13 Dec 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a horse of a different colour, a virgin, alive and kicking, all things work together for good, angel Gabriel, betrothed, blanketing, Bless His Holy Name, blessed, breathtaking beauty, buried treasure, called according to His purpose, Christ-like, christianity, Christmas, compassionate heart, curse, diamonds, displeasure, engaged, espoused, faith, fantasy, fill the gap, Galilee, God is good, god's greatest gift, highly favoured, inheret in the name, intangible, Jesus, John the Baptist, Joseph, joy, Lisa O'Brien, mar, Mary, mere mortals, Nazareth, negative word, never reneges, out of wedlock, perfection, perplexing situation, positive outlook, power, prince of peace, prosper, raped, salutation, self-control, self-discipline, sense of anticipation, serenity, share, snow, step up, success, The alluring beauty of snow, the house of David, the less fortunate, Thursday Blessings, to those that love God, tongues to wag, troubled, virginal, white, winked out, wispy cotton
Luke 1:27. To a virgin espoused (engaged, betrothed) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Aye friends, is Thursday…and we still alive and kicking! Thanks and glory be to our wonderful heavenly Father for that energizing gift of life. Life might be a tad on the rough side, but our God is good, so we don’t have anything to worry about. Bless His Holy Name!
And outside is white; a decent amount of snow fell during the night. It wasn’t there when I went to bed, at some early hour (smile) but I looked outside around four a.m. and there it was, covering everything, blanketing it all white. And I said yes, today is the perfect day for that poem!
Hn! I’m talking about one I recently read on the wall of my young daughter’s room, something she must have written ages ago when she toyed with the idea of becoming a writer. There is no title attached to the poem, but I’m naming it ‘The Alluring Beauty of Snow.’ Hope that title satisfies you daughter? (smile)
Now please read with me, ‘The Alluring Beauty of Snow,’ by Lisa O’Brien. ‘I watched the snow drift lazily down from the overcast sky. I marvelled at the breathtaking beauty of the picture being painted right before my eyes: Snowflakes gently caressed the barren branches of the trees, leaving them awash in a dazzling whiteness. Virgin snow carpeted the streets and rooftops…
And if I didn’t know better, I would have sworn that thousands of tiny little diamonds winked out at me that early December morn… like a buried treasure…a fantasy that wasn’t real… that was intangible as the wispy cotton of the clouds! And then I waited…waited with a breathless yet uneasy sense of anticipation, for something to come along and mar this beautiful scene of serenity and perfection.’
Yeah mih young D! That was exactly how it looked out there this early December morn! But sadly, as always, mankind eventually comes along and dirties everything he touches. And the snow on the ground is no longer virginal, but has been raped by the cars and the feet and the bikes we use to get us around in this fallen world.
And for those of you who have never seen virgin snow covering everything in a dim, white darkness, (smile) it does look really beautiful. But trudging and driving through it is a horse of an entirely different colour. But enough about snow, it’s the Christmas season, so let’s deal with the real reason for the season; Jesus!
Wow friends, what a mighty name that is! Wherever it’s spoken it causes tongues to wag, either in joy, or displeasure. But the name of Jesus is never mouthed without discussion, even to the point of coming to blows. Isn’t that strange, when He is the Prince of Peace? That just goes to show the power that’s inherent in the name!
Now let’s have a glimpse of how the whole thing began nuh. The Good Book tells us: ‘And in the sixth month (of Elizabeth’s pregnancy; John the Baptist’s mother) the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused (engaged, betrothed) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail (Rejoice), thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ (Luke 1:26-28)
Ah friends, sometimes the way our God introduces Himself and His desires can be truly heart stopping. If our hearts aren’t strong we can certainly go under. Just imagine this teenaged Jewish girl nuh, sitting quietly in her house one afternoon and all of a sudden this angel shows up in all His glory and greets her in such a gracious manner. How would you react eh? It would obviously be a rather perplexing situation to us mere mortals!
But the Good Book continues: ‘And when she (Mary) saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast (considered) in her mind what manner of salutation (greeting) this should be.’ (Luke 1:29)
But our God is so wonderful that whenever He comes a calling with a task, He never leaves us without a decent explanation…according to His standards that is. (smile) We might however not be satisfied with His explanation, because He always leaves it somewhat open-ended, leaving room for our faith to step up and fill the gap.
‘And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS (Yahweh is Salvation). He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest (Most High): and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’ (Luke 1:30-33)
Mama Yo mih breddren! Can you imagine Mary’s consternation when Gabriel lays all that heavy stuff on her? She’s already engaged, but then she shall have a son, apparently out of wedlock. Can you imagine what her small, closed knit, hypocritical society will do to her? She would be the absolute scorn of the whole town! And poor Joseph would be the laughingstock!
But friends, our God does not put us in situations we, or He can’t handle. Please remember these immortal words of Bruh Paul on the Lord’s behalf, and let our faith be strong and steadfast in whatever He asks us to do. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.’ (Rom.8:28)
Yeh friends, if God calls us and we sincerely acknowledge that calling with genuine LOVE for Him, then He will eventually work it all out for our good. That’s His promise! And our ever-faithful God NEVER reneges on a promise! So we can afford to stand strong in any circumstance whatsoever!
Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings, goodness and mercy that the Lord has bestowed on those who LOVE Him and willingly do His work!
In strong voice with sincere hearts: ‘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 His raison d’etre (purpose) for granting us so many wonderful blessings, is for us to go out and share them with the less fortunate. So, especially at this Christmas time, when there are so many poor and lonely folks out there, let’s share generously with them nuh, so that they too can enjoy the season of Christ’s birth; God’s greatest gift to man! Much LOVE!
