03 Sep 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a living example, a persecutor of the church, action plan, aura of love, back to where we were, bad judgement, birthright, brave souls, Christ-like stuff, confidence, consider one another, decent wages, discipline, drunk or sober mind your business, employers, enthusiasm, epitome, evil, faithful is he who calls you, friends, glorious kingdom, glory to God, God's faithfulness, good works, gospel truth, guidance, half a chance, He is faithful that promised, his compassions fail not, hold fast, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, in spades, invincible, Jesus Christ, joy, judged the book by the cover, keep you from evil, keeps faith lifted, Labour Day, lies, LOVE, make known God's faithfulness, man's inhumanity to man, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, mysterious ways, new every morning, no souls, oppressor, paid vacations, peace, Pinkertons, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, salvation, sing of the Lord's mercies, sit on your fannies, spiritual armour, stand up strong, steadfast faith, stir up LOVE, testify to, the error of my ways, the Lord's mercies, the profession of faith, things of the world, to all generations, trust, truth, ungodly world, Unions, winning rights, wisdom, with my mouth, without wavering, working conditions
1 Thessalonians 5:24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Ah friends, our God does move in mysterious ways yes! He proved it to me one more time this evening, as my path happened to cross with a Scrip-Bit family acquaintance. Now, recently I’ve been wondering how many people that receive the Bit really read it every day, or even most days. And strangely enough, she was one of those, who, as a young, good looking lady, I figured was too taken up with the things of the world to bother with such Christ-like stuff.
But was I ever wrong, because she excitedly informed me that she reads the Bit every day, enjoys it, it inspires her, keeps her faith lifted. I had to laugh friends, because this just happened out of the blue. Our paths cross every so often, but she never said anything before, and I’ve sometimes wondered if I’m wasting her time and mine by sending her the Bit.
But yuh see mih people, one more instance where I judged the book by the proverbial cover and totally made a bad judgement. (smile) It took the Lord in His wisdom and mysterious way to enlighten me and show me the error of my ways. So please learn from my mistake; stop judging others by how they look on the outside. Find out what’s inside first. Thank You Lord for the lesson! Thank you Tammy for the unexpected encouragement!
Now let’s move on. Today is Monday, Labour Day Monday to boot, which for many of us is a holiday. But friends we do need to understand and appreciate what those who went before us in the workforce did, standing up strong against the powerful oppressor and winning the rights we do have today. Many of them even gave their lives to do it, because the holders of wealth and power wanted to keep workers in semi-slavery forever, if they could.
Think about the Pinkertons; that brutal private police force that was used to enforce the employer’s wishes. But those brave souls fought and died and eventually through unions won the fairly decent wages and working conditions we now have; things like weekends off and paid vacations.
So please don’t take them for granted, or as your birthright, and simply sit on your fannies, you also have to stand up strong , because employers are now trying to move us back to where we once were. And given half a chance, they will too, because they have no souls and are the epitome of man’s inhumanity to man!
However, some of us have to go and labour so that our 24/7 society can function properly. So let’s join together and sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn and give those unfortunate ones some encouragement nuh. With as much enthusiasm as we can muster: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
And as always those who are staying home are the loudest. But please remember in all the celebrations, that drunk or sober, to mind yuh business. Is Granny who say so. Now all I want to do today is remind us of God’s faithfulness by sharing some scriptures on the subject.
Ah friends, if it’s one thing I can testify to it’s the Lord’s faithfulness. Just look at how long I’ve been writing the Bit, over eleven years now, and I believe I’ve missed one day, early on in the show. And my goal is to not miss any days at all while I continue to write it. But how do you think I’ve been able to keep that discipline eh? It’s not through my power, but by the Lord’s! And do you think I choose the topics every day? No way! Many days I don’t have a clue as to what to write on, but every day I ask for guidance and end up being surprised by His faithfulness.
As Bruh Paul says so simply, but so truthfully in our Bit: ‘Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.’ I am a living example of that friends! Remember when He first called me, I laughed and said I couldn’t do it. But He persevered…and finally I agreed…and He set about proving His faithfulness to me.
And Bruh Paul knew the Lord’s faithfulness in spades, because look at how He took him from being a persecutor of the church, to one of its staunchest planters and defenders! And he reiterates to the Thessalonians in his second letter. ‘But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil (the evil one). (2 Thess.3:3)
Meanwhile, the author of Hebrews sincerely advises: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised). And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works.’ (Heb.10:23-24)
And this scripture we all know: ‘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) And that’s the gospel truth friends!
That’s why to show our true appreciation for the Lord’s faithfulness, we should be saying and doing like Ethan the Ezrahite says in his psalm. ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.’ (Ps.89:1) Let’s make that our action plan nuh mih people, because it’s wisdom to the nth degree! Much LOVE!
