18 Oct 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a pipe dream, a rebellious people, archangel Lucifer, as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, as an ensign on a hill, blasphemers, boasters, covetous, disobedient to parents, endure to the end, evil lusts and desires, faith, get you out of the way, glad to be alive, halfway home, hands on the plough, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength, in returning and rest shall ye be saved, Jesus Christ, loll around and enjoy life, LOVE, men shall be lovers of their own selves, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not turning back, obedience, of whom shall I be afraid, prophesy not, proud, salvation, Satan, say to the prophets, say to the seers see not, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Holy One of Israel, the Lord is my light and my salvation, the Lord is the strength of my life, to a glorious future with Jesus, to cease from before us, topsy-turvy world, turn aside out of the path, turned away from God, unholy, unthankful, Wednesday Wail, whom shall I fear, will not hear the law of the Lord, wisdom, ye would not, you despise this word
Isaiah 30:9. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:
Ah mih people, can you believe it’s already the 18th of October. The month which just began is already more than halfway through! And although I know that the days are going at the same pace they always have, these days just seem to be moving increasingly fast. (smile) Before you turn around the days, weeks, months and year is done. I guess it seems that way because right now our lives and our world are so topsy-turvy, filled with all kinds of tremulous, disastrous, unwanted and unforeseen stuff, and thus we can’t just loll around and enjoy life the way we desire, we have to be up and busy, ofttimes just trying to stay alive.
But there’s a very valid reason for the turmoil in our lives and our world, and a very obvious way to turn it all around. And the simple reason for our many problems is that we have turned away from the Lord God Jehovah, our Creator and Provider, and have become so enamoured of our own strength and advances that we’ve left the Lord behind, taken Him out of our schools and public places, even trying to remove Him completely from our society. But friends, that’s just a pipe dream! It will NEVER happen, because the Lord will not allow it to, although our world is now behaving like the Lord said about the people of Judah through the prophet Isaiah a long time ago.
‘Now go, write it before them in a table (on a tablet), and note it in a book (on a scroll), that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.’ (Is. 30:8-11)
Wow mih bredrin! Isn’t that just like what’s happening today? Of course! And that’s exactly why the Lord told the prophet to write it, so that future generations like ours, could see that rebelliousness does not pay. But who’s taking note eh? Not with all the false stuff, the deceits, treacheries and deceptions that are being promulgated today, along with all the evil and wrong stuff that’s passing for truth, and so many of the population turning away from God, not wanting to hear His Word because it doesn’t coincide with their selfish and evil lusts and desires.
It’s like Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy about the perilous times that were to come: ‘For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…etc. etc.’ (2 Tim. 3:2) And he goes on to list in the rest of that chapter, a whole lot of evil and ungodly things that are indeed prevalent in our world today. But yuh know what my fellow believers, this is all just a replay of the scenario that took place in heaven many moons ago, where Satan, as the archangel Lucifer, mounted a prideful, foolish plan to overthrow God and take over the kingdom of heaven.
It failed miserably and Lucifer was summarily kicked out of heaven with his handful of foolish followers to walk the earth in pain and disgrace for the rest of their evil days. And now, because he’s amassed a li’l power in the earth, instead of learning from his previous mistake, once again, he’s trying to get God’s children to side with him against the Father. But that deceitful and evil ploy will eventually fail too, because the wise will recognize Satan’s deceit for what it is, revenge against God, that will only cause them to suffer eternal damnation, and will have no part of it, for they know that the Lord is the ultimate in strength, power and majesty.
And all God’s people said, a loud and proud: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Ps. 27:1) And the answer to those two questions is simply: ‘NOBODY!’ So hie thee away Satan! And despite our rebellious, evil and ungodly character right now, things will get better. Why? Because the Lord God Jehovah has promised it, and whatever He promises will eventually happen! First though, life will not be so rosy, for there’s this promise.
‘Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay (rely) thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling (bulging) out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. And he shall break it as the breaking of the potter’s vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it (among the fragments) a sherd (shard, broken piece) to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit (cistern).
For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke (threat) of one; at the rebuke (threat) of five shall ye flee till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of the mountain, and as an ensign (flag, banner) on an hill.’ (Is. 30:12-17)
And what’s that all about eh friends? The people of Judah’s rebellion was so deep, that while sending out queries to make peace with Egypt and the surrounding nations, they refused to make peace with God. And you know that anytime we look to others for help before looking to God, He becomes angry, thus the breaking up of the nation, in their iniquity and rebelliousness. They were so rebellious that they refused returning and rest, which meant repentance and faith, which are necessary to true salvation. Thus the Lord left them to their own foolish demise.
And friends, that’s exactly what’s happening in our world today. We have chosen to turn away in great drove from God and ally ourselves with Beelzebub. Consequently, the Lord has left us to our own way. You know He never intrudes where He’s not wanted, and we’ve made it ever so clear that we don’t desire His presence in our lives or our world. And I hope we’re seeing what happens when we’re left up to our own devices; war, hate, anger, resentment and all the negative actions and desires that fall under Satan’s portfolio. For all our sakes, let’s hope we wake up and smell the roses before it’s too late.
Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to hold on to God and His Word, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all the 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 friends, if we endure right down to the very end with Jesus, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, let’s make a date to meet at that time nuh! Much LOVE!
…the three most important words in the scriptures…obedience…obedience…obedience…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
08 Mar 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: archangel Lucifer, become so enamoured of ourselves, blessed are they that keep judgement (justice), EGO - Edging God Out, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, gave them their request, give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, God is good...all the time, halfway home, hands on the plough, he saved them for his name's sake, he that doeth righteousness at all times, his mercy endureth for ever, I am the Lord that is my name, I may glory with thine inheritance, I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, I may see the good of thy chosen, I'm so glad to be alive, LOVE, lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, man is made in the image of God, my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images, not turning back, power hungry, Satan, sent leanness into their soul., tempted God in the desert, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the mercies and compassions of God, the world and they that dwell therein, they are new every morning, they soon forgat his works, to a glorious future with Jesus, too busy to notice what God's doing, visit me with thy salvation, waited not for his counsel, Wednesday Wail, where their bread was buttered, who can show forth all his praise, who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord
Psalm 106:3. Blessed are they that keep judgement (justice), and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Oh boy, it’s another brand new sunshiny day, filled with all the many mercies and compassion of our great God. And isn’t it wonderful to know that every day, regardless of the weather or our circumstances, has them brand new, newly made. Yes friends, no left-over mercies or compassions for our God! He cares for His children too much to allow them to have leftovers. (smile) That means on this middle of the week Wednesday, we can truly rise up and declare (yesss!!!): ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps. 118:24)
Why? Because our God is good, and He’s good to us all of the time. The psalmist said it so perfectly in Psalm 107. ‘O Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy (LOVING-kindness) endureth for ever.’ (Ps. 107:1) Wow! What a statement! But what does it mean eh? One commentary explains it thus: ‘This means that as long as He exists, He will be good. No factor controls His goodness, God is good all the time. In fact, ‘good’ began with God. We associate the word “good” with people but forget that God made people in His own image.’
