25 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time of rejuvenation, alive and kicking, asaph, attitude, believers in Jesus Christ, blessed be the Lord our God, blessings, Christians, comeuppance, confidence, crapaud smoke yuh pipe, death and destruction, declaration of faith, desire, enthusiasm, eternal life, faith and trust increased, fellowship, give thanks, glorify our Creator, glory hallelujah, go a whoring from God, God is the strength of my heart, God's LOVING-kindness, guide me with thy council, I have put my trust in the Lord, it is good for me to draw near to God, jehovah god, mercies, mood, more than we can ask or imagine, my flesh and my heart faileth, my heart was grieved, my portion for ever, panacea, pours out His bounty, praise, provider, raise your hopes, receive me to glory, reconciled to God, renew your faith, sacrifice of praise, sacrificed His Son Jesus Christ, salvation, serve the Lord, shortchanging ourselves, sing, snare of the ungodly, so foolish was I, spirits are lifted, Sunday, surrender, tempo, the atoning Saviour, the Holy Spirit, the wicked prospering, the Word of god, they that are far from thee shall perish, trust, unfaithfulness, walk obedient in God's will, walking with Jesus, whom have I in heaven, wickedness, wisdom, worship
Psalm 73:26. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Sunday, Sunday! Oh how glad we are that it’s here at last! For it’s the day that most Christians, most believers in Jesus Christ gather together in the Lord’s sanctuary to fellowship with each other; to sing and praise, give thanks, worship and glorify our wonderful Creator and Provider. Glory Hallelujah!
It’s also a time of rejuvenation; a time when our spirits are lifted, our faith and trust increased, our confidence strengthened, as the immutable and holy Word of God flows through, percolates in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls!
And all God’s people shouted loudly and proudly: ‘Blessed be the Lord our God who sacrificed His Son Jesus Christ so that we could be reconciled to Him, and who now pours out His never-ending bounty on us, more than we can ask or even imagine! Thank You Lord. We offer up our sacrifice of praise and vow to walk obedient to your will. In Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes Friends, it is indeed a wonderful, a magnificent God we serve, and every day I open my eyes to greet a new day, I can’t help but give Him some serious thanks and praise for all that He’s done, is doing and has promised to do in my life. Glorify Him my people, for there’s none else like Him! No other supposed deity even comes close to Him, for they are all dead, but our Jehovah God is alive and kicking; kicking mightily too!
So this Sunday morning, let’s all make it a stated purpose to get to His sanctuary and enjoy much needed fellowship with other believers nuh, so that our souls can be primed and ready to meet and greet tomorrow, Monday, with a burst of enthusiasm and rich desire to get out into the working world and serve the Lord with all that we possess.
Remember, the tempo, the mood, the attitude towards the first day of the work week, and all those that follow, are set, are determined by how we spend the first day of the week, Sunday. So please get out and renew your faith, raise your hopes today. End of sermon! (smile)
Oh Friends, some of you might think that I’m joking, or just being overzealous, but the reality is that our God does faithfully reach out to those who trust in Him. Let’s take the case of the psalmist Asaph. Way back when, he saw the wicked prospering and couldn’t understand it.
Consequently, he almost fell into the snare of the ungodly, wanting to have their prosperity. Many of us fall for the same scam today. But through the goodness, the LOVING-kindness of God, he woke up in time and saw the foolishness of that mindset. Therefore, he could contritely admit in Psalm 73 – The mystery of prosperous wickedness.
‘Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins (grieved in my mind). So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden (held) me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy council, and afterward receive me to glory.’ (Ps.73:21-24)
Oh my people, as I said just now, many of us today are still being wowed by the prosperity of the wicked, but please believe that is only a temporary situation. They will all eventually get their rightful comeuppance; death and destruction.
But those who sincerely follow the risen Lord, the atoning Saviour Jesus Christ, will be guided away from wickedness by His Holy Spirit which indwells each and every believer. Then, like Asaph says, at the end of our earthly days we will be received in glory to our heavenly home.
Now hear how Asaph continues: ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever.’ (Ps.73:25-26)
My brethren, my brethren, do you hear that declaration of faith and trust which includes our Bit! Can we declare likewise, with the same confidence? I surely do hope so, because unless we can, we will be seriously shortchanging ourselves in the mercies and blessings of our awesome God.
And why is that? Listen to the next verse from Asaph. ‘For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee (who are unfaithful to thee).’ (Ps.73:27)
Yes Friends, wickedness and unfaithfulness may pay for a time, and might look rather enticing, but believe me, it will not get you into heaven, will not bring you salvation and eternal life. Only trust and belief in Jesus Christ will do that.
And Asaph confidently and wisely ends the psalm thus. ‘But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.’ (Ps.73:28)
Glory Hallelujah my people! Words of unadulterated wisdom! And if you haven’t declared those sentiments as yet, I’ll advise you to do so as soon as possible. And today, right now, will be a most appropriate time to do it. Because, remember when Jesus returns in all His majestic glory and splendour, which could happen at any time, if you are found wanting, then it will be too late, and as the old people would say, crapaud smoke yuh pipe!
So please, please, I implore us, let’s not be found wanting, let’s put our absolute trust in Jesus right now, let’s surrender our entire lives to Him, so that we will be received into glory at the end times. That’s wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…knowing, trusting, LOVING and walking with Jesus…is the ONLY panacea for our troubles…
24 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all things work together for good, apostolic insight, as it is written, big dreams, Bruh Paul, Christ-like maturity, discernment, drinking milk, eating solid food, expectant faith, eye hath not seen, faith, foolishness, give thanks, God's gift, God's promises, God's revelation, gospel truth, grateful, grow spiritually in Christ, hungry hope, if god be for us who can be against us, living our fears, loving kindness, man's wisdom, mark of a true believer, natural man, neither have entered into the heart of man, nor ear heard, not living our dreams, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, salvation, Saturday, spiritual truth, spiritually discerned, stay on the straight and narrow path, the ability to sift the facts, the cares of the world, the gospel, the Holy Chost, the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christ, the mind of the Lord, the rocks that's Jesus, the Spirit of God, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, the truth of God, the weekend, trust, we are more than conquerors, wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.
