20 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a deep awareness of suffering, a strong wish to help others, absorbed only in our own affairs, abundancecurse, allowing evil to seep into our consciousness, another beautiful summer's day, burnt oofferings and sacrifices, children of the Most High God Jehovah, christianity, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, compassion, courage, creativity, died in the wilderness, divine protection, every tempestuous storm, faith, faith that will not die, favour, forward to God's compassionate ways, go out of our way to help, goes beyond simple sympathy, greed, holy spirit, I stake my life, I will be your God, if not dear God, integrity is sadly lacking in our world, Jesus Christ, lack of Christlikeness, lead us astray, leave the big concerns to God, LOVE, may the Lord have mercy and compassion on us, mercy, my part is to trust and obey, negative word, nor inclined their ear, nothing in my life makes any sense, obey my voice, One Year Book of Bible promises, our audacity to question the integrity of Jesus, our world is headed back towards Satan, ours is not to question why, pass by on the other side, pay the price for disobedience, promotion, rebellion against Almighty God, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, see me through every fiery furnace, self-control, self-discipline, selfishness, stake my life totally completely permanently, staring in the face, supernatural wisdom, take action to ease pain, talent, that it may be well unto you, the BIBLE, the disobedience of the Israelites in the wilderness, the epitome of the word, the Good Samaritan Parable, the gospel truth, the imagination of their evil heart, the integrity of Jesus, the priest and Levite, the Promised Land, the unpredictable month of September, they hearkened not, this one thing I commanded them, to perform what you promised, trust and obey, truth, trying and uncertain times, undeserved blessings, use those blessings to help others, variable types of weather, walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, walked in the counsels, wandered forty years in the wilderness, went backward and not forward, wisdom, ye shall be my people, you will do all you promised, your part is
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 August 2026 Jeremiah 7:23.
Jeremiah 7:23. Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
And it’s another beautiful summer’s day, thus we cry out: ‘Thank You Lord!’ For we’re almost staring into the face of that unpredictable month of September, which can unexpectedly bring very variable types of weather. And though we can handle anything that comes against us because we’re children of the Most High God Jehovah, it’s desirable to have good weather as much as possible. (smile)
But instead of worrying about the weather, here’s something more important for us to be concerned about. It’s this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. Just for the fun of it, I checked out the August 20 poem and found it ever so true and worthwhile for sharing today. (smile) And it’s the first time I can remember doing a poem on the day on which it was listed. So it must be a good sign. (smile)
Anyway, the poem’s titled, ‘I Stake My Life.’ So please read with me: ‘I stake my life totally Completely Permanently On the Integrity of Jesus. Lord, Your integrity means You will do all You promised. You will see me through Every fiery furnace Every tempestuous storm. If not, dear God Then nothing in life Makes any sense whatever. Your part is to perform What You promised. My part is to trust and obey.’
And isn’t that the gospel truth! We’re to leave all the big concerns to God and simply trust and obey His will and commands. But what has me chuckling in the poem is our audacity to question the integrity of Jesus, to tell Him what it means, as though He isn’t the person who had, has, and will always have the most integrity in this universe. Instead of being concerned with Christ’s integrity we should be more concerned with our own, for integrity is not something that’s cherished by this evil and ungodly world.
In fact, the lack of integrity seems to find more favour today than the possession of it, because we’ve become such a lying, fraudulent and deceitful society that anyone who possesses any integrity is frowned upon, even laughed at as an oddity or even a fool. But there should never be any question of Jesus’ integrity, for He is the epitome of the word. and He will see us through the fiery furnace and tempestuous storm as He’s promised. Our concern ought to be believing and trusting Him, that means listening to and following this command that serves as the Bible verse for today’s poem.
Talking about the disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land, through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord says, He didn’t tell them anything about burnt offerings and sacrifices. ‘But this one thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.’ (Jer. 7:23)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s what we ought to be about in these trying and uncertain times; obeying the Lord’s commands so that life will be good with us! But are we doing it? Unfortunately not as much as we ought to, because we’re allowing the evil and ungodly world to seep into our consciousness and lead us astray. We’re doing exactly like the Lord said of the Israelites back then. ‘But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and the imagination (stubbornness) of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.’ (Jer. 7:24)
Now anyone with an iota of sense can see that our world is headed backward towards Satan and his evil doings, rather than forward, towards God and His good and compassionate ways. Unsurprisingly then, that word ‘compassion’ is not one that’s bandied about much in today’s society, much less having its attributes displayed on a large scale.
And what does compassion mean? This overview explains it thus: ‘Compassion is a deep awareness of the suffering of others combined with a strong wish to help them. It goes beyond simple sympathy by moving a person to take action to ease pain.’ But sadly, how many of us today, even when we see someone suffering, will go out of our way to help them? Not very many. We behave like the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan; we pass by on the other side, too busy and selfish, completely absorbed only in our own affairs.
And we all know the great number of people that are currently suffering in our wealthy but evil and ungodly world, badly needing compassion, but because of the selfishness, greed and lack of Christlikeness in so many of us, they continue to suffer when they should not. And do you think the Lord will look down on us kindly if we hold those selfish and ungodly attitudes? Obviously not! Just like those Israelites who came out of Egypt, saw all the wonders God did on their behalf and yet rebelled against Him, never made it to the Promised Land, but wandered for forty years in the wilderness and then died there, likewise we will pay the price for disobedience and rebellion against Almighty God.
What’s wrong with us eh? He’s said it numerous times in His word, and we’ve seen it happen numerous times to those who disobey, but somehow or other we think it won’t happen to us, so we keep on being rebellious and disobedient. For our sakes, may the Lord have mercy and compassion on us yes! But for those of us who sincerely believe and are trying to be obedient, let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings generously bestowed on us by the Lord to do His earthly work.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, use them just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…ours is not question why…but to trust and obey…to have faith that will not die…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again, a positive outlook on life, abundance, according to his riches in glory, all these things shall be added unto you, children of God, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, courage, creativity, curse, depart from evil and do good, disobedient behaviour, divine protection, don't worry about tomorrow, duty bound, dwell for evermore, faith, favour, foolish wisdom, fulfillment, greed, he delighteth in his way, he is ever merciful, he shall exalt thee to inherit the land, he shall not be utterly cast down, his seed is blessed, his tongue talks of justice, holy spirit, I have been young and now am old, irrevocable trust in God, is not rich towards God, Jesus Christ, LOVE, material things should not be our first priority, mercy, my god shall supply all your need, negative word, none of his steps shall slide, not seen the seed of the righteous begging bread, penultimate day of our workweek, promotion, salvation, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, Sermon on the Mount, serving God is our first priority, so is he that layeth up treasure for himself, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, take therefore no thought for tomorrow, talent, the grim reaper, the law of his God is in his heart, the Lord forsakes not his saints, the Lord loves justice, the Lord upholdeth him with his hand, the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself, the mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, the parable of the rich fool, the righteous shall inherit the land, the seed of the wicked shall be cut off, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, the wicked shall fall into mischief, they are preserved for ever, this night thy soul shall be required of thee, thou fool, though he fall, total surrender to God, trust in the Lord, truth, wait on the Lord and keep his way, when the wicked are cut off thou shalt see it, wisdom, wisdom for the ages
Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 August 2026 Psalm 37:23.
