19 Jul 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a challenge to get on our horses and ride, a crying shame, a personal desire to sacrifice for Christ, able to stand against the wiles of the devil, after one time is two, artificial intelligence, be strong in the Lord, bounden duty, but of power love and a sound mind, endure to the end, evil doers are bullies, evil is ruling the roost, eyes fixed straight ahead, fighting the good fight, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, girding your waist with the truth of Christ, hands on the plough, in the power of his might, life's basic behaviour does not change, LOVE, mano a mano, more pervasive and distrustful, not turning back, prayer the vital umbrella, put on the whole armour of God, putting ourselves out for Christ, ride for Jesus, sacrificing, so glad to be alive, spiritual battles, take advantage of their physical strength, the breastplate of righteousness, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the gospel of peace on your feet, the Great Commission, the helmet of slavation, the loud voices of Christians, the shiled of faith, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of god, there is no new thing under the sun, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, without proper regulations
Ephesians 6:11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.
Oh friends, this Wednesday is going to be another glorious summer’s day! It might not be boiling hot, but it’s sunny, nice and cool, just the way I like it! (smile) After being in this climate of changing seasons for so long, it seems like I can’t handle the heat as well I use to it. I guess it’s like the old people would say; after one time is two. And isn’t it amazing that for almost every scenario in our lives today, we can quote something from our fathers and forefather’s generations that tie in so nicely with them. It just goes to show that the basics of life don’t change that much from generation to generation.
As Cousin Sol so wisely said, writing as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes: ‘The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.’ (Eccl. 1:10) And that’s basically true, for though we might have some new inventions, our basic behaviour and the things we do through this life are just like the ancients did. Get up, work, eat, sleep, party, be sinful, and hopefully praise God, while LOVING each other, then die.
It’s only the how, not the why, that’s been changed down through the ages. We have invented ways to live better, but also ways to be more sinful and ungodly, and, unfortunately, the latter behaviour is what’s currently ruling the roost in our world, which is a crying shame! One would have thought that by now, with all of our enlightened accomplishments and vast learning, mankind would have realized that godliness is ever so much better than evil doing and sinfulness. But no, the devil has gotten his evil claws into so many of us, that godliness is running in second place in our world, and a far second place too.
This however is wholly unacceptable my fellow believers. We cannot allow the evil doers to control our world, especially after all the sacrifices our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made on our behalf! No! We have to get up, put away our fear, or whatever is holding us back, and attack the enemy full force, mano a mano, not run away from him like scared rabbits, as so many of us are now doing. Jesus stood up staunchly for us, it’s now our turn to stand up staunchly for Him, and He’s already given us all the tools to do the job, the great Commission, that He desires of us.
And it’s all so easy; tell people about Him and the good things He wants to share with them, and live in a manner that will cause others to want what we have, the intimate relationship with Him. But it does mean putting ourselves out, sacrificing and not always living the easy, carefree, doh care life. And that’s what so many of us supposed believers shy away from. With all the wonderful amenities in our world, it’s become so easy to just relax on our lollies and do almost nothing, but still exist.
And with the recent upgrade and breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence, brother, we’ll be doing even less than before, because this new invention will even think for us. Are we on our way to obsolescence my people? Who knows, but it ought to give us definite cause for concern, when our society is already filled with all sorts of fakes and untruthfulness, now we’re going to be even less sure if a real person was involved in a particular situation or thing, or whether it was the work of Artificial Intelligence.
It’s already such a big part of our world, and without proper regulations, it’s only going to get bigger, more pervasive and more distrustful, like all of mankind’s inventions, especially with the evil and untrustworthy minds that are currently at the forefront of our world. And if any serious and worthwhile changes are going to be made in our world, it will have to be through the loud voices of Christians, because we are the only group who seem to want goodness, mercy and the LOVE of God to flourish.
But that’s our very problem; our voices aren’t being heard, because they’re not plentiful or loud enough to make a difference, and until we make them loud and plentiful, nothing will ever change! That’s why I’m calling on us to rise up today, as one solid and unified body of Christ, His marvellous church, and dare the evil doers to stop us from taking over our heavenly Father’s world! It’s well known that evil doers are basically bullies who take advantage of their strengths, but are basically cowards underneath, and this is indeed a challenge for us believers to get on our horses and ride, ride for Jesus, like we should have been doing long ago!
And it’s important that we don’t just rush in willy nilly without a proper plan and proper safeguards. That means before we go into battle, we must put on the whole armour of God! As Bruh Paul wrote to the Ephesians: ‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.’ (Eph. 6:10-11) Then in verse 12, he goes on to explain that it’s not a physical battle we’re fighting, but a spiritual one. However, we still need protection even in spiritual battles, just a different kind. And what’s that you ask?
Briefly speaking, it’s the truth of Christ girding your waist; the breastplate of righteousness guarding your chest; the eagerness of the gospel of peace on your feet; the shield of faith with which to divert the fiery arrows of the enemy; the helmet or hope of salvation to protect your head; the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God to fell your enemies, and finally prayer, which brings everything under its vital umbrella and without which no battle can be won!
So we have all that we need to fight the enemy, except the courage and desire to do it. But please, let’s remember that our great ‘God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) That means the only thing holding us back is our desire to engage the enemy, because we have everything else. And, sadly, that desire must come from deep within each of us, it must be a personal desire to sacrifice on Christ’s behalf. No one can make us do it.
And for those of us who are willing to put up that fight, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful, irreversible 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 if we endure to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So let’s promise ourselves to see it nuh! Much LOVE!
…fighting the good fight for Christ…is the believer’s bounden duty…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
10 May 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a profound understanding if his salvation, according to the riches of his glory, all these things shall be added unto you, eyes fixed straight ahead, floods, forest fires, godliness is profitable unto all things, halfway home, hands on the plough, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, LOVE, made to live in communion with God, my God shall supply all your needs, not looking back, on which side his bread was buttered, pig-headed, redemption, salvation, seek first the spiritual things of God's kingdom, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, so glad to be alive, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the downward trend to total destruction, the promise of life that now is, the tragedy of the ages, to a glorious future with Jesus, wars and rumours of war, weapons of mass destruction, Wednesday Wail
Matthew 6:33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Yes! It looks like we’re going to get three consecutive sunshiny days at long last! Glory be! You in the tropics wouldn’t understand how good that can be during the wet, rainy spring season. And yes, the frozen ground and the plants do need water to moisten them up and give them nourishment to grow, but too much of a good thing can also be bad. Just look at the recent severe flooding that’s occurred in the Western Province of British Columbia, where they got too much rain, and the forest fires in the middle Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, where they didn’t get enough.
