20 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a change of diet, a little child shall lead them, a new week of work, all people will walk in the name of his god, arenas of strife, as the waters cover the sea, be established on the top of the mountains, beat their swords into plowshares, belly and backbone, big headlines, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, chaos, constantly buffeted, destruction, divine aid, do our best for Jesus, every promise of God will be eventually fulfilled, evil deeds, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, for ever and ever, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, he shall judge among many people, he will teach us of his ways, heartache, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, hunky dory, in all it's potential fruitfulness, in the last days, it shall be exalted above the hills, it shall come to pass, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore, none shall make them afraid, peace and harmony will characterize the Messiah's kingdom, people shall flow unto it, put his hand on the cockatrice den, ravenous animals, rebuke strong nations, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, right back where we started, sally forth with confidence, salvation, sit every man under his vine, strife, surrender our all to you, targeted by evildoers, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, the chaos currently consuming our world, the covenant between God and Israel, the cow and the bear shall feed, the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, the law shall go forth out of Zion, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the light of the world, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, the Lord's promise, the Millennium reign of Christ, the mountain of the house of the Lord, the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it, the salt of the earth, the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, the throne of grace, the weaned child, the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, their spears into pruninghooks, their young ones shall lie down together, they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, to lead and guide all your servants, to the house of the God of Jacob, truth, under his fig tree, under Satan's direction, we know we're invincible, we will walk in his paths, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 July 2026 Micah 4:3b.
Micah 4:3b. nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
And we’re right back where we started… Monday; that glorious day that just invigorates us, as we go out into a new week to continue doing good work for Jesus in this evil and corrupt world. Somehow though, we don’t seem to be making much of a difference because every day new arenas of strife and hate seem to be opening up and old ones are not being closed. It’s easier to count the countries where no serious strife exists than to count those that are being targeted by the evildoers under Satan’s direction.
There are so many, that most of them no longer make the headlines but have become forgotten in light of the more newsworthy ones, like that between the U.S and Iran, Israel and Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, and Russia and the Ukraine. All those in places like Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and several other states in Africa and the Eastern world, as well as in South America, are now being ignored because they don’t make big headlines and sell news like the bigger ones now on centre stage. But unfortunately, many of those smaller ones have been around longer than the big ones and are creating just as much strife and heartache as those we’re now focused on.
Oh, how we long for that day when the Lord’s promise as declared by Isaiah and Micah will come true. Micah says it thus: ‘But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in (on) the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people (peoples) shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of (out of) Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
And he shall judge among (between) many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.’ (Mic. 4: 1-5)
Oh my people, what a blessed day that will be, as the scholars explain, when Jesus comes to set up His Millenium reign, and every promise given to Abraham and to Israel will ultimately be fulfilled. They also explain that ‘the vine and fig tree are both native to Israel. They flourish into luxuriant, natural arbours under which people can sit and enjoy fellowship while being shaded from the heat of the day. Both were used symbolically to represent the basic covenant between God and Israel in all its potential fruitfulness.’
And wouldn’t it be glorious to be sitting in such shade and enjoying peaceful and LOVING fellowship with each other, rather than the hate, anger, strife, evil deeds, destruction and chaos that’s currently consuming our world? It surely would be! But I guess until such time as Jesus returns, we’ll just have to exhibit much belly and backbone while doing what little we can to improve it. I’m also dying to see this other prophecy from Isaiah.
‘The wolf shall also dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed (graze); their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling (nursing) child shall play on the hole of the asp (cobra), and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ (viper’s) den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.’ (Is. 11:6-9)
What a day that will be when the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord! But that also seems to be not until Christ comes again to take up His rightful rule. As the scholars say: ‘Peace and harmony will characterize the Messiahs kingdom. Ravenous predatory animals – wolf, leopard, lion and bear – are set in deliberate contrast to the more defenseless lamb, kid, calf, cow and ox.
That the lion shall eat straw implies a change of diet. Even the asp and the cockatrice (snakes) will be harmless to a small child. Isaiah sees the Messiah ruling the world in righteousness and a peace that extends even to the animal kingdom. During this time the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Thus the prophet sees beyond the restoration of Judah to a time when the Messiah will rule the entire world.’
And we also look forward to that wonderful and amazing time, without wars and hate and strife, just LOVE and peace! Now, let’s go to the throne of grace through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us stand strong and steadfast in Christ until that marvellous day comes.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now friends, it’s up to us to go out there and do our best for Jesus. Let’s remember that we’re the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and in Jesus we can do anything He calls us to do! Much LOVE!
…in the Messiah’s kingdom…everything will be hunky dory…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
13 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a day in thy courts is better than a thousand, a reversal of fortune, acknowledgement of God's faithfulness, another new work week, be a doorkeeper, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, came upon me to devour my flesh, Christ is our be all and end all, doing our best, exalt him, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, God our shield, God shall wipe away all tears, goes round and round, he hath triumphed gloriously, he is become my salvation, he is my God, hide me in his pavilion, holy spirit, humble servants, I will sing unto the Lord, in the house of my God, in the secret of his tabernacle, in the time of trouble, in this will I be confident, incredible aura of LOVE, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jesus is our sin bearer, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, laugh at those going to work, locked out of the new Jerusalem, look upon the face of thine anointed one, LOVE, make every day count, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, Messiah, mine enemies and my foes, my father's God, my heart shall not fear, names written in the Lamb's Book of Life, neither for brightness shall the moon give light, neither sorrow nor crying, no good thing will he withhold, no more death, no more pain, no need of the sun or moon, no night there, of whom shall I be afraid, praise God, prepare him an habitation, put our brave words into action, Redeemer, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, retirement, sally forth with confidence, salvation, set me upon a rock, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the BIBLE, the days of thy mourning shall be ended, the fires of hell, the gates shall not be shut at all by day, the glory of God illuminated it, the grim reaper, the horse and his rider, the Lamb is the light thereof, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it, The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord is my light and my salvation, the Lord is my strength and song, the Lord is the strength of my life, the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, the Lord will give grace and glory, the merry-go-round, the new heaven and the new earth, the song of Moses, the sons of Korah, the stage of our working life, the sun shall be no more thy light by day, the throne of grace, the wicked, them that walk uprightly, they stumbled and fell, though an host should encamp against me, though war should rise against me, thrown into the sea, to dwell in the tents of wickedness, to lead and guide all your servants, truth, walk in the light of it, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whom shall I fear, wisdom, wisdom says be wise
Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 July 2026 Psalm 27:1.
