15 Jan 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a godly attitude, a way out, above that ye are able to bear, an egress, an enormous price to pay, an ungodly world, avert temptations, be of good cheer, Bible, blessings await those who endure, call on you for help, called unto the fellowship of his son, capitulation, challenges, christianity, Christians, common to man, conquered the forces of evil, delivered him up for us all, demonic followers, disobedience, draw us into his web, endure to the end, eternal death, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, frustrations, give me the wisdom and courage to take it, God is faithful, God will not suffer you to be tempted more than you can bear, grace, halfway home, hands on the plough, he that spared not his own Son, holy spirit, i have overcome the world, if god be for us who can be against us, in me ye might have peace, in that marvellous journey, in the world, In Touch, inviting them to join us, Jesus Christ, joys, looking for company, lose the best thing we've ever had, LOVE, loving me enough, made me firm against old temptations, mercy, my desire to be obedient, not looking back, not turning back, our wonderful position in Jesus, problems, recognize temptations, refuse us anything else, rejoice, salvation, Satan, separation from God, short-loved pleasure, show the way out, sinfulness of Satan, so glad to be alive, temptation, temptations are inevitable, thank God, thank you for victory, the breath of life, the propitiation for our sins, the pull of false pleasure, there hath no temptation taken you, to a glorious future with Jesus, to rescue me from every trap, truth, victory, what then shall say to these things, where I'm still tempted, wisdom, you shall have tribulation, your escape route
1 Corinthians 10:13 b. but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
Awright friends, Wednesday is up with its joys, problems, challenges and frustrations. But since this is the day we catch our second wind, then hopefully we’ll deal with all of them with a right and godly attitude. (smile) To help us do that, let’s offer up a prayer on a very appropriate subject: Temptation. Yes, we all know that’s our biggest problem in this world, and although we have all the tools to deal with it, the enemy doesn’t make it easy for us. This prayer comes from some prayer cards recently issued by the In Touch Organization, on useful topics that constantly affect our lives. And there’s certainly none bigger than Temptation!
So, let’s pray: ‘Father, where Your grace has made me firm against old temptations, thank You for victory. In areas where I’m still tempted, I call on You for help. Show me the way out, and give me the wisdom and courage to take it. Make my desire to be obedient greater than the pull of false pleasure. When I see Your escape route, I will rejoice, knowing blessings await those who endure. Thank You for LOVING me enough to rescue me from every trap. Amen!’
Oh friends, do we ever need God’s recuing from all the traps Satan and his demonic followers place in our paths! Especially, as the prayer says with ‘the pull of false pleasure.’ That’s Satan’s favourite way of drawing us in; placing what looks like pleasure before us, but a pleasure that’s often short-lived, and very often with an enormous price to pay for our disobedience. But thanks be to God that He’s promised to help us recognize and hopefully avert those temptations.
And here’s the most famous scripture on that topic, from the pen of Bruh Paul in his first missive to the Corinthians. ‘There hath no temptation taken (overcome) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13) Now that tells us that we all experience the same basic types of temptation, but we have a most faithful God who will not allow us to undergo a temptation bigger than we can handle, but even if it seems like He’s done so, He will always make a way for us to handle it.
And according to the scholars: ‘Make a way to escape (lit. “an egress” or “way out”): In early Greek usage, this term had the sense of a landing place for a ship. The idea is thus not that He will allow us to escape temptation, but that He will enable us to land intact on the other side.’ Now, that’s something a lot of us supposed believers need to come to terms with. Temptation is a must; it’s just part of the world order of things. Even Jesus was tempted before He officially began His ministry. (Luke 4:1-13)
And He subsequently warned us: ‘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) That means in this ungodly and evil world we will certainly have trials, troubles, tests, temptations and all kinds of trouble! However, as believers in Christ Jesus, who has already conquered the forces of evil, we can be of good cheer, or have a basic peace and faith that allows us to go forward with courage, facing whatever comes against with a good, strong and godly attitude.
Why? Because our God is faithful to His promises! Bruh Paul said it thus to the Corinthians: ‘God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellow ship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (1 Cor: 1:9) And I like this scripture that corroborates that one. ‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things?’ (Rom. 8:31-32)
Now those are indeed very good questions? If the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God is for us, who can harm us eh? Nobody! And if He’s already broken His own heart, done the most important thing ever by giving us His Son Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins, why would He refuse us anything else eh, for nothing can be more important than that?
Oh my fellow believers, if we would only use our brains and meditate on God’s Word, we’d certainly see how much He truly LOVES us and desires us to have a good life. He’s bent over backwards to show it, there’s no more He can do. The rest is all up to us; either to accept or reject His grace, mercy, favour, faithfulness and LOVE! Or to foolishly accept the short-term pleasures and sinfulness of Satan, who has no LOVE whatsoever for us, but is only looking for company to spend eternal death and separation from God with him. Let’s hope we’re not foolish enough to allow him to draw us into his web and lose the best thing we’ve ever had; that’s Jesus Christ.
Now, let’s go home declaring (chuhhh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, and inviting them to join us in that marvellous journey! As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been promised that if we endure with Jesus right down to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So please, let’s plan on being there right at the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future! See you there! Much LOVE!
…in an ungodly world…temptations are inevitable…but capitulation to them is not…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 Dec 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: and angel f the Lord appeared unto Zacharias, barren, barren women, bear thee a son, Bible, call his name John, chosen by lot, christianity, dark. dreary, dramatic Bible story, drink neither wine nor strong drink, Elisabeth, endure to the very end, faith, fear fell upon him, fear not, feeling just like the weather, flowing through me, frustrate you no end, glad tidings, good news, great in the sight of the Lord, halfway home, hands on the plough, Hannah, holy spirit, I am Gabriel, Jesus Christ, LOVE, manh shall rejoice at his birth, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, niggling things, not able to speak, not looking back, one of the daughters of Aaron, righteous before God, salvation, Sarah, shall be fulfilled in their season, so glad to be alive, spirit at a low ebb, stand in the presence of God, stricken in years, the birth of Jesus Christ, the birth of John the Baptist, the breath of life, The Christmas season, the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, the prophet Samuel, the wife of Abaraham, thou believest not my words, thou shalt be dumb, thou shalt have joy and gladness, thy prayer is heard, till the day these things are performed, to a glorious future with Jesus, to burn incense, truth, turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, well advanced in age, wisdom, you don't believe my words, Zacharias
Luke 1:14. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Ah friends, this Wednesday morning the weather is a replica of the last two; wet and drizzly, windy and cold, dark and disheartening. And sadly, the ole fella is feeling just like the weather, dark and dreary, with his spirit at a low ebb. And why is that you ask? Because of some negative things in my life that are taking too long to get fixed. And I can’t do much more on my own, so I just have to wait until the Lord decides it’s time to fix them. And they are really small things, but you know those small, niggling things are the worst, since you expect to deal with them easily, but they just frustrate you no end when you can’t.