Life is meant to be a fine balancing act, and if anything drives it off that precarious scale, disaster often follows. And we can see that in the life of man too. He was made to live in communion with His creator and heavenly Father, but he’s stubbornly, and oh so foolishly turned away from Him! So what’s the result of that imbalance eh? A chaotic world, where wars and rumours of war reign, where hatred, religious conflicts, poverty, sickness, economic disaster, climate change and the disasters that they bring are running riot.
And we can carry on with much more of the chaotic stuff that’s happening because mankind has turned away from a gracious, merciful, forgiving and LOVING God. That’s the tragedy of the ages! And until we wake up and realize why our world is in such a calamitous state, we’ll keep on the downward trend to total destruction. Can you believe that at this stage of our existence, knowing our very fragile current situation, despite the overwhelming disaster that one mistake, or one madman can trigger, we’re still in a race to build bigger and better weapons of mass destruction?
What’s wrong with us eh? Why are we so pig-headed that we keep rolling along the path that will bring certain destruction, and not the one that will bring redemption and salvation? Didn’t we hear, or didn’t we understand what Jesus said so long ago? ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) Yes friends, man was made to seek first the spiritual things of God’s kingdom and not the material things of this evil and fallen world.
If we make the righteousness that’s characteristic of God’s kingdom our priority, then Jesus promises that all the material stuff we need will be supplied. Bruh Paul also promised it when he said: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) What’s it eh? Don’t we have faith in the promises of God? Don’t we think we can live a life that’s characterized by the righteousness of God? If not, then the words spoken by Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,’ (Phil. 4:13) are a complete and utter waste of time.
In fact, it’s a total lie! And all else that flows from it is nothing but fallacy and falsehood. Oh my fellow believers, Jesus will NEVER lie to us, or refuse us His help in anything we undertake in His will and His name. Let’s believe that nuh, because it’s what our faith is based on. Otherwise all the fuss we make about His death and resurrection, salvation, eternal life et al is a complete waste of time. We cannot believe one aspect of Jesus’ ministry and philosophy and don’t believe the others. So it’s very necessary that we believe it all if we are to benefit from it.
And if you don’t believe that God will supply all our needs if we put our sincere trust and faith in Him, then listen to what He did for Cousin Sol, way back when, when he became king of Israel on the death of his father, Bruh David. One night, in a vision, the Lord asked Cousin Sol what He wanted, and he asked for wisdom and understanding to rule the people in a wise and godly manner. Now the Lord gave him that wisdom and understanding, that’s why to this this day, he’s still known as the wisest man ever, because the Lord said; ‘so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee, shall any arise like unto thee.’ (1 Kin. 3:12)
But listen to this, as the Lord continues: ‘And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:13) Yuh see that friends, Cousin Sol didn’t ask for wealth and honour, but the Lord gave them to him anyway, because of his trust and faith, and in such abundance too, that no other king was as rich and honoured as him. But yuh know what, the Lord interspersed one proviso amongst all the showers of blessings.
Listen up: ‘And if you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen (prolong) thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:14) Oh my fellow believers, the key to the whole thing, the key to all the wealth and honour of the kingdom of heaven is simply walking in the Lord’s will and ways. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, because He knows that He did not create perfect but imperfect, sinful, disobedient souls. Just look at some of the stuff that Bruh David did, nuh; adultery and murder, yet the Lord still considered him a friend and a man after his own heart and made him the greatest king ever of Israel.
But the big difference is that Bruh David always sought the Lord. He knew on which side his bread was buttered, and thus brought every problem to God and did his best to stay on the straight and narrow path. So why is it so difficult for us to understand that our bread is also buttered on the same side as Bruh David’s was eh, and with even small faith, keep going to Him for refuge and understanding, and the things we need in this life? I can’t answer that question, but I do know that I’m trying to do like Bruh David, and though I’m far from perfect and have made many mistakes, the Lord has still blessed me with stuff that I certainly don’t deserve.
Life hasn’t been easy, but all through it I can now see His hand working on my behalf. And He will work on the behalf of anyone who sincerely puts their trust in His Son Jesus Christ and do their best to stick to His statutes and commandments. And what better scripture to close with than these words from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘But refuse (reject) profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.’ (1 Tim. 4:7-8)
What more can I say eh? Not much. But for those of us who are sincerely trying to practice godliness, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) 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!’
Now friends, let’s just keep om seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that others can see that it works. Much LOVE!
…the devil is destroying our world…so why aren’t we turning to the One who wishes to save it eh…Almighty God…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
03 May 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: arthritis inducing weather, be filled with the Spirit, be not drunk with wine, be of good cheer, endure to the end, envying one another, eyes fixed straight ahead, giving thanks always for all things, grin and bear them, halfway home, if we live in the Spirit, in the fear of God, Jesus has overcome the world, Jesus is the Great Physician, let us also walk in the Spirit, let us not be desirous of vain glory, LOVE, more lorious than we ask or imagine, not as fools, not looking back, prayer is a great privilege, provoking one another, renew the face of this earth, renew us gracious God, renew us to do justice, so glad to be alive, thakn god, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, the fruit of the spirit, the lust of the flesh, the spirit against the flesh, these are contrary one to the other, to a glorious future with Jesus, to love kindness, to walk humbly with you our God, vision for our church community, walk circumspectly, Wednesday Wail
Galatians 5:23. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Oh, what a glorious, wet, damp, drizzly, arthritis inducing Wednesday May morning! (smile) Yes friends, the last few days have been a combination of drizzle and weak sunshine, and the dampness that sneaks into the bones, causing the arthritis malady to raise its ugly head. But thank the Lord the weather doesn’t affect my aching bones. I don’t know why, but it’s never really made my supposed arthritic condition any worse. My pains come around when they feel like, regardless of the weather. And I’ve learned over the years to just grin and bear them, taking the odd medication when the pain gets a bit much.
What I don’t like about my joint pains is that they are annoyingly intermittent; suddenly showing up out of the blue, with no warning, and no obvious aggravation on my part. They’ll stick around for a bit, then disappear just as suddenly as they came, for another period of time. It’s a good thing Jesus warned us that in this world we’d have trials and tribulations, but we ought to be of good cheer, for He’s overcome, He’s conquered this evil world! Glory be my brethren!
