09 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's wisdom, a man after God's heart, agony, almighty god, an all-loving god, believes with all his heart, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, blessed is the man, buy wine and milk withour money, chart our position, come up higher, come ye to the waters, committed to God, confident trust, delight your soul in fatness, delights in the law of God, diligence, doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, drink of the wine I have mixed, earthly things, eat of my bread, essence of the scripture, eternal life, ever-present, everlasting covenant, excellence, faith, fleeting pleasures of the world, forgiveness, forsake foolishness, free gift of salvation, free offer of mercy, friends and neighbours, get with the programme, go in the way of understanding, godly characteristics, he that hath no money, hearken diligently unto me, his times are in god's hands, honour him with every blessing, hunger satisfied, invitation, Jesus' promise, joy, joy of God's wisdom, LOVE, magnanimous god, meditates on god's law day and nght, mercy, misunderstanding, obey God's Word, omnipotent, omniscient, One Year Book of Bible promises, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, pain, past, prayer, present. future, priority is prayer, pushing forward, reverence, righteousness., salvation, sitteth in the seat of the scornful, spiritually hungry and thirsty, standeth in the way of sinners, supenatural God, supernatural ways, the man God honours, the sure mercies of David, the things of heaven, they shall be filled, times of turbulence, travelling along God's pathway, Tuesday, uncertainty, understanding, whatever the cost, Wisdom's invitation, worship
Proverbs 9:5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled (mixed).
Oh Friends and Neighbours, we’re well on our way this Tuesday morning! And as I noted yesterday, it wasn’t as difficult to get up this morning as it was yesterday.
Anyway, let’s keep pushing forward with diligence and excellence because that’s what our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ desires of us, His followers.
And though I don’t like to quote from the same source too often, I just couldn’t pass up this treasure trove of words from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, which talks about ‘The Man God Honours.’
It says that there are all kinds of men (people) in the world, ‘But the man that God honours is marked by at least five characteristics. First: He is a man totally committed to God, and his concern is that he will obey God’s Word, whatever the cost.
Second: He is a man whose faith can be defined as confident trust. His highest priority is prayer, knowing that a supernatural God moves in supernatural ways.
Third: He rests his past, present, and future in the hands of an all-LOVING God, even in times of turbulence, uncertainty, agony, misunderstanding, and pain, assured that his times are in God’s hands.
Fourth: He believes with all his heart that, as he keeps steadily travelling along God’s pathway, God will honour him with every blessing. Fifth: He has one consistent desire: “God, make me a man after your own heart.”
Now that’s all gospel truth Friends! It also provides a convenient and useful breakdown of godly characteristics that we can each use to chart our position in light of being a person whom God honours.
So please find some quiet time to sit and ponder them, honestly critique ourselves, then try to come up higher, because as believers, our motto should be to come up higher, to improve each and every day in the reverence and worship of Almighty God.
And the scripture promise for that stuff is the opening verses of Psalm 1 – Blessed are the righteous: ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder) day and night.’ (Ps.1:1-2)
They quoted the New Life translation, but I didn’t like it. Some of these modern day translations just don’t sound right to me. Though they may give you the basic idea, they seem to lose the essence of the scripture. (smile) And all of that ties in, dovetails quite nicely with what we want to talk about today; Wisdom’s Invitation.
According to Cousin Sol, Wisdom is crying out to all and sundry: ‘Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth (lacks) understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled (mixed). Forsake the foolish (foolishness), and live; and go in the way of understanding.’ (Prov.9:4-6)
Now that’s a wonderful invitation my people, but how many of us are making use of it eh? Definitely not as many as should, otherwise our world would not be in such a turbulent and troublesome mess.
Oh my brethren, from the earliest times our magnanimous God has been calling us to come and partake of the joy of His wisdom and LOVE, but we have continually declined it for the fleeting and flimsy pleasures of the foolish and destructive world in which we live.
Now let’s look at a couple of those invitations, beginning with Isaiah’s free offer of mercy to all. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness (abundance). Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.’ (Is.55:1-3)
Oh my people, how could we ever refuse such a wonderful invitation eh? Our omnipotent, omniscient, and ever-present God is offering a free gift of salvation to any one who will accept it! If you are spiritually hungry and thirsty, then you can come to Him and have your hunger satisfied, for free to boot!
Yes Friends, FOR FREE! You only have to receive it. But I guess with our foolish worldly ways, we tend to look askance at anything that’s free, especially such a great godly offer. We run when the worldly things are cheap, but when God offers His salvation for free, we back off and beg to be excused. That’s the wisdom of a fool my Friends!
For if we remember Jesus’ promise in the Sermon on the Mount, re the Beatitudes, a prominent one is ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.’ (Matt.5:6)
Yes my brethren, it’s the same basic offer! If you are spiritually hungry and thirsty, you can come to Jesus at any time and be filled with His righteousness, LOVE, mercy, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life!
Wow! Where else can you find such a magnificent offer eh my people, and for free to boot? All you have to do is to believe in Him! Nowhere else in God’s great world my brethren!
So please, I implore us to get with it, get with the programme nuh, and wisely accept the offer of our Creator, our God, and our Great Provider, for in so doing, we will be accepting Wisdom’s Invitation. Much LOVE!
…if earthly things seem too good to be true…then most likely they are…but the things of heaven…they are ALWAYS TRUE…
07 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a name above every name, acknolwedge, adore, almighty god, at the name of Jesus, blessings, boomerang, Bruh Paul, cast pearls before swine, Christ and HIs church, Christian circles, Come Sunday morning, comforts us in time of pain, communication with God, condemn, condemnation, Creator of the universe, Each day is a gift from God, eternal life, every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, evil, exalt His holy name, faithfulness, fellowship, fill the Lord's house with believers, flowers, give not that which is holy to dogs, go to church, God's everlasting goodness, God's goodness, hands of our dear ones, heals our hurts, help, hypocrisy, hypocrites, imperfectness, jehovah god, judge, judge not, judgement, laughter, loving kindness, measure, mercy, mmorning brightness, name of Jesus, obedience, overlooking our own faults, owner of everything, power to pighten our hearts, praise, prayer, rainbows, rat-race, redeem us, rejoicing, reverence, sacrificed His only son, salvation, shortsighted, sins, song, songs and psalms, sun, that Jesus Christ is Lord, the beam in thine own eye, the Lord's Day, the mote in thy brother's eye, the name of Jesus, the Philippians, the Sabbath Day, to the glory of God the Father, true reality, trust, unbelievers, ungodly, work to be done, worship
Matthew 7:3. And why beholdest thou the mote (speck) that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam (plank) that is thine own eye?