…if believers don’t talk of God’s faithfulness…how will others know about it eh…
31 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: afflictions, as a roaring lion, back to school, be sober, be vigilant, believers, benefits, brave resitance, Cedric Layton Harper, celebrating, christ jesus, confirm, dominion, don't judge the book by its cover, drink, eternal glory, eternally grateful, experienced by your brethren, fellow believers, fellowship, food, Friday chant, fun, glory, God's glorious kingdom, greedy, hard-hearted, in Jesus name, in the faith, Irvine Hall, knight in shining armour, Labour Day, long in the tooth, LOVE, Lucifer, make you perfect, marching, Mona campus, music, obituary, ole crook, push come to shove, relaxation, resist steadfast, responsible, rest, seeking whom he may devour, serious demeanour, settle you, singing, slave master, songs of freedom, strengthen, subdued, suffered, testing, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the devil, the God of all grace, trials, tribulation, University of the West Indies, vacation cottage, walket about, workingman, your adversary
1 Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
Ah friends, one never knows what each passing moment of each day will bring nuh! Here I was planning to come down and write about the bright and stunning day that was happening in my neighbourhood and the upcoming long Labour Day weekend. But as it recently seems to be too often the case, I open my e-mail and find news of an obituary. Steups!
Now this one isn’t for a personal friend of mine, but someone who played an important part in my life some fifty years ago…boy some of us are sure getting long in the tooth. (smile) The gentleman I’m talking about is H.E. Cedric Lanyon Harper, St. Kitts and Nevis High Commissioner to Jamaica (1930-2018).
My association with him took place when he was the Warden of Irvine Hall, the Hall I was associated with on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. He was a big man, both in girt and height, and good be gruff at times. His bristling moustache also lent an air of intimidation to his naturally serious demeanour. A lot of the students, including me, didn’t like him and his rules for the Hall.
But you know what? When push came to shove, he turned out to be white knight in shining armour. Hn! I’m talking about when I could not pay my tuition fees in my last year, which meant I couldn’t take my final exam, he lent me the money from the Hall’s coffers. And for that I will be eternally grateful, so should you all be too, because then you might have never known me. (smile)
Ah mih people, just another example to show that we should not judge the book by its cover. My condolences go out to all of Mr. Harper’s family and friends as they mourn his passing, but hopefully celebrate his apparently generous and giving life as a teacher and able representative for his country of St.Kitts and Nevis.
But the workingman is not going to let us forget that it’s Friday, as he joyfully belts out: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! And a long weekend too – Labour Day! Mama Yo! All the people who labour and work hard will be celebrating the few benefits we have because of the brave resistance of so many who’ve gone before us. Yeh breddren, we have to stand up for we rights, slavery done long time ago, otherwise the greedy and hard hearted slave master going to push we right back into it.
But he can’t stop we from celebrating how we want to on we time though. So on this last weekend of the summer, we going to throw the biggest party of the summer; nuff food and drink, music, marching and singing songs of freedom! Oh brother! What a party it going to be! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes, especially the long ones and them!’
Yeh friends, it is the last long weekend of summer, which means closing up the vacation cottage up north! Come next week it’s back to school and back to work for those who took vacation with their children. And as believers, we too will celebrate the Labour Day long weekend, just not as boisterously and lasciviously as the ordinary workingman. And our Friday Chant is also much more subdued and responsible than his song.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t get enthusiastic about it, so let’s chant up a storm nuh! All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh friends, when we work and live for Jesus, it just means that we’re a tad more responsible, more heavenly minded than earthly minded, but not so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. (smile) We have to be careful not to give the enemy any room to come into our lives and corrupt them.
That means we always have to be on our p’s and q’s, constantly on the look out for his sly, deceitful and reasoned approaches, like the one he used on Eve in the Garden of Eden. That’s why Peter so forcefully reminds us in our Bit: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’
And that’s no lie my brethren! The ole crook Lucifer is always on the lookout for any toe or finger hold he can get in our lives. So continuing in the admonition of Peter: ‘Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world.’ (1 Pet.5:9)
Oh, I know some of us are going to say, knowing that others are also experiencing temptation doesn’t help me any. And that might be true. But hear this: ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you.’ (1 Pet.5:10)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s exactly what will happen. After a bit of sufferation, to prove and strengthen our faith, the Lord of all grace and mercy will bring us out strong and steadfast. You can bet on it. Therefore: ‘To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.’ (1 Pet.5:11) Much LOVE!
…trials and tribulation…they are simply God’s way…of testing and strengthening our faith…
27 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a grain of mustard seed, a pension, all things, ask, ask for in prayer, aura of love, boredom, Christians, confidence, decisions, do nothing, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fasting, fig tree, flesh is weak, friends, glorious kingdom, grace, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, in control of wealth, inactivity, it shall be given to you, it shall be opened, Jesus Christ, joy, knock, lesser mortals, lies, lifestyles, LOVE, mercy, merry-go-round, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, mover and shaker, nothing shall be impossible to you, power, prayer, put out to pasture, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, remove hence, renewed vitality, rest, retirement, righteousness., rougher, salvation, seek, serious business, spirit is willing, spiritual armour, standard of living, steadfast faith, tongue in cheek, tougher, trust, truth, unbelief, ungodly world, waning years, wisdom, ye shall find, ye shall receive
Matthew 21:22. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
So the whole new workweek rigmarole begins again today eh friends! I know it gets rather tedious and frustrating sometimes, doing the same thing every week, like you’re on a merry-go-round that never stops. But that’s just the way of life in our Western Society.