And we do have to learn to handle some of our pain and not run to the medication bottle as soon as the pain shows up. My logic is that if we use the medications too often then they will cease to work properly after a while. But that’s just me, and I suppose my aches and pains might not be as bad as some of you my fellow believers. Each of us though need to keep Christ first place in our lives especially in our times of illness, for remember He is the Great Physician and prayer is our greatest privilege. So let’s try and use it more than we use the medications nuh.
And we can begin right now with this prayer I found amongst some papers while doing some spring cleaning in one of the many cubicles on my desk. I found all sorts of stuff, written ages ago, some that I couldn’t even read properly because of the terrible handwriting, and that was just a small portion of what’s hiding there. I’m sure there are many gems amongst the crud, but only time and my persistence in cleaning the desk will tell. Anyway, enough talk. Let’s pray this prayer that’s titled ‘Renew Toronto,’ but is very appropriate for renewing both our cities and our lives. And please don’t ask me where I got it from, (smile) because I haven’t the foggiest notion.
Instead, please pray with me: ‘Gracious God, in your wisdom and LOVE, You create us in your image and likeness. You call us to be your Presence in the world. Let the Spirit of Jesus grow with us for this journey – inspire in us insight and vision for our Church community – ready our hearts and hands to bring healing to our sinfulness – move our feet to live the Gospel of Jesus with courage and joy. Renew us, GRACIOUS GOD. Renew us by your LOVING acceptance of us. Renew us to do justice, to LOVE kindness, and to walk humbly with you, our God. To renew the face of this earth. Amen.’
Ah friends, I like it, and I hope you do too, because it’s simple and straightforward, yet covers all the bases. And oh, do we ever need a total renewing in these ungodly and evil times, where faith and trust in Almighty God is sadly on the wane, and the enemy is getting bolder and more prevalent every day. How we do need the Holy Spirit of Jesus to fill us up like Bruh Paul exhorted the Ephesians.
‘See that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation, licentiousness); but be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. 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. 5:15-21)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s how we ought to live; being filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to fill us with God’s own life, character and values, rather than the dissipating wine that leads us astray to ungodly and sinful thoughts, deeds and actions. For it is only when we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God that we can receive the things we just prayed for; that’s inspiration for insight and vision for our Church community, to ready our hearts and hands to bring healing to our sinfulness and to move our feet to live the Gospel of Jesus with courage and joy.
Then, and only then can we fulfill Bruh Paul’s words to the church at Galatia. ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirt, ye are not under the law.’ (Gal. 5:16-18) That’s oh so true my fellow saints, we only have two options; to walk in the Spirit or to walk in the flesh and Bruh Paul breaks down what both consist of in the verses that follow: ‘the lust or works of the flesh vs.19-21, and the fruit of the Spirit, vs. 22-23.
Please read and study them, so that they can take root in our souls, so that we can therefore do as he later says: ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (its passions) and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal. 5:24-26) Now, those are certainly words to live by, especially in these turbulent and contrary last days my brethren! And for those of us who are sincerely trying to live that way, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our fabulous 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!’
Now, please remember that it’s also been promised that if we stick with Jesus right down to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Yes, our puny, finite minds simply won’t be able to comprehend it. (smile) So let’s use that as further encouragement to endure to the end nuh. Much LOVE!
…a spiritual walk with Christ…has so much more to offer…than a lustful, carnal walk with the enemy…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
05 Apr 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, according to his divine power, add to your faith vortue, ambassadors for Christ, brotherly LOVE, ebdurance, endure to the end, faithfulness, gentleness, give diligence to make your calling and election sure, given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, godliness, grace and peace be multiplied unto you, halfway home, hands on the plough, hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, having escaped the corruption in the world through lust, joy, kindness, knowledge, LOVE, moral excellence, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ, not turning back, paid for with a price, patience, peace, perseverance, self-control, so glad to be alive, spiritual maturity, spiritual truth, store your treasures in heaven, temperance, the fruit of the spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, them who have obtained like precious faith, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, to a glorious future with Jesus, Wednesday Wail, wisdom in spades, ye might be partakers of the divine nature
1 Peter 1:2.Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through (in) the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.
A good Wednesday morning to you, my fellow believers in Christ Jesus! The weather’s not great, and I can hear the rain falling outside, on what’s supposed to be a rainy day. And there couldn’t be a more fitting opening on this Wednesday of Holy Week, than this one by Peter at the beginning of his first epistle. He writes: ‘Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like (the same kind of) precious faith with us through the righteousness of (our) God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through (in) the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.’ (1 Pet. 1:1-2)
Yes friends, grace and peace to all you who have sincerely received Christ Jesus! It’s a great honour and privilege to be invited to receive Him. Why? Listen to how Peter explains it. ‘According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to (by) glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.’ (1 Pet. 1:3-4)
Oh my fellow saints, yuh see the immense benefits we enjoy when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour! We are thoroughly blessed through numerous promises and acts of God, so that we can partake of His divine nature, and be able to fight the evil and corruption that’s in the world. What a great and caring God we serve my people! No other supposed god does that for His followers. ONLY the great I AM!
So, when we receive Christ, we receive salvation and all the other good things that believers get, like the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and the seeds of the fruit of the Spirit. But that’s not the end, in fact it’s just the beginning, because Christ expects us to follow the leading and guidance of His Holy Spirit as we live this earthly life, and also to nurture and grow those seeds of the Spirit which have been planted in us. That’s LOVE, joy, peace, patience, good ness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)
In other words, after receiving Christ, believers are expected to grow, to mature in the Christian faith, in the same way that newborn babies start out by drinking milk, but gradually progress to eating solid food. It’s not good enough to just keep eating baby food for the rest of your lives, although that will not stop you from getting into heaven, but it will certainly cut down drastically on your heavenly rewards, since you will not be able to witness and have strong testimony for Christ, through which others, the unbelievers and the heathen are encouraged to come to Him.