Come Sunday morning – the Lord’s Day, the Sabbath – it’s time to go to church; fill the Lord’s house with believers. Come Sunday morning – it’s time for prayer, praise and worship. Come Sunday morning – it’s time for great fellowship amongst believers.
Come Sunday morning – it’s time for the Lord’s name to be heard in songs and psalms all over the world, in grateful tribute to His overwhelming mercy and LOVING-kindness!
Yes Friends, today is the Lord’s Day, so please let’s treat it as such, abounding in much communication with Him and plenty rejoicing in His everlasting goodness to us!
And today I want to share a fabulous and most appropriate poem printed on a card I received for my birthday a few weeks ago. Thanks Lori. It’s titled: ‘Each Day Is a Gift from God.’
Please recite it with me: ‘He has given us morning brightness, and sun, Laughter to share, and work to be done. He has given us rainbows, flowers, and song, And the hands of our dear ones to help us along.
He has given us prayer, with its wonderful power To lighten our hearts in a troublesome hour. He has given us blessings to brighten our way, And always – the gift of another new day.’
Oh my people, how truthful are those words eh! Wow! It’s what we were just talking about; God’s goodness to us. Our wonderful God has done so much for us, and yet we refuse to acknowledge and praise and adore and worship and reverence Him as we should. How foolish is that of us eh my brethren!
Chuh! The Creator of the universe, the owner of EVERYTHING that exists, the Provider of all that we have, the One who heals our hurts and comforts us in our times of pain, the One who sacrificed His only Son to redeem us from our abominable sins – and yet we refuse to hold Him and His Holy Name to the highest level of exaltation, of obedience, trust and faithfulness.
What could be more shortsighted than that eh my people? Nothing, my people, nothing whatsoever! But please remember these memorable words that Bruh Paul wrote to the Philippians, concerning the name of Jesus.
‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:9-11)
Please remember those fateful words my brethren, for we are at such a low point right now in worshipping Jehovah God, that I’m not sure we can go any lower, with all the evil, ungodly, worldly stuff that’s floating around, even in supposed Christian circles.
Our hypocrisy is legendary, and does detract a great deal from the respect that unbelievers have for Christ and His church. That is possibly the number one reason that most unbelievers would give for not believing and/or not going to church: Too many hypocrites in Christ’s church!
Well fine, that might be true, but then just come and add one more to it nuh! (smile) That’s because we are all hypocrites to a certain extent, in one way or another. None of us is perfect, but we’re always quick to judge the imperfectness of others, while forgetting, or conveniently overlooking our own faults.
But please remember Jesus memorable words, including our Bit, when He told us not to judge. ‘Judge (condemn) not, that ye be not judged (condemned). For with what judgement (condemnation) ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete (use), it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote (speck) that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam (plank) that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote (speck) out of thine eye; and behold a beam (plank) is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam (plank) out of thine own eye; and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote (speck) out of thy brother’s eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend (tear) you.’ (Matt.7:1-6)
Oh Friends, Jesus could not have put it any simpler or more straightforward than that!
And the scholars offer this explanation. ‘7:5-6. Thou hypocrite is the only statement that can be made for this play actor who pretends to be a physician when he himself is sick. The dogs and swine refer to those who have deliberately rejected the message of truth. These particular animals were especially repulsive to Jesus’ audience.’
Ah Friends, what a foolish bunch we can be when Lucifer waves his pretty but flimsy and worthless things and activities in our faces. We fall so hard and so quickly for the supposed glamour and merriment of the world’s lustful activities, while unwisely shunting the things of God, the much more worthwhile things of heaven to the background.
That foolish action my people, like a boomerang, will one day come back to haunt us. So please let’s get wise nuh, let’s wake up to the true reality of our situation and turn to Almighty God for succour and saving, because He is the ONLY ONE who can truly provide those things, things which we so badly need in this rat race that we so nicely term – life. Much LOVE!
…only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob can provide…true salvation and eternal life…to the hurting, hungry and hard of heart…
03 Dec 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anti-Jesus world, Bruh Paul, burnt our bridges, Calvary, Christ's sacrifice, Creator of the universe, eternal life, expectant faith, forge ahead, friends, give us strength to carry on, glorified, gospel truth, halfway to home and freedom, help others achieve their dreams, hungry hope, in the evening, in the morning, Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour, Most High, no looking or turning back, reconciliation, resonate in our souls, righteousness., salvation, sanctified children, sins, son jesus christ, sow thy seed, Wednesday, withhold not thy hand, word of encouragement, worth to be praised, you don't know which will prosper, you reap what you sow
Ecclesiastes 11:6. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper (which will succeed), either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
Welcome to Wednesday Friends; the halfway to home and freedom day!
And all God’s people shouted a hearty ‘Yeah! Welcome Wednesday!’ (smile)
Ah mih people, Wednesday is the day of no looking or turning back, because we have already burnt the bridges of Monday and Tuesday behind us.
Therefore, our only option now is to forge ahead with hungry hope and expectant faith in the Creator of the universe and His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ!
The sinless Son who selflessly gave up His all and sacrificed His life on Calvary’s hill, taking our burdensome sins upon His strong shoulders, giving us righteousness, reconciliation with the Father, salvation and eternal life. Oh what a mighty Lord and Saviour is our Jesus!
And the sanctified children of the Most High burst out: ‘Oh Thank you Jesus! We praise and glorify your holy name, for you are indeed worthy to be praised and glorified!’
And that’s an indisputable fact my brethren! So please, let’s allow that to resonate in our souls, bodies and minds today and give us strength to carry on, as we face an increasingly anti-Jesus world.
