Some Of The Protections that God has put in place for Earthly Believers!

Isaiah 54:17a.         No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn.

And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day! Imagine that nuh; it’s already the middle of our work week as well as the middle of the month of July. That means our summer is fading fast away, just the month of August is left, and that no doubt will fly away like the other summer months, quickly plunging us back into the dark and deadly throes of winter. (smile) But all’s not lost, for we have the greatest friend to man, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, on our side, and He’s promised that nothing that comes against us will harm us.

The prophet Isaiah boldly confirms it when he writes: ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) Yes friends, that’s our heritage as believers in Christ Jesus! And NO ONE can take it from us! As this commentary tells us: ‘It’s a promise of God’s protection and vindication for believers. It signifies that while challenges and opposition may arise, they will ultimately fail to overcome those who trust in the Lord.’

Now that doesn’t mean there won’t be advances upon, or attacks against us, but that in the long run they won’t succeed. Meanwhile God promises to give us the ability to refute any false accusations or negative words spoken over us and ultimately be vindicated. It’s all a part of God’s blessings, a gift for those who serve Him faithfully, giving us right standing with Him. And as the commentary so rightly assures us: ‘The verse offers comfort and assurance to believers, reminding them that they are under God’s protection and that He will ultimately bring them victory over their adversaries.’

Wow! What a wonderful God we serve my people! And on top of all that, we have these marvellous, reassuring and uplifting words of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome, where He confidently proclaims: ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, or life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35-39)

Wow mih bredrin! What a wonderful scripture, assuring us that once we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, nothing, or no one will ever separate us from Him, and the LOVE of the Father which lives in and emanates from Him! Not even death can separate us, for after physical death, we move into new life with Him. As Bruh Paul, when talking to the Corinthians about an Eternal Building in the Heavens, expressing his desire to be with Lord, but being stopped from getting closer by this physical life says: ‘We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’ (2 Cor. 5:8)  

That’s our Christian belief that once we die, we’re immediately transported into the Lord’s presence, suggesting a transition from the earthly, physical body to a spiritual state of being with God. Or as this commentary puts it: ‘The core idea is that death for a Christian is not an end but a transition. Upon death, the believer’s spirit or soul is believed to be immediately united with the Lord, leaving behind the limitations of the earthly body.’

And although the pleasures of the earth can be wonderful, the next life with God for all eternity promises to be so much better, especially when there’s this magnanimous promise that John reveals in the Book of Revelation. ‘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 oh how I’m dying to see that day, when there’s no more pain! Well not really dying to see it just yet (smile) because I still have work for the Lord to accomplish down here and will have to bear some more pain to accomplish it. But won’t that be a marvellous existence? No pain, sorrow, death, crying, none of that negative stuff! Just the loss of those things will be sufficient to make eternity worthwhile. And when we add the rewards for doing God’s work…

Brother! Life will then be truly worth living! But until such time, we can still enjoy what we have down here, for the Lord has set up lots of protection for us here too. So to acknowledge that, let’s go home now declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And for those who stick with Jesus right to the very end, an even more glorious future is promised. One that we can neither contemplate or imagine! One that’s far above our mental capabilities. So, please, let’s be wise, and make a pact to meet there at the very end nuh, and enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…the rewards of eternal life with Christ…more than outweigh the problems of earthly living…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of the Shed Blood of Jesus in a Believer’s Life!

1 John 1:7b.       and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Here we go on the first day of September, a Sunday, joining together with other believers to fellowship in the Lord’s sanctuary to renew our commitments, friendships and spiritual strength with both God and man. What a blessed time that is my fellow believers. There’s no time like it. So let’s begin this good time with a wonderful traditional American hymn written by Robert Lowry in the 1870’s. 

Lowry was a hymn writer as well as a Baptist Minister and Professor at Bucknell University. The song is aptly titled ‘Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,’  and informs us of the blood atonement and propitiation of sin that happens through the death of Jesus. Without further ado then, let’s offer up sweet sacrifices of praise in a mid tempo, soulful and grateful version, because it’s something we are ever so thankful for. 

Singing: ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain: Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.) For my pardon, this I see, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) 

This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Now by this I’ll overcome; Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Now by this I’ll reach my home, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Glory! Glory! This I sing; Nothing but the blood of Jesus, All my praise for this I bring, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain: Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the Blood…Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.’ 

