to do something for Christ, the enemy will most likely come against us and try to prevent us from doing it. 

But because of Christ’s promises and His power to enable us to do anything, we don’t have to shy away, but press on regardless. And we do that through faith. But faith doesn’t just come like by wishing it. On the contrary it’s something we have to build, through constant hard work and adversity. 

And Cousin Bobby (Bobby Schuller- Hour of Power) says that ‘Faith is not a leap, but an enduring daily trust that God can do the impossible in your life.’ And that’s no lie! Each and every day we awaken we have to learn to keep the trust in God we earned the day before, and to build on it, so that tomorrow it will be even stronger. That’s how we build faith my brethren – from day to day, through whatever trial comes our way. 

That brings us to our Bit, some rather interesting words from James, Jesus’ brother, in his epistle to the Christians dispersed around the world. ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials).’ Now who wants to find trials joyful eh? Nobody! But friends, that’s the only way we’ll grow in faith. 

As James continues: ‘Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing.’ James 1:3-4) Yeh friends, as long as we are believers, our faith will always be tested, and we need to stand fast so that we can grow. 

And the scholars got it right: ‘1:4. The natural response to adversity is to escape it. But God uses trouble to mature His people.’ Oh, we certainly know it’s rough, and do try to escape, but much to our dismay, that’s just part of the life of faith we’re trying live. 

The scholars further tell us: ‘1:2-3. In this epistle on Christian living, James opens with a most crucial topic: the trials of life. These verses describe the various testings – whether from the world and Satan, or from God – into which godly Christians fall (Gr. peripipto). 

These “negative” experiences are to be accepted with great joy, not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can accomplish through the testing….It is not merely one’s presence in such trials but one’s victory over them that brings spiritual growth and maturity. Those Christians whom God can use the most are those whom God has bruised the most.’ 

Unfortunately mih people growing in spiritual faith is not easy, as can be seen from the lives of all great men of faith, especially Jesus. But they all kept constantly looking to the heavenly Father for the strength to carry on, and He gave it to them. Likewise, if we look to our heavenly Father for strength and wisdom to carry on in tough times, He WILL give it to us. 

So friends, whatever is coming against us right now, let’s try and think of it in joyful terms nuh, (smile) believing that God is allowing it for a greater purpose than we can imagine, and lean on Him for the help to come through it successfully. He will not disappoint us. That’s His faithful promise! Much LOVE!

…spiritual growth…is based on fleshly suffering…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 November 2016 Proverbs 13:12.

19 Nov 2016 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Proverbs 13:12.    Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Ah friends, after much unseasonable temperatures and many bright, sun shiny days, we might finally be getting our first taste of Mother Winter this weekend. The temperature is supposed to dip to just above zero on Sunday, and possibly provide flurries on that day and Monday. I sure am not looking forward to it. Wish I could be in sweet Tobago, going up Calder Hall to get some of Brother Kirby’s fine tasting and nutritious soup this Saturday morning. (smile) 

But you know the human animal is a strange being; we know that the winter weather will soon be here, and we’re supposed to be preparing for it, but when it does come, it seems to take us by surprise and throw us off guard, especially after such beautiful fall weather. Anyway there’s not much we can do, but just grin and bear it as best we can. 

But with that in mind let’s turn to our friend Anselm’s quotes, aimed at inspiring us for a better tomorrow. And today we have three, because they are all short. The first says: ‘A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.’ And that’s glorious advice!  

It reminds us of a quote from Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the U.S, which declares: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” 

Yes friends, persistence is the number one attribute that will help us when all else fails. Then Anselm tells us: ‘Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.’ More wonderful advice! Because we need to be active, to hold something dear and have something to look forward to that will make it all worthwhile. Those are the things that make us come alive and cause us to keep on keeping on. 

My favourite quote today though, is this last one: ‘Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers.’ And that’s gospel truth friends! For with hope one can imagine anything and do anything. With it, we can be giants in a fallen world, but without it, we become wimps and wallow in self-pity. 

Consequently, our Bit for today deals with hope; Cousin Sol’s wise words on the subject. ‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’ 

And the scholars explain it thus: ‘13:12. Hope deferred depresses, but its fulfillment revitalizes.’ 

Ah mih people, hope is the emotion that galvanizes us into action! All the other emotions are wonderful, but if they are not accompanied by hope, then they will most likely not be acted upon. For without hope, we become listless and without a sense of purpose, just sort of drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweed, wherever the wind might blow it. 

However my brethren, it’s also very important where and in what direction we focus our hope. And we have a good example of what Cousin Sol is talking about in Psalm 42 – An intense longing for God. The sons of Korah write: ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps.42:5) 

Yes friends, when there is no hope in our souls, our fire goes out, and the best place to channel our hope is in Almighty God! There is no doubt about that! 

Listen to Jeremiah. ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:7-8) 

Aye mih breddren, yuh see what happens when we channel our hope in the Lord God Jehovah? No fear, no anxiety, just prosperity regardless of the circumstances! Now why would I want to place my hope in anything or anyone else eh? No way, Jose! 

And I just LOVE this verse of scripture from Zechariah. ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.’ (Zech.9:12) That phrase ‘prisoners of hope,’ just raises my spiritual temperature! (smile) Oh friends, how I wish that we could all be ‘prisoners of hope,’ so that we could be more active and successful in Christ’s work. 

This verse from Psalm 119 is also a moving scripture. The psalmist petitions the Lord: ‘Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.’ (Ps.119:116) Oh precious people, our wonderful God will NEVER let us be ashamed of the hope we place in Him! Please, let’s write that indelibly in our hearts, minds and souls. 

And we’ll end with these brave and wise words of Bruh David from Psalm 31 – In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.  He solemnly and confidently declares: ‘O LOVE the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth (fully repays) the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.’ (Ps.31:23-24) 

So my fellow believers in Jesus Christ, I implore us to take that wonderful advice of Bruh David to heart today and put it into immediate action, so that our faith in the Lord God Jehovah will flourish and blossom like the bees make honey with the flowers. (smile) 

And let’s remember to keep our friend Scotty in our prayers, be prisoners of hope, that the Lord will restore him to full health, that he can continue doing good work in Jesus’ name. Much LOVE!

…hope is the catalyst that drives all other emotions…