25 Jan 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: almighty god, appreciation, attributes of God, aura of love, blizzard, churlishness, compassion, complaints, confidence, conquerors, contention, Creator of the universe, Eastern coast of North America, enthusiasm, eternal life, everlasting life, evil, faith, false teaching, fellowship, foolish pride, for God so loved the world, freezing to death, glorious kingdom, God is LOVE, Gos id light, gusto, have everlasting life, he gave his only begotten son, holy spirit, hope, human response, humble servants, immortal words, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, let us love one another, lies, life-giving words, LOVE, LOVE is of God, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, obedience to god, prayer, prayers, ravages, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, rest, right belief about Christ, running out of gas, snow, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, suspicion, taunts, thankfulness, the BIBLE, the greatest of these, truth, understanding, ungodly world, useful purpose, weary souls, whoever believeth in him should not perish, wiles
John 3:16. 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.
Ah friends, this Monday morning is one day many of us should be ever so thankful that we’re not living on the Eastern coast of North America, because of the terrible blizzard that passed through that area on the weekend, dropping humongous amounts of snow on the ground. Ah Lord eh!
On the news, I believe it was Saturday, I heard a woman saying that she and her family had been snowbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 12 hours. Another woman and her family, on another highway, had been snowbound for some twenty hours. Can you imagine that – sitting in a car for so long, the windows all frosted and you being anxious about running out of gas and possibly freezing to death?
One of those two women had their diabetic father with her, on his birthday to boot. Not a very pleasant way to spend your birthday at all. I believe though, that one of those families was fairly close to a gas station, so they were able to get some food and refreshment. I don’t how much that helped though, when you couldn’t drive, and you were still a long way from home.
Please let’s remember in our prayers the millions of people along the Eastern seaboard who are still undergoing the ravages of the snowstorm. So let’s have no complaints and churlishness because you have to get up and go to work. Let’s just sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with extra gusto and thankfulness.
All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
That was good friends, but I don’t think that our choir director, Jesus, heard enough thankfulness in our voices. (smile) But He does know that we believe His words found in our most encouraging and uplifting Bit. ‘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.’
And how could we not believe those beautiful, eternal life-giving words eh, unless we’re real dense and full of foolish pride? And I know that some of you might be tired with the same Bit for so long, but my people, that is possibly the most important statement in the entire Bible. It was the ONLY reason that Jesus came to earth!
And if you can’t feast on those miraculous and momentous words for a few days, then I’d strongly suggest you question your faith. And I can’t guarantee that it will finish today either, for there’s still a fair amount of scripture to be studied on it. And we’ll begin with the immortal words of John’s first epistle, re God is LOVE!
‘BELOVED, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God.’ (1 John 4:7)
Now let’s stop right there and get some valuable explanations from the scholars. ‘4:7. John returns to the theme of mutual LOVE. Perhaps the false teaching he felt compelled to combat had contributed to suspicion and contention in the fellowship. In contrast, John is not saying that everyone who LOVES is a Christian, whether they trust in Christ or not.
He makes it clear elsewhere that true knowledge of God entails right belief about Christ, as well as right response to God, including LOVE of others. Mere human LOVE apart from Christ’s redeeming presence and motivation falls short of LOVE in its fullest dimension as a human response to God’s perfect and infinite compassion (cf. 1 Cor.13).’
Oh my brethren, I do hope that that helps us to better understand the precept of God’s LOVE; His LOVE for us, as well as our LOVE for Him and for others. It must be accompanied by true belief in Christ and obedience to God’s Word!
Now let’s continue with the scripture. ‘He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE.’ (1 John 4:8)
We have to stop here again my people to get a little insight on that verse from the scholars. ‘4:8. John has also recorded that “God is light” (1:5) and “Spirit” (John 4:24). LOVE is one of the many attributes of God and is to be understood in relation to the others, such as holiness and justice.’
Yes friends, our God is what in sports parlance we’d call an all-rounder – has many parts to His nature! However, He is not just a jack of all trades, but indeed a MASTER of them all! (smile)
And you know what? I think we’ll stop there for today, since I don’t want the Bit to get too involved and difficult to understand. So, the Lord willing, we’ll just have to continue it tomorrow. (smile)
Bear with me friends, it’s all for a good purpose, to our benefit. And I do hope that our understanding and appreciation of God’s LOVE has improved, has grown today, because that’s what it’s all about. Much LOVE!
…And now abideth…faith…hope…LOVE…these three…but the greatest of these is…LOVE… (1Cor.13:13)
29 Dec 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: at those things which were spoken of him, Cana in Galilee, defiles, defined, faith, false pretenses, fermentation, firkins, fruit of the vine, her faith never wavered, His disciples believed on him, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, Joseph and his mother marveled, Mary, material possession, maternal instincts, miracles, miraculous things, mother, motherhood, New Year's, pondered them in her heart, purifying of the Jews, rocket science, share His love with the world, snow, the Good Book, the purists, them's the breaks, Tuesday Mantra, turning water into wine, waterpots, white christmas, wine, worldly positions
Luke 2:33. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.
Well mih people, at long last we got a taste of the white stuff. Last evening a blanket of snow finally covered my neighbourhood. This morning around 3 o’clock, before I went to bed, I opened my front door and it was just a pretty picture as you can get of an all white scene, before man defiles it.
However, a while ago, when I went to put out the garbage, most of it had already melted and instead the rain was falling. So the purists who did not get their white Christmas are also in danger of not getting a white New Year’s either, if these warm and above seasonal temperatures persist.
The man I pay to clean the snow from my driveway won’t be working today either. He’s still collecting money under false pretenses. But I guess them’s the breaks. (smile)
And as you can see above, I went to bed late, hence the abnormally late Bit. My intense and sincere apologies, but the ole fella is really a creature of the night, and going to bed early is sometimes difficult. (smile)
Anyway, it’s a festive Tuesday in the Christmas season, so let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra like we really mean it nuh. All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me.
I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’ And is all of that is ever so true my fellow believers in Christ!
Yes friends, we’re not defined by what we have or do! Our identity is found in being the children of God: His beloved offspring, in whom He is well pleased! We are also Jesus’ close Friend and confidant. That’s who we are! So let’s stop defining ourselves by our material possessions and worldly positions nuh. Nuff said!