And isn’t that the everlasting truth my people! Nothing but the Blood of Jesus can cleanse us of our sins and bring us into right relationship with Almighty God! But before we get into any analysis of the song, let’s recognize one thing, that blood in the Bible symbolizes life, and when the blood is spilled, or stops flowing, that means life is over. And when talking about sacrificial offerings, the Bible says it thus in Leviticus. ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it unto you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.’ (Lev. 17:11) 

Yes friends, it is the shed blood of Jesus that makes atonement for our sinful souls. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews is able to inform us: ‘And almost all things are by the law purged (cleansed) with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness).’ (Heb. 9:22) The sacrificing of animals under the Old Testament law cleansed for a season, and thus had to be renewed every year.

 However, as Bruh Paul writes in Galatians: ‘But when the fulness of the time was come (the time appointed by the Father), God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made (born) under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.’ (Gal. 4:4-5) In other words, when the Lord decided it was time to end the ritual of sacrifices every year under the Old Covenant, He sent Jesus to be the last and great sacrifice! 

Thus, under the New Covenant there is no need for any more animal sacrifices, for Christ satisfied that need once and for all with His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary. And it’s therefore ever important to know that it’s Jesus’ shed blood that covers us from all sin. John says it thus in his first epistle. ‘This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not (practice) the truth: 

But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.’ (1 John 1:5-10) 

And how can we say that we have no sin, when the Bible says: ‘For all have sinned, and come (fallen) short of the glory of God.’ (Rom. 3:23) And what’s the penalty for sin? ‘The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23) And that’s what Jesus’ death on the cross was all about; to free us from the bondage of sin and offer us eternal life instead. 

And as the opening verse of the song so truly declares: ‘What can wash away my sin?…What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.’ Likewise this verse: ‘Nothing can for sin atone,… Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.’ Glorious truths indeed my people! 

And I like how this commentary gives us five things that the blood of Jesus accomplishes. Now, I never intended to list the referenced scriptures, but knowing that many of you would not check the refences yourselves, I decided to do it, to spoon feed you as usual. (smile) So the first act of Jesus’ blood is ‘Propitiation for sin. To remove God’s righteous wrath. (Rom. 3:25) ‘Whom God had set forth to be a propitiation (a mercy seat) through faith in his blood, to declare (demonstrate) his righteousness for the remission (passing over) of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.’ 

Then there’s ‘Justification, To extend God’s full acceptance, right standing with God.  (Rom. 5:9) ‘Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.’ There’s also,’ Redemption, to purchase our freedom. (Eph. 1:7) ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ Next up is ‘Forgiveness, to restore our best relationship. (Eph. 2:13) ‘But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes (once) were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.’ 

What about ‘Pacification – to make peace with God Himself. (Col. 1:19-20). ‘For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell. And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in (on) earth, or things in heaven.’ And last but not least, ‘Ransomed by the blood, (1 Peter 1:18-19) ‘Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible (perishable) things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (aimless conduct) received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.’ 

And now that I’ve spoon fed you, (smile) please take a few moments to contemplate those scriptures and see what a wonderful thing the Lord has done for us, through the shedding of Christ’s sinless blood on the hill of Calvary, and why we ought to bow down and worship Him, and wisely and gratefully accept His grace and mercy without anxiety or fear! Much LOVE!

…what’s the most powerful antidote on earth…obviously the blood of Jesus…for it cures everything…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   14 April 2024 Hebrews 9:22.

Hebrews 9:22.       And almost all things are by the law purged (cleansed) with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness).

Sunday, oh Sunday, it’s so good to encounter you once again! For you are one of the very best days of the week. You take me to the Lord’s sanctuary, where I give Him thanks and praise in concert with other worshippers, and He enhances our souls and spirits with His awesome Word, filled with many great promises and doings, especially that of the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, from which everything in our Christian lives flows. 

And to celebrate our fellowship today, we’ll sing a much favoured and very doctrinally important hymn, titled, ‘Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.’ It’s a traditional American hymn about the blood atonement and propitiation for sin by the death of Jesus, composed in the late 19th century by hymn writer, Baptist Minister and Bucknell University Professor, Robert Lowry. And since we’re all anxious to sing this much LOVED and oh so important hymn, let’s get right to it, and raise our sweet sacrifices of praise in a mid-tempo, heart and gut-wrenching version, that will let all the world, and heaven too, see that we’re very sincere about Christ in our great LOVE and appreciation for Him! 