Psalm 27:1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Another day, another Monday, another new work week! And the merry-go-round keeps going around and around, but just where does it stop? Who knows? Because that’s the way our society is set up. True relief might only be found when the Grim Reaper comes a calling. Or if you are lucky or blessed you might have a short time in what we call retirement, where you can lay in your bed on a Monday morning and just laugh at all those going out to labour.
Unfortunately though, many of us don’t get to enjoy such a reversal of fortune, and therefore we have to make every day count by doing our best while we’re out there on the stage of our working life. But enough of my amateur philosophizing, (smile) let’s see what the Lord wants us to talk about this Monday morning in mid-July. And the Good Library opened today at that marvellous, encouraging Psalm 27 – My Heart Shall Not Fear – so I assume that’s what the Lord wants us to consider today.
So, please read with me these beautiful and reassuring sentiments of Bruh David. ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up (devour) my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident… For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock.’ (Ps. 27:1-3; 5)
Yes friends, that’s the kind of God we serve and the way our faith ought to reassure us of God’s faithfulness, and strength. It’s like the song Moses sang unto the Lord about His defeat of Pharaoh’s army. ‘I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation (praise him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex. 15:1-2) And Moses had cause to praise and exalt God, just like we do, for His sending Jesus to be our sin bearer, redeemer, Messiah; in fact, our Be All and End All!
Then the Sons of Korah also exalt God and praise His holy name in Psalm 84 – Rejoicing in God’s Tabernacle. ‘Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed (commissioned) one. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper (stand in the threshold) in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.’ (Ps. 84:9-12)
Meanwhile, Isaiah reassured his people thus: ‘The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.’ (Is. 60:19-20)
Oh my faithful brethren, the Lord is indeed our light and our salvation, and He keeps that promise in the Book of Revelation, where John says of the new heaven and new earth: ‘And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten (illuminate it), and the Lamb is the light thereof.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And there shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh (causes) abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.’ (Rev. 21:22-27)
Ah mih bredrin, yuh see how important it is to have our names written in the Lamb’s book of life! For if your name’s not written therein, then you won’t be entering the new heaven and the new earth, you will be locked out of the new Jerusalem and will be spending time with Beelzebub and all his evil cronies in the fires of hell. And we all know that’s not a nice place to spend any time at all.
What we truly need to be enjoying then, is this wonderful situation that John describes in that New Jerusalem: ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away’ (Rev. 21: 4) And I can only jump for joy and shout, ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ longing to see that day when there will be no more pain. (smile)
Now, with all that reassurance and encouragement under our belts, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us stand strong for Jesus, with our names indelibly recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let’s get out there and put those brave words into action! Much LOVE!
…Wisdom says…be wise…and live to see the New Jerusalem…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
06 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit, a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, a new week of work, an unholy mess, apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age, believe not every spirit, beware of false prophets, blasphemers, boasters, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, born of God, bounden duty, brutal, check the conformity of their teaching with the scriptures, Christ's return to earth, christianity, come to you in sheep's clothing, conquerors, covetous, deceitful workers, denying the power thereof, despisers of those that are good, disobedient to parents, distort the truth of the gospel, dog eat dog world, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus is come in the flesh, face the rat race our world has become, faith, false accuser, fierce, figs of thistles, fill us with steadfast faith, from such turn away, furthering your glorious kingdom, gather grapes of thorns, get our act together, greater is he that is in you, haughty, have it more abundantly, having a form of godliness, heady, hereby know ye the Spirit of God, highminded, holy spirit, humble servants, in the last days perilous times shall come, incontinent, invincible, inwardly they are ravening wolves, irreconcilable, Jesus came the we might have life, Jesus Christ, keeping lives and families together, know them by their fruits, live a godly and abundant life, look like innocent lambs, LOVE, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, many false prophets are in the world, meet the enemy in battle, men shall be lovers of their own selves, ministers of righteousness, money lovers, over the weekend, proud, rat race, ravenous wolves, reckless, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan transforms himself, serve a useful purpose, slanderers, such are false apostles, surrender our all to you, than he that is in the world, thankful for jobs, the angel of light, the BIBLE, the devil only comes to steal and destroy, the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit, the nature of the beast, the omnipotent omniscient omni-present God, the spirit of antichrist, the throne of grace, the ushering in of the church age, time to turn up the heat on the devil, to lead and guide all your servants, traitors, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, truce breakers, truth, try the spirits whether they be of God, turning away from the faith, unholy, unthankful, we have all the tools to handle it, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whose end shall be according to their works, wisdom, without natural affection, without self-control, wrought in our weary souls, ye are of God little children, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 July 2026 Matthew 7:15.
Matthew 7:15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves.
It’s Monday my brethren… and that means work! Yes, we’ve got to get out there and face the rat race that our world has become. But the good news is that we have all the parts and all the tools to handle it through the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ that indwells us. We just have to get our act together and make use of what we’ve been given to live a godly and abundant life. And I believe the rat race and dog eat dog situation that our world has become was well described by Bruh Paul in his second letter to Timothy, when he solemnly warned him: ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.’ (2 Tim. 3:1)
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘The last days began with the birth of Christ, (or the ushering in of the church age), and will culminate in Christ’s return to the earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy (turning away from the faith) will characterize the final days of the church age.’ And there are indeed a lot of people turning away from the faith in these evil and ungodly times. Our world today is exactly like Bruh Paul describes it to Timothy.
‘For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), highminded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more than (rather than) lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’ (2 Tim. 3:2-5)
Oh friends, if we go through all those categories, we’ll find that our world is indeed overwhelmingly full of each one, consequently why it’s in such a disastrous and chaotic state. For a world filled with so much ungodliness and evil cannot help but be disastrous and chaotic; it’s just the very nature of such a beast. So, we should not be surprised that some think that these are truly the last days, because our world is in such an unholy mess. And per the term, a form of godliness, the scholars explain that as having mere religion without power or spiritual life. That’s why Paul commands Timothy to stay away from those false teachers.