Wow! I just had to say it again, (smile) because it is a wow moment to realize that we’re made in the beautiful image of Almighty God! And are we ever privileged to declare (yesss!!!) that we are the only one of His many creations that have that marvellous, miraculous and momentous honour! And Psalm 106, after opening with the same basic statement as Psalm 107, continues: ‘Who can utter (express) the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? Blessed are they that keep judgement (justice), and he that doeth righteousness at all times.’ (Ps. 106:2-3)
Yes my faithful brethren, that’s what is expected of us in return for God’s continued goodness. That led the psalmist to plead: ‘Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance (the people of thine inheritance).’ (Ps. 106:4-5)
Now that’s a prayer, a sentiment that we should all be sincerely floating up to heaven, because like the psalmist says: ‘We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.’ (Ps. 106:6) And indeed we have. For as the psalm continues: ‘Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of they mercies (LOVING -kindness); but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known…Then believed they his words; they sang his praises.’ (Ps. 106: 7-8, 12)
Ah friends, like the people of Israel, we have forgotten the Lord’s kindness. Though He parted the Red Sea for them to escape the Egyptian army, and did so many other wonders on their behalf in the wilderness, they still rebelled and followed their own lustful and sinful ways. Oh, they sang the Lord’s praise after He parted the Red Sea for them to cross over, then drowned the Egyptian army. But ‘They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.’ (Ps. 106:13-15)
Yes, the Lord gave the Israelites what they desired, but they suffered mightily for their rebellion, with all kinds of natural disasters,; fires, earthquakes, physical sickness, snakebites, etc. etc. And likewise, are we currently suffering for our rebellion, after the Lord gave His Only Son, Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Redeemer, showed His redemptive powers and heart, but we continue in our evil deeds and ungodliness. No wonder we’re experincing so many unaccustomed natural disasters; snow in places that haven’t seen it in generations, volcanoes erupting that haven’t done so for ages, worldwide famine, drought, strife, greed, envy, poverty, economic frustration and pandemics like the world has never seen all at one time together!
Please don’t tell me that the hand of God is not somewhere in all of that natural as well as manmade disaster. And even if He’s not causing it, He’s certainly not preventing it. That ought to tell us something. But, like the Israelites of old, we’re so taken up with our own petty, prideful selves, that we’re too busy to notice what God’s doing. We’ve become so enamoured of ourselves and the amazing society we’ve developed that we’ve forgotten where it all comes from, and who gave us the ability to do it; Almighty God.
Our egos are now so big, that we believe we don’t even need God any longer in our lives, so we’re trying to remove Him from our society. And by the way, that word EGO, is an acronym for ‘Edging God Out.’ But that’s a dream that will NEVER come to pass. For though the Lord might allow us to fool ourselves into thinking we’re removing Him, the earth and all therein is His creation and He WILLNEVER give up His possession. God said it quite clearly a long time ago through the prophet Isaiah. ‘I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.’ (Is. 42:8)
Just ask the foolish, power-hungry once upon a-time archangel Lucifer, now renamed Satan about that. And the Israelites also found that out the hard way, like we are currently doing. But unlike them, we don’t have the wisdom or humility to turn back to God when we find our lives falling apart and there’s nothing we can do, or will do to stop it. Down deep, the Israelites knew where their bread was buttered, and after every rebellious period, when their lives were becoming extremely difficult, they repented and returned to the God of their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
And being the ever-LOVING, forgiving, gracious and merciful God He is, He took them back and restored their worthless lives. But no, our generation is so pompous and foolish, despite all our own insufficent efforts to right our societal woes, we refuse to even consider a return to godly ways as a means of solving our many problems. End of sermon!
Now, for those of us who are trying to live right, to live for Christ, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole word know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, so that hopefully some of them will joyfully come to know Him. Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And for those of us wise enough to endure to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! So please, let’s use that to encourage us to endure to the end nuh. Much LOVE!
…the earth is the Lord’s…and the fulness thereof…the world…and they that dwell therein… (Ps. 24:1)
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
06 Sep 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: alleviate our problems, awesome grace and mercy, cast into the lake of fire, earth's treasures are temporary, eat your flesh as it were fire, eternal separation from God, Everything is grace, fall on deaf ears, for where your treasure is, forgive us and heal our land, from everlasting to everlasting, go to ye rich men, God's unmerited favour, grace and peace be multiplied unto you, heaped treasure together for the last days, hear our prayer, heaven's treasures are eternal, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ - the only way to the Father, keep our promises, lay not up for yourselves, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, LOVE, mass confusion, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, on the cross of Calvary, rewards for faithful service, sacrificed His sinless life, Saint Therese of Lisieux, Satan, shall be a witness against you, sincere belief in the Son of God, sincere repentance, the breath of life, the fiery halls of hell, the God who heals, the rust of them, the Sermon on the Mount, the vicissitudes of life, there will your heart be also, thieves break through and steal, through the knowledge of God, to pay our sin debt in full, treasures upon earth, turn from our evil ways, two precious commodities, weep and howl, where moth and rust doth corrupt, wise guidance and direction, your garments are moth-eaten, your gold and silver is cankered, your miseries that will come upon you, your riches are corrupted
Matthew 6:21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Oh my fellow saints in Christ, on this Labour Day Monday, may ‘Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (and Saviour).’ (2 Pet. 1:2) Yes friends, we do need a lot of grace and peace in these trying times, times when everyone seems to be angry, displeased and dissatisfied over some thing or the other. And the only way to get those two precious commodities is through sincere belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His sinless life on the cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt in full!
All praise and glory be to that wonderful Saviour of ours! He’s promised that despite our circumstances, if we believe in Him, the Father will grant us His divine grace, and thus peace, through all the vicissitudes of life. And let’s remember that it’s by God’s divine grace that we are saved, through faith; and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ (Eph. 2:8-9) Or as Saint Therese of Lisieux so wisely put it a while back: ‘Everything is grace!’
And it certainly is friends, for all that we are and do, all that we have and will ever have, from the breath of life flowing through our bodies, to the eternal life we receive through believing in Christ, is based on the divine grace of our heavenly Father. That’s God’s unmerited favour, that nothing we can ever do will be good enough to deserve it. And all God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Thank You Lord for Your awesome gift of grace!’