Psalm 37:23. ‘The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
And it’s another gorgeous summer’s day in my area! Wow! August is surely doing right by us, as the last summer month of the year. And it also being Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, we’re eagerly looking forward to tomorrow, Friday, and the start of the weekend. But please don’t lose sight of today, let’s concentrate on today’s challenges, rather than theorize and think about what’s going to happen tomorrow and over the weekend. Oh, we must have some basic plans and concerns, but let’s remember Jesus’ warning about that in the Sermon on the Mount.
‘Take therefore no thought for the morrow (don’t worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt. 6:34) Yes, every day brings enough problems and challenges of it’s own, and it’s best we concentrate on the present ones, for who knows if we’ll even be around tomorrow to face those of that day. For the Grim Reaper comes when he’s least expected. It’s like the parable of the rich fool, who had so much stuff, with not enough space to store it? So in his foolish wisdom, decided to tear down everything and build bigger and better, and eat, drink, and be merry.
‘But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.’ (Luke 12:20-21) Now that parable deals mostly with greed, but it also shows how quickly and unexpectedly we can be removed from the scene. That brings us back to Jesus’ words before the ‘take no thought for tomorrow’ verse. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.’ (Matt. 6:33)
Yes friends, our very first concern should be seeking God and all that pertains to Him. Material things should not be our first priority. And when we seek God first, our needs will be provided for. As Bruh Paul promises in Philippians: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) That’s God’s promise, and we know He is ever-faithful to keep them. That’s why Bruh David could write these words in Psalm 37, titled, Trust in the Lord.
‘The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the seed of the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (descendants) begging bread. He is ever merciful (always merciful), and lendeth; and his seed (descendants) is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. for the Lord LOVETH judgement (justice), and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgement (justice). The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide (slip). The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the Lord and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.’ (Ps. 37:23-33)
Ah mih people, that’s just a synopsis of how we ought to behave as children of God. And when we behave in like manner, then both us and our descendants will be blessed. Now that doesn’t mean we won’t have hard times and troubles during our lifetime, but that the Lord won’t allow those negative things to defeat us. And when we do stumble, the Lord will uphold us with His strong right hand. It’s like Cousin Sol says in Proverbs: ‘For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief (stumble into calamity) (Prov. 24:16)
But you know what friends, all of that only works when we place our irrevocable and total trust in the Lord God Almighty, making Him always the Number One priority in our lives, while behaving like we believe what He says, and that He will do what He’s promised. Without that total surrender and godly behaviour, none of that works. So it’s up to each of us to consider what we want; both in this life and the next, and then work towards it. But God has been so good to us, that despite our sinful and disobedient behaviour, He’s bestowed on us undeserved favour to help us do His earthly work, we call them our Thursday Blessings.
So let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh, for a blessing is not a blessing until it’s spoken. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as God bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…putting God first place in our lives…and living the way He desires…that’s wisdom for the ages…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
30 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a call for revenge, a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, a tough row to hoe, abundance, as generously as the Lord shared them with us, avenge not yourselves, backing away, be discouraged, be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good, be the children of your Father in heaven, be ye perfect, bless them that curse you, cause him shame, christianity, ciurse, clear direction for my life, consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners, courage, creativity, cutting words, deadly slings of word arrows, despising the shame, divine protection, do good to them that hate you, do not be discouraged, do not even the publicans so, do not even the publicans the same, don't react with trepidation, duty bound, easier said than done, encourage decent behaviour, endured the cross, even as your Father in heaven is perfect, faith, fallen by the wayside, favour, fill my heart with courageous love, for the joy that was set before him, give place unto wrath, he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, heap coals of fire on his head, help me see others as you do, holy spirit, hostility, hurt people hurt others, I want to hide, if he thirst give him drink, if thine enemy hunger feed him, if ye love them that love you, if ye salute salute your brethren only, imperfect people like me, In Touch Devotional, it is written, Jesus Christ, Jesus fought them with love and compassion, keeping close only those who make me feel safe, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds, living in a dog eat dog world, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, love flowed from your wounds, love strong enough to choose connection, love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy, Love your enemies, make me a source of your healing, mercy, negative word, no need to fear diatribe, no thought to the other person's wellbeing, others' words cut deeper than I let on, penultimate day of July, penultimate day of our workweek, people who need grace and compassion, persecute you, pierced by words and nails, poison, pray for them which spitefully use you, promotion, recompense to no man evil for evil, respond with gratefulness or graciosuness, salvation, self-control, sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, shook our souls to their very foundations, show me why that person hurts, soften my heart, steering clear of others, strife-filled days, success, supernatural wisdom, talent, tax collectors, tempted to pull away, the author and finisher of our faith, the BIBLE, the manners of previous generations, the nails and shame of the cross, the nature of the human animal, the originator and perfecter of our faith, the Sermon on the Mount, the tempo and temper of our times, the wind dancing the light fandango with the trees, truth, turn first to God and ask for help, use the blessings to help others, vehemence, vengeance is mine' I shall repay, what do ye more than others, what reward have ye, wisdom, words cut to the quick, words used like a weapon, ye have heard it said
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 July 2026 Hebrews 12:2a.
Hebrews 12:2a. Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith;
Oh friends, it’s another glorious, sunshiny, summer’s day, with the wind again dancing the light fandango with the trees! And on this Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, and also the penultimate day of this eccentric month of July, we’ll look at the prayer from this month’s In Touch Devotional. So please pray with me.
