09 Oct 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cry for help, a long weekend, according to His abundant mercy, amidst all the anxiety and confusion, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, another beautiful autumn day, as good as some but better than many, be able to comfort them which are in trouble, be joyful O earth, better than an ox or bullock, blessed be God, blossomed up to heaven, break forth in singing O mountains, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God, Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, come into deep waters, covered on all sides by our wonderful God, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, divine aid, don't let your hair down too much, end of sermon, faith, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, give our leaders wise guidance, God will have mercy on the afflicted, God will save Zion, God's omnipotent help, God's generous help, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, help us to be responsible, holy spirit, horns and hoofs, I am poor and sorrowful, Jesus Christ, keep our faith strong, kept by the power of God, let the heaven and earth praise him, let thy salvation O God, LOVE, mercy, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God, my throat is dried, neck deep in problems, no leaves fell off the trees, no need to worry, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, our trusting faith, preparation for the upcoming celebrations, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, requirements of our daily walk with christ, reserved in heaven for you, salvation, save me O God, serious problems are escalating, set me up on high, sing o heavens, sink in deep mire, stand strong and steadfast, tall trees caught up in an exhilarating dance with the wind, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that fadeth not away, that's when serious problems occur, the crazy moments of the dance, the Father of mercies, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the floods overflow me, the God of All Comfort, the good example that we your faithful believers set, the gospel truth, the humble shall see this and be glad, the Lord hath comforted his people, the Lord hears the poor, the only one who can solve our problems, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the seas and everything that moves therein, the seed of his servants shall inherit it, the strong wind that's cavorting through the area, the throne of grace, the trees endured the dance quite well, the trees stood resilient, the waters are come in unto my soul, the weekend is here at last, they that love his name shall dwell therein, through faith unto salvation, to be revealed in the last time, too comfortable Christians, truth, underperfoming Christians, unexpected storms, ungodly times, we're never short of mercy or comfort, weary of my crying, where there is no standing, who comforts us in all our tribulation, who gives us life and health, wisdom, won't concentrate on our hurts, your heart shall live that seek God
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 October 2026 Psalm 69:30.
Psalm 69:30. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Oh my people, it’s another beautiful, sunshiny autumn day in my neighbourhood, though with seemingly a little less heat from the sun, (smile) possibly caused by the strong wind that’s again cavorting through the area. But surprisingly, I just watched some tall trees in my neighbour’s backyard caught up in an exhilarating dance with the wind, however they endured it quite well, with no leaves dropping off in the crazy moments of the dance. The trees stood resilient, like we believers in Christ ought to stand when strong provocation and temptation from the enemy comes our way.
And is this kind of weather ever so welcome as we celebrate our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Yes, this is the big weekend of thanks in our wonderful country of Canada. We’re not perfect, possibly as good as some, but certainly better than many. No wonder our Friday Mantra blossomed like it did up to heaven earlier this morning. ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last!’ And a long weekend to boot! So you know the busyness that’s taking place in preparation for all the upcoming celebrations. And I would be amiss if I didn’t warn us to be careful in those celebrations, don’t let our hair down too much, because that’s when serious problems occur. End of sermon! (smile)
Now what does the Lord want us to talk about today? Well the Good Book opened at Psalm 69, Bruh David’s cry for help: ‘Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck). I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.’ (Ps. 69:1-3) Yes my fellow believers, many of us are now in a situation like Bruh David was back then, but we won’t concentrate our hurts today, no, not on this Thanksgiving weekend.