…sharing with others…is Christ-like…and what Christianity is truly all about…
06 Dec 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a reflection, abound. more and more, abstain, abundance, an easy row to hoe, approve things, at the name of Jesus, attributes, before men, christianity, come to the Lord, conduct, courage, curse, discernment, endurance, eternal life, every knee shall bow, every tongue declare, evil, evildoers, excellent, fear God, fight the good fight, filled with, finished the work, fleshly lusts, foolish men, Gentiles, glorify your Father, God's standards, good example, good works, honest, honour all men, honourable, ignorance, in heaven, in the form of God, Jesus is Lord, let your light so shine, LOVE, LOVE the brotherhood, made of himself, maliciousness, moral conduct, negative word, no reputation, perseverance, pilgrims, put to silence, rat-race, rise again, run the race, safety, salvation, self-control, self-discipline, servants of god, sincere, strangers, succour, talent, thanks and praise, the cross, the day of Christ, the day of visitation, the fruits of righteousness, the straight and narrow path, the will of God, they may see your good works, Thursday Blessings, to the glory of the Father, Triune God, trustworthy Spirit, war against the soul, well doing, without offense
Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
So what’s up this Thursday morning eh my people? I do hope that we all gave sincere thanks and praise to our great God when we joyfully awoke to a new day. And then, asked for His wonderful and ever-trustworthy Spirit to lead and guide us on the straight and narrow path all through our eventful day.
In fact, that’s how we ought to begin each and everyday my believing brethren; with sincere thanks and praise and a strong desire to be led by the best guide in this evil and crazy world, the Holy Spirit of our Triune God! Amen!
And then, having done that, we need to get out there and fight the good fight, run a strong race of endurance and perseverance in Jesus’ name, so that we can bring all the glory to our heavenly Father! That’s why our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made the time immemorial statement in our Bit: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’
Yeh friends, it’s all about showing our good works, to the heathen; living by shining example, walking our talk, so that they can see the great benefit in our way of life and come to the Lord for safety and succour, salvation and eternal life.
Here’s how Peter puts it: ‘Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation (conduct) honest (honourable) among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation….
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness (evil), but as servants of God. Honour all men, LOVE the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.’ (1 Pet.2:11-12, 15-17) I didn’t say it friends, but Peter. (smile) And he walked with Jesus, so obviously he knew what Jesus desired of His followers.
Now hear Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement (discernment); That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.’ (Phil.1:9-13)
Yes friends, as true believers we are expected to live up to a code of moral conduct and behaviour that lives up to God’s standards! No, Christianity is not an easy row to hoe, and Jesus made that quite clear; the world is evil and doesn’t like goodness, and we’d suffer just because we believed in Him, but He also promised that if we stayed true to His word, He would lead and guide us with His Holy Spirit and we’d come out the winners in this rat race called life.
And again He specifies that all our good deeds are not for His glory, but for that of the Father. Listen to Him with the disciples: ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto (for) you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.’ (John 15:7-8) One proviso there though my people; we need to ask it all in Jesus’ name, doing it the way He wants it done, abiding by His will.
And Listen to Jesus once again as His time had come and He prays for His own. ‘These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power (authority) over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
And this is eternal life, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with (alongside) thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.’ (John 17:1-5)
Yeh friends, our Lord and Saviour was preparing Himself to go to the cross, rise again and be glorified by the Father on our behalf, also bringing them back to the wonderful relationship they had before all the nonsense that sin caused in the world. And I think it’s only fitting that we consider this passage of scripture in showing Jesus’ desire to glorify His heavenly Father.
In the immortal words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made (coming) in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:5-11)
That says it all friends! All our efforts on this earth ought to be aimed at glorifying our heavenly Father! Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings, which our magnanimous heavenly Father have bestowed on those of us who try our best to glorify Him.
All together in loud and sincere voice now: ‘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 a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken over someone, let’s go out and share them nuh, like Jesus so greatly desires of us! Much LOVE!
…the Lord made man…to be a reflection of His wonderful attributes…and to glorify His Holy Name…
22 Nov 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a scientific experience, at thy right hand, bedrock, blessed by the Lord, blessings, causes us to get things, commandment, compassionate heart, corruption, courage, creativity, curse, don't drop the curtain on tomorrow, dr robert h schuller, dwell securely, eternal separation from God, faith love, favour, forgiveness, frustrations, fullness of joy, God's will, God-given, Happy Thanksgiving U. S of A, Holding on, Holy One, hope, Hour of Power Devotional, human emotions, human existence, important decision, in all your living, largesse, leave my soul in hell, man can suffer, marvellous, my flesh, my glory rejoiceth, my heart is glad, mysterious mood, need hope, negative word, never give up on hope, once there's life, penultimate day, pleasures evermore, Praying Expectantly, prosper, prosperous, rest in hope, return to God's fold, self-discipline, set the Lord always before me, shall not be moved, share blessings, strayed, succeed, tension, thanksgiving, the abode of the dead, the path of life, the presence of God, the worst situation, Thursday Blessings, Thursday's Blessings, turned away, when you're dying, your eyes get their sparkle back, your load is lifted
Psalm 16:9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope.
So now it’s Thursday, the penultimate day of the workweek… and there are smiles and hand shakes and hugs amongst workers, unlike earlier on in the week, because they know that there is only one more day to go before the weekend break, so the tension and frustration has lessened some. And it’s also Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. of A, so that means no work for many people, lots of food and travel and celebration!
Happy Thanksgiving U.S. of A! I do hope you all sincerely give thanks for all the blessings that the Good Lord has bestowed on you, although I know that some of His wrath is also upon your head right now because of your awful sinful ways. But He’s such a wonderful Deity that if you will only return to Him and His fold, you will find forgiveness a plenty.
Please remember that no other nation in the History of mankind has ever been as powerful and prosperous as yours, and that’s because you were truly blessed by the Lord when you walked mostly in His will and commandment, and He is the one who causes us to get things and become prosperous.
But now you, and a whole lot of us have turned away, strayed from His ever-LOVING arms, and consequently we are experiencing some rather rough times in all areas of our lives, all over the world. Our planet is degenerating more quickly than we can keep up with.
And that brings us to the body of today’s message; a lesson in HOPE from Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) a collage from several days readings in His Hour of Power Devotional. And do we ever need to have loads of HOPE in these turbulent and oh so trying times!