‘Lord, sometimes others’ words cut deeper than I let on. I want to hide, keeping close only those who make me feel safe. You were pierced by words and nails, yet LOVE flowed from Your wounds. Fill my heart with courageous LOVE, strong enough to choose connection. Help me see others as you do, imperfect people like me who need grace and compassion. When I’m tempted to pull away from someone, soften my heart. Show me why that person hurts – make me a source of Your healing. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
And yuh know what my brethren, in these oh so deceitful, dishonest, angry and strife-filled days, where words are commonly used like a weapon, thrown out without thought to the other person’s emotional wellbeing, that kind of backing away, steering clear of our fellow human beings is quite prevalent, as well as understandable. Because who wants to get their feelings hurt by often untrue and hurtful words. And believe me, words can cut to the quick even more deeply than a real weapon.
All of us, at some time or another, have experienced cutting words that just shook our souls to their very foundations, leaving us wondering what had hit us, so strong was the vehemence and the poison that emanated from someone else’s mouth toward us. But thankfully we don’t have to fear those kinds of diatribe, because we have a Saviour who experienced those deadly slings of word arrows, as well as the nails and shame of the cross, but who instead fought them with LOVE and compassion, rather than with the same sort of evil that was cast upon Him.
As the author of Hebrews so rightly advises us. ‘Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (become discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb. 12:2-3) Yes my fellow believers, that’s the worthy example Jesus gave us to follow.
And as Bruh Paul warns us in Romans: ‘Recompense to (repay) no man evil for evil … Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head (cause him shame). Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom. 12:17a, 19-21) Now that’s how we ought to handle the harsh and hurting words or actions that come against us. And we all know that it’s easier said than done, but that’s how our leader, Jesus wants us to react. He said it Himself in the Sermon on the Mount.
‘Ye have heard that it hath been said , Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye LOVE them which LOVE you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) the same? And if ye salute (greet) your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) so? Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ (Matt. 5:43-48)
Now that is indeed a tough row to hoe my people, but it’s what Jesus expects of us, his faithful followers. And let’s understand that not all our enemies that we try to be nice to will respond with gratefulness or graciousness, for the tempo and temper of our times are such that they don’t encourage such decent behaviour. We’re living in a dog eat dog world, one like we’ve never seen before, with many of the so-called niceties and manners of previous generations having unfortunately fallen by the wayside.
And one other important point we need to consider in this era of harsh words and uncompromising actions, is that hurting people, hurt others. Yes, many a time that harsh words or actions are thrown out, it’s because the originator of such behaviour has been hurt themselves and either consciously or unconsciously wishes to hurt someone else, for that’s the nature of the human animal. Our sinful nature automatically calls for some sort of revenge. But let’s remember that’s not our job, it’s the Lord’s.
Ah friends, we’re all imperfect, and thus liable to behave imperfectly, but we have the perfect example of Jesus Christ before us, so, when those kinds of situations arise in our lives, let’s remember all that we’ve said today, and don’t immediately react with trepidation, that feeling of fear or worry, but let’s turn first to God and ask for His help to handle the situation in the right manner. As the prayer says; ‘fill my heart with that courageous LOVE, strong enough to make a connection. Help me see others as You do. Imperfect people like me who need grace and compassion. When I’m tempted to pull away from someone, soften my heart. Show me why that person hurts – make me a source of Your healing. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
And yuh know what? The Lord has already given us the tools to handle such situations. We call them our Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings the Lord has generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. So let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh, for a blessing is not a blessing until it’s spoken. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously the Lord bestowed them on us! Much LOVE!
…Jesus has set a tough example for us to follow…but follow it we must…as best as we can…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, a lack of wisdom, abundance, all the things that may be desired, all the words of my mouth are in righteousness, at the entry of the city, be life unto thy soul, be not afraid of sudden fear, be not afraid of trouble from the wicked, be ye of an understanding heart, blessed are they that keep my ways, blessed is the man that heareth me, by his knowledge, by the way, by understanding he established the heavens, christianity, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, courage, curse, divine protection, do not disdain innstruction, doctor's appointment, doth wisdom not cry out, driven with the wind and tossed, faith, fools despise widom and instruction, giveth to all men liberally, grace to thy neck, he that sinneth against me, he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, hear instruction and be wise, hearken unto me, holy spirit, if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, in the place of the paths, Jesus Christ, keep sound wisdom and discretion, keep thy foot from being caught, knowledge rather than choice gold, let him ask in faith, let not them depart from thine eyes, light excelleth darkness, LOVE, mercy, my mouth shall speak the truth, my voice is to the sons of man, negative word, not comparable to wisdom, not doubting, not to compared to wisdom, nothing forward or perverse, nothing wavering, O ye simple understand wisdom, obtain the favour of the Lord, promotion, prosper and succeed, prudence, receive my instruction and not silver, refuse it not, right to them that find knowledge, salvation, seek and embrace wisdom and understanding, self-control, she cries out at the gates, she standeth in the top of high places, speak of excellent things, supernatural wisdom, talent, the BIBLE, the clouds drop down dew, the depths are broken up, the Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, the Lord shall be thy confidence, the penultimate day of our work week, they that hate me love death, thou shalt not be afraid, thy foot shall not stumble, thy sleep shall be sweet, truth, understanding put forth her voice, waiting at the posts of my doors, walk in thy way safely, watching daily at my gates, when thou liest down, where the paths meet, whoso findeth me findeth life, wickedness is an abomination to my lips, wisdom, wisdom excelleth folly, wisdom is better than rubies, without reproach, wrongeth his own soul, ye fools
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 July 2026 Proverbs 8:11.
Proverbs 8:11. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
And then it was Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week. The week’s certainly on a fast track, and it looks like it’s going to be another scorcher. Yesterday, coming from a late afternoon doctor’s appointment, I got caught in the after work traffic, and brother was it terrible, for between accidents and road construction, that further backed up the already heavy traffic, it took me over an hour to get home, for what usually takes half an hour. My doctor’s appointment today should not be as bad, because it’s much earlier and not as far. Enough talk though, so I can finish the Bit before I go. (smile)
And it seems today the Lord wants us to continue talking about Wisdom, for the Good Library opened in Proverbs where Cousin Sol is saying that Wisdom is Better than Rubies. So please read with me: ‘Doth wisdom not cry (out)? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth (takes her stand) in the top of high places (high hills), by the way in the places of the paths (beside the way, where the paths meet). She crieth (cries out) at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors (the entrance). Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom (prudence): and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing forward (crooked) or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.’ (Prov. 8:1-11)
Oh my people, that last verse is of extraordinary importance to us, especially in these crucial times, where there seems to be a sad lack of wisdom. And wisdom must be very important if the Lord lead Cousin Sol to spend almost the first 10 chapters of Proverbs and also some of Ecclesiastes on that subject alone. And why shouldn’t it be one of the most important, if not the most important aspect of earthly life, when Cousin Sol writes these awesome words in an earlier chapter?
‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son let them not depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace (favour) to thy neck. Then thou shalt walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 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).’ (Prov. 3:19-26)
Wow mih bredrin! Look at all we get from pursuing wisdom and understanding nuh! It promises; life unto our souls, favour to our necks, walking in safety and not stumbling, going to sleep unafraid, and even better yet, sleeping a sweet sleep, not being afraid of either natural problems or those from the wicked. Why? Because our wonderful God shall be our Protector, Vindicator and whatever else we might need! And as supposed believers in Christ Jesus, we should automatically seek and embrace wisdom and understanding because it’s those two things He used to create the world and all therein, including us!
However, as Cousin Sol says right in the very first chapter of Proverbs: ‘but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov. 1:7b) And is that ever so true! You just have to look at the great amount of foolishness that’s currently taking place in our world and know that there are many more fools than wise in it. And all I can do now is offer Cousin Sol’s plea at the end of Chapter 8.
‘Now therefore hearken uno me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not (do not disdain it). Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain the favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me LOVE death.’ (Prov. 8:32-36) It could not be said any better than that my fellow believers!
And just in case you’re wondering where this elusive wisdom and understanding can be obtained, listen as James directs us. ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (without doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8)
So now that we know how and where to get wisdom, let’s declare and thus activate our Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings that the Lord has generously bestowed on us to help do His earthly work. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…wisdom excelleth folly…as far as light excelleth darkness… (Eccl. 2:13)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a great family, a strong will, abundance, be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage, behave like the Pharisees, being spiritual is not everything, caught up in our spirituality, challenging, Charlie Brown, christianity, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, courage, creativity, curse, divine protection, doubted I'd ever reach the goal, enjoying intimacy with us, faith, Feeling Spiritual, for freedom Christ freed u, freedom from the law, fulfillment, God formed us in the womb, God knows all about us, God put His breath of life in us, God wants to be totally involved in our lives, good friends, good health. favour, holy spirit, hypocritical airs and grace, I could not feel spiritual, I keep remembering, I was delighted, in the liberty, in the quiet of our family room, it's foolish to try and fool God, Jesus Christ, just you and me, let's read it together, lighten up, lose the freedom Christ died for us to have, LOVE, man looketh on the outward appearance, mercy, negative word, never worry about feeling spiritual, One Year Book of Bible promises, our happy time last night, promotion, reading a devotional book, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, self-control, self-discipline, sentences twirled, share everything with me, stand fast, stop trying to hide from the Lord, subject to a yoke of bondage, success, suddenly the book felt heavy, supernatural strength, talent, tantalizingly calling our names, the BIBLE, the Lord is that Spirit, the Lord looketh on the heart, the Lord seeth not as man seeth, the penultimate day of the work week, the siren call of Friday and the weekend, the spirit of God indwells each believer, the truth shall set you free, the whole weight of the world on our shoulders, there is liberty, too focused on Friday and the weekend, truth, undeserved blessings, very inspirational, we read and laughed, where the Spirit of the Lord is, wherewith Christ hath made us free, wisdom, with all my valiant effort, words collided, ye shall know the truth
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 June 2026 2 Corinthians 3:17.
2 Corinthians 3:17. ‘Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’
And then it was Thursday, our penultimate day of the work week, and unfortunately too many of our minds are focused on Friday and the weekend rather than on Thursday and what challenges it presents. But that’s the siren call of Friday and the weekend, (smile) so difficult to ignore, especially when it keeps on tantalizingly calling our names. However, we need to develop the discipline to not look forward too much to Friday and the weekend, and concentrate on the day before us, if we want to be successful.
Anyway, today, we’re going to look at a very interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. All right, I understand, all of them are very interesting…but this one is also amusing, neither do I remember sharing it, as if I ever remember sharing any. (smile) However, it’s simply titled ‘Feeling Spiritual.’ Like many more of us ought to be. So please read with me:
‘Lord, I keep remembering Our happy time last night – Just You and me In the quiet of our family room. I had been reading a devotional book Very “spiritual” Very inspirational So challenging I doubted that I’d ever reach the goal. Suddenly the book felt heavy Sentences twirled Words collided And with all my valiant effort I simply could not feel “spiritual.” Then, glancing at a Charlie Brown book I thought I heard You say “Let’s read it together – You and me.” I was delighted. We read and laughed and read and laughed… And just as we finished the last page You said what I needed most to hear: “Never worry about feeling ‘spiritual.’ Just share everything with me.”
Oh friends, that’s why our God is so great and wonderful! He would like us to be spiritual, but being spiritual is not everything. However, He does desire to share everything with us. He wants to be totally involved in our lives. Whatever we’re doing He wants to be included in it, because that makes Him feel wanted and desired and a part of our lives, and enjoying the intimacy with us He so dearly desires. Besides, He cannot do His best for us unless He’s involved in every aspect of our lives.
And I hope that that poem causes some of us to lighten up and stop trying to be this big, holy, spiritual person, behaving as though we have the whole weight of the world on our shoulders, because we don’t. Life was made for living and once you have God, first and foremost in your life, you will be fine. You don’t have to behave like the Pharisees of old and put on all the hypocritical airs and graces of being spiritual and godly. For God knows who we really are.
Remember what He told Samuel when He sent him to anoint a king from Jesse’s house and Samuel looked on the fine appearance of the eldest son Eliab and assumed he was the one? ‘For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ (1 Sam. 16:7b)
So friends, it’s time we stop trying to hide from the Lord, for He knows all that we’ll ever think, say or do. Remember He’s the one who created us, who formed us in our mother’s womb, and put His breath of life in us. So it’s foolish to try and fool Him. But many of us still try to do it. And when we do, like a wise and LOVING but disappointed Father, He just shakes His head and sadly chuckles at our unwise attempt to fool Him.
And interestingly enough the Bible verse for the poem comes from the pen of Bruh Paul, where in talking to the Corinthians about the Glory of God, he states: ‘Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’ (2 Cor. 3:17) In other words, wherever the Spirit of God is, there’s freedom, you don’t have to worry. And since the Spirit of God indwells each believer, then we’re free, we don’t have to trouble ourselves because sometimes we don’t feel particularly spiritual, because the Lord is right there with us…always and forever.
As Bruh Paul say in Galatians: ‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ (Gal. 5:1) And as the scholars explain: ‘The verse could be rendered: “For freedom Christ freed us. therefore stand fast, and do not again be subject to a yoke of bondage.” The “freedom” in view is freedom from the law, here called “a yoke of bondage.” Paul wants the Galatians ( as well as us) to “stand fast,” that is, retain their spiritual freedom.’
