16 Apr 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blessed morning, a sustained state of disarray, answer our prayer in the affirmative, be responsible and safe, comfort ye my people, Covid-19 virus, display the characteristics, embrace your love and compassion, enjoy our days, every valley shall be exalted, faithful believers, Friday chant, give thanks to our Creator, great is thy faithfulness, her iniquity is pardoned, his compassions fail not, humble and repentant heart, in sincere prayer, It is of the Lord's mercies, least amount of loss to life, living for Beelzebub, LOVE, lying promises of satan, prepare ye the way of the Lord, racial strife, sinful children, stay on God's good side, the coming of the Messiah, the gift of God is eternal life, the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, the wages of sin is death, trusting faith, unconditional LOVE, unexpected storm, unforeseen tragedies, wake up and smell the coffee, we are not consumed, wisdom, wise guidance
Isaiah 40:1. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Awright friends, a blessed morning to us all on this big day of Friday…or what used to be the big day of Friday, before the covid pandemic threw everything into a sustained state of disarray and confusion! But regardless of all that’s happening, my people, regardless of the unforeseen tragedies and the uncertainty that now surrounds our lives, it is still of the utmost importance that we enjoy our days and give thanks to the One who created us and still looks after us, having a most serious and unconditional LOVE for His sinful children.
Please remember the golden words of the prophet Jeremiah: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) Yes friends, it’s because of the great compassion of God that we have not been already consigned to the fiery depths of Hades, for as the Good Book says, we have all sinned and come short of God’s glory, (Rom. 3:23) and the wages (penalty) for sin is death, (both physical and spiritual), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23)
So it only makes sense, it’s true wisdom, to stay on God’s good side by revering Him and being obedient to His awesome Word, His amazing roadmap for earthly living! And it’s not like God hasn’t given us good and faithful promises all down through the ages if we keep Him first place in our lives. And I believe this promise made through Isaiah to the people of Israel long ago is rather appropriate for us right now. It’s called comfort through trust in the Lord. And so many of us know it, but still we refuse to put it into practice in our lives, refuse to follow the roadmap the Lord’s set out in His word.
But hear the prophet Isaiah to his sinful and disobedient people nuh. ‘Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.’ (Is. 40:1) Oh my faithful brethren, that’s exactly what the Lord is saying to us today, while we are immersed in the biggest controversy and most difficult time in our lives. And if He’s our Creator and Provider, why is that so difficult to accept eh?
Listen as Isaiah continues. ‘Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished (ended), that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted (lifted up), and every mountain and hill be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain (smooth). And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Is. 40:2-5)
Oh precious people, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! For though the inhabitants of Judah were facing imminent captivity in Babylon, the prophet Isaiah saw a time of salvation coming in their future. And the scholars teach us thus: ‘Comfort ye means both “repent” and “console,” and implies that true repentance must precede divine consolation .My people refers to the people of God who are in a covenant relationship with Him. The voice that crieth in the wilderness is that of John the Baptist. By this voice calling from the desert, the people of Judah are called to make the crooked…straight and the rough places plain in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.’
And furthermore, the prophet Isaiah also decreed on the Lord’s behalf: ‘Behold, the Lord God, will come with strong hand (strength), and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work (wage) before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them gently in his bosom, and shall lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 40:10:11) And as the Lord has always done, He kept that promise with the coming of His Son Jesus Christ years later, to provide salvation for all the world, not just the people of Israel.
So why are we now refusing to accept the salvation He so sacrificially provided through the death of His Son on the cross of Calvary eh? Remember what the scholars told us above, that comfort implies both repentance and consolation. So to get consolation, it implies that we first need repentance and obedience to God’s word. And what I can’t understand is why we so stubbornly refuse to acknowledge His power and glory and bow to him, when all our own efforts to run our lives successfully, and to solve our numerous current problems, are meeting with zero success.
As I understand it, if one thing doesn’t work, then you try another. And living for Beelzebub and his evil deeds is certainly not working for our world. So friends, don’t you think it’s time to try the only other option available to us, that of the Lord God Almighty? I certainly do! How much longer are we going to hold on to the empty, deceitful and lying promises of Satan eh? No longer my brethren! It’s time to turn sincerely to Christ. So, in sincere prayer, with humble and repentant hearts, let’s do that today nuh, right now, through our Friday Chant.
As one strong voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks.
And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And the next move is now for us to display the characteristics that are found in trusting faith and faithful believers, if we want the Lord to answer our prayer in the affirmative .Much LOVE!
…it’s not wisdom…to follow the evil one who was demoted and destroyed…instead of the righteous One…who demoted and destroyed him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
12 Apr 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: answer our prayers, be not carried about with divers doctrines, behold I come quickly, cometh down from the Father of lights, Covid-19, do not err my beloved brethren, doing their own thing, every good gift, every perfect gift is from above, forgive us and heal our land, gone away from mine ordinances, humble servants, I am Alpha and Omega, I form the light and create darkness, I girded thee, I make peace and create evil, I will return unto you, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, merciful forgiving God, message to Cyrus, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my reward is with me, natural disasters, neither shadow of turning, racial strife, Return unto me, sincerely seek your face, the days keep rolling along, the First and the Last, the God who heals, the heart be established with grace, the only living God, the same yesterday today and forever, there is no God beside me, unchangeable God, wise guidance and direction, with whom is no variableness
Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
Ah mih people, the days just keep rolling along, from one to the other, without any apparent recognition of mankind’s many problems. Some things change, while others remain the same, but throughout it all, we still need to deal with all sorts of controversial situations and upheavals, not knowing what will happen from one day to the next. But those ole days don’t seem to care at all, they just keep doing their thing; running changelessly into each other, detailing weeks, months, seasons, years, and even centuries.
