Today’s Scrip-Bit   28 May 2024 Deuteronomy 30:19b.

28 May 2024 Leave a comment

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

Deuteronomy 30:19b.       I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live.

Well friends, yesterday was a crazy day in my neighbourhood. First there was rain early in the morning, then the winds just howled through the area all day, into the night, and is still carrying on out there, although thankfully, not as badly as it did yesterday. Brother! At one point in the evening, I went out to sit on my porch, but could only stay a short while because of the wind’s ferocity. The poor trees were dancing like crazy all day, with little respite from the wind storm. At one stage this morning I had to close my bedroom window as the wind was causing the aluminum blinds to bang loudly against the woodwork, disturbing my rest. 

But it could be worse, much worse, as many people down in the U.S are finding out with all the storms and tornadoes that are currently tearing their areas apart. And it’s heartbreaking to see the awful wreckage these natural disasters are causing. Call it climate change, or whatever you choose, but it’s certain that our weather patterns have recently changed, and are still changing, much to the dismay of many. Where there was once rain, there’s now drought, and where there was once drought, there’s now flooding. 

It’s all turning around, and I don’t know how much is our fault, but we do share a part of the blame for the ungodly and disgraceful manner in which we’ve treated our wonderful planet.  And as the man so rightfully said, ‘You can either pay me now or pay me later, but the price later will be much higher than the one today.’ And that’s exactly what we’re seeing now, the high price of our earlier selfish and greedy decisions concerning our planet; not making sufficient plans to keep it clean or to clean it up after we’ve despoiled it. 

And it’s the same way in our relationship with God. We will pay a hefty price for our rebellious ways, either right then or later, especially after He was generous and LOVING enough to send His Son Jesus Christ to earth to die a substitutionary death on our behalf, so that He could forgive our sins and reconcile us to Himself. For remember ‘the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.’ (Rom. 6:23) That means that whoever sins will be rewarded with death, but since Jesus paid our sin debt in full through His dying on the cross, we have been given a chance to come back to God’s secure fold if we believe in and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. 

As Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Rome. ‘For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.’ (Rom. 6:20-22) Yes my fellow believers, when we were servants to sin, all we had to look forward to was death, or eternal separation from Almighty God, but with the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we now are servants of God and have holiness, righteousness and eternal life to look forward to. 

But just like we were foolish not to take care of our planet and are now paying a price for it, likewise we can be foolish not to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour and eventually pay a hefty price for that unwise decision. Please note these very instructive words of Jesus. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17) 

That, my friends, says it all, and says it very clearly! Why? Because as Jesus continues: ‘He that believeth on him (the Son) is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:18) It’s as simple as that. Jesus came to earth and died so that we could have a second option besides eternal separation based on our abominable sins. However, to receive this second option, eternal life with God, one must believe in the Son, and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. 

That means the decision is still ours, the Lord is not usurping the free will that He gave us. He’s only saying that if you don’t believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, then you will still be in violation of His rules and regulations, still be a sinner, and thus will still be liable to death or eternal separation from Him. That’s the wonderful goodness, grace and mercy of God my brethren! He LOVED us so much, and did not want to see us perish under the burden of our sins, that He devised a plan whereby we could be forgiven; that’s getting His only Son, His sinless Son, Jesus Christ to die and bear our burdens, pay the price for our sins, once and for all time. 

However, to avail oneself of that option, one has to believe in and accept the Son as your Lord and Saviour, and live the way He desires. Rejection of that option means that you are right back where you started… an awful sinner, only worthy of death and eternal separation from the omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God of the universe. Remember what Moses said to the Israelites: ‘I call heaven and earth to record (witness) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live.’ (Deut. 30:19) 

Likewise friends, the Lord is giving us the same choice today, that between eternal life with Jesus, or eternal death with Satan. The choice is all ours. So please, let’s be wise nuh, and choose Christ, so that we and our seed can live forever. And for those of us who have already made that wise, monumental decision, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world 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 having made that declaration, it means we now have 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!

…God will never abuse His gift of free choice…but He does expect us to make wise choices…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   7 May 2024 Colossians 1:9b.

07 May 2024 Leave a comment

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

Colossians 1:9b.        we might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Oh, what a beautiful Tuesday…what a beautiful Tuesday! Yes my brethren, this Tuesday is going to be sunny, warm and supposedly summer-like. What more can we ask for eh? Possibly only the grace and peace that comes from our great God, through Jesus Christ, with the added desire that ‘we might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That we might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified us) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the  kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.’ (Col. 1:9-14) 

Wow! What a comprehensive prayer. But that’s Bruh Paul’s style. He doesn’t pray for us to have wealth and health as such, but more spiritual wisdom and understanding because growth in our Christian faith depends mostly on those two things. Oh, health and wealth are important, but if we don’t understand the Word and put it into action, then we will never grow spiritually. And what do all those spiritually minded words mean? (smile) The scholars give some explanations. They say that ‘Wisdom is an accurate perception into the true nature of things. Understanding is the skillful application of this wisdom in practical situations. 