Sadly though, too many of the earth’s inhabitants don’t know of Jehovah God and His wonderful goodness to the children of men. And even worse yet, too many of those who do know of Him, refuse to accept that divine grace He offers, through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. Now that’s to their detriment, for it will only lead to eternal separation from God, which is the worst thing that can ever happen to a human soul.
Oh my people, how many times do I have to reiterate that eh, before you all believe me? Eternal separation from God means not being in heaven with Him till eternity, but with Satan, the Devil, Beelzebub, or whatever name you choose to call him, facing damnation in the fiery halls of hell, and eventually being cast into the lake of fire with all the other unbelievers. Now tell me, are the sinful pleasures of this world truly worth such a terrible end? I don’t think so friends. And if you stop for a moment and really consider the situation, you will also realize that the pleasures of this world are not worth such a disastrous end, and can never be better than those found in heaven.
That’s why in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus adamantly warned: ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt. 6:19-21)
And we all know that’s the gospel truth friends, for wherever we store whatever we treasure, we will always be thinking of and contemplating on it. So, it’s much better if we store up treasure in heaven, that is, rewards for faithful service, where moth and rust nor any negative thing can destroy them, than store up earthly stuff, that’s useful today and old and rusty or stolen tomorrow. Yes my brethren, earthly things don’t last. Just look at any junkyard nuh. Everything in there was once brand new, shiny and useful, but like the shine on all earthly things it soon wore off and they became old and rusty, of no further use to anyone.
And to further illuminate us, please listen to the warning James gave to the rich, those who stored up earthly treasures. ‘Go to ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted (have rotted), and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered (corroded); and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.’ (James 5:1-3)
Sadly my brethren, that same earthly treasure that the rich have laid up for their retirement, is what the Lord will use against them in the last days, for a lot of it was treacherously and deceitfully gained; robbing the poor and not paying the labourer a fair wage. That’s the basic story friends; don’t store up too much useless earthly stuff, which you will die and leave here anyway. But try and store up as many rewards for faithful service as you can in heaven, where you will eventually go and enjoy them – providing you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, because He is the ONLY Way to the Father in heaven!
Now, let’s talk to the Father, pour out our troubles and problems to Him, the ONLY One who can help us to put a lasting fix on them. So as one strong voice, let’s invoke our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. ‘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. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems.
Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that 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. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.
And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. 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!’
Now let’s remember that all our prayers will fall on deaf ears, if we don’t keep the promises we just made. Much LOVE!
…earth’s treasures are temporary…short lived…but heaven’s treasures are eternal…run from everlasting to everlasting…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
15 Jun 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bed of roses, all scripture is given by inspiration of God, all that will live godly in Christ, be of good cheer, Christ triumphantly rose from the dead, Christians, correction, evil men and seducers, fellow siants in christ, hurry, i have overcome the world, in all these things, in god's eyes, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, instruction in righteousness, known the holy scriptures, living examples of peace and joy, mano a mano, profitable for doctrine, reproof, Satan, share His love with the world, suffer persecution, the beloved of God, the day of salvation, the man of God may be perfect, the most joyful people on earth, the prince of darkness, the things thou hast learned, these things I have spoken unto you, trials and tribulations, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, walking in love with Christ, wax worse, we are more than conquerors, who shall separate us from the Love of Christ, wine roses and song, worry, wrested the keys of hell death and the grave
2 Timothy 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Ahoy there my fellow saints in Christ! Hope that you are having a wonderful Tuesday, walking in LOVE with our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for that’s what this life is all about; an interesting LOVE walk with Christ! Now nobody said it was going to be all wine, roses and song. No, it doesn’t mean life will be a bed of roses just because you’re walking with Jesus, for He didn’t have an easy earthly life and even promised that those who follow Him won’t have it easy either.
Please note these words of His: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) And that’s where we believers in Christ win them! Yes friends, we have the ability to be peaceful and cheerful during all and any storms, trials and tribulations, or negative experiences that come against us in this evil and ungodly world!
That’s because our Jesus has already conquered the prince of darkness, Satan, the evil ruler of this evil world. Mano-a mano, he wrested the keys of hell death and the grave from him! He did that when He triumphantly rose from the dead on that Easter Sunday morn some two thousand years ago, to live forever!
Wow! What a mighty conqueror is our Jesus! And since then, Satan has had no power or authority over believers, unless we foolishly give it to Him. And as Bruh Paul so confidently proclaimed in his message to the church at Rome. ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?…Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life; nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:35, 37-39)
Now that’s something we all ought to confidently believe. Why? For as the scholars explain: ‘We cannot be separated from God’s LOVE, because it is set forth in a person who is God Himself, Jesus Christ, our Saviour. God’s desire to redeem believers cannot be frustrated, because He is infinitely greater than any potential enemy. His plan will be realized because it is His purpose (vs. 28).’
Yuh hear that mih people? NOTHING can separate us from the LOVE of God that’s found in Christ Jesus! But we must believe it sincerely and confidently, then act in a manner that speaks it out loud and clear! And Bruh Paul’s words to Timothy echo the action we need to do so.
‘Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers (imposters) shall wax (grow) worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.’ (2 Tim. 3:12-17)
Yuh see that friends: this world is going to get even more evil, than it is already – if that is possible – but we have the wherewithal to overcome it if we live according to the Word of God, the life-map written for us. Now here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘3:14-17. Continue literally means “remain.” The things which thou hast learned were his oral instruction in the holy scriptures (the Old Testament, here) by his mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois). Inspiration of God (God-breathed) describes the unique character of Scripture.
It is not only written by men, but authored by God. For doctrine means to tell one what to believe. For reproof means to tell one what is wrong. For correction means to tell one how to correct wrong. For instruction in righteousness means to tell one how to live. Perfect (proficient, capable) is having everything needed to do what God wants. Thoroughly furnished means “thoroughly equipped.” God’s inspired word, properly used and applied, provides all we need for life and ministry.’
Oh Mama, Mama! We don’t need anything else to live this life friends but the inspired Word of God! But the most important thing though, is that it must be ‘properly used and applied.’ And unfortunately, that is not what’s happening in these last days, where men are becoming worse and worse, as Bruh Paul so aptly described in the earlier verses of that chapter (3:1-11). God’s Word is sadly not being preached properly, and even worse, is being used as justification for all sorts of wrongdoing and ungodly stuff. But have no fear, the workers of iniquity will eventually pay. That’s the Lord’s promise, and we know He is very faithful that promised! (smile)
And let us not forget this most meaningful bit of scripture, which allows us to live in peace. ‘But now in Christ Jesus ye (Gentiles) who sometimes (once) were far off are made nigh (near) by the blood of Christ. For he (Himself) is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition (division) between us.’ (Eph. 2:13-14)
Yes friends, Jesus broke down the walls between Jews and Gentiles and made one new party, the Christian church, so there should be no more feuding between the two groups. He did that by taking all the sins of the world unto Himself and paying for them all with His sinless life on the cross of Calvary. Now, we need to be living examples of that peace and joy which His death and resurrection provided. And we do that by following the life laid out for us in the Word of God, confidently knowing that we can handle anything that comes against us.