And our word of encouragement for today comes from Les Brown, (1945- ) a world-renowned African-American motivational speaker, and it points out a rather intriguing and beautiful aspect of human life. It simply says: ‘Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.’
Now that’s gospel truth Friends! It’s just another take on God’s universal principle of ‘what you sow, you will reap.’
And it works nicely in tandem with our Bit: ‘In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper (which will succeed), either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.’
Yeh mih people, we have to sow some kind of seed, hopefully good ones, every day, so that we can reap their harvest at a later date. Like the farmer sows and waits patiently, but with eager expectation for the former and latter rains to water his fields and produce a bountiful harvest, we must also do likewise.
And as Cousin Sol says in the opening verse of the chapter: ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.’ (Eccl.11:1)
And the scholars have this to say about those verses. ’11:1-6. These verses contain a series of sayings about the uncertainty of human industry, and are held together by the fourfold occurrence of the expression thou knowest not. Although man cannot comprehend God’s work, nor predict success, he needs to be involved in life’s activities and trust God for the results.’
Absolute truth my brethren! To achieve success, we have to sow good seed, then trust God to bring forth the harvest in His good time.
As Bruh Paul tells the Corinthians in his first letter. ‘I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God (God’s fellow workers): ye are God’s husbandry (field), ye are God’s building.’ (1 Cor.3:6-9)
Meanwhile, Isaiah testifies: ‘Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.’ (Is.32:20)
Yes Friends, we need to be continually sowing good seed in all kinds of places, everywhere we go, helping and encouraging others, so that they can stand steadfast in God. And there’s immense truth in the saying that nothing helps and heals us like giving to others, be it time, money or talents.
Again we turn to the wise words of Bruh Paul, this time in his second missive to the Corinthians. ‘But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully (with blessings) shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (compulsion): for God LOVETH a cheerful (joyful) giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things (never lacking anything), may abound to every good work.’ (2 Cor.9:6-8)
The scholars offer this explanation: ‘9:7. Cheerful giver: The giver is to have a willing heart and a sincere desire to participate in the offering. Paul is not so much interested in their money. Nor is God, for that matter, as the passage from Proverbs 22:9 indicates.
The Greek term ‘hilaron,’ from which the English “hilarious” derives, is best rendered as the English text suggests, “cheerful.” Giving is not a joke. It is a serious business, but it is a delightful experience all the same.’
And so it should be! But sadly my people, giving these days is the bane of our existence! That’s because giving, both generously and cheerfully, is no longer one of our strong points. This version of our society is rather averse to giving, even though we have more people and institutions asking.
And when we give, it’s…it’s like pulling teeth. (smile) We oftimes have to beg and beseech to get a little of anything, because we have now become a real selfish and greedy society.
Anyway Friends, let’s take this message to heart today nuh and go out and seriously put into practice, for it is wisdom of the highest order and benefits us like nothing else does. Much LOVE!
…as Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley)likes to say…you reap what you sow…more than you sow…and later than you sow…
29 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affordability, all or nothing at all, almighty god, Black Friday, bring us to our senses, buying and selling, care, Caretaker, churlish, consumer socisty, Creator, Creator of the universe, Cyber Monday, double vision, drawing closer to God, drifting away from God, enlightened times, enslavement, eternal live, evil, fear not, flies out the window, forgiveness, friends, God agonized over our behaviour, God and mammon, God causes us to get wealth, God smoothens our paths, God takes plastic too, God's greatest creation, gorging ourselves, gospel truth, grace, guidance, improper attitude, Israelites, jealous god, Jesus Christ, Joshua, joy, lavish giver, like chickens with our heads cut off, LOVE, loyalty, lucifer's evil minions, Mammon, material possessions, material things, mercy, Moses, neither be dismayed, no man can serve two masters, our Lord and Saviour, peace, petty, power brokers, powers of darkness, priority, provider, read mark inwardly digest, reality, reasoning, refuse to heed God's call, run like cheetahs, running around in circles, salvation, secret, selfish, smart money, strength of plastic, taker, the bottom line, the Lord goes before thee, the Lord will be with you, the Lord will not fail you, the Lord will not forsake you, wake up and smell the roses, wisdom, you cannot serve God and mammon
Matthew 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches).
Well Friends, the craziness and stupidity of Black Friday is over!
Chuh! What a mind boggling event! It’s ever so sad to see the video footage of the enormous crowds, normally sane people, behaving like wild animals, like leggo-beasts, rushing, pushing, shoving and screaming like banshees, with their big boxes of supposed bargains.
I got so tired of hearing about Black Friday on the car radio yesterday, that at one point I just turned it off. Wonder what they’re going to call this Saturday eh? Remember cyber Monday soon come. Steups!
Ah Lord eh Friends, we’re just being turned into nothing but a consumer society by the powers that be! It’s all about buying and selling and padding the bottom line and the pockets of the already rich merchants and power brokers!
And sadly, we’re falling for it. We refuse to heed God’s call, although He has much better stuff to offer, but we run like cheetahs when Lucifer’s evil, greedy minions call. That’s not right my people. Many of us, when we go to church, find it difficult to put a decent offering in the collection plate, always focusing on what we can and cannot afford to give God.
But when coming to the sales of worldly goods, like yesterday, affordability quickly flies out the window, and we put it all on plastic without a qualm. Well I have a little secret to share with you – God takes plastic too yuh know! (smile)
But seriously Friends, our behaviour in these supposed modern and enlightened times has become so churlish, petty and selfish that it’s embarrassing sometimes to call ourselves human beings, God’s greatest creation.
I’m sure our heavenly Father must have agonized over our behaviour yesterday, even to the point of questioning His wisdom in creating us, because we seem to be foolishly drifting further and further away from Him, instead of wisely drawing closer to Him, seeking His everlasting LOVE, care and guidance.
For in the memorable words of Moses to the Israelites, when he commissioned Joshua as his successor: ‘And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.’ (Deut.31:8)
Yes Friends, it is Almighty God, our Creator, Provider and Caretaker who goes before us to smoothen out our paths, the same One whom we are so rudely and unwisely ignoring these days.