We’ll begin with this: ‘HOPE. It is a marvellous, mysterious mood that comes into your personality. Suddenly your load is lifted, colour returns to your skin, and your eyes get their sparkle back. What is it? It is a scientific experience of the presence of God operating in your personality…
When it happens in the personality, it can only be scientifically described as the presence of a God of LOVE coming into your mind, your spirit, your body, your personality! This is God! This is HOPE!’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s the first thing we need to know…HOPE comes from God! Now hear this: ‘The only thing between today and tomorrow is tonight. And that’s when the stars come out! So NEVER give up on HOPE! Don’t drop the curtain on tomorrow….
Great people are ordinary people who just will not give up HOPE! And what is HOPE? It is Holding On, Praying Expectantly!’ Wow friends! I hope you notice how Gramps Schuller spells out HOPE through the first letter of each word. (smile)
Now the last piece for today: ‘You need HOPE when…you’re dying. And you need HOPE in all of your living. There will be no LOVE without it. HOPE is what will keep your faith alive. That’s why HOPE is right in the middle of the holy trinity of human emotions, “FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE!”
Yes my fellow believers, HOPE is the very bedrock of our human existence! Without it, we can’t have faith nor LOVE, it’s what gets us going in the first place, and keeps us going, keeps us holding on, because we know that once there’s life, once there’s the breath of God in our bodies, there’s HOPE! Now let’s see what Bit we can find that’s most appropriate for all of that. Soon come!
I’m back…a minute later. (smile) I guess these awesome words of Bruh David says it all. ‘I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (the abode of the dead); neither wilt thou suffer (allow) thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore.’ (Ps.16:8-11)
Oh friends, I can only present to you the goodness and LOVE and HOPE that rests in God, you have to make the very important decision, the most important decision in your life, whether or not you’ll accept it. So there it is, in black and white…please be wise and accept it, for if you don’t you’ll eventually have to endure the worst situation man can suffer; everlasting separation from Almighty God!
And as true believers here’s what you get to enjoy down here on earth; we call it our Thursday Blessings. Let’s declare it loud and proud: (awright…spelled it right there) ‘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 let’s go out and share them with others, as Jesus desires. That’s what blessings are for! Much LOVE!
…a blessing is not a blessing…until you speak it over others…and share your God-given largesse with them…
08 Nov 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a valiant battle, at Calvary, be stolen, caring, clear direction, compassion, compassionate heart, conform to their evil ways, conformed to this world, curse, dark clouds, decay, earthly treasures, Easter Sunday, enemies of the world, favour, forgiveness, fulfillment, glory to God, God and mammon, goes against the grain, good health, gospel truth, grace, holy spirit, in our corner, Jesus Christ, light of the world, lose sight of heaven, LOVE, love not the world, main focus, make all things right, mercy, moth will not eat, negative word, not of the world, obedient to God's will, pilgrims, prosper, providing light, resurrection, rewards, righteousness, sanctify, Satan's hell, scornful disdain, seek ye first the kingdom of God, self-control, self-discipline, self-serving culture, sojourners, succeed, the cross, the evil one, the greatest, the love of the Father, the One and Only, the same mould, the world hated them, thr renewing of your mind, Thursday's Blessings, thy word is truth, will of God, wisdom, worldliness, ye cannot serve two masters
John 17:16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Well the sun seems to be fighting a valiant battle out there against the dark, evil clouds that want to cover it up and shut it out from providing light for our day. But yuh know what friends? Whether the sun wins, or the dark clouds prevail, we will still be awright, in fact blessed, because we have the GREATEST, the ONE and ONLY, Jesus Christ in our corner, and He has the power to make ALL things right! Glory to God!
So we don’t really have to be overly concerned about whether the sun shines or not, since Jesus is the true LIGHT of the world! Give Him much thanks and praise my people! And to further sweeten things, without His selfless sacrifice on the cross at Calvary, and His triumphant resurrection on Easter Sunday, we’d all be headed for Satan’s hell instead of Jesus’ heaven!
Wow mih breddren! No amount of thanks can ever be sufficient for those acts of selflessness by our Lord and Saviour! So let’s just worship Him, and praise Him, and give Him all the glory nuh, like we should, instead of trying to cozy up to Satan and his evil buddies, who only have evil in their hearts and no LOVE at all for their fellow man.
No, we definitely should not be kow-towing to their values, their beliefs, their self-serving culture, seeking to build up their earthly treasures, because it all goes against the very grain of what our Leader Christ teaches us. Our concerns should be more heavenly than earthly. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have to pay serious attention to our earthly life, but that our focus should not be so steadfast on it, that we lose sight of our life to come in heaven.
Remember what Jesus said yesterday: that wherever our treasures are stored up, that’s where our hearts will be. (Matthew 6:21) Well the same way He declared to the Father, re our worldliness: ‘I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth.’ (John 17:14-17)
Ah friends, once we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and His Holy Spirit comes to indwell us, we automatically become enemies of the world, hated by it because our ways don’t conform to their evil ways. And they shouldn’t because Jesus teaches a whole different way of life; one of LOVE and caring, compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness, and the world holds most of those things in scornful disdain.
So as Bruh Paul said so unequivocally to the church at Rome: ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’ (Rom.12:2) Yes friends, we are to steadfastly resist being poured into the same mould as the world, for we are only pilgrims, sojourners here on earth, and our real home is in heaven.
And the battle all begins and ends in our minds! That’s because the mind controls our actions. So that’s where the evil one keeps fighting for supremacy. But if we keep Jesus steadfast in our hearts and sight, we will be able to defeat the enemy.
And as John in his epistle so sternly admonishes: ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him.’ (1 John 2:15)
It couldn’t get any simpler or clearer than that my fellow believers. Satan is the ruler of this world, and if you LOVE the things in his world, then you cannot have true LOVE for the Father too.
As Jesus so rightly said: ‘No man can serve two masters…Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’ (Matt.6:24) And that’s gospel truth. So if the things of the world are our main focus in life, then I’m sorry friends, but we don’t truly have God in our hearts. That’s just the simple logic of the situation.
And what’s the solution to the whole ‘confuffling’ situation? Again, Jesus provides us with the simple and straightforward answer: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)
Ah my people, please remember that God is the Creator and Provider of all good things, so it is certainly possible for Him to provide the things that we need in this world to live it successfully, but we have to be obedient to His will. It’s that simple.
