The Overwhelming Importance of Believers knowing God’s Truth and abiding by it!

21 Jul 2025 Leave a comment

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

John 8:32.        And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

And the weekly work merry-go-round continues; Monday to Friday, and then back to Monday again! It does get kind of boring and exasperating at times, but that’s the way God planned it, and if we’re wise, we’ll also learn the method He devised for us to handle it with confidence and perseverance. That’s getting sufficient rest and encouraging fellowship over the weekend, then early, positive preparation for the opening day of the new work week.

And if we’ll obediently follow that pattern, then we’ll have no serious problems or concerns, except for the prevailing weather conditions and usual traffic jams come Monday mornings. But the problem is that we’re by nature a bunch of disobedient beings, who like to use the free will God gave us to do whatever we like, when we like. That means doing the exact opposite of what wisdom and common sense advise; like partying all weekend, thus, not getting sufficient rest, neither going to church and refreshing one’s spirit, nor making early preparations for Monday.

But although that unwise attitude usually leads us to terrible Mondays, we persist in doing it. Why eh? Is it because so many others, especially unbelievers, are doing the foolishness that we feel we need to do it too? Are we simply being followers of the crowd instead of leaders, as Christ desires us to be? Remember, if we desire to be true believers in, and worthwhile disciples of Christ, we cannot be mere followers of the crowd, like sheep being led sheepishly to the slaughter.

No! We need to be leading the way which leads to Christ and eternal life. That’s our divine calling! Jesus stated it when He prayed to the Father for the early disciples and all others who came after them. He said: ‘And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of this world, even as I am not of the world.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.’ (John 17:13-19)

 Oh my fellow believers, you see how Jesus desperately prayed for us to be in the world so that we could do His work, but sanctified, or set apart from it so that we wouldn’t be corrupted by the evil one. Yes, we do need to be in the world, how else would we ever do our divine duty. But being in the world, does not necessarily mean being a part of the world, or doing the things that the world does. Unfortunately though, too many of us forget our sanctified, sat apart roles and thus mix and mingle with the world as though we were a part of it.

And that’s exactly what the evil one desires, so he can blunt our witness for Christ. So, when we act like the world, we’re playing straight into his hand, and he goes to his evil lair with a big smile on his evil face. That brings us to these words of Jesus, to those Jews who believed in Him. ‘If ye continue (abide) in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ 

Now what does that mean? This commentary explains it thus: ‘It suggests that truth is not just an abstract concept but something that exists, and that can be known and applied to one’s life, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling existence. It also signifies that knowing the truth can liberate one from various forms of bondage, including ignorance, deception, sin, freedom from fear, worry and guilt. Knowing the truth can lead to personal growth, improved relationships, and a more profound understanding of oneself and the world.’  

And that’s exactly what the Word of God is designed to do in our lives. But sadly, though Jesus teaches us the truth of God’s Word, we’re not being truly set free by it, and are still allowing the devil and his evil cohorts to ‘confuffle’ and confuse us into doing their evil bidding. Now that does not speak well of us my fellow believers, so it’s time we do something serious and concrete about our shortcomings. And there’s no better time to begin than right now! So let’s start by going to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid for all that ails us.

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face.

So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And now, knowing what it takes for God to answer our prayers, let’s do those things nuh; that’s humble ourselves, pray, and with true repentance in our hearts, sincerely seek God’s face. Remember, they are all for our benefit, not God’s! Much LOVE!

…if we know God’s truth…which can set us free…why do we allow ourselves to stay in bondage…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 June 2024 John 13:34.

12 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

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

John 13:34.         A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another: as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another.

It’s Wednesday friends…the middle day of our work week! Can you believe it? I certainly can’t. (smile) The days seem to be going by so quickly, and I’m not getting even a half of the things I want to get done! But that’s life I guess. If you don’t get up and make hay while the sun shines, you’ll be left behind. And sadly, that’s what’s happening with our Christian church. We’re so busy fighting each other that we don’t have the time or energy to fight the enemy like we should be doing.  One good example of that is where I read recently that down in the U.S. an umbrella church group was planning to kick out any individual members that had women as pastors or high officials in their church. 

Now that’s a real kick in the teeth to female pastors and other female high-ups in the body of Christ, for today there are many women who play a large part in the running of churches. But that’s one of the things that just boggles my imagination. Is that important enough to create more strife in the church? I certainly don’t think so, especially when the world is going to hell in a hand basket and we Christians, the ones who are supposed to stop it from going there are doing nothing, or very little to prevent it. Instead we’re fighting amongst each other over relatively petty and unimportant stuff. I’m sure Jesus must be shaking His head in disbelief, the way I am. 