And I can just imagine, when the bills arrive for those of us who did the big shopping yesterday on the strength of plastic, the first words we’re going to cry our are: ‘Oh God!’ Then we’ll run to Him asking for help to pay them.
But He was nowhere in our thoughts when we gorging ourselves on the flimsy, soon destroyed, material things of the world. And we fully expect God to help us too! Hn!
Oh my people, please read, mark and inwardly digest these important words of our Bit, words that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ proclaimed some two thousand years ago. ‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches).’
Now that’s both logical reasoning and gospel truth!
And the scholars offer an excellent explanation of that verse: ‘6:24. This kind of spiritual double vision causes one to believe he can serve two masters. Total loyalty to God cannot be divided between Him and loyalty towards one’s material possessions. A master (Gr. kurios) is a lord or an owner.
That God claims total lordship over His own is obvious in this passage. Therefore, Jesus rightly proclaimed, Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The term ‘mammon’ is derived from the Aramaic term for possessions or wealth. Jesus is not condemning money or possessions in and of themselves, but the improper attitude of enslavement toward wealth.’
Yeh mih breddren, nothing’s wrong with having wealth and material possessions per se, but when we make them our priority, and put God somewhere down the totem pole, then we’re being foolish and worshipping them as idols.
Remember too that it’s our great God who causes us to get wealth, (Deut.8:18) and He’s also a very jealous Deity, wanting us to serve and worship nothing, or no one else but Him. That’s His first commandment: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ (Ex.20:3)
Oh Friends, let’s wake up and smell the roses, or the coffee, or whatever it is that’s going to bring us to our senses nuh, bring us back to the reality that we cannot serve the things of this world and Jehovah God at the same time. One has to take precedent and priority over the other, and the smart money is on the Creator of the universe!
So please, let’s stop allowing the powers of darkness and evil of this world to cause us to run around in circles, like chickens with our heads cut off, doing their unwise bidding, and instead wisely concentrate on the One who has amazing stuff to offer, for free too; stuff like peace, LOVE, joy, mercy, grace, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life!
Wow! Now can any bank, credit card company or businessman offer you those things? Absolutely not! They’re only interested in taking what little material possessions and wealth you have to increase their pile.
But the Lord God Jehovah is a lavish giver, not a taker! So let’s get smart nuh and truly follow Him, for that’s the apex of wisdom. Much LOVE!
…our God doesn’t play halves…with Him…it’s either ALL…or nothing at all…
28 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anguish, ask God's divine guidance, bargains, bargainse, Black Friday, business people, cannot be bought with money, common sense, crown of life, Cyber Monday, desire, discomfort, drawn away by his own lust, drive, encouragement, enthusiasm, enticed, enticing, eternal life, every gift comes from above, every man is tempted, evil, fellowship, firstfruits, fleshly lust, forgiveness, fraudulent, Friday chant, fun, gift, glorious kingdom, God is good, God is immutable, God tries the saints, God's promise, god's redemption of man, gospel truth, grace, greed, greedy, hold our heads and bawl, James, Jesus Christ, joy, LOVE, loving kindness, lust brings forth sin, mark of a true believer, material things, mercy, mistakes, patience, peace, price we have to pay, promise, psychological ploys, Red Thursday, redemption, relaxation, resentment, sales, salvation, shopping blitz, shopping day, sin, sin brings forth death, spooked deer, take it to God in prayer, temptation, tempted of god, tempted with evil, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Father of lights, U.S Thanksgiving, ungodly attitudes and actions, variation, waith for hours, warning, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, wisdom, wise decisions, worldwide trend
James 1:14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desire), and enticed.
And at last it was Friday…! And all the people joyfully shouted: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday; Black Friday!’
‘But wait nuh mih breddren, what Friday is this eh, Black Friday?’ you ask with a confused frown. ‘But it’s not the 13th…’
‘Oh no, not the old mythical Friday the 13th, but the new Black Friday; the excessive shopping day after the U.S Thanksgiving celebrations.’
‘Ah Lord eh!’ you shake your head in disbelief.
Yes my people, it’s another day of supposed sales and bargains that only breeds greed, anguish, resentment and all sorts of ungodly attitudes and actions, where we line up in the cold and dark, hours before stores open, then rush like spooked deer through the doors to buy stuff that we don’t really need, and very often cannot afford.
But the evil and greedy business people have found, or rather created, another day to lure us into their businesses to spend money we don’t have. And now, unfortunately, it’s a trend that’s going worldwide. In Canada businesses are doing their own thing too to try and stop the enormous amount of cross border shopping.
One business even had something it called ‘Red Thursday.’ Steups! And next Monday is now being called cyber Monday, where on-line shopping is the name of the game. And then they will put on the Christmas blitz. We are being constantly bombarded with advertising for all sorts of bargains, which are usually fraudulent.
Oh Friends, why don’t we rush down to God’s house like that eh, where everything is free? And instead of giving away, wasting our hard earned or non-existent money on physical stuff that rots and is easily destroyed, we receive LOVE, joy, peace, mercy, grace, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life; things that cannot be bought with money!
And sadly, even if they advertised church services like they do these supposed sales, very few of us would show up, and even fewer would have the enthusiasm, drive and patience to wait for hours in discomfort until the doors opened.
But we can only try to avoid people falling prisoner to the lure of sales and cheap bargains. And one of the tools we use is our Friday Chant. So let’s chant it nuh, with the same enthusiasm and energy we have for the sales we’ll head out to later in the day. (smile)
As one voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Ah mih people, I can only hope and pray that we use a little common sense and wisdom and don’t get in foolishly over our heads in whatever we do today. No doubt many of us will hold our heads and bawl when we realize the mistakes we’ve made. But that’s the price we have to pay when we don’t think before we act, neither do we take everything to God in prayer and wisely ask for His divine guidance and help.
That brings us to these most appropriate words of James. ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (have been proved), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.’ (James 1:12-13)
And all of that is gospel truth Friends, as are the words of our Bit which follows them. ‘But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desire), and enticed.’