And having said all of that, let’s go home declaring (Spelled it right! Glory to God!) our Thursday Blessings that the Lord has so generously bestowed on His followers. All together now in strong voice, for remember a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken over someone.
‘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 those blessings are not for us to selfishly hoard, but to go out and share with the less fortunate. That’s Jesus great desire. So let’s go out and do just than nuh my faithful brethren! Much LOVE!
…living for Jesus can indeed be tough…but just think about all the wonderful rewards…both earthly and heavenly…that moths will not eat…that will not decay…or be stolen…
25 Oct 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good time, All State, be not afraid, be strng, be thou dismayed, Blue Hole, bus depot, commanded thee, compassionate heart, concrete steps, courage, cow foot soup, creativity, curse, Dunns' River, encouragement, faith, family gatherings, fast flowing steams, favour, guides, half century, hiking, in good hands, insomnia, is with thee, Joshua, leap over mountains, LOVE, mannish water, massive shoulders, Mo Bay, negative word, of good courage, ole coot, professionalism, prosper, reassurance, resisting help, rough tracks, self-control, self-discipline, senior citizens, succeed, the Lord carried me, the Lord thy God, the nature trail, Thursday's Blessings, traffic, trust in jesus, wherever you go, wisdom, young men
Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Ah mih people, instead of getting later, the Bits seem to be getting earlier! (smile) And today’s reason is not a bout of insomnia, but because I have to catch and early bus to Kingston. Oh yes, I am going back to the big city! I discovered a big sister from another branch of the family and we’re going to hold another gathering! Wow! Don’t I just LOVE the family gatherings, although this one will be mostly of old friends whom I have not seen since I left the university almost fifty years ago.
Yes, I know, when you start bandying around terms like a half century, you must be getting on in age. But chuh! Age is simply how you feel, and believe me the ole fella is young. Hn! After the work out they put me through yesterday, I must be a young pup! Brother! They took me out of here about ten thirty in the morning and didn’t bring me back until seven in the evening…but it was an exceedingly good time.
Hn, hn! I can say that now, but when I was hiking through the nature trail, through brush and bramble, across a fast-flowing stream on rocks, or makeshift boardwalks, holding on to a rope, climbing the high hills, on narrow, rough tracks, swimming in the cold, deep pools, feeling the hips and back resisting the inconvenience, I didn’t think it was so great. And at one time we just kept going up higher and higher, ostensibly towards the waterfall, and I kept asking ‘when are we going to reach it eh?’
But we had two wonderful young men as guides, who looked after us admirably. One looked after me in particular because all the others (three women) were more mobile than me, and he kept telling me that my safety was his only concern, and if anything happened to me, he would put me on his back and carry me back. But being a stubborn ole coot, I tried resisting his help in some difficult places. Thanks Mikey! Your professionalism and encouragement played and enormous part in me making it all the way up.
However, I did not climb the waterfall, I know my limitations. (smile) I just stopped and swam in the pool at the bottom and watched other younger and more mobile specimens clamber up its rocky walls. Twenty years ago, that would be a no brainer, as I did at Dunns’ River Falls. But age does take its toll on the body.
And after reaching the top, and being promised and easier path back, we discovered that they were repairing that path, so we had to come back the same way we went. But as always, the trip back never seems as laborious as the trip out and we made some good time back. Had a coconut water along the way, as well as being offered some samples of herb, which I refused, but it did smell rich and mouthwatering! (smile) What a way times have changed eh! (smile).
And if yuh think that once we got back down things were easy, think again! We then had to climb some fifty something concrete steps to get back to the car and the main road. And yuh know what? The duchess took it all in stride, looking out for her husband’s safety all the way. ‘Be careful here dear, Watch your step, it’s steep here. Hold on to this railing, Yuh okay? Yuh think you can make it. Yuh not tired’ and on and on. But though I pretended umbrage, I appreciated the concern.
Oh they even bought me a ‘Blue Hole’ T-Shirt. That’s the name of the place, located on the northern outskirts of the tourist mecca of Ocho Rios. It was advertised as a warm mineral spring, but it turned out to be a cold river bath. But not to worry, a fine time was had by all, The Lord carried me on His strong, massive shoulders most of the way, so I was definitely in good hands, better than All State! (smile)
And as we began our journey back, I began asking for mannish water. After asking a couple of people, we finally found a restaurant that had cow-foot soup. Praise the Lord! And brother, was it ever good! I couldn’t even finish the bowl, had to carry back some. Hope I can have it for breakfast this morning. As I keep saying, I’m here to recuperate, to get stronger, and those kinds of foods are what I need to strengthen the innards. (smile)
Then the traffic back was disgusting, especially in Mo Bay, where we had to go down to the Bus Depot and pay the fare so we could get a decent discount. And would you believe it, the lady at the Bus Depot didn’t believe that the duchess and I were seniors, had to see our I.D. to believe it.
And most important of all my people, is that I’m not feeling any real repercussions from the extreme exertion. As they, what doesn’t kill you, will strengthen you. It hasn’t killed me, so let’s hope it will do the latter. And what better scripture to be our Bit today, than the Lord’s eternal words of assurance to Joshua. ‘Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’
With such powerful assurance friends, how could I be anything but strong and courageous yesterday eh? And as always, our great and faithful God kept His promise and looked after me…admirably too. So let’s go home now loudly and sincerely declaring our Thursday Blessings, being truly thankful for them as we ought to.
Altogether now. ‘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 if we’re faithful followers, we’ll now go out and share those amazing and awesome blessings with others, as Jesus so greatly desires. Much LOVE!
…true trust and faith in Jesus…can truly lead one to leap over one’s mountains…
11 Oct 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a man's ways please the Lord, a peaceful neighbourhood, allows greater communication, an empty church, ask the Lord for guidance, be successful, commit thy works unto the Lord, compassionate heart, curse, declare blessings, discipline, do His will, enemies at peace with him, favour, food, fret about it, godly endeavours, good news, gospel truth, helps you be what you want to be, in shirtsleeves, intermittent rain, It is finished, keeps us focused, marvelous help, mere mortals, more room for God, mountain top, my meat, negative word, not your enemy, of him who sent me, pointers, sacrifice His sinless life, Samaritan woman, seasonal norm, self-control, self-discipline, share blessings, son of god, success, the Holy Spirit, the Lord is faithful, the well of Jacob, Thursday Blessings, thy thoughts shall be established, to do the work, veer off, we all strive, wide and destructive path
John 4:34. Jesus saith unto them, My meat (food) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Well friends sorry I’m a bit late, but my friendly computer acted up on me this morning when I was already late. (smile) And no, we’re not supposed to have as wonderful a day as the last two, but the temp should be above the seasonal norm, and the sun is fighting valiantly to stay shining after the intermittent rain we had during the night.