And that’s exactly what we also need to do my faithful brethren; don’t let the law coax us back into its bondage, for we know the truth about it, and when we know the truth, as Jesus says: ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.’ (John 8:32) And when Jesus says it, then that’s it, full stop! (smile)
Now let’s declare and thus activate our undeserved Thursday Blessings which the Lord has generously bestowed on us to help do our earthly work. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And with that declaration we’ve become obliged to go out and use those undeserved blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…sometimes we get so caught up in our spirituality…that we lose the freedom Christ died for us to have…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a burr in our sides, a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, abundance, an attitude of prayer, as the heavens are higher than the earth, carrying your loved ones as you go, christianity, clear direction for my life, come to know and love christ like we do, courage, creativity, curse, die an eteral death, divine protection, even in the midst of trials, every day, every hour, faith, favour, fulfilment, glorious and incomparable, God is still on the throne, God never reneges on His promises, God's supernatural wisdom, God's unfailing faithfulness, God's unwavering faithfulness, good familygood friends, good health, have I not seen the righteous forsaken, his seed begging bread, holding them in prayer, holy spirit, honouring this life, how do you show up, how to keep on in our faithful journey with Christ, how you move forward in faith, I have been young and now am old, if any man will come after me, in the name of Jesus, In Touch Devotional, Jesus Christ, Jesus is all about sacrificing, knowing that God is carrying you through, let him deny himself, live for earthly pleasure, live for Jesus, live forever, live the abundant life, living for Christ is the ultimate decision, LOVE, loving sacrifically, lustful pleasures, men ought always to pray and not faint, mercy, move beyond what's comfortable, move forward with faith, moved you from glory to glory, my thoughts are not your thoughts, my thoughts higher than your thoughts, negative word, offer short lived thrills, only two choices, penultimate day of our workweek, pray without ceasing, promotion, prosper and succeed, put our utmost trust in God, remaining steadfast with those around you, remember all God has done for you in the past, remembering where God has brought you from, sacrificial living, sacrificing is against man's basic human nature, salvation, share our undeserved blessings, so are my ways higher than your ways, staying open to where god will lead you, success, take up his cross daily and follow me, talent, the best way to build faith, the BIBLE, the children go without provision, the rewards from living for christ, the righteous are not forsaken by God, to pay for our sins, truth, undeserved blessings, we're here for all of the journey, wisdom, your ways are not my ways
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 June 2026 Luke 9:23.
Luke 9:23. ‘If any man will (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’
And so we’ve moved on to Thursday, the hot, sunny penultimate day of our work week – rather quickly in my humble opinion. (smile) But then, the way the Lord runs His universe is too big for us small-minded folks to understand. And He states that quite plainly through the prophet Isaiah. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8-9)
That means we will not be able to understand a lot of things that happen both in our lives and in the world, because God is still on the throne and still ruling the universe He created in the fashion He desires. Consequently, we need to put our utmost trust in Him, and rely on His unmatched, unfailing faithfulness, if we desire to live the good and abundant life here on earth.
And today we’re going to look at some tips from the May In Touch Devotional that shows us how to keep on keeping on in our faithful journey with Christ. They advise: ‘This is how you move forward in faith: by remembering where God has taken you so far and staying open to where He’ll take you tomorrow.’
Yes my brethren, the best way to build faith is to remember all that God has dome for us in the past, how He moved us forward from one point of glory to another, and therefore He will be there to look after us in the future. It’s like Bruh David says in Psalm 37 – titled ‘Trust in the Lord.’ ‘I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (descendants) begging bread,’ (Ps. 37:25).
One commentary explains it thus: ‘In that verse David is reflecting on God’s unwavering faithfulness throughout his lifetime. He shares his observation that, even in the midst of trials, those who walk in righteousness are never abandoned by God, nor do their children go without provision.’ So let’s move forward in faith.
The next bit of advice the Devotional offers is: ‘This is how you show up: by carrying your LOVED ones as you go, every hour, every day – not perfectly but faithfully, holding them in prayer.’ I guess that’s like Jesus said in the parable of the persevering widow and unjust judge: ‘men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1) Or like Bruh Paul advises in 1 Thessalonians: ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess. 5:17) In other words, as the scholars declare: ‘a believer ought to remain in the attitude of prayer though not always praying audibly.’
Then the Devotional continues by saying: ‘This is how you move beyond what’s comfortable: by LOVING sacrificially, doing right by everyone, honouring this life you’ve been entrusted with.’ And you know the sacrificial living thing is always a burr in our sides, because sacrificing is against our basic human nature. But that’s what Jesus is all about. That’s why He came to earth; to sacrifice His sinless life to pay for our abominable sins.
And when you signed up to be His follower you also signed up for sacrificial living. Remember what discipleship is all about? As Jesus defined it: ‘If any man will (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) Yes my people, as followers of Christ, we are called to be sacrificial whenever necessary.
And that’s how we need to live for Jesus, as the Devotional continues: ‘Even on the long days, the boring days, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days. Remaining steady, present with the people around you. Knowing that God is carrying you through.’ Oh my fellow believers those are ever so true and faithful words! We need to remain strong and steadfast in LOVE and compassionate caring, knowing without a doubt that God’s faithfulness will carry us through, because He’s promised that if we’re faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us. And He never reneges on any of His promises.
And the concluding, crowning statement of the Devotional is this: ‘We’re here for that journey. All of it.’ And so we are my fellow believers in Christ! It’s a journey we have signed up for, knowing that it would not be an easy one, but that the rewards from undertaking it successfully will be glorious and incomparable; salvation and eternal life with Christ!
There’s nothing in this world to truly beat that. Lustful pleasures might thrill us for a while, but what happens when this comparatively short life is over, as it will certainly be? What’s going to happen for the rest of that never-ending period called eternity? There are only two choices friends; live for earthly pleasure and die an eternal death, or live for Jesus and live forever. The choice is the individual’s!