Instead, we’ll go to the end of the psalm where Bruh David, despite his sad and sorry state, decides to offer thanksgiving and praise to our great God. He solemnly declares: ‘But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed (descendants) also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that LOVE his name shall dwell therein.’ (Ps. 69: 29-36)
Yes friends, though we are neck deep in problems, we must never forget our great God who gives us life and health and the many other benefits we enjoy, and who oftentimes is the only One who can solve our problems. Thus, thanks and praise are necessary requirements of our daily walk with Christ. And on this Thanksgiving weekend when the world is in such a topsy-turvy state, with strife, hate and anger being so prevalent, it’s of the utmost importance that we give thanks and praise to our Creator. It’s like the prophet Isaiah said so long ago to his people Israel. ‘Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on the afflicted.’ (Is. 49:13)
And that’s the gospel truth my faithful brethren! Our God will indeed be merciful and comfort us in time of need, because, as Bruh Paul writes to the Corinthians in his second letter. ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:3-4) Meaning that God is not only merciful, but also comforts us, and furthermore, enables us to comfort others with that same comfort He bestows on us. So we’re never really short of mercy or comfort.
And, as Peter in his wisdom reminds us: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet. 1:3-5) That means, though we suffer tribulation in this evil and ungodly world, we’re covered on all sides by our wonderful God, and there’s no need to worry, but let our faith keep us strong.
And for divine aid to do that, let’s go confidently, but humbly to the throne of grace. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let’s remember that it’s not only the ungodly who need to wake up and smell the coffee, but also we underperforming, too comfortable Christians! Much LOVE!
…thanks and praise are essential…in our walk with God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
28 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cry for help, a symbol of sorrow, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, an alien unto my mother's children, be ashamed for my sake, became a proverb to them, become a stranger unto my brethren, becoming more dependent on technology, blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, chastened my soul with fasting, come into deep waters, deliver me because of mine enemies, deliver me out of the mire, draw nigh unto my soul, eternal life, faith, faithfulness, falsely accused, find the faith to bear it, for thy sake I have borne reproach, full of heaviness, gave me gall for my meat, gave me vinegar to drink, God's ever faithful promise, great is your reward in heaven, hate me without a cause, he that endureth to the end shall be saved, hear me, hear me speedily, hide not thy face from thy servant, holy spirit, hurry, I am in trouble, I made sackcloth also to my garment, I restored that which I took not away, I sink deep in the mire, I wept, in an acceptable time, in god's eyes, in my thirst, in the multitude of thy mercy, in the truth of thy salvation, Jesus Christ, let me delivered from them that hate me, let me not sink, let not the pit shut her mouth upon me, let not the waterflood overflow me, let not them that wait in faith on thee, let not those that seek thee be confounded, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel, looked for comforters but found none, looked for some to take pity, LOVE, mercy, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God, more than the hairs of mine head, my prayer is unto thee O Lord, my sins are not hid from thee, my throat is dried, my wrongful enemies, negative situations, negatively treated, neither let the deep swallow me up, O God thou knowest my foolishness, out of the deep waters, redeem my soul, rejoice and be exceeding glad, reproach hath broken my heart, restored that which I did not steal, salvation, same khaki pants, save me O God, say all manner of evil against you falsely, shame hath covered my face, share His love with my neighbours, so persecuted they the prophets which were before you, steadfastness, technology, technology breaks down at the most inopportune times, the beloved of God, the floods overflow me, the reproaches of then that reproached thee are fallen on me, the song of the drunkards, the waters are come in unto my soul, the zeal for thine house hath eaten me up, there was none to take pity, they that sit in the gate speak against me, they that would destroy me, they too can come to know and love Christ like do, thy lovingkindness is good, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, turn unto me, undeserved suffering, weary of my crying, where there is no standing, wisdom, worry, ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake
Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 July 2026 Psalm 69:1.
Psalm 69:1. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck).
Oh Lord… technology, technology, technology! It’s useful, but it also seems to break down or fail at the most inopportune times. I was already late getting down here, then I spent over half an hour fighting with this so and so computer to begin writing the Bit! It opened quite well and I checked some messages. But when I tried opening Word to begin writing…Hn! No reaction whatsoever. It wouldn’t open anything at all. So, in frustration, I decided to change the batteries in the mouse…Same khaki pants. Then I changed the batteries in the keyboard…Nothing doing. I couldn’t even turn it off with the mouse.