The temp is supposed to plummet after today, so I guess I won’t be able to sit comfortably again in shirtsleeves on my front porch at 3.30 in the morning like I did earlier on today. It’s so healing and cleansing to be able to sit in the peaceful silence and communicate with nature and one’s Maker. They say that an empty church has more room for God, well so does a peaceful neighbourhood, allow greater communication.
So what shall we talk about today eh? I don’t have a clue. (smile) However, after sifting through the numerous bits of paper on my desk, I found this interesting quote, although I’m not sure who said it. And it says: ‘Discipline is not our enemy, but our friend. And discipline helps you be what you want to be, and you won’t be without it.’
Gospel truth mih people! We can’t be what we want to be without discipline! It’s as simple as that! Because discipline keeps us focused on whatever it is we desire to do, and if we’re not focused, zoomed in, we won’t accomplish whatever we set out to do. The problem though is that discipline goes against the natural grain of our carnal minds and flesh. It keeps us tied to one path, makes it straight and narrow, needing us to keep our eyes straight ahead so that we don’t veer off.
And have you ever noticed how easy it is to veer off the straight and narrow path? It certainly doesn’t take much encouragement. (smile) That’s why it’s so difficult to be a true follower of Jesus, especially with all the worldly stuff that’s out there trying to drag us back to the wide and destructive path.
But friends, to be successful in our godly endeavours, we have to take a page from Jesus’ book. Please note what He says in our Bit to the disciples at the well of Jacob, when they offered Him food, after He met the Samaritan woman. ‘Jesus saith unto them, My meat (food) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.’
Yes my brethren, the Lord sent Jesus to perform a certain task, namely to spread the good news of the gospel and to sacrifice His sinless life so that we could be saved, and that’s all He concentrated on. He didn’t turn to the left nor to the right, just focused completely on the task of the Father, keeping in continual communication with Him.
So if the Son of God, needed to be in continuous communication with His Father to be able to do His work down here on earth, how much more do we, mere mortals, need to stay in touch with and focused on our heavenly Father if we sincerely want to do His will. Glory be mih people, the ole fella is just running away with it! (smile)
The Holy Spirit suddenly infused those thoughts in my mind and I couldn’t type fast enough to put them down. And it just brought to my mind the fact that I’ve been writing this Bit for almost eleven years is also a matter of discipline. I have to set my focus each day on writing it.
And the truth be known, now I don’t even fret about it again. I just know that I have to write it and get up and ask the Lord for guidance, and like today, when I didn’t know what I was going to write about, He showed me a way. That’s why I can testify that the Lord is truly faithful! If you do what He commands you to do, then He WILL help you to do it. I certainly couldn’t be writing this Bit for so long without His marvelous help.
But then friends, it takes that tough and unlikable word ‘discipline’ to do it successfully. Without it, in any area of life or situation, we’ll never reach the mountain top for which we all strive. And Cousin Sol gives a couple of interesting pointers here. ‘Commit thy works unto the Lord (roll on the Lord thy works), and thy thoughts shall be established. (Prov.16:3) And secondly: ‘When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.’ (Prov.16:7)
Ah mih people, that just shows the wisdom of getting God seriously involved in ALL of our affairs. And when we have done that friends, then we can say to the Father, like Jesus did: ‘I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.’ (John 17:4)
The scholars tell us that’s when He finished His active ministry, then thereafter took a more passive role. However, when He declared on the cross: ‘It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.’ (John 19:30) that’s when it was all done, both His active and passive ministry. He had done ALL that the Father had sent Him to do, because He was focused and disciplined, and with the Father’s help was extremely successful.
Likewise friends, if we are focused and disciplined, with the Father’s help we can also be extremely successful. Now it’s time to go home declaring (spelled it right again!) our Thursday Blessings, letting the world know of the goodness of God when you walk hand in hand with Him.
Altogether now: ‘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!’
Yeh friends, if we believe it, then we have to declare it, because a blessing is not a blessing unless it’s declared. Now let’s go out and share them all with others who are not as blessed. Much LOVE!
…blessings are bestowed…so that they can be shared…
04 Oct 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brother is born for adversity, a compassionate heart, a friend, a friend loveth at all times, a pagan women, a second option, abundance, aught but death, belief and faith in Jesus, bright sunshine, clap of thunder, come to ruin, comforted me, courage, creativity, curse, damnation, dr robert h schuller, eternal life, Euripides, faithful, flooding the land, forgave me, friends show their love, godly favour, greater love, hath no man, hellfire, horde of women, Hour of Power Devotional, in the name of Jesus, in times of trouble, Jesus' lineage, large entourages, lay down his life for his friends, lifted me, lonely- struggling, most valuable gift, Naomi, negative word, never failed, not in happiness, obedient, part thee and me, plague of locusts, rejoiced with me, renewed me, Ruth, salvation, self-control, self-discipline, serving, share blessings, show himself friendly, sinking, sinning, steadfast, sticketh closer than a brother, succeeding, success, suffering, supported me, thanks and praise, the cross at Calvary, the Lord reciprocates, the throes of sleep, Thursday's Blessings, thy god my God, thy people my people, truth, What a Friend, what a friend i have in Jesus, wisdom
John 15:13. Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Looks like a gloomy, ‘riney’ day. But who knows eh? By the time I go back upstairs after writing the Bit, bright sunshine might be flooding the land. The weather is so temperamental these days; temperamental like… wisdom dictates that I not say it, else I might just have a whole horde of women on my case like a plague of locusts. (smile)
But brother, a majestic clap of thunder echoed through the area sometime in the early hours of the morning! It resonated like a true thunderous boom – that’s the only comparison I can find. I haven’t heard one as loud and powerful as that in a long time. It sure did catch my attention though I was caught up in the throes of sleep.