But fortunately for us, there’s been ONE Being, that’s remained constant over the many topsy-turvy days of mankind, that’s our Creator: Almighty God. Yes friends, He’s been there from the very beginning…and wonder of wonders, He’ll be there right to the very end! And why is that eh? Because as He says in His word, He is unchangeable, immovable, immutable, irreplaceable, the ONLY Living God! So let’s hear some scripture that will remind us of our God’s omnipotence, omniscience, omni-presence, steadfastness, unchangeability and immutability.
And we’ll begin with His message to Cyrus the pagan king, through the prophet Isaiah. ‘I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me. That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west (to its setting), that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (calamity): I the Lord do all these things.’ (Is. 45:5-7) And yes, the Lord does create physical evil or calamity, not moral evil or sin. And yes, the Lord did use pagan kings, like Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar as conduits to fulfill His eventual will.
Moving on, we come to Malachi, where through that prophet, the Lord confronts His people Israel about turning away from Him and their lack paying tithes. He says: ‘For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?’ (Mal. 3:6-8)
Oh friends, that’s the exact thing the Lord is saying to us today, and the very same answer we are giving Him. We have turned away from Him, and instead of returning to Him like He desires, we are trying to turf Him and His ordinances out of our society. So what can we expect but calamity eh?
Now listen to the author of Hebrews, as he talks of service well pleasing to God. ‘Remember them which have the rule over you (who lead you), who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end (outcome) of their conversation (conduct). Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers (various) and strange doctrines (teachings). For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats (foods), which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.’ (Heb. 13:7-9)
But do you think we have followed, or are following that directive? Oh no sir! Instead, we are being led away by a whole set of strange teachings and proceedings that don’t profit those who practice them. Steups! How sad it is my people! And then we wonder why our world is in such a mess.
So, let’s now consider James words on the subject. ‘Do not err (be deceived) my brethren. For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variations, unexpected, unforeseen changes), neither shadow of turning. Of his own will he begat us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.’ (James 1:16-18)
Oh my people, our God created everything that exists, and mankind as the jewel of His creations, that’s why He so desires to redeem us all, and not lose any to the enemy. And he gave us His holy word that we should walk in it. But being the disobedient, stubborn, hard-headed creatures we are, we have refused to do so, with disastrous consequences to our ungodly actions.
Now here is the last scripture from John the Revelator, from the mouth of Jesus Himself. ‘And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.’ (Rev. 22:12-13) All I can now say friends is that wisdom dictates that we return to the waiting arms of our Creator. And if you agree, then please join me in offering up our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in heartfelt prayer.
As one sincere and humble voice now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive and standing in faith despite the mass confusion that’s currently prevailing in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems; the pandemic of Covid -19, the racial, political, and religious strife that’s ignited worldwide, plus the many natural disasters that now seem more prevalent than ever.
Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction to bring our problems under control.
And for those who are currently suffering from the many negative situations, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
Now let us go and keep our solemn vows to our wonderful, forgiving and LOVING God! Much LOVE!
…God is the ONLY thing in this universe that has NOT changed…and will NEVER change…whether you believe it or not is immaterial…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
09 Apr 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a word to the wise is sufficent, all bets are off, as a means of restoring faith in you, bowing to the enemy, bring backsliders back to your fold, Christ has already paid the ransom for our sins, Christ's sacrificial death, Christians need to step up to the plate, Covid-19 virus, defeat the virus and the unrest, divine wisdo, each day we procrastinate, Friday chant, hit the ball out of the park, let's not fool ourselves, long-suffering to us-ward, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, not willing that any should perish, obedience to God's word, of no meaningful purpose, omnipotent help, one day at a time, one day closer to eternal damnation, our sinful world, ponder our response to God's will and word, racial strife, sentenced to eternal death and damnation, stand strong and steadfast, that all should come to repentance, the key that opens all the treasures of heaven, the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, the LOVE of God, the night time to rest, the ordinary workingman, the time of regeneration, the wickedness of man, trusting faith, wake up and smell the coffee, was great in the earth, we can't fool God
Genesis 6:8. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Well, hello there mih bredrin! One more day is here. Our Creator was really wise, giving us just one day at a time, because He knew we couldn’t handle any more than that. It’s hard enough to handle each day that comes upon us, can you imagine if we had more than one to handle at a time? We’d drive ourselves even crazier than we are right now. But God in His divine wisdom gave us the night time to rest, to regain our strength for the upcoming day, so we could handle it the way He desires.
Now that’s the important key that opens all the treasures of heaven for us; handling each day the way the Lord desires of us. We call it in general, obedience to God’s word and will. And it’s something we need to ask ourselves every day when we arise, and when we put our heads on our pillows at night, as well as often times during the day…have we followed, or are we sincerely following, obeying God’s will and word as we go about our daily lives?
And friends, we need to answer that question truthfully. Please, let’s not fool ourselves, or those around us, by thinking, or pretending to be what we are not, because we can’t fool God, and He is the ONE we need to satisfy, not mankind or ourselves. So, on this Friday morning in early spring, the time of regeneration and new growth, it’s an appropriate occasion for us to sit and ponder our overall response to God’s will and word…are we doing as well as we ought to, and can we do better?
And if so, let’s promise Him, and ourselves, to do better nuh, for our world really needs Christians stepping up to the plate right now and hitting the ball out of the park! There’s so much hate, strife, anger, controversy and negative things holding our world to ransom right now, and only the LOVE of God, through us believers can make it right. Christ has already paid the ransom for our sins, but the enemy is still trying to extract as much as he can from us. And unless we put a stop to Him, right now, it will make Christ’s sacrificial death of no meaningful purpose.