Anyway, enough of my complaining. This is the Christmas season, when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born, and for that we ought to have a bright, blossoming spirit, rather than a dark and dreary one. (smile) So let’s get to another dramatic story from the Bible, this one about the birth of John the Baptist.
Now the Good Library tells it thus from the Gospel of Luke. ‘There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course (division) of Abia: and his wife was one of the daughters of Aaron, (the first high priest), and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken (advanced) in years.’ (Luke 1:5-7)
So we have another older, barren woman being made pregnant by the Lord’s grace and mercy. First there was Sarah, the wife of Abraham, who conceived when she was ninety years old and bore Isaac. (Gen. 21:1-8) Then there was Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, whom Isaac entreated with the Lord on her behalf for she too was barren, and she finally bore the twins, Jacob and Esau. (Gen. 25:19-28)
And what about Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, who was so tired of the jests her husband, Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, who had lots of children, made about her barrenness. So one day while her family was visiting the temple of Shiloh, Hannah went in there, and on bended knees, cried out her eyes and heart to the Lord for a child, promising that she would give Him to the Lord, if He took pity on her. And the Lord did, allowing her to bear the prophet Samuel, whom she dedicated, as promised to the Lord’s work. (1 Sam. 1-2)
And before we get back to John the Baptist’s story, it’s important to note that back in those olden times, a woman who could not bear children was looked upon with heightened reproach and severely scorned. That’s why there are so many references to barrenness in the Old Testament. And having got that out of the way, (smile) let’s continue with intriguing story about the birth of John the Baptist.
After telling us about the couple’s lack of children, Luke continues: ‘And it came to pass, that while he (Zacharias) executed the priest’s office (served as priest) before God in the order of his course (division), According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot (he was chosen by lot) to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without (outside) at the time of the incense.’ (Luke 1:8-10)
And the scholars offer an important note on the subject of burning incense, saying that it ‘would be a sacred moment in Zacharias’ life, for no priest could offer incense more than once in his lifetime. Many never had the chance at all, there being an estimated 18,000 priests at this point in Jewish history.’
The story then goes on to say: ‘And there appeared unto him (Zacharias) an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.’ (Luke 1:11-12) Note the difference in reactions to Gabriel’s entrance between Mary and Zacharias. Mary was simply confused by the greeting, (Luke 1:29) while fear filled Zacharias’ spirit.
‘But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. and he shall go before him in the spirit and the power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ (Luke 1:13-16)
Ah friends, that was certainly a lot for an old man to handle all at once. So he asked the inevitable question: ‘And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken (advanced) in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings (this good news). And behold thou shalt be dumb (mute), and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season (own time).’ (Luke 1:18-20)
Now that punishment might seem rather harsh on the old man, but he had all the years of priestly experience and supposedly knowing God in a deeper way than most, and was expected to believe without any hesitation. And when it’s compared to Mary’s reaction, her immediate belief, old Zacharias could possibly have done better. Anyway, we’ll stop there for today, and go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we continue with Jesus right down to the very end, then it’s been promised that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! So see you there! Much LOVE!
…when the Lord speaks to us…it is best to simply say…I believe Lord…than to ask any questions…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
30 Oct 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a son of God, accepting the Bible facts, all the doors opened, as many as received Him, at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, be lieve in thine heart, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, believers, Bible, born not of blood or flesh but of God, both to the Jews and Greeks, christianity, Christianity 101, confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, confession is made unto salvation, delivering your soul from hell, endure to the end, Ephesus, eternal life is a free gift, every one's chains were loosed, evil lair, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith is putting your complete trust in Christ, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, god, God raised Christ from the dead, guilty as a sinner before God, halfway home, hands on the plough, his own received him not, holy spirit, How You can be saved, humility, I kept back nothing, Jesus Christ, LOVE, man believeth unto righteousness, not turning back, profitable unto you, receive Christ into your heart, repentance is a change of heart, Repentance toward God, salvation, sang praises unto God, so glad to be alive, spend eternity in heaven, suddenly a great earthquake, testifying, thank God, the blustery wind, the breath of life, the foundations of the prison were shaken, the free gift of eternal life, the only means of clearing your guilt, the prisoners heard them, the punishment of hell, to a glorious future with Jesus, to them he gave power, trusting Christ to save your soul, truth, turn from your old way of life, turn toward God, unable to deliver yourself, Wednesday Wail, what must I do to be saved, with the heart, with the mouth, you shall be saved
Acts 16:31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (household).
And it’s a good Wednesday; an early morning shower followed by mostly sunshine, with a few devilish clouds hanging around to try and make things difficult, but the blustery wind will make short work of them, and send them back to their evil lair. (smile) And Glory be! The temperature is already up to 21 at midday. You can’t ask for better than that at the end of October.
But today, we have something even better than the warm weather to share; that’s ‘HOW “YOU” CAN BE SAVED.’ And hopefully you will remember the old Bible tract from the Leviticus Church in Jamaica, New York we used last week that told us ‘ETERNAL LIFE IS A ”FREE” GIFT.’ Well, the same tract is also telling us how to be saved. I guess we can call it ‘Christianity 101.’ So let’s check it out nuh. (smile)
And it begins by saying, ‘The Bible calls for “REPENTNACE TOWARD GOD,” with a reference of Acts 20:21b. But let’s look at the context of that scripture. It’s where Bruh Paul is in Ephesus talking to the church elders about when he first came to them, in humility, letting them know all that had happened to him: ‘And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Acts 20:20-21)
So, the basic necessities for being saved, are to repent before God, and have faith in Christ Jesus. And what’s repentance, you ask? The tract gives us this definition. ‘Repentance’ is a change of heart which causes you to turn from your way of life toward God, accepting the Bible facts that you are guilty as a sinner before Him, and that you are unable to deliver yourself from the punishment of hell, due you because of your sin.’ And all of that is very true my people. You cannot be saved without acknowledging your sins before Almighty God, and your inability to help yourself.
Then the tract continues: ‘The Bible also calls for “FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” And they again reference Acts 20:21b, which we can see also calls for faith in Christ Jesus. And what is faith? The tract explains: ‘Faith is putting “your complete trust in Jesus Christ,” as your only means of clearing your guilt and delivering your soul from the punishment of hell.’ And that’s the gospel truth friends! Sincere and total trust in Jesus is the ONLY way to achieve salvation. And the tract references Acts 16:31a for that scripture.
