21 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sincere disposition, above all these things put on charity, according to the flesh, all the days of the life of thy vanity, all the days of thy vanity, another week of work for Jesus, as unto the Lord and not unto men, be ye thankful, begin a new week of work, bread to the wise, Christian slaves serve Christ not their earthly masters, Christians, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, do it heartily, do it with thy might, drink thy wine with a merry heart, eat thy bread with joy, empty life, faith, favour to the men of skill, fearing God, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, give our best effort in everything, given thee under the sun, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go thy way, God now accepteth thy works, granted our wish, he that doeth wrong, holy spirit, humble servants, I returned and saw under the sun, imagine that we're working directly for God, in all wisdom, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, in sincerity, in singleness of heart, incredible aura of LOVE, indisputable truth, into the enemy's camp, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keep our promise, keeping lives and families together, knowing that of the Lord, length of life is not guaranteed, let the peace of God rule in your hearts, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, let thy garments always be white, let thy head lack no ointment, live a joyful and fulfilling life, live joyfully, live with a joyful attitude, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads, man knoweth not his time, man's ability cannot guarantee results, mercy, not with eyeservice as men pleasers, obey in all things your masters, over the weekend, receive the reward of the inheritance, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, riches to the men of understanding, sally forth with confidence, salvation, servants, serving the Lord, shall receive for the wrong that he hath done, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, snared in an evil time, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, teaching and admonishing one another, the battle to the strong, the beneficial influence of the indwelling word of Christ, the BIBLE, the birds caught in a snare, the bond of perfectness, the equalizing effect of time and chance, the fishes are taken in an evil net, the grim reaper, the labour which thou takest under the sun, the race is not to the swift, the sons of men, the wife whom thou lovest, there is no respect of persons, there is no work device knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, thy portion in life, time and chance happens to the all, to affect pubic and private worship, to control all areas of a Christian life, to lead and guide all your servants, to the which also ye are called in one body, truth, turn ordinary duties into acts of worship, we're not afraid, we're not guaranteed anything, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, whatsoever ye do, whatsoever ye do in word or deed, wisdom, work hard, work wholeheartedly, wrought in our weary souls, ye serve the Lord Christ
Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 September 2026 Colossians 3:17.
Colossians 3:17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
And here we are on another sunshiny, though somewhat cool and windy Monday, beginning another week of work all for Jesus! Yes, let’s remember that whatever we do, it’s supposed to be for Him, and we do it the way He desires, not the way we want. As Bruh Paul says in Colossians as he talks about putting on the new man. ‘And above all these things put on charity (LOVE), which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col. 3:17) And the scholars explain that last verse by saying: ‘The beneficial influence produced by the indwelling word of Christ is not only to affect public and private worship (vs. 16), but it is also to control all areas of a Christian life.’
Then, later in that same chapter, Bruh Paul addressing servants, admonishes them thus. ‘Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart (sincerity), fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.’ (Col. 3:22-25)
Yes friends, even slaves were expected to work hard with a sincere disposition, wholeheartedly, not only when the master was watching, but always, because he was working not so much for his earthly master (unto men), but for his heavenly Master (to the Lord). And if they did that, then they would receive the reward of the inheritance, namely salvation. Then the scholars tell us: ‘The fact that Christian slaves will receive salvation from the Lord rather than from men verifies the assertion in verse 23 that they serve Christ, not their masters.’
Those scriptures therefore tell us that as believers, we must give our best effort in all that we do, be it a big or small task, a very important or not so important one. We must imagine that we’re working directly for God. And I like how this explanation puts it: ‘Turn ordinary chores or job duties into an act of worship.’ And we know that’s not always easy to do, especially with some of the work we do, and some of the supervisors we have, but it’s a good way to look at our daily tasks, and certainly to our benefit. (smile)
And all of that ties in nicely with this passage from Cousin Sol, writing as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, as he advises us to Live Joyfully. ‘Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments always be white; and let thy head lack no ointment (oil). Live joyfully (enjoy life) with the wife whom thou LOVEST all the days of the life of thy vanity (thy empty life), which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that this is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest (perform) under the sun.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happenenth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes are taken in an evil (cruel) net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.’ (Eccl. 9:7-12)
Now, that’s wonderful advice my brethren, for none of us knows when the grim reaper will come for us, but until then, we owe it to ourselves, especially as Christians, to live a joyful and fulfilling life as possible while serving the Lord, because that’s our portion in this life, and there is no working in the grave. And per verses 11-12, the scholars explain. ‘Five statements of unexpected results are followed by an explanation. Man’s ability cannot guarantee the results (vs.11) because of the equalizing effects of time and chance.’
That’s the indisputable truth. No matter how good we are at whatever we do, we’re not guaranteed anything. That’s why we need to live with a joyful attitude, and do whatever we do well, as to the Lord. And to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And now, having been granted our wish, let’s go out and faithfully keep our promise! Much LOVE!