Remember, we are the eyes, ears, hands, feet and mouths of Christ here on earth. The only chance some may have to see Christ is through you, through your witness and testimony. That’s why Peter continues in his writings to encourage believers to grow in spiritual maturity. ‘And beside this (but for this very reason), giving all diligence, (after salvation) add to your faith virtue (moral excellence); and to virtue knowledge (spiritual truth); And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience (endurance, perseverance); and to patience godliness (God-likeness);
And to godliness brotherly kindness (brotherly LOVE – Gr. philadelphian); and to brotherly kindness charity (volitional LOVE- Gr. agape – a decision to LOVE, not an emotional feeling). For if these things be in you (are yours), and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren (useless) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off (short-sighted), and hath forgotten that he was purged (cleansed) from his old sins.’ (1 Pet. 1:5-9)
Yes my faithful brethren, those are areas in which we all need to grow in spiritual maturity. We are not all at the same level, but for all of us it’s a lifelong cycle. Yes, spiritual growth never ends for the Christian believer. Not until Christ takes them home. And in his epistle to the Philippians, Bruh Paul confirms that, when he says: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Once God begins a good work in us, He won’t ever stop until Jesus comes for us.
And if we don’t aspire to spiritual maturity, we’re forgetting that we were cleansed of our sin by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, that we were bought with a price…and a very high one at that. And the least we can do is to improve our knowledge and spirituality as befits believers, so that we can be good ambassadors for Christ here on earth. And Peter continues to explain. ‘Wherefore the rather, brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (stumble): For so an entrance shall be ministered (supplied) unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet. 1:10-11)
And the scholars explain those last two verses thus. ‘Ye shall never fall: The author is not referring to falling from salvation but to failure in Christian living. The everlasting kingdom refers to the eternal realm of God where Jesus is the undisputed Ruler. It is synonymous with heaven. Thus the one who acquires the virtues of verses 5-7 will have a rich inheritance in heaven.’
And I know that all of us desire to have a rich inheritance in heaven, but we have to begin by working for it down here on earth. As Christ said, store up your treasures in heaven where they are well protected, rather than on earth where they can rot and rust and be stolen. That’s wisdom in spades friends! And for those of us who have sincerely taken those words to heart, let’s go home now 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 having said all of that, let’s remember that if we endure until the very end, then the future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. Wow! I can’t wait to experience it! I hope you can’t too! Much LOVE!
…growing in spiritual maturity isn’t easy…but it’s surely interesting and worthwhile…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
16 Nov 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a pristine white blanket, came out of the great tribulation, endure to the end, feed them upon the mountains of Israel, God shall wipe away all tears, halfway home, hands on the plough, he leadeth me beside still waters, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, hunger no more, I am the good shepherd, I will both search my sheep and seek them out, LOVE, made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Mother Nature, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, not looking back, over one sinner that repenteth, seek that which was lost, so glad to be alive, thank God, that which was lost, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the first snowfall of the season, the Lamb shall feed them, the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, the parables of the lost sheep coin and son, the son of man is come to seek and to save, there is joy in the presence of the angels, thirst no more, to a glorious future with Jesus, washed their robes, Wednesday Wail
Psalm 23:1-2. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Well friends, we were wondering when it would come. The suspense is over now, because it came yesterday. Yes, we were greeted with our first snowfall of the season yesterday morning, and another set during the night. But thankfully it’s not a terrible situation, the roads are fairly clear though the lawns and other open spaces are covered in white. That gives us a chance to get accustomed to, or reacquainted with the white stuff before it just comes raining down on us as the winter season progresses. (smile)
And though you might dislike snow, when you see it covering the rooftops, the leafless trees and the lawns in a pristine white blanket, unsullied by humans, you have to admit that it is an eerily beautiful sight! (smile). Oh, if you are fascinated by the beauty of Mother Nature, then you will admire God’s awesome winter workmanship, like the other seasons, for it’s all part and parcel of His brilliance! And with that nod to Mother Nature and her winter qualities, let’s move on to greener pastures. (smile)
And when we talk about green pastures, no doubt all our minds turn to the marvellous words of Bruh David in Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.’ (Ps. 23:1-2) Now that’s indeed a promise from our heavenly Father. And if you don’t believe me, then listen to the prophet Ezekiel, after he rails against the sinful shepherds (leaders) of Israel and ‘promises the care of God Himself as the true Shepherd of Israel.’
‘For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers (streams), and in all the inhabited places of the country.
I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat (rich) pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgement (justice).’ (Ezek. 34:11-16)
Oh my people, what a glorious promise from the Lord our God! And remember He never reneges on His promises. And if you think that was just for Israel in the Old Testament, then listen to Jesus in the New Testament after the tax-collector Zaccheus repents. ‘And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ (Luke 19:9-10) Yes friends, Jesus came to save those of us who were lost. Glory to God! And are we ever grateful that He did, because there was no other option but for crapaud to smoke we pipe down in the fires of hell!
And the scholars tell us: ‘The words seek, save and lost all appear elsewhere in the Scripture in a shepherd context. This verse may be taken as a kernel statement of the central theme of Luke: Jesus is the compassionate, searching Herdsman who seeks to save those who can by no means save themselves.’ And yuh better believe that includes all of mankind! And if we think that Jesus isn’t serious about searching and finding the lost, then please listen to Him here as He talks about His role in a shepherd context. ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of them.’ (John 10:11, 14)
Then please read the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost or prodigal son in Luke 15. The shepherd, the coin owner and father drop everything else and seek that which was lost. And when they found what they had lost, they celebrated it’s finding. Thus, Jesus says: ‘Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.’ (Luke 15:10) Oh my faithful brethren, doesn’t that just bring joy to your hearts, knowing that heaven celebrates when one of us comes to Christ? It ought to.
And I guess you have heard enough about the green pastures; you want to know now about the ‘still and peaceful waters.’ (smile) Then listen to John the Revelator, as he writes in the Book of Revelation, after seeing a great multitude of people of all nations and tongues that stood before the throne and the Lamb dressed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. (Rev. 7:9)
Later on, an elder explains it to John. ‘These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light (strike) on 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. 7:14-17)
Oh my fellow saints, that’s what we have to look forward to! Being shepherded by the Lamb in the bright and shining presence of the Lord God, the Father Himself! And I don’t see how anyone in their right mind can turn that down for being in the fiery pits of hell with Satan. But since there’s no accounting for taste buds, then we’ll just leave it alone and let each individual do their own thing, and pay whatever price becomes necessary. (smile) However, for those of us who intend to stick with Jesus, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) 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 believe me friends, if we endure with Jesus right down to the end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or even imagine! So, let’s use that as added encouragement to live for Him nuh! Much LOVE!