And Bruh Paul also warns about them in his letter to the Corinthians, where he writes; ‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed (transforms himself) as the angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.’ (2 Cor. 11:13-15)
And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Himself warned about these false people. ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil (bad) fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil (bad) fruit), neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.’ (Matt. 7:15-18)
Those false prophets and teachers distort the truth of the gospel, and although they look like innocent lambs, they are instead ravenous and destructive wolves hiding under the umbrella of Christ’s gospel to lead people astray. And most of them preach one thing but live another. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that we check the conformity of their teaching with that of the scriptures. That’s why John in his first epistle also asked his readers to test the doctrine of those who come pretending to be teachers of the gospel.
‘Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:1-4)
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Christ who dwells in us believers, is greater than Satan who dwells in the followers of the world. And our strength to overcome lies in the fact that we are born of the omnipotent, omniscient, and omni-present God! So, although the antichrist and his cronies might be somewhat powerful and very deceitful, they are no match for those who believe in Christ. However, as we said at the beginning, we must be careful and use all the tools we’ve been given, if we want to be successful in this chaotic world.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, with humble confidence, (smile) seeking divine aid in these troubled times. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time we turn up the heat on the devil and his evil cronies! That’s our bounden duty! So let’s get to it nuh! Much LOVE!
…the devil only comes to lie and steal and destroy…but Jesus came that we might have life…and have it more abundantly…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fine family, a job to go to, a new week of work, a powerful creative God exists, a roof over their heads, a short work wek, a state of chaos, alive and kicking, allow your incredible aura of love, be acceptable in thy sight, be in such a disastrous state, big celebration, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, by them is thy servant warned, Canada Day, Christ is alive and kicking, cleanse me from my secret faults, clothes on their backs, converting the soul, don't have the opportunity to work, enduring for ever, enlightening the eyes, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, food on the table, furthering your glorious kingdom, give their eye teeth, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God's Law, God's law is authentic, God's preachers in the sky, God's special revelation, have dominion over me, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I shall be upright, innocent from the great transgression, invincible, Jesus Christ, keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, keeping lives and families together, keeping the law brings great reward, kept from hidden sins, kept from willful sins, lack of knowledge, let the words of my mouth, look at it realistically, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, making wise the simple, man's thinking be pleasing to God, mercy, more to be desired than gold, my redeemer, my strenght, objective proof, one twenty-four hour spin of the clock, opens the eyes of those in darkness, over the weekend, proclaim 24 hours a day that God exists, rejoicing the heart, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve a useful purpose, speak a universal language, stop looking at any day with distaste, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, sweeter also than honey, take umbrage, the amenities we enjoy, the commandment of the Lord is pure, the drippings of the honeycomb, the fear of the Lord is clean, the heavenly bodies, The Heavens Declare God's Glory, the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous, the law of the Lord is perfect, the man of faith, the meditation of my heart, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the reverence of God, the statutes of the Lord are right, the testimony of the Lord is sure, to lead and guide all your servants, took the Lord's law seriously, truth, unfair jobs, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, who can understand his errors, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 June 2026 Psalm 19:7.
Psalm 19:7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
And one more twenty-four-hour spin of the clock brings us back to that wonderful day called Monday! Some people will take umbrage at calling Monday wonderful, but if we look at it realistically, we’ll discover that we’re alive and kicking, we have a job to go to, a fine family with a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food on the table, and we’re going back out to work on this Monday so we can keep all of that good stuff happening…and even possibly improving.
Now, we’d be surprised to know how many people don’t have that opportunity to work, or the amenities we have, but don’t truly appreciate, and they would give their eye teeth to have them. So please let’s stop looking at Monday, or any other day for that matter, with distaste, because it disturbs and disrupts our poor work ethic. (smile) And are we ever so blessed here in Canada, that this will only be a four-day work week since we are celebrating Canada Day on the first of July. Wow! The week’s not only short, but we get a big celebration right in the middle of it! What more can we ask for eh? Not much.
Today, we’ll look at a few verses from Psalm 19, titled, ‘The Heavens Declare God’s Glory.’ In the first six verses, Bruh David talks about how the heavens continually show us God’s power. It’s like the scholars explain: ‘The point of the first six verses is that the heavenly bodies are objective proof that a powerful, creative God exists. The heavens are God’s preachers in the sky who proclaim 24 hours a day the truth that God exists, and furthermore, they speak a universal language.’
Those six verses, you can read for yourself, but today we’re concerned with the next few, which tell us about God’s special revelation, His law, which Bruh David describes thus: ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (the drippings of the honeycomb). Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.’ (Ps. 19:7-11)
Oh my people, you see how wonderful and valuable the law of our God is for living this earthly life! And Bruh David uses five different synonyms to describe it: law, testimony, statutes, commandment and judgement. But however you term it, in its perfection; it has the awesome power to convert or restore our souls. It’s sure, no dispute whatsoever over it’s authenticity, plus it’s able to add wisdom to the simple and unenlightened. Then it’s so right that it causes our hearts to rejoice when we contemplate it. The Lord’s law is also pure, so pure that it can enlighten the eyes, that’s open the eyes of those consumed by darkness and lack of knowledge.
And don’t’ talk about the fear or reverence of our great God; that is clean and endures forever! Meanwhile His judgements, or justice are always true and righteous. Furthermore, God’s law also warns us when we’re doing wrong, better still, keeping God’s law, offers plenty rewards. Oh friends, the law of our God is so precious and desirable that it’s more desirable than gold, and it’s even sweeter than honey, or the drippings of the honeycomb! Wow! Can you imagine that? Most likely not, otherwise we would be obeying His law much more than we’re currently doing, and our world would not be in such a state of chaos and uncertainty.
That’s why Bruh David continues: ‘Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great (much) transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (rock), and my redeemer).’ (Ps. 19:12-14) That’s all a sinful man can ask.
And the scholars explain those last verses thus. ‘The man of faith can respond only with a prayer that he be kept from both hidden sins (vs. 12) and willful sins (vs.13); and that even what he thinks may be pleasing to the Lord.’ And that’s the truth; we can’t keep the law without God’s help, and in His awesome generosity, He’s invited us to approach the throne of grace in confidence and humility to seek His divine aid in troubled times. And we are in troubled times right now, so let’s take Him up on His offer through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And if our prayer was sincere, God will keep His promise and do what we asked. Then it’s up to us to keep our promise by going out and successfully engaging the enemy in battle! Much LOVE!