And then, after numerous years of merry-go-rounding, you’re put out to pasture, nicely termed retirement, when you are allowed, or expected to sit at home and do nothing, and consequently so many of us just waste away and die of boredom and inactivity. Something’s wrong with that picture, isn’t it?
But I guess that those in control of wealth and power in our society don’t care too much about us lesser mortals, so they work us like slaves when we’re young, then when our bodies can’t handle the slave labour any longer, they just cast us on the scrap heap with a few measly dollars, nicely termed a pension, on which we’re seldom ever able to maintain our accustomed standard of living. But again, that’s Western Society for you!
And if you want to be able to collect the measly few pension dollars somewhere down the line, you’d better get up and get yourself out to labour this Monday morning, because the end amount depends on your consistency now.
Ah friends, I’m chuckling as I write this tongue in cheek, but it’s serious business. The decisions we make today will affect our lives and lifestyles in our waning years. So please, let’s do the wise and sensible thing nuh; hie thee hither to labour. (smile)
And if your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak, then join us in trilling our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, which is a sure antidote for anything that ails you on this first day of the new workweek. Altogether now, with whatever enthusiasm you can muster.
‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Yes my people! I know we’re all beginning to breathe easier and more positively, because the Holy Spirit is working its blessedness in us. So take heart, for once the Holy Spirit refills our spirits with God’s grace and mercy, we WILL go out and do an excellent job in Jesus’ name!
And why is that? Because Jesus assured us of it in our Bit: ‘And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ And we just asked for it in prayer above. Why pray, if you don’t believe that your prayers will be answered eh?
The disciples were amazed at the simple words Jesus said to a fig tree that had no fruit. ‘Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever,’ (Matt.21:19) and it just dried up and withered in a day’s time. Then Jesus solemnly informed them: ‘Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto the mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.’ (Matt.21:21)
Faith, friends, is the great mover and shaker in a believer’s life. If you have it, you can move mountains, but if you don’t then times will be even rougher and tougher for you in this abysmal world in which we currently live. And remember when the disciples could not remove a demon from a child and they asked Jesus why?
He said to them: ‘Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove (move); and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out by prayer and fasting.’ (Matt.17:20-21)
And remember also, these applicable words of Jesus earlier on. ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt. 7:7-8)
Ah friends, yuh see the same basic things are important in each believer’s life; praying, fasting, asking, seeking, knocking and believing. And I guess the saying that faith moves mountains is derived from the words of Jesus on the subject. So let’s try and build up our faith, today and everyday we’re alive nuh. It will provide enormous and outstanding benefits. Much LOVE!
…without faith…it is impossible to go to God…
24 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good life, a series of contrasts, arch criminal, Beelzebub's den, broad is the way, calm, Canadian National Exhibition, care, comfort, dark and demonic night, easy row we hoe, enter ye inat the strait gate, eternal life, eternal separation from God, extremes, fellowship, few find it, Friday chant, furthering God's kingdom, generous help, God will always be with us, gospel truth, grace, Hades, holding our hands, I am the bread, I am the way the truth and the life, in Jesus name, Jesus Christ, leading the way, loving-kindness, Lucifer, many go in thereat, mercy, narrow gate, narrow path, narrow the way, no man comes to the Father but by me, on the lookout, our Lord and Saviour, peaceful, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, safety and security, salvation, Sermon on the Mount, sunshine of your son, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, Thank You Lord, that leads to destruction, the enemy, the Ex, the ordinary workingman, the sun is shining, tried and true, undeserving children of men, week of work, which came down from heaven, wide is the gate, wisdom
Matthew 7:13. Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.
It’s beautiful, exquisite…exquisite and beautiful! Yes friends, that’s the quality of the morning in my area! The sun’s shining, everything seems peaceful and calm, no hint of anything negative whatsoever! And all I can say is ‘Thank You Lord for bringing me safely through the dark and demonic night, into the bright sunshine of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Thank You again Lord, for a good life!’
Ah mih people, plenty thanks are in order for just being able to see another glorious day on God’s great earth, although there is so much negative stuff going on in it. And that’s one thing the ordinary workingman knows, as he always prefaces his song with:
‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! One more weekend to enjoy! And we going to enjoy this one down at the Ex! Check out all the fun and games, the rides and the food… And yuh know there’s always some way out food down at the Ex, some strange combinations! Brother! As the old people would say, if they don’t kill you, they’ll certainly make you strong! But we’re up to it. For nothing ventured…nothing gained! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Ah friends, when you hear that the Ex, the Canadian National Exhibition is on, you know that the end of summer is near and back to school is in the offing. But as big boys and girl in Jesus’ society, we can handle ANYTHING that the world has to offer.
So this beautiful Friday morning let’s chant our Friday Chant, to show the world where we’re coming from. Let them know our’s is a fun life too, just not to the extremes of the workingman, and we’d probably see them down at the Ex too…just not me. (smile)
So, chanting as one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen!’
Ah mih loverlies in Christ, it’s not always an easy row we hoe, we always have to be on the lookout for the enemy, but it’s always interesting and rewarding. And once we seek to stay on the tried and true narrow path, our God will ALWAYS be with us, holding our hands, leading the way to safety and security, comfort and care, salvation and an eternal home in heaven with Him.