And that is exactly what’s happening to us with these sales! The business people are pandering to our natural fleshly lust for material things, and through psychological ploys are enticing us to come and buy what we don’t need or can afford.
And as James continues: ‘Then when lust (desire) hath conceived, it bringeth forth (gives birth to) sin: and sin, when it is finished (full grown), bringeth forth death.’ (James 1:15) Indisputable truth my brethren!
And James ends with a solemn warning, as well as words of consolation and encouragement. ‘Do not err (be deceived) my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firtsfruits of his creatures.’ (James 1:16-18)
And the scholars offer these words of explanation: ‘1:17. Three great principles are presented: (1) God is the Father, or Creator, of the heavenly bodies. (2) As their Creator, He is certainly more stable than they. With God there is not even the slightest change; He is immutable. (3) God is only good – and always good.
This third principle relates verse 17 to the preceding context. It answers the implication of verse 13 that God may sometimes tempt man to evil. Though God tries the saints (John 6:6; Heb.11:17), He never tries with evil intent so as to tempt them.’
‘1:18. All the redeemed are God’s firstfruits in that they are the first step in God’s redemption of all creation (Rom.8:18-23).’
So Friends. Let’s go out this Black Friday morning filled with the Spirit of God that will lead us to make wise decisions, even in the midst of plenty psychological bombardment and enticement. That’s the mark of a true believer! Much LOVE!
…though God doesn’t tempt us…He does allow us to undergo trials to test our mettle…but in His LOVING-kindness, He also helps us to handle them…O what a wonderful God we serve and worship…
26 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: come to destroy, come to save, condemn, condemnation, discipline, don't let go, everlasting life, fire and brimstone, fit for the kingdom of god, for God so loved the world, guidel leader, halfway home, hold on, in need of help, it's darkest just before the dawn, Jesus Christ, Jews, loggerheads, Lord, Lot's wife, Luke, no man that looks back, only begotten Son, pillar of salt, put your best foot forward, put your nose to the gridnstone, putting their hand to the plough, rash judgements, rejection, retaliation, salvation, Samaritans, saviour, seek and save that which is lost, self-control, shake off the very dust from your feet, Sodom, son of Abraham, stick-to-itive-ness, testimony, the praise of God, the praise of men, the Son of man, turn to Jesus, Zaccheus
Luke 9:56. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Aye Friends, it’s Wednesday morning! That means we’re halfway home to two big days of freedom! And this is the most important part of the week, the time when we need to show strong discipline and self-control, or as the old folks would say, ‘stick-to-itive-ness.’ (smile) That’s hanging in there, not giving up, even though it’s so easy to let go and quit.
This is the time when it often seems so dark and dreary and impossible. But as we all know, it’s darkest just before the dawn, just before daylight, before the sun appears over the horizon. It’s only a couple more days to freedom my brethren, so please hold on and don’t let go, don’t dare to look back and sigh and wonder what if.
Remember what happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back as they were fleeing the fire and brimstone that was engulfing Sodom? Despite warnings, she looked back and immediately turned into a pillar of salt. (Gen.19:26)
Remember too, Jesus’ words to the man who wanted to go and bid his family farewell before following Him. ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:62)
Yes Friends, no one who gives things of little importance higher priority than God’s work is of much use to Him. So just hang on in there this Wednesday morning, put your best foot forward, your nose to the grindstone and move forward with Jesus ever by your side, as Guide and Leader, Lord and Saviour.
This brings us to some fateful words of Jesus, including our Bit. ‘But he turned and rebuked them and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.’ (Luke 9:55-56)
This happened when Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to fulfill His purpose in coming to earth. He sent some messengers into a Samaritan village to make ready, to make preparations for the large group that was travelling with Him.
As befitted His status, Jesus had a fairly large entourage by the standards of those days. However, they weren’t well received in that village because it looked like they were only being used as a stop-gap measure, as Jerusalem seemed to be their final destination. (Luke 9:52-53)
And since the Jews and Samaritans were always at loggerheads, it’s only logical to expect the latter not to welcome or favourably receive those bound for Jerusalem.
And it’s certainly amazing to hear the disciples’ response to their lack of welcome. ‘And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elijah did?’ (Luke 9:54) James and John were certainly hot to trot!
And as the scholars tell us: ‘9:54. See 2 Kings 1:10-12 (for Elijah’s story). Peter is not the only disciple to make rash judgements. Retaliation in the face of rejection goes far beyond Jesus’ order in 9:5.’
And Luke 9:5 says: ‘And whosoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.’ And it’s useful to note here that Jesus meant rejection by whole cities, not merely isolated individuals.
Anyway, that’s when Jesus spoke the words of our Bit to the disciples. And several times during His earthly ministry He made that point; that He had come to save, not to destroy. Let’s look at a few of them.
The first one is when He had lunch with Zaccheus, the chief tax collector. And when Zaccheus pledged to refund his ill-gotten gains, (Luke 19:8) Jesus said to him. ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ (Luke 19:9-10)
There again my people, Jesus emphasizes His purpose as to seek and save the lost, not to destroy.
Then in John 3, Jesus delivers these beautiful, encouraging and uplifting words. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17)
And again Friends, Jesus places more emphasis on saving rather than condemnation.
And our final words from Jesus on the subject, takes place when some of the Jewish rulers believed in Him, but were afraid of making their feelings public because they feared the wrath of the Pharisees, of being kicked out of the synagogue. As the Good Book says: ‘For they LOVED the praise of men more than the praise of God.’ (John 12:43)
And that’s still ever so true of too many of us today my people! We prefer to offend God, rather than man.
Anyway, as part of Jesus reaction to those people, He said, ‘And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.’ (John 12:47-48)
Yes my brethren, our Lord and Saviour is not a destroyer like Lucifer, but a saviour as His title aptly proclaims.
So please let’s stop being afraid, stop being anxious and guilt stricken when we make mistakes, or come up less than we should, because that’s the kind of people Jesus came to save, not the perfect ones, but the sick and suffering, the lost and abandoned, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. Much LOVE!