…if we only took the Lord’s law seriously…our lives and our world…would not be in such a disastrous state…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
22 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all whose works are truth, allow your incredible aura of love, an idol, be disobedient to God, before the God of his fathers, begin a new week of work, besought the Lord his God, better relations can blossom from interaction, better to have some interaction than no interaction, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, bound him with fetters, brings estranged fathers and children together, bronze chains, brought him again to Jerusalem, built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the temple, built altars in the house of the Lord, carried him to Babylon, caused his children to pass through the fire, children must make their own personal choice for God, constantly buffeted, consulted mediums, dangerous jobs, dealt with a familiar spirit, desecrated the Lord's temple and the grounds, divine aid, do as we promised, don't depend on their parents relationship to God, Dr. Charles Stanley, emphasizes the need, faith, Father's Day celebrations, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gives it to whom he will, giveth it to whomsoever he will, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God abases those that walk in pride, he built again the high places, he did that which was evil in the Lord's sight, his ways judgement, holy spirit, humble servants, humbled himself greatly, I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the king of heaven, in affliction, in Jerusalem shall my name be for ever, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, justice, keep us on the straight and narrow path, keeping lives and families together, know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, lead and guide all your servants, like unto the abominations of the heathen, LOVE, made groves, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, man is naturally stubborn and rebellious, Manasseh made Judah and Jerusalem to err, mercy, Nebuchadnezzar's boast, nose hooks, obey God and leave all the consequences to him, observed times, parents need to communicate personal godliness to their children, places for pagan worship, practiced soothsaying, prayed unto him, provoked the Lord to anger, put an idol in the temple, reared up altars for Baailim, refused to listen, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, sentenced him to seven years of madness, serve a useful purpose, set a carved image in the house of God, sorcery, spiritists, spiritual armour, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, the Lord brought upon them, the Lord heard his supplication, the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, the number one rule for earthly living, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the son of the godly Hezekiah, the throne of grace, the wickedness of Manasseh, then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God, they would not hearken, those that walk in pride He is able to abase, to do worse than the heathen, took Manasseh among the thorns, truth, used enchantments, was intreated of him, weak and puny, wisdom, witchcraft, wizards, wooden images, worshipped all the host of heaven, worshipped the gods of the Assyrians, wrought in our weary souls, wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 June 2026 2 Chronicles 33:13b.
2 Chronicles 33:13b. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
So the Father’s Day celebrations are finished now, and it’s back to work on a somewhat wet and cloudy Monday. But there are questions as to whether the celebrations are necessary because of the many unused, not needed or wanted gifts the occasion produces. However, using that same argument you can cut out almost every major celebration we currently enjoy. And we certainly do have too many celebrations nowadays, for almost every day something is being celebrated. The important thing about Father’s Day though is that it brings children and fathers together who might not see, talk to, or associate with each other very often during the year.
What we’re trying to rebuild is the rather poor connection that exists today between too many children and their fathers, because of the unfortunate prevalence of divorce, separation and single-family homes At least on a day like that there’s some interaction and better relations can blossom from it. It’s always better to have some interaction than no interaction at all. So, the vote is against repealing Father’s Day! (smile)
And friends, today we’ll look at a very interesting story that deals with the reign of King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah. The Bible tells us first off that ‘Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.’ (2 Chr. 33:1) So he had a long reign, but was it profitable?
Not to begin with, for the Bible continues: ‘But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places (places for pagan worship) which Hezikiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves (wooden images), and worshipped all the host of heaven (the gods of the Assyrians) and served them.’ (2 Chr. 33:2-4.) Yes mih bredrin, Hezkiah had broken down all the pagan worship places and forbidden them during his reign, but unfortunately his son Manasseh restored it all.
And furthermore, ‘Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. (2 Chr. 33:4-5) He even desecrated the Lord’s temple and the grounds, thus destroying all the good work that his father Hezekiah had done. And the scholars make an interesting statement here. They say, ‘The wickedness of Manasseh, the son of the godly Hezekiah, emphasizes the need for parents to communicate personal godliness to their children. Children must make their own personal choice for God and not depend simply on their parents’ relationship to God.’
And it’s obvious that Manasseh did not make his personal choice for God, but for Satan. For as the Bible continues: ‘And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times (practiced soothsaying), and used enchantments (witchcraft), and used witchcraft (sorcery), and dealt with a familiar spirit (consulted mediums), and with wizards (spiritists): he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.’ (2 Chr. 33:6)
That would drive anybody to anger. But to make things even worse, the Bible tells us: ‘And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God (the temple), of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever.’ (2 Chr. 33:7) Now imagine that nuh, putting a carved image in God’s sanctuary. And what was the consequence of all that?
The Bible says: ‘So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the Lord spake to Mannaseh and his people: but they would not hearken.’ (2 Chr. 33:9-10) And my fellow believers, we all know that when the Lord speaks to you about your disobedience, and you fail to listen, then the eventual consequences won’t be very pleasant.
And they certainly won’t for Manasseh and the people. The Bibe declares: ‘Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns (with nose hooks), and bound him with fetters (bronze chains), and carried him to Babylon.’ (2 Chr. 33:11)
Now I don’t think that made Manasseh very happy, but it did do wonders for his wisdom. For as the Bible relates: ‘And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.’ (2 Chr. 33:12-13)
Oh my people, why do we have to be disobedient to God, and thus put ourselves through so much distress, when we can easily do His will in the first place? Because we’re naturally stubborn and rebellious, thinking that we are powerful and know it all, when we’re weak and puny, and don’t know anything.