And the reason why Bruh Paul wants the Colossians to obtain a knowledge of God’s will is that they may walk (live) properly and fully please God. In Greek the four explanatory participles of verses of 10b -12 spell out and precisely define what a worthy walk entails: the believer is (1) fruitful in every good work, productive in Christian service; (2) constantly increasing in the knowledge of God, ever coming to know the Lord better; (3) always “strengthened with all might,” becoming stronger and stronger; and (4) in the habit of giving thanks, sincerely expressing gratitude to God in both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences in his life. 

Patience is persevering through problems, trials, tribulations, and so forth. Longsuffering is forbearing the faults and offenses of others. As per verse 12, it might be translated “thanking the Father, for He made us fit to share in the salvation belonging to the saints who are in the light.”  Darkness is the religious state in which unbelievers exist, namely that of spiritual ignorance with its attending immorality and misery. Blood reminds the Colossians (and us) of the enormous price and sacrifice paid to secure their (and our) redemption. Redemption, then is achieved by the atonement wrought by Jesus’ death. See Ephesians 1:7 for “redemption.” 

Oh friends, the wide scope of the prayer might be a lot for us to take in, but the good thing is that we don’t have to take it in all at once, we can take it piece by piece, learning each aspect before moving on to another. In any case, it should not be too difficult to do since most of us, unlike the Colossians back then, already know the basics of Christianity and what it entails, and the prayer simply puts it all together so that it encapsulates our faith. But as Bruh Paul was so emphatic in his teaching, we all need to be spiritually enlightened and continually growing in the will, knowledge and good works of God. That’s the only way to be a true believer. 

And do we ever need those attributes in this currently evil and ungodly world, when darkness is so widespread because it’s purveyors are doing a good job of spreading it. And if darkness is spreading, that obviously means that light is not overtaking it. And why is that you ask?  The answer is quite obvious: the purveyors of light are not doing their job. It’s as simple as that. And if we consider our scriptures to be right, that light is stronger than darkness and can readily overcome it, then we can only assume that the purveyors of light, Christians, are not doing as much as they ought to spread light and overcome the evil darkness that’s carrying our world to hell in a handbasket. 

And sadly, if we are truthful with ourselves, we will acknowledge that our efforts at light bearing and spreading are nowhere near the level they ought to be, especially if we want to combat the current spread of darkness and evil that’s so rampant and fast moving. Oh my fellow believers, remember what Christ said to us, when He gave us the Great Commission? (Matt. 28:18-20) That it was our job to spread the good news of His gospel all around the world, in other words to spread His light over the darkness of the evil world. 

Let’s recall these words of Jesus on the subject of light nuh. First off, He tells us: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) Then later on He clarifies it by saying: ‘As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ (John 9:5) Now my brethren, now that Jesus is no longer bodily in the world, who is responsible for being the light that He shone when down here as a human being? He said it quite plainly in His Sermon on the Mount to those who believe in Him. ‘Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14, 16) 

And you know who that refers to in these trying and troubled times? Those of us who call ourselves Christians, or followers of Christ. And with the current state of the world, the supremacy of darkness over light, it means that the body of Christ, His church is not doing it’s job. It’s a sad but very true comment. For if we were making a big enough wave, our world would never be in such a disastrous mess as it currently is. End of Sermon! 

Now for those of us who are trying our best, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one 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, it’s our bounden duty to go out and share that amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do. Much LOVE!

…it’s extremely urgent that Christians arise and shine…shine like they never shone before…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit   23 April 2024 Hebrews 5:13.

23 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 5:13.       For every one that useth (partakes of) milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Then it was Tuesday… which means that another trying and uncomfortable Monday has been left behind in the dust…and we’re moving on in glory! Yes friends, if Christ Jesus is your Lord and Saviour, then you’ve been called and are expected to move on, to get better, to become more mature believers with each passing day. Unfortunately though many of us are still babies in the spiritual realm. 

For as Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: ‘And I, brethren, could not speak to you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat (solid food): for hitherto (until now) ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions (dissensions), are ye not carnal (fleshly), and walk as men (according to the dictates of man)?’ (1 Cor. 3:1-3) 

And so it is with too many of us supposed believers, for we have been stuck in the elementary rudiments of our Christian faith for much too long, like babies who can only stomach milk, and have not matured or moved on to the advanced doctrines of Christ. Therefore, like babies, who cannot even help themselves, we cannot do any serious work for Christ because we don’t know what we ought to do, either because we don’t want to know, and are much more comfortable living in the flesh, or we’re afraid to step out and take a chance on Christ. But just look at the big chance Christ took on us when He sacrificed His sinless life for us. Why can’t we take a li’l chance and do the stuff that He desires of us eh? 

But we LOVE to call ourselves Christians! Hn! Christians who don’t do any serious or sincere Christian work! And although we’re not supposed to be of the world, but merely in it, we behave like we’re of it. We live just like the world does, for if you look at the lives of a great number of supposed believers, it’s exactly the same as the world’s; meaning we still live a carnal, fleshly life, with all the envying and strife, dissensions and divisions, that the world sees as necessary. No wonder Christ’s church is so disabled and ineffective, because from the top down, there is too much unchristian like behaviour in it. 