The context for that though is when Bruh Paul and Silas were in jail in Philippi: ‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands (chains) were loosed.’ (Acts 16:25-26)
Obviously with all the commotion the jailer woke up, and when he saw what had happened was about to kill himself, ‘But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he (the jailer) called for a light, and sprang (ran) in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (household).’ (Acts 16:28-31)
And there’s a happy ending to the story, where the jailer and all of his family accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, and were saved. Yes, our great God sometimes moves in mysterious ways to bring people to Him. But let’s get back to the tract, where it continues: ‘If you will receive Jesus Christ in to your heart, “by trusting Him to save your soul,” you will become a son of God and spend eternity in heaven.’
They reference John 1:12 for corroboration, but I will attempt to put it in some context by quoting the verses around it. ‘He came unto his own (His own things or domain as the Creator of all), and his own (His own people, the Jews) received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (the right) to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ ’ (John 1:11-13)
And continuing, the tract declares, (steups!!!) ‘GOD PROMISES He will save you if you will trust Jesus Christ as “your” Saviour. And they quote Romans 10:9 to confirm that promise. But as always, I’ll add to it with some surrounding verses. ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (put to shame). For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rom. 10:19-13)
I have to chuckle at the many times in those verses that Bruh Paul tried to pound into our hard and stubborn hearts and heads, the necessity for calling on God and belief in Christ for salvation. And having said it all, the tract then closes with this heartfelt plea: ‘PLEASE ACCEPT THE “FREE GIFT” OF ETERNAL LIFE GOD IS OFFERING YOU.’
Oh my fellow believers, I cant say it any better! And I do hope that having reviewed and refreshed our minds and spirits with what it takes to be saved, that our faith will grow even stronger in the coming days, because we need great faith to handle the trials and tribulations of this evil and ungodly world. Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s also been promised, that if we endure right down to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s plan to meet there nuh! Much LOVE!
…if being saved by Jesus is already so glorious…no wonder our minds cannot comprehend the future glory…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Oct 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a deep inner wholeness, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, abundant harvests of grain and wine, an intimate relationship with Christ, Beautiful Things Happen, Bible, changing circumstances, discovering hidden treasures, do more for me in one day, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, god, halfway home, hands on the plough, holy spirit, I could do for myself in a lifetime, I laid me down and slept, I meet you day by day, in quietness and confidence, irrevocably loved, Jesus Christ, lay me down in peace and sleep, learn how deeply treasured I am, less dependent on others, like chickens with their heads cut off, LOVE, more dependent on you, more responsive to, more than in the time, my eyes may be full of tears, my heart is full of joy, not easily disturbed, not looking back, One Year Book of Bible promises, our future in God's hands, putting your trust in Jesus, running around, Ruth Harms Calkin, so glad to be alive, thank God, the assurance of your guidance, the breath of life, the cold weather, the lifter up of mine head, the Lord sustained me, the One True God, there is no help for him in God, thou hast put gladness in my heart, thou Lord only makes me dwell in safety, thou O Lord art a shield for me, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, Wednesday Wail, whispered secrets
Psalm 4:8. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Ah friends, the cold weather seems to have finally found us! Yes, the past few days have been rather chilly, with temps barely meeting the mid-teens, and just now as I came down to write the Bit, I decided it was time to turn on some heat in the cold house. Some people might find it too early, or it’s not cold enough for heat, dressing up in a pile of sweaters to stay warm in the house, trying to save a few measly dollars, but I’m too old and cold for that foolishness. I like my comfort, and am willing to pay for it. (smile)
And today we’re going to look at an interesting poem from Our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one is titled ‘Beautiful Things Happen:’ And I don’t think I’ve ever shared this one before, because it seems new and unfamiliar to me. But who knows, there are three hundred and sixty-five poems, and though I’ve been sharing them for a number of years, I’m sure I’ve not shared them all. Anyway, they are all interesting and worth hearing over and over. (smile)
So please read with me: ‘O God such beautiful things happen When I meet you day by day In quietness and confidence. There is a deep inner wholeness And the assurance of Your guidance. I am not so easily disturbed By changing circumstances. I am less dependent on others And more dependent on You. My eyes may be full of tears But my heart is full of joy. In discovering Your hidden treasures I learn how deeply I am treasured by You. When day by day I am responsive To Your whispered secrets You do more for me in one day Than I could do for myself in a lifetime.’
And that’s the gospel truth my people! When we listen to God and respond positively to His guidance we are able to do much more in a short period of time than if we tried to do it in our own strength! And that’s the beauty of having a close and intimate relationship with Christ; we accomplish much more than if we work on our own. Oh, if the majority of believers, and the world as a whole could only realize that eh! Can you imagine the wonderful world we’d have! But unfortunately most of us don’t truly listen to the Lord and His Word, or the Holy Spirit that indwells us, and try to do things on our own! No wonder life can be so difficult and not as prosperous for many of us.
Oh friends, it’s a habit we need to pick up and become addicted to. (smile) That’s meeting in quietness and confidence with God each and every day, so we can get the assurance of His amazing guidance, and not be running around every day, like chickens with our heads cut off as our circumstances change. And I can personally testify to the statement about being less dependent on others when you become more dependent on God. That has happened to me during the last few months of this year.
And yes, when we realize how treasured we are by our Creator, Almighty God, then, though our prevailing circumstances might cause tears to fill our eyes, however our hearts can be bursting with joy, because we know that we are totally, unconditionally and irrevocably LOVED and our future is in God’s good and powerful hands! It’s not always easy to feel that way, but once we truly know God, our ever-changing circumstances won’t hit us as hard, as if we don’t know Him.
Now, here are the Bible verses that pertain to this poem. I’ll give you the one in the Book first, that’s the New Living Translation. ‘You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine. I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.’ Now, let’s hear how Bruh David most likely wrote it. (smile) ‘Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn (grain) and wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.’ (Ps. 4:7-8)
And we hear the same sentiments from Bruh David in Psalm 3 – The Lord Protects His People – written when he ran from his son Absalom, who rebelled against his kingship. He writes: ‘Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord art a shield for (around) me; my glory, and the lifter up (the one who lifts up) mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill (mountain). Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.’ (Ps. 3:2-5)
And you know my fellow believers that we cannot doubt Bruh David’s testimonies in those matters. When he was on the run from King Saul for all those years, he had a good relationship with the Lord, and the Lord kept him safe. And also when he ran from his son Absalom’s rebellion, although by then he had done much wrong, and that was one of the consequences of his wrong doing, he still had a good relationship with the Lord, and again it was the Lord who protected him, made him win the war and eventually be restored to his rightful place on the throne of Israel.
