13 Sep 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: be of good courage, be strong and of a good courage, believed to see, Bible promise, but seek ye first the kingdom of God, captivated by, Christians, competitive goals, confession, courage, defeated by, enthusiasm, erred, eternal life, faith, fight the good fight of faith, Financial Adviser, foolish, fountain, friend of Jesus, futile, goading competition, God's plan, godliness, greediness, he shall strengthen thine heart, I am the light of the world, I had fainted, in the land of the living, Jesus Christ, joyful, keep up with the Joneses, life's goal, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, LOVE of God, LOVE of Money, lure of the world, lustful pleasures, material possessions, meekness, negatives, One Year Book of Bible promises, patience, pierced themselves, positive spirit, rich, righteousness, rotting carcasses, Ruth Harms Calkin, seek first, share His love, spiritual life, spiritual realm, strain, strayed from the faith, stress, the beloved of God, the goodness of the Lord, the lack of money, the light of life, the lure of money, the root of all evil, this is the day the Lord has made, trials, tribulations, true believers, truthful word of God, Tuesday Mantra, unbelievers, wait on the Lord, walk in darkness, we will rejoice and be glad in it, wisdom
Joshua 1:6a. Be strong and of a good courage…
Well friends, it’s Tuesday, the day after Monday. (smile) Hope you had a good Monday, but even if you didn’t, it’s time to let it go into the past where it belongs and greet today with new enthusiasm and faith, by declaring, ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.’ Yes my people, it’s the only way to keep a joyful, positive spirit in these end times.
Now here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that’s ever so timely for many of us Christians, as well as unbelievers. It’s simply titled ‘Seek First.’
And it says: ‘O Lord How futile, how foolish To attempt to keep up with the Joneses On the gold-studded ladder of success. Even if we make it (Setting high, competitive goals) We awake one dismal morning To discover the Smiths have bypassed the Joneses So it starts again – the goading competition.
God, Your objective is far more rewarding. You want us to “keep up” with Your Plan For our individual lives. “Seek first the Kingdom of God” Is Your shining word to us. Forgive us for moments and days (Even months) When our LOVE of money Has exceeded our LOVE for You.
Please, God Be our Financial Advisor And deliver us from a thousand “if onlys.” May we never be defeated By the lack of money Or captivated by the lure of it.’
Oh my brethren, in this ever more greedy, selfish and competitive world, that is the path a lot of us are following; the lure of money and material possessions. But our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ has in no uncertain terms told us: ‘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, if we first seek the spiritual realm, then the material will be forthcoming to us. And the Bible promise used for that poem is one we know all too well, but still neglect to follow properly. Listen up to these monumental words of Bruh Paul to Timothy.
‘And having food and raiment (clothing) let us be therewith content. But they that will be (desire to be) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful (harmful) lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (ruin and destruction).
For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds) of evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith (for which some in their greediness have strayed from the faith), and pierced themselves through with many arrows.’ (1 Tim.6:8-10)
Oh my people, the world is strewn with the rotting carcasses of so many of us who have made being rich in money and material things our life’s goal. It’s certainly not a goal that’s worth striving after because it causes too much stress and strain and invites too many negatives in our lives.
However, as Bruh Paul continues to Timothy: ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things: and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed (confessed) with a good profession (confession) before many witnesses.’ (1 Tim.6:11-12)
Yeh friends, as true believers in Christ, that is the path we ought to follow. But unfortunately, the lure of the world, its material possessions, and lustful pleasures are so strong that we can easily get caught up in them. That’s why our Bit is so important in these times of much agitation. ‘Be strong and of a good courage…’
It doesn’t have many words, but it says a whole lot in terms of our spiritual life. Without strength and courage we won’t be able to withstand the attacks of the evil one. And that spiritual strength and courage can only be gotten by having the truthful word of God dwelling securely in our souls.
As Jesus said: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) Oh my people, are we walking in the light of Jesus or the darkness of the world? For all our sakes, I sincerely hope it’s the latter, otherwise crapaud smoke we pipe (ours will be a very rough landing).
Now let’s look at a scripture that encourages us to seek the Lord’s strength. And nobody exemplified that more than Bruh David. Hear him: ‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith), I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:13-14)
Bruh David was anointed king of Israel in his teenaged years, but never got to sit upon the throne until many years later, after going through many trials and tribulations not of his own making. He only succeeded by staying strong in his faith in the God of his forefathers. And that’s the only way we will succeed too my friends.
Now let’s go home by declaring our Tuesday Mantra with lots of conviction and passion, because, without conviction and passion in our lives we are just like the living dead.
All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
So having said all of that, let’s now go out and behave like the beloved of God and share the LOVE of our friend Jesus with the rest of the world. That’s wisdom of untold dimensions! Much LOVE!
…the only fountain of true strength…is that which is found in Jesus…
19 Aug 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's game, a negative wedge, abundance, abundantly, adversity, another week of work, balance, be abased, believers, Belzeebub, care of, circumspection, circumstances, commuting, comparing ourselves to others, concern for, confusion, contentment, debt, different, discipline oneself, dissuade us, envious, fellowship, financial aid, fishbowls, flourished, frail human shoulders, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, go without, greedy, have life, hurrah for the weekend, I have learned, I speak in respect of want, in Jesus' name, in whatsoever state I am, jealousy, Jesus Christ, keeping up the Joneses, learned in a classroom, level of power, lies, life lessons, live in prosperity, mama yo, material possessions, miserly, need, opportunity, overnight, P.S. I Love You, peace of jesus, perspective, practical life experiences, pretensions, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, sacrificed, show off society, social standing, sold their souls, strain, stress, stringently, suffer need, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the weekend, to abound, to be content, traffic jams, trials, tribulations, unhappiness, want, wisdom, work
Philippians 4:11. Not that I speak in respect of want (in regard of need): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Aye mih people, another bright, sunshiny day is in the offing… And it’s Friday to boot! So you can imagine the raucous shouts worldwide of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Hurrah for the weekend! Get yourselves together to party! No more slaving for two, whole big days! Mama yo! We going to mash up the place! Thank God for Fridays and the weekends yes!’
Ah friends, you can’t help but voice those sentiments after facing the endless traffic jams, both morning and evening, that result from everybody commuting to work these days and working in the li’l fishbowls that so many of us toil in, five days a week.