And Bruh Paul is not the only one to speak seriously on the immaturity of long time believers. The author of Hebrews also refers to their immaturity as milk and strong meat. Speaking of Christ’s qualifications to be our High Priest, he writes: ‘Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered (explained), seeing ye are dull of hearing, (of lazy hearing, slothful). For when for the time (when) ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles (sayings) of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat (solid food). For every one that useth (partakes of) milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat (solid food) belongeth to them that are of full age (mature), even those who by reason of use (practice) have their senses exercised (trained) to discern both good and evil.’ (Heb. 5:11-14) 

Yes friends, only when we wake up and begin to take our faith seriously, to study the Word of God and all the wonderful things it has to offer will we be able to grow, to become mature and truly know and appreciate the differences between good and evil. For, as the scholars explain: ‘The warning of this passage is that what is now described as lazy hearing can result in an entire life of sluggishness. (6:12).’ And we’ll look at that scripture, but starting at verse 9. 

‘But beloved, we are persuaded (confident of) better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of LOVE, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful (sluggish, lazy), but followers (imitators) of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’ (Heb. 6:9-12) 

Oh my brethren, that’s the kind of stuff that’s expected from us. To not be lazy, to wake up and minister to the saints and keep on ministering right down to the end, because God is faithful and will not disregard your work to His people. But all of that calls for sincere study, patience, perseverance and willingness to sacrifice even when it seems unbearable. That brings us to this ever so important warning of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight (trickery) of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.’ (Eph. 4:14-15) 

Yes my fellow saints, we need to grow up in all aspects of Christian living, into Christ, the head of our church, be no longer immature children, who can be deceived by any and everything we hear, but through that spiritual maturity can discern truth from lies and good from evil. And as the scholars tell us: ‘Christian maturity is attained, in part, by thorough instruction in sound doctrine given in a LOVING manner.’ That means, until Christ’s people truly decide to study and learn His ways and sincerely put them into practice, His church will continue to be much less than it ought to be. 

Now, for those of us who are trying our best, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one 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 having said that, it now behooves us to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so hat the too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…attaining Christian maturity is like going to school…you only learn…when you attend and put your mind to it…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit   16 April 2024 Psalm 118:24.

16 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 118:24.       This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Then it was Tuesday, and another uncomfortable, disturbing Monday has been flung into the dustbin of History! There’s also no doubt that spring has seriously sprung now! Yes! We had some good showers in the mornings over the weekend, but by afternoon the sun had come out strong and vibrant, actually spreading some warmth, and yesterday was a particularly beautiful spring day, despite it being Monday. (smile) Today is supposed to be another of those beautiful days with temps in the high teens. 

So let’s be grateful and thank our great God for all the blessings He’s bestowing on us, by gratefully declaring (yesss!!!): ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps. 118:24) And while we’re at it, why don’t we declare a few more very useful acclamations, like: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Phil. 4:13) And what about this most useful one: ‘If God be for me, who can be against me? NOBODY!’ (Rom. 8:31) 

Then there’s this non scriptural acclamation, but every bit as true: ‘Friends show their LOVE in times of trouble, not in happiness.’ (Euripides) And that’s the gospel truth! Oh how much better our world would be if supposed friends would show up in times of trouble and help, instead of running away like scared chickens! Next up is this wonderful acclamation first proclaimed by Joshua. ‘As for me and my house, we WILL follow the Lord; that’s for sure!’ (Josh. 24:15) 

Now what about this gem: ‘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. Glory to God!’ (1 Pet. 5:10) Now that one is a bit long and somewhat tough to master both in memory and deed, but if we can ever get it right in our hearts and souls, our lives will be much better attuned to the vagaries and eccentricities of this world, because we’ll know without a doubt, that whatever comes against us is only for a time, and that our great God, will, in His time, restore us to the fullness of life in Christ Jesus. 

Unfortunately though, a lot of people turn up their noses at acclamations, but that’s just the foolishness of man, because when we acclaim the scriptures or anything that is good and true, we reinforce the goodness and strength of God within ourselves, so when tragedy or trouble strike, we have enough confidence in our system to allow us to handle it with a good, Christ-like attitude. Finally, there’s this acclamation that sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) likes to say: ‘Something good is going to happen TO me today! Something good is going to happen THROUGH me today!’ 

And that’s exactly how it ought to be my brethren! Good things happen to us, and good things happen through us, for that’s the will of God. He delights in working through His wonderful followers. That’s why Jesus kept telling us to LOVE each other, for LOVE is of God. And if we’re showing true, brotherly LOVE to one another, then we’re behaving like God, and that’s what it’s all about…behaving like Christ as much as possible. And with our world in a sad and sorry state of strife, war, greed, hunger, poverty, sickness and natural disasters, we desperately need Christians to step up to the plate and be the salt of the earth and light of the world that Jesus expects us to be. 