And I’m sure some of you must be wondering how I got on this Mother Mary kick. But there’s no rocket science behind it. It’s just that over the last couple of years, as I delve deeper into the Good Book, I’ve come to LOVE and appreciate Mary.
So much so, that I’ve come to believe that she is the one who most understood Jesus, also the one who had the truest and strongest faith in the Good Book, after Jesus Himself. We all know the miraculous things she went through at a tender age, but her faith never wavered. In fact I believe it got stronger.
As the saying goes, she became a mother, while still a child. And yuh better believe my brethren that motherhood is the hardest job in the world, as most mothers would agree, because there are no real instructions on how to do it, especially if you have several children, all with different personalities and needs, as Mary no doubt had.
And one of the reasons she knew Jesus best, besides the mother and son angle, is that she had the best idea of what His mission was all about, having participated in His miraculous birth and hearing all the magnificent things that were said about Him from his very birth. As we saw yesterday, all those things she kept note of them in her heart and sincerely pondered them.
My favourite story about Mary and Jesus though is the one at the wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed His first miracle; the making of wine from water. I just LOVE the way she handled Him.
As reported by John, they had run out of wine at the wedding and Mary came and shared that fact with Jesus. ‘Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee (what concern is that of mine)?’ (John 2:4)
Mary must have chuckled and said to herself: ‘So you think you’re a big man now eh, with your biggish answers? Well just look out for me and you today.’ Then she put her motherly and feminine wiles, her devious plan to work.
‘His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.’ (John 2:5) Then she flounced off and left Him. Hn, hn!‘ Typical woman and mother eh.
‘And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after (according to) the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.’ (John 2:6)
Now here is some important info from the scholars on that verse. ‘2:6. Waterpots were normally used for washing feet. Firkins were about nine gallons, so each pot held 18 to 27 gallons (total capacity: 108 to 162 gallons).’
So friends, these must have been some rather big waterpots. Then ‘Jesus saith unto them (the servants), Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. (That means roughly 162 gallons). And he saith unto them, Draw (some) out now, and bear it unto (take it to) the governor (master) of the feast. And they bare it.’ (John 2:7-8)
What a bam-bam that caused friends! For when the master of the feast tasted the wine that had been made from the water, and didn’t know where it had come from (though the servants knew), he called the bridegroom and admonished him.
‘Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse (inferior): but thou hast kept the good wine until now.’ (John 2:10) The poor bridegroom must have been at a loss to know what the master of the feast was talking about.
But here is some more info from the scholars re that wine. ‘2.9. Much has been written about the wine Jesus created. Oinos is the New Testament word for the fruit of the vine, but it implies nothing concerning fermentation. Whatever Jesus re-creates (water) is better than it was and better than man can make it (fermented wine).’
For sure friends! That was probably, no, not probably, but the best wine ever made and drunk in this world! I would have LOVED to taste it! (smile) So you see my people, Mary indeed had more knowledge of Jesus’ capabilities than anyone else.
And the Good Book afterwards, comments thus on the situation. ‘This beginning of miracles (signs) did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth (revealed) his glory; and his disciples believed on him.’ (John 2:11)
I guess the disciples had no choice but to believe, after they witnessed such an outstanding event. But deep down inside, because of her natural maternal instincts, plus all the unexpected and unusual things she had experienced during His growing up, His mother Mary knew what He was capable of.
And we’ll end on that note today. It gives us stuff to keep in our hearts and to ponder on, just like Mary. Much LOVE!
…oftimes…because of the normally close relationship and the natural maternal instinct… a mother has the best knowledge of her child…
07 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sound mind, abject fear of God, Anselm's quotes, Antioch, anxieties, awe, Barnabas, casual, children of Abraham, cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, cold white stuff, communing with the heavenly Father, conquer fear, courage, dread of punishment, eternal rejection, fear hath torment, flippant, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, giving thanks always, glory to God, go out and get busy, God won't give us more than we can handle, God's judgement, hates his brother, he is a liar, he that feareth is not made perfect in love, he who loveth God love his brother also, I love God, in the fear of God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, joy, Joyce Meyer, just do it afraid, LOVE, part of Christian walk, perfect love casteth out fear, perfecting holiness, power, rearing up over it with faith, respect, reverence, reverential awe of God, salvation, snow, standing on God's promise, step out in faith, stress, the antidote for fear, there is no fear in love, to conquer fear don't sit home and think about, unconditional love of God, violate God's trust, we love him because he first loved us, wisdom
1 John 4:18. 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!
Well my brethren, our little summer fling is over! Chuh! And I was just beginning to enjoy it; going out the street in shirtsleeves, sitting out on my porch in the early morning hours, quietly communing with my heavenly Father and releasing all the day’s anxieties and stress.
Yes, Friends, this past week where we experienced temps in the mid to high teens all week was certainly a wonderful blessing. Glory to God! But it’s all over now, we’re reverting back to normal temps like ten and lower. Anyway, as long as that cold, white stuff is not flying around, I am happy.
Once it starts making a mess on the roads, then I get miserable. I don’t even mind if it’s packed up on the banks and shoulders of the road, but not on the road itself which makes driving even more treacherous than it already is, with so many cars and bad drivers out there nowadays. Sometimes it can be really fearful to drive on the dry roads, much less the snow filled ones.
However, since you all are such wonderful patrons, and I’m in such a generous frame of mind, (smile) I will offer two of our Friend Anselm’s quotes from this past week, which speak rather appropriately to our topic.
The first one says: ‘If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.’ And that’s very true. The only way to conquer fear is to rise up over it; to do the thing(s) of which you are afraid, with God’s faith and trust in your heart, standing on His promise that He won’t let us go through more than we can handle.
And the second quote declares that ‘Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possessed.’ And that’s no lie either my people! I am sure all of us have come upon situations at some stage of our lives where we thought we did not have the wherewithal to handle them, but once we decided to step out in faith, we realized that we actually had the parts to deal with the situations.