That’s another story like the Babylonian king Nebuchadnnezzar, who felt he had built a mighty palace through his own power, but before he could even finish speaking, the Lord had sentenced him to seven years of madness, living with beasts in the field and eating grass like the oxen, ‘until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.’ (Dan. 4:32) And Neb did achieve wisdom after the seven years of madness, as he subsequently declared: ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble).’ (Dan. 4:37)
Now let’s hope that delves deep into our hearts and keeps us on the straight and narrow path. And for help to do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that, we now need to get out there and do as we promised. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley)…so wisely declared…the number one rule for earthly living is…obey God and leave all the consequences to him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
01 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer Monday, a little folding of the hands to sleep, a little slumber, a prowler, a society is only as strong and productive as its people, a spirit of diligence, a wonderful work ethic, allow your incredible aura of love, another mistake, as good Christian folk, as one that travelleth, asking for forgivenss, be wise, begin a new week of work, beginning to decay, bring about positive change, christianity, Christians, Christians need to unite, colonies of ants are always busy, consider her ways and be wise, constantly buffeted, crazy idea, deeper and deeper, dire want, divine aid, do good work for Jesus, do nothing productive, do our duty, encouragement, enthusiasm, eventual poverty, expect forgiveness, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gathereth her food in the harvest, get serious and come together, getting on in age, glorify Jesus' awesome name, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go to the ant thou sluggard, God has not given us a spirit of laziness, habitual laziness, having no guide leader overseer, holy spirit, hope and pray, how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard, humble servants, industriousness, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible conquerors, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, leads to destruction, learn two important lessons from the ant, LOVE, make another apology, make living too easy, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mankind, many who choose to sit on our fannies, May only had thrity days, mercy, numerous separate entities, ONE body in Christ, one of the lowliest of God's creations, only human, our Father who art in heaven, over the weekend, perseveraance, poverty will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber, prepare for predictable circumstances, provideth her meat in the summer, quicksand, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-starter, serve a useful purpose, sluggard, so shall thy poverty come, somebody looking over their shoulder, standing over it to make it work, suffeing from a lack of positive production, surrender our all to God, the ant has no taskmaster, the apple of God's creation, the BIBLE, the enemy's evil schemes, the first day of June, the habitually lazy person, the last of my mistakes, the mind sometimes gets fuzzy, the poor are getting poorer, the result of laziness is dire poverty, the rich are getting richer, the society begins going downhill, the throne of grace, the wisdom and knowledge imbued in man by God, this wealthy comfortable society, thy want as an armed man, to, to lead and guide all your servants, too many amentities, truth, turbulent and uncertain times, unfortunate circumstances, we're not afraid, wealth distributed more equitably, wealth is consolidated in too few hands, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep, wisdom, wise enough to, wise words that seem appropriate, work ethic, wrought in our weary souls, yet a little sleep
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 June 2026 Proverbs 6:9.
Proverbs 6:9. How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Oh friends, the first day of June 2026 has turned out to be a beautiful summer Monday, which ought to give us encouragement and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Jesus! (smile) But, unfortunately, I need to make another apology for another mistake, don’t know how many of you noticed it, but this one was in Saturday’s Bit, where I claimed that that was the last day of the month … and I did it twice to boot, at the beginning and at the end. I don’t know where I got the crazy idea that May only had thirty days. My mind must be going on me.
And it seems like I had forgotten the old rhyme that they taught us back in the old days: ‘Thirty days have April, June and September; the rest have thirty-one, except February which has twenty-eight, but in leap years twenty-nine.’ But somehow or the other I got it in my mind that May only had thirty days. So again, I’m asking for your forgiveness, and as good Christian folk, expect you to give it to me most willingly, (smile) for the ole fella is only human and is also getting on in age, and you know the mind sometimes gets fuzzy when that happens. So, let’s hope and pray that will be the last of my mistakes for a while. (smile)
And on this marvellous Monday in June, let’s look at some wise words of Cousin Sol, that seem rather appropriate for these turbulent and uncertain times, and can only benefit us if we follow them. Now, Cousin Sol’s first admonishment in this passage is: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide (leader), overseer or ruler, Provideth her meat (grain or bread) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:6-8)
Oh my people, what wise and wonderful words and ever so applicable to many of us in this wealthy, comfortable society, who choose to just sit on our fannies and don’t do anything productive. It’s as the scholars explain: ‘The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. He is admonished to learn two important lessons from the ant: (1) the ant has no guide, overseer, or ruler (vs. 7), meaning that the ant does not have to have a taskmaster standing over it to make it work; it is a self-starter. (2) The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances (vs.8).’
Yes mih brethren, we’ve all seen how colonies of ants are always busy, especially in the summer months, when they go about collecting food and storing it away for the winter months when food is hard to come by. And they don’t need to be told to do that, or have somebody looking over their shoulder prodding them to do it. So, if ants, one of the lowliest of God’s creations, are so wise and have such a wonderful work ethic, why can’t mankind, the apple of God’s creation, with all the wisdom and knowledge imbued in Him by His Creator, react the same way to life eh?
Possibly because our society has gotten too wealthy and we have too many amenities that make living too easy. But wait, Cousin Sol isn’t done with the sluggard, for he continues: ‘How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (a prowler), and thy want (need) as an armed man.’ (Prov. 6:9-11)
And what’s that all about you ask? Listen to the scholars’ explanation: ‘Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard (vs.9). His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little bit more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dire poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber (v.11).’ And isn’t that the awful truth! Habitual laziness only leads to dire want and eventual poverty. No wonder there are so many needy people in our society. Now let’s note that all needy people are not lazy, but some have indeed endured genuine unfortunate circumstances.
However, there are indeed too many lazy people in our society, from which the work ethic is quickly disappearing, and once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before the society itself begins going downhill. That’s because a society is only as strong and productive as its people. And when we look around our world, despite our total wealth, which unfortunately is consolidated in too few hands, many societies are suffering from a lack of positive production and are thus beginning to decay.
Who knows if the wealth was distributed more equitably, if the situation would change, but for sure right now, the rich are getting insanely richer while the poor are getting inhumanely poorer, and that’s not a good situation for our world. So what can be done about it? We Christians, supposed believers in, and followers of Christ, are the only ones who can bring about positive change. But before we can do that, we desperately need to unite as the ONE BODY in Christ that we were created to be, not the numerous separate entities that we’ve become. And if we don’t unite soon, our world will just keep getting deeper and deeper in the quicksand that leads to total destruction.
And to help us do all we need to do to turn the situation around, let’s confidently, but humbly, approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s get serious and come together, so that we can do our duty and glorify Jesus’ awesome name! Much LOVE!