But we have a better perspective on the usage of the weekend. It’s called our Friday Chant. So let’s chant it and raise the stakes to a higher level nuh. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers in Jesus Christ, that is a much better way to spend the weekend. It provides some semblance of balance and circumspection, along with some godly intentions, not merely a free for all of worldly lusts and pleasures.
Now here is an interesting quote from my ‘P.S. I LOVE YOU’ Poster. It says, quite straightforwardly; ‘Almost all of our unhappiness is the result of comparing ourselves to others.’
And there is indeed a lot of truth in that statement friends! Comparing ourselves to others is one of the big problems in our current society. Keeping up with the Joneses causes more confusion, debt and jealousy than we can ever imagine.
The world’s wrong definition of who and what we are, which depends on our material possessions, social standing and level of power, drives too many of us to levels of debt, work, lies and pretensions that we cannot safely manage.
I thank the Lord everyday, that though I may desire some of the things and standards of living that others have, I’m not envious, neither do I try my level best to become like them. And the sad part is that oftimes we don’t know what others have sacrificed to get what they have and where they are.
And if we knew, we wouldn’t be so quick to want to be like them, because many have sold their souls to Beelzebub for their power, social standing and material possessions. So friends, let me strongly dissuade us this Friday morning from comparing ourselves to others, because it’s just a fool’s game.
The Lord in His absolute wisdom made us each different for a purpose. If He wanted us to be all the same, He would have done so. And trying desperately to be like others only drives a negative wedge in our lives. So please stop it! End of sermon. (smile)
That brings us to our rather appropriate Bit. ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (in regard of need): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’
Oh my brethren, learning that, takes so much stress and strain off of our frail human shoulders, especially in this show-off society of ours.
Hear the scholars take on our Bit nuh. ‘4:11. Not that I speak in respect (because) of want: Paul’s ability to be content despite the circumstances assures the readers that his joy of verse 10 is not solely over his “need” being met at their expense. He implies that he could have done without their financial aid. For justifies this implication.
I have learned …to be content: The Greek here suggests that contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom nor overnight, but through many practical experiences in life.’
And indeed so it is my people! Contentment is a learned way of life, through many trials and tribulations. Bruh Paul was here acknowledging the financial aid he’d received from the members of the Philippian church.
‘But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of (concern for) me hath flourished (revived) again; wherein ye were also careful (though you surely did care), ye lacked opportunity.’ (Phil.4:10) They were concerned about him, but lacked the opportunity to minister to him.
That leads Bruh Paul to continue after our Bit. ‘I both know how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity): everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.’ (Phil.4:12)
And we’ll end with some interesting explanations from the scholars. ‘4:12. By listing some specific examples, this verse elaborates upon the very general and broad “in whatsoever state I am” of verse 11. Be abased means literally to discipline oneself, that is, to tighten the belt in lean times.
To abound means to live in prosperity. Everywhere and in all things I am instructed (or, “in all circumstances I have learned the secret of how”) to be full, that is, “well fed.” To abound means to have plenty. To suffer need means to go without.
Paul has acquired the skill required for successful living with little and with much, the latter being harder. “For one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.” (Thomas Carlyle).’
Yeh friends, for many of us, living in prosperity is indeed harder than living in adversity. When we have plenty, we often don’t know what to do with it. However, when we only have a little, we just have to make do.
Now please don’t get the idea that we’re supposed to live miserly or stringently, because Christ said He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly, but by the same token, we also need to know how to live when we don’t have abundance, and not be greedy or envious of those who have.
So let’s go out there today and begin learning the life lessons we need to live as we ought nuh. (smile) Much LOVE!
…contentment can only be had through the peace of Jesus…
29 Jul 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a dose of Jesus, a dose of reality, a modicum of circumspection, a sense of balance, accuracy, aspirations, assessment of difficulties, associating with Jesus, balance, be afraid, be anxious for nothing, be gracious to you, be of good cheer, benediction, blueprint, care, changing circumstances, Christ, circumspection, Comforter, compassion, despair, doing my own thing, dreams, drive me crazy, earthly living, encouraging, encumber ourselves, facts of today, favour, fellowship, finite minds, fortunes, Friday chant, function at a high level, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, give you his favour, give you peace, goals, Guide, harmony, hopes of tomorrow, i have overcome the world, in Jesus' name, in me ye might have peace, Jesus, keep your hearts and minds, let not your heart be troubled, lift up his countenance on you, living in the past, LOVE, make his face shine upon thee, maturity, moderation, Moses, my peace I give unto you, navigate, nose to the grindstone, not as the world giveth, passeth all understanding, peace, Peace i leave with you, prayer, reality, reassuring words, refreshed, rejoice, relaxation, renewed, respect for reality, rest, Robert H Davies, semblance of balance, signs of maturity, slave master, soul body and mind, stress, sufficient fun, supplication, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanksgiving, the depths of despair, the Holy Spirit, the Lord is at hand, the peace of God, the weekend, tribulation, trying times, vicissitudes of life, virtual reality, wisdom, working people
John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
So it’s Friday! And all over God’s great earth, working people are celebrating! They are ecstatic that the weekend is upon them, and are joyfully singing: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! When this working day is done, my time will be my own! No more slave master to drive me crazy, to keep my nose to the grindstone! I’ll be free! Doing my own thing! Glory Be! Thank God for Fridays and the weekends yes!’
Ah friends, we all know how important the weekend is for most of us, trying to get things done that we couldn’t do during the work week. But we can’t afford to encumber ourselves with too much of our own activities either, for we’ll just continue the stress of the workweek. The weekend is a time when we must recapture some semblance of balance in our lives.
So let’s chant our Friday Chant which gives us a better idea of how to achieve that balance. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my brethren, we must find some way to get rest, relaxation and fellowship into our weekends if we want to be able to function at a high level the following week. And in keeping with that philosophy, here’s an interesting quote from one Robert H Davies. In checking though, there were so many people with that name, I couldn’t figure out which one said it.
Nonetheless here it is. ‘One of the signs of maturity is a healthy respect for reality – a respect that manifests itself in the level of one’s aspirations and in the accuracy of one’s assessment of the difficulties which separate the facts of today from the bright hopes of tomorrow.’