So Friends, it’s Saturday and the weekend is well on its way. Hope you have lots of good stuff planned for it, including all the new blessings and new mercies that our omnipotent, most generous and benevolent God is going to shower down on us today. It pays to be grateful and give thanks, especially for stuff which we most definitely do not deserve. So let’s spend a moment in earnest prayer nuh.
Please pray with me: ‘Heavenly Father, today is a new day and we give you thanks for causing us to see it. We are also thankful for your promises to look after all our needs if we walk in righteousness and obedience to your will. Unfortunately we cannot do this on our own, therefore Lord we ask you to help us stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to you and your LOVING-kindness. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, isn’t it interesting that we cannot do what God wants us to do without His help? For sure! But there are also many times we can do better in our own strength or even with God’s help, but we don’t. Why?
Because as our Friend Anselm, who always tries to inspire us for a better tomorrow, says in his quote from yesterday: ‘Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.’
And that’s gospel truth my brethren! Although Jesus assured us not fear, too many of us believers are still living fearful lives because we are sorely bombarded with all the cares of the world. Now we have to be concerned about our affairs, but even when times are bad, we don’t have to live in fear. That’s the awesome mark of a true believer in Jesus! That’s what faith and trust in Him is supposed to cure, to suppress.
Remember what Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Rome? ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose…. What shall we then say to those things? If God be for us, who can be against us…? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.’ (Rom.8:28, 31, 37)
Yes Friends, if we sincerely LOVE God, and believe those truths from Bruh Paul to the Roman church, then there is absolutely no need for us to live fearful lives, but lives filled with big dreams, hungry hope and expectant faith that’s based on the solid foundation of the rock that’s our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
That brings us to our Bit, the same as yesterday, which ramps up even more the surety and confidence we can place in almighty God, our Creator and generous Provider. ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.’
Oh my fellow believers, isn’t that a beautiful and assuring statement, showing how much our great God truly appreciates us. As we saw yesterday, He reveals to us the things that matter most to Him through the power of His Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Unbelievers have no idea what He’s all about…but we do. And that’s glorious!
Now let’s continue where we left off yesterday in this important scripture passage on wisdom being God’s gift. We’ll repeat verse 13 because there are some explanations that are necessary.
‘Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.’ (1 Cor.213-16)
And we’ll go straight into some scholarly explanations, as there are plenty. ‘2:13. Comparing spiritual things with spiritual: The term comparing occurs only here and in 2 Cor.10:12 where the meaning is clearly “compare.” However, in classical Greek, the term was always used in a sense “to compound” or “to interpret.”
Probably the most satisfactory interpretation is “combining spiritual things with spiritual words.” After speaking of spiritual “things,” (vv.11-13), Paul now speaks of the “forms” in which they are conveyed. Spiritual truth is conveyed in language that is given by God’s Spirit.’
‘2:14. Natural man (lit. “unspiritual man”) is unreceptive. He does not admit the truth into his heart (cf. Luke 8:13; Acts 8:14; 11:1; James 1:21). As spiritual discernment is generated only by the Holy Spirit, the capacity to know spiritual truth is beyond the innate powers of the natural man.
Spiritually discerned: The fundamental idea of discerned is that of “examination” or “scrutiny.” It is used only by Paul and Luke, and mostly of “judicial examination.” (cf. Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9; 1 Cor. 9:3; 10:25, 27). On the spiritual plane the natural man does not have the ability to sift the facts.’
‘2:15. The difference between the natural man and the spiritual man is primarily that the spiritual man has founded his faith on God’s revelation. He can judge now both earthly and heavenly things. He can discern what is and what is not of the gospel and salvation, and whether a man truly preaches the truth of God.’
‘2:16. We have the mind of Christ means that Christians possess the Lord’s own understanding, that is, His thoughts, opinions, judgements, plans, and so on. This answers the question that Paul puts in the same verse. Who hath known the mind of the Lord? The answer is, “We do!’ The term we includes the apostle Paul and to some extent all true believers, though believers today are prudent to acknowledge the superiority of apostolic insight into spiritual matters to that of their own.’
Oh Friends, I know that those explanations are somewhat plentiful and heavy, but they are necessary if we hope to properly understand the Word of God, be able to discern truth from falsehood and thus grow in Christ-like maturity. As Bruh Paul tells the Corinthians later on, we can’t always be drinking milk, we need to grow up and eat some solid food, some meat and potatoes from the Word. (smile)
So please let’s sit down and take our time and read and meditate and ponder on all that’s before us, so that we can learn and truly appreciate all that the Lord’s saying to us. Much LOVE!
…like a human being needs solid food as he/she grows physically…so too do believers need to delve into the more intricate aspects of the Word and understand them…so that they can grow spiritually in Christ…
23 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as it is written, divine revelation, doctrine, ear hath not heard, earthly pilgtimage, encompasses everything we hope to be, eternal life, eye hath not seen, fellowship, forgiveness, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, glory to God, grace, great expectations, human contrivance, illumination, in Jesus' name, inspiration, Jesus fills us with truth, Jesus lights our darkness, Jesus shows us the way to walk, LOVE, man's wisdom, massa's labour, mercy, neither have entered into the heart of man, our earthly walk with Jesus, peace, rallying cry, relaxation, responsibility, rest, Revelation, salvation, sincerity, soul body and mind, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks for getting me through another week of work, the BIBLE, the deep things of God, the freedom from labour, the Holy Spirit, the Life, the Light, the physical realm, the promises of Jesus, the Spirit of God, the spirit of man, the Spirit searcheth all things, the spiritual realm, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him, the Truth, the Way, the weekend, treasure of God's revealed truth, truth, unchanging truth of God, undeserving children of men, wisdom
1 Corinthians 2:9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.
Well then mih people, the day that so many of us look forward to, Friday, is finally here…
And a knowing shout goes up to heaven: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Thank God for the weekend! Thank God for the release from massa’s brutal labour…even if is only for two measly days! Thank God for the freedom from labour!’
Ah Friends the weekend does bring a surcease from labour, but with that freedom also comes the responsibility to use it wisely. And if you don’t know by now, freedom, though it’s a great rallying cry, it is also one of the most difficult things to successfully implement.