…Jesus has not given us a spirit of laziness…but one of diligence…industriousness…and perseverance…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a disciplined mind, add any enthusiasm to the situation, all for the glory of Jesus, all the days of thy life, allow your incredible aura of love, another new work week, as I was with Moses so will I be with thee, be constantly in thy mouth, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed, be strong and of a good courage, but of power love and of a sound mind, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, dangerous and unfair jobs, depend on us to a large extent, divide for an inheritance, divine aid, don't be afraid of any task God gives us, don't turn away from the law, drilled into Joshua's brain, encouragement, face challenges, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, furthering your glorious kingdom, get into the groove, God's conversation with Joshua, have good success, have I not commanded thee, have success, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I praise and thank you God, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, inclement weather, inspire us to rise to greater heights, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keep our promises, keeping families together, living in fear, LOVE, make thy way prosperous, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mano a mano, meditate therein day and night, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, no man shall be able to stand against thee, no partying on Monday, observe to do according to all the law, observe to do all that's written therein, our omnipotent and merciful God, perform like you're capable of performing, positive reassurance of our faith, prerequisites for success, prosper, put it into action, reassurance, regardless of what happens, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, step up to the plate, sudy the law and live by it, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the evil and ungodly world, the fulfillment of promises, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the gospel truth, the Lord thy God is with thee wherever you go, the lustful ways of the world, the throne of grace, this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, to lead and guide all your servants, too comfortable in the pleasures of the world, truth, turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, we're not afraid, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, work all five days, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 May 2026 Joshua 1:9.
Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Another new work week my people. And this time we have to work all five days, no partying on Monday, like we did last week. (smile) And it will undoubtedly be difficult for some of us to get back into the five-day groove, but get back into it we must, if we’re to do Jesus proud. Then the inclement weather we’ve had over the weekend certainly doesn’t add any enthusiasm to the situation, but the bright sunshine and warm weather of this Monday ought to inspire us to rise to greater heights, all for the glory of Jesus! (smile)
And as we face our challenges today, please, let’s remember we can face them mano a mano, because of this most important acclamation, this positive reassurance of our faith: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengetheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13) And that’s the gospel truth, for whatever we need to do on Christ’s behalf, He will enable us to do it. And that reminds me of God’s conversation with Joshua, when He made him the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. He promised him: ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Josh. 1:5)
Yes friends, the Lord gives us all wonderful promises, but sometimes the fulfillment of those promises depends on us to a large extent. And so it was with Joshua. The Lord made sure He pointed out certain things he needed to do to have a successful mission. He warned him: ‘Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance (you shall give as a possession) the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper (have success) whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:6-7)
Please note that the Lord specifies two things in those two verses; that Joshua must stick to the letter of the law, and twice He warned him, to be strong and very courageous. Those were the prerequisites for success. Now that warning hasn’t changed since then. We modern day believers are still required to be strong and very courageous and obey the law in living for Christ. And let’s not say we can’t do it, because Bruh Paul has already declared that we are more than able, for ‘God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) In other words, we need not be afraid of any task we are given.
But the Lord took His commands to Joshua so seriously that He expanded on them in the next couple of verses, when He warns: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (shall be constantly in thy mouth); but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:8-9)
Oh my brethren, you see how the Lord drilled those three things into Joshua’s brain: First we need to study the law and live by it, don’t turn away from it regardless of what happens. Then we need to be strong and courageous, and we have all the tools to do that. And last but not least, don’t be afraid, because the Lord our God is with us wherever we go! What wonderful assurance that is my fellow believers! No other supposed God offers that kind of assurance and confidence to their followers because they can’t fulfill it. They don’t have the power or wherewithal to do so. Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, omnipotent and merciful can make such a promise and fulfill it!
But yuh know what friends, we can have all the encouragement and reassurance in the world from God, but until we believe it and put it into action, it’s all wasted. And that’s what the Lord was trying to push home to Joshua; you can do it, because I’ve given you all you need, and I’m here to back you up, but you need to step forward, step up to the plate and perform like you are capable of performing. The same goes for us today, as so many of us are living in fear, or have simply gotten too comfortable in the lustful ways of the world and thus are not stepping forward to do our duty.
However, we hope and pray that very soon, before it’s too late, we’ll all wake up and see the light and perform the way we ought to. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine help to turn things around. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. 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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s go out and keep our promises! Much LOVE!
…it’s not if we can…for we have all it takes…but if we desire to…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
18 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, addiction, alcoholic beverages, alcoholism has both physical and psychological effects, allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, allow your incredible aura of love, be as he that lieth in the midst of the sea, be filled with God's own life character and virtues, be filled with the Holy Spirit, be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, be ye not unwise, begin a new week of work, behold strange things, believers not allowed to be intoxicated, brings accidents, Chrisitans ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit, christianity, Christians, common courtesy, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, contrary to God's will, cottage country opening, debauched society, delusion, divine help, don't get drunk on alcoholic beverages, drunkenness leads to moral intemperance, enslavement, experienced the feeling of inebriation, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, fire water, furthering God's glorious kingdom, giving thanks always for all things, go easy on the fire water, go out to meet the enemy in battle, he that lies upon the top of a mast, heartbreaking stuff, holy spirit, humble servants, I felt it not, I was not sick, I will seek it yet again, imbibe too much, in the fear of God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, into the evil and ungodly world, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, invincible, it biteth like a serpent, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, leggo beasts, long weekend that ushers in the summer, look thou not upon the wine when it is red, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, making melody in your heart to the Lord, mankind takes pleasure in the devil's delights, mercy, negative consequences, not as fools but as wise, prohibition, redeeming the time, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, seek another drink, since Adam was a little boy, singing, sparkles in the cup, stingeth like an adder, strong drink is raging, stumbling, submitting yourselves one to another, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, thank you for jobs, the BIBLE, the days are evil, the gospel truth, the nitty gritty of drunkenness, the planting of gardens, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the throne of grace, they harm him in every possible way, they have beaten me, they have stricken me, they that go to seek mixed wine, they that tarry at the wine, truth, unconscious wounds, understanding what the will of the Lord is, unto the Father, utter perverse things, Victoria Day long weekend, walk circumspectly, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whatever is in you influences your behaviour, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when shall I awake, who hath babbling, who hath contentions, who hath redness of eyes, who hath sorrow, who hath woe, who hath wounds without cause, whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise, wine is a mocker, wisdom, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 May 2026 Ephesians 5:18.