And to show how good God is, and how much He wants you to spend eternity with Him, He’s generously bestowed undeserved blessings on us, to enable us to do His earthly work. We call them our Thursday Blessings. So, let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having accepted those undeserved blessings, it now behooves us to go out and use them to help others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…living for Christ…that’s the decision of all decisions…the ultimate decision…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
28 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, a theological basis for holy living, abundance, adulterating the word of God, all around the globe, as we have received mercy, blinded the minds of them which believe not, broadcast the good news of Christ's coming, by manifestation of the truth, clear direction for my life, clever intellect, cloud cover, come to know and love christ like we do, commending ourselves to every man's conscience, curse, divine protection, dwell in the land of the shadow of death, ensure that whatever we do Christ gets the glory, every one has a ministry, faith, favour, God dwells today in the believer's heart, God who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, guard against straying from God's word, hath shined in our hearts, have seen a great light, holy spirit, humanity in its strength, if our gospel be hid, in the sight of God, it is hid to them that are lost, it resides in men of clay, Jesus Christ, keep working for Jesus, kept in the chains of darkness, lest the light of the glorious gospel of christ, living under the shadow of death, LOVE, make known all the wonderful things Jesus has done for us, men of clay, mercy, negative word, not handling the word of God deceitfully, not walking in craftiness, now ye are light in the Lord, of the glory of God in the face of Jesus christ, our earthly purpose, perishing, promotion, proper doctrine, prosper and succeed, renounce the ways of the world, renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, salvation, Satan, seeing we have this ministry, self-control, self-discipline, shame, share our blessings generously with others, shining our lights like bright beacons, should shine on them, speak thou the things which become sound doctrine, spread the message of the gospel of Christ, spreading our flavourful salt, talent, teaching what others want to hear, the excellency of the power may be of God, the god of this world, the gospel is not a product of human genius, the gospel of the glory of Christ, the image of God, the light of Christ brings freedom to the enslaved, the light of Jesus breaks chains, the people that walked in darkness, the unspeakable truth, to give the light of the knowledge, too many are adulterating God 's word, treasure in earthen vessels, truth, upon them hath the light shined, walk as children of light., we do not lose heart, we faint not, we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord, wisdom, ye were sometimes darkness, your servants for Jesus' sake
Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 May 2026 2 Corinthians 4:1.
2 Corinthians 4:1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not (do not lose heart);
So we’ve come to Thursday, the second to last day of our work week, and though it seems windy like yesterday, it’s definitely not as warm and sunshiny. There’s a tad of cloud cover and temps only in the high teens. But we’ll take it, as though we have a choice, (smile) and keep working for Jesus, shining our lights like bright beacons, and spreading our flavourful salt all around the globe, so that people in the darkness can come to know and LOVE Him like we do, for that’s our earthly purpose.
How did Isaiah put it: ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.’ (Is. 9:2) Yes friends, that’s our duty; to shine the light of Jesus on those who don’t know him, because they’ve been kept in the chains of darkness, living under the shadow of death. But the light of Jesus breaks chains and brings freedom to the enslaved. And brother are there still many enslaved in our world! So let’s get out there and do what we do best; spread the message of the gospel of Christ; broadcast the good news of His coming and all the wonderful things He’s done for us!
And Bruh Paul explained it to the Corinthians in greater depth., as he talks about preaching Christ Jesus the Lord. ‘Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not (do not lose heart); But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty (shame), not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully (adulterating the word of God); but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.’ (2 Cor. 4:1-2)
Now that’s something we must all understand; that every one of us has a ministry; have been appointed to preach, teach or in some way declare the word of God. The Lord has given us sufficient grace and mercy to do it, so there’s no need for us to become discouraged if things don’t seem to be going as we expected. The first thing we need to do though is renounce the ways of the world, then not adulterate the Word of the Lord, which unfortunately too many of us are currently doing.
That means they are using the Word in the wrong manner; teaching what people want to hear, or what they think they should hear, not doing as Bruh Paul admonishes Titus: ‘But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine (are proper doctrine).’ (Tit. 2:1) And we hear improper doctrine being advanced all over the globe today, possibly more so than at any other time. However, we cannot reach others properly for Jesus unless our consciences are clear and pure and we tell the truth as dictated by the Word.
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘But if our gospel be hid (veiled), it is hid to them that are lost (perishing): In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (the gospel of the glory of Christ), who is the image of God, should shine unto them.’ (2 Cor. 4:3-4)
Yes my brethren, as the scholars tell us, ‘those who don’t believe are so controlled by Satan, (the god of this evil world) that he effectively shields them from the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. The apostle thus categorizes those who find his message difficult to accept.’ And I guess the same thing goes for our ministry in this modern world; Satan has so many people so controlled that it’s difficult for the light of Jesus to shine into the darkness of their souls and spirits.
Then Bruh Paul announces: ‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ (2 Cor. 4:5) Now that’s a most important scripture my fellow believers. We must ensure that when we preach Christ or do anything in His name that it’s He who gets the glory and not us, for there are many who are using Christ’s gospel today to aggrandize themselves and not Him.
As Bruh Paul further declares: ‘For God, who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’ (2 Cor. 4: 6-7) Oh my people, God caused the light to shine in our hearts so that we can talk about the glory of Jesus to others not through our power, but God’s.
And here’s how the scholars explain that last verse.: ‘Earthen vessels: In the wilderness under the old covenant, God’s presence dwelt in a tent. Today he dwells in the believer’s heart. This is unspeakable truth and forms a theological basis for holy living (c.f. 1 Cor. 6:10-20). But the stress here is on the earthen. An earthenware jar is brittle. It depicts humanity in its weakness. The gospel is not a product of human genius or clever intellect (humanity in its strength). Yet it resides in men of clay, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’
Now that’s something we need to seriously guard against. Our fragility and fickleness can ofttimes cause us to stray, but let’s do our best not to, remembering that all that we are, all we have, and all that we do is through the strength of God. And it’s all for Him and His glory through Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour! Now let’s declare, and thus activate our Thursday Blessings; undeserved blessings generously bestowed by Almighty God to help us do our earthly work.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And my faithful brethren, that declaration now behooves us to go out and share those blessings with others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…for ye were sometimes (once) darkness…but now are ye light in the Lord…therefore walk as children of light… (Eph. 5:8)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a great family, a strong will, abundance, christianity, Christians, come to know and love God like we do, courage, creativity, David behaved himself wisely, David his ten thousands, dying for Friday to come, end of sermon, faith, favour, God's awesome wisdom, good friends, good health, holy spirit, if God spares life, in a more refined manner, jealousy, Jesus Christ, Jonathan stripped himself, Jonathanand David made a covenant, LOVE, loved him as his own soul, make a mess of today, mercy, negative word, one of the devil's most successful tools is jealousy, promotion, prosper and succeed, receive clear direction for my life, rise to today's challenges, salvation, Saul eyed David from that day forward, Saul hath slain his thousands, Saul was very wroth, self-control, self-discipline, share those undeserved blessings, small things can easily stir up jealousy, still warlike and bloodthirsty today, success, supernatural strength, talent, the BIBLE, the green eyed monster, the head of the Philistine in his hand, the interesting relationship between Saul David and Jonathan, the long and short of the story, the love that's possible despite tough circumstances, the son of thy servant Jesse, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, the women came out singing and dancing, their blood took to one another, truth, undeserved blessings, viewed him suspiciously, what can he have more than the kingdom, what jealousy can wreak in our lives, wisdom, with tabrets with joy and with instruments of musick
Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 May 2026 1 Samuel 18:9.