This interesting prayer from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional also caught my attention, and I’m going to share it once again because we desperately need this kind of prayer in these desperate times in which we live. This one’s titled ‘What a Friend!’ Wow! And you should know who that friend is!
But please pray with me. ‘You have never failed, Lord, to be my one, essential, intimate friend. When I was: Lonely in striving – you encouraged me. Lonely in struggling – you lifted me. Lonely in serving – you supported me. Lonely in suffering – you comforted me. Lonely in sinning – you forgave me. Lonely in sinking – you renewed me. Lonely in succeeding – you rejoiced with me. What a friend I have in Jesus! Thank you, Lord. Amen!’
Oh my people, my people, what a friend we do indeed have in Jesus! None else can compare to His everlasting friendship! And He backs that up with the words of our Bit: ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ And isn’t that the awesome truth! The most valuable gift we can give to someone is our life on their behalf.
And Jesus did just that for us! Glory to the Most High God for preparing such a wonderful plan and then bringing it to fruition! And we have to give Jesus much thanks and praise too, because if He wasn’t obedient to the Father’s wishes, we’d ALL be headed for hellfire and damnation eternally. But because of His death on the cross at Calvary, we have a second option; salvation and eternal life, but only through belief and faith in Him.
Now let’s look at a few scriptures that deal with friendship. First off is Cousin Sol’s famous statement that: ‘A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’ (Prov.17:17) That just happens to be the true purposes of a friend and brother; to stand by one’s side, especially in the rough times. And as the Greek philosopher Euripides said so long ago: ‘Friends show their LOVE in times of trouble, not in happiness.’
Oh my faithful brethren, we do have the greatest friend in the universe always by our side, that’s Jesus, but we do need a few human friends too, but not too many, as Cousin Sol wisely says: ‘A man that hath friends, must show himself friendly,’ (Prov.18:24a) meaning that if you have too many friends, you’re likely to come to ruin.
And that’s the gospel truth, as some of us have experienced, and we still see happening in our society everyday. Those people with the large entourages never seem to last long, because when their money is gone, so are the supposed friends. However, Cousin Sol does wisely continue: ‘and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ (Prov.18:24b) That’s Jesus my people!
But there are a few human friends who will stick closer than a brother, and we are certainly blessed if we can find just one of those. One like this moving bit of scripture indicates between Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi, after their men-folk had passed into eternity and Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Bethlehem. Naomi tells Ruth to go back to her people.
‘And Ruth said, Entreat me not (urge me not) to leave thee, or to return (turn back) from following thee: for wither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.’ (Ruth 1:16-17) What faithfulness my brethren!
As the scholars explain: ‘1:16-17. Ruth’s faith and faithfulness are in evidence throughout the book, as expressed here in her commitment to Naomi’s God as her own. Ruth’s own concern for Naomi is bound by a strong oath made before the Lord Himself.’
And yuh know what friends, our God is so wonderful and faithful and rewarding that for her kindness and steadfastness to Naomi, Ruth ended up being the great-grandmother of Bruh David, and thus of the lineage of Jesus! Wow! Imagine that nuh! A pagan woman being in Jesus ‘ lineage! Only our God could and would do such nonconformist things. (smile) And we don’t have time for that other great friendship between Jonathan, Saul’s son, and Bruh David. But you can read about it in 1 Samuel 20.
Yes my people, let’s hope that in this lifetime we can all have at least one lasting and faithful friendship, because we all need one. Now let’s go home declaring (spelled it right) our Thursday Blessings, letting the world know what it’s like to live and work for Jesus.
Altogether now, in sincerity and truth: ‘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 remember we were given those blessings to share with others, not to hoard for ourselves. So please let’s go out and faithfully do that nuh, in Jesus Name. Much LOVE!
…when we are steadfast and faithful in our friendships…the Lord reciprocates with overwhelming godly favour…
P.S. I went upstairs a while ago, and the sun is out. Glory be! And yes, it’s long…and late, but good! (smile) Much LOVE!
20 Sep 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good son's behaviour, a sinner, a strong will, admit we need it, also forgive you, as we forgive others, basis of our faith, because of His love, blessed, blessings, breathe his last breath, Christ's body, Christ-like, Christians, confess, courage, creativity, curse, deceivers, evil times, family, Father forgive them, favour, forgave us our sins, forgive, forgive men their trespass, forgive us our debts, forgiveness, genuinely forgive, God's righteousness, going to heaven, good friends, greedy, humility, hypocrites, in His heart, irreparable harm, Jesus, Jesus' sacrifice, lack of attention, large heart, look askance, lose interest in God, magnanimity, magnanimous god, moral and spiritual debts, negative behaviour, not a true child of god, one excuse after another, pleading to the Lord, powerful tools, principle of our faith, prosper, seldom easy, self-discipline, selfish, selfish trap, sense of purpose, share blessings, sincerity, sins, something for nothing, soul and spirit, succeed, success, take us till everlasting, the church, the first step to receiving God's forgiveness, the forgiveness train, the old wooden cross, they know not what they do, Thursday Blessings, unbeliever, ungodly manner, words of jesus, your heavenly Father
Matthew 6:12. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Well it’s cloudy, and the forecasters have promised rain for this afternoon, which the ground badly needs, but I also want to go and visit my mother out in the North East end, and it doesn’t make sense to go in the rain. Been putting it off for a couple weeks, finding one excuse after another.
Hn! Haven’t seen her for about a year now, if not more, and that’s not a good son’s behaviour. But I know she will forgive my lack of attention, because that’s the kind of person she was.
Ah friends, forgiveness! One of the most powerful tools in our toolbox. And the greatest words of forgiveness ever spoken are those of Jesus, as He hung, bruised and battered on the old wooden cross, about to breathe His last breath. ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34)
Yeh friends, can you believe it? After the harsh and unjust punishment Jesus received at the hands of wicked and sinful men, He still could ask the Father to forgive us, because we didn’t know what we were doing! What magnanimity of soul and spirit He exuded there.