So there’s great wisdom and assurance in placing one’s entire trust in the ONE TRUE GOD; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But unfortunately that assurance doesn’t come overnight, or easily. No, it’s built on time spent with God, with experience through the rough times and the good times, and gradually understanding that He is indeed who He says He is, and will indeed do what He says He will do. And these words from the author of Hebrews must form the basis of our belief. ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb. 11:6)
And with those poignant words knocking at our hearts, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we endure right to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So please, let’s be wise and plan to meet there nuh! Much LOVE!
…one can NEVER go wrong…in putting one’s entire trust in Jesus…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 Jun 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christ-like example, a kick in the teeth, a new commandment I give unto you, as I have loved you, Bible, by this shall men know that ye are my disciples, christianity, Christians, endure until the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, full of hypocrisy and iniquity, halfway home, hands on the plough, heaven is our home, hypocritical actions, if any man will come after me, infighting in the church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, let him deny himself, LOVE, make hay while the sun shines, not looking back, sanctify them, so glad to be alive, take up his cross daily and follow me, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the world is going to hell in a handbasket, they are not of the world, thou should not take them out of the world, thy word is truth, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, Wednesday Wail, whitewashed tombs, wisdom, woe unto you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, ye love one another
John 13:34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another: as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another.
It’s Wednesday friends…the middle day of our work week! Can you believe it? I certainly can’t. (smile) The days seem to be going by so quickly, and I’m not getting even a half of the things I want to get done! But that’s life I guess. If you don’t get up and make hay while the sun shines, you’ll be left behind. And sadly, that’s what’s happening with our Christian church. We’re so busy fighting each other that we don’t have the time or energy to fight the enemy like we should be doing. One good example of that is where I read recently that down in the U.S. an umbrella church group was planning to kick out any individual members that had women as pastors or high officials in their church.
Now that’s a real kick in the teeth to female pastors and other female high-ups in the body of Christ, for today there are many women who play a large part in the running of churches. But that’s one of the things that just boggles my imagination. Is that important enough to create more strife in the church? I certainly don’t think so, especially when the world is going to hell in a hand basket and we Christians, the ones who are supposed to stop it from going there are doing nothing, or very little to prevent it. Instead we’re fighting amongst each other over relatively petty and unimportant stuff. I’m sure Jesus must be shaking His head in disbelief, the way I am.
What were Jesus most important words to those who follow Him? ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another: as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:34-35) It’s only ONE commandment we have to follow friends; LOVE one another like Jesus LOVED us. But do you think we can, or are doing that? Certainly not! No wonder the unbelievers don’t pay much attention to the empty words we speak to them and the hypocritical actions we try to fool them with.
We’re so selfish and self-centred that it’s become a joke amongst the heathen, so much so that when we go to them and tell them about the LOVE of Jesus and all that stuff, they simply laugh in our faces because they know the hypocrites that we truly are. If we can’t LOVE each other like Jesus desires, how can we claim to LOVE others not of the faith eh? We are just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, whom He called out thus: ‘Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres (white-washed tombs), which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (lawlessness).’ (Matt. 23:27-28)
Yes friends, unfortunately too many of us supposed believers are exactly like that in these crazy and exasperating times. We look good on the outside, and we talk the kingdom talk, but inside we’re dirty and disgusting just like the religious leaders of Christ’s day were. As it’s so commonly known; we talk the talk, but don’t truly walk the walk. Remember were only supposed to be IN this world, but not OF it. As Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf. ‘I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they might be sanctified through the truth.’ (John 17:15-19)
Oh my fellow believers, are we sanctified, set apart by the truth of God’s word. It certainly doesn’t seem so, with all the petty infighting that’s currently going on between the various denominations and cliques of Christ’s church, and consequently our lack of witnessing to the unbeliever. The truth of the matter is that we cannot make any substantial changes in the world without interacting with unbelievers, however we cannot theoretically get into bed with them, meaning that we can’t do all the things they do, we have to set a good Christ-like example.
Unfortunately, too many of us are getting into bed with the unbelievers and thus making them change us, instead of us changing them. We all like the pretty, materialistic things of the world and are following the unbelievers too much in an ungodly attempt to get them. We’ve apparently forgotten the true meaning of discipleship, so let’s refresh our memories with Jesus’ explanation nuh. ‘And he said to them all, If any man will come (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) Note the important words there friends: ‘deny himself, and take up his cross daily.’
However, today, very few of us are willing to make any sacrifices in the cause of Jesus. And we’re certainly not picking up our crosses daily and following Him…perhaps once in a while, if we’re lucky. So how can we ever do anything worthwhile for Jesus in this world if we don’t follow the few directives He gives us eh? LOVE one another; that means no infighting. Do not be of this world. Don’t let the world change you, you’re supposed to change it. Deny yourself. Be prepared to make sacrifices on His behalf. Ah mih people, until we truly begin to follow the basics of Jesus’ teaching, we’ll continue to fail Him. and that’s truly sad, after all the sacrifices He’s made on our behalf.
Anyway, for those of us trying to be faithful, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And believe me, if we stick to Jesus until the very end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So, see you there! Much LOVE!
…heaven is our home…not this world…so let’s start behaving heavenly nuh…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Nov 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: and all these things shall be added unto you, be careful for nothing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, casting all your care upon him, catch our second wind, childish intensity, distractions bombarding us, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, free to be myself, give balance to my boggled mind, hands on the plough, he careth for you, holy spirit, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, I'm frightened, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, infuse me with your poise and power, Jesus Christ, let your requests be made known unto God, LOVE, mercy, my total self is submerged in you, not easy times to navigate, not turning back, One Year Book of Bible promises, pull me off the merry-go-round, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, so glad to be alive, thank God, the breath of life, the peace of God, the tension etching my somber face, to a glorious future with Jesus, too many irons in the fire, Wednesday Wail, What's Myself Doing to Myself, which passeth all understanding, your plan for my personal fulfillment
Philippians 4:6. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And then it was Wednesday, the mid-week workday when we are supposed to catch our second wind and move on down to the end Friday with improved enthusiasm and excellence. (smile) Unfortunately, I don’t know if it actually works that way, because from my own experience, I’ve found that you get more tired as the week winds down. But it’s always nice to have something to fall back on to liven up our days, give us a reason to go on. (smile)
Now, let me apologize for the lateness of the Bit, but I had to go out the street early this morning and do some time sensitive errands, and by the time I got back from running around in the cold, cloudy, windy morning with the occasional snow flurries floating down from on high, hunger, thirst and tiredness and taken over my ole body, so I had to satisfy those needs before I could do a worthwhile Bit. (smile)
And today we’re going to get into this most appropriate poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, aptly titled ‘What’s Myself doing to Myself?’ And that’s surely a good question for many of us to be asking ourselves in these trying and difficult times.