Yes friends, a healthy dose of reality is what a lot of this world needs right now, especially with all the huge emphasis we’re currently placing on what is called virtual reality. Today, if true reality hits some of us in the face we won’t even recognize it! (smile)
But we do need to be more mature and sensible about what has gone before, what’s happening today, and our prospects for the future. We must stop living in the past, learn to accept the present, and refrain from painting too bright a future, which when it doesn’t come to pass will only drag us down into the depths of despair.
Goals and dreams are great to have, but we must temper them with a modicum of circumspection, of reality, otherwise they can mess up our lives. Essentially what we need in our lives, especially in these trying times, these rush and push days, is a proper sense of balance.
And you know what my people, that can only be accomplished with a big, wonderful dose of Jesus: of His LOVE, His peace, His care and compassion! And nowhere is that more readily seen and available than in the words of our Saviour, as highlighted in our Bit.
‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’
Ah friends, what encouraging and reassuring words! Jesus was there telling His disciples of the necessity for Him to go away so that the Holy Spirit, our Guide and Comforter could be sent to us.
Now obviously it takes some maturity in the Christian faith to accept those words of Jesus at face value. But it’s the only way that we can truly handle the vicissitudes of this life, our changing circumstances and fortunes. Only through the peace and harmony gained by associating with Jesus, can we ever successfully navigate the stormy seas and strong winds of this life.
And please note the priestly benediction that the Lord gave Moses for the children of Egypt way back when. ‘The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee (look on you with favour), and give thee peace.’ (Num.6:24-26)
Yeh friends, without the peace and favour of our wonderful God moving in our beings, our lives will never be stable and successful.
Hear how Bruh Paul puts it to the Philippians. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 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.4:4-7)
Oh precious people of God, what a moving and encouraging set of scriptures! Through constant prayer and thanksgiving we are able to invoke the wonderful peace of God, that’s always close by, through the Holy Spirit! A peace that our finite minds can’t even understand, but we can surely feel it.
And we’ll end with these reassuring and triumphant words of Jesus. ‘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)
Friends, as true believers in Christ, let’s therefore go forth today, and everyday, holding those words of enduring truth in our hearts, souls, minds and bodies, so that we can successfully navigate our way through this evil and ungodly world, for that is wisdom to the nth power!
Much LOVE!…Jesus is the blueprint for successful earthly living…so let’s copy as much of His style as possible…
23 Jul 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a run for his money, a word of warning, adulterous realationship, advice, anointed king of Israel, Bathsheba, be wise, believers in Jesus Christ, best employer, blessed day, bondage, bring my soul out of prison, busy society, Christian, common criminal, complaint, couch potatoes, Creator, David, deal bountifully, deceitful world, defeated, deliver me, devil, diligence, doesn't play favourites, down the garden path, dwelling in us, ego, enticing, eternal life, eye-opening, fears, foolish, fraudulent, fresh, giant killer, give heed to my cry, glory in the name of Jesus, health, heavenly Father, I cried unto the Lord, I made my supplication, indisputable truth, junk food, led astray, live for, long-lasting, Lucifer, mad, material asset, miraculous, on which side his bread was buttered, pay careful attention, persecutors, plea for help, pride, Psalm 142, quality of advisers, refuge, release our souls, rewards, rich, salvation, screen watchers, sickness, sincerity, sinful world, stimulating, stress, take a page, talk about Jesus, testomony, tests, thanksgiving, the Holy Spirit, the land of the living, the righteous compass me about, the state of our health, Thou art my refuge, to die for, trials, tribulation, troubles, truth, untested chemicals, unto the Lord, wisdom, with my voice, working for Jesus, worries
Psalm 142:1. I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
O glory be friends! Another blessed and wonderful day of working for Jesus is upon us! Hn! Without a doubt, He is the best employer there is! Working for Him is so stimulating, eye-opening and ofttimes miraculous, plus His rewards are to die for; salvation and everlasting life in His company! Wow! Nothing could be better than that my people.
Oh I know tests, trials and tribulation will often beset us in this sinful world, but when we have the Holy Spirit of Jesus dwelling within us, we can withstand anything that comes against us. That’s His promise, and we all know that He is ever-faithful where promises are concerned. So what say you that we give the foolish, defeated devil a run for his money today eh?
Let’s just glory in the name of Jesus and do His will with diligence and sincerity. There’s nothing that gets Lucifer madder than having people truly live for and talk about Jesus. So let’s talk up a Jesus storm today friends, and rile Lucifer for a change, instead of him always trying to rile us. (smile)
Now here are this week’s two quotes from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us. The first one is plain, simple and straightforward. ‘Health is your greatest material asset; if you’re healthy, you are rich.’ And that my brethren is indisputable truth, especially in this sickly society of ours today!
One would think that in our supposed advanced society, sickness would not be as prevalent as it is, but unfortunately it is, and all of us would be wise to carefully guard and look after our health. But sadly it’s not that easy to do with the busy society we live in, plus all the junk food we’re eating, with all the untested chemicals that are being put in even the simplest things nowadays.
Just try reading the label of one of your favourite snacks nuh, you’ll be amazed at the amount of stuff that’s in it, most of them you’ve never even heard about before. But they need something to keep it fresh and long-lasting, while making it look enticing. So please friends, let’s pay careful attention to our health, especially that giant killer stress, which doesn’t play favourites, and will knock you down with the same intensity whether you sixteen or sixty.
And the opposite of that is also true; we have too many couch potatoes and inactive screen watchers. And sadly that lifestyle begins from young, so what will they turn out to be as adults eh? Anyway, they say that a word of warning to the wise is sufficient. You have been warned… so please be wise. (smile)
And the second of Anselm’s quotes tells us: ‘Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how.’
Now there is also truth in that my people. Everybody and their brother have good advice to give. Meanwhile some of them can’t even spell the word. That’s why so many people are being led astray in today’s supposedly wise, but really fraudulent and deceitful world.
And my Christian brethren, please pay special attention to that, because the first person we’re to go to for advice is our Creator and heavenly Father, not the last, after everybody else have led us down the garden path. Then if God so desires, He will lead you to another human being for help.
So there are two things for us to ponder today; the state of our health, and the quality of our advisers. And then ask God to help us improve them. You know He’ll never refuse our sincere requests, once they fall into line with His will.