The same goes for us in these evil times. Only a person with a large heart and spirit can genuinely forgive another. It’s seldom easy, but yuh know what my people? Forgiveness is the very basis of our faith!
Our most generous and magnanimous God forgave us our sins because it was in His heart to do so. He didn’t have to do it, but because of His LOVE for us, He chose to do it. And He requires us to do the same; to forgive others as He has forgiven us. And if you don’t, then you’re not a true child of His.
And that principle of our faith was, and is so important that Jesus made it a part of the basic prayer He taught His disciples: ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.’
And the scholars explain the verse of our Bit as follows: ‘6:12. Forgive us our debts refers to sins, which are our moral and spiritual debts to God’s righteousness. The request for forgiveness of sin is made here by the believer. In order to be saved one need not necessarily name all of his sins, but he must confess that he is a sinner.’
And that’s a good thing, because so many of us have so many, even some we don’t know about, that it would take us till everlasting to name them all! (smile) As the li’l quote from the Daily Bread Devotional reminds us: ‘The first step to receiving God’s forgiveness is to admit that we need it.’ And do we ever!
And Jesus didn’t just leave it there in our Bit, but followed up with this most important corollary: ‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses (sins, debts), your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ (Matt.6:14-15)
Oh my brethren, Jesus could not make it any simpler or clearer than that! If we don’t forgive our fellow man his trespass, then the Lord won’t forgive ours. It’s as simple as that! But we’re such hypocrites and deceivers in this current world that we don’t forgive others but keep on pleading to the Lord for His forgiveness on our behalf. Hn! It won’t work my people.
The Lord forgave us once on the big stage, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, but now He expects us, as individuals, to live up to our covenant and do unto others as we expect Him and others to do unto us. So we shouldn’t expect someone to give us something that we’re not prepared to give in the first place, or to give back, having received it. That’s not Christ-like.
But unfortunately that’s not what our current world is all about. Instead, we’re mightily focused on getting something for nothing, not sharing, being greedy and hoarding, simply looking out for number one, me, myself and I! And even more unfortunately, too many of us Christians are falling into the selfish trap that the world is advocating.
And it doesn’t help us either as individuals or as Christ’s body, the church. It just makes the unbeliever look at us askance and lose interest in God, because that behaviour does not gel with what we preach as believers. So we’re definitely doing ourselves and Christ’s church irreparable harm when we behave in that hypocritical and ungodly manner.
Oh my people, I guess we’ll need to hear about forgiveness until the very day, or moment that we die, since it’s not always easy to do, and it goes against the very grain of our naturally sinful soul. But forgive we must, if we want to be forgiven!
And like with every other aspect in our walk of faith, God will help us with forgiveness if we come to Him in all humility and sincerity and ask for His help. He’s promised never to turn us away…and He won’t.
So let’s wisely get on the forgiveness train nuh, because it’s the only one going to heaven. And simple logic dictates that if you’re not on it, then you’re not going to heaven! (smile) But our God is so magnanimous and wonderful, that for those who try to practice what they preach, He’s ordained numerous blessings, as found in our Thursday Blessings. So let’s go home now sincerely declaring them nuh.
In unison: ‘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!’
Oh what a wonderful God we serve and worship my people! Now let’s go out with a strong sense of purpose and share those blessings with the less fortunate, as Jesus intends for us to do. Much LOVE!
…if you’re blessed…then you were meant to share the blessing…
06 Sep 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a shout of praise, abundance, all those that seek thee, believers, bless the Lord, boast in the Lord, call meblessed, cast out a demon, compassionate heart, confessed, contented inside, continually be in my mouth, courage, curse, divine protection, done great things, Ephesus, exalt his name together, filled the hungry, from generation to generation, generous God, good health, good things, gratitude, great faith, Greeks, handmaiden, hear and be glad, heat-wave, highest accolade, holy is his name, internal strength, Jesus was magnified, Jews, knowing a man, loud and proud, love thy salvation, low estate, magnificent and magnanimous God, magnify the Lord with me, magnifying god, Mary, mercy, Mother of Christ, my soul doth magnify the Lord, negative word, on them that fear him, praiseworthy thing, pregnant, presence of the Holy spirit, promotion, put down the mighty, rejoice and be gald, rejoice and be glad, say continually, scattered the proud, self-control, self-discipline, seven sons of Sceva, share our blessings, showed their deeds, success, talent, thanskgiving, the humble, the imagination of their hearts, the Lord be magnified, the Magnificat, the Messiah, the Son of God, Thursday Blessings, vitriol, wisdom
Psalm 34:3. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
It’s a cloudy Thursday morning in my neck of the woods…but we’ll take it. Anything to lessen the heat wave we’ve been suffering for the last few days. A li’l rain fell last night, but we can surely use some more. But regardless of the outside circumstances or situations, we believers are settled, comforted and contented inside, thanks to the presence of the Holy Spirit residing within us. Give our great and generous God a shout of praise for that!
And I don’t know why, but as I got up this morning I just felt the need to glorify and exalt our God more than usual. So please friends, in the immortal words of Bruh David: ‘O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.’
Now that’s the most praiseworthy thing we can do my brethren! Magnifying our magnificent and magnanimous God is about the highest accolade we can receive. In fact, that’s one of the reasons He created us; to exalt and magnify, praise Him and come before Him with sincere gratitude and thanksgiving.
Bruh David says it well before our Bit. He opens the psalm thus: ‘I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.’ (Ps.34:1-2)
Wow friends! If we could only say those words too and sincerely mean them, how wonderful our lives would be eh! For the only thing we ought to boast of in our earthly journey is in the Lord our God! And note how Bruh David says when the humble hear us boasting in the Lord they are glad. That just goes to show how significant our praising God can be.
And we experience that fully in the ‘Magnificat,’ the famous words of Mary, Christ’s mother, when she received the glorious news that she was the blessed one, chosen to bear the Son of God, the Messiah. Once everything had been explained to her, she joyfully burst out: ‘My soul doth magnify (exalt) the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate (lowly state) of his handmaiden (maid servant): for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats (thrones), and exalted them of low degree (the lowly). He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen (helped) his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.’ (Luke 1:46-55)
Ah friends, many of us believe that Mary was simply a pimply-faced teenager with not much sense. But from those words above and the way she handled the situation when told she would bear a child without knowing a man, especially when she was already engaged to be married, it shows she had a decent knowledge of the scriptures and a great faith.