And to help us do that this Friday morning in the midst of this autumn season, let’s chant our Friday Chant with sincerity and great expectations. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes mih breddren, it all comes right back down to Jesus; to our earthly walk with Him! If we’re walking with Him in sincerity and truth, then He will ably assist us in ALL aspects of our lives.
However, if we’re not a true member of His flock, then things won’t be right with us, for as He says, He is indeed the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE…And please don’t forget He’s also the LIGHT!
Now that simply encompasses EVERYTHING or ALL that we are and ever hope to be! He is the One who lights our darkness and shows us the way we ought to walk, so that we can be filled with truth and receive salvation that leads to eternal life. So who or what can be more important than Jesus in our earthly pilgrimage eh Friends?
NOBODY or NOTHING whatsoever!
And until we truly have all of that written deep in our hearts, minds and souls, then our lives won’t be as good as they can be. Yes mih people, without Jesus, our lives are sadly lacking! That’s why it’s ever so necessary for believers to know and to lean faithfully upon His promises.
Promises like this one that’s our Bit today. ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.’
Oh Friends, that’s all so true, the things that God has prepared for those of us who truly and sincerely LOVE Him have not been revealed through the physical realm but in the spiritual!
As Bruh Paul continues to the Corinthians: ‘But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.’ (1 Cor.2:10)
And the scholars have an interesting explanation on that verse. ‘2:10. Revealed …unto us: Unto us is in the emphatic position in Greek, emphasizing the enormous privilege granted the recipients of divine revelation. The magnificent treasure of God’s revealed truth is accessible to the mature believer.’
Oh my brethren, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, who reveals His beautiful truths to us through the medium of His Holy Spirit!
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘For what man knoweth the things of a man, save (except) the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.’ (1 Cor.2:10-13)
Wonder of wonders Friends! Our God connects with us through the immense power of His Holy Spirit that indwells us! Oh glory to God for His undeserving goodness to the children of men!
Now the scholars have some teachings on those verses that will help us better understand them. ‘2:10-13. The apostle deals with three vital doctrines. In verse 10 he touches on the doctrine of revelation. The truth Paul is talking about is contained in the record God has given to us – the Bible. This is the eternal and unchanging truth of God.
Verse 11 deals with the doctrine of illumination, which has to do with human understanding of divine truth. The subject of verses 12 and 13 is the doctrine of inspiration. In verse 12 Paul talks about the content of inspiration. In verse 13 his concern is with the communication of inspiration. Paul’s message was not of human contrivance. He was a channel simply communicating God’s truth (cf. Gal.1:11-12).’
And that’s it for today my brethren. Don’t want to give us too much to ruminate and meditate on this Friday morning, what with our short attention spans and all the other worldly activities that fill our day. (smile)
So until we meet again tomorrow, God willing, may we all walk in His peace and LOVE, grace, mercy and forgiveness, enjoying them ourselves, and more importantly, also sharing them with others, for that is indeed His desire for us and also the wisdom of the ages. Much LOVE!
…how would we understand the things of God without…His revelation…His illumination…and His inspiration…through His Holy Spirit…
18 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sense of gratitude, abundance, appreciation for God, as for me and mine, asaph, blessings, call upon me in the day of trouble, Christ-like, Christian faith, cleansed from our sins, confidence, disbelieving, doubting, encouragement, eternal life, fellowship with other believers, free for all society, gather in the Lord's sanctuary, Give god praise and thanks, glorify God's holy name, glory hallelujah, God's Son, grace, grateful, gratitude, Hades, he that hath my commandents, he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, I discover God in my life, I know thy works, I love them that love me, I will deliver you, I will spew thee out of my mouth, Jesus Christ, jumping for joy, justice, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, lukewarm, mercy, offer unto God thanksgiving, order of the Carmelites, our heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour, pushing god out of our society, receive strength, repentance, reprieve from hell, ridiculing, sacrificed His sinles life, salvation, sinful nature, Society of the Little Flower, standards, Suday, thankful, thanksgiving, the church at Laodicea, the good old days, the greatest gift ever given to man, the Holy Spirit, the wages of sin is death, those that seek me early will find me, thou art neither cold not hot, time of harvest, understanding, we will follow the Lord, when I am grateful to God, wisdom
Proverbs 8:17. I LOVE them that LOVE me; and those that seek me early (diligently) will find me.
Aye mih people, it’s Sunday; the day we usually gather in the Lord’s sanctuary to fellowship with other believers, and give Him praise and thanks, to glorify His holy name, and in return, receive strength, encouragement and confidence to face another week in this wicked and ungodly world!
And all God’s people loudly declared: ‘All thanks and praise be to our heavenly Father and His wonderful Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who sacrificed His sinless life, so that we could be cleansed from our sins! Glory Hallelujah!’
Yes Friends, that’s the greatest gift ever given to mankind! And it was definitely not a gift that we deserved, given our abominable sinful nature, but one that came out of the LOVING-kindness of God’s heart. He knew that justice decreed the wages of sin be death, but LOVED us so much that He could not bear to see us lost forever in the depths of Hades with the master crook, his satanic majesty, Lucifer.
So from His never-ending store of grace and mercy, He gave us another option; that of salvation and eternal life, if we believed on His Son Jesus Christ and obeyed His will. Now how many of us are truly thankful and grateful for that reprieve from hell eh?
Hn! Certainly not as many as should be! It’s become so bad now, that lots of people are doubting and disbelieving, ridiculing and pushing God further and further out of society. Sadly too, a lot of us who claim to believe, don’t show real gratitude for God’s wonderful gift of grace, and many nowadays just take it for granted.
Ah friends, that’s not how it’s supposed to be. For such undeserving goodness we ought to be constantly jumping for joy and be extremely grateful and thankful; not the lukewarm approach that so many of us display.
Remember Jesus’ message in Revelation to the church at Laodicea. ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would (wish) that thou wert (were) cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.’ (Rev.3:15-16)
Yes my brethren, if we don’t have a real appreciation for God and His things then we’re not being truly Christ-like and adhering to our Christian faith as we should.
Now here’s an interesting comment on gratitude that I read earlier on, from a Between Friends Newsletter published by the Friends of the Society of the Little Flower (St. Therese). It was written by Fr. William J. Harry, of the Order of the Carmelites.