Oh my fellow believers, no one else is going to change our disastrous world if we don’t. Please, let’s understand that. Change, or rather positive and productive change will only come if we supposed Christians get up off of our lazy, comfortable, entitled fannies and do the work necessary to bring about positive change. We’ve got to stop the plentiful talking for which we’re so famous, and instead become serious and sincere action figures, who are getting things done, like Christ desires! 

It’s sad to see our world degenerating, deteriorating more and more with each passing day. For every day we hear about a new theatre of strife, and none of the old ones are closed, as well as starvation and sickness somewhere else in our world of plenty. What’s wrong with us eh? And the sad part is that many of our leaders who are promulgating the negative stuff claim to be believers in Christ Jesus, to be Christians. But how can we reconcile their warlike and evil actions with a supposed Christian nature eh? No way! 

The trouble also stems from the fact that too many of us believers claim we can’t do anything about the worldwide situation, and that might be true to a certain extent, but what about electing true God-fearing leaders eh? And what about the negative situations right in our own neighbourhoods? Now don’t tell me that there aren’t any, because there are oodles of fixable problems in each and every neighbourhood, which Christians could be helping to alleviate, if we so desire, and thus making our little part of the world better. But, with our sad attitude of indifference, we all sit and wait for someone else to fix the problems. 

However, what did some wise someone once say. If we want peace, let it begin with me. Yes friends, anything we truly desire has to begin with us! We each have to develop the habits of movers and shakers in our own areas, if we ever expect to see positive change. And we don’t have to start with big changes, small ones will do. For as my Jamaican people tell us: one one cocoa full basket. And it certainly does. Each small change we make builds up in number, till we have a full basket of them. 

So please my fellow saints, let’s get up and get a move on nuh, let’s start taking back our beautiful world from the evil doers, who are just bent on destroying it, and sending both it and us down to Hades with the evil one. And that’s not an acceptable option. But it’s only if we wake up and start smelling the roses, will it ever change. End of Sermon. (smile) Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel. 

As one 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 having made that proclamation, we are now bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with those we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…whether it’s in peace or war…actions always speak louder than words…and Christians are action oriented people…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit   2 April 2024 Matthew 6:12.

02 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 6:12.        And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Then it was Easter Tuesday, time to get back to working for a living, therefore, most of the Easter hoopla has now been toned down. But not the celebrated Easter Tuesday Goat Races in that picturesque, seaside village of Buccoo in sweet Tobago. Ah friends, that’s gotten so big and popular now that in recent years they built a stadium to house those goat races. I remember the days when it used to be just an open field in the village betwixt some houses, with parties galore happening all around, and people standing along the side lines, shouting for their favourite goat or crab. 

Obviously the event was much more raucous and spontaneous. But apparently, as things grow bigger, they need to be better handled and managed, thus the building of the stadium. However, to a certain extent that quells the natural spontaneity of the event, making it less colourful. But in some quarters, that’s called progress, (smile) and as it’s still a colourful event, we’ll see you later down in Buccoo at the Goat Races. Party Time! 

Now let’s get serious about the real ramifications of this Easter weekend. On Good Friday, Christ sacrificed His sinless life on the cross of Calvary so that our sin debt could be paid in full. That was the exorbitant price required by the Father for that situation to be solved. And Christ paid it without any hard feelings, despite the gross ‘sufferation’ He was forced to endure. As Isaiah so rightly says: ‘All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.’ (Is. 53:6) 

Yes my fellow believers, the Lord laid ALL of our abominable sins on the shoulders of Christ that Good Friday day two thousand years ago. Meaning He was totally weighed down with, and made responsible for our ungodly transgressions. That means we now have forgiveness of our sins. However, that doesn’t come automatically or naturally. No! As Jesus said to the Jewish Leader, Nicodemus: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, (or from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God. … Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ (John 3:3, 5) 

Now, that means to be forgiven of our sins and thus be able to enter in God’s kingdom we also have to do something. And what’s that, you ask? Listen to Jesus tell it. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God.’ (John 3:16-18) 

There you have it friends; what we need to do so that we can be saved. It’s simple and straightforward: Believe in Christ Jesus! Believe that He is the Son of God; the promised Messiah; be born again of the Holy Spirit and be baptized in water, as an outward show of our inner sincerity! That makes us saved and eligible to enter heaven. But within that new born again life there are a couple of things that are necessary to live the Christian life; the life Christ died for us to have. As He says: ‘The thief cometh not, but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) 

So, if we believe in Jesus and live the way He desires of us, we will have an abundant life beginning right down here on earth. But before we move on to heavenly matters, (smile) there is one earthly thing we must remember and get absolutely right, and it deals with the forgiveness of sins. Christ died so that that could be achieved, that we could renew a right relationship with the Father, but there’s one codicil to it, that regarding the sins of the individual. Jesus specifies it quite plainly in His Sermon on the Mount, when teaching His disciples to pray. It’s this simple but ever so important line of what we call the Lords’ Prayer. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.’ (Matt. 6:12) 

Oh my people, that is the most important thing we need to remember and do after we believe in Jesus. Otherwise, He continues: ‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, 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) It could not get any clearer than that my brethren. Forgiveness of other’s sins against us must be meted out, if we want forgiveness from our heavenly Father. But sadly, in this strife-filled, angry and hateful world, unforgiveness is one of the major drawbacks in turning things around. 