…in need of help…then turn to the one who specializes in helping…Jesus Christ…
24 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a light shining in the window, a tree of life, adults, Aloha, Amen, babes, blessings, confidence, Creator of the universe, drinking milk, eating solid food, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fall t the ground, fellow believers, fleshly concerns, friends, full of surprises, glorify God, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, grace, growing in the word of God, hearts and minds, holy spirit, hope, hope thou in God, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, Lamentations, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, maturing, mercy, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, Monday Morning, my flesh dwells securely in hope, my glory rejoices, my heart is glad, peace, Praise the Lord, reconciled to the Father, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, rock heaven and earth, sacrifice, salvation, shock, sinless life, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, trust, ungodly world, victory, vim and vigour, Why art thou cast down o my soul, wisdom
Psalm 16:9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope.
Aloha Friends! I give you that wonderful first day of the week, Monday!
And all God’s people say a loud and heartfelt ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
And I almost fall to the ground in shock!
Wow mih people, you all sure are full of surprises. One day I tell you it’s Monday, and you abuse me. Then the next time I tell you that, you glorify God.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am very thrilled to hear you all are accepting Monday so easily and joyfully, for that’s how it ought to be. It shows that we are maturing, growing in the Word of God, no longer babes drinking milk, but adults starting to eat solid food.
Thus we are preparing ourselves better, so that when Monday rolls around, we are well prepared and well able to meet it on our godly terms, rather than its worldly terms. And to celebrate that magnificent victory over our fleshly concerns, that wonderful coming of age, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with extra vim and vigour.
Come on now Friends, let’s rock both heaven and earth. ‘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!’
Oh yeah mih people, that was marvellous! So marvellous that it had all of heaven clapping and singing along – even the Father Himself! (smile)
Now with all that adrenalin flowing, and our motors revving with great expectations, let’s go out into the disaster prone world we live in and tell others about Jesus Christ; about the joy, hope, and faith we have in Him, who sacrificed His sinless life so that we might be reconciled to the Father, whose mercy and grace gives us salvation and eternal life!
Let’s tell them about Jesus and the work the Holy Spirit has wrought in us, so much so that we can now claim the Bit as our own declaration. ‘Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope.’
Yes my fellow believers, our hearts and minds ought to be filled with awesome hope and faith this Monday morning. And today we’ll continue looking at some scriptures that deal with hope.
Oh by the way, let me apologize for a typo I made yesterday. Don’t know how many of you noticed it, but at the end of the verse from Psalm 39 – ‘And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.’- I put it as (Ps.31:7, rather than 39:7) Please forgive the ole fella, for he is merely human. (smile)
And since we’re talking about Psalms, we might as well continue with them, seeing that they possibly have more hope in God declared in them than any other scriptures.
Listen to these powerful words from Psalm 42 –An intense longing for God – a contemplation of the sons of Korah. ‘Why art thou cast down (bowed down), O my soul? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence)’ (Ps. 42:5)
And that’s how we ought to be my people! Whenever our spirits are down, for whatever reason(s), the best way to fire them back up is by hoping in God, seeking and praising Him.
Now hear these wise words of Cousin Sol: ‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’ (Prov.13:12)
And the scholars explain it thus: ‘13:12. Hope deferred depresses, but its fulfillment revitalizes.’
And the Preacher tells us that: ‘For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they anymore a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.’ (Eccl.9:4-5)
That’s why we say that while there’s life, there’s always hope, for when you’re dead, any chance of hope dies with you.
And we’ll close with these beautiful and wise sentiments of Jeremiah in his Lamentations. ‘The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam.3:25-26)
Therefore my people, please stand strong in Jesus Christ! Let’s not give up that hope which has brought us so far along. Our great and wonderful God has promised to look after us, and we know that he is faithful to keep His promises.
So let’s go out today brimming over with peace, LOVE, hope, joy and faith, for that’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…hope means…that there’s always a guiding and welcoming light shining in the window…regardless of the hour…
21 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as I have loved you, balance, barren, battle the heathen, bear fruit, beautiful day, believers, blind, bring others to jesus, brotherly kindness, calling, charity, Christian living, cleansed, common sense, crazy, diligence, election, endurance, everlasting kingdom, evil, failure, faith, fall, fellow believers, Friday chant, friends, fun part, generous help, George Elliston, get carried away, glorious kingdom, God-likeness, godliness, gospel truth, grace, heaven, holy spirit, in Jesus' name, Jesus Christ, knwoledge, lifelong cycle, LOVE, LOVE one another, loving kindness, mentally retarded, moral excellence, our Lord Jesus Christ, patience, perseverance, purged, relaxation, renewed vitality, resentful, rest, rewards in heaven, righteousness., sadly lacking, salvation, self-control, selfish, shortsighted, shower with kindness, sins, slaving for massa, spiritual maturity, spiritual truth, stumble, temperance, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the weekend, touchstones, unfruitful, virtue, war mongering world, welcome us with open arms, wisdom, wonderful world
2 Peter 1:7. And to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity (LOVE).
And finally Friends, it was Friday…
And all around the world there were joyful shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! This slaving for massa couldn’t done soon enough! The fun time, the weekend is just waiting to welcome us with open arms! Thank the Lord ever so much that it’s Friday!
My sentiments exactly Friends! But we need to be very careful that we don’t get carried away with the fun part of the weekend, that we also remember the rest part and the godly communication and fellowship aspects. And to help us do that, let’s get into our Friday Chant right off the top.
Sincerely, and as one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my people, we have to find the right balance between fun, rest and time with God and other believers to refresh and rejuvenate ourselves, so that we can go back out on Monday and begin the whole workweek process all over again, take the battle to the heathen one more time.
That brings us to this quote, which I believe I might have shared before, but it’s so useful and wonderful that we need to be reminded of it every single day. It’s by George Elliston (1883-1946) a female American journalist, and it simply says: ‘How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.’
Mama Mia! And isn’t that the gospel, gospel truth my brethren? It surely, surely is!