Yes friends, if everybody turns to the enemy, Christ’s ransom would have been a waste of time. And He’s depending on us not to let His sacrifice be in vain. The Father has already broken His heart by sacrificing His only Son for us, I’m sure we don’t want to break it again by allowing many of His best creation to be sentenced to eternal death and damnation by bowing to the enemy. Remember, as Peter says: ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Pet. 3:9)
As the scholars say: ‘God is not willing that any should perish clearly expresses His desire for the salvation of all who will trust in Him. Salvation is equated here with repentance.’ That’s why He’s given us so much time to get saved before Jesus’ Second Coming. But please don’t think that He will wait forever.
Remember the days of Noah, when sin and evil were so rampant in the world? The Good Book says: ‘And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination (intent) of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (all the day). And it repented (sorrowed) the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.’ (Gen. 6:5-6) Don’t you think that right now God’s heart is also sorrowful and grieved at the worldwide sinfulness of mankind? I’m sure it is.
And God gave those folks back in Noah’s day, time to change their evil ways, but they didn’t. ‘And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth (sorrows) me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.’ (Gen. 6:7-8) So God eventually destroyed the world by a flood of water. (Gen. 7:17-24)
But He saved a remnant for Himself in Noah; just like He will do when His patience is finally worn thin with our continued sinfulness, and He sends Jesus back to earth to right things down here. Now that won’t be a very pleasant time my people. The only thing we’re sure about though, is that we won’t be destroyed by water again, because the Lord promised it. (Gen 9:11)
So please friends, let’s try and correct our behaviour nuh, and help those around us to do the same, because the next time will be the last time. After that, we’ll spend eternity wherever we end up, be it heaven or hell, there won’t be any more chances to change our minds. And right now is the best time to begin making the necessary changes in our lives, through repentance and prayer. So as one voice, let’s offer up our Friday Chant in all sincerity and truth.
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets.
So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways.
It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now please remember my people, that each day we procrastinate in getting ourselves right with God, it’s one day we’re drawing closer to eternal damnation, for Christ can return at any time, and once He does, all bets are off! Much LOVE!
…a word to the wise is usually sufficient…
P.S. The ordinary workingman again refused to talk to us. His anger was sky high because of the even tighter lockdown in the province this week. Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
19 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a manifestation of his love for us, a two way street, an expression of our love for him, as a means of restoring faith in you, avoid serious setbacks, back to your fold, bring a lot of backsliders, Covid-19 virus, defeat the virus and the unrest, embrace your love and compassion, Friday chant, God's commandments, he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, I will not leave you comfortless, if ye love me, if you want my help, infringement on our personal freedom, introduce a whole new flock, keep my commandments, Mother Nature, obedience to his commandments, oh heavenly Father, one stop shopping, our sinful world, racial strife, rebel against God's rules, security in Christ, show trust towards our Triune Godhead, springtime, stand strong and steadfast, swallowing our foolish pride, the Holy spirit indwells us, the Son is our Redeemer, then keep my commandments, trusting faith, use this pandemic, wake up and smell the coffee, wise guidance, with your omnipotent help
John 14:15. If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.
Welcome my Scrip-Bit friends and family to a glorious sunshiny Friday morning! Springtime is almost here in the northern climes, but I certainly don’t trust Mother Nature, especially in these days of climate change. I won’t put it past her to drop another rough snowstorm upon us…just for good measure, just so we can remember her for the rest of the year. (smile) But until we see and experience it, let’s just fill our hearts, minds, bodies and souls with Jesus nuh, for He is the answer to our every problem, our every wish, our every desire! Glory be my people!
Jesus is indeed what we call today; one stop shopping! Whatever our needs and wants, He can meet them. In fact He is the ONLY one who can do that! But there’s something we must do so that He can help us. We have a responsibility in this wonderful partnership, and it’s a simple, but at times quite difficult rule to follow. Jesus said it this way: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15) Yes, it is a simple rule, but in this evil, aggressive, strife-filled and hateful world it’s not always easy to follow it, although when we sincerely come to Jesus, He will enable us to follow it through the workings of His Holy Spirit that indwells all believers.
As one Bible commentator says: ‘God’s commandments are a manifestation of His LOVE for us, and obedience to His commandments is an expression of our LOVE for Him.’ And that’s the glorious truth my people! God gives us rules to protect and guide us, just like we have rules and regulations for our children’s safety. But as our children often rebel against our rules, feeling that they are somewhat onerous and restrict their personal freedom, we also often rebel against God’s rules for the same basic reason; infringement on our personal freedom.
But my people, as we reach out to God, dig deeper in His word, try to understand what He’s really all about, we realize that those rules and regulations are actually for our safety and protection and they are all linked up to LOVE, the same way our rules for our children are based on our LOVE for them. John puts it this way in his first epistle. ‘For this is the LOVE of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome).’ (1 John 5:3) As the commentator above says, His LOVE for us, and our LOVE for Him.
It’s a two-way street friends. But, unfortunately, we only recognize that as we grow in faith, as we mature in our Christian belief. And that can’t happen until we begin to show greater trust towards our Triune Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who each have a different but vital role in our lives and our growth. Technically speaking, the Father sets the overall agenda; the Son lays the foundation, and the Holy Spirit enables, leads and guides the builders in the task of building the magnificent memorial!
But we need to implicitly trust each of them as they do their part in our lives, otherwise the glorious memorial in which we are involved in building won’t turn out right. And that basically means acknowledging that the Father is the Creator and Controller of the universe; the Son is our Redeemer who died to save us from our sins, and the Holy Spirit is the one who indwells us to show us the way to obedience in Christ Jesus.
Notice what Jesus said to His disciples after He told them our Bit. ‘And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (Helper), that he may abide in you for ever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.’ (John 14:16-17) Yes friends, Jesus was there stressing that though He had to go away and leave them, the Holy Spirit would come and replace Him, dwell in them permanently. But most importantly, He’d be just like Jesus, a Helper and an Advocate; to lead and guide them in righteousness on their earthly journey.