Our human selfishness is showing up ever so greatly with our refusal to forgive others the way we want the Lord to forgive us. And that’s what causing so much of the negativity in our embattled and turbulent world. Now we all know that a lot of harsh and hurting things are done each and every day to numerous people, and it’s very difficult to forgive some of those trespasses, but the fact is that we must try, through prayer and heavenly help, if we want our own sins to be forgiven and our world to therefore become a better place. 

And it’s so sad to realize that much of the strife and hatred now in place began centuries ago, and some of those now involved in the negativity don’t even know what they’re really fighting and hating for. That’s how bad our inhumanity and unforgiveness has become. What more can I say eh friends, when these days, finding a country where there’s no strife or very little, is like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. And unfortunately, things will not get better until we begin forgetting and forgiving the sins and trespasses of our individual neighbors and those worldwide. 

And if God spares life, tomorrow we’ll continue with the heavenly mattes we spoke about earlier on. (smile) But for those of us who are trying to live the abundant life in these tough circumstances, let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock 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 having said that, it now becomes our bounden duty 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!

…to be forgiven…one needs to forgive…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit   19 March 2024 Deuteronomy 29:29.

19 Mar 2024 Leave a comment

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

Deuteronomy 29:29.         The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Climate change, oh climate change! What are we going to do about you eh? And that’s certainly a winning question this chilly, Tuesday morning in mid-March, with a sprinkling of  heaven’s white precipitate (snow) on the rooves and on the lawns. (smile) We behave as though spring’s here, having had spring-like conditions for a few days, but then, uncharacteristically, we revert to the chilly, snowy times. Back and forth we go, round and round, like a tumbling tumbleweed blowing around aimlessly, which ever way the strong desert winds blow it. 

And if we’re suffering now from inconsistent weather conditions, it’s all out fault, for having upset God’s perfect timing of His wonderful universe with our deadly, man-made pollutants. The problem is that we don’t know when to leave well alone, but always figure we know best, better than the Lord God Jehovah, who made the universe and all therein, which includes us. That’s why we always get ourselves into a dreadful mess, and then we philosophically wonder why. (smile) But it all stems from foolish pride and disobedience. 

Because God made us the supposedly most intelligent being on the planet, and gave us free will, we seem to think that we know all there is to know and can handle anything that comes against us. And the sad part is that although down through the ages we have much proof that says otherwise, we still cling to the false, prideful belief that we are wise and invincible. How many foolish wars, plagues, economic recessions, and all the other negative things that stem from our sinful and proud selves, will it take for us to wake up and smell the coffee eh? What will it take for us to become seriously aware that we’re not all we think we are, but simply a creation of a greater being than us, namely Jehovah God, and that without Him, we’re nothing at all? 

And for whatever reason, it seems like we are also unable to learn from the mistakes of others. And what better people to learn from than the Israelites, God’s supposed people, who after four hundred years of bondage in Egypt were set free by the Lord their God. In so doing, they saw numerous miracles, both big and small, like the parting of the Red Sea so they could walk over on dry land, the pillars of cloud and fire which led them by day and night, the heavenly manna which they received for food, that rained down every day except on the sabbath. 

But in all that, they were still hardhearted and disobedient, and the Lord punished them several times during the forty years they spent wandering in the desert. But they never learned. Thus, except Joshua and Caleb, none of those who came out of Egypt, not even Moses, ever set foot in the Promised Land, only those born in the wilderness ever entered therein. And even when they entered the Promised Land, conquered it and became prosperous, they forgot the Lord their God and believed that it was their own prowess that brought them such prosperity. 

They conveniently forgot the warning words of Moses. ‘But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish (confirm) his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.’ (Deut. 8:18-20) 

And so said, so was it done! For the Lord does not make empty promises. The Israelites rebelled against God several times and each time paid a hefty price for their disobedience, which is exactly what’s happening to us today, many ages later. We are paying a mighty price of strife, inhumanity, sickness and economic deprivation for our greed, disobedience, and pride. Sadly, even with Christ’s coming and showing us the true and better way, nothing much seems to have changed. The devil and his evil worldly schemes are still deeply engrained in too many of our hearts and souls, and we need to uproot those devilish desires, if we intend to see God’s smiling face. 

Recently I read this interesting scripture at the end of Deuteronomy 29, where Moses is warning the Israelites of the many dangers that lie in turning away from God. He says: ‘The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of the law.’ (Deut. 29:29). Yes friends, the prophets came and revealed a whole lot to us, then Jesus came and revealed everything to us, meaning that the ball is now in our court. We can’t claim that we didn’t know anything since it’s been all revealed to us. And if we don’t keep the Lord’s law, then we will pay the price for disobedience. 