…when Satan wanted us to die with him…Jesus came to save us to live with Him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
17 Aug 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, a marathon, a sprint race, but one receiveth the prize, catch our second wind, every man that striveth for mastery is temperate, faith, fear not, grow in grace and faith, hands on the plough, have good success, I discipline my body, I have finished my course, I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I should be a castaway, jump in feet first, LOVE, make thy way prosperous, one step at a time, perseverance, sacrifice, shall not depart out of thy mouth, so glad to be alive, so run that ye may obtain, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Isthmian Games, they which run in a race run all, this book of the law, thou shalt meditate therein day and night, Wednesday Wail, when I have preached to others
1 Corinthians 9:24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.
Wednesday, oh Wednesday! The middle day of the work week, where we catch our second wind, so we can finish the week’s race, strong in Jesus’ name. Yes friends, every week is a sprint race, with life being an overall marathon. And we win them just one day at a time, then one week at a time, with rest and rejuvenation on the weekend, to come back out bursting with confidence and energy on a Monday morning, ready to take on all comers in the race of life, in the mighty and wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
That’s how Bruh Paul characterized the Christian life, like a race, when he told Timothy: ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith.’ (2 Tim. 4:7) Oh my fellow believers, it’s important that we realize that our Christian faith is indeed a race, and a long one too; one necessitating much faith, sacrifice, and perseverance. It’s definitely not meant for the faint of heart, or the weak in spirit. And we can only run it successfully by having the utmost faith and trust in our Triune Godhead, sincerely believing that through their amazing help and assistance we will eventually be victorious.
That’s how all the great men and women of God were able to run their difficult races. And though our races today might be somewhat easier than theirs back then, it still necessitates great faith, because the enemy is still out there just chomping at the bit to cut us down and make us useless to Christ, like unflavoured salt or darkness of spirit. Now, listen to how Bruh Paul explains the Christian race to his readers in Corinth. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.’ (1 Cor. 9:24)
And the scholars tell us that ‘Paul draws on a scene familiar to his Corinthian readers in order to drive home his point. The Isthmian Games were an athletic event known to all of his readers. They were held on alternate summers in the vicinity of Corinth. It was an event not to be missed by anyone of importance in all parts of Greece. As a national institution, it was familiar to his readers as modern football is to most Americans.’
I guess those games was the forerunner to our modern Olympic Games. So, since everybody knew of them, the idea of a race was something they would all understand. It’s like Jesus talking about a shepherd to His listeners, something with which they were all familiar. And me talking to us about Christ, whom we all know about. (smile)
Anyway, after proposing the race idea, Bruh Paul sets it up thus: ‘And every man that striveth for mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown, but we an incorruptible (imperishable). (1 Cor. 9:25)
That’s the big difference between the physical and spiritual races friends. The physical one gives us a crown that perishes or can be destroyed by moth or be stolen by thieves. However, the spiritual crown is set up for us in heaven, incorruptible, imperishable, cannot be destroyed or stolen. That’s what makes it so important, and the winning of our earthly race so necessary.
Consequently, Bruh Paul strenuously advises: ‘I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I. not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (be disqualified). (1 Cor. 9:26-27) Ah mih people, as we said earlier on the Christian race is indeed not for the weak in spirit or faint of heart. And if you don’t believe me, listen to the scholars explain what Bruh Paul was writing about.
They say: ‘ The expression I keep under loses much of the original sense. It has the idea of to “give one a black eye,” “buffet,” or “bruise.” Paul’s readers knew that in the Isthmian Games, the boxers wore gloves consisting of ox-hide bands covered with knots and nails, and loaded with lead and iron. To prepare for such an event, a man would have to brace himself to endure all forms of physical abuse.
Lest that by any means…I myself should be a castaway (lit. “So that…I myself will not be disqualified”). Paul was not afraid of losing his salvation: his subject is still Christian liberty. The point is that the believer must discipline himself to avert both being disqualified from Christian ministry, and forfeiting the rewards for such service.’
And we think that our modern-day boxing is brutal! Hn! Bruh Paul’s zeal about the Christian race must have frightened off some people, thinking that to be a believer, they had to put up with such awful physical abuse. It’s no different from the way some of us behave today, desiring no sacrifice or hard times on our Christian journey. But that’s simply impossible, for life itself brings hard and sacrificial times whether you’re a believer or not.
It all begins with self-discipline though my brethren! If we are to live successfully for Christ, we need to conquer our flesh, our carnal nature, and that can only be done by constant training. And that training means constantly meditating on God’s word, through prayer and thanksgiving, and putting it all into action in our lives.
But don’t believe me, hear it directly from the horse’s mouth, (smile) when the Lord Himself explained it to Joshua, on making him the Israelite leader after Moses’ death. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8) And friends, if the Lord says it’s so, then so it is! (smile) Who are we to dispute it eh.
So please, let’s get serious about living for Christ nuh. Life itself is difficult enough, and Christ’s desires adds more to it. But the good thing is that He never asks us to do stuff we can’t do, or not give us the tools to do it. But we must believe, to come up with the necessary faith. And that only comes from daily experience with Him. As we give our lives to Him, and see how He faithfully handles them, then our faith grows. But we have to let go and jump in feet first, take the first step; then, taking one step at a time grow in grace and faith. As Christ reassuringly advises: ‘Fear not.’ That’s the only way to do it.
Now, for those of us who are doing our best to live for Christ, let’s go home letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Him, by declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail. As one strong, confident 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!’
Now, let’s get out there and run that race of glory for Christ, as is our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…to successfully run a race…one must prepare seriously for it…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
09 Mar 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life with Jesus at the helm, a magnanimous promise, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him, because thou hast seen me, blessed are they that have not seen me, can a woman forget her suckling child, dead like doorposts, endure to the end, glory hallelujah, have compassion on the son of her womb, I am halfway home, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, I will not forget thee, I'm not turning back, Jesus is our reason for living, Jesus is our source of survival, Like as a father pitieth his children, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are fixed securely on the plough, only believe, put my finger into the print of the nails, reach hither thy finger and behold my hnads, reach hither thy hnad, see Christ in living colour, servanthood, sincere belief, so glad to be alive, thank God, the atonement of our sins, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the eternal security of God's people, the Lord pitieth them that fear him, the lord will take me up, the nail marks in Christ's hands, the One True God, the Son of man came not to be served, thou hast believed, thrust it into my side, to a glorious future with Jesus, to serve and give His life for a ransom, we need Jesus every minute of every day, Wednesday Wail, when I make up my jewels, when my father and mother forsake me, yet have believed
Psalm 27:10. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (take care of me).