And hear His awesome promise nuh. ‘I will not leave you comfortless (as orphans): I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.’ (John 14:18-20) Wow mih bredrin! That’s a promise of our security in Christ; everlasting security for all believers. We are secure in Christ, and Christ is secure in God! It couldn’t get any better than that!
But I like how Jesus never leaves us without a gentle reminder on whatever topic He’s talking about. ‘He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that LOVETH me, and he that LOVETH me shall be LOVED of my Father, and I will LOVE him, and will manifest (reveal) myself to him.’ (John 14:21)
So the question now is, have we kept His commandments and thus shown our LOVE for Him? And the obvious answer is a big NO! And consequently, our world is in a thorough mess, with sickness and strife and what have you. But now we’re tired of the current situation and want some relief from it, and belatedly realize that Almighty God is the ONLY source of the kind of help we so desperately need. That means swallowing our foolish pride and going to Him in prayer and asking for His help.
And we can do that right now through our Friday Chant. So, as one sincere voice, let’s pray: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks.
And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And the simple message is like it’s been from the very beginning; ‘If you want my help, then keep my commandments.’ It’s now up to us friends to keep our vows to God. Much LOVE!
…we can’t be disobedient to God’s commandments…and yet expect His divine blessings…
P.S. The ordinary workingman refused to speak to us today because he was real angry about the continuing confusion and negativity of the pandemic situation. (smile) Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
12 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a feeling of hope is in the air, a labour of love, a li'l light at the end of the tunnel, a means of restoring faith, anxiety, avoid any more serious setbacks, can wake up and smell the coffee, Covid-19 virus, enjoy the good of his labour, faithful believers, fear God, for one to eat and drink, Friday chant, God shall bring every work into judgement, havoc and confusion, in Christ Jesus concerning you, in everything give thanks, in the Lord's time, introduce a whole new flock, it is good and comely, it is his portion, keep his commandments, keep our vow to God, our sinful world, pray without ceasing, racial strife, rejoice evermore, Scrip-Bits Podcast, Some of My Favourite Scrip-Bits, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the first sign of optimism, this is the whole duty of man, this is the will of God, to handle the situation properly, use this pandemic, ventured into the unknown, whether it be evil, whether it be good, wise guidance, with every secret thing, within HIs boundaries
Ecclesiastes 12:13. Fear (reverence) God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Oh friends, it’s another bright and sunshiny morning with more springlike temps! And best of all, the Lord chose to wash the earth clean last evening with a glorious thunderstorm. So out there looks fresh and new now, and there’s a feeling of hope in the air! Yuh know how we usually feel clean and refreshed after a shower! Well that’s how the earth looks this morning! Glory be!
And here’s some more good news. The ole fella now has a podcast on the Anchor website of WordPress, where our blog is displayed. Our God is certainly something else yes, great and mysterious. I’d been wondering about doing a podcast since it’s all the rage now, but thought it would be too complicated, however, a few days ago, when I was posting the blog, I noticed a sign that said turn your blog into a podcast. But that day I ignored it.
The next day though, I ventured into the unknown and soon thereafter, without a whole lot of fuss our Scrip-Bits Podcast was born! Glory to God my people! So for those of you who prefer to hear me, rather than read me, (smile) you can go to this link https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8 and sign in to Spotify with whatever you choose. Now it’s just a simple podcast, so don’t look for fabulous sounds and sights, (smile) just my growly voice.
And oh, here’s something else, I never told you about. If you want to hear my gravelly voice, well done, with music, then you can contact me at randyobrien50@hotmail.com to purchase a C.D, or rather a double C.D, titled ‘Some of My Favourite Script-Bits, Vol. 1’ which I recently put out. It’s not available on a website or streaming as yet. But you’ll get two for one: The spoken word with music behind them, and just music alone. And the music is quite eclectic, varied, so you’re sure to find several things you like.
Believe me, producing that C.D has truly been what we call a labour of LOVE! It’s been about ten years in the making. Ah Lord, when I think about the process, I just have to shake my head and chuckle. I had the vocals all ready to go from the beginning, but couldn’t find anyone willing to write the music. Then, in the Lord’s time, He sent someone along to do it. And even then, there were roadblocks all along the way. But would you believe that’s in the height of the pandemic, He allowed me to complete it.
Ah mih people, I keep telling us that the Lord surely moves in mysterious ways and His timing can be somewhat tough and overbearing, but when we wait on Him, He does good things when we least expect it. And today’s certainly a good news Friday, for here’s what the ordinary workingman has to say. His enthusiasm has certainly been raised a notch, as he declares: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday…And though a whole lot hasn’t changed, there is at least a li’l light at the end of the tunnel. My boss called this week and said that we’d be able to go back to work in the next easing stage of the lockdown! Glory be!
And since I’m one of the older employees, I’ll be amongst the first to go back. It’ll sure feel good to earn some money after such a long time! Let’s hope the next easing stage doesn’t take too long nuh, because then I’ll be so out of shape, I might not be able to do all the heavy lifting and physical stuff we need to do on the job. And with the vaccine being handed out, it’s the first sign of optimism I’ve felt in many a day. Ah Lord eh! Let’s hope that the foolish people out there don’t relax their caution either, now that there’s a vaccine and cause another corona wave to start nuh. So things looking up. Thank God oui!’
Oh mih bredrin, as Bruh Paul so rightly said to the Thessalonians: ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:16-18) And isn’t that the indisputable truth!
And we on a roll here friends, for when I opened the Good Book just now, to look for some scripture to back up all that we’ve said, it opened at this interesting section of Ecclesiastes, where Cousin Sol proclaims: ‘Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely (fitting) for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun (in which he toils) all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.’ (Eccl. 5:18) Yes friends, enjoyment is a gift of God, and we ought to be excited and motivated to do just that, as our life is so short here on planet earth. Oh we can’t get away from troubles, but in our honest toil and labour with God beside us, we can certainly find joy.