So please read with me: ‘With childish intensity she asked “What’s myself doing to myself?” I couldn’t help but smile As she stood before the mirror Struggling so impatiently With a stubborn jacket zipper. But I’m not smiling now, Lord As I pass my own mirror and glance at the tension Etching my sombre face. I’m frightened, Lord. Her innocent question clutches me. “What’s myself doing to myself?” Frustrated, frantic So often breathless Too many irons in the fire…
What am I doing to my body – To my mind, my emotions? What am I doing to my family? What am I doing to Your Plan For my personal fulfillment? Why do I live like this, Lord As though Your world Couldn’t exist without me? Why do I so often Tear myself from Your control? Dear Lord, calm me. Pull me off the merry-go-round Of converging conflicts. Give balance to my boggled mind. This very hour, Lord Infuse me with Your poise and power Until my total self Is submerged in You – Yourself. Only then will I be free To be myself.’
Wow! What very appropriate but encouraging words! Yes friends, many of us are doing harm to ourselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually, trying to live up to the all the conflicting convergences that are engulfing our lives. And when we do stop and think about it, we realize that we can’t fix them all, if any. And furthermore, the only way to find peace in our daily struggles is by turning back to Almighty God and surrendering our all to Him. Placing all the conflicts in His hands, while receiving His grace and mercy to go about our many tough tasks in peace and contentment.
Now, that’s not always easy to do either, especially when the many distractions of this ungodly world are constantly bombarding us from all directions, and the bills, the rent-man and whoever else is breathing down our necks for what we owe them. No my bredrin, these are not easy times to navigate, especially on our own, but we’re so blessed to have the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, our Comforter, our Go-to -Guy, whom we can count on to help us in our troubles. However, if we desire His awesome help, we have to be confident and faithful enough to give ourselves and our troubles over to Him.
As the poem so rightly expresses: ‘This very hour, Lord Infuse me with Your poise and power Until my total self Is submerged in You – Yourself. Only then will I be free to be myself.’ Yes my fellow believers, if we sincerely ask the Lord for His poise and power, He will give it to us, fill us with His Holy Spirit that will allow us to be free to be ourselves once again, and not totally distracted and confuffled by the many headed dragons that the world is constantly sending against us. It’s the only way to win the battle against Satan and his evil doers.
And yes, the theory is very sound, but how does one go about it practically? Well the Bible Promise for today’s poem gives us some idea of how to do it. They are words of encouragement written long ago by Bruh Paul to the Philippians, but words which are still filled with strength and encouragement for today. He wrote: ‘Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:6-7)
And that sounds oh so easy, but like everything else, it takes practice. The more often you do it, the easier it becomes. And when the world is coming at you, it’s not so easy not to worry, but please remember that He that is in You, the Lord Jesus Christ, is greater than he that’s in the world, Satan. (1 John 4:4) And that’s the awesome truth! But you have to believe it and then put it into action by humbling yourself and casting all your care on Christ. Peter says it quiet nicely: ‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ (1 Pet. 5:6-7)
Now there’s the magical or miracle words my brethren: the Lord cares for us! And since He cares, He will not allow us to suffer more than we need to, if we bring all of our troubles to Him in a humble and sincere manner. And if you don’t believe Bruh Paul, John, Peter, or me, mayhap you’ll believe Jesus when He tells you:
‘Wherefore, if God so clothe (clothes) the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought (don’t worry), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles (unbelievers) seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; ad all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:30-33)
Now, let’s hope that you believed Jesus! (smile) But for those of us who do, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And we’ve also been promised that if we endure right to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s plan to mee there nuh! Much LOVE!
…only in Jesus Christ…can the answers to our problems be found…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
15 Nov 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as white as snow, be as wool, be red like crimson, because of your grace, because of your love, being confident of this very thing, cleanse me completely, come now and let us reason together, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, forty years long, God's Searchlight, halfway home, hands on the plough, harden not your heart, he which began a good work in you, heavenly rest, holy spirit, I became your child, I remain your child, Jesus Christ, LOVE, not turning back, One Year Book of Bible promises, purify me, Ruth Harms Calkin, so glad to be alive, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the people of his pasture, though your sins be as scarlet, to a glorious future with Jesus, today if ye will hear his voice, truth, two sides to our character, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday Wail, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom
Psalm 95:7b-8a. Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation (rebellion),
And what a beautiful day this Wednesday has turned out to be, with bright sunshine and decent temperatures. And all God’s children said, a loud and grateful, ’Thank You Lord for this day! We will rejoice and be glad in it!’ And so we shall my faithful brethren! For the Lord has promised to take care of us with His riches in glory through Christ Jesus, and to work everything out eventually for our good. We can’t do any better than believing those promises, for that’s as good as it gets.
But here’s something that strikes even closer to home. It comes from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. I don’t know if I have shared this one before, but even if I have, it’s certainly worth sharing again. (smile) It’s titled ‘God’s Searchlight.’ So please read with me: ‘O God If suddenly You were to reveal To my family, my friends, my neighbours Every real thought behind my courteous words If You were to point to my clenched fist While my other hand is openly extended If You were to bring to light Every masked motive, every selfish act I would cringe with remorse And beg You to remove Your light of revelation.
Yet, Lord, when the searchlight of the Holy Spirit Begins to reveal me to myself I so often close my eyes and turn my back In a frantic but impossible effort To escape Your penetrating gaze. What a staggering contradiction, Lord What appalling hypocrisy. Apart from Your grace I am utterly shattered. I ask You to sweep through me Purify me, cleanse me completely. From the depth of my penitent heart I thank You for Your continual assurance As I turn toward Your splintered cross: Because of Your LOVE I became Your child Because of Your grace I remain your child.’
Wow! That’s surely a powerful piece of writing, and one that’s unfortunately so true of too many believers, especially as we try to maneuver through these trying, nerve-racking and ungodly times. Yes friends, too many of us have two sides to our character. The favourable one we show to the outside world, and the false, hypocritical one we keep hidden… sometimes even from ourselves. But we can’t hide the real and true you from the Lord, and when His Holy Spirit begins to deal with us, we oftentimes, foolishly turn our backs from the Lord’s penetrating gaze.