Ephesians 5:18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Oh friends, you won’t believe that it was only late Sunday evening, I realized that this was the Victoria Day long weekend, with cottage country coming alive for the summer and people beginning to plant their gardens. That just goes to show I was totally wrapped up in whatever I was wrapped up in. And don’t ask what that was, because I don’t even know. (smile) Anyway, many of us are blessed to have this Monday off, and with yesterday’s good weather, most likely to be repeated today, I can imagine the celebrations for this long weekend that usually ushers in the summer will be very big and boisterous.
But as always, let’s remember to have a modicum of circumspection as we celebrate, and don’t behave like leggo beasts, or imbibe too much of whatever you plan to imbibe, because you know that kind of behaviour only brings accidents and other heartbreaking stuff, that can often have serious, lifelong negative consequences. End of Sermon!
And as I was looking through the Bible for something to write on, my eyes caught this section of Bruh Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, that seems rather appropriate for today. (smile) He writes: ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully) not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ (Eph. 5:15-18) Now didn’t I say that this passage was rather appropriate for today? (smile)
And if you don’t want to listen to my warning, then you should at least have the common courtesy to listen to Bruh Paul’s and not get inebriated. And as the scholars explain: ‘This verse gives an example of what is and what is not the Lord’s will (vs. 17). Believers are not allowed to be intoxicated with alcoholic beverages; the reason for this prohibition is wherein is excess; that is, drunkenness leads to moral intemperance.
This is clearly contrary to God’s will. His will is that Christians be filled with (by) the Holy Spirit; that is, they are to allow Him to fill them with God’s own life, character and virtues. The analogy between these two moral states is this: a person filled with wine is under its influence; similarly, a Christian is filled with the Spirit when he controls his thoughts attitudes, and actions.’
And that’s all basic common sense my brethren! Whatever your mind and body are filled with, will influence your behaviour. Now, if you don’t believe that Bruh Paul and I know what we’re talking about, then listen to the wisest man ever, Cousin Sol, as he warns from Proverbs. ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging (intoxicating drink arouses brawling): and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ (Prov. 20:1) And that’s not a lie, because we see it every day in our debauched society, meaning there are a lot of unwise people around us.
But here’s the real kicker, as Cousin Sol gets right down into the nitty gritty of drunkenness. He earnestly asks: ‘Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? (Prov. 23:29) Now those are very good questions. And can you guess the answer? ‘They that tarry (linger) at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.’ (Prov. 23:30) And that’s the gospel truth!
Cousin Sol then continues with this wise advice. ‘Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour (sparkles) in the cup, when it moveth itself aright (goes smoothly). At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (viper). Thine eyes shall behold strange women (things), and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst (heart) of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick (hurt); they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it (another drink) yet again.’ (Prov. 23:31-35)
Ah my people, Cousin Sol does know what he’s talking about. And so do many of us, who have either experienced the feeling of inebriation, or seen someone intoxicated, behave rather poorly. And the scholars add their take on the situation. ‘Six rhetorical questions drive home the fact that alcoholism has both physical and psychological effects (vs. 29). These effects are further specified: physical and psychological poisoning (vs. 32); delusion (vs. 33); stumbling (vs. 34); unconscious wounds (vs.35a); and enslavement (vs.35b).’
And isn’t it strange that all this stuff has been happening since Adam was a little boy, and yet we still greatly desire to imbibe the fire water. Fortunes have been made, and still are being made, on its production and sale. The devil certainly has us hooked on that one. But here’s what we should really be doing, as Bruh Paul advised the Ephesians. ‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph. 5:19-21)
And to help us do just that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn for some divine help. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; 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 weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
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 allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to 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, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And to be able to do that, we must stay away from the fire water this holiday Monday! Much LOVE!
…mankind takes pleasure in the devil’s delights…although they harm him in every possible way…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a no-brainer, aching heads, appreciation, aura of love, be thankful for small mercies, bleary eyes, confidence, Creator of the universe, crucified, feted, foolish attitude, further God's glorious kingdom, Galilee, God anointed Jesus with the Holy spirit, God be with him, godliness, great gusto, healing all that were oppressed by the devil, heathen, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, honoured, humble servants, I do nothing of myself, improvements, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jesus went about doing good, Jesus' time, jobs, keeping lives and families together, lead and guide, lies, lifted up, meet the enemy in battle, miracles, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, mother's coat tails, Mothers, ne'er do wells, Nicodemus, Oh Lord God Almighty, Pharisees, praise Your Holy Name, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, responsible, saviour, serve a useful purpose, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, surrender our all to you, taunts, teaching in their synagogues, the light of the world, the LOVE of Jesus, the party over, the Sanhedrin, the Son of man, things that please God, time to rise and shine, unchurched, ungodly world, unsettled stomachs, walk with god, warning, wiles, wisdom, worthwhile inroads
Acts 10:38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Okay Mothers, is Monday morning, the party over, time to rise and shine and get back to the daily task and common grind – getting children and food prepared for school, and yourself ready for work, to go out and spread some of that godliness that lies deep within you to the heathen and unchurched!
Sorry Mothers, but you had your day in the glistening sunshine yesterday. Today it’s Jesus’ time once again. And this warning is also for you ne’er do wells, who hung on to your mother’s coat tails yesterday and partied as though it was in your honour. I know that Mother will get up and get going because if nothing else, she is that responsible, and it’s also what she’s been doing for most of her life. But it’s the remnant that will cause the problem. (smile)
Anyway, to stop all the confusion, let’s belt out our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto… or rather, with as much as our aching heads, bleary eyes and unsettled, up-chucking stomachs will allow. (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!’
Aye mih people, that wasn’t bad at all nuh, considering our physical states! Jesus even graced our rendition with a knowing smile, appreciating the effort, despite the fact that we’re not our usual stellar selves.
And I do hope that all you mothers out there had a wonderful time yesterday, that you were feted and honoured as you all so fittingly deserve. I know you all should be shown appreciation each and every day, but unfortunately that’s not the way our modern world operates, and sometimes we just have to be thankful for small mercies. One day a year might not be good enough, but it is certainly better than none.