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord for His grace and LOVING-kindness to the undeserving children of men!’ And yuh better believe we need to be very thankful and exceedingly grateful for God’s mercy and grace, otherwise we’d be on our sure way to spending time in Hades with the arch criminal Lucifer. And believe me, that’s not a nice place to go, even for a look-see! (smile)
That’s why Jesus warned in our Bit: ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.’
Ah friends, isn’t that that gospel truth? The way to Beelzebub’s den is wide and so easy to navigate that lots of people foolishly choose it. But as Jesus continues after our Bit: ‘Because strait (so narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt.7:14)
Yes my brethren, unless you’re really looking for the way to life, it’s very difficult to find, and extremely narrow to pass through, if you do find it. But hear these explanations from the scholars. ‘7:13-14. The closing section of the Sermon on the Mount presents two choices to the listener. These are presented in a series of contrasts: two ways (vs.13-14); two trees (vs.15-20); two professions (vs.21-23); and two foundations (vs.24-29). This was a common method of teaching in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought.
Enter ye in at the strait gate (narrow) means that one must come through the narrow gate in order to reach the path that leads to eternal life. Though many are on the broad…way, that leadeth to destruction (eternal separation from God), the gate that leads to life is so narrow that few there be that find it. Christ Himself is both the gate and the way (cf. John 14:6), and God enables men to find that gate (John 6:44).’
And just in case you don’t know or refuse to look up those two verses quoted above, here they are. Two of Jesus’ greatest pronouncements: He said unto doubting Thomas when he asked how they could know the way? ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6)
And earlier on when He told some unbelieving Jews, ‘I am the bread which came down from heaven,’ (John 6:41), they began to murmur amongst themselves re His earthly parents and His comment. But Jesus solemnly informed them: ‘No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day.’ (John 6:44)
Yeh friends, finding Jesus is difficult, nigh impossible, unless the Father tugs at our heartstrings and leads us in His direction. So those of us who have been led to Him and have found Him, let’s be everlastingly grateful for God’s mercy and go out and tell others about Him so that they too will be called to Him. Much LOVE!
…which path will you travel…the wide one…or the narrow one…wisdom dictates you follow the latter…
20 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new workweek, afraid of nothing, all power, ambassadors, an awesome God we serve, aura of love, authority, bring them out unscathed, Christians, commitment, confidence, die on the cross, enthusiasm, floods, friends, get on the good foot, glory to God, go and teach, goodness of god, He will make a way, humble servants, in heaven and in earth, ingrates, invincible, James brown, Jesus Chriss, Jesus died on the cross, jobs, joy, lies, LOVE, loving kindness, make disciples of all nations, make known thy faithfulness, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, not smelling of smoke, of the mercies of the Lord, only one God, peace, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, rise and shine, salvation, save us from our evil doings, sincere hearts, sing, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strong voice, the end of the world, the Great Commission, to all generations, trust, truth, ungodly world, victory, wisdom, with my mouth, work the works of Jesus
Psalm 89:1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Rise and shine my people, it’s a brand new Monday, of a brand new work week, and it’s overflowing with brand new mercies and blessings! Glory to God my brethren, for He will never leave us to suffer unnecessarily. Where there is no way, He will make a way! And when it seems we’ll be consumed by the fires of this world, oh friends, He’ll bring us through them unscathed, not even smelling of smoke.
What an awesome God we serve my fellow believers! And it’s the same with the floods; when they seem ready to overwhelm us, to drown us, He’s promised to bring us through them safely. So what is there for us to be afraid of in this world eh? Absolutely NOTHING! Because the universe belongs to our God, our Father, and He is in total control and will not let evil overcome His children!
His commitment to that was so strong that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save us from our evil doings. So if this Monday morning you are troubled, in dismay, or simply tired and down in the dumps, then please join us in singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, for it lifts our spirits and puts us back on the good foot, like Papa James Brown would say. (smile)
So without further ado, let’s get into it nuh, as one purposeful choir, in strong voice and sincere hearts. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that’s the antidote for whatever ails us this Monday morning! I’m sure you can feel your spirit rising and your soul being reinvigorated, as the adrenaline courses through your body. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit working in us friends! And with such a marvellous transformation taking place, we subsequently have to go out and work the works of Jesus, with a good attitude and a joyful spirit.
It’s imperative that we let the world know, not only by our talk, but more importantly by our walk, of the abundant goodness of God and His exceeding faithfulness and their need to come to Him, just as they are, for comfort and succour. Yeh friends, we have to go out and do like the psalmist Ethan says in our Bit. ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever; with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to ALL generations.’
Now that’s our bounden duty my fellow Christians! Remember Jesus’ Great Commission to His disciples and to all subsequent believers: ‘All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:18-20)
Yeh friends, as the scholars explain: ‘28:18-20. The triumphant living Lord sends forth His ambassadors to proclaim His gospel throughout the world. The Great Commission is not just an order but a pronouncement of victory (mundus regium Christ) by the risen Saviour through His disciples. All power or authority (Gr. exousia) is now in the hands of Christ, in heaven and on earth. On the basis of that authority and power the Christian disciple is to carry out the Great Commission of the church.’