…length of life is not guaranteed…but it can be joyful…if lived for Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a certain man named Ananias, a communal system, about the space of three hours, agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord, allow Satan to twist our thinking, allow your incredible aura of love, an atmosphere of disunity and division, Ananias hearing these words fell down, Ananias' sin, be careful in all our dealings, begin a new week of work, better to be safe than sorry, breathed his last, brought the proceeds of the things they sold, buffeted and bombarded, buried her by her husband, carry thee out, christianity, conceived this thing in thine heart, deception is endemic in our world, deception is now the norm rather than the exception, deception leads from lie to another, deception will keep you entangled in bondage, distribution of possessions, distribution was made according to need, divine aid, faith, fell she down straightway at his feet, fill us with steadfast faith, filling the hearts of many believers, furthering your glorious kingdom, gave up the ghost, go out to meet the enemy in battle, great fear came on all them that heard these things, great fear came upon all the church, great grace was upon them all, growing by leaps and bounds, had all things in common, his wife also being privy to it, holy spirit, humble servants, hypocrisy about his actions, impossible to unravel or escape the consequences of continuous deception, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, kept back part of the price, laid them down at the apostles' feet, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, Marmion, mercy, none of them lacked anything, not knowing what was done, of one heart and of one soul, on a voluntary basis, possessors of land, rejuvenation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Sapphira, Sir Walter Scott, sold a possession, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the beginning of dishonesty in the church, the BIBLE, the early days of the church, the enemy's evil schemes, the feet of them which buried your husband, the possible consequences of lying especially to God, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, the truth shall set you free, thou hast not lied unto men but unto God, to lead and guide all your servants, to lie to the Holy Ghost, treacherous times, truth, upon as many as heard it, upon as many as heard these things, we know we're invincible, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive, why hath Satan filled thine heart, wisdom, witness of the resurrection of Christ, yielded up the ghost
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 September 2026 Acts 5:11.
Acts 5:11. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard it.
Now this Monday begins a full five-day work and school week; no holidays to ease the pain. (smile) And though it’s a somewhat cool and cloudy day, we’ll be thankful for it anyway. Today, we’ll look at a very interesting story back in the early days of the church re distribution of possessions. The Holy Spirit was working constantly and filling the hearts of many believers, so that the church was growing by leaps and bounds. And the writer of Acts describes the situation thus: ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought (any) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common.’ (Acts 4:32)
Well that would be a very good position for the church to be in today, but unfortunately that wouldn’t work in today’s atmosphere of disunity and division. The writer of Acts continues: ‘And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices (proceeds) of the things that were sold. And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.’ (Acts 4:33-35)
Yes friends, the church was small enough at the time for them to have a kind of communal establishment, though totally on a voluntary basis, where everything was put into one pot and then shared as needed. And it seemed to be running quite smoothly until a couple of incidents happened. The Bible tells us: ‘But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back a part of the price (proceeds), his wife also being privy to (aware of) it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.’ (Acts 5: 1-2)
Ah mih people, there we have the beginning of dishonesty and dissension in the church. ‘But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power (control)? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost (breathed his last): and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound (wrapped) him up, and carried him out, and buried him.’ (Acts 5:3-6)
Yuh see mih bredrin, what can happen when you don’t tell the truth, especially to God. And the sad part is that Ananias was in no way contracted to give them all the money, or any money at all, because the whole thing was voluntary; you gave what you wanted to give. And as the scholars say: ‘Ananias’s sin was not that of keeping back part of what he sold, but his hypocrisy about it.’
But the story doesn’t end there. The Bible continues: ‘And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt (test) the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which had buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway (instantly) at his feet, and yielded up the ghost (breathed her last): and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.’ (Acts 5:7-10)
Oh friends, yuh see what can happen when we lie and deceive. It’s like the saying from the 1808 epic poem Marmion by Scottish author and poet Sir Walter Scott (Canto 6, Stanza 17). “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” It just leads from one lie or deception to another and thus complicates the situation till it’s nigh impossible to unravel or escape the consequences like Ananias and Sapphira. And look at what happened to the church after that. The Bible says: ‘And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard it.’ (Acts 5:11)
Now that was indeed a sad situation which should never have happened, but that’s what happens when we allow Satan to twist our thinking. And sadly, that kind of situation is endemic, like a disease in today’s world, for almost everything is fraught with lies, fraud and deception. Our world is so corrupted and filled with greed, that those are now the norms rather than the exceptions. That means we must be exceptionally careful in all our dealings, even with our fellow believers. And though that’s not a nice thing to contemplate, it’s the truth, so as they say, better to be safe than sorry.
And to help with all our problems, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid in these deceitful and treacherous times. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And having received that divine aid, let’s go out and do as we promised; make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks! Much LOVE!