And like the Israelites who suffered famine and drought, captivity and destruction of their land for their disobedience, we’re now enduring the same things on a world wide basis for our foolish pride and disobedience to God’s holy will and law. And still, we insist on ignoring our Triune God despite the widespread strife, natural disasters like hurricanes tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes, famine and drought, that have recently engulfed our world like at no time before. 

Many of us chalk that up to being the signs of the beginning of the last days, and they might just be right, but the fact of the matter still remains that unless we lessen the greed, jealousy, strife, hatred and anger of our world, and return to a time of greater peace and LOVE as our God desires, we will continue the suffer irreparable damage to ourselves and our planet. Is that what we truly want? I don’t think so. And it’s surely not what the Lord our God desires for us. But He will not intrude on our free will. Thus it’s left completely up to us what will come to pass. 

And for those of us who desire better, and are doing our best to make it happen, lets’ go home declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong lock, stock and barrel. As one 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!’ 

Now friends, it’s our bounden duty to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do, and make our world a much better place to live! Much LOVE!

…free will is a choice…a choice…to choose the wise way…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 March 2024 John 20:29b.

12 Mar 2024 Leave a comment

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

John 20:29b.       blessed are they that have not seen, and have yet believed.

Then it was Tuesday, another sunny, spring-like day in my neighborhood. And recently we’ve been having so many of them, that I’m puzzled. But then, this morning, I beheld a few buds on one of the tress in my front yard and that almost made me believe that we’re really having spring in early March. Almost…but not quite… (smile) Ah Lord eh! This climate change situation is playing such havoc with God’s fine tuning of His universe. But we only have our foolish selves to blame. I don’t know why we unwisely thought that we could abuse the planet and it’s finely tuned eco-system for ever and not pay a heavy price. 

And while we’re having spring in early March, this winter has also been the warmest one on record. A sad tale for the many businesses based on snow and cold weather. And since all the changes did not happen overnight, they will not be fixed overnight either. If we ever get around to seriously fixing them, what with so many of us believing that climate change is a fraudulent theory set up by conspiracy theorists. But if you have lived in these parts for at least twenty years, and have any common sense, you will notice that the weather patterns have indeed changed over the years. And if you’ve lived here for over fifty years, like I’ve done, then it’s a cinch for you to notice serious climate changes from the earlier times, unless you prefer not to see or admit them. 

But it all goes right back to the simple theory that our parents taught us; if you don’t hear, you will feel. And that’s exactly what we’re doing right now; feeling the pain of climate change and all that it entails, because we were too proud and haughty to think that our marvellous machinery would ever cause us climate problems. But how long can you go on spewing all the smoke filled with the many different toxins in the atmosphere, and spilling the many toxic chemicals in the waterways without it coming back to bite us at some stage eh? We’re simply getting our just deserts. 

And since so many in power don’t believe it’s really happening, or say they don’t, fixing the problems are not happening, or are not going to happen with the urgency it deserves.  But yuh know what, all of that is secondary if we sincerely believe in the grace and goodness of Almighty God! And I just opened the Good Library to an interesting scripture from the gospel of Mark. It’s at Jesus’s trial before the high priest, where that august hypocrite, asked Jesus: ‘Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.’ (Mark 14:61-62) 

Now, Christ’s reply incensed the high priest, made him tear off his clothes, and declared it the height of blasphemy, with the appropriate condemnation of death. However, for us believers, that answer was more than sufficient. It gives us confidence and keeps our faith strong in knowing that our Lord and Saviour is sitting at the God’s right hand and will eventually come back riding the clouds with His glorious army to take His people home at the Rapture of the church, then in the last days, after the Great Tribulation, His Millennial reign on earth! 

That’s why HOPE and FAITH are so important in our Christian walk, for without them, we don’t have anything to hold on to. And what are those two things eh? Well, according to the 20th century Danish American Psychologist, Erik Erikson, ‘HOPE’ is necessary to life as the air we breathe. Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained, hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired.’ 

And that’s the gospel truth friends! If there’s no hope, then you might as well be dead. And it’s also important to note that without HOPE, you cannot have FAITH; because HOPE is a prerequisite of FAITH. It’s the former that enables you to have and continually sustain the latter. And what’s FAITH? The Bible tells us that ‘FAITH is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1) In simple language, faith is hoping and believing for something that you don’t see at the present time, but expecting to get it at some later date. 

It’s like Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Rome: ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for (it)? But we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance, determination) (eagerly) wait for it.’ (Rom. 8:24-25) Yes friends, it’s all about HOPE and FAITH! And how do you get them? By sincerely believing in Christ Jesus, then studying God’s Word and living it in close fellowship with other believers. 