Sometimes we need God to pour down some extra courage on us, but at other times we discover that what we already have is quite sufficient. And once we consider the assuring words Bruh Paul spoke to young Timothy, our fears should subside. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.7)
So technically speaking, we’re not suppose be afraid of anything. But we all know that is easier said than done. And I like how Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) puts it: just do it afraid. (smile) But she does have a point, we can’t allow fear to ruin our lives. And the only way to conquer fear is rearing up over it with faith!
And our Bit today hits the nail right on the head of the subject. ‘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!’ What a powerful verse of scripture my fellow believers!
Now here is how the scholars explain that verse. ‘4:18. Fear hath torment: Abject fear of God is based on dread of punishment. But God’s LOVE for us renders such dread obsolete. Fear is still part of the Christian walk-in the sense of profound reverence, the unwillingness to violate God’s trust in us (see Acts 10:35; 13:26; 2 Cor.7:1; Eph.5:21; Phil.2:12; 1 Pet.1:17)
Believers need not fear eternal rejection as a result of God’s judgement. (John 5:24), but this does not mean a Christian’s approach to God is to be flippant and casual.’
Of course not! Our attitude towards our heavenly Father should be one of reverence, respect, awe and joy that we have such a wonderful God!
Now, since I know that very few of us will bother to check the scriptures noted in the scholars explanations, I will quote a few of them for our benefit. Aren’t I nice? (smile) We will begin with Acts 13:26, where Paul and Barnabas are talking to the people of Antioch.
Bruh Paul says to them: ‘Men and brethren, children (sons) of the stock (family) of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.’ (Acts 13:26)
And in 2 Corinthians, Bruh Paul opens Chapter 7 thus: ‘Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ (2 Cor.7:1)
And to the Ephesians, Bruh Paul writes: ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph.5:20-21)
Oh Friends, you see it’s all about the reverential awe of God, about putting Him first in our lives, not being afraid to talk to Him. We have that right to confidently approach Him on the basis of Jesus’ work at the cross. That work reconciled us to Him, and we are once more His beloved children. So there is absolutely nothing to fear if we are children of the Most High God!
As John states after our Bit: ‘We LOVE him, because he first LOVED us. If a man say, I LOVE God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that LOVETH not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he LOVE God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who LOVETH God LOVE his brother also.’ (1John 4:19-21)
There we have it Friends; a sermon… sorry, (smile) a teaching on fear, LOVE and reverence. Please, let’s carve it into the depths of our souls, so that we can always have it for our timely reference. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…the only antidote for fear…is faith…backed by the unconditional LOVE of Almighty God…
.
23 Apr 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a feel good feeling, abnormal weather, all at once, assimilate, assurance, balmy times, bestowed, bounden duty, Bruh Paul, by the grace of God, climate change, constant level, cousin to happiness, dreaded white stuff, earthly life, ephemeral, essentail aspect, eternal life, faithful promise, fleeting feeling, fortuitous circumstances, friends, Glory be to God, grin and bear it, happiness, hard and trying times, harvester of souls, I am what I am, I can do all things through Christ, in all the wrong places, in Jesus' name, in our time of need, Jesus Christ, joy, live our faith, looking for the wrong thing, LOVE, magnificent and magnanimous God, once in a while, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, people seeking happiness, ponder on, praye ye therefore, promise, proselytizing, readily access it, reap the harvest, revs up and down, send forth labourers into his harvest, set our hearts minds and souls to the task, shirt attention spans, smile, snow, Spread God's Word, sternity, summerish weather, the Corinthians, the harvest truly is plenteous, the labourers are few, the Lord of the harvest, the lost and unsaved, through God's grace, too much food to digest, truly love God, upper echelon, was not in vain, which strengtheneth me, write it indelibly, yo-yo
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Aye Friends, can you believe that on this Thursday morning, the 23rd day of April, that there is a sprinkling of that much detested and dreaded white stuff on the cars and lawns outside? Mama Mia!
Snow at the end of April! Now it’s not much, but just the very idea that snow can be had in late April is ridiculous…and distressing too, especially after the beautiful summerish weather we had just over a week ago, with everybody gearing up for the continuance of such balmy times.
But the reality is that this past week has been cold and blowsy, with daytime temps not even reaching double digits. And in these days of climate change; of abnormal weather and temps at abnormal times, anything is possible. And like all the other stuff that we can’t change, we just have to grin and bear it bravely. (smile)
But on a more serious note Friends, last night on the late edition of the news, they featured a story that intrigued me; ironically, it both saddened and uplifted me, gave me hope. The story was about people seeking happiness. Hn!
Apparently there are now many groups of people around the world getting together to seek ways to be happy. That news saddened me because they are looking for the wrong thing in all the wrong places!
And what I mean by that is people are seeking happiness, which is merely a fleeting, ephemeral feeling that comes around once in a while through fortuitous circumstances, but it never lasts long. Happiness is an up and down situation, like a yo-yo, it revs up, then it revs down.
What they should actually be seeking is JOY, the long term, constant level, always present, upper echelon cousin of happiness. (smile) And sadly, not once did I hear any of those interviewed, or one supposed expert, talk about finding happiness where it is truly to be found, that’s in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To be technical though, Jesus doesn’t simply provide happiness, a feel good feeling, but He brings JOY, or a constant well-being to His followers.
So in the first place, those seekers of happiness ought to be searching for joy, not happiness. And in the second, they ought to be seeking it in, from and through Jesus Christ, the ONLY person who can truly provide that essential aspect of earthly life.
And the story brought hope to my heart because it showed another avenue, another field that’s open, one that’s just ripe for proselytizing by us faithful Christians. What a wonderful opportunity it gives us my brethren for talking about Jesus and showing those misguided folks the right way and place to find true JOY!
And as Jesus so rightly said a long time ago: ‘The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.’ (Matt.9:37-38)
Oh Friends, we are the labourers of our time, and it is thus our bounden duty to get out there and gladly and joyfully reap the harvest of the lost and unsaved in Jesus’ name!
And we know we can do it, if we set our hearts, minds and souls to the task, because of our Bit, which assures, which guarantees that: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’
Glory be to our wonderful God my brethren for that assurance, that faithful promise! Yes my people, anything that falls under God’s will, He will enable us to do, if we so desire.