…deception will keep you entangled in bondage…but the truth shall set you free…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 Sep 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lack of responsible behaviour, a new week of work, a universal proclamation of the gospel, also to the Greek, as it is written, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, bring glad tidings of good things, cast our care to the wind, cause havoc in the enemy's ranks, Christians, constantly buffeted, divine assurance, divine help, Esaias saith, eternal life, exercise a modicum of circumspection, faith, faith cometh by hearing, faith is built by what one hears, faith must be preceded by hearing, faith must have a valid content, fiath that comes about by what is heard, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, hearing by the word of God, hearing requires a preacher, heavenly Father, holy spirit, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, how shall they believe in him, how shall they hear without a preacher, how then shall they call on him, humble servants, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, in whom they have not believed, inebriation, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, knowledge is essential to belief, Labour Day, let our hair down, Lord who hath believed our report, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, monergism, no better tidings than the gospel, no other way to be saved but by the explicit gospel of Christ, of whom they have not heard, overindulgence, partake of the day's festivities, preachers are necessary to spread the gospel, preachers bring the good news of the gospel of peace, preaching requires being sent, preaching to a disobedient people, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, salvation is completely from God, Salvation is God's work alone, Saving faith can come about only through the gospel, saving faith is not man doing his part in response to god having done His part, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, synergism, terrible misfortunes happen, the BIBLE, the call must be preceded by faith, the good news gospel of Christ, the just shall live by faith, the One who sends is God, the only thing that wake up and shake up this evil and ungodly world, the oral communication of Christ's gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, the throne of grace, they have not obeyed the gospel, to every one that believeth, to lead and guide all your servants, to the Jew first, truth, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 September 2026 Romans 10:15.
Romans 10:15. ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.’
So it’s Monday, the first one in September, which means it is Labour Day! Glory be! That means many of us don’t have to get up and fight the chaotic situation that involves getting to work on time, but can lay abed and enjoy the benefit of the Labour Day Holiday, then get up leisurely and partake of the day’s festivities, and it’s certainly a beautiful summer’s day for doing so.
Remember though, there’s one proviso: please exercise a modicum of circumspection in all activities, so that no accidents occur, either from inebriation or overindulgence and lack of responsible behaviour, for it’s at times like these when we let our hair down, cast care to the wind, that the most terrible misfortunes happen. And remember tomorrow is a working day. But enough sermonizing! (smile)
And I just LOVE it when I don’t have anything particular to write about, and I simply open the Good Book, and it opens to one of my favourite scriptures. And that’s what just happened. It opened to Bruh Paul’s treatise in Romans about Preaching to a Disobedient People. He opens by declaring: ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. But they have not obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Rom. 10:14-17)
What a poignant, emotional picture Bruh Paul paints about the spreading of the gospel. The scholars say that ‘he is presenting a universal proclamation of the gospel, and in this passage, he gives reasons why a universal proclamation is necessary. First, because the call must be preceded by faith; second, because faith must be preceded by hearing. This shows that knowledge is essential to belief. Faith must have a valid content; third, because hearing requires a preacher; fourth because preaching requires being sent. The One who sends is God. Salvation is completely from God.’
Yes, it can be somewhat ‘confuffling’, but let’s see if we can’t make it a little simpler. In other words, the oral communication of Christ’s gospel is necessary to begin the proceedings. When one hears it preached, then faith is built by what one hears. However, for one to hear the word preached, there must be a preacher, or someone to preach and explain it. But how does a preacher come about? That preacher must be sent to those who have not heard the gospel. Therefore, preachers or teachers of the word are absolutely necessary for the gospel to be spread.
And I just I LOVE the scripture that points it out by saying: ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.’ (Rom. 10:15) Because it’s oh so true! Preachers bring the good news of the gospel that include belief and faith in Jesus, as well as salvation and eternal life, and there are certainly no better tidings to hear and accept in this whole wide world! And that quote originally comes from Isaiah 53:1. Bruh Paul is so adept at using the scriptures to form His own pronouncements.
Now here is an interesting note from the scholars re faith and hearing. They say: ‘It is not faith in what is heard, but faith that comes about by what is heard. This is what Paul meant in Rom. 1:16, when he said the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation.” Saving faith is not man doing his part in response to God’s having done His part (synergism). Saving faith can come about only through the gospel. Salvation is God’s work alone (monergism). This also shows there is no other way to be saved but by the explicit gospel of Christ.’
And here is what Bruh Paul actually says in that passage: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’ (Rom. 1:16-17) And the as it is written comes from Habakkuk 2:4. (smile)
Now, although many of us are off work today, some of us still have to keep the 24-hour modern day machine a rolling, so you need some help to do that. Therefore, let’s go to the best place to get divine help, to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And now that we have that awesome divine assurance, let’s get out there and cause havoc in the enemy’s ranks! Much LOVE!