Oh my fellow saints, when we have Jesus living in us through His Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us into all goodness and righteousness until the day of salvation, we simply can’t go wrong. And for those of us who are sincerely trying to live the good life in Christ, let’s go home proclaiming our Tuesday Mantra.
As one strong voice: ‘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!’ Now, the upshoot of it all, is for us to go out and share that awesome LOVE and friendship of Jesus with those we meet. Much LOVE!
…Christians…ought to be the most joyful people in the world…not the poor me ones…so many of us look and behave like…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
18 May 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a convoluted sentence, according to his riches in glory, all for our benefit, answer to life, bounden duty, cease from anger, delight thyself also in the Lord, destined for destruction, don't have to hurry, don't worry, fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body, Fret not thyself over evildoers, have Jesus walking our walk with us, hell bound, his mercy endureth for ever, I am the beloved of god, if god be for us who can be against us, if God is for us who can be against us, in god's eyes, Jesus is the answer to everything, LOVE, my God shall supply all my needs, no one can take that from me, no weapon formed against you shall prosper, not what I do, not what I have, not what people say about me, nothing is impossible for God, O Give thanks unto the Lord, of whom shall I be afraid, Rest in the Lord, Satan, share His love with the world, the best example of rebellion against God, the heritage of God's servants, the Lord is my light and salvation, trust in the Lord and do good, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, We can do all things through Christ, what shall we then say to these things
Romans 8:31. What shall we then say to these things eh? If God be for us, who can be against us?
So then mih people, as we move on to another bright sunshiny day in God’s great universe, this one called Tuesday, tell me nuh, how yuh feeling today eh? (smile) Yeh, I know it’s a convoluted sentence, but so is life, and we all must answer to life. So, let’s hope we all feeling fine nuh, as we walk this crazy and confusing earth in these crazy and confusing times. But most of all, I hope that we all have Jesus walking our walk with us!
Now that’s the answer to everything! And why is that you ask? Because Jesus IS the answer to everything! Leh me show you why nuh. In the first place, the Good Book tells us that nothing is impossible to Jesus! That means everything is possible with Him! Then as the Good Book also says: ‘We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.’ (Phil. 4:13) And yet again, it tells us: ‘But my God shall supply all our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19)
Wow mih bredrin! So it’s only logical that if Jesus could do everything, and strengthen us to do anything, as well as provide for all of our needs, then we don’t need nothing or nobody else but Jesus! Oh praise His mighty name! That’s why the psalmist so powerfully proclaimed: ‘O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy (LOVING-kindness) endureth for ever.’ (Ps. 107:1)
And Bruh David says it even more powerfully. ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Ps. 27:1) And just in case you don’t the answer to those two questions, here it is: ‘NOBODY!’ Believers ought to fear no other human being when Christ is in our corner.
Remember what the prophet Isaiah said on the Lord’s behalf, as he spoke of the Lord’s everlasting LOVE for Israel? ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage (the inheritance) of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) So what’s there to fear eh?
As Bruh Paul said to the church at Rome: ‘What shall we then say to these things eh? If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom. 8:31) There again we have it my faithful brethren; once we have the Creator of the universe looking after us in the form of His Son Jesus, then nobody or nothing can touch us! And Bruh Paul cemented his argument with these words: ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us good things?’ (Rom. 8:32)
Mamacita! How much more scripture do we need to convince us that Jesus is indeed the way, the truth, the life and the light and we should not fear what mankind can do, but put all our hopes, dreams, faith and trust in Him? Jesus said it loud and clear: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’ (Matt. 10:28) Yes mih people, the only Being that believers ought to fear, is Almighty God Himself; the ONLY ONE who can destroy both our bodies and souls!
But strangely enough, it seems that the Lord God Almighty, our Creator and Provider, is the living being we are least afraid of in these modern times of high technology. That’s because we foolishly and fearfully kowtow to men and their evil desires, while we don’t keep God’s commandments and live the way He desires of us. We are even desperately trying to rid our society of Him! So friends, if men can’t save our souls or offer salvation, and God can do both, as well as destroy us, where is the wisdom in our current behaviour eh?
I hope that these majestic and wise words of Bruh David help us to understand the dire situation in which we’re currently enveloped. ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness). Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm). For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps. 37:1-9)
Now my fellow saints in Christ, that’s about the best advice we can find all in one place in the Good Book. It is wisdom of eternal proportions, so please, please, let’s accept it wholeheartedly nuh. Remember it’s all for our benefit, and neither Satan nor the evil men that follow him can do a blooming thing to help us when it comes to salvation and eternal life, only Jesus can! So let’s concentrate on kicking Satan and his evil minions out of our world nuh, instead of Almighty God. That’s the wise thing to do.
And for those of us who are already engaged in the fight, let’s go home declaring (oh yeah!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, telling the whole world who and whose we are. All together 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!’
And having sincerely said all of that, our bounden duty now is to go out and generously share the awesome LOVE and friendship of Christ with those who don’t know Him. Much LOVE!
…Satan…the best example of rebellion against God…hell bound and destined for destruction…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
23 Feb 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life of peace and abundance, a perfect and upright man, accuse God, adversary, all his promises are faithful, and naked I shall return, angelic beings, curse God, escheweth evil, feast then famine, God can be trusted implicitly in all things, God holds sovereign over all things and people, God is the Boss, God will empower us to come up higher, God's ways are higher than ours, hast thou considered my servant Job, have a good attitude, He also shall be my salvation, he prayed for his friends, hurry, I will maintain mine own ways, in everything give thanks, in god's eyes, LOVE, naked came I, none like him in the earth, one that feareth God, out of my mother's womb, pray without ceasing, rejoice evermore, Satan, Satan is a finite being, share His love with the world, sorrow then joy, strong faith, the beloved of God, the christian motto, the prince of darkness, the sons of God, Though he slay me, too big for his breeches, trust God to work all things out for good, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, worry, yet will I trust in him
Job 13:15a. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
And after the snow comes the mild temperatures…then comes the snow again! I guess that’s how life is, how the Lord orchestrated it to happen; feast then famine, sorrow then joy, one good then bad and so on. But throughout it all He expects us to have a good attitude, to trust Him to work all things out together for our good, as His faithful promise proclaims. (Rom. 8:28)
And yes, that good attitude is not always easy to come by, especially when the evil and trouble of the world comes against us, but if we are sincere in our trust and belief in Christ Jesus, then we will be able to do it; He will empower us to come up higher in His name. But we have to reach that level of faith where we know that we know that we know ALL His promises are faithful and leave it all in His mighty hands.