And we have a wonderful testimony of that from Psalm 142- Thou art my refuge – a contemplation of Bruh David, when he was hiding in the cave from his enemies, who wanted to take his life. Listen to our Bit. ‘I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.’
Yes friends, as I keep saying Bruh David knew on which side his bread was buttered. Most of the time he sought the Lord’s help and guidance; the main exception being his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. But nonetheless, the Lord heard him and kept his pursuers from harming him.
And Bruh David continues: ‘I poured out my complaint before him; I showed (declared) before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed (fainted) within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily (secretly) laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, there was no man that would know (acknowledge) me.
I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refugee and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto (give heed to) my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about (surround me); for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.’ (Ps.142:2-7)
Ah friends, can you imagine the magnitude of Bruh David’s situation. There he was, the anointed king of Israel, running and hiding like a common criminal. But he never allowed his faith in the God of his fathers to waiver. His pride and ego did not prevent him from crying out for help to his heavenly Father.
Likewise my fellow believers, in times of trouble, we should never let pride and/or ego prevent us from crying out to Almighty God for help! It’s the wisest thing we can do, for our wonderful God never turns away a sincere plea for help. And please note the last verse. Bruh David believes that God will save him, and promises to offer thanksgiving when it occurs.
Oh friends, today we need to take a page from Bruh David’s book and cry out to God! With a sincere heart, let’s lay all our troubles, fears and worries before Him, so that He can release our souls from the bondage that Lucifer’s trying to keep it in. There’s no greater wisdom that that my fellow believers in Jesus Christ! Much LOVE!
…it’s not wise to put your trust in fallen, finite man…but in the risen, infinite Being called Jesus…
08 Jul 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a family to feed, adventurous, awe-inspiring, backbone, be of good cheer, believe also in me, belly, bring all things, Christian, come again, economy falters, effort, ever-LOVING God, evil ungodly days, faith, faith in action, faithful believers, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, get by, getting me through another week, hard times, i have overcome the world, I leave with you, if it were not so, in Jesus' name, In my Father's house, in my name, Jesus Christ, lead and guide, let not your heart be troubled, many mansions, merciful, middle ground, moderation, monetary incentive, mortgage to pay, my peace I give unto you, negative emotions, not as the world giveth, Oral Roberts, party, peace, permeate our souls, perspective, preaching, prepare a place for you, promise, prosper, purpose of faith, raise the level of our faith, receive you unto myself, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, resentment, rest, satisfying, sinful world, soul body mind, sow, stand strong against the enemy, staring you in the face, steadfast, stress, stressful, stressful week, take up the slack, teach you all things, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks, the Blessing of the Holy spirit, the bottom line, the christian motto, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the pull of partying, the weekend, there ye may be also, think on them, to your remebrance, tribulation, trust, trust in jesus, truth, unchristian behaviour, unemployment, weekend activities, where I am, wicked ways, wisdom, ye believe in God
John 14:1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
And then it was Friday! And obviously there is joy in the work place at the upcoming weekend; the couple of days off from work.
And all around the workers are joyfully declaring: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and slave work done! It done like dinner! The weekend party starting from this evening and going straight through! The weekend is the greatest time! Thank You Lord for Fridays and weekends!’
Ah mih people, it’s understandable how the workers long for the weekend after a stressful week of work, but that doesn’t mean we have to go to the other extreme, where we party the whole weekend away. There needs to be some moderation, some middle ground in our weekend activities. So let’s chant our Friday Chant which gives us a much better perspective on the situation.
Chanting: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes friends, that’s a much better, much more reliable and sensible way to use those two precious days off. But I guess I will have to be preaching that until I die, (smile) because the pull of the partying is getting stronger and stronger as the days get more stressful.
And believe me, they are getting more difficult as the economy continues to falter and people lose their jobs, all to the glory of the bottom line, and the remaining ones are expected to take up the slack for no monetary incentive. That type of situation will obviously cause resentment and stress!
But friends, as faithful believers in Jesus Christ, we must not allow those two negative emotions to permeate our souls and drag us down to unchristian behaviour. Now that’s not easy to do when unemployment and other hard times are staring you in the face.
You’ve got a family to feed and clothe, a mortgage to pay, car payments to make, and all the other numerous things we need to do to just get by in this society. Note, we not even talking about prospering, but merely getting by. So you can imagine the effort and faith it takes for one to prosper as a Christian in these evil and ungodly days.
That’s why our Bit today is so important in a believer’s life. ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.’
Oh my people, these days we badly need to raise the level of our faith, our trust in Jesus, so that we can stand strong against the enemy and his wicked ways. But we also need to see that faith in action.
As Oral Roberts is reputed to have said: ‘I don’t care how much faith you have, I care about how much faith you release.’
And friends, that’s the basic purpose of faith: having it doesn’t mean much unless you release it. Faith in action is the Christian motto. So if the world is stressing you out today, please take hope and raise the level of your faith by seriously trusting in the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Hear how He continues after our Bit. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:2-3)
Oh what a wonderful promise my brethren! Our Leader has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven, then come back and take us to live with Him! Hn! It’s promises like these my faithful believers that we need to sow deep down in our souls and think on them when times and things come against us.
Now listen to what Jesus says later on in that same chapter, as He promises the blessing of the Holy Spirit. ‘But the Comforter (Helper), which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye LOVED me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.’ (John 14:26-28)
Oh my brethren, I know all of that is easier said than done, how difficult it is to raise up the necessary faith when the evil world is banging on your door. But that’s what we need to do, and besides, we also have the wherewithal to do it.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would remind the apostles of all that He spoke to them about, and it’s also the same way He operates in our lives, leading and guiding us in wisdom and truth. It is therefore very essential that we pay special attention to what the Holy Spirit says to us.
Nothing’s easy in this life friends, but we already have all that we need to conquer it planted deep down in our souls, we just need to ask the Lord to raise up whatever we need to overcome our negative circumstances. And you know our merciful and ever-LOVING God will answer our prayers if we come to Him in humility and sincerity.
Now let’s close with another faithful and awe-inspiring promise of our Lord and Saviour. ‘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)
Please believe Jesus’ promises my people, because that’s what gives us the belly and backbone to stand strong and steadfast against the enemy in this wicked and sinful world! Much LOVE!