And Cousin Sol wraps up the Book of Ecclesiastes with these awesome words. ‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear (reverence) God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ (Eccl. 12:13-14) And that’s the gospel truth friends! Our job is to obey God and do His will, but we will all answer for our actions or lack thereof come the judgement day.
Now let’s go to God with that awesome privilege of prayer, through our Friday Chant, and empty our hearts, pour out our hopes and dreams before His holy throne. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks.
And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And if we truly want the strife and sickness in our world to be lessened, then we have to keep our vow to God; be faithful believers, and handle the situation properly with true repentance and LOVE for Him and each other! Much LOVE!
…the Lord gave us life…so that we could enjoy it…within His boundaries…
05 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crown of righteousness, adapt to the new way of living, all those that love his appearing, anxiety, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, back to your fold, be in the middle of the fray, be responsible and safe, be strong in the grace that's in Christ Jesus, bring a lot of backsliders, but of power love and a sound mind, can wake up and smell the coffee, confusion, Covid-19 virus, embrace your love and compassion, faith, fight for Jesus and His kingdom, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, Friday chant, handle the situation, He who has promised is faithful, hope springs eternal, I can't give up hope, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, if God is for us who can be against us, introduce a whole new flock, live in Hope and die in Constant Spring, only Christ can bring peace and love, Onward Christian soldiers, our sinful world, racial strife, something good is going to happen through me, something good is going to happen to me, the evidence of things not seen, the new normal, the substance of things hoped for, there is laid up for me, thou therefore endure hardness, to handle the situation properly, topsy-turvy mode, wait with patience and perseverance, wise guidance, with your omnipotent help, your faithful believers
2 Timothy 2:3. Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
And then, one more time, it was Friday! Hn! And what does this new day hold for us eh? Only the Good Lord truly knows, but for those who sincerely believe in Him, we do expect good things, like new mercies and compassions, because that’s what He has promised. And remember that He who has promised is faithful, faithful to deliver on ALL of His promises.
So the expectations of believers should be high for good things to happen in our lives. As the saying goes: ‘Something good is going to happen to me today, and something good is going to happen through me today. Glory be mih bredrin. And it all happens through that magnificent principle called faith; the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (convictions) of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1)
Yes friends, when we believe in Almighty God, creator of the universe and all therein, we can expect good things to happen, and wait with patience and perseverance, that’s hope and faith, for them to happen, regardless of how long they make take to come to fruition!
Wow! That means never giving up or turning against Christ and each other though the trials and tribulations of this evil world bombard us unmercifully it. For if God is for us, NOBODY, or NOTHING whatsoever, not even the powerful and fearful pandemic, can be successful against us! And with that certainty playing in our minds, (smile) let’s hear what the ordinary workingman has to say today nuh.
‘Oh brother! Thank God is Friday oui, and I’m another day closer to death, but also closer to work! When is work going to resume eh? When is this lockdown going to end eh, or even relaxed that a body can make a living to feed deh family and keep a roof over deh heads eh? I guess if you believe in God you have to keep living in hope…but let’s hope it’s not like the Jamaican saying, ‘Yuh live in Hope, but end up, die in Constant Spring!’
Yeh, hope springs eternal and all that, but with all the confusion that still going on with this pandemic business a lot of people losing hope – in the government, the medical people and God too. How sad the whole thing is, that this li’l virus can bring this great powerful world to its knees in no time at all and cause even more strife than was already present. Steups! I really don’t know what to say nuh, except that I can’t give up hope – ah have three young children to look after, so I just have to do whatever it takes to look after them as best I can, with God’s help.’
And yuh know friends, that’s all any of us can really do; our best, and pray, hope, believe that with God’s help it will turn out to be enough. Our world is really in topsy-turvy mode right now, with so much corruption, strife, tension, disagreements and what have you, that no one knows exactly how it will end or turn out, what the new normal will be.
One thing is for sure, it won’t be like it was before. We will have to learn and deal with a whole lot of new stuff once this pandemic thing has settled down. And those who adapt to the new way of living the quickest, will probably have an edge over those who don’t adapt quickly. But it will be a whole new world, I don’t know if it will be brave though, (smile) but if we believers are in the forefront of it, it will be brave, because that’s all we know how to do,; be brave with Christ as our Lord and Saviour and Leader!
That means, we believers have to get out there, right in the middle of the fray and fight for Jesus and His kingdom. That’s why Bruh Paul told Timothy: ‘Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’ (2 Tim. 2:1,3) And we need not be afraid of getting out there and mixing it up for Jesus: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound and disciplined mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7)
So we have all the tools to deal with whatever comes against us. So let’s get with it nuh, so that we will be able to say like Bruh Paul did at the end. ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all those that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
And the best way to start that, as with ALL things, is by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. So what we waiting for eh? Let’s come to God in prayer, though our Friday Chant. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks.
And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Onward then Christian soldiers, faithful believers, let’s get out there and handle the situation so that Christ will be revered and venerated above all others and everything else! Much LOVE!
…we believers were made for this time…to show the confused, topsy-turvy world…that only Christ…can bring it peace and LOVE…
01 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time of peace, a time of war, a time to be born, a time to dance, a time to every purpose under heaven, a time to laugh, a time to love, a time to mourn, Covid-19, defer not to pay it, falvoured salt of the earth, forgive us, God has a sovereign design, he hath no pleasure in fools, heal our land, hibernation, humble servants, I hated Esau, inherent in our privileged position, LOVE, mass confusion, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, natural disasters, praise Your Holy Name, racial strife, recognize the responsibilities, social media revolution, some kind of a normal life, the Holy Spirit of God, to every thing there is a season, too much of anything is no good, turn from our evil ways, when thou vowest a vow unto God, wise guidance and direction, Yet I loved Jacob
Ecclesiastes 3:1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
Will somebody wake me from hibernation when the pandemic’s over and we have returned to some kind of a normal life? I just don’t feel like facing another Monday morning of confusion, sickness and controversy, of false news and all sorts of conspiracy theories. As the old people would say, too much of anything is no good.