So I eventually turned it off manually…at least tried doing so, but it wouldn’t close because the Google App was open, so I hit cancel to stop the turn off and voilà …the whole screen lit up and the computer began working normally again! And I still don’t know what was wrong. But sadly, every day we’re becoming more and more dependent on the deleted expletive technology, which can break down or fail so completely when you most need it. But as one of my friends likes to say; that’s progress! Ah Lord eh! Hopefully, that is my only frustration for today. (smile)
Anyway, let’s see what the Lord wants us to talk about today, after allowing that most frustrating episode right at the very beginning. And wouldn’t you know, in the Lord’s most intriguing and mysterious way, the Good Library opened just now at Psalm 69 – A Cry for Help, where Bruh David cries out: ‘Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck). I sink deep in the mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away (which I did not steal). O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. Let not them that wait (in faith) on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake (because of me): let not those that seek thee be confounded (disgraced) for my sake, O God of Israel.
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of (for) thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to (became) my reproach. I made sackcloth also my garment (a symbol of sorrow); and I became a proverb (byword) to them. They that sit in the gate (sit as judges) speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.’ (Ps. 69:1-12)
Ah friends, I’m sure many of us are in the same boat that Bruh David was in back then; embroiled in a case of undeserved suffering, and mainly from his steadfastness in his commitment to the Lord. But unfortunately that is one of the negative things that can happen to us when we stand up strong for Christ. As He warned in the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ (Matt. 5:11-12)
Then later on, Jesus again declared to the disciples: ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt. 10:22) Oh my fellow believers, we all know that rejoicing when we’re being falsely accused and negatively treated is not easy to do, but we have to dig down deep and find the faith to bear it, with the Lord’s help obviously. We need to cry out to the Lord, petition Him like Bruh David did:
‘But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, O Lord; for thy LOVING-KINDNESS is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily (quickly). Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me gall for my meat (food); and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.’ (Ps. 69:13-21)
Yes my brethren, it can be a difficult life if we insist on standing up strong and steadfast for Christ, but we need to also remember the rewards that come from our faithfulness and steadfastness; salvation and eternal life with Christ, and understand that those rewards greatly outweigh the ‘sufferation’ we might undergo here on earth. And again, it’s not easy, but we need to also cry out to God and ask for help in our negative situations, and even if He doesn’t rescue us from the situation, for sure He’ll give us the peace and strength to withstand it, for that’s His ever faithful promise.
Now let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
So let’s do just that nuh; go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…Jesus desires a lot from us…but look at what He’s already given…a whole lot more…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Mar 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a spring-like day, a symbol of sorrow, a time of sufferation, an alien to my mother's children, an expected circumstance in a believer's life, be of good cheer, be perfect and complete, became a proverb to them, became my reproach, become a stranger unto my brethren, chastened my soul with fasting, Christ also suffered for us, come into deep waters, come to know and love christ like we do, committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, count it all joy, duty bound, face tough times, faith, fall into divers temptations, fall into various trials, follow his steps, for thy sake I have born reproach, hate me without a cause, he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself, holy spirit, hurry, i have overcome the world, I made sackcloth also to my garment, I restored that which I took not away, I wept, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, if we be dead with him we shall also with him live, if we belive not, if we deny him he will deny us, if we suffer we shall also reign, in god's eyes, in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, it is a faithful saying, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the best example of God's brusing, leaving us an example, let patience have her perfect work, LOVE, mercy, mine enemies, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God, more than the hairs of mine head, my throat is dried, rejoicing with Christ in eternity, restored what I didn't steal, salvation, save me O God, shame hath covered my face, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, sink in deep mire, stand strong and steadfast for Christ, steadfastness to one's commitment to God, suffering on God's behalf, suffering wrongfully, take it patiently, the beloved of God, the floods overflow me, the reporaches of them that reproach thee are fallen on me, the reproaches of them that reproached thee, the song of the drunkards, the trying of your faith worketh patience, the waters are come in unto my neck, the waters are come in unto my soul, the zeal for thy house hath eaten me up, these things I have spoken unto you, they that sit in the gate speak against me, they that would destroy me, this is acceptable before God, this is thankworthy, those whom God uses the most are the ones He bruises the most, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, undeserved suffering, wanting nothing, weary of my crying, what glory is it when you be buffeted for your faults, when he suffered threatened not, when he was reviled reviled not again, when ye do well and suffer for it, where there is no standing, who did not sin. neither was guile found in his mouth, wisdom, worry, ye take it patiently
Psalm 69:1. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck).