…living for, and following Jesus is not easy…but it sure is satisfying and adventurous…
20 May 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a very present help in trouble, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, action, an artesian well, blessed, blissful, breathed with God, Christian friends, commuting, contentment, drudgery, expectation, faith, fears, fellowship, Friday chant, friends, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, glory, God is my rock, God is our refuge and strength, gospel truth, heart attacks, heart's desires, hope, I shall not be moved, incredible happenings, insurmountable, joy, long-suffering, look to Jesus, melted like wax, no need to worry, obedient to god, omnipotent god, One Year Book of Bible promises, opened windows, opens doors, patience, peace, poured into my heart, problems, provides opportunities, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, Revelation, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, saturated my mind, Selah, sheer joy, slave labour, stress, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the mountains shake, the valley of despair, the waters roar, the weekend, though the earth be removed, threatening clouds, traffic jams, trust, wait for Jesus, walked with God, wax, You did all the rest
Psalm 46:1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present (an abundantly available) help in trouble.
One more day friends, just one more day, and then we’ll all have the short rest we so badly crave…
But unbeknownst to me, the word had already been spread that it was Friday, and the joyful shouts all around the place were deafening.
‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes mih breddren! Hurrah for the weekend, when we do our own thing! No more massa and his slave labour to worry about for two, whole big days! Thank God for Fridays yes mih people!’
And so it went on. The working people were surely glad to have a couple days off from what has become pure drudgery in this supposed enlightened and advanced world.
Just the commuting alone; twice a day, five days a week, in the ever-increasing traffic jams is enough to cause untold stress. It’s a wonder we don’t find more people just dead from heart attacks while sitting in the stifling and irritating traffic jams.
Anyway my Christian friends, that’s where the patience and long-suffering of our Christian belief comes in. (smile) Now let’s chant our Friday Chant which gives us a fine perspective on how to spend our weekends. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s the route we ought to follow if we expect to be bright and fresh and reinvigorated on Monday morning.
Now here’s an interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one is titled: ‘You Did All The Rest.’
And it says: ‘O Lord God! I did what You asked me to do: I just opened windows Wide… Wide… And You did all the rest! You poured into my heart A blessed, blissful contentment. You saturated my mind With gigantic thoughts of You.
You struck an artesian well within me Until sheer joy sprang forth. You led me out of the valley of despair Into a succession of incredible happenings. Problems which seemed insurmountable Melted like wax before my eyes. Fears faded away like threatening clouds.
You startled me You amazed me With the glory of Your revelation. It is true Gloriously true – I have literally walked and breathed with God. I just opened windows Wide… Wide… God, You did all the rest!’
Oh my fellow believers isn’t that truly beautiful? It surely is! And the awesome thing about it is that it’s also gospel truth! For that’s how we feel when we sincerely look to and patiently wait on Jesus.
In His time He opens doors and provides opportunities and gives us our heart’s desires and just fills our souls with His joy and peace, like we never thought possible.
And the Bible Promise for that writing is our Bit. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present (an abundantly available) help in trouble.’
And if that is true, then this corollary from the sons of Korah, the psalmists, obviously applies: ‘Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (the heart) of the sea: Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps.46:2-3)
Yes friends, let’s just sit and ponder that for a moment nuh. If our God is all that we claim Him to be, then we shouldn’t be afraid of anything that happens in our world. Unfortunately though, it’s not the way it happens in real life. Too many Christians live afraid and anxious lives, despite the assurance of God.
What does that say about us eh? That although we talk the good talk, deep down we’re still not as strong and faithful as we ought to be. That we have not truly or fully surrendered our hearts, minds, bodies and souls to our Creator, and we don’t trust and obey Him like we ought to.
But yuh know what friends, our wonderful God knows our weaknesses and our frailties because He made us, and despite it all, He still LOVES us with that unimaginable, unconditional, never-ending LOVE of His.
And all God’s people shouted a loud, proud and grateful: ‘Glory to God! Praise His Holy Name! May He reign for ever and ever!’
Oh my fellow believers, once we’re doing our sincere best to follow and be obedient to Almighty God, there’s no need to worry. He will undoubtedly stand beside us and help us along our pilgrim’s way.
Now let’s end with some of Bruh David’s thoughts on the subject from Psalm 62 – God only is my rock and my salvation. ‘My soul, (silently) wait thou only upon God; for my expectation (hope) is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved (shaken).
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’ (Ps.62:5-8)
Oh my brethren, that says it all! It’s up to us now to put all of that into action, if we desire to see better days both down here on earth and in heaven. Much LOVE!
…if the omnipotent God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is our God…then there’s absolutely no need for believers to be afraid…
14 May 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a millstone, a millstone were hanged about his neck, an ass-stone, Anselm, anxieties, become as little children, biblical picture, bonkers, cares, change happens, child-like faith, child-like nature, Christian fellowship, control freaks, conversion, craivng control, drowned in the depth of the sea, except ye be converted, fighting tooth and nail, forbid them not to come unto me, forgive the most, God is in control, guardian angels, humble himself, innocent, innocent children, intellectual assent, LOVE, make the necessary amends, negative emotions, negativity, of such is the kingdom of heaven, offend one of these little ones, power over, salvation, stress, Suffer little children, take control, take stock of ourselves, tension, the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, the pressures of the world, the worries of the world, time out to play, to be born again, trusting, woe unto the world, worries, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 18:3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Oh friends, it’s a glorious Saturday morning on God’s wonderful earth! So like children, let’s take some time out to play nuh. Playing is a wholesome, healthy and hearty retreat from the pressures of this world.
Remember what Jesus said when the disciples refused to let the children come to Him? ‘Suffer (allow the) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt.19:14)
Yeh friends, heaven is made up of simple, trusting, innocent people with child-like faith. So to keep our minds and bodies in a healthy state, sometimes, especially on beautiful days like these, we just need to let all our cares, worries and anxieties go and just play like innocent children.
You’d be surprised how refreshed and renewed our souls, minds and bodies would be with a little mindless, free spirited playing. Believe me people, we all need to have some regular playtime in our lives. This evil, stressful, dangerous and angry world calls for it.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be long before we go stark raving bonkers, holding all the stress and tension that this world generates inside of us. Our bodies were not made to bear a whole lot of negative emotions, but positive ones. You see how quickly they deteriorate when they are consumed by too much negativity.