…the good news gospel of Christ…is the only thing…that wake up and shake up this ungodly and evil world…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new work week, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, a personal relationship with jesus, alcoholic beverages, all rested up, ambassadors for Christ, an inclement weekend, ask and it shall be given you, ask and ye shall receive, ask anything in my name and I will do it, ask for things that fit into God's will, ask in faith nothing wavering, ask me nothing, ask the Father in my name, ask what ye will and it shall be done, asked the Good Lord, be the salt of the earth, bear much fruit, because ye have loved me, believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, believed that I came out from God, buffeted by the enemy's evil schemes, chomping at the bit, christianity, confidence toward God, confident of our victory, conquerors, divine aid, do those things that are pleasing in his sight, don't ask for selfish carnal things, driven with the wind and tossed, every one that asketh, faith, figurative language, fill us with steadfast faith, fired up, furthering your glorious kingdom, giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, he gave it to me, He gives liberally and without reproach, he that seeketh findeth, he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, he will give it to you, herein is my Father glorified, hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name, holy spirit, humble servants, I will see you again, if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, if our heart condemn us not, if ye abide in me and my words abide in you, in that day, incredible aura of LOVE, invincible, it shall be given him, it shall be opened, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, knock and it shall be opened unto you, lead and guide all your servants, let not that man think, LOVE, love one another as he gave us commandment, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, no more speak to you in proverbs, not doubting, pray the Father for you, receive anything of the Lord, rejuvenation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, satisfying our sinful urges, seek and ye shall find, serve a useful purpose, show you plainly of the Father, so shall ye be my disciples, spoken unto you in proverbs, submission to the Lordship of Christ, surrender our all to you, that will I do, the BIBLE, the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus, the energy and enthusiasm, the evil and ungodly world, the Father himself loveth you, the Father may be glorified in the Son, the inherent power in the name of Jesus, the light of the world, the promise of answered prayer, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the Sermon on the Mount, the throne of grace, the time cometh, the vine and the branches, to get out there and do good work for Christ, to him that knocketh, to tell the truth, truth, unlimited resources to do God's work, we keep His commandments, we receive of him, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, whatsoever we ask, whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, wisdom, words of absolute wisdom, you now have sorrow, your heart shall rejoice, your joy may be full, your joy no man taketh from you
Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 August 2026 John 14:13.
John 14:13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
It’s a brand new work week friends, and we’re all rested up, fired up and chomping at the bit, to get out there on this Monday morning in August 2026! I know some of you must be wondering what I smoke or drank to be so enthusiastic about a windy and somewhat cloudy Monday morning, after a rather inclement weekend, that spoiled a lot of our outside entertainment. To tell the truth friends, I didn’t smoke or imbibe any kind of alcoholic beverage or uplifting drugs, I just asked the Good Lord for the energy and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Him, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that He desires me to be, and He gave it to me.
We keep forgetting what Jesus told us about asking for things. First off in the Sermon on the Mount He says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt. 7:7-8) So that’s the first lesson; if we want something, we must ask, seek and or knock for it. However, that does not refer to selfish, carnal, meaningless stuff. It must be things and stuff that fit into God’s will.
And having noted that proviso, we can now look to the gospel of John, where Jesus again informs us about asking for stuff. ‘And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:13-14) And as the scholars explain: ‘In my name means “as My Agent.” The promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus’ will (cf. 16:23-26). The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.’
Then in the very next chapter, where He mentions about Him being the vine and we the branches, Jesus again talks about asking. This time He declares: ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto (for) you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.’ (John 15:7-8) Yuh see mih bredrin, it’s all about bearing good fruit for Jesus; not just satisfying our own sinful, lustful urges.
And in the following chapter in telling the disciples about His going away, Jesus says: ‘And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day, ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name. He will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
These things I have spoken unto you in proverbs (figurative language): but the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs (figurative language) but shall shew (tell) you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself LOVETH you, because ye have LOVED me, and have believed that I came out from God.’ (John 16:22-27)
Ah mih people, as we saw yesterday, it’s all about the name of Jesus, the inherent power in His name because of His selfless and marvellous works. There must be faith, a personal relationship to Christ, as well as submission to His Lordship, if we hope to ask for stuff and be granted it. Remember we’re mainly ambassadors for Christ; meaning we need to do the work He desires of us, and if we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, then He will give us the resources to do His will. It’s as simple as that! (smile)
And James, Jesus’ brother, further informs us about asking, when He declares: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8) Words of absolute wisdom my brethren!
But John has the last word from his epistle. (smile) ‘Beloved if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and LOVE one another, as he gave us commandment.’ (1 John 3:21-23) And now, having all of that knowledge about asking for stuff, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, confidently, but humbly and faithfully seeking divine aid to do God’s work.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And with our prayer being successfully answered, let’s go out and meet the enemy in battle, confident of our victory in Jesus’ name! Much LOVE!