And he ended his thoughts on the abundance in our society around this time of harvest and thanksgiving with this paragraph. ‘Gratitude: It is only when we have a sense of gratitude, a gratitude that flows over into giving, that we truly meet God and experience His Grace in our lives. When I am grateful to God, I discover God in my life!’
Now that’s very true my people! The more gratitude we show, both to God and man, the more the grace of God works in lives. Unfortunately though, in these supposed modern times, gratitude is no longer a major part of our society. We’ve come to just expect things to be given to us, as though we are entitled to them, and words like ‘thank you’ don’t seem to mean much again. The standards of our parents have mostly fallen by the wayside, and we now live in a free for all society, where one is free to do almost anything one desires.
Ah Lord eh! No wonder so many of us long for the good, old days. Granted they were sometimes rough, but they certainly had better structure and more respect and appreciation for God and man.
Finally, turning to our Bit: ‘I LOVE them that LOVE me; and those that seek me early (diligently) will find me.’
What else can we expect eh my people? That’s just pure common sense and simple logic. If we don’t show LOVE for God, and diligently seek Him, how do we expect to receive His wonderful blessings eh?
Yes, so many of us have no appreciation for God and never, or hardly ever seek Him, but as soon as some hardship or problem crops up in our lives, the first words out of our mouths are ‘Oh God! Help me please!’
But that’s not the way our God works. If we come to Him in sincere repentance, He will forgive and help us, but just trying to use Him, or only know Him when adversity hits is not good enough. Remember, He is the Master and we are His servants, not the other way around.
Now listen to what God says through the psalmist Asaph, in Psalm 50 – God is the judge. ‘Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’ (Ps.50:15-16) Please note Friends, that thanksgiving and the paying of vows come before calling out for help in time of need.
And we’ll end with these immortal words of Jesus when he promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. ‘At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that LOVETH me: and he that LOVETH me shall be LOVED of my Father, and I will LOVE him, and will manifest (reveal) myself to him.’ (John 14:20-21)
Yes Friends, Jesus spelled it out in clear and concise terms. If we sincerely believe in Him and keep His commandments, then He will be with us in the form of the Holy Spirit and we will enjoy God’s undying LOVE forever. What can be better than that eh mih people? Nothing whatsoever!
So please let wisdom and understanding rule in our hearts this Sunday morning as we praise and worship and give thanks to our wonderful God! Much LOVE!
…as for me and mine…we WILL…follow the Lord…
14 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a descritpion of faith, a glorious future with Jesus, assurance, been betrayed, been rejected, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, Christ's intecession in heaven, Christ's promises, Christ's sacrifice, conviction, faith, faith is the substance of things hoped for, faith provides evidence, faith provides substance, forgiveness of sin, get with the programme, glad to be alive, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God is working behind the scenes, Gramps Schuller, gratitude, hope, Hour of Power Devotional, I am halfway home, I believe in the sun, I have been hurt, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not turning back, in love, in the seed, Jesus Christ, lies unsprouted under the ground, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, patience, ramp up our faith and trust in Jesus, salvation, satisfaction, spiritual reality, stupidity, the breath of life, the evidence of things not seen, the glorification of the saints, the Good News of Christ, the hope of the resurrection, the resurrection, the return of Christ, trust, unseen realities, Wailing Time, Wednesday Wail, wisdom
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.
Aye Friends, can you believe it’s Wednesday already? Wow! Our workweek is almost done… Glory to God!
And I do hope that you were all bright eyed and bushy tailed when you arose this morning. Sorry to say that ole fella was not. I had a rather rude awakening with cramps in both calves that forced me to get up. But thankfully they never lasted long.
I guess it was just the Lord’s way of getting my attention, since it was the agreed time for me to get up, and I really didn’t want to. He can certainly move in mysterious and devious ways when He is ready. (smile)
And then when I heard the garbage truck in the area, knowing that I had not even collected the stuff in the house, much less put it out on the curb, I dragged myself to get it done, all the time obstructed by the bag and tubing of my I.V.
Praise the Lord though that it is supposed to come out today! I couldn’t handle the inconvenience and scratching around the needle in my hand for even one more day. And that’s my story of woe for today! (smile)
Oh…and since it is Wednesday, that means it’s wailing time. So let’s wail nuh, with sincerity and passion. ‘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!’
Oh yes my people, the road lies straight ahead to a glorious future with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Glory to God! What a wonderful opportunity it is to be linked up with Jesus! I don’t understand how so many people refuse it, and some even give it up nuh.
To me that’s the height of stupidity, because there’s nothing in this ungodly, and evil world that even comes close to the salvation and satisfaction promised by Christ. I guess they don’t have the parts, the patience, the wisdom or the faith to trust their lives to their Creator.
And on that point, here is a li’l poem from Gramps Schuller (Robert H. Schuller) from the Hour of Power Devotional on that powerful and ever so important topic of ‘FAITH.’
Please pray with me: ‘Lord, I believe in the sun, even when it is behind the clouds; in the seed, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground; in faith, even when I have been betrayed; in LOVE, even when I have been rejected; in hope, even when I have been hurt; in God, even when you do not answer my prayers. Amen.’
Ah mih breddren , that’s what it means to have faith! That even when we can’t see any movement in the natural, we still know and believe spiritually, that our amazing, gracious and most merciful God is still working behind the scenes on our behalf! That definitely deserves another ‘Glory to God!’ (smile)
And since we’re talking about faith, I guess the most appropriate Bit for today would be this explanation from Hebrews. ‘Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’
And the scholars offer this extensive explanation on the subject. ’11:1. Verse 1 is not so much a definition of what faith is, as it is a description of what faith does (cf.11:6). Two truths concerning its activity are stated here.
First, faith provides substance (Gr. hypostasis). Though broad in its usage, this Greek word normally has the meaning of “assurance” in the New Testament (cf. 3:14; 2 Cor.9:4; 11:17) and this seems to be the best sense here.
Second, faith provides evidence (Gr. elegchos). It is evidence in the sense of proof that results in conviction. The difference between assurance and evidence would be minimal were it not for the phrase qualifying each: of things hoped for and of things not seen.