So please, let’s lighten up some, and don’t try to take on all the worries of the world on our frail and mortal shoulders. Our Creator doesn’t seem overly worried, so why should we be, especially if we sincerely believe that He is in control of the universe He created?
Now here is a little tidbit from our friend Anselm, who always tries to inspire us to reach for a better tomorrow. He says that ‘Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.’
And that’s no lie my brethren! It’s simple, straightforward logic. You will accomplish more if you control what you can, instead of selfishly trying to control what you can’t. But that’s a regular pattern of life with many of us, as the crazy, selfish world we live in sets us that example.
Just look at how our world is populated with control freaks; those who want to control everything and everyone, and fighting tooth and nail to do so. Meanwhile, if they would just concentrate on those things they do have power over, their lives would be so much happier and longer.
That brings us to our Bit, where Jesus explains greatness to the disciples by calling a child to Him and setting him in the middle of the crowd: ‘And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’
There we have Jesus again referring to the importance of a child-like nature. And He continues: ‘Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones (cause them to sin) which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses (enticements to sin)! For it needs be that offenses come; but woe to the man by whom the offense cometh.’ (Matt.18:4-7)
And the scholars offer this explanation of those verses. ‘18:1-7. The dispute over who is the greatest was settled by Jesus’ emphasis that it was the one who was willing to forgive the most!
Be converted means a “turning” of one’s whole life and person toward God. This is the true biblical picture of conversion. It is far more than mental acknowledgement of the truth or intellectual assent to certain ideas.
To become as little children means to be born again (converted) as a newborn spiritual child, characterized by faith and humility. The little child represents a new convert or young believer. To receive such a fellow believer is to welcome Christ Himself. Therefore the basis of true Christian fellowship is established in Christ Himself.
Offenses are viewed as a reality that must be accepted in the present world, but woe (the prophetic condemnation to death) to the one who is the source of the offense. A millstone is literally an “ass-stone,” or a large grindstone turned by an ass.’
So you see my people, to enter heaven we must humble ourselves and have faith like a young child. And beware, if we cause one of these young children, the new spiritual converts to sin, then we’re surely in for a rough time; ‘woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.’ It would be like dissing and demeaning Jesus Himself.
And Jesus ends that section with this warning. ‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.18:10)
And the scholars tell us: ‘Just as temptation arises from within, so does offending others and being offended. The reference to their angels (v.10) supports the idea of individual guardian angels for believers (see Heb.1:14). Salvation is not just a privilege to be enjoyed by a select few, but it is also to be shared with the lost, so that they too can be saved.’
Now friends, today as we play and pray, let us ponder how all that we’ve said pertains to us nuh. Are we causing others of less faith to sin, are we hogging salvation and not sharing it with others, are we being humble and faithful? Those are multi-million dollar questions my brethren, but questions only the individual can answer, before a just but kind and merciful God.
It’s therefore imperative that we take stock of ourselves now and make whatever amends are necessary, so that that “ass-stone’ is not hung around our necks and we be deposited in the deep. Wisdom is desperately calling for that my people! Much LOVE!
…the open door to heaven calls for…innocent, child-like surrender, trust, faith and humility…
07 May 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fool's wisdom, actions, agenda, apple cart, asaph, atonement, backbone, backsliding, be in the world, belly, blessings, bondage, character, Christians, comfortable, compromise, confession, covenant, cowardly, deliver us, deliverance, do not fear, faith, for thy name's sake, give in, God is always with us, good living, goodwill, habits, hallmark, help us, jeopardize our good thing, Jeremiah, kind, long-suffering, LOVE, loving, lustful dealings, magnanimous god, material prosperity, mercies, merciful, mercy, not of the world, O God of our salvation, O Lord our God, obedience, our redeemer, patient, pressure, purge away our sins, rebellion, remove God from our lives, repentance, righteousness, rights and privileges, rub mih belly, safety, save us, scared, scratch yuh back, seek first the kingdom of God, sleep in, stress, testimonies, the BIBLE, the glory of thy name, the hope of Irael, the weakest generation of Christians, thoughts, Trini, true believers, trust, truth, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, wickedness, wisdom, words, worry
Psalm 79:9. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away (provide atonement for) our sins, for thy name’s sake.
So now it’s Saturday morning friends, meaning that our magnanimous God has granted us another meaningful day on His great earth, to do His glorious work and enjoy His unending mercies and blessings! Oh what a wonderful God we serve and worship my people!
Now some of us are lucky, or preferably, blessed to be able to sleep in, but many others have to get up and get busy around the house, as well as go out and buy food and other necessities for the upcoming week. But fellow believers, whatever our agenda for today, please remember that our wonderful, kind, LOVING and merciful God is ALWAYS with us, ensuring our safety and goodwill.
If we don’t sincerely believe that, then every time the enemy comes against us, even in minor situations, we’ll worry unnecessarily. And if Jesus said it once, He said it a million times – DO NOT FEAR!
And the other day I heard a preacher declare that that sentence was possibly the most used in the entire Bible. I forget how many times they said it was used. But from the beginning of time the Lord has been telling His people not to be afraid.
But despite it all, we Christians are still a scared and cowardly bunch. We let the enemy beat us down too easily, and we don’t seem to have the belly and backbone needed to stand up strong and steadfast again the evil one. Steups!
This has got to be the weakest generation of Christians that our world has ever seen! I guess that’s because we’ve become too comfortable with the good living, and the material prosperity of the world, and we don’t want to upset our precariously balanced apple cart, to jeopardize the good thing we have going in the world.
So we sheepishly give in and/or compromise with the evil world, and consequently loose most of the rights and privileges that our forefathers died to have ensured and enshrined. Remember Jesus said we ought to be IN the world but not OF the world. Too many of us have fallen, and are still falling by the wayside with that directive.
And we also conveniently forget that He declared that if we first seek the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, then all the stuff that we need will be granted to us. (Matt.6:32) But we don’t seem to have the true faith and trust in our Redeemer that that directive implies, so we try to do it, work for it all ourselves, and then die from the stress and pressure. That’s certainly not wisdom my brethren.