Now let’s turn back to our Bit that was broken up by Mother’s Day. ‘How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.’
The last time we were dissecting the Bit and had completed the first part – How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Today we’ll continue with the dissection, turning to the second part – who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.
And as I said in that last Bit, I just LOVE that phrase, went about doing good, because it encompasses so many things, so many opportunities – complex as well as simple – for us to show the LOVE of Jesus.
Now here is a scripture that corroborates it all. ‘And Jesus went about Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of (every) sickness, and all manner of (every) disease among the people.’ (Matt.4:23) And Matthew must have thought that scripture to be very nice, because he wrote it twice. (smile) See Matt.9:35. It’s almost word for word.
Now let’s look at the last part of our Bit – for God was with him. Ah Friends, that’s the most important part of the Bit, for without the Father being with Jesus, He would not have been able to accomplish the tasks set out for Him. And what do the scriptures have to say about that eh?
Listen to this interesting reasoning. ‘There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles (signs) that thou doest, except God be with him.’ (John 3:1-2)
And that’s no lie Friends! Nicodemus, though a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling Jewish Council, he was wise enough to realize that the miracles Jesus did could only be accomplished by someone with the true Spirit of God within them.
And we’ll close the way I LOVE; with the words of Jesus Himself. Jesus was here wrapping up His teaching about being the light of the world. ‘Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up (crucified) the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.’ (John 8:28-29)
Oh my people, my fellow believers, the exact same thing applies to us! If we would only do as it pleases out heavenly Father, He will always be with us. That’s a no-brainer! So why are we in the messy situation that we’re in eh? There’s only one answer – we’re not doing the things that please God!
So please, let’s smarten up and change that foolish attitude today nuh mih breddren. It will not only please the Father and confirm that we are indeed wise, but also bring about drastic improvements in our lives. And who doesn’t want that eh… Much LOVE!
…to have the Father walk with us…we need to first walk with Him…
05 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aura of love, awesome power of prayer, blessings, breadwinner, Bruh David, call on the Lord, Christian, Christian bloom, chronic illness, confidence, confidence in God, Creator of the universe, distress, do our best for Jesus, effectiveness of prayer, efficacy, Elise Maclay, enthusiasm, excellence, fervent prayer, friends, further God's glorious kingdom, Gath, gospel truth, heavenly Father, holy spirit, if God is for us who can be against us, indisputable truth, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, knock your socks off, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my enemies shall turn back, Oh Lord God Almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, people of faith, Philistines, pray for one another, prayer, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, righteous man, righteousness., salvation, Saul, serve a useful purpose, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, thanksgiving, the Word of god, trust, trust in God, truth, ungodly world, weary souls, when I cry unto the Lord, wicked taunts, wisdom, worthwhile inroads
Psalm 56:9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day – Monday! And much to my surprise, there wasn’t as much hissing and sour invective thrown my way. And I gratefully thanked God that His people were finally getting the idea that Monday was a day to be celebrated, not cursed. (smile)
And Friends, do I ever have a good quote for us today – one that’s so appropriate that it will knock your proverbial socks off! When I read it, I couldn’t help but chuckle, and immediately knew that I had to share it.
It comes from my old Devotional for People with Chronic Illness, and is attributed to one Elise Maclay. From the info available, I believe the Elise Maclay we’re talking about was an author of successful books like ‘Green Winter, and the Art of Bev Doolittle’ published in the 1970’s.
Anyway, she reputedly said, ‘…I was the breadwinner. Only I didn’t WIN the bread, I worked hard and earned it.’
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! We don’t win the bread, we get up off our rear ends and work hard for it! And that’s exactly what this first Monday morning in May 2014 is calling for! So let’s get up and get a move on nuh, let’s get out into the evil and ungodly world that awaits us and do our damndest, our best for Jesus! Remember Jesus desires and expects excellence from His followers!
And to help us do that, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty moxie. As one great choir 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!’
Aw shucks Friends, that rendition was the greatest nuh, it only raised polite clapping from the heavenly hosts! Anyway, I’ll chalk it up to our still being somewhat sleepy, and assume that by the time we get ready to hit the road, the Holy Spirit will have caused us to be in full Christian bloom. (smile)
Now let’s look at our Bit for this beautiful spring morning. ‘When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’
Words of indisputable truth my brethren! Faithfully proven after they were sent heavenward, by Bruh David’s eventual escape from the Philistines at Gath and his mortal enemy, Saul!
That’s why Friends, it both amazes and disappoints me that Christians don’t use prayer more often, despite claiming to be so in touch and in tune with God. If we look at the lives of all the great people of faith, one common thread stands out above all else; their great dependence on and use of prayer.
Even Jesus, God incarnate, didn’t make a move without talking to His heavenly Father. So why are we so ashamed, afraid, and reluctant to pray eh? Is it that we don’t truly believe in the efficacy and effectiveness of prayer?
James spells it out in spades for us: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16)
Oh my people, it’s time for us to wake up to the true and very awesome power of prayer! When we cry out to God in sincere prayer, He hears us and answers. Listen to how Bruh David puts it in Psalm 118; Thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation.
‘I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large (broad) place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Per the scholars, that’s the middle verse of the Bible) It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps.118:5-9)
More words of indisputable truth Friends! And we know it. So why don’t we adhere to them eh? Ah Lord eh! I guess only the Lord in His high heaven really knows why we are the stubborn and unwise way we are yes!
And we’ll go home with some immortal words of advice, of heavenly wisdom from Bruh Paul to the Roman Church, words which we all know, but don’t follow as closely or rely on as we should.
‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ (Rom. 8:31-32)
Yes Friends, if the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God, Creator and Controller of the universe and all therein is in our corner, then who can successfully challenge us eh? NOBODY!
So please let’s not only plant that true, wonderful seed deep in our souls, but let’s also act on it today, by stepping up our prayer lives and calling out to our heavenly father, at ALL times, and for ALL things! That’s what he sincerely desires, and it’s also the epitome of wisdom, my people! Much LOVE!
…it’s foolish, unwise, and a downright lie…to claim to be a Christian…and not be thoroughly immersed in the Word of God and sincere prayer…
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