And we do have too much of all those things listed above, as well as too much information that our minds can’t properly handle and it’s too easy for us to spread that info even when we don’t know if it’s true or false. And the bad thing with our social media revolution is that once the info hits the street, it’s impossible to take it back, for it then takes on a life of its very own. So please wake me when the world adversity is over! (smile)
And would you believe that today is also the first day of March in this brand new year of 2021? But we’ve been so busy fighting the pandemic and each other that we have hardly noticed that the days are quickly going by; two months have now passed and we’re still no closer to a kind of new normal. But hopefully, we are making some progress towards it. And it’s not like this is the first time we’ve been surrounded by numerous difficult problems. It’s just a part of life.
As Cousin Sol so wisely said in Ecclesiastes: ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:’ (Eccl. 3:1) And isn’t that the gospel truth! There’s a season and a time for everything to happen in God’s world, for that’s how He planned it.
And Cousin Sol spells it out for us. ‘A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep , and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get (gain), and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend (tear apart), and a time to sew (together); a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to LOVE, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.’ (Eccl. 3:2-8)
Now doesn’t that sound rather interesting? It surely does! And hear this explanation from the scholars. ‘3:1-8. As Solomon reflects on all of life, he expresses a beautiful poem of 14 pairs of opposite events that God has a sovereign design behind all events (cf. Rom. 8:28). To gather stones (vs. 5) refers to the process of clearing land for planting or building. To hate (vs. 8) means to withdraw from intimacy and should not always be taken in an absolute sense (cf. Mal. 1:2-3).’
Yes friends, because our wonderful God has a sovereign design for life on planet earth, we can faithfully believe that He will eventually work everything out for the good of those He’s called and who respond favourably to that call. (Rom. 8:28) And I think we should take serious note of that reference to Malachi.
Listen to how the scholars explain the Lord’s words. ‘1:2-5. Yet I LOVED Jacob, and I hated Esau has caused concern to many. This expression involves the use of a Hebrew idiom. If a father had two sons and made one heir, he was said to LOVE the one he made his heir and to hate the other whom he had not made an heir. The LOVE and hate spoken of here is not related to the emotions, they are related to the will of God. The words challenge Israel to recognize the responsibilities inherent in its privileged position.’
And the same criteria stand today for us believers in Christ Jesus, which means that we are also being challenged by God right now to recognize the responsibilities inherent in our privileged position. And we can’t deny that we are privileged, for no other people but believers have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in them and actively leading and guiding them in all sincerity and truth.
Consequently, we are called to up our game; be highly flavoured salt of the earth, and a bright shining light in the darkness of this evil world. So right now, let’s do like Israel did when they finally woke up from their foolish disobedience nuh; turn to God in sincere repentance and prayer. And the words of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn are rather appropriate for just such a time as this.
As one strong and sincere voice now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive and standing in faith despite the mass confusion that’s currently prevailing in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems; the pandemic of Covid -19, the racial, political, and religious strife that’s ignited worldwide, plus the many natural disasters that now seem more prevalent than ever.
Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction to bring our problems under control.
And for those who are currently suffering from the many negative situations, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
Now it all depends on the sincerity of our hearts and if we uphold all that we’ve just vowed to God. And Cousin Sol had solid advice on that too. ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it, for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.’ (Eccl. 5:4) Words of mucho wisdom, my brethren! Much LOVE!
…common sense dictates…that the created should pay obeisance to their Creator…
26 Feb 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a benevolent Father, a thousand years as one day, a thousand years in thy sight, a watch in the night, are but as yesterday when it is past, embrace your love and compassion, faithful believers, Friday chant, have a bright sunshiny day on the inside, humble obeisance, I will be their God, I will forgive their iniquity, I will put my law in their inward parts, introduce a whole new flock, is as a thousand years, lighting up our inner being, long-suffering to us-ward, LOVE, not willing that any should perish, omnipotent help, one day with the Lord, pandemic, racial strife, remember their sin no more, seriosu setbacks, that all should come to repentance, the Holy Spirit of Christ, the Lord is never late, the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, they shall be my people, unrest in the streets, wake up and smell the coffee, with prayer and thanksgiving, write it in their hearts
Psalm 90:4. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and a watch in the night.
Oh mih people, the ole fella’s at a loss for a good, moving, encouraging opening statement this Friday morning! Would you believe it? (smile) Strange things do happen at times yes! But you can bet your bottom dollar that before we finish today, I will have too many words to say, with the Lord’s help obviously. (smile)
Anyway, it’s a bright sunshiny day outside, so there’s no reason why we should not have a bright, sunshiny day on the inside also, especially when we have the amazing Spirit of Christ Jesus lighting up our souls! And all God’s children said a loud, proud and grateful ‘Amen!’ For there’s nothing in this world as good and wonderful as the Holy Spirit of Christ lighting up our inner being! And that’s a promise ourawesomeand ever-faithful God made to His people many many moons ago.
Hear the Good Book tell it nuh, through the prophet Jeremiah. ‘But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, (sufferation for disobedience) saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts (mind), and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’ (Jer. 31:33-34)
And that’s exactly what the Lord did my friends, through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross at Calvary, His death, resurrection, ascension and the filling of His people with the Holy Spirit on that long ago Pentecost morn! Glory be! Bless His holy name! That just goes to show how faithful our great God is! He keeps ALL the promises He makes! But we have to abide with His timing…and that causes us a lot of problems, because in today’s fast paced world, we want everything now for now, if not yesterday! (smile)
But God doesn’t count days and hours and minutes like we do. Moses said it thus in Psalm 90.‘For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and a watch in the night.’(Ps. 90:4) Meanwhile, Peter, in quoting Moses, said it this way. ‘But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Pet. 3:8-9)
Yes friends, our God moves in His own sphere of time which is ever so much higher than ours, and thus incomprehensible to our finite and puny minds. That means abiding in His eternal timetable is ever so important for the followers of Christ, if we are to ever truly receive the best that He has for us. And one thing we surely have today in our modern society is an attitude of gross impatience. Consequently, we are always at odds with the Lord re timing, His timing in particular.