Oh my people, belief is extremely important, for in God’s kingdom you don’t see it until you believe it, while in the world’s economy you have to see it before you believe it. That’s why HOPE and FAITH are so vital to Christianity. None of us have ever seen Jesus in the flesh, but we believe that He walked here on earth some two thousand years ago, and was who He said He was, the Messiah, the Son of God, and did the things they say He did, and will do the things He promised to do. 

That’s why when His disciple Thomas refused to belief that Jesus was resurrected from the dead unless he personally saw Him and could touch His nail scarred hands and put his hands in His side, Jesus appeared to him and told him thus. ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have yet believed.’ (John 20:27-29)  

And that’s us, my fellow saints, who haven’t seen Jesus in the flesh but yet, through hope and faith, believe that He is real and will continue to look after us to our dying day…and even beyond. Now, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world 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 having made that declaration (yesss!!!) it’s now our duty to go out and 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!

…only believe…with the help of hope and faith…only believe…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit   30 January 2024 Luke 9:62.

30 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

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

Luke 9:62.       No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

And on this penultimate day of January 2024…but can you imagine that? January’s finished already! Anyhow, on this last Tuesday in January, where the computer tells us that it will be mostly sunny, and so far it’s been mostly cloudy… Oh, I now see they’ve changed their minds, saying that it will indeed be cloudy. (smile) Poor weather forecasters, it must be extremely difficult to keep up with the constant changes in the recent unusual weather patterns. The sad part is that all of life has now become unusual, eccentric and inexplicable. 

And what a good thing that we have Jesus to keep us well grounded, constant, stable and steadfast, and without much fear! And all God’s people gave a proud and grateful shout of ‘Thank the Lord for Jesus! He is indeed our Lord and Saviour, and without Him, we’d be nothing at all!’ And is that ever the living truth my people! For without the sacrifice of Jesus, and the Father’s saving grace, we’d be headed straight for hellfire and damnation, plus eternal separation from Almighty God, which is definitely the worst thing that can happen to a human soul. 

Yes, I know I keep saying that, but it’s very important that we keep hearing it, so that we can recognize and realize the utmost importance of having Jesus as a strong and serious part of our lives. And to bring home to us how real and serious the situation is, I’ll share this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, aptly titled, ‘The Time Is Now!’ Please read with me: ‘Lord I see with startling clarity That life is never long enough To put You off Until tomorrow. The things that are before Are all too soon behind. I can never pick up The years I’ve put down. If I intend To walk with You tomorrow I must start today.’ 

And that’s the gospel truth my brethren. If we intend to walk with God tomorrow, we most certainly need to begin today. It’s not wise to put it off until tomorrow, for tomorrow never comes, every new day is always TODAY, and if you keep waiting to find God tomorrow, then you’ll be waiting for your entire life and end up never finding Him. And how sad that would be! As the poem so rightly says, all that’s in front of us right now is so quickly gone, like the days of the week, the weeks of the months, the months of the years, even the years themselves. They keep becoming history as quickly as we behold them, sometimes even quicker. (smile) 

And the truth of the matter is that we can NEVER regain the time we’ve lost, that’s why we simply cannot afford to procrastinate and put off things to the never coming tomorrow. Besides, the most important thing in any human being’s life it the receiving of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour! We cannot emphasize that enough, especially in these rough and tumble times of history. And it’s not only me who’s emphasizing the importance of following Christ, but Christ Himself did it, when speaking to the people about the high cost of discipleship. 

The Bible informs us: ‘And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where (nowhere) to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer (allow) me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee: but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:57-62) 

Yes friends, those seem to be somewhat harsh words from our Saviour, but He’s only emphasizing the fact that when you make life’s small matters more important than God’s work, you are of little use to Him. God must always be our number one priority. Thus that famous proclamation from Jesus: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) Oh my people, the importance of those words can never be over emphasized. 

And as the scholars explain about Jesus’ strong reply to the fellow who possibly wanted to stay at home until his father died, ‘Let the dead bury their dead,’ wasn’t meant to be as harsh as it sounded, ‘but rather to emphasize that the time to be about the heavenly Father’s business was now.’ And is that ever the indisputable truth my fellow believers! The time for us to be about the Lord’s business is certainly RIGHT NOW! There’s no time for dilly-dallying, or putting it off for tomorrow, because the devil and his evil cohorts are not dilly-dallying or putting off anything for tomorrow, they are making hay while the sun shines, and that’s RIGHT NOW, and so should we supposed believers in Christ Jesus! 

But, unfortunately, we’re not working as hard and fast as we should, that’s why we keep falling behind the evil doers who are now in strong command of our world. Friends, I don’t know how else to put it, but to say, right up front, we are not doing the job Jesus desires of us as well as we can, and ought to. We are too comfortable in this uncomfortable world. And the worst kind of Christian is a comfortable Christian! That’s because we lose all the enthusiasm to do Christ’s work, especially the part about sacrificing our desires for His wellbeing. And sadly, if we continue along such a wide and destructive path, then crapaud smoke we pipe! That’s all there is to it. 

Now, for those who are trying their best to live sincerely for Christ, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one 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 having made that glorious proclamation, it’s now our bounden duty to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ                  

Today’s Scrip-Bit   23 January 2024 Psalm 46:1.