It’s Tuesday friends, and thankfully it’s another bright and sunshiny spring-like day with temps in positive double figures, and all the snow has finally melted. Thank God! I can now see the dry grass on the ground and the floor of the deck at the back of my house, which was once covered with snow over a foot high, making it risky to open my back door. Some trees are even starting to push out some buds. But please, let’s not get carried away, it’s only the tenth of March and winter is certainly not over. And soon we’ll be back enjoying the cold weather. (smile) But it’s surely nice to have a break in between.
And today we’ll have a look at Psalm 69, ‘A Cry for Help.’ It was a time of ‘sufferation’ for Bruh David and he cries out to God. ‘Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck). I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away (did not steal)…
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of (for) thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to (became) my reproach. I made sackcloth also to my garment (a symbol of sorrow); and I became a proverb (byword) to them. They that sit in the gate (sit as judges) speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.’ (Ps. 69:1-4, 7-12)
And according to the scholars: ‘This psalm gives extensive expression to one of the major themes of the psalms: undeserved suffering. In this case, the suffering has come largely from the psalmist’s steadfastness in his commitment to the Lord.’ Yes my fellow believers, when we are steadfast in our commitment to the Lord we will indeed face tough times. And many men of God have gone through undeserved suffering just because of their faith. People like Moses, Elijah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. They were all doing the Lord’s work, but suffered unnecessarily because of it.
And the same thing is liable to happen to those of us who stand strong and steadfast in God’s name in these modern times. Jesus said it very clearly: ‘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 people like James have written of such tribulation thus. ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials); Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing.’ (James 1:2-4)
Now that’s easier said than done! Consequently, listen to this interesting comment from the scholars. ‘Negative experiences are to be accepted with great joy, not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can accomplish through the testing. The words in verses 2 and 3 (temptations and trying) are often regarded as virtually synonymous. If this were true, then trials themselves would produce spiritual maturity. But they do not. Often, testings make Christians bitter instead of better, with no spiritual growth occurring. The Greek word for “trying” (dokimion) might be better translated as “approving.” It is not merely one’s presence in such trials but one’s victory over them that brings spiritual growth and maturity. Those Christians whom God can use the most are those whom God has bruised the most.’
And is that ever true! For many of those used by God down through the ages have been well bruised, both before and during their work on God’s behalf. The most prominent example of that being God’s most important worker; Jesus Christ. I guess the reasoning is that if you’re not bruised, you cannot fully understand the problems and sufferings of others.