The first involves future hope; the second involves present realities that are unseen. The first includes the hope of the resurrection, the return of Christ, and the glorification of the saints. The second involves unseen realities, such as forgiveness of sin through Christ’s sacrifice and the present intercession of Christ in heaven. Hope is faith relating to the future; conviction is faith relating to the present.’
Ah Friends, it’s a long and somewhat involved explanation, but if you take your time and read it, I’m sure you’ll understand what the scholars are trying to say.
In a nutshell, faith is a spiritual reality that causes us to have hope in Jesus Christ, both in the here and now and in the future! It’s what keeps us going when in the natural things don’t seem to be going or turning out the way we desire.
However, because of that faith and trust in the promises of Jesus, we KNOW that He is on the case, working things out for our good, to fall into line with the good plan He has for each and every one of our lives. And we certainly can’t ask for more than that!
So today, please, I implore us to get with the programme; to ramp up our faith and trust in our Saviour. Would He have sacrificed His holy and sinless life, if He didn’t truly LOVE and care for us? I very much doubt it. So now it’s our turn to show our gratitude and faith in the good news of His message. That is heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…faith is simply…trust and LOVE…in action…
11 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adversity, after one time is two, another inconvenience, antibiotics, bite, Bruh Paul, circulation problems, confidence, faith, father's of Israel, glory to God, hope in the Lord, hymn of praise, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I have waited for thy salvation, I wait for the Lord, in his word do I hope, intravenous needle, Isaiah, Jacob, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, maturity in Christ, my soul doth wait, pilgrim's journey, Praise the Lord, redemptive death of Christ, righteousness., salvation, sting, stored deep down in our hearts, test, thanksgiving weekend, the Christian life, the desire of our soul, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the grace of God, the long and short of the story, the Lord doesn't give you more than you can bear, the Lord understands, the path of the just, the return of Jesus, the righteousness of God, the way of the just is uprightness, the word of the Lord, this too shall pass, time of adversity, Titus, to the remembrance of thee, ungodliness, uprightness, wait expectantly in faith, what ain't meet you ain't pass you, what hasn't met you hasn't passed you, wisdom, worldly lusts
Psalm 130:5. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Ah mih people, our ancestors were surely right when they said that after one time was two, and what hadn’t passed you hadn’t met you, or vice versa. Steups! Just trying to put it in proper language, although it does lose some of the flavour when taken from the vernacular.
The long and short of the story though is that this big Thanksgiving Weekend the ole fella is holed up at home with an intravenous needle in his left forearm connected by some clear plastic tubing to a pump and some antibiotics in a bag that I’m carrying around my waist or my shoulder. Hn, Hn, Hn!
I just have to chuckle at the picture yes. I can’t even go to church because of the inconvenience of the situation, but the Lord understands. And I guess you all are wondering what brought on that situation.
Well about a week ago, the duchess noticed this small red spot on my left calf. It was in a position that I couldn’t even see it unless I turned my foot around. We tried doctoring it ourselves, but it only got bigger and redder, until yesterday morning I decided to take in front before in front took me and went to the Emergency Department in a nearby hospital.
Unfortunately I learned that I had an infection in my calf, caused by what, no one really knows. There are theories that it came from a bite or a sting, which I don’t remember receiving, or even some circulation problems. But the best way to remedy the situation was with antibiotics administered intravenously.
So here I am, waiting expectantly for a nurse to come everyday to change my dressing and the medication in the bag. Hn, hn!
But yuh know Friends, even in this time of adversity there is stuff to be thankful for, i.e., there’s no broken skin or any pain in the infected area. Praise the Lord! Our God is so wonderful that He knew the ole fella couldn’t bear any more pain along with his already full load from the arthritis, thus fulfilling the promise that He does not give you more than you can bear. Glory to God!
So that’s my story…and it won’t stop me from participating in the Thanksgiving programme planned by the family, I’ll just be traipsing along with my little bag and clear plastic tubing, trying not to get it hooked up into anything. (smile)
Ah Friends, it’s good that I’m at a stage of maturity in Christ where I can laugh at the situation, otherwise it would just drive me crazy. I have enough faith and confidence to know that this too shall pass, it’s just another inconvenience, another test along my pilgrim’s journey.
That’s why my people, it’s ever so important to have the Word of the Lord, especially His promises stored deep down in our hearts, so that we can raise up whatever is needed to help us in times of adversity.
And our Bit is a very good example of that situation. ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.’ Yes Friends, we surely do need to hope in the Lord, and then wait expectantly in faith with that hope.
Now let’s look at a few scripture passages that uphold our Bit. And we’ll go right to the beginning, when Jacob blessed and prophesied concerning his sons. At one point during his prophecy, he soulfully proclaimed: ‘I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.’ (Gen.49:18)
And we all know Jacob’s story. If he could be turned from an ole crook into one of the father’s of Israel, then there’s hope for all of us, if we sincerely put our trust and faith in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Meanwhile, Isaiah, in his hymn of praise boldly and confidently declares: ‘The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh (make level) the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgements, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.’ (Is.26:7-9)
Oh Friends, how I long to see that day when we down here on this forlorn planet earth truly learn the righteousness of God!
And we’ll end today with these excellent words of advice from Bruh Paul to Titus, re the Christian life. ‘For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (age);
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (his own special) people, zealous of good works.’ (Titus 2:11-14)
Yes my brethren, having received salvation through the redemptive death of Jesus, we must now wait with hope and faith, while living righteously amongst the heathen horde, looking expectantly unto the return of Jesus with all might and power to claim His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
And though that may seem difficult with the constant bombardment of the world and it’s unrighteousness, we can certainly accomplish it if we place all our fears and cares in the Lord God Jehovah, who has faithfully promised to help all those who turn to Him for succour. Now that is undisputed wisdom for each and every age! Much LOVE!