Another bright sunshiny day on God’s great earth, with Jesus at the helm of our lives! Wow! What a mighty privilege my people! For as the song so rightly says, He’s our reason for living, He’s our source of survival, the One we look to when things and times are tough!
That’s why we need Jesus in the morning, in the evening, in the midnight hour, in fact every minute of every day we badly need Him, because He’s the only One who can lift us up when our souls and spirits are cast down, when we are forsaken and lost without a strong and trusted guide and a safe harbour to anchor in when the storms of life batter and bruise us.
And we cannot find a better promise than this magnificent one from Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation – where Bruh David trustingly declares (chuh man!!!): ‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (take care of me). (Ps. 27:10)
Now does any other supposed God offer such a magnanimous promise? Obviously not! Because they are dead like doorposts and thus don’t have the power to do it! But our wonderful living Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ indeed has the awesome power to do that, as well as any other promise He’s made! All glory and honour to the One True God my faithful brethren, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
Oh friends, that most reassuring promise of never leaving nor forsaking His people, was one promise that all the prophets down through the ages knew for certain and spoke of to all who would listen. And if you don’t believe me, let’s check out a few appropriate scriptures. And the first one is this famous verse from the prophet Isaiah, where he proclaims on the Lord’s behalf. ‘Can a woman forget her suckling (nursing) child, that she should not (and not have) compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven (engraved, inscribed) thee upon the palm of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.’ (Is. 49:15-16)
Oh what a blessed promise! For as the scholar’s say, that speaks to, ‘reveals the eternal security of the salvation of God’s people. They are inseparably united to Him.’ And we all know that inscribing of our lives in God’s palms was physically portrayed by the nail marks in Christ’s hands where He hung from the cross for our deliverance, the atonement, the payment for our abominable sins.
Remember when Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples doubted that his fellow disciples had seen the risen Jesus, and refused to believe, saying unto them: ‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ (John 20:25) And we all know what happens when we doubt Jesus. He will prove us wrong.
Eight days later, He again shows up before the disciples, once more coming through the shut doors. This time Thomas is with them, and after saying ‘Peace be unto you,’ He accosts the doubting Thomas with these words. ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed.’ (John 20:27-29)
Yes friends, it’s all about belief; belief in Jesus Christ, that He has done what He says, and can do what He promises! And we won’t see Christ in living colour until He comes back again, but based on His Word, we know that He is the indisputable One True God, who will never leave nor forsake us, and if we are wise, having heard His Word, we will put our total trust in Him. And yes, I know we meandered some, (smile) but it was absolutely necessary to ensure that we had some physical proof of God’s enormous caring and compassion, seen through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on our behalf.
So, let’s go back to some of those scriptures on God’s eternal fatherly image. The prophet Malachi said it thus on the Lord’s behalf: ‘And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels (special treasure); and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.’ (Mal. 3:17)
Please note though my people, the last part there which specifies servanthood. It’s what Christ came to do, as He said to the disciples when they were striving as to who would be the greatest among them. ‘And whosoever will be chief (first) among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (to be served), but to minister (serve) and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (Matt. 20:27-28)
Now that’s exactly what He also expects of His followers, and said it in plain terms after He washed the disciples’ feet. ‘For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.’ (John 13:15) And the truth is that no leader is worthy to be thus, until he or she can serve with a pure heart, or come under the authority of others without balking at the experience.
And the last scripture on God’s non-forsaking of His people comes from Psalm 103 – Thanksgiving for God’s mercy – more marvellously reassuring words from the pen of Bruh David, where he proclaims: ‘Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame (understands our constitution); he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:13-14)
Yes my fellow saints, the Lord remembers that He created us from the dust of the earth and thus we are somewhat frail and fragile, and not able to bear a whole lot of trials and tribulations on our own, so He comes to the aid of those who revere and honour Him through His One Son, Jesus Christ. It’s as simple as that! And for those of us who sincerely try to do it, let’s go home now, telling all and sundry about our blessed position in Christ Jesus, through our Wednesday Wail.
As one strong, sincere and determined 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 yuh better believe that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, let’s stand strong and endure to the end with Christ’s help my brethren! Much LOVE!
…only believe…only believe…that’s all it takes…sincere belief…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
23 Feb 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: be of good cheer, can't call the name of Jesus aloud, carrying the torch of Jesus, continue the good fight, endure to the very end, fanning the flames of His gospel, for what shall it profit a man, gain the whole world and lose his soul, give lip service to His words, Glory Hallelujah!, He giveth power to the faint, hide and meet secretly, i have overcome the world, keep moseying along in comfort, let him deny himself, living for Christ, living the life of the rich and idle, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, not turning back, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, religious freedom, sacirifce, separate the sheep from the goats, shall mount up with wings like eagles, so glad to be alive, take up his cross and follow me, thank God, the breath of life, the bright and exciting light, the difference maker, the evil and depraved world, the same shall save it, the youths shall faint, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, they that wait upon the Lord, this adulterous and sinful generation, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be the flavoursome salt, Wednesday Wail, who shall be ashamed of me and my words, whosever shall lose his life for my sake, wisdom of the highest order
Mark 8:36. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Well friends, it’s Wednesday, the middle of the week, and I do hope that we’ve made some headway into being the difference maker that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ expects us to be. Yes, that’s why He’s placed us on the earth at this particular time, to make a difference in His name, to be the flavoursome salt and the bright, exciting light to the evil and depraved world that currently reigns.
And though it’s a very rewarding and interesting task, it’s not always an easy one, because it sometimes calls for a lot of sacrifice on our part, giving up our will to ensure that His is forthcoming. And that issue of sacrifice is not something that Christ hid, but He said it very clearly and plainly.
The Good Book tells us: ‘And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ (Mark 8:34-38)
And is this generation ever sinful and adulterous! So that means a lot is expected of us my fellow saints in Christ. But the basic thing is to live for and like Him, spread His gospel and not be ashamed of Him, because when he returns in all His glory, He will be ashamed of us and not recognize us as being amongst His followers.