Oh friends, we need to reach the level of faithful maturity so that we can say like Job, when his whole world suddenly came tumbling down. ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (accused Him with wrong).’ (Job 1:21-22)
Yeh mih people, all of that is much easier said than done, but as believers that’s where we need to get to in this earthly life. How many of us accuse God, even curse Him when things go wrong in our lives even while we’re trying to live right eh? Too many! We need to remember that God is the BOSS, and whatever He says goes, even though it may seem unfair to us.
And remember too that His mind and ways are higher than ours, thus His plans and purposes we will never fully understand. And if we intend to live a fairly peaceful and productive life here on earth, we need to understand, believe and live His faithful word. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11)
Oh my brethren, once we can get those promises written down deep in our hearts, minds and souls, then we can live the kind of earthly life Jesus died for us to live; one of peace and abundance, with our eyes focused on the things of heaven, not those of the earth. And if you don’t believe me, then check out how God dealt with Job nuh. After He allowed Satan to inflict wrong on Job so He could prove Job’s faithfulness, He gave Job twice as much as he had in the beginning. ‘And the Lord turned (restored) the captivity (losses) of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.’ (Job 42:10)
Please notice praying for his friends was also an important aspect of God restoring Job’s fortunes. And please note too that Satan had to go to God to get to Job. The Good Book says: ‘Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the Adversary) came also among them.’ (Job 1:6)
And if we’re wondering how that was possible, hear the scholars. ‘1:6. Sons of God in this passage refers to angelic beings. Satan is considered one of them, though fallen from his original sinless state. His name means “Adversary,” and in this narrative he lives up to its meaning. The passage shows that Satan has access to God’s presence, though this does not seem to be Satan’s abode.’
Oh my people, nobody knows how God operates better than Satan, because he was once one of His top operatives before his pride and lofty position made him too big for his britches, and he got kicked out of heaven for trying to overthrow God. Just imagine the ‘boldfacedness’ of the created being nuh! Unfortunately though, we’re doing just like he did, trying to kick God our of our society. But a word of warning to the wise: that will NEVER happen!
Anyhow, moving on with the story from the Good Book. ‘And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.’ (Job 1:7) The scholars tell us that refers to Satan’s activity, and though he does not admit it there, his many travels are for evil purposes. (1 Pet. 5:8)
‘The activity of Satan indicates that he has only limited access to God. This account in Job emphasizes that God is sovereign over Satan. It also teaches that Satan is a finite being and therefore not omnipresent (be in several places at once). Nor can he touch God’s servants without God’s permission.’
And all God’s children said a loud ‘Amen!’ to that. Then, I like how God boasted on Job to Satan. ‘Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect (blameless) and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth (shuns) evil?’ (Job 1:8) Oh brother, I don’t know if I want the Lord to boast so on me to the enemy nuh. (smile)
But as the scholars explain: ‘1:8. The initiative in the conversation lies with God, but He may well have simply expressed what was on Satan’s mind. God’s view of Job is the same as the description given in 1:1.’ And Satan failed miserably in trying to get Job to curse God.
Instead he worshipped Him. Despite all the inaccurate and hurtful things his supposed friends said against him, and the way that people despised and turned away from him, Job stood strong in the faith of his God. These word of his, say it all. ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways (defend my ways) before him. He shall also be my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him.’ (Job 13:15-16)
Mama Yo! That’s what yuh call ‘strong faith!’ And the scholars explain: ‘13:15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him expresses the unquenchable faith of one who lives by faith, not by sight. Even when it appears that God Himself has turned against Job, he will still trust in God.’
Now friends, it’s that kind of unquenchable faith that we need to have, especially in these very rough times that we’re currently experiencing. It’s not easy, and will never be easy, once we live here on planet earth with the prince of darkness it’s ruling force. But we know that Jesus will come again and eventually make everything right.
And this note from the scholars on the turning around of Job’s life is important. ‘The point to be garnered from the book is not that God intends to deal with every servant as abundantly as He did with Job; rather, that God holds sovereign and LOVING sway over every human life. Therefore He can be trusted implicitly in all things (cf. Rom. 8:28; 1Thess. 5:18).’ And that’s what I’ve been trying to say from the very beginning friends! (smile)
So for those of us who sincerely believe and implicitly trust, let’s go home now declaring (yeahhh!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know who and whose we are. As one strong voice: ‘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!’
Now let’s go and do exactly that nuh! Much LOVE!
…the Christian motto…rejoice evermore…pray without ceasing…in everything give thanks…
04 Feb 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a discernerof the thoughts and intents of the heart, a great family, alive and kicking, all things were created by him and for him, Alleluia, and God said, before the day was I am he, blessed be the name of Jesus Christ, Christian pilgrims, courage, creativity, curse, divine protection, easier for a camel, even there shall thy had lead me, God booted Satan out unceremoniously, help in times of trouble, I will work, if I take the wings of the morning, in the beginning, LOVE, magnificent blessings, mighty thunderings, negative word, no purpose of God can be thwarted by mortal man, not a word in my tongue, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, Satan, self-control, sharper than any twoedged sword, than for a rich man to enter heaven, the Lord created the heaven and earth, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, the marriage supper of the lamb, the One and Only Living God, the voice of a great multitude, the voice of many waters, the Word of God is quick, there is none that deliver out of my hand, thou art acquainted with all my ways, thou knowest my downsitting and my uprising, Thursday Blessings, thy right hand shall hold me, to go through the eye of a needle, whither shall I flee from thy presence, who shall reverse it, with God all things are possible
Isaiah 43:13. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let (reverse) it?
Oh friends, we’re just strangers here, Christian pilgrims on our way home to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the high heavens! So please give thanks and praise for our blessedness, because not everybody is blessed like us! And all of God’s people shouted proudly and gratefully: ‘Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ, blessed be the name of God the Father, and blessed be the name of the Holy Spirit, our triumvirate God!’
Ah mih people, there’s no God like ours! In fact, our God is the ONE and ONLY true living Deity! None other exists. That’s just the simple fact. You can’t be a God unless you’re alive and kicking, else how would you do things for your people eh? Dead gods can’t do anything for anybody.