1 Samuel 18:9. And Saul eyed David (viewed him suspiciously) from that day and forward.
And it seems that this Thursday will be another bright and sunshiny but mid-teens temperature day. But we’ll take it any day over the cold and miserable winter weather! (smile) And many of us are just dying for Friday to come so that we can rest up after our hectic Victoria Day weekend. However, remember that we’ve still got to rise to whatever challenges today will bring, so please don’t think too much about tomorrow and the rest period following it, or else you might just make a mess of today. End of Sermon!
And today we’re going to take a look at the violence and damage the green eyed monster, jealousy, can wreak in our lives, as portrayed by the relationships between King Saul and Bruh David, as well as the LOVE that’s possible, in spite of tough circumstances, as portrayed by Bruh David and Jonathan, Saul’s son and heir. We see the relationships begin with Bruh David’s victory Goliath. King Saul enquired whose son Bruh David was, but his captain Abner had no idea. So Saul told him to find out.
The Bible then tells us: ‘And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.’ (1 Sam. 17:57-58) Imagine that nuh, a young boy, only in his teen age years, walking around with the head of a man he’d slaughtered held in his hands! But we’re no different today, still warlike and blood thirsty, just in a supposedly more refined manner.
But the Bible continues: ‘And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David (the life of Jonathan was bound up with the life of David), and Jonathan LOVED him as his own soul.’ (1 Sam. 18:1) I guess Jonathan was hanging around his father when he spoke to Bruh David, and possibly after some conversation, the souls of the two young boys just took to each other. Or as the old people would say, their blood just took to one another. But however it happened, that day, saw the beginning of a very strong relationship develop between the two youngsters.
And per the Good Book: ‘And Saul took him (Bruh David) that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.’ (1 Sam.18:2) Such was the power of the king, and his apparent liking for Bruh David. ‘Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he LOVED him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of (took off) the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.’ (1 Sam. 18:3-4)
The scholars speculate that ‘Jonathan’s transfer of his royal attire to David may indicate his covenantal pledge to transfer his privileged position as heir to the throne.’ Who knows? Jonathan most likely knew that Bruh David had already been anointed as the next king of Israel, and with a strong religious background felt it the right thing to do under those circumstances. The long and short of the story though is that Bruh David ended up working for Saul, both as a warrior and as a harp player to pacify Saul’s soul with the music when the evil spirit took it over.
The Bible states: ‘And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely (prospered): and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine(s), that the women came out of the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets (small drums), with joy, and with instruments of musick (three stringed instruments).
And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth (angry), and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David (viewed him suspiciously) from that day and forward.’ (1 Sam. 18:5-9)
Ah friends, how these little things can stir up jealously and cause us to do crazy and evil things. So what if Saul only slew thousands and David slew ten thousands? Saul was still the king, and David his servant. But no, we always want to be doing better than anyone who is supposedly below us in social status. Unfortunately though, time and space have run out on us, so tomorrow, if God spares life, we’ll continue with this most insightful story, between Saul, Jonathan and Bruh David.
Now let’s declare our undeserved Thursday Blessings, which the Lord in His awesome wisdom and generosity had seen fit to nonetheless bestow on us to help us do His earthly work. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment!
I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, it now behooves us to go out and use those undeserved blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him, like we do! Much LOVE!
…jealousy…one of the devil’s most successful tools…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a strong will, abundance, access by faith into grace, being justified by faith, belief, by the Holy Ghost which is given to us, character, Christians, clear direction for my life, courage, creativity, culminates in eternal life, curse, divine protection, even the youths shall faint and be weary, experienced, faith, favour, for what a man sees why does he yet hope for ir, fulfillment, glory in tribulations, God's faithfulness, God's supernatural wisdom, have peace with God through Christ, He gives power to the faint, holy spirit, hope does not disappoint, hope for what we don't see, hope in God, hope is the basis of faith, hope keeps us holding on to our dreams, hope keps us going, hope maketh not ashamed, hope of a good futre, hope that is seen is not hope, hope that things will turn out alright, I know the thoughts I think toward you, I wait for God my Saviour, I watch in hope for the Lord, I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mercy, my God will hear me, negative word, patience, penultimate day of our workweek, plans to give us a future and a hope, promotion, rejoice in hope of the glory of God, run and not be weary, salvation, self-control, self-disicpline, self-sacrifice, shall mount up with wings like eagles, talent, the basic catalyst, the BIBLE, the gospel truth, the groundwork called for in God's word, the level of our belief based on our hope, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, the young men shall utterly fall, they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end, to them that have no might he increaseth strength, tribulation worketh patience, truth, undeniable truth, walk and not faint, we are saved by hope, wisdom, with patience we wait for it, without hope you cannot have faith
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 May 2026 Jeremiah 29:11.
Jeremiah 29:11. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’
Ah friends, the penultimate day of our work week, Thursday, has opened somewhat cloudy and chilly, but let’s not lose hope, for yesterday afternoon turned out to be quite nice, despite the poor early morning weather. And if it’s one thing we Christians have is hope. Hope in God, and hope that things will turn out all right in the end. For without hope, what’s the purpose of living? None whatsoever! Since hope is the basic catalyst that keeps us going; keeps us holding on to our dreams and desires, whatever they may be. With hope we expect things to get better and those dreams to materialize at some point in time.
And that’s why the Bible, God’s Word is filled with so many wonderful verses on hope. So let’s look at some of them, and see how they boost our faith. for remember without hope, you cannot have faith, as hope is the basis of faith. And possibly the most well known and favourite verse of hope in the Bible is this one from Jeremiah. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) Yes my fellow believers, that’s what the Lord has in mind for us; hope of a good future, that culminates with Him in eternal life. And there’s nothing better to look forward to than that!
Then there’s this other amazing promise from the prophet Isaiah, that we all know and mouth, but don’t always believe, otherwise we would not be so often lacking in hope. ‘He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is. 40:29-31)
What a marvellous promise! But if we don’t truly believe it, then it will not happen for us, for that’s the groundwork called for in God’s Word; belief, which is born of hope and topped by faith. As Bruh Paul says in Romans. ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance) wait (eagerly wait) for it.’ (Rom. 8:24-25) And that’s the gospel truth! For hope is looking and waiting for something we don’t see. If we see it, then there’s no point in hoping for it.