And it’s a joy to go out into this evil world and do that. Why? Listen to the psalmist as he further exalts the Lord, extols His wonderful attributes. ‘Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. Justice and judgement (righteousness and justice) are the habitation (foundation) of thy throne: mercy (LOVING-kindness) and truth shall go before thy face.
Blessed is the people that know the joyful song: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn (our strength) is exalted.’ (Ps.89:13-17)
Now, with all of that going for us, how can we not be excited and enthused, and delighted to go out and extol the wonders of our God eh? We’d be truly a sorry bunch of ingrates if we felt otherwise. Much LOVE!
…the mercies and faithfulness of our God…can never be surpassed by anyone else…for there is ONLY ONE GOD…the ONE we worship…
17 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accomplish the purpose, all creatures, awesome truth, blown bulb, break forth in singing, brier, carnal, clap their hands, come to the waters, consternation, cypress, diligence in God's work, eat bread freely, empty, enjoy yourself, eternal separation, eventual benefit, everlasting promises, far out on the limb, Father, fellowship, Friday chant, frolic, from whom all blessings flow, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, go out with joy, grace, Hades, heavenly host, here below, Holy Ghost, I will rejoice and be glad in it, in Jesus name, inconveniences, it's later than you think, led forth with peace, li'l children, looking over we shoulder, Lucifer, lustful, mechanical ingenuity, mercy, my thoughts, my ways, myrtle, not your thoughts, not your ways, party time, praise God, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, return void, sensible manner, simplicity of soul, slave labour, Son, steal my joy, succulent fruit, TGIF!, thank God for everything, Thank God is Friday, the mountains, the trees of the field, the weekend, the workingman, things of the world, thirsty, this the day the Lord has made, thorn, unfruitful, we time to party, week of work, with the Lord's help
Isaiah 55:8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Ah friends, when it’s not one thing, it’s always another eh? This morning I came down to write the Bit, already a tad late, to find that the bulb in the lamp over my desk had blown. But to complicate matters, when I tried removing the bulb, the glass part broke off from the metal part, leaving the latter in the socket.
You can imagine my consternation, but with the Lord’s help and some mechanical ingenuity (smile) I finally extracted the metal part from the socket. But would you know that when I put in a new bulb, the lamp didn’t work. Steups! So I then had to go around the house looking for a lamp that could fit in the small space allotted for lamps over my computer desk. The old one was clamped to a bookcase over the desk.
Obviously I had no more with clamps, so I have to make do with one sitting on top of the books, and the overhead room lamp, which itself isn’t very bright. I haven’t opened the Good Book as yet to see how I’m going to handle it, but yuh know what? I won’t let those li’l inconveniences steal my joy. I said it when I got up, and I’ll say it again: ‘This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!’ And I hope you will too.
I know the workingman is surely doing that, because he’s been out early singing his song. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! Another week of slave labour done! And now it’s the weekend…Glory be! It’s we time now! No more slave master constantly looking over we shoulder like we is li’l children and doh know how to do we work! Steups! Is we time now to party and do whatever we want to do, whenever we want do it!
And yuh better believe that is exactly what we going to do, especially with the summer quickly coming to an end! As the man says in his song: ‘Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think…!’ And isn’t that the awesome truth! Mama Yo…Is party time! So let’s thank God for Fridays and the weekend yes and go out and enjoy we self!’
Yeh friends, we have to thank God for EVERYTHING, including bad breaks and frustrating inconveniences, for it’s only with His help are we able to overcome them in a sane and sensible manner. And in all truth, the workingman has such simplicity of soul and spirit that you can’t help but admire his commitment to partying.
But unfortunately, or fortunately, as followers of Jesus, we are not allowed to go that far out on the limb to pick the juicy, succulent fruit that we all wish we could pick and enjoy. Hn! But it’s all for our eventual benefit friends, so that we don’t indulge in the carnal and lustful things of the world and give that fallen fool Lucifer a chance to get under our skin, and thus end up in Hades with him, facing eternal damnation and separation from Almighty God.
And all God’s children gave a mighty and grateful shout of ‘Thank You Lord!’ And that’s why our Friday Chant differs from that of the workingman, though mostly in not going to extremes and continuing diligence in God’s work. So let’s chant it now with enthusiasm and sincere anticipation.
All together: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yuh see mih people, we too need to frolic and have fun, but we need to do it in a more restrained way, with some circumspection, as we reboot and get ready for next week’s labours.
And all I want to point out today, is that though the Lord made us know what is what in our Bit: ‘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,’ He is still such a LOVING, kind hearted and compassionate Deity.
After inviting everyone that’s thirsty to come to the waters and drink freely, and those without money to come and eat bread freely, and to stop spending our money on things that don’t satisfy us, (Is.55:1-2) He further promises. ‘For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir (cypress) tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.’ (Is.55:12-13)
Ah friends, what a wonderful God we serve! Who else would make such magnanimous promises eh…and keep them too? Nobody else! And in closing, I just want to remind us that He said His word would not return void (empty or unfruitful), but would accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.
And for His great mercy and grace, we can all sincerely and loudly sing: ‘Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen!’ Have a blessed day my brethren in Christ! Much LOVE!