And as Bruh Paul wisely said in his first letter to the church at Corinth. ‘But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.’ (1 Cor.15:10)
Yes Friends, though Bruh Paul was possibly the hardest working missionary, harvester of souls, it was still only through God’s grace that he was successful. Let’s not forget that in our own labours, for whatever we do, regardless of how hard and diligent we work, true success will only come from God’s grace bestowed on us.
And on that poignant note we’ll end today’s message my people. There’s enough in there for us to ponder on, and I certainly don’t want to abuse our short attention spans by giving us too much food to assimilate and digest all at once. (smile)
Ah mih people, in these hard and trying times I know that it is difficult to keep our focus on Jesus and His kingdom, but if we truly want to see eternity, to spend eternal life with Him, we have to make the effort to live the way He desires.
And the wonderful thing about it all is that if our hearts and motives are true and pure, our magnificent and magnanimous God WILL enable us to do it. Let’s NEVER forget that promise! Let’s write it indelibly in our hearts and souls so that we can readily access it in our time of need! Much LOVE!
…what does our God desire of us…to truly LOVE Him…sincerely LIVE our Faith…and to diligently SPREAD His Word…
27 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adaptable human body, advertising entities, almighty god, another week of work, backsliding children, basement office, baubles and bangles, beautiful scenery, begging for money, bills, blessings, Bruh David, charities, chilly weather, City of Toronto, clamour, confidence, daily activites, daily grind and common task, desk top, fairy tale, fallible, fellowship, flowers, Friday chant, friends, fundraisers, generous help, give and you will receive, glorious kingdom, glory, glory hallelujah, God is a refuge, gospel truth, green trees, gullible, heavenly Father, holy spirit, In God is my salvation and my glory, in times of trouble, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, live for Jesus, Lord have mercy, LOVE, Lucifer, lusts of the world, my refuge is in God, new fangled ways, North country, pleas for assistance, psychological tools, refuge, rest, rocked my soul, rose to high heaven, salvation, secular, Selah, shock to the system, siphoned off, sky blue seas, snow, strength, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the children of Israel, the Lord God of Abraham Isaac and jacob, the real thing, the rock of my strength, the salvation of Israel, the weekend, there's no place like home, truth, weeping and gnashing of teeth, wisdom, working people
Psalm 62:7. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Well…and like it was suddenly Friday! And the clamour from working people all around the world rose up to high heaven. ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday yes, and we have the weekend to look forward to; to play and party and do whatever we want!’
But Friends, that’s not quite true. Regardless of time, place and opportunity, we still have to put our Creator and Provider, Almighty God FIRST! And to help us do that, let’s chant our Friday Chant.
All together now, with true sincerity. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that’s a little more like it ought to be. So let’s hope it alters our perception in a suitable manner. (smile) And Friends, you know there’s truly no place like home!
I got back to the cold North Country around 7 p.m last night and looking out over the city of Toronto from the plane, all I could see was white. Hn! And when I came out of the airport and the first blast of the chilly weather hit me, it sorta rocked my soul.
After a month of constant high twenties and low thirty degrees weather, the body was a bit shocked by the minus 17 degrees chill. Lord have mercy! But the human being is such a wonderfully made and adaptable body, that by the time I got home and settled in, it was just like I’d never been away.
And here I am once again down in my basement office tapping away at my old desk top listening to the furnace next door, instead of being on my verandah in Lowlands, on my laptop, looking out at the beautiful scenery of flowers, green trees and sky blue seas. Ah Chuh!
And this morning when I got up and looked out my bedroom window, all I could see was white…snow everywhere. It was a shock to the system. But life goes on, and I have to get on with the real thing, not the fairy tale one. So it’s back to the daily grind and common task.
I have a whole set of mail sitting on my desk to go through eventually, and I’m sure it’s a combination of mostly bills and charities begging for money. What a blessing that I haven’t had to deal with that for a whole month! Glory Hallelujah!
But I’m truly tired of these supposed charities begging all the time. And the worst mistake you can make is to give them one time, for after that they constantly bombard you with pleas for assistance.
And the sad part is that a lot of the funds received don’t get to where they are supposed to, they are siphoned off to pay the fundraisers, which is now a huge business, and for administrative purposes.
But the Lord says to give and you will receive, so we have to give some, just be careful of whom we are giving to and how much. End of sermon! (smile)
Now turning to our Bit, which again comes from Psalm 62 – God only is my rock and salvation. Bruh David proclaims it without any doubt or hesitation whatsoever. ‘In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.’
And that my people is indisputable, irrevocable, gospel and all other kinds of truth!
The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is indeed our salvation as He has proven through the sacrificial death of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! He’s also our glory, our strength and refuge! The One to whom we look to for things mighty and majestic, for help in ALL our daily activities, be they big or small.
And He certainly is the One we run to when we can’t handle the trials and tribulations of this ungodly world, and where we certainly receive help and succour without any untoward questions asked! What a mighty and wonderful God is our heavenly Father! He is the ONLY ONE who can help and save us in times of trouble!
That’s why Bruh David wisely advises us in the next verse: ‘Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’ (Ps.62:8) More wonderful words of heavenly wisdom and truth my brethren!
And the prophet Jeremiah said it this way: ‘A voice was heard upon the high places (bare heights), weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God. Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.
Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.’ (Jer.3:21-23).
Oh Friends, it’s uncanny how those same words are so pertinent to our situation in today’s world! For just like Israel back then, we in this current age have indeed forsaken the God of our fathers. That’s why there is so much weeping and gnashing of teeth all over the world.
When man turns away in droves from Jehovah God to foolishly follow the lusts of the world, what else can we expect eh? Granted that it is difficult to reject the worldly baubles and bangles and bright shining things of the world when they are constantly pounded in our ears, eyes and minds by the secular advertising entities, using all the psychological tools at their disposal.
That’s why my fellow believers it is of the utmost importance that we are very careful in whom and what we watch, read and listen to, for our weak and frail minds are very fallible and gullible to those new fangled ways of Lucifer.