…I can do all things through Christ…who strengtheneth me… (Phil.4:13)
01 Oct 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: another great day in paradise, apply it to my life, autumn season, bounden duty, but my words shall not pass away, contemplate, day after day, fear ye not, feel the Spirit of Jesus, first day of October 2015, forgiveness, gentleness, God is our god for ever, God your word is so demanding, God's faithfulness, God's goodness, grab a bite of it, great stretches of my time, heaven and earth shall pass away, intrusive, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jesus our High Priest, joy, LOVE, meditate on God's Word, my salvation from generation to generation, obedience, One Year Book of Bible promises, oodles of joy, our guide even unto death, physical warmth, ponder, rejoicing of my heart, righteousness., Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, small potatoes, So demanding, spiritual well-being, summer weather, tell it to the generation following, the foundation of the earth, the moth shall eat them up, the peace that passes all understanding, the reproach of men, the sons of Korah, the sun and Son are shining, the worm shall eat them like wool, thou art the same, transforms me, welcome
Matthew 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Welcome, welcome! Welcome one and all to another great day on God’s earthly paradise! It promises to be a terrific Thursday, this first day of October 2015!
Thankfully both the Sun and the Son are shining brightly; the first giving out physical warmth and the second spiritual well-being. I believe though that the physical warmth part will now be much less pronounced in the northern climes as the fall weather seems to be setting in in earnest now.
It’s somewhat cool and the leaves are turning brown and falling. The ‘summerish’ weather we’ve been having for the past couple weeks had to end some time. But we’re still very thankful for it. So welcome also to a glorious autumn season full of wonderful colours!
And I also have to be thankful that my mouth isn’t hurting as badly as it was yesterday – Glory to God! My jaw is still tender though and I still can’t eat properly on the tooth, but that’s small potatoes compared to the pain that I was previously experiencing.
Now here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. I wasn’t planning to use anything from it today, but after reading this poem yesterday, I couldn’t help but share it, since it’s so reminiscent of our behaviour.
It’s called ‘So Demanding,’ and it says: ‘God, Your Word is so demanding. It demands great stretches of my time – Not just occasionally But day after day, year after year. I can’t just grab a bite of it With one hand in the dishwasher Or on the steering wheel While I’m backing out of the garage.
Your Word insists that I ponder That I contemplate and meditate That I seriously apply it to my life. It insists on obedience and forgiveness On gentleness and LOVE. Its claim upon me is absolute. Only as I obey Can I know the peace That passes all understanding.
But God Its very insistence transforms me For it proclaims Your faithfulness In superlative terms. As I give it my fixed, steady attention my composure increases My anxiety decreases And I am supported on every side.
Jeremiah said, “…your word was unto me The joy and rejoicing of my heart.” And in the margin of my Bible Next to the words of the prophet There is my own personal notation. “My heart too!’
Oh Friends, isn’t that poem just filled with truth? It certainly is! Because that’s the way many of us behave. At first we find God’s word so demanding of, and intrusive in our lives, and we aren’t thrilled at all to give up so much time and authority to Him.
But oh what a day, when we truly feel the Spirit of Jesus moving within us …there are oodles of joy and much rejoicing in our hearts!
And what made me share this even more is the fact that the promise attached to it was also our Bit from yesterday. ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’
I thought I was done with it, but apparently not. So I’m asking the good Lord to lead and guide me to other scriptures that corroborate the words of Jesus. So soon come…
Yeah mih breddren, I’m back some ten minutes later with scriptures a plenty! (smile) Isn’t our God great? He surely is! First off, listen to that mighty prophet, Isaiah as he declares the Word of the Lord.
‘Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.’ (Is.51:7-8)
Yes Friends, the things and people of this world will surely pass away, but the righteousness of our God and His Word will never end!
Now hear the author of Hebrews, as he talks about the priesthood of Jesus. ‘But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.’ (Heb.7:24) Oh my people, that’s our High Priest, Jesus, who ever liveth to make intercession for us. (Heb.7:25) Glory Hallelujah!
And listen as the author of Hebrew reprises the words of Psalm 102:25-27. ‘And, thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. They shall perish, but thou remainest: and they shall wax (grow) old as doth a garment. And as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.’ (Heb.1:10-12)
And we’ll end with these oh so truthful words from the sons of Korah in Psalm 48 – God is our God. ‘According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgements.
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell (count) the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.’ (Ps.48:10-14)
Yes Friends, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob is OUR God, and He will be thus from now until eternity. Please let’s do as the psalmist declares, tell it to the generation that follows us, for it is our bounden duty, and because of God’s goodness to us, we should be ever so proud and glad to acclaim and declare it to all and sundry, from every tree and rooftop. Much LOVE!
…if God’s Word doesn’t endure forever…then what will eh…and what hope have we…if that’s not the case…
P.S. Please ignore the lateness Friends, I just had a rather early morning bed time, which necessitated a rather late morning rising. (smile) And besides, God’s Word is good whenever it’s heard or read. Much LOVE!
30 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all flesh is as grass, all the glory of man as the flower of grass, believe in Christ, but my words shall not pass away, calls the faithful to courage, damnation, death, dental work, eternal life, excruciating pain, follow Christ's commandments, glory hallelujah, guide and protect us, heaven and earth shall pass away, I am halfway home, I had a hard night, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, it was a rough night, Jesus Christ, LOVE, my children walk in truth, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, no greater joy, no ifs ands and buts, our Lord and Saviour, painkillers, peace, pilgrim's journey, Prince Buster, righteousness., salvation, severe discomfort, testify to the truth, Thank the Lord, the Alpha and Omega, the breath of life, the earth shall wax old like a garment, the flower falls away, the grass withers, the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, the privileged few, the same yesterday today and for ever, the solution cause more problems, the stomach growling for food, the word of the Lord endures for ever, to a glorious future with Jesus, unrelenting pain, walk steadfastly with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, wisdom
Matthew 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Ah mih people, in the immortal words of the old Jamaican singer, Prince Buster, I have to say: ‘I had a hard night…last night. It was a rough night…last night. I feel so mash up today…’ (smile)
Unfortunately though, my hard and rough night was not a result of sexual activity, like the Prince was referring to in his song, but of a trying and unrelenting pain in my right cheek, the results of dental work. Hn!
Ah Lord eh! That’s what happens when the solution causes more problems than the original problem. The tooth in the upper right corner only caused me problems when eating. Otherwise it didn’t hurt at all. But in my wisdom I decided to go and get it and another problem fixed before they escalated.