And to top James’ philosophy, Peter then declares: ‘Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward (harsh). For this is thankworthy (commendable), if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted (beaten) for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with (commendable before) God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did not sin, neither was guile (deceit) found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again (in return); when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:’ (1 Pet. 2:18-23)
Ah mih people, that’s the kind of example we’re expected to follow as disciples of Jesus. And though that becomes more difficult as our world becomes more evil and ungodly, the effort is necessary if we’re to be true disciples of Jesus. And hopefully, this scripture from Bruh Paul to Timothy, might mitigate it some. ‘It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer (endure) we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not (are faithless), yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.’ (2 Tim. 2:11-13)
Yes mih bredrin, suffering for and with Christ here on earth, means also living and rejoicing with Him in eternity! And considering the short time limit to our possible suffering and the infinite extent to our rejoicing, that should help us bear the earthly trials and tribulations with a better attitude. (smile) Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And now friends, we’re duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…suffering on God’s behalf…is an expected circumstance in a believer’s life…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
28 Jul 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bulwark for love and freedom, a merciful forgiving and gracious God, a new theatre of strife, a small inkling, a warning from God, all ye that labour, anguish, at breakneck speed, back of my neck, became obedient unto death, before it's too late, being alone, being found in fashion as a man, chaotic world, Christ needs our help to save the world, Christ's Church, Christ's way of life, come into deep waters, come unto me, crying out for help, disaster laden world, disobeyed your word, divided by petty differences, divine aid, ease the pain, faith, faith if it hath no works is dead, faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers, fighting the good fight, find rest unto your souls, gentle, get back to basics, get our prerogatives straight, getting dirty and gritty, give up the fight, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn it, greed for ever more money, he humbled himself, heavy laden, holy spirit, hot town, humble and obedient, humble servants, I am meek and lowly in heart, I will give you rest, in over our heads, Jehovah Rapha, keep your promise to prosper us, keeps getting worse, learn of me, lost their way, LOVE, mass confusion, mentally incapacitated, mercy, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God, Mother Earth, my burden is light, my throat is dried, my yoke is easy, negative stuff, no help is forthcoming, numerous forest fires, our light has grown dim, our perspectives in order, our salt has lost its flavour, praise Your Holy Name, pray, refuse to interact with each other, ripe for the taking, running to Jesus, salvation, save me O God, sincere repentance in our hearts, sincerely seek your face, sink in deep mire, sitting ducks, something is wrong with your mind, stand up strong, steadfast in faith, strife, strong faith in Christ, summer in the city, take my yoke upon you, take serious and sincere action on Christ's behalf, thank you for life, the chaos on the earth, the death of the cross, the floods overflow me, the God who heals, the great invitation, the many suffering from negative situations, the only one, the oppressive heat, the power to solve our problems, the throne of grace, the waters are come in unto my soul, the world through him might be saved, tired of fighting, to alleviate our problems, too many denominations, truth, turbulent times, turn from our evil ways, turn you off of hell, unassailable odds, unvarnished dictatorial power, wasting our prayers, we cannot give up, we divide ourselves, we have all sinned, weary of crying, what hell would be like, where there is no standing, wisdom, wise guidance and direction
James 2:17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
‘Hot town, summer in the city…the back of my neck getting dirty and gritty!’ Yes friends that what it’s been like for the past week, and most likely what it will be like for the next couple of days. The oppressive heat is causing all kinds of illnesses. And then we have the numerous forest fires burning around the country and around the world…it surely seems like hell on earth.
And if this weather and all the other negative stuff that’s happening doesn’t turn you off of hell and have you running at breakneck speed to Jesus, then I’d say that something is definitely wrong with your mind. (smile) For if this is only a small inkling of what hell will be like, then why would I want to go there eh? No reason whatsoever! So please, let’s take this as a warning from our heavenly Father, to wake us up and get our prerogatives and perspectives straight and in order before it’s too late.
And furthermore, none of the strife and anguish that’s taking place right now on Mother Earth is lessening or getting better, but instead, every day seems to bring a new theatre of strife and anguish to the forefront of our already chaotic and disaster laden world. And I guess like Bruh David in Psalm 69, we should be crying out to the Lord for help in these days of undeserved suffering for many. And what was his petition?
He cried out: ‘Save me O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck). I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while wait for my God.’ (Ps, 69:1-3) And sadly friends, that is what’s happening to a large portion of today’s world population. We’re in over our heads, for one reason or another, and we’re crying out for help every day, from one god or another, but no help seems to be forthcoming.