Unfortunately though, many of us supposed believers are indeed ashamed of Christ, and afraid of the very sinful and adulterous world in which we now live, so we only give lip service to His words and way of life. But as the scholars note per verse 38 above: ‘Jesus makes a very close connection between Himself and His Words.’ So we cannot separate one from the other as we like to do.
The problem is that life is so good with us out here in the western world, with all the privileges and amenities we enjoy, that we don’t want anything at all to disturb it. We just want to keep moseying along in comfort, living the life of the rich and idle. But friends, life does not, never has, and never will run smoothly! It’s a series of ups and downs, and until we learn to take the good with the bad, and live accordingly, we will be forever destined to live unhappy and ungodly lives.
Even Christ confirmed that life is full of trouble when He said: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) Now that’s a scripture that all of us know, but don’t truly take to heart, otherwise we wouldn’t be living the scared and anxious lives we’re living. Jesus has indeed conquered and overcome the world by His sacrificial death and resurrection, and only in and through Him can we ever have peace in this crazy, warlike world.
That’s what He gives to us, when we truly accept Him as Lord and Saviour and try to live the way He desires of us. Oh, He knows that we will have hard times, for nobody had harder times than He did, and sometimes we will fail to do His will, but He is also very forgiving and expects us to get back up and continue the good fight in His name. He gives us the grace and power to do that, but we have to truly believe and surrender ourselves to His holy will.
As the prophet Isaiah said so long ago: ‘He giveth power to the faint (weak), and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is. 40:29-31)
Oh my people, what more can we ask eh? Especially those of us living in the religious freedom of the West, while many of our fellow believers are still living very persecuted lives in so many other countries of the world. Please take a moment to ponder the situation where you could not get up on a Sunday morning, put on your finery and traipse to church to gather and celebrate with other believers, because that would get you incarcerated and even killed. But you had to hide and meet secretly, and couldn’t even call the name of Jesus out loud, otherwise crapaud smoke yuh pipe!
A lot of our fellow believers are living under those strenuous and unfair conditions, but they are still carrying the torch of Jesus alight, still fanning the flames of His gospel and way of life. Meanwhile, we ole hypocrites out here, who have the freedom to do so much for Jesus, live scared but comfortable, talk a good talk, but have no action to back it up.
Oh friends, if we don’t smarten up and begin living right, when Jesus returns, He will have a whole lot of separating to do, between the sheep and the goats. And sadly, many of us will find ourselves on the left hand, with the goats, and not on the right hand, with the sheep. And if you don’t know that scripture, then it’s high time you became very familiar with it, found in Matthew 25:31-46.
Anyway, for those of us who are doing our best to live for Christ, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. So, in a strong, joyful 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 lest we forget; if we endure to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! So let’s endeavor to endure nuh! It’s wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…living for Christ is not easy…but if we are serious…He generously gives us the grace and power to do it…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
16 Feb 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's wisdom, a miracle is performed, as we forgive our debtors, creates a fresh beginning, even as Christ forgave you, forbearing one another, forgive us our debts, forgivenss, forgiving one another, if ye forgive men their trespasses, Jesus Christ would be exalted, let all bitterness, LOVE, make allowance for each other's faults, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, no forgiveness without love, no love without forgiveness, no magic wand to simplify forgiveness, not turning back, One Year Book of Bible promises, our soul is washed clean, Ruth Harms Calkin, so glad to be alive, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the gift of forgiveness, the Lord's prayer, the secret key to freedom, the tangled seaweed of resentment, to a glorious future with Jesus, walk in dignity, Wednesday Wail, wrath clamour anger be put away from you, your Father will not forgive your trespasses
Matthew 6:12. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.’
And what shall we talk about this damp, cloudy Wednesday morning eh my faithful brethren in Christ? I asked the Lord that question, and you won’t believe His answer. He said, talk about forgiveness. Yes friends, that’s what our heavenly Father wants us to talk about today. And it’s not an easy problem to talk about, much less to put into practice. But the only way we can become true believers in and followers of Christ is if forgiveness is numbered amongst our many attributes.
Now the first thing we need to remember are the words of Jesus in the prayer we call the ‘Lord’s Prayer,’ where He says: ‘And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.’ (Matt. 6:12) Then He clarifies it all by saying: ‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ (Matt. 614-15) Oh my people, that is so in your face that you couldn’t get away from it, even if you tried! (smile)
But still, many of us don’t take it seriously, thinking that somehow or the other we can get away with not forgiving others. However, like so many other things we try to get away from, that’s merely a fool’s wisdom. And I’ve found some reading on the situation that I believe will help us understand it more clearly. It’s the writing most aptly titled ‘Forgiveness’ found in our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin.
So please read with me: ‘Forgiveness. What does it do for us? In an amazing way it creates a fresh beginning. It lifts us out of the tangled seaweed of resentment. A miracle is performed! It may not happen in a moment or a day. We may have to forgive at six o’clock on Monday and start over again at two o’clock on Tuesday. There is no magic wand to simplify forgiveness. Forgiveness is a deliberate setting of our will, often with no emotional high whatsoever.
But once having genuinely forgiven, our soul is washed clean. We walk in dignity again. We sense a new vitality. We’re no longer concentrating on hurts; we’re concentrating on God. If we would only forgive, our lives would undergo transformations beyond our highest expectations. Above all, Jesus Christ would be exalted, for it is His forgiveness that makes the difference.
Forgiveness is a beautiful word. It is God’s word passed to us to use freely, joyfully. When we ask for the gift of forgiveness, God always says yes. He gave His Son to make us free, and forgiveness is the secret key to freedom.’
Mama Oh Mama! Isn’t that beautiful my people! And not only beautiful but also the gospel truth! And I’m wondering here if I’ve ever encountered or used that marvellous passage on Forgiveness before, because it doesn’t seem familiar to me. And I would be highly disappointed in myself if I’ve had such a fantastic explanation of ‘Forgiveness’ in my possession for so long and never used it.
And, if after reading that ‘forgiveness’ doesn’t have a new meaning, then something’s seriously wrong with us. It’s a miracle! It untangles our tangled up lives and gives us a new beginning! But we have to make a positive choice to forgive and work at it continually, because there’s no magic wand to it. It washes our soul clean!
Wow! It even adds dignity to our walk and a new sense of vitality? Why is that you ask? Because when we forgive, we let go of all the petty hurts and resentments and begin thinking of God, pure and simple! And remember that’s why the Lord sent Christ to earth, so that He could die on the cross and atone for our sins; that means forgiveness of our disgusting iniquity. So, it’s His forgiveness in the first place that makes all the difference in our lives. And when we use that beautiful word forgiveness, we’re using the word the Lord gave us so that we can have freedom and joy, because those magnificent things only come through forgiveness!