Then there’s this interesting verse from the prophet Micah, where he declares: ‘Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.’ (Mic. 7:7) Now that’s a tremendous statement of hope and faith. As this translation puts it: ‘But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.’ And that’s more undeniable truth my brethren. If we wait and hope in our God, He will hear us and provide salvation. But then again, that all depends on the level of our belief that’s based on the amount of our hope. (smile)
Now these are also important verses on belief and hope, but I don’t think we appreciate them as much as some of the others. Why? Just listen. ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. and not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh (produces) patience; And patience, experience (character); and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed (does not disappoint); because the LOVE of God is shed abroad (poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.’ (Rom. 5:1-5)
Ah mih people, we all like the end product, but none of us like to go through the middle section that talks of tribulations and perseverance. However, that is a most basic and foundational aspect of truly living for Jesus. It’s the calling of self-sacrifice that all followers of Jesus are expected to engage in, following His glorious example. And there are several more interesting scriptures on hope, but since time and space have runout on us, we’ll look at those tomorrow, if God spares life obviously. (smile)
And to help us find and keep that hope, the Lord has also most generously bestowed on us undeserved blessings, we call our Thursday Blessings. So let’s declare and activate them right now! In one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment!
I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, it now behooves us to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…there are too many examples of God’s faithfulness…to ever lose hope in Him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a peaceful sense of comfort and safety, a positive outlook on life, a rainbow in the sky, a sign of God's covenant, abundance, appointed the moon for seasons, at the voice of thy thunder, at thy rebuke they fled, bless the Lord oh my soul, bread which strengthens man's heart, bring forth food out of the earth, Christians, clothed with honour and majesty, come to know and love jesus like we do, compassion, courage, covered it with the deep as a garment, coverest thyself with light as with a gartment, curse, divine protection, faith, favour, from the depths of God's heart, from the very beginning of creation, give them their meat in due season, God only has our best interest at heart, God set a bounday for the water, God waters the hills from his upper chambers, God's promise to never flood the earth again, he causes the grass to grow for the cattle, he touches the hills and they smoke, herb for the service of man, his servants a flaming fire, holy spirit, I will be glad in the Lord, in wisdom hast thou made them all, Jesus Christ, laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed, lay down in their dens, let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, let the wicked be no more, LOVE, makes his angels spirits, makes the clouds his chariot, man goes forth unto his work, mercy, my meditation of him shall be sweet, negative word, Noah and the ark, O Lord how manifold are thy works, O Lord my God thou art very great, oil to make his face shine, promotion, return to their dust, salvation, sing praise to my God, sing unto the Lord as long as I live, stretchest out the heavens like a curtain, success, supernatural wisdom, talnet, the arises, the BIBLE, the cedars of Lebanon, the glory of the Lord shall endure for ever, the high hills are refuge for the wild goats, the Lord looks on the earth and it trembles, the rays of the sun, the rays of the sun lift our spirits, the sun knoweth his going downthe young lions roar after their prey, the threes of the Lord are full of sap, the waters stood above the mountains, the waters turn not again to cover the earth, the young lions roar after their prey, thou hidest thy face they are troubled, thou openest thine hand they are filled with good, thou renewest the face of the earth, thou sendest forth thy spirit they are created, thou takest away their breath they die, to his labout until evening, truth, walk without fear of darkness, walks upon the winds of the wind, while I have my being, wine that makes glad the heart of man, wisdom
Psalm 104:33. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Well, thankfully, unlike Wednesday, Thursday has opened bright and sunshiny, though somewhat cool. For the sparkling rays of the sun always tend to lift our spirits even in the most difficult of times. That’s because they are the miraculous rays of LOVE, grace, mercy and compassion emanating from the depths of our heavenly Father’s heart, who created it to shine down on us and provide light during the day time so that we could walk without fear of the darkness. It’s the same way He created the moon and the stars to watch over us with a quiet and peaceful sense of comfort and safety when we’re at rest during the night.
That’s the kind of wonderful God we serve my people! One who’s only had our best interests at heart, right from the very beginning of creation. Just look at all the great things He’s created in His universe basically for our use and enjoyment. It’s like the palmist explains in Psalm 104 – God’s Marvellous Creation. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his (upper) chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers (servants) a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys (the mountains rise up; the valleys sink down) unto the place which thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound (boundary) that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.’ (Ps. 104:1-9)
Oh, what wonderful things our God has created my people! And I like that last comment about putting up a boundary for the waters so that they would not overrun the earth. That reminds us of God’s promise never to overrun the earth again with water (Gen. 9:11) like He’d done through the flood that destroyed mankind because of his abominable and overbearing iniquity, with only Noah and his family surviving in the Ark to populate the earth afterwards. (Gen. 6-9) At that time, God also made a sign of His covenant with all flesh of the earth; that’s the presence of the rainbow in the sky. (Gen. 9:12-17)
And the wisdom and compassion of our God shows up further in how He arranges for everything to enjoy the blessedness of His creation. Listen to the psalmist explain: ‘He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses (donkeys) quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his (upper) chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb (vegetation) for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth. And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks (cliffs) for the conies (rock badgers).’ (Ps. 104:10-18)
Wow friends! Everything God made, He provided for! And we spoke about the sun, moon and stars earlier on, now hear what the psalmist says about them. ‘He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until evening.’ (Ps. 104:19-23)
Yes mih bredrin; everything has it’s place and purpose. No wonder the psalmist could declare: ‘O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches (possessions). So is this great and wise sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable (teeming things), both small and great beasts (living creatures). There go the ships: there is that leviathan (a large sea creature of unknown identity, but usually refers to whales) whom thou hast made (formed) to play therein. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That (what) thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.’ (Ps. 104:24-30)
The Lord has it all planned out, from birth to death and then renewal of His universe. Consequently the psalmist concludes: ‘The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.’ (Ps. 104:31-32) And we see that in the earthquakes and volcano activity. However, despite all of that, he still assures: ‘I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah).’ (Ps. 104:33-35)
And that’s exactly how it ought to be with us my fellow believers; words of praise and blessings are what ought to emanate from our hearts and mouths. And to encourage us even further in that direction, let’s declare our Thursday Blessings, undeserved, but nonetheless generously bestowed upon us by the Lord so that we can do His earthly work. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, it now behooves us to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Hin like we do! Much LOVE!
…only Jehovah God…could build such a magnificent, interwoven universe…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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