…to ask…to ask…and yet to ask in faith…in Jesus’ name…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a built-in barrier, after ye have suffered a while, all will face temptation, allow your incredible aura of love, ambassadors of Christ, as a roaring lion, be able to bear it, be sober be vigilant, be tempted above that ye are able, begin a new week of work, buffeted by the enemy's wicked taunts, called us unto his eternal glory, cast into the lake of fire, casting all your care upon him, christianity, destructive schemes, disobedient to God's will, embrace Jesus and His salvation, eternal separation from God, exalt you in due time, experienced by your brethren, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is faithful, god the father, God the Holy Ghost, God the son, God will make a way of escape, greater is he that is in you than he that's in the world, have it more abundantly, have overcome them, he careth for you, hell fire and damnation, holy spirit, humble servants, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, I am come that they might have life, if god be for us who can be against us, in bondage to sin, Jesus Christ, Jesus has the keys to hell death and the grave, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, live under the heavy yoke of Satan, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, make you perfect, mercy, negative consequences, no temptation has overtaken you, our weary souls, out and about on Monday, penchant for the lustful things of the world, rejuvenation of spirit, resist Satan, resuscitation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan's looking for company, scriptures to strengthen us in temptation, sealed until the day of redemption, secured by God through the Holy Spirit, spread our salt and light, stablish strengthen settle you, such as is common to man, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the BIBLE, the crucifixion death and resurrection of Christ, the evil one, the God of all grace, the lake of fire, the options of salvation and eternal life, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the same afflictions are accomplished by your brethren, the strongest trio in our corner, the thief cometh not but to steal, the throne of grace, the way to spend eternity, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, to kill and destroy, to lead and guide all your servants, tormented day and night for ever, truth, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, we know we're invincible, we're not afraid, wearing your protective spiritual armour, whom resist steadfast in the faith, wisdom, with the temptation, work diligently for Christ, ye are of God little children, your adversary the devil
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2026 1 John 4:4b.
1 John 4:4b. greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And we’re out and about again on a sunshiny but somewhat cloud-covered Monday, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, anxious to spread our salt and light before the unbelievers of this evil and ungodly world, so that they can come to know and understand the valuable options of salvation and eternal life that the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus made available to all mankind.
That they would no longer have to live under the heavy yoke of Satan, the evil one, whose only desire is to turn us away from Jehovah God, to keep us in bondage to sin and darkness, to be rebellious and disobedient to God’s holy will, thus destroying our souls and ending up in eternal separation from our Creator, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul.
That’s why Jesus in His talk about being the good shepherd warns us: ‘The thief cometh not but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) The long and short of the story friends is that Satan is looking for company to face all the negative consequences that He will eventually face, like hell fire and damnation for a thousand years, then after being released for a short while to continue his destructive behaviour, finally being tossed into the great lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night for ever. (Rev. 20: 1-10)
Oh my people, is that the way we desire to spend eternity? Obviously not, that’s why we must embrace Jesus and His salvation while resisting Satan and all his destructive schemes, or as Peter puts it: ‘Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world. (1 Pet. 5:6-9)
Yes mih bredrin, all of us will face temptation, but when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we receive a built-in barrier, the Holy Spirit, that helps us to resist said temptation. But it doesn’t occur automatically; we also need to talk to and listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide us. Please note that the devil has no real power against us unless we give it to him, for the Holy Spirit has sealed us until the day of redemption, (Eph. 4:30) which means that believers are marked, owned, and secured by God through the Holy Spirit until their final salvation. (Eph. 1:13-14)
And the wonderful thing about all of that is as John says in his first epistle: ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (false prophets): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4) And that’s one thing we must never forget; Jesus, in the form of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, is greater than Satan or any of his evil cohorts in this dark world. And Satan knows that too, since He’s been defeated by Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection, and now possesses the keys to hell death and the grave.
But the evil one is optimistic if nothing else, plus he knows our penchant for the lustful things of the world and thus keeps coming back to us every so often to try to inveigle us to fall for his temptations. But here are a couple of scriptures that ought to strengthen us in the face of Satan’s attacks. Bruh Paul writes thus in his first letter to the Corinthians: ‘There has no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13)
In other words, the Lord might not allow us to escape the temptation, for whatever reason(s) He has, like testing our faith, but He will certainly give us the strength to endure said temptation. And Peter ends his talk about resisting the devil thus: ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet. 5:10-11)
So you see once we’ve accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are never alone, so there’s no reason to fear the evil doers and evil schemes of this evil world, because we have the strongest trio in the universe in our corner; that’s God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And they are so wonderful that they have invited us to come to the throne of grace at any time to find help. So, let’s do that right now through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn nuh.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having had that resuscitation of spirit and confidence, (smile) let’s go out and work diligently for Christ, like we ought to! Much LOVE!