There’s nothing in this whole wide world that touches us as much as kindness! But unfortunately it is something that’s so sadly lacking in our busy, selfish, evil, resentful and war mongering world. People look at you as though you’re crazy, mentally retarded, when you do an act of kindness. What sort of society are we living in eh?
The best thing that could ever happen is if everybody showered everybody else with kindness. Then we’d have the wonderful world we talk about so much!
And Peter, in his discussion on growing in grace reveals to us some of the touchstones, including our Bit, which we need to add to our lives for such growth.
‘And beside this (But also for this very reason), giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience (perseverance); and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (LOVE).’ (2 Pet.1:5-7)
What a revelation my fellow believers! For a lot of us so-called believers don’t show the kindness that we ought to, even to fellow believers. Remember what Jesus tried to drive into the disciples’ heads: ‘This is my commandment; That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you.’ (John 15:12)
And as Peter so wisely and rightly continues: ‘For if these things be in you (are yours), and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren (useless) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off (is shortsighted), and hath forgotten that he was purged (cleansed) from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (stumble): For so an entrance shall be ministered (supplied) unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ (2 Pet. 1:8-11)
Yes Friends, we need to bear all those fruits, if we desire to bring others to Jesus, and ensure that our rewards in heaven are also as great as they can be.
Now here are some explanations from the scholars’ on all of that. ‘1:5-7. In this section Peter urges his readers to grow to spiritual maturity. Add to your faith indicates the areas of growth that follow after salvation. Virtue is moral excellence.
Knowledge is spiritual truth. Temperance is self-control. Patience is endurance. Godliness is God-likeness. Brotherly kindness (Gr. philadelphian) is brotherly LOVE. Charity (Gr. agape) is volitional (of the will)) LOVE. This process is a lifelong cycle of spiritual growth for all believers.’
And more explanations from the scholars’. ‘1:10-11. Ye shall never fall: The author is not referring to falling from salvation but to failure in Christian living.
The everlasting kingdom refers to the eternal realm of God where Jesus is the undisputed Ruler. It is synonymous with heaven. Thus, the one who acquires the virtues of verses 5-7 will have a rich inheritance in heaven.’
And Friends, since I know that all of us desire to have a very rich inheritance in heaven, please, I implore us, please let’s go out and do those things that we ought to do as true believers nuh, the things which will ensure that we have a rich heavenly reward. That’s simple common sense, as well as heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…Jesus simply went out everyday…doing good…so should His followers…
17 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abusive language, all is not lost, aura of love, bad habit, begin the workweek on the wrong foot, behind the eight ball, blessings, charity begins at home, confidence, Creator of the universe, discipline, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil world, free gifts, fundamentals of life, generation, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, guidance, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, instruction, invincible, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, jobs, let the heathen know about Jesus, lies, LOVE, mercy, miffed, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Oh Lord God Almighty, on the cross at Calvary, one generation shall praise thy works to another, provoke rebellion, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, sacrificial and substituionary death, salvation, social media, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, time is of the essence, train up a child, truth, ungodly world, when he is old he will not depart from it, wisdom, work for Jesus
Psalm 145:4. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
‘Monday, Monday! Oh how I LOVE you! Can’t wait for you to come around, so that I can get back into the wicked world and work for Jesus!’ And suddenly there erupts a barrage of inflammatory and abusive language. (smile)
Okay, okay. So I am laying it on a bit thick. But Friends, technically speaking, that’s how we ought to be; anxious to get out into the evil world and let the heathen know about Jesus and His awesome free gifts of salvation and eternal life, through His sacrificial and substitutionary death on the cross at Calvary.
But I guess most of us are miffed at having to get up and go out and earn a living, especially in the cold, snowy weather that’s currently permeating my area. But them’s the breaks yes Friends!
So we had better get accustomed to it, otherwise we’re only going to stress out ourselves more than is necessary, and always begin the workweek on the wrong foot, behind the eight ball. Ah Lord eh! When are going to get out of this bad habit? (smile)
Anyway, to help the situation, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, in full, sweet, heavenly tones. As one great voice 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 so bad, was it? At least it energized us and lifted our spirits so that we can lose our miserable, pitiful attitude and can get on victoriously with life, as we ought to. That means turning to our Bit. ‘One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
And as we saw yesterday through Moses’ command, (Deut. 6:6-9) teaching our children about Almighty God and all the great and wonderful things He has done down through the ages is essential, absolutely necessary, if we want to propagate Him and His Word to future generations.
How do you think it got to us eh, so many thousands of years later? Because one generation told the other. But we, in our proud, high-minded and busy world, considered it not important enough to spend the time teaching it to our children. And that’s one of the main reasons why we now have such disobedient, uncouth, ungrateful, ignorant children in this ungodly society!
Remember Cousin Sol’s wise words though my people. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6) And that’s indisputable, undeniable, gospel truth my brethren!
But I think we need to check out the scholars’ explanation here, so that we get it right. ’22:6. Train up a child refers to the total process of molding a child’s life. The word ‘train’ (chanak) comes from the root word meaning to “put into the mouth” and implies the idea of conditioning the palate.
Thus parental training should help children develop a taste for the things of God. The biblical pattern of effective parental training emphasizes a balance of instruction and discipline (cf. Eph.6:1-4). The ideal parent is to be neither overly authoritarian nor overly permissive. Rather, he must balance LOVE and discipline so as not to “provoke” his child to rebellion.
When he is old means simply, “when he is grown up,” or a mature adult. It does not refer to his elderly years. The verse stresses the simple principle that education in the home forms the man throughout his lifetime.’
More gospel truth my brethren! As the old people so rightfully said; charity, or LOVE begins at home! Home is where the basic fundamentals of life, including God, and decent living ought to be taught!
Sadly though, that no longer seems to be the way. The world, through radio, television and the ever invasive and pervasive social media are now our children’s teachers. So what else can we expect eh, but unruly, ungodly, worldly children… and eventually adults.
But as I said yesterday Friends, all is not lost, we still have some time to teach them about Jehovah God and His mighty and wonderful acts – don’t know how much though. So please, let’s get on with it nuh. Ask the Lord to show you how to address the matter at this late stage, and He will surely give you the necessary guidance.