Can you imagine the vitriol she faced in the restrictive Jewish society when it became known she was pregnant without being married? She must have had a very strong internal strength for one of such tender age. I guess that’s why the Lord chose her.
And Bruh David continues to encourage us to magnify our wonderful God in Psalm 40 – Praise for answered prayer. ‘Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as LOVE thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.’ (Ps.40:16)
Oh friends, if you LOVE the Lord’s salvation, then say it with me nuh, loud and proud: ‘THE LORD BE MAGNIFIED!’ Wow! Doesn’t that just touch a holy chord in thy soul? (smile) It surely does in mine!
Now here is an interesting instance when the Lord’s name was magnified. Bruh Paul was in Ephesus, doing miracles and casting out demons, and the seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, tried to cast out a demon. ‘And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.’ (Acts 19:15-18)
Yuh see friends how it backfires on us when we try to do evil in the Lord’s name, or something we’re not qualified to do? Now let’s go home shouting for joy, magnifying our God, declaring His wondrous Thursday Blessings. In all truth and sincerity now: ‘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 if we’re true believers, then we WILL go out and share those blessings with others, as Jesus meant for us to do. Much LOVE!
…magnifying God…not only lifts up His name…but also lifts up our souls and spirits…
23 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a holy calling, Acclamation Day, according to our works, all things work together for good, as for me and my house, assurance, before the world began, called according to His purpose, Christ-like, compassionate heart, confidence, courage, curse, divine perspective, eternal glory in Christ, faith, flaming colour, friends show their love, God will supply all my needs, his own purpose and grace, his riches in glory, human perspective, I can do all things through Christ, I will live a balanced life, I will not tolerate strife, if God be for me, implicityly trusted, in times of trouble, Job, life changing power, LOVE, make me strong, make things happen, negative word, passion, power in the Word, promise, restore me, self-control, self-discipline, sincerity, success, suffered a while, sufficient rest every day, the God of all grace, the good of all, this is the day the Lord has made, those that Love God, Though he slay me, Thursday Blessings, true disciples of Christ, we will be glad and rejoice in it, we will follow the Lord, who can be against me, words of truth and power, yet will I trust in him
Romans 8:28. And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Well friends, this is Acclamation Day! I’ve listed a few acclamations for us to speak out loud, because we all know that there is power in the Word of the Lord. The universe was created by the Lord speaking words of truth and power, and when we speak His words, we also project truth and power and make things happen. Some of you might want to copy this list, possibly adding some personalized ones and speak them out loud everyday.
So let’s begin with this all important one for starting our day on the right foot. ‘This the day the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps.118:24) ‘God WILL supply ALL of my needs through His riches in glory through Christ our Lord and Saviour.’ (Phil.4:19) ‘I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!’ (Phil.4:13) ‘I WILL NOT tolerate strife in my life!’
‘As for me and my house, we WILL follow the Lord; that’s for sure!’ (Josh.24:15) ‘If God be for me, who can be against me eh? NOBODY! (Rom.8:31) ‘I WILL live a balanced life and I WILL get sufficient rest each and every day!’
‘Friends show their LOVE in times of trouble, not in happiness.’ (Euripides) ‘And the God of all grace, who has called me to His eternal glory in Christ after I HAVE suffered a little while, WILL Himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast.’ (1 Pet.5:10)
Oh me oh my! What beautiful words of promise, courage, confidence and assurance my people! It’s God’s Word; the Truth! And if we speak them with passion, sincerity and strong faith, then they will eventually come through.
But we have to keep on speaking them and believing them even when we don’t see anything happening in the natural. Just believe that the Lord is working out ALL things for our good in the background, and in His time and fashion we will see them come to pass!
And how do we know all of that eh? Because our Bit, God’s truthful Word assures us of it. ‘And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ What an awesome and wonderful God we serve my brethren!
And the scholars offer this explanation of that verse. ‘8:28. To them that LOVE God is the human perspective. God is working all things together for good, but those who LOVE God are best able to appreciate this fact because they LOVE Him no matter what. (c.f. Job 13:15). To them who are called is the divine perspective. Scripture often refers to believers as “the called” or “the elect.”
Yeh people, God’s overall purpose is to work out everything for good in the universe He created, but those of us who LOVE Him with pure hearts and are thrilled to do His will, can appreciate His doings more than those who aren’t familiar with Him. And as the scholars suggest above, Job puts it in flaming colour. ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain (defend) my own ways before him.’ (Job 13:15)
What powerful words of faith and trust my brethren. As the scholars declare: ‘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 God.’
Oh my believing brethren, do we believe that strong, that even when God seems distant or turned away from us, we still trust in Him? For all our sakes I do hope so, because that’s the level of faith we need to become truly Christ-like.
Remember, even when Jesus Christ cried out on the cross about being forsaken by the Father, although it was the roughest moment of His existence, He still trusted Him implicitly because He knew that the Father would never really turn against Him, that what He was doing, was for the good of ALL.
And we too have to come to that level of faith friends, so that whatever happens in our lives, even though it seems at odds with God’s Word, and we don’t understand it, we don’t doubt His overall purpose of goodness.
Now hear these words of Bruh Paul to Timothy as he warns him to stay true to His purpose in Christ. ‘Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (time).’ (2 Tim.1:9).
Yes faithful followers of Christ, we’ve been called long before everything was set in motion, so let’s stand strong now and do what we’ve been called to do nuh, as true disciples of Christ. And today being Thursday, let’s shout out our Thursday Blessings, to let the whole world know how truly blessed we are, as followers of the one and only Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.
In full voice now: ‘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!’
Mama Mia! What a day of acclamations and declarations of God’s Word! Now let’s go out and share those wonderful blessings with others who are not so fortunate, for that’s why Jesus blessed us with them. Much LOVE!
…there is power in the Word…power in the Word…life changing power…in the Word of the Lord…
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