What were Jesus most important words to those who follow Him? ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another: as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:34-35) It’s only ONE commandment we have to follow friends; LOVE one another like Jesus LOVED us. But do you think we can, or are doing that? Certainly not! No wonder the unbelievers don’t pay much attention to the empty words we speak to them and the hypocritical actions we try to fool them with. 

We’re so selfish and self-centred that it’s become a joke amongst the heathen, so much so that when we go to them and tell them about the LOVE of Jesus and all that stuff, they simply laugh in our faces because they know the hypocrites that we truly are. If we can’t LOVE each other like Jesus desires, how can we claim to LOVE others not of the faith eh?  We are just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, whom He called out thus: ‘Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres (white-washed tombs), which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (lawlessness).’ (Matt. 23:27-28) 

Yes friends, unfortunately too many of us supposed believers are exactly like that in these crazy and exasperating times. We look good on the outside, and we talk the kingdom talk, but inside we’re dirty and disgusting just like the religious leaders of Christ’s day were. As it’s so commonly known; we talk the talk, but don’t truly walk the walk. Remember were only supposed to be IN this world, but not OF it. As Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf. ‘I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they might be sanctified through the truth.’ (John 17:15-19) 

Oh my fellow believers, are we sanctified, set apart by the truth of God’s word. It certainly doesn’t seem so, with all the petty infighting that’s currently going on between the various denominations and cliques of Christ’s church, and consequently our lack of witnessing to the unbeliever. The truth of the matter is that we cannot make any substantial changes in the world without interacting with unbelievers, however we cannot theoretically get into bed with them, meaning that we can’t do all the things they do, we have to set a good Christ-like example. 

Unfortunately, too many of us are getting into bed with the unbelievers and thus making them change us, instead of us changing them. We all like the pretty, materialistic things of the world and are following the unbelievers too much in an ungodly attempt to get them. We’ve apparently forgotten the true meaning of discipleship, so let’s refresh our memories with Jesus’ explanation nuh. ‘And he said to them all, If any man will come (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) Note the important words there friends: ‘deny himself, and take up his cross daily.’ 

However, today, very few of us are willing to make any sacrifices in the cause of Jesus. And we’re certainly not picking up our crosses daily and following Him…perhaps once in a while, if we’re lucky. So how can we ever do anything worthwhile for Jesus in this world if we don’t follow the few directives He gives us eh? LOVE one another; that means no infighting. Do not be of this world. Don’t let the world change you, you’re supposed to change it. Deny yourself. Be prepared to make sacrifices on His behalf. Ah mih people, until we truly begin to follow the basics of Jesus’ teaching, we’ll continue to fail Him. and that’s truly sad, after all the sacrifices He’s made on our behalf. 

Anyway, for those of us trying to be faithful, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And believe me, if we stick to Jesus until the very end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So, see you there! Much LOVE!

…heaven is our home…not this world…so let’s start behaving heavenly nuh…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 January 2021 John 17:17.

19 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

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

John 17:17.     ​Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Yes mih bredrin, riddle I this, riddle I that nuh! (smile) How can a body go to bed, early to boot, feeling fine, then wake up coughing and being miserable eh? And all the foolish cough doing is to irritate the dormant asthma and getting me more ignorant than usual. Yeh, coughing is the easiest way for the enemy to make me lose my cool. 

But yuh know what? Ah lick him this morning by getting into worship mode and listening to some praise songs. Glory Hallelujah! Still listening to them as I’m writing. Thank you for Jesus and His songs of praise and worship! They are indeed healing medicine to the angry spirit. And although the chest is still tight and wheezy, the spirit is fine friends! 

Thanks be to the refreshing and comforting words and promises of Jesus in song! And that’s my testimony for this Tuesday morning, this snowy Tuesday morning in January of this new and unknown year of 2021, when so many unordinary things have seemingly become ordinary. 

Oh my people, we are in the middle of some extraordinary times, and on the brink of even more extraordinary ones, if life plays out the way it’s shaping up. And no reason why it should not. But there’s one thing all we believers ought to know and believe; that is, come what may, we will all make it through, and safely too, because that’s the glorious promise of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 

Be concerned yes, but don’t be worried, for Jesus has all those who believe in Him in the palms of His mighty hands. And I just want to point out some wonderful scripture where Jesus prays for His own, that’s us! Glory be! 

‘And now, O Father, glorify thou me, with (alongside) thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (Clear indication of His pre-existence (cf. 1:1) I have manifested (revealed) thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them (to) me; and they have kept thy word. 

Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou hast given me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.’ (John 17:5-10) 

Yeh friends, even Jesus, the Son of God, knew the power and purpose of prayer! In his final hours down here on earth He beseeched the Father on our behalf. That’s how important we were, and are, and always will be to Him! That’s why we need to keep our faith strong, keep on believing in Him just like He believed and still believes in us. That’s why He made us His earthly ambassadors! 

Now hear Him further nuh: ‘And now I am no more (longer) in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy father; keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.’ (John 17:11) 

Yuh hear that people, Jesus prayed that we would be ONE, just like He and the Father were ONE! How come we so divided and disunited eh? Could that be one of the problems why our world and lives are in such a disgusting state? Oh yes! It surely contributes to the ungodly and inhuman way we living. 

But let’s keep on listening to Jesus: ‘While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost (destroyed), but the son of perdition (Judas Iscariot); that the scripture might be fulfilled.’ (John 17:12) Yes friends, Jesus did not lose any of those whom God gave Him to propagate His word on earth after Him: none except Judas. But that had to be so that the written scripture might be fulfilled. 

‘And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.’ (John 17:13) Wow! Yuh hear that friends, Jesus desired that we might have His joy fulfilled in us! So why we are we so blooming miserable and unhappy eh, when we have the joy of Christ Himself dwelling in us? Because we fear the world and what it brings. 

But listen to Jesus again: ‘I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world. Even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.’ (John 17:14-16) 

Oh my people can we understand that we are not of this world, but we have to be in it if we want to spread Christ’s message. And that’s why Jesus asked the Father: ‘Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.’ (John 17:17-19) 

Oh believers in Christ, the truth of God’s Word is what’s supposed to set us apart from the world, but is it doing that right now? Not to the extent it ought to. But hear this oh so important part of Jesus’ prayer nuh. ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;’ (John 17:20) 

That means us friends! Jesus had the foresight to pray for those who came to believe in Him all down through the ages, until His second coming. So what’s going on with us eh? Why are we living like the rest of the world and not sanctified, justified, reconciled, righteous saints of Christ eh? 

And hear this last part of Jesus’ prayer. ‘That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast LOVED them, as thou hast LOVED me.’ (John 17:21-23) 

What’s in all of that we don’t understand eh people? We were set apart, to be ONE, so we could show the world the truth of God’s Word! But we definitely could not be call unified, or even close to being ONE! No wonder the world doesn’t take us seriously. And until we become more unified and not more divided, as we seem to be getting, we’ll have little or no power to change the world in Jesus’ name! Nuff said! 

But for those of us who are sincerely trying to do what Christ desires of us, let’s go home now declaring (oh yeah!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are. 

As ONE now:‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’  

So let’s go out and do just that nuh! Much LOVE!

…only as Christ’s people are unified…will they truly have changing power… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 November 2020 John 17:17.

23 Nov 2020 Leave a comment

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

John 17:17.     ​Sanctify them (set them apart for your purposes) through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Welcome to the winter wonderland! Ah friends, that white stuff made its first grand entrance into my area for this pandemic year of 2020! And every time you see the vast amount of angelic and virgin whiteness covering everything, you can’t help but think how beautiful it looks! That is until mankind dirties it. (smile) Yes, you know we spoil everything we touch. Just look at the mess we left on the moon; everywhere we go we leave behind a setta garbage. 

And though the snow has stopped falling, with the temperature dropping overnight and freezing up stuff, it’s going to be a rough commute this Monday morning. So if you have to be out there in those unpleasant conditions, please be very careful, especially for the crazies. However, I do believe that the traffic will be somewhat less than normal because of the red stages of pandemic lockdown in the Greater Toronto and surrounding area, where the incidence of the Covid -19 has recently been heightened, setting new records almost every day. 

And sadly, there is so much misunderstanding, misinformation and unfounded theories on the virus that our society is terribly conflicted about it. That means, even when we do get a vaccine that will ease the pressure, many people will refuse to take it for any number of reasons, including these two that are currently making the rounds; a chip is being put in our bodies to control us, or whatever is in the vaccine will change our DNA, and thus our lives. 

Hn! How strange it is, that the more advanced our society becomes, the more we seem to question, disbelieve and come up with all kinds of ridiculous theories and truths, and eventually lose sight of the real truth: God’s Word. Like if there can be more than one truth eh? The truth is always the truth, it doesn’t change. 

And how do we know that God’s Word is the ultimate truth eh? In the first place, Jesus, amongst other things said that He was the truth. ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:6) Then in that same chapter, when Jesus talks about the promise of the Holy Spirit, He tells the disciples: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him: for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.’ (John 14:15-17) 

Yes friends, the Holy Spirit, another part of our Godhead, the Holy Trinity is also truth, and He dwells in ALL believers. And later on, when Jesus prays for the disciples, He says: ‘I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart for your purposes) through thy truth: thy word is truth.’ (John 17:15-17) So you see, however you take it, truth stems from our Godhead! 