That’s why our triune God is so wonderful; they are indeed alive and kicking! Glory be mih bredrin! That’s why they can be our help in times of trouble and keep their awesome promises…because they are alive and omnipotent! And today we’re just going to look at a few Bible verses that verify the fact that our God is omnipotent and can do anything, whatever pleases Him.
And I believe the verse that says it all is the very first one in His Word. ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen. 1:1) What can be more powerful than that eh friends?
Bruh Paul says it thus to the Colossians: ‘For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in (on) the earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities (rulers), or powers (authorities): all things were created by him, and for him.’ (Col.1:16)
Yes friends, God, through Christ Jesus created everything by Himself, for Himself. So who the heck are we, a mere mortal creation to want to kick God out of His own universe eh? We’re boldfaced and stupid just like another creation, Lucifer, alias Satan, who wanted to overthrow Almighty God when he was a mere archangel, but God booted him out unceremoniously from heaven with all the other foolish angels who had joined with him to create the rebellion.
And the great thing about our magnificent God, is that He created it all through the spoken word, showing exactly how powerful His word is. The first chapter on creation is all about ‘And God said…’ and it happened instantaneously.
Hear how the Good Book describes the power of God’s word nuh: ‘For the word of God is quick (alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’ (Heb. 4:12)
Yes people, God scrutinizes all our lives, that’s why we have to be careful how we live them. No wonder Bruh David could truly declare (yeah!) in Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God.
‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me, Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandeth my thought afar off. Thou compasseth (understandeth) my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether….
Whither shall (can) I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall (can) I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.’ (Ps. 139:1-4, 7-10)
Yuh see friends, we can’t get away from God no matter how hard we try, for not only is He omnipotent -all powerful, but also omniscient – all knowing, and omnipresent – everywhere!
And the prophet Amos put it this way: ‘For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind (or the spirit), and declareth unto man what is his (God’s) thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, the God of hosts, is his name.’ (Amos 4:13)
Yes my people, that’s an awesome fact. It’s the Lord our God who is the Creator and Controller of this great universe in which we dwell at His command and desire. We’re here to do His bidding, not the other way around, like so many of the foolish think.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah, in his prayer said it with surety and praise: ‘Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard (difficult) for thee:’ (Jer. 32:17) And the last two verses of that chapter tell us: ‘Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?’ (Jer. 32:26-27)
Ah mih people, the Lord doesn’t like it when we doubt Him. And by the way, the answer to His question is a big and definite ‘NO!’ Jesus made that quite clear in His sojourn on earth. When talking about it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven, He announced to His listeners: ‘With men this is impossible; but with God, ALL things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26)
And why shouldn’t it be eh, if He is mighty and omnipotent? Job said it in his submission. ‘I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.’ (Job 42:2) And that’s the gospel truth friends! Our God can do any and everything, and no purpose of His can be thwarted by mortal man.
So I don’t see why we keep on trying to hide ourselves and things about us from Him. As He says through Isaiah. ‘Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let (reverse) it?’ (Is. 43:13) And the obvious answer my brethren is ‘NOBODY!’
And this last scripture is oh so suitable to end with. Re the marriage supper of the Lamb, John the Revelator, says: ‘And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice (roar, sound) of many waters, and as the voice (roar, sound) of mighty thunderings, saying. Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.’ (Rev. 19:6) And He will reign for ever and ever my fellow saints in Christ. the marriage
So let’s go home now with all of that scripture securely embedded in our hearts and minds, and we declare (yesss!) our Thursday Blessings that the Lord God Almighty has so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work.
As one strong voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment!
I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Now it’s time to share those magnificent blessings just as generously with those around us. Much LOVE!
…if you don’t believe that the Lord is…omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present…then what do you believe eh…
P.S. It only seems long…but it’s not really. (smile) Much LOVE!
24 Dec 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a li'l loopy dog, a time of celebration, a time of severe shortage, anticipation, Christ is the only reason for the season, Christians are rising up, christmas eve, compassionate heart, corona virus pandemic, courage, creativity, curse, defanged lion, defeated at Calvary's cross, eager expectation, eternal damnation, eternal life, fear not, for god the Father, for that glorious morn, Glory be to God, God sent not his son into the world, God will come to dwell amomg His people, God with us, gomng home whining, he shall save his people from their sins, his evil higness, his name shall be called, his tail between his legs, Immanuel, incarnate birth, Jehovah Saves, judgement, justice, LOVE, negative word, of the increase of his government, only believe, preparation, prosper, Satan, self-discipline, share our blessings generously, she shall bring forth a son, slavation, succeed, taking back the world, the everlasting Father, the foundational concept of the gospel, the keys of hell death and the grave, the mighty God, the Prince of Peace, the world through him might be saved, the zeal of the Lord of hosts, there shall be no end, thou shalt call his name Jesus, through Jesus the son, Thursday Blessings, trusting faith, ungrateful sinners, unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, Wonderful Counselor
Matthew 1:21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS (Saviour): for he shall save his people from their sins.
By Jove mih bredrin, it’s Thursday; Christmas Eve! The day before Christ’s birth! Wow! Can you imagine the celebrations and otherwise that’s going on around the world right now in anticipation and preparation for that glorious morn, even though it might be somewhat muted this year because of all our unforeseen problems, especially the corona virus pandemic?
But however yuh take it friends, Christmas is still Christmas, and unless we in real straightened circumstances, we believers in Christ will make every effort to celebrate His awesome and incarnate birth! No pandemic, or political strife, or whatever, is going to stop us from worshipping and giving much thanks to our wonderful God for initiating salvation and eternal life through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ with His birth!
Please let the world know it and take serious note! Christians are rising up in the name of Christ! We taking back the world for God the Father through Jesus, the Son! Mama Mia! And when Christians rise up in and through Christ, NOTHING can stop them; certainly not the defanged and ‘detoothed’ evil lion called Satan, since He has no authority or power over us, except what we allow him to have.
That’s because he was totally defeated at Calvary’s cross by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who summarily took away the keys of hell, death and the grave from his evil highness, and now he’s just like a li’l loopy dog, going home whining with his tail between his legs after he got crushed in the biggest fight of his evil life! Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
Yeh friends, the ole fella waxing philosophical this Christmas Eve morning. (smile) And why not eh, when we celebrating the faithful keeping of a promise made centuries before the actual event occurred? The prophet Isaiah told it to us quite clearly: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ (Is. 9:6-7)
And yuh better believe the beginning of this promise was fulfilled on Christmas day some two thousand years ago, when the Christ child, the incarnate one was born of the virgin Mary. As the angel reassured her husband Joseph: ‘Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived (begotten) in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS (Saviour): for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet (Isaiah), saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted (translated) is, God with us.’ (Matt. 1:20-23)
Oh mih people, what a great and faithful God we worship! That prophecy was made by Isaiah, way back when (Is. 7:14), and though it took a long time to come true, it did eventually. That’s the important thing: our God keeps all His promises, He just doesn’t tell us when He will fulfill them. That means we have to learn to wait in trusting faith, with eager expectation, and there is where we too often break down and fall apart. But as Jesus keeps on saying, ‘only believe, fear not, have faith.’ That’s all we need to do. And yes, it’s not easy, but with Him in our lives, it is certainly doable.