Now here is an interesting but true Trini quote a Trini friend just sent me. ‘Rub meh belly, ah go scratch yuh back.’ Used to reassure someone that there is a need to look out for each other: I’ll help with your issues and you help with mine: Let’s help each other to achieve success. It can even be used as a gentle, but loving scolding — come on and pull your weight because I should not be doing most of the work to build our relationship. Have a great day.
Watch your thoughts: They become words. Watch your words: They become actions Watch your actions: They become habits Watch your habits: They become your character.’ True and faithful words my people! I certainly hope we can successfully apply them to our lives.
And now, turning to our Bit, we hear the psalmist Asaph plead with the God of his fathers. ‘Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away (provide atonement for) our sins, for thy name’s sake.’
Ah friends, Asaph was not the only man of God who pleaded fervently with God for deliverance. Let’s listen to a couple of others who did the same, beginning with Bruh David, from Psalm 25 – A prayer for guidance and protection. ‘All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name’s sake, O Lord pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.’ (Ps.25:10-11) That was Bruh David pleading on a personal note.
Now hear the psalmist pleading in Psalm 106 on behalf of Israel sins against God’s LOVE. ‘Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise the Lord.’ (Ps.106:43-48)
Oh my fellow believers, the Israelites were surely hard-headed and stubborn, but at least they knew whom to run to when they had gone their own way and things backfired on them. Today, more than ever we need to cry out to our Creator for mercy, grace and forgiveness for our continuing rebellion against Him. But that’s the furthest thing from the minds of the majority of our society.
Unfortunately, we are still so tied up in the bondage of material wants and lustful dealings that we are dying, trying to remove God from our lives, instead of reinstating Him on the throne of the world. Ah friends, as I said yesterday, that’s a fool’s wisdom and no good can ever come from it!
And we’ll end with the words of the prophet Jeremiah, pleading for his people, as the Lord communicates the message of the famine to him. ‘O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many, we have sinned against thee.
O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Why shouldest thou be as a man astonished, as a mighty man that cannot save? Yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.’ (Jer.14:7-9)
And later on in that same chapter, he declares: ‘We acknowledge, O Lord our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.’ (Jer.14:20-21)
Yeh, I like the reasoning; we can callously and stubbornly break our covenant with Almighty God, but He must not break His with us. Hn! Sadly though friends, it just doesn’t work like that. Our God is patient and long-suffering, but even His patience runs out, especially in the face of boldfaced and continuous rebellion.
My people, we cannot continue rebelling against God and expect Him to still show us grace and mercy. Until sincere repentance and confession become a big part of our society, like the Israelites, our fortunes will continue to decrease. Let’s think seriously on that today nuh. Much LOVE!
…continuous obedience to God’s Word…is the hallmark of true believers…
30 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new day, Abraham, almighty god, an answer for prayer, anger, awesome truth, Babylon, basic principles, be grateful, be thankful for what you have, beautiful memories, blossoming, brought forth fruit, captives, dream, enjoy your coffee, Ernesto Cortazar, fertile soil, for I know that my redeemer lives, glory to God, greed, hate, he shall stand at the last day, hope, innocent blood, Jesus, laugh, live every moment, LOVE, make the most of this day, mornings, negative things, Old Testament, parable of the sower, plant your own garden, poison our souls, prayers of the saints, Redeemer, redemption, refuel your soul, reign on earth, relax, relief, resentment, sacrificial lamb, sinless, strength, stress, take a deep breath, testimony, the blood of Jesus, the heathen, the Holy Spirit, the Lamb and the Lion, the Lord of hosts, the seven seals, the Word of god, they sung a new song, truth, turning away from God, vision of John, wake up with a smile, who hath ears to hear, yearning of thy heart, You Tube, zeal
Job 19:25. For I know that my Redeemer (lit. Kinsman) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter (last) day upon the earth.
Aye mih fellow believers, friends and neighbours, it’s Saturday; a brand new day! And in celebration of that I thought I would share that wonderful poem with the beautiful pictures by Ernesto Cortazar on YouTube, which I sent to you all by e-mail earlier on in the week.
I don’t know how many of you opened it, but if you didn’t, you surely missed a great treat. But as the D.J. man says: ‘If it’s nice, yuh got to play it twice!’ So here is the poem, aptly titled ‘A NEW DAY,’ without the pictures. Please, read, enjoy and put into practice.
‘Everything may not be good, but there’s something good everyday. Mornings are the most beautiful time of the day. So wake up with a smile on your face and make the most of this morning. Be grateful for the new day. Take a deep breath and relax. Enjoy your coffee.
A new day is a chance to refuel your soul. It’s really nice to wake up in the morning realizing that God has given you another day to live. May God give us relief for every stress, a sweet song for every sigh, an answer for every prayer, and peace for every troubled moment. A blessed day everyone!
Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul. Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day. When God gives you a new beginning, it starts with an ending. Be thankful for closed doors. They often guide us to the right one.
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. Don’t start your day with broken pieces of yesterday. Today is a new day, a day to start afresh. Every day starts with some expectation, but every day ends with some experience. Hope your day begins with LOVE and ends with beautiful memories.
Every day is another chance to change your life. Make the most of this day! Laugh, LOVE, Dream… Live every moment! Every morning starts a new page in your story. Make it a great one today!’
Oh how beautiful and true that is my brethren! If we would only put those basic principles into action in our lives, what a beautiful life and world we’d have! But unfortunately, we allow negative things; weeds like hate, greed, anger, resentment, etc. etc. to come into our souls and poison and kill the beautiful and positive things that Almighty God has planted there for our enjoyment.
Chuh! What a waste! Remember Jesus’ parable about the sower who sowed his seed on several different types of ground? Well we are like those seeds which fell on bad ground, for our souls aren’t blossoming as they should. Instead we should be good and fertile soil like Jesus described. ‘But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.’ (Mat.13:8-9)
Yes friends, with the Word of God and His Holy Spirit indwelling us, we ought to be such rich and fertile ground, bearing so much fruit, that the heathen should be opening his eyes and staring at us in wonder, trying to figure out why we’re so fruitful and wanting to be fruitful like us.