…if God be for us…who can be against us eh… (Rom. 8:31)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
03 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fugitive, a lowly sheperd, all of it, all the earth may know, allow your incredible aura of love, always remembered, anointed king of Israel, August Civic Holiday, avoid negative consequences, begin a new week of work, carrying your loved ones as you go, celebrating, Christians, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, David moves from glory to glory, David refused to kill Saul, David taunted Goliath, divine aid, doing heroic deeds, doing right by everyone, every day, every hour, every minute that we have breath, expect the best, faith, faithfully holding them in prayer, fight the traffic, fill us with steadfast faith, filled with the Lord's Spirit, furthering your glorious kingdom, get to work on time, give the carcasses of the Philistines, go out to meet the enemy in battle, Goliath, good example of moving forward is faith is David's story, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine, holy spirit, honouring this life, how you move beyond what's comfortable, how you move forward in faith, how you show up, I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, I will smite thee, if the Lord spares life, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, July In Touch Devotional, keeping lives and families together, killing a lion and a bear, knowing God is carrying you through, lead and guide your servants, LOVE, loving sacrifically, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, modicum of circumspection, moving forward with God, not perfectly, on the long days, on which side his bread was buttered, out of the paw of the bear, out of the paw of the lion, places his trust, present with the people around you, rejuvenation of spirit, remaining steady, remembering where God has taken you so far, rise and shine, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Saul's jealousy, stand strong in the Lord, staying open to where God will take you, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, take thine head from thee, the battle is the Lord's, the BIBLE, the boring days, the God of his forefathers, the God of the armies of Israel, the life you'e been entrusted with, the Lord be with thee, the Lord saveth not with sword and spear, the Lord that delivered me, the Lord will work it out to your advantage in the end, the Lord's anointed, the rain dampened the party spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days, there is a God in Israel, these difficult and uncertain times, this day will the Lord deliver thee into my hands, to the wild beasts of the earth, truth, unto the fowls of the air, waited twenty years to become king, we're here for that journey, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 August 2026 1 Samuel 17:37a.
1 Samuel 17:37a. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.
And then it was Monday; the August Civic Holiday, which means many of us don’t have to rise and shine early and fight the traffic to get to work on time, but can continue partying,. (smile) And although yesterday’s rain somewhat dampened the party spirit, today has opened bright and sunshiny, so that party spirit will obviously be easily renewed.. Anyway, let’s remember not to overdo it, to apply that modicum of circumspection, and thus avoid any negative consequences. (smile)
Now, let’s look at an interesting article in poem form from the July In Touch Devotional. There’s no title as such, so please read with me. ‘This is how you move forward in faith: by remembering where God has taken you so far and staying open to where He’ll take you tomorrow. This is how you show up: by carrying your LOVED ones as you go, every hour, every day – not perfectly but faithfully holding them in prayer. This is how you move beyond what’s comfortable: by LOVING sacrificially, doing right by everyone, honouring this life you’ve been entrusted with. Even on the long days, the boring days, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days. Remaining steady, present with the people around you. Knowing God is carrying you through. We’re here for that journey. All of it.’
That poem definitely contains some very interesting and valuable information, and I like how they break it down into sections; like how to move forward in faith, etc. And talking about moving forward in faith, the article advises we do that by remembering where the Lord has taken us from and staying open to where He’ll carry you later. And one of the best examples of that in the Bible is Bruh David. As we read his story, we see how he moves from glory to glory as he places his trust in the God of his forefathers.
He began as a lowly shepherd, then suddenly found himself anointed to be the next king of Israel. (1 Sam. 16:13) And when King Saul questioned his ability to fight the Philistine giant Goliath, he confidently informed Saul about his killing of a lion and a bear while managing his father’s sheep. ‘David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.’ (1 Sam. 17:37)
Furthermore, when Bruh went out to meet Goliath, he boldly taunted him: ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite (strike) thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.’ (1 Sam. 17:45-47)
Mama Mia! Was Bruh David the teenager, ever filled with the Lord’s Spirit, remembering how the Lord had helped him in his fight with the lion and the bear, and expecting Him to do the same against the giant Philistine. And so said, so done. Bruh David became a hero, and continued doing heroic deeds, but always remembered on which side his bread was buttered, constantly moving forward with God, growing in faith, even when Saul’s jealousy made him a fugitive. Then, when he had the chance to kill Saul, he refused to do it, considering him the Lord’s anointed.
And how many of us would have waited some twenty years after being anointed to become king eh, while going through all the tough times he encountered? Not many. But that’s the only way to grow in faith; remember what the Lord has taken you through, expect the best, but stand strong in the Lord, even if it doesn’t happen, knowing that in the end, the Lord will work it all out to your advantage.
And I’m chuckling here friends because I never expected to spend so much time on this one aspect of the poem, but that’s how I was led. And since time and space are now in short supply, if the Lord spares life tomorrow, we’ll continue looking at the other aspects of the poem. In the meanwhile, let’s humbly but confidently approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid in these difficult and uncertain times.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And we’re expected to make inroads into the enemy’s ranks and further God’s kingdom, every minute that we have breath, meaning that we do it all the time, even when we’re celebrating. (smile) Much LOVE!