And for our info, the Lord is NEVER late. He might be a bit tardy in our estimation, but NEVER late. And that I can testify to. However, we badly need to get up off our fat pride and ego and remember that He is the Controller and we are the controlled, and we are to move at His pace, not the other way around. But despite our disobedience and rebellion, the Lord is good towards us as Peter says above. He is long-suffering, patient and generous, and puts up with our faults and foibles like a benevolent Father.
Why? Because that is exactly whom and what He is, a benevolent Father, not wanting any of His creation, His children, to suffer eternal death and damnation, but that all of them should come to repentance, receive salvation through belief in His Son Jesus Christ, whom He made to be Lord and Saviour for that express purpose. Yes my brethren, that’s the Lord’s greatest wish. So why are we so annoyed with Him eh? All He wants is what’s best for us.
But remember we are in a partnership, thus both parties have a part to play. The Lord’s played His part already; giving us the opportunity to receive eternal life through faith in Christ. It now behooves us to do our part; accept that free and bountiful gift with gratitude and stop complaining about things we know nothing about. Just come to Him in humble obeisance, with prayer and thanksgiving, and do what He asks of us. That’s what it all boils down to.
So let’s do just that right now nuh, through our Friday Chant. As one strong voice: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible.
And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation.
Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
So, having pleaded so sincerely with the Lord, what’s it going to be now eh my people? Are we going to behave like faithful followers; repent and observe His rules and regulations? I truly hope so, otherwise we just going to keep on suffering for our gross disobedience and rebellion. Much LOVE!
…the Lord is long-suffering…but even His patience will run out at some time…so be warned…
P.S.I did not forget the ordinary workingman’s spiel, he just had nothing to say. (smile)Much LOVE!
12 Feb 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a means of restoring faith, amidst all the confusion, be of good cheer, be responsible, bring backsliders back to your fold, Covid-19 virus, distress, don't give up, drive me crazy, every tongue that speaks ill of us, facing uphill battles, faith is belief in action, faithful believers, famine, Friday chant, I am persuaded, I give up, i have overcome the world, in all these things, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, keep walking in His awesome love, money in short supply, nakedness, neither death, no job, no weapon formed against us will prosper, nor angels, nor life, nothing has changed, obey the rules, omnipotent help, our sinful world, persecution, racial strife, raise our faith, reassure us of the goodness of God, sending the children back to school, separate us from the love of God, talk to the Lord, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the only way to handle difficulties, the ordinary workingman, the virus still running rampant, these things I have spoken unto you, things too conflicting, through him that loved us, tribulation, unrest in the streets, unused faith is a waste of time, use the pandemic, wake up and smell the coffee, walked with Christ beside you, walking with Christ, we are more than conquerors, we still on lockdown, who shall separate us from the Love of Christ
Romans 8:37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that LOVED us.
Welcome to Friday; somewhat snowy and blustery, but all a part of the winter system. Hope I think so when I have to go out the street later. (smile) So how’s your day going so far eh? I hope for those of you in my time zone it’s begun on a good note, and for those of you whose day is almost ending, hoping that you had a good one, despite whatever difficulties you encountered, as you walked with Christ beside you all the way.
Oh my people, I shouldn’t have to remind us, but I will, (smile) that walking with Christ is the ONLY way to handle, to mitigate some of the troubles and difficulties we’ll experience in this evil and dangerous world. Remember Jesus promised that we’d have problems, but once we’re walking with him, things would be all right. Here’s what He said: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33)
Yes friends, we all know that scripture, but do we really consider it when hard times come against us? That is the question. Do we remember promises like that when we’re facing uphill battles and need reassurance? I hope so, because that’s what those scriptures are for; to reassure us of the goodness of God and His promise to work things out eventually for the good of all those who LOVE Him, and sincerely try to do His will.
So please, I implore us, in these rough and uncertain times, to keep the promises of our God front and centre in our lives, so we can use them to raise our faith and keep walking in His awesome and amazing LOVE! Otherwise, our supposed faith is just a waste of time. It doesn’t make sense having faith if you don’t use it positively. End of sermon! (smile)
Now let’s see what the ordinary workingman has to say today nuh. And he is somewhat crochety. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes, and I’m still alive, though just barely. And I don’t know what you all expect me to say nuh. Nothing has changed in the last little while; we still on lockdown, I still don’t have no job, money in short supply, the virus an’ them still running rampant all over the world…So what new thing all yuh expect me to say eh?
Oh, they thinking about sending some of the children back to school…when? I don’t know, and don’t really understand why everybody want them to go back to school. If big people can’t handle the situation, how yuh expect children to handle it in such crowed schools like we have eh?
Steups! I just give up yes! Things too conflicting, yuh getting all sorts of different information from different people, and everybody claiming that theirs is the truth. So what’s an ordinary body to do eh? I don’t know about nobody else nuh, but me, I’m just going to keep me peace, and do the best I can with what I have. That is provided this lock up home situation don’t drive me crazy before we get the situation under control. Until then, I’ll just have to thank God and ask Him to keep me and mine safe oui.’
Ah mih bredrin, I think that’s the best advice for all of us yes; don’t give up, obey the rules as best we can, don’t put ourselves in any untenable situations, and talk to the Lord in all sincerity about the situation. It’s all in His hands friends, and He’s promised that this too shall pass, and also that no weapon formed against us will prosper, and every tongue that speaks ill of us will be condemned. (Is. 54:17)
And Bruh Paul has also reminded us of our divine heritage with these words. ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that LOVED us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35, 37-39) And all of God’s children said a loud and grateful ‘Amen!’