And we’ll end with another true and wonderful and confidence building insight on the subject from Bruh David, from Psalm 3 – A prayer of confidence in God. ‘Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’ (Ps.3:8)
Oh Friends, please let’s remember those insightful words, and all the others that we’ve spoken about today, as we journey forth into the evil, disgusting world to live for Jesus, for that’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…let’s remember that our duty is to…LOVE our God…LIVE our Faith…and SPREAD His Word…
04 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blanket of white, a fool's wisdom, blamesless, blatantly, condemned the guiltless, cpngregate on a regular basis, David, embezzlement, encouraged, evil deeds, For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath, fraud, going to church, hear the Word, hungry, hypocrites, I will desire mercy not sacrifice, integral part of Christian faith, kindness, legalistic traditions, LOVE, mercy, negative ideas, northern climes, Pharisees, pray, price we pay, profane the Sabbath, proselytize, rain, remorse, Sabbath Day, sacifices, shame, shephereded in the right direction, showbread, slush, snow, Sunday, the church is one body, the Lord's Day, the Pharisees, the Sabbath Day, the Spirit of Jesus, unbelievers
Matthew 12:8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
And the snow fell…which left a blanket of white over everything…Then the rains came… that caused a slushy mess…Then it got colder…and all the slushy mess froze up.
Hn! It’s a good thing that today is Sunday yes and there won’t be a whole lot of traffic on the roads. Let’s hope that by Monday morning the situation will have positively resolved itself and the roads won’t be that treacherous. But that’s the price we pay for living in the northern climes.
Anyway my brethren, it’s Sunday, the Lord’s day, that means it is time to get out and fill the Lord’s sanctuaries, to fellowship with other believers, to praise, worship and give thanks to our wonderful God for His unfailing kindness, His tender mercies and His undying LOVE!
Oh Friends, going to church is a very important element, an integral part of our Christian faith! However, unfortunately too many so-called believers place it at the bottom of their priority list, thinking that because they pray and read their Bibles at home, there’s no need to go to church too. But my people, that’s a serious fallacy, in fact a fool’s wisdom.
Remember Jesus talks about the church being ONE body, and how can we be ONE if we don’t get together as a rule, rather than as the exception; if we don’t congregate on a regular basis to hear the Word, to be encouraged, exhorted and shepherded in the right direction eh? That’s why I’m encouraging us all, right at the start of this new year of 2015, to make going to church a regular occurrence, a top priority in our lives, in addition to praying and reading our Bibles on a daily basis.
Please put aside all the negative ideas, such as there are too many hypocrites in the church. Now that may be true to a certain extent, but why don’t you just come out anyway and make it one more hypocrite eh (smile) because we are all hypocrites, the only difference being the matter of degree.
And on that note, we will turn to our Bit, where Jesus summarily informs the hypocrite Pharisees: ‘For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.’
Yes Friends, Jesus is the Lord of any and every thing! Please remember that. Now Jesus made that proclamation after an incident with the Pharisees. The Good Book reports it thus: `At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn (grain fields); and his disciples were an hungered (hungry), and began to pluck the ears of corn (heads of grain), and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered (hungry), and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath (treat it as common), and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have (desire) mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.’ (Matt.12:1-7) Then He ended with our Bit.
Oh my brethren, isn’t it wonderful how Jesus used to put the hypocrite Pharisees in their place!
And the scholars have this explanation for those verses. ’12:1-9. The Pharisees had burdened the Sabbath with a multitude of detailed observances that were not laid down in the Mosaic Law. In responding to their legalistic traditions, Jesus always referred to the Scripture. Have ye not read? The passage referred to is 1 Samuel 21:1-6. The Lord makes the point that in the case of necessity the ceremonial law might be overruled.
He uses the illustration of David eating the showbread. These loaves were placed on the table in the holy place of the tabernacle each Sabbath. They were to be eaten only by the priest and his family (cf. Lev.24:5-9; Num.28:9) The priests prepared the sacrifices on the Sabbath in spite of the general prohibition of work. If the necessities of the temple worship permitted the priests to profane the sabbath, there was all the more reason why the service of Christ would allow a similar liberty.’
Ah mih people, yuh see how the supposed authorities can turn the laws and rules to their advantage! It was okay for the priests to make the bread on the Sabbath, but some hungry men couldn’t pluck a few grains of wheat or corn, or whatever to fill their empty stomachs.
And sadly, that hasn’t changed to this day. In fact, I believe it’s worse, for the authorities now do their evil and wrong deeds more blatantly than ever. They consider themselves so powerful and above reproach that they no longer seem to care who knows that they are doing wrong. They even try to justify their wrongdoing. Just look at all the fraud and embezzlement that’s being perpetrated by the elite class with no sense of shame or remorse nowadays nuh!
Ah fellow believers in Jesus, the only hope for our lost and fast fading world is us. Jesus gave us the job to proselytize the entire world, (Matt.28:19-20) please let’s get off our fat fannies and do it nuh. Let’s throw away the fear, anxiety or whatever it is that’s holding us back and get on with job of bringing the unbelievers to Jesus. That is our most important job here on earth right now.
And we can start doing all of that by going to church today and getting renewed, refreshed and revitalized in the wonderful Spirit of Jesus! That is wisdom at its very best. Much LOVE!
…to do Jesus’ work…you must be filled with His Spirit…and the encouragement and enlightenment received through regular fellowship…
03 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a small group of thoughtful people, anxiety, backbone, be ye therefore wise as serpents, belly, beware of men, blessed is the Lamb that was slain, brave the elements, brother shall deliver up brother, cave in, Christians, comitted citizens, death, doing Jesus' work, everything is possible, fear, fierce opposition, for a testimony, for my sake, freezing rain, Gentiles, give up, Glory Halleujah, God's children, going forth to spread God's holy word, gospel truth, harmless as doves, he that endures to the end shall be saved, I send you forth as sheep, ice storm, in the midst of wolves, Jesus, Jesus Christ, like true soldiers of God's army, Margaret Mead, persecution, perseverance, pilgrims, pioneers, promote Jesus, repercussions, scourge, snow, take no thought, the Holy Spirit, the Son of man, the Spirit of your Father, today is all we have, use it wisely, when times ger rough, winning souls for Jesus, wisdom, ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake
Matthew 10:16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.
Well Friends, it’s a Saturday morning that’s calling for snow and rain and freezing rain! Wow!