The chaos on the earth just keeps getting worse. And why is that? Who knows? The grab for unvarnished dictatorial power and greed for ever more money is all over, and we can’t seem to stand up strong against it. And that goes doubly for Christ’s church, which was meant to be a bulwark for LOVE and freedom. But how can we stand strong against the enemy when we’re separated, totally divided by all sorts of petty differences and dissensions, with so many denominations and sub groups that refuse to interact with each other, which leaves us like sitting ducks ripe for the taking.
Satan doesn’t even have to divide us, for we have created the divisions for him. He simply has to conquer us. I believe, that in these trying and most difficult times, the church is required to put up sincere and strong resistance against the evil enemy. That’s what Christ died for. Remember what He said to Nicodemus? ‘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 He died for that very purpose. As Bruh Paul writes to the Ephesians: ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil. 2:8) So Christ did what He came to earth for, but the problem is that He cannot save the world by Himself, that’s why He needs disciples, people like us who believe in Him and what He stands for and are prepared to stand strong and steadfast in the faith, even to the death, to serve His purpose and plan.
Unfortunately though, the church as a whole, seems to be fighting against itself and not so much against the enemy. Meanwhile, many individual believers seem to have lost their way, and no longer seem to care about what’s happening in our world, or we are simply tired of fighting the seemingly unassailable odds, thus our salt has lost its flavour, and our light has grown dim. But let’s take a moment on this hot and sweltering Monday morning in late July of 2025, to contemplate what will happen if we give up the fight for Christ’s way of life.
And then let’s remember His Great Invitation, which He issued to all and sundry, and which still stands: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly (gentle and humble) in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt. 11:28-30) Yes my fellow believers, we’ve got to get back to the basics and refresh ourselves, so that we can continue fighting the good fight in Jesus’ name, for we cannot ever give up.
And to help us do that, let’s go right now to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid in these turbulent times. 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 yes, praying is necessary, but until we take up all the tools we have and take serious and sincere action on Jesus’ behalf, we’ll just be wasting our prayers. Much LOVE!
…even so…faith…if it hath not works…is dead…being alone… (James 2:17)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Nov 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a rewarder, called thee by name, come into my soul, don't give up, drowning, faith, faith is the currency of god's children, fear not, fellowship, He is faithful that promised, holy spirit, increase my awareness, Jesus Christ, let us hold fast the profession of our faith, LOVE, men ouhgt always to pray, mercy, mundane things, not to lose heart, of them who diligently seek him, pass through the waters, peace, quiet my soul, salvation, save me O God, slow my thoughts, take heart, tenderness, the Holy One of Isreal, the Lord's presence, the waters, truth, unceasing neareness, ungodly world, up to our necks, when you pass through the fire, wisdom, without faith, without faith it is impossible to please God, without wavering, you shall not be burned
Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Saturday has come friends…our lazy-day Saturday! Oh what a joy to be in its LOVING arms! To be able to do what we want, when we want, or not to do anything at all; just lie in bed or on the couch wrapped up in warm blankets on this somewhat chilly and cloudy Saturday morning. Unfortunately, I only got to enjoy a li’l of it, because I went to bed too early last night and thus my aging back would have none of that lying in bed for so long.
Now, I believe I have to address this going to bed early matter, because I seem to be doing it fairly often these days, and I don’t like it, because I keep waking up like every hour and a half, and thus have too many medication induced dreams. I tend to prefer a few hours here and a few hours there, not this long slog of seven or eight hours. But anyway, that’s my problem, and I’ll deal with it one way or another. (smile)
So, to more important things, like our Lazy-Day Saturday prayer. Let’s offer it up with all sincerity and truth. ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
And, as always, the Lord’s presence soon seems more intense and we’re more aware of it in our hearts and spirits. Now that’s the way it ought always to be, but we just don’t take the time to consider it and ask for His presence more often and more intensely. We’re simply too busy with the mundane, less important things and activities of the evil and ungodly world.