23 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 46:1.       God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in trouble.

And may the grace and mercy of our wonderful God be on all of us this snowy winter’s Tuesday, my Scrip-Bit friends and family! And do we all ever need His LOVING-kindness and compassion in these troubled and frenzied times. For, instead of getting better as the days go by, our world seems to be getting more angry, violent, hateful and strife filled. Who knows why? Some of the players may have even forgotten why they got involved, and are just acting out for acting out sake. But for sure, it’s not a good scene we’re currently witnessing. 

And though most of us cannot do anything to change matters on the big stage but pray for godly wisdom and guidance for our leaders, on the smaller stage of our individual lives we can certainly do our best to show the LOVE and compassion of Christ in our own neighbourhoods, and thus lessen the tension at the grass roots level. So to help us do that, let’s turn to our biggest privilege and our number one source of help, PRAYER, as we go to our heavenly Father with these words of prayer from the January In Touch Devotional. 

Please pray with me: ‘Father, there is so much noise in the world: voices shouting in anger, crying in pain at one another and at You. We pray for clarity, to hear through all the commotion the pleas of the hurting, to recognize suffering underneath the veil of anger in each other and in ourselves. Lord, soften our hearts. Let compassion and gentleness be our first instinct. May You be near to every aching person, and may every aching person feel heard. In Jesus’ name. Amen.’ 

Oh friends, the sentiments in that prayer are ever so necessary and needful in these uncertain times. And yuh know what? It’s the times of uncertainty that cause us the most worrying concerns. At least that’s the way it is with me. If I am certain about something, then, although the outcome might be unpleasant and hurtful, I don’t worry about it nearly as much as if I am not sure of the outcome. I believe the devil nags and niggles us a li’l more in those times of uncertainty to get us to lose our cool and not trust our Lord and Saviour the way we ought to. 

But if our faith is strong enough, we can successfully run him off with some overruling scriptures like these powerful verses of faith from Psalm 46, where the Sons of Korah write: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps. 46:1-3) 

Yes my faithful brethren, that’s a good example of strong faith with which to deter the devil’s evil lies and deceptions. We won’t be afraid even though the world is falling down around us, because our omnipotent God has promised to protect us in each and every situation. He is always present in our lives. And as the saying so truly goes: ‘When uncertainty abounds – cling to God.’ There can be no greater truth than that my people! Now, I’m chuckling here because I just got the bright idea to make today’s Bit one chocked full with scripture verses that talk about handling fear and anxiety. 

And why not eh, since our world is currently filled with so many of those negative emotions? So let’s continue with this magnificent verse from the first epistle of John, which exhorts: ‘There is no fear in LOVE; but perfect LOVE casteth out fear: because fear hath (involves) torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in LOVE.’ (1 John 4:18) And that says so much about God’s LOVE, how strong and potent it is, that it can even sustain us in our darkest times, and drive away our fear and anxiety. 

Then we have these verses from Isaiah, where our God ascertains His help in times of trouble. ‘For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’ (Is. 41:13-14)  Oh my bredrin, isn’t that wonderful? It surely is! Just imagine Almighty God promising to help us nuh. As this commentary so rightly says: ‘God’s promise is to comfort and help us amid our worry. This Bible verse about fear holds the power to give us peace during the most uncertain of times. The Lord will take your hand and journey with you through the storm.’ 

How true that is! For with Christ as our Pilot and Guide, there’s no storm that conquer us! And we all know this next verse that drives away fear. ‘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) Now that’s a verse we all should have indelibly written in our hearts, souls and minds. For as this commentary reminds us: ‘We know we will face troubles in this life, but one of the Bible verses about fear that can sometimes be the most comforting is John 16:33. When you consider all Jesus faced — His torture and death — and how He overcame, it offers us profound comfort. Remember this among the Bible verses about fear and worry when you reflect on difficult times.’ 

Yes friends, we definitely need to remember that our Lord and Saviour has already overcome the world and all the evil therein, it’s just for us to faithfully live out the days till He returns in victory and takes us home. And with that promise uppermost in our minds, we can do it without fear of Satan and his evil doing consorts. And although there are many more notable verses of scripture that tone down fear, unfortunately, we only have time and space for one more. And it’s this marvellous one from Bruh David’s most famous writing. ‘Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ (Ps. 23:4) 

Now that’s a certain fact my faithful brethren. And I like how this commentary explains it. ‘God will not abandon you. Bible verses about anxiety remind us that we do not need to fear evil or uncertain events, because God will walk with us through these valleys. He LOVES us and wants the best for us. The Psalmist knew that the peace of God would be with him wherever he went and whatever situations he encountered. Know that God is right beside you during those difficult times.’ 

Yes my fellow saints, let’s go home with that comforting thought as we declare (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong lock, stock and barrel. As one 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!’ 

Now, it time to go out and do just that; 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!

…FAITH…the only thing that can successfully drive out…FEAR…                                   

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