…only in Christ…can everlasting promises come true…
13 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affirmative attitude, antidote, aura of love, chief scout, chutzpah, confidence, conversation with Jesus, earning our pay, enables us, enthusiasm, evil, falling asleep, five days a week, foundation, free choice, God willing, guards in vain, Guide, heartfelt cry, holy spirit, humble servants, humming a happy tune, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, lies, LOVE, low productivity, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, money, negative state of affairs, on the road, parking lot scenes, productive time, reducing stress, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, sickness, spirit level, spiritual armour, spiritual walk, steadfast faith, summer season, taunts, the Lord build the house, the Lord keep the city, the one who strenthens us, the watchman waketh in vain, they labour in vain, till we meet again, to get wealth, traffic jams, trust, truth, ungodly world, wiles, wisdom
Psalm 127:1. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep (guards) the city, the watchman waketh but in vain (stays awake in vain).
And as the summer season of 2018 winds down, so do the long weekends and short work weeks. We only have Labour Day and Thanksgiving to look forward to before Christmas. That means we’ll be really earning our pay, on the road five days a week, facing the stressful traffic jams morning and evening.
Yuh know, every time I get caught up in one of those highway parking lot scenes, I can’t help but think of the great amount of money and productive time our society loses with so many of us just sitting in our cars, literally crawling to work or home. And these traffic jams are getting worse instead of better because more cars are coming on the road than are being taken off.
Now I don’t claim to know how to fix the problem, but I think it’s something we should seriously look at because it would be of the utmost benefit to our society, greatly reducing the stress, tiredness, sickness and low productivity we now suffer because of the gridlock on the roads. But until some bright mind comes up with a solution to the problem, we’ll just have to grin and endure it my brethren.
Remember too that Jesus is always in our cars, right beside us, so we can just have easy conversation with Him, while we listen to some inspiring music and not let the endless traffic back-up spoil our day. You can’t get a better co-pilot and conversationalist than Jesus!
Now for those of us who find it difficult to get going on a Monday morning, we have the sure antidote for that negative state of affairs. It’s called our Monday Morning Battle Hymn; a powerful, sincere and heartfelt cry to our heavenly Father. So let’s sing it and raise our spirit level nuh…with plenty positive expectation and chutzpah to match. (smile)
All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Yay friends! I can see the effect already. A light has gone on in our eyes, and our movements are more sprightly and positive, and we’re humming a happy tune! Wow! Please, let’s keep up that affirmative attitude as we go out today and talk about Jesus, as well as exemplify Him in our behaviour. That’s all He asks of us.
That brings us to our Bit. ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep (guards) the city, the watchman waketh but in vain (stays awake in vain).’
And that my people is truth to the nth degree, undeniable truth! If the Lord isn’t involved in building whatever we’re building; a house, a business, our spiritual walk, you name it, then it will not be built properly, and/or it will not last. That’s because our great God must be the foundation stone in ALL we do for it to stand strong and prosper.
Remember He is the One who enables us to get wealth, the One who strengthens us so that we can do ALL things. ALL things are possible with Him, and without Him we can do nothing much in our own strength. Even when we’re watching for the enemy to attack during the night, if we’re not watching with the Lord as our companion, guide and chief scout, the enemy will be upon us before we even know it.
Remember Jesus parable about the houses built on rock and on sand? (Matt.7:24-27) Only the one built on the rock will withstand the storms of time, because it’s built on a foundation that’s God! Ah friends, such is the way of the universe! That’s how it’s Creator created it and though we have free choice to do as we please, we’d be wise to do as the Creator planned.
And we’ll finish there for today because what I still have to say would make it way too long. And let me apologize for the Bit being this late, but as I was writing it earlier on, I began falling asleep on myself, (smile) so the only solution was to get some sleep. The ole bod was definitely not its usual self this morning.
So till we meet again on the morrow, God willing of course, please have a bright, blessed and prosperous day! And remember both God and I LOVE you very much! Much LOVE!
…nothing built on a weak foundation lasts…especially our lives…
10 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: burdensome, care, chant up a storm, Christ's Church, cloven tongues, Comforter, commandments, concern, Day of Pentecost, drinking, dwell in light, eating, fallen angel, fellowship, followers of Jesus, foreign languages, Friday chant, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, grievous, grow, hasn't been easy, if you love me, in Jesus name, indisputable truth, joyous abandon, keep my commandments, leggo beast, lewdness, like fire, living it up, LOVE, loved of my father, Lucifer, made mas in Jerusalem, master of your life, overcome the world, party, prince of darkness, promises, prosper, refreshed, regulations, relaxation, renewed, rest, restraint, rules, rushing wind, safely, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the extreme, the LOVE of God, the prince of light, the Spirit of truth, the weekend, the workingman, time to party, toe the party line, tomorrow you may die, truth
John 14:15. If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.
And then it was Friday…already? Yes already. Remember, it was just a short workweek, what with the Caribana Monday holiday. Ah yes! I remember now! That means we into the weekend. Yes. We’re into the weekend.
And does it ever warm the cockles of the workingman’s heart that he sings out with joyous abandon: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! And we only work four days this week! Mama Yo! Ah don’t see why they can’t make it just a four day week all the time nuh. Then we’ll have so much more time to party. Party…Party…Party!