Oh mih people, the ole fella’s on a roll here. (smile) And the Bible verse used as a promise for this passage comes from Bruh Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, where he’s talking to them about Christian virtues, and admonishes them: ‘Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’ (Col.3:13)
Now that’s the King James version, but this NLT (New Living Translation) version might make it a li’l clearer. ‘You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.’ And we can’t get away from that written in stone fact, no matter how we try my people, because Jesus preached it so much.
Listen to Him as He talks about prayer and believing when you pray. ‘And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye have aught (anything) against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.’ (Mark 11:25-26) How much clearer can it get eh? But yet we insist on praying when we have a whole lot of unforgiveness, resentment and hatred filling our hearts.
As Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus. ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ (Eph. 4:31-32)
Oh friends, when are we going to learn that the two most important words in God’s vocabulary are LOVE and Forgiveness? He sent Jesus because He LOVED us and consequently wanted to see us forgiven of our terrible sins. And until we have them in great measure in our souls, we are just wasting time, just spinning our wheels and not growing spiritually. However, for those of us who are sincerely and seriously endeavouring to get those attributes in our lives, let’s go home now declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most 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 let’s remember that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So please, let’s keep on keeping on for Christ nuh! Much LOVE!
…there’s no forgiveness without LOVE…and no LOVE without forgiveness…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
12 Jan 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a plausible reason, be not forgetful to entertain strangers, carry out God's good pleasure, Complaining is not a fruit of the Spirit, destructive and debilitating, do all things without murmurings and disputings, endure to the end, glorify your Father which is in heaven, halfway home, hands fixed securely on the plough, I'm not turning back, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, let brotherly love continue, Let your light so shine before men, LOVE, more than we can ask or imagine, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, putting myself in harm's way, sacrifices are a part of life, so glad to be alive, some have entertained angels unawares, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the future will be even more glorious, the Lord will look after me, the only common denominator in our world, the sons of God, the world's darkness is covering our light, they may see your good works, to a glorious future with Jesus, under God's guidance no reason for complaining, use hospitality to one another without grudging, using our light to uncover the world's darkness, Wednesday Wail, with fear and trembling, without rebuke, work out your own salvation, Ye are the light of the world, ye may be blameless and harmless, ye shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14. Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings:
Well it’s Wednesday, not bright like the other days, but just as cold. And would you believe I have to go into the great city of Toronto for a medical check-up. Chuh! It’s a pain going there with all the traffic and confusion, and I would just LOVE to cancel it. (smile) But I can’t find any plausible reason to do so, and, like in most of our problems, I am the beneficiary of the check-up, not the medical people. So if I don’t go, I’m not doing them anything, I’m just putting myself in harms way.
And deep down I know that the Lord will look after me, but I guess it’s just my laziness, or desire not to have to go out into the cold. But sacrifices are a part of this life, and furthermore, it’s a sacrifice for my life, not for anyone else’s. So if you can’t sacrifice for yourself, whom are you going to sacrifice for eh? So enough with the complaining, with the hemming and hawing of whether I should go or not. And I guess, under these circumstances we should take a look at what the Good Book says about complaining. Hn, Hn!
Now Bruh Paul says it loud and clear to the Philippians. ‘Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of (according to) his good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil. 2:12-15)
Yes friends, complaining, grumbling, murmuring, disputing or any such negative sentiment, should not be numbered amongst the Christian’s tool kit. Why is that, you ask? I like how the gotquestions.org website explains it in an article on the subject.
‘Complaining is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and, in fact, is detrimental to the peace, joy, and patience that come from the Spirit. For the Christian, complaining is destructive and debilitating personally and only serves to make our witness to the world more difficult. Who, for instance, would be attracted to a religion whose adherents are dissatisfied with life and who continually grumble and complain?’
Ah mih people, It’s hard enough to get the unbeliever to respond when we’re kind and contented, much less if we’re continually dissatisfied! And the scholars’ offer this explanation re ‘2:14. Since God is producing in the Philippians the willing and doing of His good and perfect will (vs. 13), there can be no legitimate reason for murmurings and disputings. Not only are they forbidden to complain about the difficulties and persecutions that will befall them in carrying out God’s good pleasure, but quarreling among themselves is also prohibited.’
So all of the nonsense that’s going on between us, supposed believers, re the Covid-19 virus and the many other problems is totally unchristian. And that’s one of the major reasons why we can’t solve any of them; no agreement on how to handle the situations. And that will cause problems every time. For it’s only when we agree, to at least disagree, that healing can begin. And is there ever so much disagreement in our world right now!
I don’t know if there’s anything that we even agree on, and it’s causing so many unnecessary fires both literally and figuratively, to be lit and to keep burning incessantly and with much rage. In fact, rage might be the one common denominator in our world today, for we are all up in arms about something, and nobody wants to give an inch.
That means Peter’s words are continually falling on deaf ears: ‘Use hospitality one to another without grudging (grumbling).’ (1 Pet. 4:9) It’s sad, but ever so true, that the amount of infighting that’s going on between, families, organizations, societies, and nations is mind-boggling and most definitely intolerable, if we are to ever defeat our common problems. And it’s also obvious that we have not taken the immortal words of Hebrews to heart: ‘Let brotherly LOVE continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ (Heb. 13:1-2)
Oh friends, we never know who is going to cross our path that will eventually play a large role in our affairs, that’s why it’s so necessary to treat each other with kindness and hospitality, and the only way to bring about some much needed peace and quiet in our tormented and troubled world. Remember what the Good Book says: We are to be ‘blameless and harmless,’ that’s innocent and above rebuke, so we could shine like bright lights in an evil and misguided generation.
That means we are also undoing and disobeying Christ’s desire, when He said: ‘Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14a, 16) And let’s remember that whomever we may be, or whatever our position, our major purpose on this earth is to glorify our heavenly Father!
Now for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. So 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 my faithful brethren, let’s not forget either, that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! That’s just a li’l something to keep us excited, strong and continually motivated to work for Christ! (smile) Much LOVE!
…unfortunately…we believers…instead of using our light to uncover the world’s darkness…we are allowing the world’s darkness to cover our light…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
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