The Great Comfort Available From Jehovah God, through His Son, Jesus Christ!

06 Apr 2025 Leave a comment

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

2 Corinthians 1:3.       Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and God of all comfort;

And then it was Sunday, the Lord’s Day, one filled with sunshine, worship, fellowship, thanksgiving and joy, all serving to boost our faith and renew our confidence in our great God, so that we can go out tomorrow and begin a new work week with the necessary inspiration and strength to make Him proud. And today’s song of worship is a very interesting and appropriate one for the disastrous times our world is currently facing. It’s most aptly titled ‘Leaning On the Everlasting Arms.’ 

Now, the website Godtube offers this information on the background of the hymn. ‘Leaning on the Everlasting Arms is a hymn published in 1887 with music by Anthony J. Showalter and lyrics by Showalter and Elisha Hoffman. Showalter had received letters from two of his former pupils informing him their wives had died and were seeking consolation. When writing them back, he was inspired by the phrase in the Book of Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy”. 

But after thinking of the verse furthermore, he decided those words would make a great theme for a hymn.  He then wrote the words for the refrain and music for the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” But he needed help with the stanzas, so he went to see Elisha Hoffman author of over 2000 gospel hymns.  Hoffman provided the stanzas while Showalter created the refrain and music to this hymn.’ 

So, on this first Sunday morning in April, during this Lenten Season, with the miraculous events of Easter just around the corner, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a rousing, up-tempo rendition of the song, doing exactly as this commentary from the Hymnary.org website so wisely advises. ‘As the hymn is sung, contemplate what it means to find refuge in our heavenly Father’s arms in times of fear and trial, and to allow His joy and peace to replace our loneliness and anxiety.’ 

Yes friends, we’ve all had times of trouble, when we needed to turn to God for comfort and strength and lean on His everlasting arms. So, as we sing, let’s remember some of those times and allow our gratitude and thanks to flow from our hearts for those many moments of comfort we’ve so graciously and mercifully received. 

Singing: ‘What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms. (Refrain: Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.) O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim’s way, leaning on the everlasting arms; O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms. 

[Refrain] What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms, Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning on the everlasting arms…leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus… oh how good it is to be, leaning on the everlasting arms of Christ my Saviour….’ 

And yuh better believe it’s not only good to be leaning on Christ’s arms, but you’ll also understand that it’s an incomparable experience! No other sense of comfort and strength compares to that of our God. That’s why it’s one of the greatest hymns for solace. There’s nothing better than ‘leaning on the everlasting arms’ of God when seeking comfort.

As Bruh Paul so beautifully proclaims in his second letter to the Corinthians. ‘Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we are comforted ourselves of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:2-4) 

What powerful and encouraging verses of Scripture my fellow believers! And what I particularly like about the sentiments is that God not only comforts us, but does so in such a manner that we are also able to comfort others! Now, let’s look at a few of the many other scriptures that talk about God’s comfort and reassurance, beginning with this marvellous one from Isaiah, where he proclaims with the utmost confidence. ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on (sustained by) thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.’ (Is. 26:3-4) 

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

Yes friends, the Lord has made many promises to comfort and care for us, but on the other hand, we must also place our sincere trust in Him if we expect the relationship to work. And I like these verses that Bruh David writes in Psalm 56, when he ran to the Philistines in Gath. He declares: ‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh (mere mortals) can do unto me.’ (Ps. 56:3-4) 

Can you imagine Bruh David’s predicament, running from one enemy, Saul, only to end up in the hands of the Philistines, Israel’s constant foes. He was certainly between a rock and a hard place, but his exemplary trust and confidence in the God of his forefathers, kept him sane and confident, while in the hands of his mortal enemies. 

And we’ll close with this favourite verse from Jeremiah: ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) Oh my people, with all those sincere and faithful promises of peace and LOVE and joy, how can we not LOVE and honour the Lord eh? We must be a foolish people, if we don’t! Much LOVE!

…the greatest source of comfort…comes from the Father of all comfort…Jehovah God…

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

The Essentialness of Believers Congregating to worship Almighty God!

05 Jan 2025 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 10:25.       Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

And it’s the first Sunday in this new year of 2025, so let’s hope many of us turn out to worship and fellowship in the Lord’s sanctuary today. As they would say, let’s begin the year on the right foot, so that it can become a habit for the whole year. (smile) Ah friends, there’s nothing like gathering in the Lord’s house on the Sabbath to sing, give thanks and praise with other believers, while renewing and uplifting our faith and confidence for the upcoming week. 