Yeh, life is all about partying, about living it up, about eating and drinking and having a good time, wining down like we did this past Caribana weekend. What did Solomon, the wisest man ever say? Something like eat and drink today, for tomorrow you may die. Well that is exactly what we doing! So if we die tomorrow, we won’t have no regrets. Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Ah friends, that is how the world thinks, how the unwise adherents of the prince of darkness behave. But as followers of, and true believers in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Light, we cannot afford to think or behave like that. Our Crown Prince wants us to behave with a tad more restraint than the workingman. It’s not that we can’t enjoy ourselves, but not to the extent that the world does, in terms of lewdness and leggo beast behaviour.
That difference shows up in our weekend song, our Friday Chant, a much more responsible ditty. So let’s chant up a storm now nuh, in response to the workingman’s proclamation. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that’s more like it mih breddren! We still have fun and enjoy ourselves, but we just don’t take things to the extreme, we exhibit a li’l more care and concern, like Jesus desires of us. As He says so simply and explicitly in our Bit: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.’
It couldn’t get any plainer or simpler than that my people. If we LOVE Jesus we WILL keep His rules and regulations, for every organization has to have a stated, streamlined and orderly manner in which to carry out their business, if they want to grow and prosper. And that’s what Jesus definitely desires of His organization, the church!
So if we want His church to grow and prosper, we must abide by His commands, toe the party line as it were, and not behave like the irresponsible workingman. Jesus said those words in our Bit to His disciples when He was preparing to go back to heaven. Obviously they were grieved and disappointed, but He solemnly promised.
‘And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with 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. I will not leave you comfortless (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. 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 14:16-21)
Oh mih people, what marvellous and miraculous promises, all of which have been kept! And we especially talking about the promise of the new Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which came to earth on the Day of Pentecost and made mas in Jerusalem, with a rushing wind and cloven tongues like fire sitting on the followers of Jesus.
It caused them to speak in foreign languages, and they were so excited, behaving like the workingman I suppose,(smile) that the people of Jerusalem thought they were drunk at that early hour in the morning. And Peter preached one of the best sermons ever preached. You can read all about it in Acts 2.
That’s when the Holy Ghost began to indwell ALL believers…and it still does today! Yes friends, that’s the Comforter Jesus promised, the Spirit of truth, and it certainly does all the things He promised it would. And the world still cannot see it because they don’t believe in and follow Jesus.
And we’ll end with some reinforcements from John in his first epistle. ‘For this is the LOVE of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome). For whatsoever (whosoever) is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?’ (1 John 5:3-5)
Mama Mia! What indisputable truth! Only those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God can overcome this dark and evil world controlled by the fallen angel Lucifer! That’s it, plain and simple! So what shall your decision be eh? Do you want to overcome the world? I certainly hope so. Then you know what to do. Much LOVE!
…if you want to dwell in the light…and overcome the world…then you must accept Jesus as the Master of your life…
06 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: and not faint, at noon, aura of love, blessings, Caribana Monday, cast thy burden upon the Lord, Christians, come together, confidence, cry aloud, disobedience, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, enthusiasm, evening, faith, fears, foolishness, give up on prayer, glorious kingdom, grace, Granny's warning, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, ill-will, in every thing give thanks, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jesus spake a parabble, joy, keep God close, lies, lose heart, LOVE, marrow to our bones, mature believers, men ought always to pray, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, morning, negative consequences, parable, peace, petty differences, pray without ceasing, put aside, raising our song to heaven, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, righteousness., salvation, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, take them to heart, the Father's listening ears, the will of God, trust, ungodly world, victories, will I pray, wisdom
Luke 18:1. And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).
And then it was Caribana Monday… Oh I’ve been calling it Caribana all weekend, but that’s no longer the official title nuh since the original committee was stripped of the authority to put on the festival a few years ago, and they ended up in court over the name.
Don’t ask me what the official name is nuh, because I don’t know, and don’t particularly want to know either. (smile) History will always call this weekend, what it’s supposed to be called: Caribana! End of story.
And by the way it’s not a Federally instigated holiday, but a local government proclamation, so it’s mostly the banks and government offices that are closed, meaning that a lot of folks still have to get up and go out to work, while a blessed few are able to stay home or go out to the numerous parties around the place.
That means there will obviously be some ill will between the two groups, but as mature believers I’m sure we can put our petty differences aside and come together to sing out our Monday Morning Battle Hymn which will energize and refresh all of us, because we’re all tired from participating in the weekend’s festivities So whether you’re going to work or have the day off, let’s concentrate on raising our song to heaven and the Father’s listening ears.
Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
And now we’re all ready and rearing to go out and do Jesus’ work! Wow! How invigorating and refreshing is sincere prayer! You just can’t beat it for restoring the doldrums in our souls. That’s why Jesus gave this strong advice in our Bit. ‘And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).
Yes my breddren, we ought never to lose heart, to give up on prayer and our faithful, omnipotent and gracious God! That’s because prayer lends sustenance to our souls and our spirits. No wonder Bruh Paul also told us to ‘pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess.5:17) That means to lend ourselves continually to prayer.