And I want to elaborate a bit on some of those scriptures with the knowledgeable words of the scholars. ‘1:21-22.Call his name JESUS: The name of the child Jesus (Heb. Yehoshua) means “Jehovah Saves.” This points to the very purpose of Christ’s coming into the world – to save sinners. Placed early in the New Testament, this statement becomes the foundational concept of the gospel. Jesus, by His very name and nature, is the Saviour.’ And as Jesus Himself plainly said: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:17)
And that’s it right there in a nutshell friends. Our God LOVED us so much that He wanted to save us from eternal damnation. And the only righteous and just way He could do that, since sins needed to be paid for, was to have His only Son come to earth in human form and pay for them on our behalf. Please note too that ONLY an unblemished, a sinless body could pay for sins, and Jesus was the only person like that.
So just contemplate for a moment the heartache that the Father felt knowing that to save a bunch of ungrateful sinners, He had no alternative but to place our punishment on His wonderful Son. Now please let that sink into our souls and minds and remind us of how we hurt when our children suffer. Maybe then we’ll realize what a big gift the Lord made to us on that first Christmas Day.
And as per the scholars, re “Immanuel, which being interpreted (translated) is, God with us: This is a title describing the deity of the person of the Son of God rather than a name actually used by Him. It implies God will come to dwell among His own people, which He did in the person of Christ.’ So friends, the coming of Jesus, His earthly birth, is not be taken lightly, because it marks the beginning of the era of our salvation, something for which we should be eternally grateful.
And for those of us who are truly grateful for what our Holy Trinity has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us, let’s go home now declaring (awright!) our Thursday Blessings, which have been so magnanimously granted to us to do their earthly work. Altogether now in strong sincere voice, with a thankful Christmas Spirit. (smile)
‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection!
I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
And since it’s Christmas, a time of celebration, and a time of severe shortage of most things, especially LOVE, it’s even more important than ever that we share those blessings just as generously with others. Much LOVE!
…please remember…that CHRIST…is the ONLY reason…for the season…
08 Jun 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a city on a hill, a mighty avenger, a sound disciplined mind, a spirit of fearlessness, awesome ally, bounden duty, come short in obedience, compliance to your word, dazzles the eyes, double threats, fearsome enemy, find a positive solution, forgiving and gracious God, glorify the Father, God's the Boss, hang their hat on Jesus' hat rack, he that followeth me, heal our land, hear our prayer, heavenly Father, his thoughts and ways are higher than ours, humble ourselves, humble servants, I am the light of the world, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, light and love of Jesus, lights up the darkness, LOVE, mass confusion, men light a candle, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, need your help, pandemic, Praise the Lord, pray, promised to hear and answer our prayers, put it under a bushel, salt of the earth, salvation, Satan, shall have the light of life, shall not walk in darkness, shines so birhgtly, show the dark world, sincerely seek your face, the Holy Spirit, the Lion of Judah, the only one, victory, we have all sinned, wisdom, with power and insight, worldwide sickness, worldwide strife, Ye are the light of the world, you are a merciful
John 8:12. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Yes…Yes…Yes… It’s Monday! And yuh know what? We coming out fighting! We going out fearless to battle the fearsome and daunting enemy on his own turf – the battlefields of this evil world! And the victory’s already ours, because our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has already defanged and ‘detoothed’ (smile) the ole lion called Satan, and all he has now is a setta mouth, plenty bark and but no bite! Wow! What a mighty avenger is our Lord; the immortal Lion of Judah!
But we still need to engage Satan in mortal combat because like he doesn’t know or realize that he’s already lost the war for spiritual superiority and keeps showing up and threatening people with his toothless and defanged self. Thus, to add to Satan’s misery, our Saviour has given us a spirit of fearlessness, awesome power through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to lead, guide and comfort us, plus His amazing LOVE, that shines so brightly, it dazzles the eyes and lights up the darkness, and last, but definitely not least, His everlasting wisdom, through a sound and disciplined mind!
So poor Beelzebub, he doesn’t stand a chance against us! Glory Hallelujah! Give our Jesus some thanks and praise for being such an awesome ally and giving us all the tools and help we need to keep our victory secure. And who still doesn’t want to hang their hat on Jesus’ hat rack, that’s their business yes, but for sure, me and mine are going to hang ours there! And all those who think like me, shouted a joyful and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord!’
Yes friends, we do need to praise our wonderful God, but we also need to communicate with Him through prayer, the medium that He’s devised for our communication. We need to tell Him our wishes and our woes, because He’s interested in EVERYTHING that concerns us, and sometimes has plans that are different to ours. But since He’s the BOSS, and His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, His desires ALWAYS take priority. And yuh better believe we have a lot to talk to Him about today yes, as we’re faced with double threats of worldwide sickness and worldwide strife and protests.
So as one strong and sincere voice, let’s call out to Him, invoking our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, asking for His mercy and grace. ‘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 hopefully haven’t contracted the virus that’s causing havoc around our world. And our anxieties have been recently deepened because some restrictions have been lifted in the lockdown, so more of us are going out to work now without any guarantees of safety.
Then to complicate matters Father, suddenly, and unexpectedly, worldwide strife and protests have also struck us in this sad time of pandemic, and we don’t have a clue how to handle either situation properly. Mass confusion is currently prevailing in our world, and we desperately need your help to solve both problems, as You are the ONLY One with the power and insight to successfully handle them.
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. Please show us how to successfully handle these scourges that are currently plaguing Your beautiful earth. Please help our leaders to wisely quell the strife and protests, and the scientists to find a positive solution, a sure antidote to the virus as quickly as possible. And for those who have already contracted the virus, or been injured in the strife, 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!’
Yes my people, we’ve done the first part of our bounden duty; go to God in sincere prayer. Now we need to do the other part; show this dark and evil world the awesome LIGHT and LOVE that resides in Jesus and those who sincerely believe in Him. Remember Jesus’ words about the world: ‘And this is the condemnation, that (the) light is come into the world, and men LOVED darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.’ (John 3:19) And two thousand years later my brethren, that is still the case, men still prefer darkness to light because their deeds are still evil and are easily hidden in the darkness.