Over these next two days like we’re going to run the whole gamut of weather problems. We really can’t complain too much though, because we’ve been fairly snow and rain free for at least a couple of weeks now. And besides that, we’re God’s children and a little bad weather doesn’t deter us from doing Jesus’ work. (smile)
Of course it could get fairly rough, like the ice storm we had last year, but even then, we brave the elements like true soldiers of God’s army. What wonderful designations we embrace my people; a child of God, and a soldier in His army! His army of pioneers and pilgrims, going forth to spread His holy Word all over the universe He’s created.
And in the remarkable words of our Bit, Jesus sends us forth, just like He did the first disciples, to do just that: ‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.’
And the scholars tell us, re ‘Wise as serpents (cf. Gen.3:1). In the ancient Near East, the serpent was considered the wisest of beasts. A cautious wisdom was necessary to deal with the fierce opposition that the disciples would face.’
Yes my people, it is a wonderful honour to work for Jesus, winning souls for Him, or rather causing lost souls to come to Him for comfort and succour, salvation and eternal life! But unfortunately it is a job that can also entail severe repercussions. That’s why Jesus warned the disciples, and has the same warning for us.
‘But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against (to) them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought (do not worry about) how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you, in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over (through) the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.’ (Matt.10:17-23)
Oh my fellow believers, working for Jesus can indeed be a dangerous job. All the stuff that Jesus spoke about befell the disciples. They suffered serious persecution on Jesus’ behalf, and so will we, possibly not to the death, as they did, and some are still experiencing in some parts of the world, but serious enough to cause us to consider our options.
But when times do get rough, just remember Jesus’ advice: ‘Don’t worry about what you’ll say, for the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.’ Yes Friends, the Holy Spirit is our guide and director, and He will not leave us helpless and defenceless when we stand up strong for Jesus!
And then we come to the most important part of His message; that those who endured, who withstood the trials and tribulations in His name would be saved. And all God’s children shouted a lusty ‘Glory Hallelujah! Blessed is the Lamb that was slain for us!’
Yeh mih people, we can shout all sorts of niceties now, but when the time of persecution comes, will we still sing that song? For all our sakes, I do hope so. It’s just that in these spoiled, selfish and easy living times, most of us have lost our belly and backbone, and cave in and give up under the smallest of trials.
But remember too, that we’ve promised that this year of 2015 will be one in which we will rise, without fear and anxiety, to each and every occasion to promote Jesus and His lifestyle.
Now let’s take a gander at some explanations of the scholars for those verses. ‘!0:17-22. Take no thought means “Do not be anxious.” (See Mark 13:9-13; Luke 12:11-12). It shall be given you promises that the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say in each situation they would face.
For my name’s sake: They would endure great persecution because of their identification with Jesus Christ. But he that endureth to the end shall be saved is a promise of perseverance, not a teaching that salvation may be lost. Rather, it indicates that those who are truly saved will indeed endure to the end.’
And that’s the gospel truth my people! If we persevere to the end, great shall be our rewards in heaven!
And I want to close with a very true and enlightening quote that’s rather appropriate to our situation. It’s attributed to Margaret Mead (1901-1978), the world renowned American anthropologist. And it says: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’
And she doesn’t lie Friends, for look at what a small group of twelve men started. It changed the world! And we are proud and grateful recipients of their commitment. Now let’s go out and do likewise, even though we Christians are in the minority, for with Jesus in the mix, anything and everything is possible. Much LOVE!
…today is all we have…so let’s use it wisely…
02 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a closer walk with Jesus, a longing for God, a modicum of circumspection, Anselm's Quote, be as wise as serpents, chew us up and spit us out, chewing tobacco, christianity, come to God by faith, concerns, different approach, evil and ungodly world, fellow believers, fellowship, flaws, Friday chant, friends, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, God's faithful and unchanging Word, good works, harmless as doves, I send you forth as sheep, in the midst of wolves, innocence, Inspire us for a better tomorrow, invade our inner man, jehovah god, let go of anxiety, listen more, LOVE, Lucifer, make a positive difference, malice and forethought, mature in Christ, men ought always to pray, negative things, New Year's message, openings to creep into our souls, positive things, potential, pray, pray everywhere, pray without ceasing, prayer, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, separate worries from concerns, sit on your ego, snow, take one day at a time, talk less, the Bible is God's word to us, the Bible is guidebook to earthly living, the most powerful force in the universe, things to build on, times of celebration, we let our hair down, week of work, wisdom, worries
Matthew 10:16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.
Well Friends, at last there’s a smattering of that much LOVED and hated white stuff on the ground in my area this Friday morning, the 2nd day of 2015!
It’s been a while since we’ve seen snow around these parts, and though it’s not a lot, it’s enough to glaze the roads in a suit of white. So though it looks so virginal and harmless, it can still be dangerous. That means those who unluckily have to go to work today, will have to be cautious in their driving.
On the other side of the coin, there are those who haven’t worked much in the last two weeks because of the way the holidays have fallen. Consequently, we need to chant our Friday Chant even more than normal, to remind us of what is what in these times of celebration. (smile)
So let’s get the day started with a rousing and sincere chant. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Oh Friends, I do hope that we have been celebrating with a ‘modicum of circumspection,’ and not giving Lucifer any openings to creep into our souls, since it’s when we let our hair down that he usually finds a spot to invade our inner man.
And today I want to share an interesting and rather relevant New Year’s message I got from my friend Anselm yesterday, in his quotes to ‘Inspire us for a better tomorrow.’
It reads as follows: ‘We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.’
Now that’s a new and different approach isn’t it? Instead of looking for negative things, things to fix, let’s look for the positive things that we can build on.
Then Anselm gives us a few ‘Things to think about for 2015: 1. Talk less; listen more; 2. Remind yourself you are not the General Manager of the Universe; 3. Sit on your ego; 4. Take one day at a time; 5. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it; 6. Pray.’
Oh my people, all of that stuff is so true, we can’t refute any of it! And please note his last bit of advice; ‘Pray.’
Ah my fellow believers, in these troubled and tremulous times, we do need to fill the atmosphere with prayer, for it’s the most important and most powerful force in the universe!