And it’s not like we’re supposed to walk around praying audibly every minute of every day, but we ought to be in a godly space most of the time. That’s a place where God is more on our minds than He is not. Where we don’t do stuff, or make decisions without consulting Him. Where we share our fears and hopes, and thank Him for even the small victories that we have as we journey through each day.
Bruh Paul said that too: ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess.5:18) So whether the times are good or the times are rough, we need to keep a good prayerful, thankful attitude. The important thing is to keep God close at hand, let Him be an integral part of our everyday lives, the way He desires to be.
Oh, and for those of you who will be in the party scene today, please remember Granny’s wise words: ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober mind yuh business.’ And I know some of you think it’s foolishness, but if we’re truthful, we can all look back at some particular time(s) and genuinely wish that we had followed it, because of the negative consequences we’ve suffered, or might still be suffering for our disobedience.
And we’ll close this Caribana Monday morning with some appropriate words from Bruh David. ‘As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice…. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer (permit) the righteous to be moved (shaken).’ (Ps.55:16-17,22)
Truer words were never spoken friends. So let’s be wise and take them to heart nuh, they will be marrow to our bones (strength to our souls). Much LOVE!
…as believers…we ought to spend more time in simple prayer…and the giving of thanks for small mercies…
30 Jul 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversity, almighty god, anxiety, aura of love, calamities, Christians, climate change, confidence, Creator of the universe, dictatorial leanings, economic upheaval, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fellowship, flurry of leaders, friends, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, grace, happy, heat waves, hope, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, joy, lies, LOVE, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, peace, raises up, record-breaking weather, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, righteousness., salvation, sex abuse, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strife, surrender to Christ, the god of Jacob, the Lord upholds all that fall, those that are bowed down, transgender issues, trust, truth, ungodly world, was, wildfires, wisdom, worry
Psalm 145:14. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Well friends, what’s next eh? Let’s ignore war and strife, as well as economic upheaval, poverty and sickness, for those seem to be staples of our modern supposedly prosperous society. This year we’ve already had record-breaking cold weather and winter storms and we’re now in the midst of record-breaking heat waves all over the world.
There’s also extensive drought. But on the other hand, we have excessive rainfall and breaking dams that cause terrible flooding, with ongoing dangerous volcano activity, not to mention the spate of deadly wildfires wreaking havoc around the globe. What else is on the agenda eh? Oh hurricanes and tornadoes! They haven’t set in seriously as yet. But be sure they will come around eventually.
And when you add to all that the flurry of leaders coming to power with definite dictatorial leanings, who insist that climate change is not a factor in our ongoing adversity, it doesn’t augur well for our world. Oh, and don’t forget sex abuse and transgender issues; the new kids on the block. Hn! I don’t know if Mother Earth has ever been in such a sad state.
But yuh know what mih breddren? Be all of that as it may, the most important thing to remember is that Almighty God, the Creator and Controller of the universe is still on His throne and NOTHING will happen unless it fits into His overall plan. And that plan is a wonderful one, especially for those who trust and surrender their lives to Him, through the auspices of His Son, Jesus Christ!
So if you are one of those wise and blessed people, you won’t allow the calamities our world is currently experiencing to drive you crazy with worry and anxiety. However though, some of us are definitely disturbed by the fact that it’s Monday and we have to get up to go to work. Our minds and bodies just don’t seem up to the task.
But don’t worry, as followers of Jesus, we have the right antidote for that disturbing Monday morning feeling. We call it our Monday Morning Battle Hymn! So let’s raise it up to heaven and allow the Father to uplift our souls and spirits in return.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Yes friends, I know your spirits have been uplifted! I can see the new gleam in your eyes and the aura of confidence that’s now being exhibited in your body language. (smile) So let’s go out and do whatever we have to do for Jesus nuh, with diligence and excellence, as is our bounden duty.
And as we go, let’s write these immortal words of Bruh David deep and indelibly in our hearts, so that they can help to keep our faith strong. ‘The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.’
Oh my people, that’s no lie! And we have a good example of that in Bruh David himself. Whenever adversity came against him and his spirit plummeted, the Lord always lifted him up. But that’s because he cultivated a good, constant relationship with God, and thus could cry out to Him for help. And the Lord will do the same for us if we stay close to Him and cry out for help in our time of trouble and confusion.
Remember what Jesus said, that He came to save those who were lost, to help the sick and suffering, the poor and needy. So anytime you fall into one of those categories, be assured that Jesus will be there to help you. And as He said again in His Great Invitation: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
Friends, there will NEVER be a better or more sincere invitation than that! And there’s absolutely no need to worry about if Jesus will keep His word. Just look at what He has already done for us nuh; sacrificed His sinless life so that we could be saved from our sins. Why would He then turn us away after that eh? It would just be negating all His sacrifices.
And the psalmist puts it this way: ‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God…Which executeth judgement (justice) for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth (gives freedom to) the prisoners. The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord LOVETH the righteous.’ (Ps.146:5,7-8)
Of all of that stuff there is no doubt my fellow believers! Consequently, it is of the utmost importance for us to get thoroughly acquainted with God, so that we won’t wallow in the mire of life for too long. Much LOVE!
…whether you’re on your knees in prayer…or have fallen from grace…the Lord will always lift you up…you just have to sincerely call on Him…
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