Now I was finished at the dentist around 12.30 p.m, left there obviously with my whole face fat and unfeeling because the other problem was in the bottom left half of my mouth. However, I ran around and did a few errands before the rain started falling and I decided to just come home and rest and wait for the freezing to go away.
Now the bottom left freezing went away before the top right and brother, when that did eventually go away, around four o’clock, the pain began seriously. And though it was not a terrible, terrible pain, it was sufficient to cause severe discomfort, as any pain in one’s face is liable to do.
I couldn’t even eat anything solid, because any pressure on the tooth just caused more excruciating pain. And to make matters worse, I did not have any breakfast before I went to the dentist, so the ole stomach was growling for food. Finally about 5 o’clock I made some porridge and drank that to ease the pains in the stomach..
And though I tried valiantly to wait out the pain in my jaw, I had to take some painkillers around 9.pm. But by 3 a.m that had worn off and I got up with my cheek throbbing again. More painkillers followed, and I finally got back to sleep.
Right now it’s not feeling too bad, though in the background I can still feel a slight throb. Hope that’s the end of the strong pain yes, and I don’t have to take any more painkillers. And that’s my story for this morning. (smile)
But Friends, if that’s my biggest problem, then I can truly say, thank the Lord, because compared to the problems of a majority of the world that is indeed a minor one. Many of them don’t even have a dentist around that they could go to, even if they have the necessary funds.
So many of them don’t have any clothes, food or shelter, and here I am complaining about a little pain. Chuh! But that’s how it goes when you live amongst the privileged few in this dangerous and turbulent world. Anyway, enough about me, it’s Wednesday, so let’s wail our Wednesday Wail with much sincerity and truth.
As one enthusiastic wailer now: ‘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!’
Yes Friends, that is exactly where our focus ought to be; on the wonderful future of salvation and eternal life that we have assured with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour! But that’s only if we sincerely believe in Him and follow His commandments.
Otherwise, we’ll just end up in death and eternal damnation. And believe me, that is not a very nice place to spend eternity. And we have the assurance of that from Jesus Himself as He says in our Bit: ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’
Now that is indeed a truth that we cannot query! Why? Because it comes from God Himself! And simple logic dictates that if we can query God’s Word, then He can’t be a true God. End of story!
Now let’s check out a couple of scripture passages that testify to the truth of Jesus’ words. Listen to Isaiah as he calls the faithful to courage. ‘Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and earth shall wax (grow) old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.’ (Is.51:6)
Yes Friends, our God and His righteousness will last forever; no ifs, ands and buts about that!
Now hear Peter as he stresses the words of Isaiah, hundreds of years later. ‘For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word (spoken word) of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.’ (1 Pet.1:24-25)
Oh my brethren, when something is true, you simply cannot deny it. And that’s the way it is with the words of Jesus; undeniably true!
And we’ll end with these simple but ever so true words from Hebrews. ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ (Heb.13:8)
Yes my people, our Jesus: the ‘Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.’ (Rev.1:8)
Now my fellow believers, may we walk steadfastly and sincerely with Jesus, and may He guide and protect us, give us His wisdom and His peace, as we tread this woeful earth in our pilgrim’s journey. Much LOVE!
…I have no greater joy…than to hear that my children walk in truth… (3 John 4)
28 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heart attack, alive and kicking, all flesh is grass, aura of love, but my words shall not pass away, come as a thief in the night, complaining, confidence, crapaud smoke yuh pipe, Creator of the universe, do the best we can, enthusiasm, evil, friends, friends and neighbours, glorious kingdom, glory to God, gospel truth, greetings friends and neighbours, Hades, heaven, heaven and earth, heaven and earth shall pass away, holy spirit, humble servants, in Jesus' name, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jesus' Second Coming, joy, keeping lives and families together, laze around, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, meet the enemy in battle, Monday Morning, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, our God is long-suffering, pussyfoot, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, repentance, rest, salvation, serve a useful purpose, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, that all should come to repentance, that any should perish, the breath of life, the day of the Lord, the flower fades, the grass withers, the spirit of the Lord, the voice of wisdom, the word of the Lord will stand for ever, thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, trust, truth, ungodly world, wicked taunts, wiles, wisdom
Matthew 24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Greetings my wonderful Friends and neighbours on this most auspicious Monday morning! (smile) And I guess you’re wondering why it’s so auspicious eh? Well first of all we’re alive and kicking…sorry, not all of us are kicking, (smile) but God’s breath of life is certainly flowing through our mortal bodies.
And you better believe that’s a rather important and auspicious occasion. And I say that because just last Sunday at the early morning service in church, one fellow who usually comes with his wife, was there alone, and when I inquired of her, he said that she recently had knee surgery and was still recuperating.
Imagine my consternation when at the early morning service yesterday, the pastor announced that the fellow, Don, had unexpectedly and suddenly died of a massive heart attack this week. Ah Lord eh! Now the poor wife not only has to put up with her medical problems, but the sudden and unexpected departure of her spouse too. And we complain because we have to get up and go to work. Steups!
Look Friends, instead of being miserable and complaining, let’s just get up thankfully and get ourselves off to our jobs and do the best we can in Jesus’ name eh! For that’s what He has called us to do, not to laze around, pussyfoot and complain. And to help us get ourselves together this last Monday in September, which looks like it’s going to be another nice day in my area – oh glory to God – let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with much joy, enthusiasm and appreciation.
As one trilling and harmonious 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!’
Now that wasn’t bad at all my people. I guess the news of my fellow parishioners’ sudden passing woke some of you up to the reality that one moment we could be here on earth, and the next floating away to heaven or Hades. I don’t know if Don had any prevailing heart problems but it just highlights the predicament we’re all in, of being ready to meet the Lord anytime He chooses to call.
That brings us to our Bit, where Jesus, having explained some of the signs that would indicate His Second Coming in glory to the disciples, He declares: ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away.’ And isn’t that the gospel truth my fellow believers! It certainly is!
And there’s a whole lot of scripture to prove it. Let’s look at some, beginning with the words of the psalmist from Psalm 102 –A cry in distress. ‘I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure (continue): yea, all of them shall wax (grow) old like a garment; as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.’ (Ps.102:24-27) More truth of an indisputable nature my brethren!