And I’m chuckling here friends, for I’ve reached a mental roadblock; in other words, I don’t know how to proceed from this point, (smile) So, like all true believers ought to do, when in doubt, I opened the Good Library and like the saving grace it is, it opened very appropriately unto Psalm 69 – A Cry for Help – where Bruh David writes of a situation that many of us are currently in, and don’t know how to extricate ourselves from it. So let’s pray with him. ‘Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (up to my neck). I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where floods overflow me.’ (Ps. 69:1-2)
Oh my people, many of us today surely feel like we’re drowning in the situations in which we are immersed, like the water is up to our necks, or some of us even feel like we’ve already gone down a couple of times, and the next time will be our last. But take heart, don’t give up, keep treading or floundering or whatever it takes to stay alive, for as Jesus said in one of His parables, men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart). (Luke 18:1)
And that’s the indisputable truth! If you are a believer in Jesus, you cannot ever throw in the towel or give up, regardless of the circumstances, because Christ is only and always a prayer away, and in His Word, He’s promised to save us from the terrors of this world. Listen to this marvellous promise extended on God’s behalf through the prophet Isaiah to those who are redeemed by the blood of His Son Jesus.
‘O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon (scorch) thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee (in thy place).’ (Is. 43:1-3)
Now that’s a magnificent promise for all who put their trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. And it’s not an empty promise as we’ve seen the Lord do those things. Remember when Israel came out of Egypt and met the Red Sea, which seemed to be a huge stumbling block? However, the Lord parted it for them to go through on dry land, then closed it back up and drowned Pharaoh and his army. (Ex.14) Then, when they came to the River Jordan, to enter the Promised Land, it seemed uncrossable as it was in flood. But then again, the Lord parted it for them so they could walk over on dry land. (Josh. 3)
And what about the time the three Jewish teenagers refused to bow down to the pagan idol of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, and they were thrown into a furnace seven times hotter than normal, but they came out unharmed, without even smelling of smoke. (Dan. 3:14-25). Then what about Daniel himself being cast into the lion’s den for refusing to adhere to the king’s ungodly decree? Daniel spent the night sleeping amongst the lions and was unharmed come morning, for the Lord had shut the lions mouths. (Dan. 6-7)
So my brethren, we see it’s totally possible and plausible for our God to do both big and small miracles on our behalf. But we have to keep on believing and being obedient to His will and praying and giving thanks regardless of the circumstances. That’s why the author of Hebrews reminds us thus: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)’ (Heb. 10:23) And also: ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb. 11:6)
Yes friends, it’s all a matter of belief from which faith and hope rise eternal, then trust and obedience which follow from those. So, although today we might be mired in very difficult, even life threatening circumstance, please, let’s not give up. Instead, let’s pray and cry out to God for help, for He can help us if we are sincere in our entreaty. Much LOVE!
…faith…that is the currency of God’s children…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Jun 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a moment away from drowning, Ghostbusters, I am weary of my crying, I may know you all the more, I praise you for your unceasing nearness, I sink deep in the mire, increase my awareness of you today, lazy day Saturday, Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, let my muscles relax, let the heaven and earth praise him, LOVE, magnify Him with thanksgiving, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God, my breath deepen, my sins are not hid from thee, O God thou knowest my foolishness, praise the name of God with a song, save me O God, simple words that come from the depths of our hearts, steadfastness in commitment to God, thank you for this tenderness, the eloquence within its simplicity, the humble shall see this and be glad, the mire of evil and darkness, the morass of sin and darkness, the waters are come in unto my soul, they that love his name, thy loving-kindness is good, undeserved suffering, who are you going to cry out to for help, your heart shall live that seek God
Psalm 69:32b. …and your heart shall live that seek God.
And after a somewhat drizzly Friday evening, we’ve ended up with a cloudy lazy-day Saturday. But nothing’s wrong with that, because it’s the kind of weather that induces laziness. (smile) Sadly though, I’ve used up my share of laziness, so let’s get to the Father’s business and begin with our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer.