In theory, that’s how it’s supposed to work, but it obviously doesn’t. We aren’t producing sufficient good fruit; our life examples are not good enough, that’s why so many people are turning away from God. But that’s another story for another day. (smile)
Let’s turn to our Bit: ‘For I know that my Redeemer (lit. Kinsman) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter (last) day upon the earth.’
Oh my people, what a powerful testimony of awesome truth! Job was indeed fertile ground, for despite his disastrous circumstances, he never doubted or cursed God. Just wish that most of us could be so faithful and trusting! (smile)
And we’ll continue with some scripture that talks about the Redeemer in the Old Testament. Hear Isaiah, re the Lord’s favour shown to Israel after they had rebelled.
‘Look down from the heavens and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels (yearning of thy heart) and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer, thy name is from everlasting.’ (Is.63:15-16)
Ah friends, yuh see how we quick to acknowledge God after we rebel and He sets us adrift to do our own thing and life gets hard with us. Hn!
Now listen to Jeremiah, from his prophecy concerning Babylon. ‘Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name; he shall thoroughly plead their cause (case), that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.’ (Jer.50:33-34)
Yes my fellow believers, the Lord has always been the Redeemer of His people, even when they rebelled against Him and He allowed them to be taken captive and endure much ‘sufferation.’
And it wouldn’t be right to end without this wonderful vision of John re the Lion and the Lamb. ‘And he (the sacrificial Lamb – Jesus) came and took the book (scroll) out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials (bowls) full of odours (incense), which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book (scroll), and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred (tribe), and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.’ (Rev.5:7-10)
Now isn’t that wonderful my people? It surely is! Our Lord and Saviour paid the price for our sins, redeemed us, that’s why He is worthy to break the seven seals and be worshipped and glorified. Please, let’s contemplate how that action has affected our lives today, and then give the rightful glory to God. Much LOVE!
…true redemption could have come from only one source…the shedding of sinless, innocent blood…the blood of Jesus…
29 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: assurance, confusion, defeat sin, descendants, died on the cross, difficult times, dissipation, evil cohorts, faith, fear not, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, God champions, he shall stand at the last day, hear the birds singing, hell, hold thy right hand, holy spirit, I know that my Redeemer lives, I will help thee, in Jesus' name, Isaiah, Jesus Chirst, licentiousness, live and reign forever, live victoriously with Jesus, Lucifer, Old Testament, omnipotent god, orphans, our redeemer, out of the mouth of, promises of God, refreshed in soul body and mind, relaxation, renewed, rest, restoration of Israel, set the tone, strangers, stress, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the cross at Calvary, the demands of our body, the end of the work week, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Holy One of Israel, the lake of fire, the Lamb that was slain, the mansions of heaven, the only true God, the weekend, the word of the Lord, week of work, widows, wisdom
Job 19:25. For I know that my Redeemer (lit. Kinsman) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter (last) day upon the earth.
Ah friends, yesterday was another busy and frustrating day, which eventually led to a rather late night, or should I say early morning to bed. I had to laugh when I heard the birds already singing their morning praises to our wonderful God as I got into bed.
Consequently, the tired old body refused to get up this morning until it was good and ready. Sometimes we just have to be wise and simply adhere to the demands of our body, because it knows best, what is good for it.
And as I got up, the raucous, joyful shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here!’ reminded me that it was the day that so many of us look forward to, because it heralds the end of our work week and brings on the much needed weekend.
But don’t forget my brethren, that how we use our weekend is very important, since it sets the tone for the way our next week of work will unfurl. If we use it wisely, then our week will go much more smoothly than if we use it in total dissipation and licentiousness. Hn!
And by using it wisely, I mean along the lines of our Friday Chant, which we shall now declare. As one chanter: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes friends, that is definitely the wisest way to use our weekend, especially in these trying and difficult times, times of great stress and confusion. We don’t need Lucifer and his evil cohorts to drag us further down into the mire of sin than we already are.
So when they approach us with sinful actions that seem so innocent and pleasant, but are in fact devious and dangerous, just tell them to go back to hell where they belong! (smile)
Because, as Job so boldly proclaims in our Bit: ‘For I know that my Redeemer (lit. Kinsman) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter (last) day upon the earth.’
Ah mih breddren, that is such a powerful statement of faith, especially under the disastrous circumstances that Job declared it.
And today we know for a fact that our Redeemer Jesus Christ lives, since He died on the cross and rose again to defeat sin, death and the grave, so that we could all live victoriously ever after with Him in the mansions of heaven!
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘All praise, power and glory to the Lamb that was slain for us on the cross at Calvary! May he live and reign forever!’
And believe me friends, He WILL indeed live and reign forever!
And with that sure assurance (smile), let’s continue looking at some scriptures from the Old Testament that testified to the truth of our having a redeemer, beginning with these welcome and encouraging words from Isaiah as he prophesies about the final restoration of Israel.
‘For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’ (Is.41:13-14)
Yes friends, how could they ever beat the strong and ever faithful promises of our magnificent, majestic and omnipotent God eh? NEVER!
And Isaiah seems to have been well attuned to his Redeemer as he mentions it several times in his writings. Listen to him once more, re the folly of idolatry. ‘Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it (can proclaim it), and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them show unto them.’ (Is.44:6-7)
Ah mih people, there’s no one who can do and say the things our God can, because He is indeed the first and last, and the ONLY true God that exists!
Now hear what Cousin Sol has to say about the Redeemer. ‘Remove not the old landmark (boundary); and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with (against) thee.’ (Prov.23:11)
And that’s for certain sure my fellow believers! We all know how our God champions the widows and orphans and strangers, so we had better make sure we don’t run afoul of them, because the mighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will fight tooth and nail on their behalf.
And we’ll end with some more Isaiah, as he declares that deliverance will be from the Lord. ‘And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put into thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.’ (Is.59:20-21)
Oh friends, there’s no better way to end than with that reminder about the Lord’s Spirit which indwells us and the necessity for us to keep the Word of the Lord constantly in our hearts, minds, souls, bodies and proceeding from our mouths, and those of our descendants.
So today, let’s ponder both our individual and family situation on that matter nuh, then ask the Lord to bring us and our family up to scratch on it. For that is indeed wisdom at its fullest! Much LOVE!
…without Jesus…our wonderful Redeemer…we’d all be heading for hell and the lake of fire with Lucifer…
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