Now listen to Isaiah as he solemnly declares: ‘The voice said, Cry (out), And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness (loveliness) thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit (breath) of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.’ (Is.40:6-8)
Now listen as Peter adds his two cents worth. ‘’The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief (robber) in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’ (2 Pet.3:9-10)
Yes Friends, our God is long-suffering and desires that all who trust Him will receive salvation. But He’s not going to wait forever, and the day of judgement is already set. So if you’re not amongst those who sincerely believe and trust in Jesus at the time of the Rapture, then crapaud smoke yuh pipe when the day of judgement comes.
That’s it in a nutshell my people. So please listen to the voice of wisdom that’s crying out to us get ourselves together, NOW, while we still have a chance, for that day could come like a thief in the night and take us unawares. Much LOVE!
…wisdom dictates that we should be ever ready…either for when the Lord returns…or if He calls us home first…
22 Sep 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: A Prayer for later years, a sinful nature, a sour old person, a terrific Tuesday, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, accept with graciousness, aches and pains, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you, and I will bear, brow beat, complain about my aches and pains, enchilada of roadwork, encourages, endure the boredom with patience, eternal life, even I will carry and deliver you, even to your old age, expressing an opinion on every subject, favours, from creation in our mother's womb, generous, get to the point, God's mysterious workings, going to bed early is strictly for the birds, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, grace to listen to others, graceful, gracious, helpful, I am he, I have made, immortal spirits soar to heaven, independent, jack hammering, loving, make me thoughtful, Mary's Musings, merciful, mortal bodies return to dust, one true and living God, our Lord and Saviour, Praise the Lord, promises, push and keep us down, pushy, recital of endless destails, salvation, talkative, talkative society, the annals of life, the pleasure of discussing my aches and pains, the sounds of heavy machinery, the wisdom to keep my mouth shut, the work of the devil, tiresome habit, understanding, undeserving children, uplifts, walk the path of peace, wisdom
Isaiah 46:4. And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs (gray hairs) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Aye mih people, welcome to another wonderful day in the annals of life! (smile) It looks to be a terrific Tuesday, although a tad chilly and noisy in my area. Oh Lord eh! It’s never amusing, inviting or interesting to awaken to the sounds of heavy machinery rumbling along the roadway and jack hammering pounding away at the road.
Unfortunately that’s what I awakened to today. I thought they had finished working in the neighbourhood, and all that was left to do was pave the main road. But when I looked out it seems they were digging up around the manholes, after having smoothened out the road for paving last week. Steups!
Now couldn’t they have dug up around the manholes then, instead of doing it now? To my small mind that would have made much more sense. But the whole enchilada of roadwork and construction this summer has made little sense whatsoever. Anyway it seems as though they have moved on further down the road, so I’m not hearing the noise like before.
And here’s an interesting prayer that seems to cover all bases. It comes on a single sheet of paper. Somebody gave it to the duchess and she gave it to me, and now I’m going to share it with you…. Another of God’s mysterious movements! (smile) It seems to be taken from a Blog called ‘Mary’s Musings – Life and times of a small town Nana…’ And the prayer is titled ‘A Prayer for Later Years.’
Please pray with me Friends. ‘Lord, thou knowest that I am growing older. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and particularly keep me from falling into the tiresome habit of expressing an opinion on every subject. Release me from the craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details.
Give me wings to get to the point. Give me the grace, dear Lord, to listen to others describe their aches and pains. Help me to endure the boredom with patience and keep my lips sealed, for my own aches and pains are increasing in number and intensity, and the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that, occasionally, I might be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not wish to be a saint (saints are so hard to live with), but a sour old person is the work of the devil. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not pushy; independent; yet able to accept with graciousness favours that others wish to bestow on me.
Free me of the notion that simply because I have lived a long time, I am wiser than those who have not lived so long. If I do not approve of some of the changes that have taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut. Lord knows that when the end comes, I would like to have a friend or two left.’
And all God’s people let out a loud shout of ‘Amen! Praise the Lord!’
The paper went on to say: ‘The author is unknown but I wish I had written it. I think it is appropriate for those of us of a “certain age.”
Now I agree with that to a certain extent, but with the kind of talkative society we now have, I believe people of all ages should embrace that prayer, for it does cover a lot of useful ground.
I also disagree with the point about ‘the pleasure of discussing my aches and pains is becoming sweeter as the years go by.’ Definitely not! They are certainly increasing, and discussing them only makes me remember them and dread their persistence in my life! (smile)
Overall though, it’s a blessed good prayer for ALL of us to pray, since we ALL are guilty of a lot of it. And now I’m going to do exactly what the prayer warns about; complain about my aches and pains. (smile) But it serves a useful purpose, explaining why the Bit is so late.
I went to bed earlier than normal, and woke up at some God-forsaken hour, but refused to get up so early. But as the Lord would have it, after much turning and tossing, I got up late, with a terrible back pain, which I seem to get anytime I lie down too long in bed. So I’m finally convinced that going to bed early is strictly for the birds! End of excuse! (smile)
Now there’s not a lot of time or space left for our Bit, but it is a very interesting promise of God, especially to us old fogeys. ‘And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs (gray hairs) will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.’
Yes Friends, the same God who made us, has also faithfully promised to carry us all the way through this earthly life; right down to our old age with our gray hairs prominently proclaiming our age and our wisdom. Now isn’t that something to be excited about? It certainly is!
No other supposed deity makes that kind of promise. Instead, they all try their best to brow beat us, push and keep us down, with all sorts of disadvantageous rules and regulations.
Only the ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, encourages, uplifts and promises to look after us from creation in our mother’s womb till the time our mortal bodies return to the dust from which it was taken, and our immortal spirits soar to meet Him in the high heavens!
And all God’s people gave out a loud and grateful shout: ‘Oh thank You heavenly Father for being so wonderful, so generous, LOVING, merciful and gracious to us undeserving children of a sinful nature. We LOVE You, praise and adore Your Holy Name, now and forever more. Amen!’
Now Friends, may we all walk the path of peace and LOVE, wisdom and understanding, blessed by the wonderful grace and mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Much LOVE my brethren!
…blessed is the man or woman…who follows after Christ… from birth until death…to whom a wonderful earthly life is granted…along with salvation and eternal life…
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