But please do not forget Jesus’ awesome proclamation to the Jewish Leaders: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ Now those Jewish leaders didn’t believe Him, because they considered Him to be boasting on Himself, tooting His own horn. But we believe Him! Glory to God! And the logical and natural corollary to all that is when Jesus ascended back to heaven, He left His faithful believers to be light in this dark world.
Please note His decree to us: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14:16)
There we have it friends! If you are a true and sincere believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, then it is expected that you will reflect, show the bright LIGHT that He’s placed in you to this dark and evil world, so we can envelop unbelievers in His light, and thus bring them to salvation. That’s it in a nutshell friends! So what are we waiting for eh? Let’s go out today and be like that city on the hill, show the dark world the LIGHT and LOVE of Jesus! Much LOVE!
…oh that many more of us…were truly salt of the earth…and lights of the world…so that in Jesus’ name…the Father would be truly glorified…
25 May 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anxieties, blatantly denying God's promise, come short in obedience, compliance to your word, death, denigrate Mondays, disobedient, dust thou art, eat to your heart's content, faithfully promised, fearful, forgive us, good news, heal our land, hear our prayer, holding us to ransom, humble servants, irresponsible behaviour, Jehovah Rapha, know evil but couldn't resist it, know good but couldn't do it, Mamas and Papas, Monday Monday, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, omnipotent god, pray, restrictions lifted, Satan, scourge plaguing the earth, seek your face, subtle assertion, terrible backlash, the day that thou eatest it, the devil day of the week, the God who heals, the knowledge of good and evil, the tree of, the virus, their eyes were opened, thou shalt not eat it, thou shalt surely die, to dust thou shalt return, Trinity Bellwoods park, wake up crying, we have all sinned, wise guidance and direction
Genesis 2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
‘Monday, Monday…Oh how I hate that day!…Come Monday morning, I’d wake up crying…Monday Monday!’ Ah friends, many of us older folks, please note I said older, not old folks, (smile) will remember those words, or some facsimile thereof (smile) from the hit song by the Mamas and Papas released in 1966, and which has become something of an institution over the years to denigrate Mondays. Thus to this day, some six decades later, Monday is looked upon as an outcast, as the poor relation, the devil day of the week, simply because it heralds the start of our work week, cuts into the good times we’ve been having over the weekend.
But if we want to eat, some of us have to work. It’s as simple as that. And in these uncertain and turbulent times, when life is so fragile, we need a lot of help just to make it through each day. But the good news is that we have powerful help, reassuring help, our omnipotent God! So let’s communicate with Him nuh, through what we call our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, letting Him know that we desperately need His divine favour and succour.
As one strong voice: ‘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 hopefully haven’t contracted the virus that’s causing havoc around our world. Despite the crucial lockdown, those of us considered essential, still have go to work, and we’re somewhat fearful, because we have no idea, how, when and where the virus might strike. Our anxieties have even deepened in the last few days because some restrictions have been lifted, and more of us have to go to work now.
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.
Please show us how to successfully handle this scourge that’s plaguing the earth, and help the scientists to find a positive solution, a sure antidote to it as quickly as possible. And for those who have already contracted the virus, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them Father. 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!’
Now all of that sounds good and proper, but yuh know what friends, we are our own worst enemy. And why do I say that? Because of the gross irresponsibility a lot of us are showing in these dangerous and unpredictable times. Good example; yesterday, Sunday, with the recent lifting of some park restrictions, and with the wonderful weather and temperature conditions, the small Trinity Bellwoods Park in the south western part of the city of Toronto saw several thousands of people picnicking and partying there, with no regard whatsoever to the terrible backlash their irresponsible behaviour could provoke, as we still don’t have a proper handle on the virus that’s holding us to ransom.
The only way we can control it right now is by physical distancing, which obviously wasn’t being practiced in that park yesterday. And in the U.S. on their Memorial Day weekend, there have already been numerous incidents of crowds on beaches and in parties in parks and elsewhere causing controversies with the authorities. And no doubt there’ll be more on the holiday today.
So what’s a body to say to that kind of irresponsible behaviour eh? Yes, it’s hard been locked down for a long while, but which do we prefer, to be safe and somewhat stir crazy, or free and easy and dead eh? And it’s not like people aren’t dying in large numbers from the Covid-19 disease. So why this crazy reaction? We really shouldn’t be surprised nuh, because flouting rules and regulations seems to be the natural nature of man. Look at how our forefather’s Adam and Eve screwed it up in the Garden of Eden when they had it so good.
Yuh know is one, ONE simple rule the Lord gave them: ‘And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest eat freely: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.’ (Gen. 2:16-17) Oh friends, according to the scholars, ‘2:16. The Hebrew words expressly emphasize, ‘you may eat to your heart’s content, of every other tree but that one in the middle.’
But as they say further: ‘Note Satan’s subtle assertion in 3:1. As he focused on the “one” tree they could not eat from. In so doing, he excluded the abundance in this verse.’ Yuh see how the ole serpent smart; he teased them with the one thing they couldn’t have, ignoring the abundance of all the other things they could have. And that’s the exact way we are still behaving to this day. We ‘re never satisfied with what we do have, but are always in search of what we don’t have, but think we ought to.
It’s simply a combination of greed and stupidity. But when we suffer the necessary consequences, then we hold our heads and bawl; ‘If I’d only known eh…’ But you did know because it was spelt out in spades, but you chose to disobey it. And with Adam and Eve, death was a sure thing if they disobeyed. But Satan again weaved his deceitful web around them by blatantly denying God’s promise and saying to Eve: ‘Ye shall not surely die. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods (God), knowing good and evil.’ (Gen. 3:4-5)
And yes technically speaking, their eyes were opened. ‘But the problem was that their eyes were opened to behold all things in the light of their own sinfulness. They would have a fixed moral nature like God; but it was fixed in sin, not righteousness. They knew good, but were unable to do it; and they knew evil, but were unable to resist it. There has always been the temptation to be like God. Here it suggests that God is holding something back from Adam and Eve.’
Yuh see how Satan could tie us up with unsaid suggestions or intimations. And today, unfortunately, we still falling for his deceitfulness, just like Adam and Eve. Nothing’s really changed nuh friends, we’re still disobedient to the rules and regulations of both our heavenly Father and our earthly leaders. And yuh know what? The same thing, certain death is forecasted for many of us if we insist on being disobedient! Much LOVE!
…for dust thou art…and unto dust shalt thou return… (Gen. 3:19b)
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