Singing: ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain: Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.) For my pardon, this I see, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) 

This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Now by this I’ll overcome; Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Now by this I’ll reach my home, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Glory! Glory! This I sing; Nothing but the blood of Jesus, All my praise for this I bring, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Nothing but the Blood…Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.’ 

And there’s no greater truth in this world my fellow believers! No! For nothing but the precious, spilled blood of Jesus Christ; God’s sinless Son, on the cross of Calvary can wash away mankind’s abominable sins. And that’s the very reason the Father sent Him to earth. And why was that necessary? Because as Romans 6:23 tells us, the just penalty of human sin against God is death. But as Hebrews writes: ‘And almost all things are by the law purged (cleansed) with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness).’ (Heb. 9:22) 

That means for any forgiveness of sins to occur, blood must be shed. However, the death of sanctioned animals used in the Old Testament, through the offering of their blood was only a temporary reprieve, and every year, the High Priest had to go into the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the sins of the people (Heb. 9:7 & 25) since ‘It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.’ (Heb. 10:4) 

And according to one commentator: ‘The repeated animal sacrifices were delaying the inevitable, waiting on God’s fullness of times. One day a final reckoning for sin must come. Christians, of course, believe and celebrate that now in Christ, and under the terms of a new covenant, the reckoning has come. Jesus willingly “offered himself” (Heb. 9:14) by “once for all” shedding “his own blood” (Heb. 9:12), bringing to its intended completion the temporary covenant that came before (the old covenant) and inaugurating in its place an “eternal or everlasting covenant,” (Heb. 13:20), which we call the new covenant.’ 

Now there are a few questions on the subject that have been asked down through the ages, like; why is blood so important in the human’s life, and what does it symbolize in the Bible? Blood is the ONLY part of our body that is continually on the move, it continually courses through our bodies, and any time it stops flowing, or we lose it all, like it drained out of Jesus’ body on the cross, then our life also ceases. ‘And so, blood is the premier biblical symbol of life.’  Then there’s this question: Does the blood of Jesus cover us from all sin? Yes. John in His first epistle tells us: ‘But if we walk in the light, as he (God) is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth (purifies, covers) us from ALL sin.’ (1 John 1:7) And why do we need to be covered by the blood of Jesus? ‘The blood of Jesus is the covering that allows us to enter into the presence of a perfect and holy God.’ 

And it’s generally recognized that the blood of Jesus does 5 basic things for us. The first one is propitiation for our sins; to remove God’s righteous wrath from humanity. As Bruh Paul writes to the church at Rome. ‘(Christ Jesus) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (mercy seat, atonement) through faith in his blood, to declare (demonstrate) his righteousness for the remission (forgiveness) of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.’ (Rom. 3:25) Then there’s Justification; to bring us into right standing with God. Bruh Paul writes, again to the Romans: ‘Much more then, (having) being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.’ (Rom. 5:9) What about Redemption, or the purchasing of our freedom? Bruh Paul writes thus to the Ephesians: ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ (Eph. 1:7) 

There’s also forgiveness; to restore our best relationship. And to the Ephesians, Bruh Paul notes: ‘But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes (once) were far off and made nigh (near) by the blood of Christ.’ (Eph. 2:13) What about pacification, or peace with God Himself? Bruh Paul writes to the Colossians. ‘For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness (deity) dwell. And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in (on) earth, or things in heaven.’ (Col. 1:19-20) 

Yes friends, by Christ’s death, God reconciled the universe to Himself. Finally, we’ve been ransomed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Peter writes in his first epistle. ‘Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible (perishable) things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (aimless conduct) received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.’ (1 Pet. 1:18-19) 

And there we have it my fellow saints, some of the basic things that the blood of Christ has done for us, and overall, why it’s ever so important in our Christian faith! So, please, let’s spend some time today meditating on the incomparable blood of Christ and how it affects us as believers’ in His holy name. Much LOVE!

…the blood…oh the blood…there’s nothing like the sinless blood of Jesus…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 March 2020 1 Timothy 2:4.