That’s impossible my people! Nothing can be hidden from our God, and when He thinks it’s time to deal with certain matters in our lives, then deal with them He will, whether we like it or not. And the wise money will say just open up our hearts to him, for whatever He’s doing is for our benefit, for our good, to make us more like His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Remember what the scripture says: ‘Being confident of this very things, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (continue, complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6)
That means once we have become children of God, He will begin fashioning us into the likeness and image of His glorious Son, and will not stop until the Son returns, or He receives us to Himself before that. And these words of the poem are such gospel truth, that we refute and /or refuse them at our peril. ‘Because of Your LOVE I became Your child Because of Your grace I remain your child.’ There’s no greater truth than those statements my fellow believers! It’s only because of God’s deep and abiding LOVE for us, His most precious creation, that we were reconciled back to Him and once more have the option of becoming His adored children. And it’s only by His amazing GRACE that we remain His children, for we’re still so disobedient and own way that if He truly gave us what we deserve, we’d be lost forever.
And it’s very interesting to note the Bible verse that was chosen for today’s poem. It comes from the prophet Isaiah, where speaking on the Lord’s behalf, he entreats his listeners. ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ (Is. 1:18) What a powerful promise from our great God! And imagine too that He wants to sit and reason with us! No other deity even deigns to consider such a thing, much less speak it. That’s the awesome power and LOVE of our God my people! He LOVES us so much that He doesn’t want to lose us and is willing to bend over backwards to bring us to His fold.
That’s why these words from Psalm 95 are ever so important. ‘O come let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand (under His care). Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation (rebellion), and as the day of temptation (trial or testing) in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted (tried) me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved (disgusted) with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err (go astray) in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.’ (Ps. 95:6-11)
Oh friends, that’s what happens when we harden our hearts against the Lord, don’t listen to Him and obey His will; we end up being excluded from His rest. And believe me, that’s about the worst thing that could happen to a human being, being excluded from the rest of God in heaven. So please, let’s be wise and heed His calling in our lives nuh, for His plan is the best plan there can ever be for us! Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to live right, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our most excellent position in Christ Jesus.
As one sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And believe me, if we endure right down to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. See you there! Much LOVE!
…only with soft, obedient hearts…can heavenly rest be acquired…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
08 Nov 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a near death experience, an unhappy camper, C.T Scan, cold and cough, coughing and hacking, Covid 19 virus, Credit Valley Hospital, Daylight Saving's Time, excellent medical treatment, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, halfway home, hands on the plough, holy spirit, Jesus Christ, keep a decent attitude during adversity, LOVE, mercy, not turning back, so glad to be alive, thank God, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Lord's mysterious movements, to a glorious future with Jesus, to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose, truth, University of Adversity, we know that all things work together for good, Wednesday Wail
Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Well hello there my beautiful and loyal Scrip-Bit friends and families! The ole fella is back from the dead…NO! It was definitely not a near death experience, but too much of a real life and living one. First of all let me apologize for the lack of Bits for the last three days, and those of you who have been with me for some time will know that that has never happened before. In the seventeen years I’ve been doing this the longest break we’ve ever had was possibly two days, and that’s some four years ago when I was in the wilds of South Africa on safari (smile) and the wi-fi was out of order. But even then I wrote something on the computer everyday and sent them out later.
Even when I was in the hospital with prostate cancer surgery or with heart problems, I don’t believe we ever missed more than one day. But this time it was not meant to be, and let’s be clear it was not my fault, (smile) because you all know that wherever I am, be it early morning or late night, I always send out something. Enough with the suspense and excuses. (smile) The long and short of the story is that I was involved in one of the Lord’s sudden and very effective mysterious workings. Hn! I can chuckle now… but the story unfolded like this. During the latter half of last week I was bothered and battered by the return of a disgusting and debilitating cough and asthma attacks.
And believe me, that’s about the only thing I truly hate in this world and which very easily annoys me, because I’ve suffered from it for the last sixty of my seventy something years. And Bruh Paul complained about the thorn in his side given to keep him humble. Let him try living a lot of his life bothered by constant coughing and not being able to breathe properly. And by the way, I wasn’t given any world breaking revelations, so why the impediment eh? (smile) I guess I’ll only find that out in the next life.
Anyway, on Sunday morning the attacks had gotten so bad that I finally agreed to let my big daughter take me down to the Emergency Department of the local Credit Valley Hospital. We got there around 5.am. I thought it was six, and only later on found out that the clock had been turned back an hour as the Daylight Savings Time madness had struck again. But there was no line up and I was quickly papered up and sent in to the medical waiting area. And even then, within a couple of hours I had seen a doctor and we had agreed on the procedure we’d follow. It’s then the real waiting began.
But hang on a minute here, many of you don’t believe when I tell you that the Lord is the greatest dramatist there is, was, and will ever be! You’ve seen all the twists and turns, the behinds and befores, that He laid out in Bruh Joseph’s story. Well check out this one. Right now my young daughter who lives close by, is away in Africa working and my eldest daughter just happened to be down early from her Northern Ontario country lair (smile) for a conference in Toronto scheduled to begin on Tuesday, thus she was on hand to take me down to the hospital and stay with me because the Duchess herself was somewhat under the weather and it would have been a bit much for her.
But back to the waiting for the tests, and may I add, without food. I eventually managed to convince my daughter to get me some soup, because in her superior opinion, I should not have anything to eat since it could interfere with the tests. Chuh nonsense! But I thankfully drank the soup and soldiered on. Finally, somewhere in the early afternoon hours I was called for the C.T. Scan of my chest. A porter took me down to the C. T Scan Department, and obviously I had to endure another waiting spell there.
But here’s another of the Lord’s dramatic movements. Recently I’ve been seeing a lung specialist to try and alleviate some of my lung problems, and as luck, or the Lord, would have it, a C.T. Scan had been scheduled for this Thursday, that’s tomorrow the 9th of November, but here I was in the hospital on Sunday, getting the scan done, but under rather less auspicious circumstances. How much closer can you cut it eh? But that’s our great God! And the story gets even better with time. (smile)
So, we have the five minute chest scan and go back to the original waiting area to await the results of the scan, which a couple of hours later still hadn’t shown up. And when I checked with the nurse in charge of the area she informed me that there was ONLY ONE Radiologist to read and decipher over a hundred scans. But I guess the Lord saw my state and sent out some grace and soon thereafter my test results showed up. However, it was then time to wait on the doctor who had ordered the scan to come around and discuss the results. By this time the ole fella was dying of hunger, notwithstanding the irritation of the coughing and wheezing.