…never forget who brought you to where you are…and who will take you further…Almighty God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
20 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a change of diet, a little child shall lead them, a new week of work, all people will walk in the name of his god, arenas of strife, as the waters cover the sea, be established on the top of the mountains, beat their swords into plowshares, belly and backbone, big headlines, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, chaos, constantly buffeted, destruction, divine aid, do our best for Jesus, every promise of God will be eventually fulfilled, evil deeds, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, for ever and ever, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, he shall judge among many people, he will teach us of his ways, heartache, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, hunky dory, in all it's potential fruitfulness, in the last days, it shall be exalted above the hills, it shall come to pass, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore, none shall make them afraid, peace and harmony will characterize the Messiah's kingdom, people shall flow unto it, put his hand on the cockatrice den, ravenous animals, rebuke strong nations, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, right back where we started, sally forth with confidence, salvation, sit every man under his vine, strife, surrender our all to you, targeted by evildoers, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, the chaos currently consuming our world, the covenant between God and Israel, the cow and the bear shall feed, the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, the law shall go forth out of Zion, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the light of the world, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, the Lord's promise, the Millennium reign of Christ, the mountain of the house of the Lord, the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it, the salt of the earth, the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, the throne of grace, the weaned child, the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, their spears into pruninghooks, their young ones shall lie down together, they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, to lead and guide all your servants, to the house of the God of Jacob, truth, under his fig tree, under Satan's direction, we know we're invincible, we will walk in his paths, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 July 2026 Micah 4:3b.
Micah 4:3b. nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
And we’re right back where we started… Monday; that glorious day that just invigorates us, as we go out into a new week to continue doing good work for Jesus in this evil and corrupt world. Somehow though, we don’t seem to be making much of a difference because every day new arenas of strife and hate seem to be opening up and old ones are not being closed. It’s easier to count the countries where no serious strife exists than to count those that are being targeted by the evildoers under Satan’s direction.
There are so many, that most of them no longer make the headlines but have become forgotten in light of the more newsworthy ones, like that between the U.S and Iran, Israel and Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, and Russia and the Ukraine. All those in places like Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and several other states in Africa and the Eastern world, as well as in South America, are now being ignored because they don’t make big headlines and sell news like the bigger ones now on centre stage. But unfortunately, many of those smaller ones have been around longer than the big ones and are creating just as much strife and heartache as those we’re now focused on.
Oh, how we long for that day when the Lord’s promise as declared by Isaiah and Micah will come true. Micah says it thus: ‘But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in (on) the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people (peoples) shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of (out of) Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
And he shall judge among (between) many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.’ (Mic. 4: 1-5)
Oh my people, what a blessed day that will be, as the scholars explain, when Jesus comes to set up His Millenium reign, and every promise given to Abraham and to Israel will ultimately be fulfilled. They also explain that ‘the vine and fig tree are both native to Israel. They flourish into luxuriant, natural arbours under which people can sit and enjoy fellowship while being shaded from the heat of the day. Both were used symbolically to represent the basic covenant between God and Israel in all its potential fruitfulness.’
And wouldn’t it be glorious to be sitting in such shade and enjoying peaceful and LOVING fellowship with each other, rather than the hate, anger, strife, evil deeds, destruction and chaos that’s currently consuming our world? It surely would be! But I guess until such time as Jesus returns, we’ll just have to exhibit much belly and backbone while doing what little we can to improve it. I’m also dying to see this other prophecy from Isaiah.
‘The wolf shall also dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed (graze); their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling (nursing) child shall play on the hole of the asp (cobra), and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ (viper’s) den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.’ (Is. 11:6-9)
What a day that will be when the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord! But that also seems to be not until Christ comes again to take up His rightful rule. As the scholars say: ‘Peace and harmony will characterize the Messiahs kingdom. Ravenous predatory animals – wolf, leopard, lion and bear – are set in deliberate contrast to the more defenseless lamb, kid, calf, cow and ox.
That the lion shall eat straw implies a change of diet. Even the asp and the cockatrice (snakes) will be harmless to a small child. Isaiah sees the Messiah ruling the world in righteousness and a peace that extends even to the animal kingdom. During this time the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Thus the prophet sees beyond the restoration of Judah to a time when the Messiah will rule the entire world.’
And we also look forward to that wonderful and amazing time, without wars and hate and strife, just LOVE and peace! Now, let’s go to the throne of grace through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us stand strong and steadfast in Christ until that marvellous day comes.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now friends, it’s up to us to go out there and do our best for Jesus. Let’s remember that we’re the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and in Jesus we can do anything He calls us to do! Much LOVE!