Yes friends, I do hope that we are all truly persuaded that NOTHING will separate us from God’s LOVE, because if we don’t, then our faith is again a waste of time and crapaud will smoke we pipe. And having said all that, let’s do the first thing we ought to do each and every day, and when we are in troubled times, turn to God in sincere prayer. And some of you might be wondering why I keep talking about sincerity, but that’s simply because the Lord doesn’t just hear our words, but checks the motives, the sincerity of our hearts before He considers our requests.
So with sincere hearts (smile) let’s lift up our Friday Chant to heaven. As one voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets.
So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways.
It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And now that we’ve shown our hearts to be sincere, let’s show the world that we are truly faithful believers in Christ Jesus and handle the situation as we ought to! Much LOVE!
…faith is belief in action…so let’s get some serious action going nuh…to show some serious faith…
05 Feb 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beacon of light, a means of restoring faith, a vaccine, an alluring winter scene, be responsible, being at home unemployed, believers in Christ, Covid-19 virus, faithful believers, Friday chant, glorify your father in heaven, God's enduring faithfulness, good candidates, handle the situation properly, keeping the children in limbo, leaders arguing, Let your light so shine before men, natural treasures, not obeying the rules, our sinful world, people still getting sick, racial strife, ramp up our faith, reaffirm our belief, romanticizing the snow, show the world, stay safe, still alive, surrender to His will, TGIF!, thank God for small mercies, Thank God is Friday, the efficacy of Jesus, the fruitfulness of beleiving in Him, the ordinary workingman, the promises of God's goodness, the whole thing is a joke, they may see your good works, to confuffle the situation, to offer help and encouragment, to show the way, trusting faith, unrest in the streets, variants, virginal scene, wake up and smell the coffee, when is all the confusion going to finish, wise guidance
Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.
Well people, instead of melting, as most of us wished, the snow added another layer during the night. Not a terrible amount, but enough to confuffle the situation, and the strong wind I hear blowing out there, isn’t helping matters either. But all of that is to be expected during the Canadian winter months.
It’s also one of her many natural treasures; you can’t beat a beautiful, alluring winter scene with everything covered in white. Although it’s cold, and you may hate trudging through it, you simply cannot overlook the beauty of such an unspoiled, virginal scene. Yeh, it still amazes me when I see a new snowfall with everything covered in a blanket of unsullied white.
But enough of my romanticizing about the snow, especially since I may have to go out in it later. (smile) It’s Friday, so let’s hear what the ordinary workingman has to say about life nuh.
And he opens with a weak and unenthusiastic: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! Not so much because the weekend coming up and I’d be off work for a couple of days, but more so because I’m still alive, though not kicking so heartily, after all this time of being at home unemployed. Ah Lord eh? When is all the confusion going to finish eh?
People still getting sick by the handful, because they still not obeying the rules. And now ah hear they have variants too, different strains of the original Covid, that even more dangerous. So what’s going to happen with them now eh? More confusion I guess.
And though they claim to now have a vaccine, it doesn’t seem to be making much difference, because the system either too slow and not well designed and they don’t seem to have enough vaccine either. And yuh still have leaders arguing and bickering with one another and can’t get their act together.
What a bam bam, what a fiasco this whole Covid business has turned in to eh. Steups! They can’t even make up their minds about the children going back to school. Is either they going or they not going, stop keeping the children in limbo.
And to think that we here in Ontario believe that we handling the situation better than many other places! Brother! I wouldn’t like to see how those other places handling it nuh. But what to do eh? Yuh just have to grin and bear it yes, and do yuh best to keep you and yuh family safe, and look out for the plenty fools it have out there who think the whole thing is a joke.
I really don’t see how you could consider people getting sick so easily…and dying so quickly and agonizing as a joke nuh. But thank God for small mercies oui! So far he keeping me and mine safe, and I pray that He continue to do so.’
Ah friends, it is indeed a rough situation all over the world. We had enough other problems before Covid, but now that has intensified everything, spreading more fear and uncertainty than we need, and more than many of us can handle. And, fortunately, or unfortunately, it’s left to us believers in Christ to show the way, because we have, or are supposed to have, the spiritual tools to handle the situation.
We talking about a strong faith in Christ and sincere belief in His promises, with which we need to lead the way in these turbulent times. No, it won’t be easy, but we have promises of God’s goodness and His enduring faithfulness that make us good candidates to offer help and encouragement to others.
We talk about being able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us, (Phil. 4:13) and that the Lord will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19) Well now is the time to stand securely on those promises and the many others we have in our arsenal.
It’s time to ramp up our faith and show the world the efficacy of Jesus; the effectiveness, the productiveness and fruitfulness of believing in Him, His great leadership, His fatherly comfort in the time of storm. That’s our earthly purpose friends. This is the time when we are called to lead by godly example.
The scriptures tell us that we believers are expected to be the salt and light of this dark and evil world. So what are we doing about it eh? Not enough I believe. Let’s listen to these fateful, but simple words of Jesus one more time and reaffirm our belief and surrender to do His will nuh. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:16)
Yes friends, that’s what needed of us right now; a beacon of light and good works to glorify God and thus lead others to Him. And the best way to always begin is with prayer. So let’s offer up our Friday Chant which encompasses our hopes and fears, our dreams and expectations.
Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. Yuh know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife causing. We not accustomed to that kind of life Lord, and it really telling on us. And we know we can’t handle it on our own, that we desperately need your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the sure and wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible.
And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, so that we can avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to also bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways.
It’s also a good opportunity to introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion because of the way we, your faithful believers, handle the situation. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now it’s time for us to show ourselves as faithful believers and handle the situation properly! Much LOVE!
…to sincerely serve Jesus…or not…that is the question…
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