When the doctor finally showed up, he informed me that the scan showed a bit of a problem with my heart and my lungs, and though it might not be anything serious, he himself would not be sending me home, but would turn my case over to the internists who specialize in that stuff, and so would make a more educated decision. You can imagine my state. More waiting again. But then again friends, the Lord proved that He is indeed a Good God, and when you keep a decent attitude during adversity, He does indeed show favour. And shortly after the doctor voiced his verdict, the charge nurse offered me a stretcher to lie on in an adjacent corridor, but away from all the hustle and bustle and noise of the crowded waiting room.
And did I ever jump at the opportunity with much prayer and thanksgiving, for I had been sitting bundled up in a corner of the waiting room all day, unable to stretch out my feet properly. So there I was, lying in the corridor at position D10, yes there are bed locations in the corridors too. And though far from the madding crowd, I was betwixt and between private rooms that also saw constant activity, but not as noisy and nerve jarring. And because I had not been officially admitted to the hospital they could not officially feed me. What they did have to offer was just some dry, bland egg salad and cheese sandwiches. But eventually I got one of the assistants to go out front and purchase some chili from Tim Hortons. Now that had some salty flavour and it satisfied me while I lay coughing and wheezing in the corridor, for all they gave me was some Tylenol and blood thinners.
Finally, sometime around 9.pm, a lady doctor showed up and revealed that she was the internist to whom my file has been assigned. The good news was she didn’t see any real problems in the scan, but nonetheless they’d keep me overnight to be on the safe side. So they finally admitted me, but I didn’t move from my corridor location, because space there was at a premium. So I lay there napping and coughing and being an unhappy camper. Then, suddenly, around 3.am on Monday morning, they moved me to a private room. Obviously I was overjoyed as the circumstances would allow.
But shortly thereafter my bubble was busted with a big pop, when I was informed that the move was not one of mercy or kindness, but of medical necessity, for I had just been diagnosed with the dreaded Covid virus. I didn’t even know that I was being tested for it. That meant I had to be isolated from the other patients and could not leave the room without a mask. But even with that bit of bad news, the Lord conveyed it through a stocky, bubbly, black nurse who was filling in for my regular nurse then on a break. And believe me, I have never seen a jollier nurse, or possibly a jollier human being, because she had my daughter and I laughing in spite of the unfortunate news.
But if I thought things were bad then, I was sadly mistaken, for by daybreak, when the news spread, I was bombarded by a host of medical people from the lowest to the highest, and many asking the same questions. But the treatment was undoubtedly excellent. They didn’t miss a beat, and though it was rather invasive, I couldn’t complain because it was all for my benefit. And by yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, they considered me well enough to be released. So here I am back at the ole homestead, not a hundred percent, but certainly not as bad as I was, and with some rest and proper food and medication I should be okay in a few days. And that’s my story. And I’m sticking to it.
Ah friends, our God is truly something else yes, and we never know what He’ll do or won’t do from one minute to the next, but if we remember this all important scripture and hold on to it faithfully, we’ll be able to handle most of our adversity with a good attitude. In the famous words of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28)
Now let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail letting all and sundry know of our most excellent position in Christ Jesus! As one voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And don’t forget the promise that if we endure with Christ right to very end, that the future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So let’s agree to meet there nuh! Much LOVE!
…you cannot be a disciple of Christ…unless you attend the Holy Spirit’s University of Adversity…
P.S. I know it’s long, but good and insightful and ought to make up for the three days we missed. (smile) Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
01 Nov 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a son is given, all things were made by him, be prepared for anything, by him all things consist, Christ is the image of the invisible God, dwell in the land of the shadow of death, endure to the end, eyes fixed straight ahead, get ready for winter, God in these last days, halfway home, hands on the plough, has spoken unto us by his Son, have seen a great light, he hath appointed heir of all things, he is before all things, His name shall be called Wonderful, In the beginning was the Word, It's sunny so I'm happy, Jesus Christ, LOVE, not looking back, prince of peace, repent ye therefore and be converted, so glad to be alive, thank God, that your sins may be blotted out, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the full divinity of Christ, the government shall be upon his shoulder, the people that walked in darkness, the perfect fellowship between Father and Son, the Word was God, the Word was with God, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, unto us a child is born, upon them the light hath shined, Wednesday Wail
John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And on this first day of November 2023…imagine that nuh, it’s already November! Anyway, it seems like the chilly weather is finally here to stay. We knew it would come eventually, and we really can’t complain because we’ve had some whopping high unseasonal temps in the last few weeks. So it’s time gear up for those low temps and the type of weather they bring. In other words, it’s time to get ready for winter! (smile) But, as I keep saying, once it’s sunny, I’m happy, and it’s quite sunny this Wednesday morning, therefore I am happy!
Ah mih people, life moves in such strange and eccentric ways that we need to be prepared for anything whatsoever, and the only way to truly accomplish that is by having Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Having the One who created the world and all therein, then came to earth to experience our life in person and to save us from the evil devil, Satan. As Isaiah prophesied so long before Christ’s coming. ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light hath shined…
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ (Is. 9:2, 6-7) And the zeal of the Lord of hosts did perform it my fellow believers, with the coming of Christ to earth in the form of a man.
As John so wisely and famously puts it: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ (John 1:1) Yes friends, Jesus Christ was and still is the Word! And He was with God the Father, and still is with Him! And He was also God, and He still is God! What a marvellous Being, what an incomparable Deity! And as the scholars add: ‘in the beginning…with God’ signifies the perfect fellowship between God the Father and God the Son in eternity.
And per The Word was God: Just as the previous expression (the Word was with God) emphasizes distinction in the Godhead, this phrase stresses the essential unity. In the Greek text of this verse, God is a predicate adjective, appearing without article and preceding the Word, thus emphasizing Jesus’ divinity. John could not have expressed the full divinity of Christ more completely.’ Now I don’t know anything about the Greek language, (smile) but I will certainly accept the full divinity of Christ!
And John continues with his stunning word portrait of Christ. ‘The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.’ (John 1:2-3) There we have it in black and white! Jesus, the Word, was with the Father from the beginning of time and was involved in the making of everything that was ever made! Wow! What a magnificent personage! And if you don’t believe John on that matter, then you can turn to Colossians 1:16, and Hebrews 1:2, and find the perfect comparisons. Ah Lord eh! I might as well spoon feed us, because not many will turn to those scriptures. (smile)
Listen as Bruh Paul writes to the Colossians of the preeminence of Christ. ‘Who (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature (the first in rank). For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers (different angelic beings): all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (are held together).’ (Col. 1:15-17) Yes my people, Christ created it all, and He now holds all of His creation together!