And before we go any further, let’s remember this most important scripture re fellowshipping, that’s getting together to worship God. The author of Hebrews admonishes us thus: ‘And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb. 10:24-25)  

And I like how the scholars explain that scripture. ‘It is easy to stir up hatred and godless deeds; it takes much more to stir up another to LOVE and good works.’ And we can do that best when we assemble together. ‘But the admonition to assemble together involves far more than an erratic attendance. It involves the entire worship of Christ and is an outward indication of an inner condition. 

The assembling of God’s people provides opportunity for reciprocal encouragement, strengthening, and the stirring up that can be gained from one another (cf. Col. 3:12-16). It consists of participation in worship and fellowship. The church is a body interacting (1 Cor. 12:14-27); it is not merely a dispensary of spiritual food and medicine.’  

And having read and inwardly digested all of that, let’s do it; let’s worship and fellowship and encourage each other, beginning with this beautiful Christian, soulful ballad, titled ‘In the Midst of the Rain,’ taken from the Bebe Winans album titled ‘In Harm’s Way. So, without further ado, let’s offer up sweet sacrifices of praise to the One who selflessly suffered so much on our behalf, without ever complaining. 

Singing: ‘Every time I lift my eyes to the sky, I’m reminded of a time in my life, When all the dark clouds hung over me, I was lost inside, in search of a key. I remember LOVED ones being so kind, Saying things would get much better with time. And I admit sometimes they did for a while, And then I’d find myself back under the cloud (Chorus: Right in the midst of the rain, My heart was so full of pain. Jesus, You came and rescued my soul, And then your LOVE took control. Right in the midst of the rain, You caused me to smile again. My life was awesomely changed, Right in the midst of the rain.) 

When it comes right down to just you and me, There’s nothing better now that these eyes can see. And tell me what compares to all that you are? You are everything, yes, my morning star! My mind, my heart and soul I now give to you. I’m under your command so what can I do? Cause I surrender all, all that I owe, And will follow wherever you go. (Chorus) 

There will never be another, Cause You’re nothing like the others. This LOVE I find in you; I found to be true! Right in the midst of the rain, My heart was so full of pain. But Jesus, You came and rescued my soul, And then your LOVE took control. Right in the midst of the rain, You caused me to smile again. My life was awesomely changed, Right in the midst of the rain.’ 

Oh my people, I believe we did justice to that song, with our soulful, sincere and heartfelt rendition. Heaven was impressed. And brother, that song truly shows how much our Jesus LOVES us; reaching out to us in touching situations like rescuing our souls right in the midst of a terrible downpour, when we feel so lost and alone.  And having done that, then His amazing LOVE simply takes control of our lives and leads us down the right path, the straight and narrow one. 

No wonder the song can say without any doubts: ‘There will never be another, Cause You’re nothing like the others. This LOVE I find in you; I found to be true!’ And why not? If Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, (John 14:6) it cannot be anything else but that! And I particularly like the line that says: ‘My life was awesomely changed, right in the midst of the rain.’ That’s exactly how Jesus captures our hearts; right in the darkest and most unexpected times. 

And furthermore: ‘When it comes right down to just you and me, There’s nothing better now that these eyes can see. And tell me what compares to all that you are? You are everything, yes, my morning star!’ Oh friends, there’s nothing or nobody in this universe that compares to Jesus. Never was, and never will be! Of that we can be very sure. He’s the proverbial, one of a kind, for whom the mold was destroyed after He was conceived. (smile) 

And there’s no doubt that Jesus is indeed our morning star. Listen to Him talking in Revelation. ‘I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.’ (Rev. 22:16) And the scholars tell us that as the root of the offspring of David, Jesus is the fulfillment of the messianic promise of Isaiah 11:1. which says: ‘And there shall come forth a rod (shoot) out of the stem (stock or trunk) of Jesse (Bruh David’s father), and a Branch shall grow (bear fruit) out of his roots.’ 

And as the bright and morning star, Jesus will eventually bring in the new age: the messianic kingdom. So, there you have it my fellow believers, very good grounds for worshipping Jesus the way we do! All power and praise and glory be to our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the name that’s above every other name, to whom ALL knees will eventually bow! 

Yes friends, He certainly deserves all the pomp and glory with which we honour Him! So, let’s keep on doing it nuh, as long as the breath of life flows through our mortal bodies! Much LOVE!

…only mentally incapacitated persons…who hear Jesus’ story…can ever refuse to believe in Him… (smile)

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