Remember, Jesus told us ‘that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1) For it’s exactly when we’re tempted to give up, to lose heart, that we need to pray most fervently.
Then Bruh Paul told the Ephesians to pray always. (Eph.6:18); the Thessalonians to ‘pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess.6:17); and to Timothy he said ‘that men ought to pray everywhere.’ (1 Tim.2:8) So my brethren it’s rather obvious that prayer ought to be a very big and important part of a believer’s life!
That brings us to our Bit: ‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.’
Yes Friends, Jesus is asking every one of His followers to go out into the evil, ungodly world, without malice and forethought, but with great wisdom and innocence. However, before we can even dream of doing that, we need to be aware of God’s faithful, and unchanging Word, else the world will just chew us up and spit us out like chewing tobacco.
That’s why I want to remind us today that ‘the Bible is God’s Word to us, still fresh through all the ages. And if we read it, we‘ll find God’s wisdom on its pages.’
Oh my people, it is ever so important for believers to read God’s Word, so that we can know what He is saying to us! The Bible is our Guidebook for life here on this earth, so we can’t get good and correct guidance and direction for our lives unless we read and study it.
You can’t be a true believer and not make reading the Good Book a habitual and integral part of your life. Remember too Friends, that we have resolved that in 2015 we will all endeavour to walk closer with Jesus, have a more personal and heart warming relationship with Him, than we’ve had before.
Now that means we have to read and study His Word more, pray more, fellowship more with other believers, and also do more good works in His name. That’s the only way we’ll ever increase our faith, grow and mature in our relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Please remember too my people that we are basically a longing for God, cause that’s how He made us. There’s an little empty pocket of space in our souls, and until we fill it with Jehovah God, we’ll never be truly happy or peaceful.
Now time and space have run out on us, and I do hope that what’s turned out to be a sort of refresher course in Christianity (smile) will wake us up, and greatly benefit us all during this new year of 2015, as we sincerely endeavour to walk more closely with Christ and make a positive difference in our lost and greatly disturbed world.
So till we meet again tomorrow, God willing, please go safely, in peace, wisdom and LOVE! Much LOVE, my fellow believers in Christ!
…no human being is really at peace…until he has come to God by faith… (St. Augustine)
14 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, Abimelech, Abraham, almighty god, blessings, camels, caressing, communication with our heavenly Father, contention, Cousin Sol, covenant, dangerous, deceit, deceitful, diligently served, donkeys, fear, fellowship, flocks, Friday chant, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Give God a bigger piece of the pie, God gives thee power to get wealth, God is the source of all our blessings, God's promise, gold, goodness, have good success, hears, high-fiving, holy spirit, humble servants, in Jesus' name, inopportune times, Isaac, Isaac reaped a hundredfold, Isaac sowed in the land, Isaac waxed great, Jehovah-Jireh, Jesus Christ, joy, land of Gerar, laughter, lied, like father like son, loud voice, LOVE, maidservants, make thy way prosperous, manservants, meditating on god's word, Monday Morning, new covenant with Jesus, obedient to God's Word, paramount importance, party away the weekend, permeates the workplace, Philistines, positions of power, Rebekah, refreshed, relaxation, remember the Lord thy god, renewed, rest, silver, sincere spirit, sincerely worshipped, snow, sovereign purpose, spiritual enlightenment, sporting, temper our enthusiasm, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, thanks for getting me through another week of work, the ability to get wealth, the blessing of the Lord, the fountainhead, the Lord blessed him, the Lord our Provider, tired and miserable, wealth, Yahweh
Deuteronomy 8:18. 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 finally, it was Friday…!
And sadly there’s that first touch of that feared white precipitate (snow) on the ground in my area. Chuh! Now granted it’s only a light dusting, but snow in any form is deceitful and dangerous, so it’s always wise to keep a watchful and wary eye on it. (smile)
Anyway, it’s a warning that it’s now in my neighbourhood, and it’s liable to overwhelm us at any time, oftimes at very inopportune ones.
Nonetheless, with the realization that it’s Friday, an unbelievable amount of laughter and joy permeates the work place. Everybody is high-fiving each other and boldly declaring: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! This labouring soon done, and we going to party away the weekend!’
Not so fast Friends, not so fast. Remember the weekend is not only for levity, but also for rest, renewal and some serious communication with our heavenly Father! So please back off somewhat on the party scene, because that’s why we’re always tired and miserable on a Monday morning, unable to get up on time to go out to make our living.
And to help us with that problem, let’s chant our Friday Chant in loud voice and sincere spirit. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes mih breddren, as good, ole Jeeves would say, we have to temper our enthusiasm for the weekend with a modicum of circumspection. (smile)
But it is certainly true; we do have to dial back a tad on the party scene, and give God a bigger piece of the pie, a greater amount of our attention, for remember, all that we are, and all that we have, comes from Him, not always directly, but He is indeed the source, the fountainhead of ALL our blessings!
That brings us to our Bit: ‘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.’ Words of absolute truth, my people!
And the scholars corroborate this: ‘8:18. God…he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant: Yahweh alone gave Israel the ability to get wealth, and the blessing the nation enjoyed was the result of His covenant with the people and was the outcome of His promise to their forefathers.’
Now Friends, though we fall under the new covenant with Jesus, the source of everything is still the same; Almighty God…Jehovah Jireh – the Lord our Provider. Yes Friends, it is indeed our Creator who enriches us with ALL things!
As Cousin Sol says in Proverbs: ‘The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.’ (Prov.10:22) And who should know better than Cousin Sol about wealth and God’s goodness eh, since he is considered the wisest and richest man ever?
And if you don’t believe Cousin Sol, then listen to Abraham’s servant to Laban, Rebekah’s brother, when he was sent out to find a wife for Isaac. ‘And he said, I am Abraham’s servant. And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses (donkeys).’ (Gen.24:34-35)
And there’s no doubt that Abraham was indeed wealthy, both in earthly goods and spiritual enlightenment! And those things could only have come from one source; the great and wonderful God he diligently served and sincerely worshipped!