And furthermore, as Jesus said to the Jews who believed in Him. ‘If ye continue (abide) in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ (John 8:31-32) What more can I say eh mih people…to know truth you have to know Jesus, abide in Him and He in you, and then that glorious, that everlasting truth, the truth which changes not, like our God doesn’t change, will set you free, and bring peace, joy and eternal life to your spirit which is made in the magnificent image of our mighty God! 

Wow! Isn’t that wonderful? It surely is! So now, let’s come to that same Godhead in sincere prayer, just like He desires us to, and through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, place all our wants, desires and needs, cast all of our cares upon Him, because He cares for us. 

Altogether now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive and standing in faith despite the mass confusion that’s currently prevailing in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems; the pandemic of Covid -19, the racial, political, and religious strife that’s ignited worldwide, plus the natural disasters like storms, famine, drought, plagues, climate change, wildfires, earthquakes and erupting volcanoes that suddenly seem to be blossoming more and more as time goes by. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction to bring our problems under control. 

And for those who are currently suffering from the many negative situations, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’ 

So what’s the next move now eh? To stand by our vow of repentance and abide in His word and truth, that He can heal us and our land! Much LOVE!

…only when one knows God…can one know truth… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 February 2019 John 17:17.

01 Feb 2019 Leave a comment

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

John 17:17.   ​Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth.
 

Can you believe it friends, it’s the first day of February already! Wow! The days are certainly slipping by quite quickly. It seems like just last week we were celebrating New Years, now Valentine’s Day is already upon us. (smile) And the iron grip of the deep freeze has been loosened a little, it’s only minus 18 in my neck of the woods today! Glory Be! 

And by Sunday we are promised temps just around freezing, even some rain. Hn, hn! What a weather cycle! But as I keep saying, we sincere believers in Jesus have all the parts to handle whatever comes against us, through His ever glorious strengthening! Give Him thanks and praise my people! 

Now since today is Friday, let’s hear what the workingman has to say for himself nuh. And as always, he has plenty to say: ‘TGIF! Thank the Lord is Friday oui! But Brother! This past week been cold suh! It seems as though every time I step outside it want to freeze off my li’l nutsies! (smile)

But in this country yuh know yuh can’t stay home from work because it cold, else yuh get fired…and believe me, the slave driver at my place was just itching to fire somebody this week who claim that they was sick, when is the cold have them fraid to come out to work! 

But thank the Lord, the devil man didn’t get a chance to fire anybody, because everybody come out this week…and we was punctual too! Almost give the man a heart attack when he couldn’t fire nobody or deduct money because yuh late! But is the weekend time now, we time off, and time to party…

And believe me not even this cold weather going to stop we from enjoying we self! Yuh don’t have to go outside to enjoy yuhself. So we’ll be living it up large inside, this weekend. Thank the Lord for Fridays and weekends yes mih people!’ 

Ah friends, the workingman is truly something else yes; he lays it all on the line, does whatever he feels inclined to do; loses himself in the bacchanalian manner of life without a care in the world. However, as followers of Christ, we cannot afford to be that free and easy. We have borders and boundaries to protect us from the constant attacks of the enemy. Thus our Friday Chant is different to the workingman’s song. Chant it with me now nuh, in strong voice with sincere hearts. 

‘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 friends, ours is a more sanctified, set apart lifestyle, since we don’t want the devil messing with our minds and lives. Remember where Jesus prayed for the disciples, and ultimately for us? ‘They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. That they all may be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.’ (John 17:16-21) 

Ah friends, yuh see how Jesus was right on the ball? He didn’t want us to be a part of the world, but knew that we could only bring the world to Him if we went to it. And He asked that we be sanctified, separated from the world by the Truth, God’s Word which is totally true! And just like the Father sent Jesus to earth to preach the gospel and bring sinners to the truth, Jesus has sent those who believe in Him out to do the same thing. 

Our purpose, the mission of Christ’s church is the same as His mission. And please note Christ’s prayerful plea, that we should ALL be one in spirit and purpose, for without spiritual unity our mission would fail miserably. Oh friends, sanctification of Christ’s people is oh so important if we want to do Christ’s work properly! 