As one lazy, but sincere voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’
Oh friends, how I do LOVE that prayer! LOVE the eloquence within its simplicity! It doesn’t get hifalutin, but it does say a lot, and a lot of the right things in ordinary everyday language. And that’s how we truly ought to pray; with simple words that come from the very depths of our hearts, for that’s the kind of communication I believe our God favours. And in my search for today’s topic, the Good Library just opened unto the book of Psalms, Psalm 69 in particular, Bruh David’s cry to his God for help.
And the scholars have a most interesting explanation on it. They say, ‘This psalm gives extensive expression to one of the major themes of the psalms: undeserved suffering. In this case, the suffering has come largely from the psalmist’s steadfastness in his commitment to the Lord. Because of this popular and needed motif, the psalm became a favourite of the New Testament writers who quote it frequently: verse 4 (John 15:25), verse 9 (John 2:17; Rom. 15:3), verses 22-23 (Rom. 11:9-10), verse 25 Acts 1:20).’
Wow! It must have been a real popular psalm to be found so often in the New Testament writings. And I’ll suggest you check out those references yourselves, I just did, and they are interesting, showing just how important the Old Testament was to the New Testament. And the scholars continue their explanation thus: ‘The content of the psalm may best be viewed topically. It contains David’s lament (vs. 1-4, 10-12, 19-21), his protestation of innocence (vs, 5-9), his petition (vs. 13-18, 22-29), and his vow of thanksgiving to be offered upon deliverance (vs. 30-36).’
And now that we have some idea of what the psalm is about, let’s check out some of Bruh David’s actual words. (smile) And he opens the psalm thus: ‘Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck). I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away (did not steal).’ (Ps. 69:1-4)
Now that seems like a lament many of us today can make, but whether it’s through our steadfastness to God or because of our own unfaithfulness, that’s another question. Many of us though are in the mire of evil and darkness that’s clouding our world so deep, right up to our very necks, a moment away from drowning, that the only person who can truly help us is Almighty God. But for whatever reason(s), we stubbornly refuse to cry out to Him for help. Why? I don’t really know. But these words of Bruh David ought to wake us up to the reality of the situation. ‘O God, thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from thee.’ (Ps. 69:5)
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Then why are we still so reluctant to cry out to our heavenly Father for help, when He is the ONLY ONE who has the power, grace and mercy to raise up out of the mire in which we’ve unfortunately found ourselves? It amazes and mystifies me when we refuse to ask for help when our own efforts are insufficient to get us out of our problems. There’s no help to be had from the evil one because his objective is for us to sink deeper and deeper into the morass of sin and darkness.
So who are we going to cry out to for help eh? ‘Ghostbusters’, as the popular song of yesteryear says. (smile) Definitely not! But to Jehovah God, our Creator and Controller, our Provider and Source of Refuge! That’s whom! But we first have to swallow our foolish pride and realize that without Jesus Christ, we’re at Satan’s mercy, and that’s not a very good place to be. And these words of Bruh David when he petitions the Lord to draw nigh and redeem his soul, ought to be helpful in our predicament.
‘But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters….Hear me, O Lord; for thy LOVING-kindness is good: turn unto me according to thy tender mercies. And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily (quickly). Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.’ (Ps. 69:13-14, 16-18)
Oh friends, those are words that ought to resonate powerfully within our souls and bodies in these difficult and dangerous times! And we’ll bypass Bruh David’s petition for the fate of his enemies, and go straight to his promise of thanksgiving and praise.
‘But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed (descendants) also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that LOVE his name shall dwell therein.’ (Ps. 69:29-36)
And there we go from lamentation to triumph, when we call upon the Lord our God! And possibly the most important phrase in that whole psalm are these few words of our Bit: ‘…and your heart shall live that seek God.’ Please friends, let’s not forget them, let’s write them indelibly in our hearts, minds, souls and bodies, as they are the very reason for our living, for our earthly existence! Much LOVE!
…only by seeking God…can our souls be saved…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