We certainly don’t want to be known as the generation that allowed God to go under, do we? Absolutely not! Then let’s get a move on, for time is of the essence. Much LOVE!
…Jesus is depending on each generation to keep His name and Word alive…by passing it on to the next one…
12 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Prophet, a way with words, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, as for me and mine, but on whom this stone falls, calm, chief cornerstone, Christ died for us, come unto me, cornerstone, discouragement, don't give up, done deal, doubt, encourage, eternal life, eternal separation, faith, faithful promises, fallen world, follow in the footsteps of Jesus, full steam ahead, Gentiles, God demonstrates His love to us, God's Guide Book, God's love changes us, gospel truth, grind him to powder, halfway home, hang in there, heavenly wisdom, hypocrite Pharisees, I am meek (gentle) in heart, I will give you rest, is become the chief cornerstone, it is marvellous in our eyes, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the chief cornerstone, judgement, keep keeping on, learn from me, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, mercy, motivate, my burden is light, my yoke is easy, Old Testament, parable of the wicked husbandmen, Pentecost, persevere to the end, pilgrim's journey, powerful, purposeful, rejection, renew our fragile spirits, repentance, salvation, Sanhedrinists, solace, something to hold on to, take in front before in front takes you, take my yoke upon you, the BIBLE, the foundation of the church, the great invitation, the nations bringing forth the fruits, the race is not for the swift, the real cornerstone of God, the road is rough and rugged, the stone which the builders refused, the surest of feet, the true cornerstone, this is the Lord's doing, ultimate triumph, victory is assured, warning of judgement, we will follow Jesus, while we were yet sinners, who shall fall on this stone shall be broken, ye shall find rest unto your souls
Psalm 118:22. The stone which the builders refused (rejected) is become the headstone of the corner (chief cornerstone).
A hale and hearty Wednesday morning Friends! We’re halfway home, and victory is assured if we just hang in there, just keep on keeping on, following in the wonderful footsteps of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
It’s a done deal mih people…but only if we don’t give up, if we persevere to the end! So if we stumble, as we most likely will…don’t give up, because that’s expected since the road ahead is rough and rugged.
And even if we happen to fall, please, please, let’s just get ourselves back up, dust ourselves off and keep on going, full steam ahead, for the race is not for the swiftest, but for the surest of feet, those who persevere to the end.
And please remember that our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has promised to meet us at the level of our faith. Let’s allow His Great Invitation to fill our hearts and minds this morning. ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30)
That my Friends, is an invitation we’ll never regret accepting!
Now here’s an interesting poem from the One Year Book of Bible Promises. It’s simply called ‘Reversal’ and it says: ‘Lord For so long I thought Your LOVE Demanded that I change. At last I am beginning to understand That Your LOVE changes me.’
We cannot dispute that my brethren! It’s God who changes us!
And the Bible promise given to support that declaration is Romans 5:8: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrates) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’
That’s gospel truth Friends; pure, unadulterated gospel truth! So please, let’s allow that to resonate in our souls, hearts, bodies and minds today!
Ah my people, there’s nothing like scripture to encourage and motivate us along our pilgrim journey. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why God’s Guide Book, the Bible was drawn up; so that in times of doubt and discouragement, we‘d have something strong, powerful and purposeful to give us solace, for us to hold on to, something to calm and renew our fragile spirits.
Now here’s another piece of scripture to cogitate on (smile) and hold on to. That’s our Bit: ‘The stone which the builders refused (rejected) is become the headstone of the corner (chief cornerstone).’
And that again is indisputable, gospel truth my people! For Jesus Christ, whom the leaders of the Jews refused, despised and worked diligently to have Him eventually crucified, has indeed become the chief cornerstone of this world; bringing salvation and eternal life to the wise of this fallen world, those who would believe in His Deity and stand on His ever-faithful promises.
Wow! What a wonderful God we serve my brethren!
And in talking to the leaders of Jewish people, Jesus reveals the parable of the wicked husbandmen (tenant farmers) who refuse to pay their rental to the owner of their vineyards, and instead kill his representatives, who came to collect, even his son. (Matt.21:33-39)
Jesus then asks them, ‘When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked husbandmen, and will let out (lease) his vineyard unto other husbandmen (tenant farmers), which shall render him (pay back) the fruits in their seasons.’ (Matt.21:40-41)
Jesus tricks the hypocrite Pharisees into admitting that the owner of the vineyards ought to destroy the wicked husbandmen and replace them with others who would faithfully keep their agreements.
Then ‘Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (chief cornerstone): This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to the nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived (knew, realized) that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for (held him to be) a prophet.’ (Matt.21:42-46)
What a way Jesus had with words, my people!
Now here are some explanations from the scholars. ’21:40-43. Verse 40 represents the condemning question of the judicial parable, What will he do unto those husbandmen? Their reply again unwittingly condemns their own attitude of rejection toward Jesus.
The other husbandmen are the Gentiles (v.43). Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23 exactly from the Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament, relating to His present rejection to His ultimate triumph (cf. Acts 4:11; 1 Pet.2:6-7, where the stone which the builders rejected is also quoted in relation to Christ).
The Sanhedrinists represent the builders of Israel’s religion, who rejected the real cornerstone of God, Jesus, the true Cornerstone of the foundation of the church.’
And the scholars further explain: ‘21:44-46. The warning The kingdom of God shall be taken from you (v.43) was fulfilled at Pentecost when the kingdom was mediatorily transferred to the church. Yet, within this warning of judgement, Jesus offers mercy to those falling on this stone, meaning falling upon Him in repentance and faith. But His falling upon man in judgement will grind him to powder.’
Oh my Friends, how much more do we need to hear and experience eh, for us to truly believe in and put all our trust in Jesus Christ? I don’t know nuh! But as for me and mine, we have heard and experienced enough to obediently follow His lead.
Hopefully the same can be said of you and yours, because following Jesus, the cornerstone of the church, is heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…please take in front before in front takes you…fall on Christ, the cornerstone…and receive salvation and eternal life…before the cornerstone falls on you…and brings judgement and eternal separation…
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