Now here’s another noteworthy example of God’s ability to increase earthly wealth. There came a time when the Lord caused Isaac to dwell in Gerar, the land of the Philistines. But for fear that the men of the place would kill him and take away his beautiful wife Rebekah, he lied and said that she was his sister. Like father like son eh? Brings to mind when Abraham lied that Sarah was his sister. (Gen.12:10-20)
But as so often happens our lies are eventually found out, and it’s rather interesting how Isaac’s lie was discovered. One inauspicious day, the king of the Philistines, Abimelech, happened to look out a window of his palace, and lo and behold what does he see? He sees Isaac sporting with (caressing) Rebekah. (Gen.26:6-11)
Obviously this caused some contention between Isaac and the king. However, after it was all settled, here’s what the Good Book says: ‘Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received (reaped) in the same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed (grew) great, and went forward (continued prospering), and grew until he became very great.’ (Gen.26:12-13)
Yes my people, in spite of Isaac’s deceit, the Lord blessed him very much because He had a sovereign purpose for him to fulfill, one he could only do from a position of power and wealth. Now please don’t take that as a reason for us to be deceitful. (smile) The Lord might not look down on us so kindly.
But be sure if wealth and power are required for us to do the work He’s planned for us, then wealth and power will be granted us, because He IS the ultimate source of ALL good things! I implore us to remember that today, and therefore live to suit. Much LOVE!
…constantly meditating on God’s Word…and being obedient to it…is of paramount importance in a believer’s life…for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous…and then thou shalt have good success… (Josh.1:8)
29 Mar 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ability to make choices, believe, blessings, book of life, bringing us down easy, brow beat, buy wine and milk, cold temps, come to the waters, compassion, consideration, decisions, distortion, disturbing, eternal life, eternally grateful, fear not, floods, genuine believer, gift of grace, God's invitation, God's Word, heap abuse, holy city, holy spirit, horrific winter, hunger nor thirst, I come quickly, ice storm, infinite wisdom, Israel, Jacob's Well, Jesus, Jew, litany of woes, living water, Lord jesus, loving kindness, magnanimous god, mind-boggling, molly-cuddle, multitude, New Jerusalem, northern climes, offspring, palm branches, plagues, pour water on who thirsts, prophecy, repercussions, Revelation, right and wrong, Samaritan, shepherd. living fountains of water, sigh of relief, snow, snow belt, spring, substraction, testify, thanks and praise, the gift of God, the greatest, the Lamb, the Spirit of God, the throne of God, the water of life, thumbs up, too late, Toronto and environs, tribulations, warning, we bless your holy name, we Love you Lord, white robes, whoever is thirsty, winter weather, wipe away all tears, wisdom, without money, without price
Isaiah 55:1. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Oh Friends, we’re going to begin this morning by giving our wonderful God some thanks and praise for His infinite wisdom and LOVING-kindness to us up here in the northern climes, in particular Toronto and its environs. Why you ask?
Remember how we’ve been complaining about the terrible winter weather and the great amounts of snow piled up all around, wondering where we’d put it if any more fell, and also about spring taking long to come?
Well mih people, spring still isn’t here on a consistent basis, but there’s been method to the Lord’s madness, meaning that there’s hardly any snow on the ground now, and the Lord in His wisdom, compassion and consideration for us did it slowly. That’s why we’d have a day of warmish weather, then some cold ones.
All to allow the snow to melt a little at a time, because if He had allowed it all to melt at once, we’d surely be adding floods to our litany of woes; abundant ice and snow and bitterly cold temps for far too long. Some people and places have not even fully recovered from the ice storm, can you imagine if there were floods to add to their tribulations.
So all you people who live in the snow belt, please give the Lord a big thumbs up for bringing us down easy after such a horrific winter. And all God’s people uttered a huge sigh of relief, then let loose with an astounding voice of praise. ‘Thank You Father for looking after us! You are indeed the GREATEST! We LOVE You Lord and bless Your Holy Name, today and for ever more! Amen!’
Yes my brethren, I don’t know about you all nuh, but I am eternally grateful, for with the three or four feet of snow on my back deck, my backyard and by the side of my driveway, I don’t know what I would have done if it had all melted at once. At least I can now see some of the grass in my backyard, and some of the floor boards on my deck.
That’s why Friends it’s so disturbing and mind-boggling that people constantly ignore, and even heap abuse on our magnanimous God and His free gift of grace as outlined in our Bit. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’
Today’s the last day for this Bit, and I’m not going to get into any arguments over it or try to change anyone’s mind. We have done enough of that over the last few days, and if people aren’t wise enough to accept God’s invitation, then too bad for them. We shouldn’t have to brow beat people, or molly-cuddle them. The Lord gave us all the ability to make choices and also showed us what’s right from what’s wrong. We’ll just have to live with the repercussions of our decisions.
Today we’ll just quote a few more scriptures that deal with the living water, the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promises to every one who believes in Him. And the first scripture comes from Jesus’ opening parry with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. She obviously was most surprised when Jesus, a Jew, asked her, a Samaritan for a drink, since Jews despised Samaritans and had nothing to do with them.
‘Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.’ (John 4:10) And we already know how that story eventually panned out.
The next scripture comes from Isaiah, some chapters before our Bit, where he is also promising that the Spirit of God would be upon Israel. ”Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground:
I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord (write with his hand, the Lord’s), and surname himself by the name of Israel.’ (Is.44:2-5)
Then in Revelation, where the numberless multitude stand before the throne of God and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, holding palm branches, serving the Lord day and night, having borne great tribulations, (Rev. 7:9-14) John reveals: ‘They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on (strike) them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed (shepherd) them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears (every tear) from their eyes.’ (Rev.7:16-17)
And finally, from Revelation again, John concludes: ‘And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst (thirst) come. And whosoever will (desires), let him take the water of life freely. for I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things (Jesus) saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.’ (Rev.22:17-21)
Oh Friends, that says it all! It’s a serious warning against distortion and subtraction of God’s Word!
And per the scholars: ‘Anyone who wilfully distorts the message of the Book of Revelation shows himself not to be a genuine believer and will not participate in eternal life or the blessings of the New Jerusalem.’
So please my brethren, consider ourselves warned. Much LOVE!
…to believe or not to believe…that is the question…and the choice must be made NOW…for when Jesus comes again, it will be too late…
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