1 Timothy 2:4.    ​Who will have (desires) all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of truth.
 
Well a fine Sunday morning to you my friends and neighbours! I do hope the Lord has blessed you mightily….and you better believe He has if you are reading this missive! (smile) He has indeed blessed us with the wonderful breath of life and clear eyesight to see the words I write. So for just that we ought to be eternally grateful. And if you add all the other blessings, then I don’t think we have the capacity for enough gratitude, (smile) but we’ll certainly try. 

And one of the ways we’ll do it is by gathering today, on His special day, in His holy sanctuary, or wherever we can, to praise and give thanks and hear His mighty Word. Oh my people, there’s nothing more moving and momentous that a group of believers fellowshipping with sincere praise and thanksgiving! 

So as always, let’s begin our proceedings with this old favourite by Isaac Watts, titled ‘At the Cross.’ And was that ever a turning point in the annals of man! So let’s convince heaven of our heartfelt thanks for Jesus’ death on the cross, and all that it accomplished in our sinful lives. 

As one, in strong, soulful and harmonious voice: ‘Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sov’reign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I? (Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day!) Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! 

(Refrain) Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin. (Refrain) Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes to tears. (Refrain) But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of LOVE I owe: Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do. 

(Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day! At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day!’

Oh my people, my people, the wonder of the cross…words cannot truly describe it. Because it was there that the whole world was turned upside down and a new era in mankind’s story began! The story of salvation, of reconciliation, of total forgiveness, of redemption, justification, sanctification…and all the other good things that flowed…and are still flowing from Jesus’ selfless sacrifice on the cross at Calvary! 

And as the song so rightly says: ‘Drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of LOVE I owe.’ And is that ever the gospel truth friends! No amount of tears, of heartfelt eyes water can ever repay the debt of LOVE that we owe our heavenly Father. I’m sure our puny and finite minds can’t even begin to understand the heartbreak He felt in having to crucify His one and only, so amazing Son, so that a bunch of stubborn, hard-hearted sinners could have the option to be set free. 

But such was His LOVE for us, that He took the one holy, just and righteous avenue open to Him. And it wasn’t by chance He did that either nuh, but by conscious design. Why yuh think? Listen to Bruh Paul in his first letter to Timothy, as he exhorts him to constant prayer. ‘For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have (desires) all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of truth.’ (1 Tim. 2:3-4) 

Yes friends, that has been the Lord’s desire ever since the day He kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden. He doesn’t want to lose even one single soul of His most precious creation to the evil fool Satan. That’s why He went to such awesome lengths to get us back into right standing with Him. And He’s been saying it all the time. 

Listen to Him speak through the prophet Ezekiel: ‘Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God; and not that he should return from his ways, and live?… For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.’ (Ezek. 18:23; 32) 

Yes my breddren, our magnanimous and magnificent God doesn’t want even those who want eternal death to die! How much more does He have to so to convince us to change from our wicked ways and live eh? I really don’t know if there’s any more He can do, except strip us of our free will and make us come to Him automatically. But He’s not going to do that, because He promised us free will and He doesn’t renege on His promises. 

And yuh know the second part of our Bit which talks about coming to the knowledge of the truth? Well here is what the Lord said through Jeremiah on the subject. ‘Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises LOVING-kindness, judgement (justice) and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jer. 9:23-24) 

For sure, my fellow believers, the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS MAN’S GLORY! And until we know that, accept it, and live it we’ll keep on being lost! And it’s only fitting to close with the words of Jesus on the topic. He said this when He prayed for His own. ‘And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.’ (John 17:3) 

Yeh friends, knowing the ONE true God, through His Son Jesus Christ, is the ONLY WAY to eternal life! So let’s get smart and get to know Him nuh, so that come the last day, we will not find ourselves on the outside looking in, for that’s the worst thing that can happen to a human soul. Much LOVE!

…to know God…is to know the glorious truth…and be set free… 

P.S. Didn’t do anything yesterday because of the stormy weather. They wouldn’t even allow to me get a dip in the salt since it was so rough. I did get a burger and some jerk pork over at the beach hut though, and washed it down with two nameless exotic pink cocktails. (smile) Today is sunny, so let’s see what the Lord will bring to pass in my life. Much LOVE!