Hear how Bruh Paul greets the church at Corinth: ‘Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor.1:2-3) 

Ah mih people, we cannot be sanctified in Christ unless we have a right relationship with Almighty God. Hear how Jude puts it: ‘Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified (set apart) by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and LOVE, be multiplied.’ (Jude 1:1-2) 

And the scholars offer these explanations of those verses: ‘1: Sanctified and preserved are in the perfect tense: Christians are once and continually “set apart” and “kept.” They are kept for the return of Christ (see v.21).’ ‘2. Believers who have sought God’s mercy also receive peace (“inner assurance” and “stability”) and LOVE.’ Now doesn’t it make sense to be sanctified and seek God’s mercy? It certainly does! 

Ah friends, there are many other scriptures throughout the Good Book that deal with sanctification. I’d advise us to take some time and look them up, because sanctification is very important in the life of a true believer. Much LOVE!

…believers can only be sanctified…through the work of the Holy Spirit…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 August 2018 John 17:16.

03 Aug 2018 Leave a comment

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

John 17:16.   They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Ah friends, it’s a sad day when bodily aches and pains contrive and conspire to drive you out of your bed! But that’s what came against me this morning. I got up around 5.30 to go to the bathroom and found I could barely walk the few feet to it. And that’s after going to bed around two thirty in fairly good shape. Every joint was crying out in resistance. Then when I went back to bed I couldn’t find a comfortable position to get back to sleep. 

But with the Lord’s help I weathered it and did get some more spasmodic rest. However, the aches and pains in my back, both knees, both hips and both shoulders refused to go quietly into the sunrise, (smile) and I eventually got up somewhat earlier than I had planned. 

But brother, what an ordeal! And I’ve been taking the pain pills fairly regularly. So why this painful episode now eh? Steups! But yuh know what? The aches and pains won’t keep the ole fella down for long. He’ll rally and fight back. And with the Lord’s help we’ll win, because the Lord has promised that nothing that comes against us will conquer us. Glory be! 

And it’s Friday, Caribana Friday to boot, Toronto’s big day in the worldwide spotlight, so you know the workingman will be out and about blaring his song to all and sundry! ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Caribana Friday! A long weekend…and official time to play true leggo beast! 

Yuh going to see we out on the boulevard tomorrow in we pretty costume…with the music blasting…and we doing we thing, getting down and wining, showing off we bumbulum and having a rollicking good time! Oh people, oh people, is Caribana weekend, the summer soon done, time to get out and have some fun, and thank the Lord for Fridays and weekends, especially the long ones!’ 

Yeh mih breddren, we must give thanks for our days off from labour, but we don’t need to go that far out on the limb like the workingman, where the evil one can easily get a foothold in our affairs. But like Jeeves says, a modicum of circumspection is necessary. 

And it’s strange how life changes as one gets older. At one time Caribana was a big deal for me. Now I don’t even remember that it exists. That’s because I can’t handle all the walking and jammings again, as well as it has lost its flavour. It’s not as nice and authentic as it was before. 

I’m not even enthusiastic this year to go to the Steelband Competition, the only aspect I support these days. I haven’t even heard from my buddy Bas, who usually goes with me. But who knows what will happen. It’s still early times. And don’t tell me that I’m getting old and cold, because I’m not. (smile) 

Anyway, in response to the workingman’s song, let’s chant our more sedate and less frivolous Friday Chant. 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, in Jesus organization, we don’t behave like the world, that’s ruled by the prince of darkness behaves. As Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf: ‘I have manifested (revealed) thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them (to) me; and they have kept thy word… I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine…

And now I am no more (longer) in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me, I have kept, and none of them is lost (destroyed), but the son of perdition (Judas Iscariot); that the scripture might be fulfilled. 

And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray NOT that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). ‘They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth.’ (John 17:6, 9, 11-17) 

Oh friends, yuh see how important Jesus thought we were? He spent the whole of chapter 17, 26 verses praying for us. Even for the believers who’d come down through the ages (vs.20). He asked the Father not to take us out of the world, but to keep us filled with His joy and to set us apart from the world, so we don’t get too contaminated by it. 

Now we do have to be in the world, otherwise how would we bring the lost and suffering to Him eh? But we don’t have to be a part of the world, meaning doing the things the world does, or living the way it does. We’re special friends. And we need to know it and behave accordingly! 

As we said yesterday, we’re ambassadors of Christ, therefore we have to behave in a special way, a way that glorifies and exalts His Holy Name. And we definitely can’t do that by behaving the way the world behaves. So let’s up the ante nuh, let’s raise our level of excellence in doing Jesus’ work, otherwise we won’t be His fruitful and efficient ambassadors, like we’re supposed to be. Much LOVE!

…serving Jesus in this evil world… is not easy…but it sure is worthwhile…