And the author of Hebrews, introduces Christ thus: ‘God, who at sundry times (in many portions) and in divers manners (many ways) spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (ages).’ (Heb, 1:1-2) There we have it again, the indisputable message that Christ was divinely involved in the creation. And furthermore, He was also used as the true and finite revelation!
The scholars tells us that ‘the author of Hebrews immediately shows that Jesus Christ, as the agent of God’s revelation, is far superior to the Old Testament prophets. Their message was fragmentary and incomplete. It came bit by bit through visions, dreams , events, and direct communication as men were ready and able to receive it. Christ’s revelation is climactic and complete because He is the Son and because His is the message for the last days. His incarnation initiated the end time, and it will be fulfilled when He returns to earth to reconcile and restore all things. (cf. Acts 2:16-17; 3:19-21; 1 Pet. 1:20).
Now mih bredrin, I know that you won’t look up those scriptures, (smile) but we don’t have time nor space for all. So let’s see what we can fit in, without having you complain that the Bit is too long. (smile) Listen to Peter, as he admonishes the onlookers, after he and John had healed the lame man at the temple doors. ‘But those things, which God before had showed (foretold) by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should (would) suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins my be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. and he shall send Jesus Christ which was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution (restoration) of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which shall not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.’ (Acts 2:18-23)
And there’s no better way to end, although I got sidetracked from my original intentions. (smile) And refreshing our spiritual selves with any scripture whatsoever, is always beneficial. Now let’s go home declaring (yesss!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus.
Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And believe me, if we endure with Jesus right down to the very end, it’s guaranteed that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, please, let’s make plans to see it together nuh. Much LOVE!
…listen to the Word…from the Word…and thus…be enveloped in the Word…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
30 Aug 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all thy commandments are righteousness, deliver me according to thy word, endure to the end, entering the fray, eyes fixed straight ahead, flowing through me, get serious right now, give me understanding, hands on the plough, heartfelt prayer, I do not forget thy commandments, I have gone astray, I have longed for thy salvation, le my cry come before thee, let thine hand help me, like a lost sheep, living for God, my lips shall utter praise, my tongue shall speak of thy word, not looking back, seek thy servant, so glad to be alive, spreading the good news of Christ, thank God, the breath of life, the devil's evil morass, the light of the world, the salt of the earth, thrwart our major purpose, thy law is my delight, time is running out, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, when ye shall search for me with all your heart, ye shall seek me and find me
Psalm 119:176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
And after a thorough cleansing from a steady drizzle last night, Wednesday had opened windy and sunshiny, but unfortunately some dark clouds are now entering the fray, and the power of the sun seems to be waning. However, we cannot afford to allow the weather, whatever it might be, to thwart our major purpose down here on earth; that’s spreading the good news of Christ’s gospel and living the way it says we’re supposed to live. That’s being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, showing our LOVE for each other in true discipleship.
And the Good Library just opened at an interesting point, the last section of the longest psalm, Psalm 119. And I don’t believe I’ve ever really considered before, but it does contain invaluable wisdom to help us do God’s work. So let’s read it together. ‘Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication (prayer of supplication) come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgements help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.’ (Ps. 119:169-176)
Ah friends, such heartfelt prayer is what’s needed in these tough and troubled times. And we’ll notice two important things in the passage; the psalmist is crying out for the Lord’s help, but he’s also entreating Him to teach him His statutes, and commandments and to give him understanding so he can navigate the Lord’s word. It’s a combination of sentiments that cannot be separated. If we want the Lord’s help, we must lean His word and then give Him the praise He’s due.
Hear these pleas: ‘give me understanding…deliver me…when thou hast taught me thy statutes…my tongue shall speak of thy word…I have chosen thy precepts…I have longed for thy salvation…thy law is my delight…’ Can we say those same things in utter sincerity my fellow believers? I don’t think so, because our current behaviour does not point in that direction. Too many of us supposed believers don’t read the Lord’s word, either because we claim to be too busy, or we’re simply not interested. But we surely are interested in receiving His mercy, grace and favour!
However, we will not get one without the other. You’ll notice how the psalmist longed to know the word of the Lord because he found it to be righteous, it was his delight. But not many of us feel that way today. And the marvellous thing about learning the Lord’s word is that it encourages us to give Him praise. The psalmist declares (yesss!!!) ‘my lips shall utter praise…my tongue shall speak of thy word…let my soul live, and it shall praise thee…’ As the old people would say, it takes two to tango, and one hand can’t wash itself, it needs two.
That’s the way our God has designed His universe: We are partners with Him; and partners all have a part to perform to make the partnership successful. The Lord has already done most of His, by sending his Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven, washed clean, then help those who want help to come to the knowledge of His Son’s saving grace. Meanwhile we need to believe, to learn His word, and practice it. And sadly, we’re not doing such a good job, otherwise our world would not be in the disastrous and chaotic state it’s currently in.
Yes my fellow Christians, if we had put up a better Christian performance down through the last few years, our world would definitely not have sunk so low in the devil’s evil morass. But no, we have disregarded our bounden duty so much that it has allowed the evil one to gain a strong foothold in our world. The good news though is that we’re not beaten…that is if we get up our godly gumption and come out fighting on the Lord’s behalf. No, all is not lost, but we have to retool; be unified, get into the word in a serious manner, then sincerely live it, while crying out for God’s help!
You know there are several billion Christians on the planet, and if each one of us just made one good Christian decision each day, and put it into action, you’d be surprised at the difference we’d make in a short space of time. But we have to get serious and sincere…RIGHT NOW…for time is running out, and each day we delay, the enemy gets stronger and thus it gets harder to defeat him. And it’s not like the Lord isn’t there, only too willing to help us, but we need to pull ourselves together first.
And this last verse of Psalm 119 seems like a most appropriate cry for most of us: ‘I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.’ (Ps. 119:176) Ah mih people, if that cry came up to heaven with all sincerity, I’m sure the Lord would not refuse to help us, but He must see sincerity and true desire in the motives of our hearts not simply a means to achieve our lustful desires. Remember His awesome promise in Jeremiah: ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ (Jer. 29:13)
Now that’s what it will take for us to get the ball rolling, seeking Almighty God with all of our heart! So, let’s do it nuh mih bredrin. We have nothing to lose and so much to gain! And in light of al that we’ve said, it’s time to go home sincerely declaring (chuh man!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know our awesome position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And there’s this added promise; that if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we ever ask or imagine! Wow! So let’s all promise to meet up there at the very end nuh! Much LOVE!
…living for God is a serious full-time business…and takes serious work and sacrifice…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
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