…in the Messiah’s kingdom…everything will be hunky dory…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
13 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a day in thy courts is better than a thousand, a reversal of fortune, acknowledgement of God's faithfulness, another new work week, be a doorkeeper, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, came upon me to devour my flesh, Christ is our be all and end all, doing our best, exalt him, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, God our shield, God shall wipe away all tears, goes round and round, he hath triumphed gloriously, he is become my salvation, he is my God, hide me in his pavilion, holy spirit, humble servants, I will sing unto the Lord, in the house of my God, in the secret of his tabernacle, in the time of trouble, in this will I be confident, incredible aura of LOVE, invincible, Jesus Christ, Jesus is our sin bearer, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, laugh at those going to work, locked out of the new Jerusalem, look upon the face of thine anointed one, LOVE, make every day count, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, Messiah, mine enemies and my foes, my father's God, my heart shall not fear, names written in the Lamb's Book of Life, neither for brightness shall the moon give light, neither sorrow nor crying, no good thing will he withhold, no more death, no more pain, no need of the sun or moon, no night there, of whom shall I be afraid, praise God, prepare him an habitation, put our brave words into action, Redeemer, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, retirement, sally forth with confidence, salvation, set me upon a rock, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the BIBLE, the days of thy mourning shall be ended, the fires of hell, the gates shall not be shut at all by day, the glory of God illuminated it, the grim reaper, the horse and his rider, the Lamb is the light thereof, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it, The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord is my light and my salvation, the Lord is my strength and song, the Lord is the strength of my life, the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, the Lord will give grace and glory, the merry-go-round, the new heaven and the new earth, the song of Moses, the sons of Korah, the stage of our working life, the sun shall be no more thy light by day, the throne of grace, the wicked, them that walk uprightly, they stumbled and fell, though an host should encamp against me, though war should rise against me, thrown into the sea, to dwell in the tents of wickedness, to lead and guide all your servants, truth, walk in the light of it, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whom shall I fear, wisdom, wisdom says be wise
Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 July 2026 Psalm 27:1.
Psalm 27:1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Another day, another Monday, another new work week! And the merry-go-round keeps going around and around, but just where does it stop? Who knows? Because that’s the way our society is set up. True relief might only be found when the Grim Reaper comes a calling. Or if you are lucky or blessed you might have a short time in what we call retirement, where you can lay in your bed on a Monday morning and just laugh at all those going out to labour.
Unfortunately though, many of us don’t get to enjoy such a reversal of fortune, and therefore we have to make every day count by doing our best while we’re out there on the stage of our working life. But enough of my amateur philosophizing, (smile) let’s see what the Lord wants us to talk about this Monday morning in mid-July. And the Good Library opened today at that marvellous, encouraging Psalm 27 – My Heart Shall Not Fear – so I assume that’s what the Lord wants us to consider today.
So, please read with me these beautiful and reassuring sentiments of Bruh David. ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up (devour) my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident… For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock.’ (Ps. 27:1-3; 5)
Yes friends, that’s the kind of God we serve and the way our faith ought to reassure us of God’s faithfulness, and strength. It’s like the song Moses sang unto the Lord about His defeat of Pharaoh’s army. ‘I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation (praise him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex. 15:1-2) And Moses had cause to praise and exalt God, just like we do, for His sending Jesus to be our sin bearer, redeemer, Messiah; in fact, our Be All and End All!
Then the Sons of Korah also exalt God and praise His holy name in Psalm 84 – Rejoicing in God’s Tabernacle. ‘Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed (commissioned) one. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper (stand in the threshold) in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.’ (Ps. 84:9-12)
Meanwhile, Isaiah reassured his people thus: ‘The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.’ (Is. 60:19-20)
Oh my faithful brethren, the Lord is indeed our light and our salvation, and He keeps that promise in the Book of Revelation, where John says of the new heaven and new earth: ‘And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten (illuminate it), and the Lamb is the light thereof.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And there shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh (causes) abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.’ (Rev. 21:22-27)
Ah mih bredrin, yuh see how important it is to have our names written in the Lamb’s book of life! For if your name’s not written therein, then you won’t be entering the new heaven and the new earth, you will be locked out of the new Jerusalem and will be spending time with Beelzebub and all his evil cronies in the fires of hell. And we all know that’s not a nice place to spend any time at all.
What we truly need to be enjoying then, is this wonderful situation that John describes in that New Jerusalem: ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away’ (Rev. 21: 4) And I can only jump for joy and shout, ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ longing to see that day when there will be no more pain. (smile)
Now, with all that reassurance and encouragement under our belts, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us stand strong for Jesus, with our names indelibly recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let’s get out there and put those brave words into action! Much LOVE!
…Wisdom says…be wise…and live to see the New Jerusalem…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
06 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit, a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, a new week of work, an unholy mess, apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age, believe not every spirit, beware of false prophets, blasphemers, boasters, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, born of God, bounden duty, brutal, check the conformity of their teaching with the scriptures, Christ's return to earth, christianity, come to you in sheep's clothing, conquerors, covetous, deceitful workers, denying the power thereof, despisers of those that are good, disobedient to parents, distort the truth of the gospel, dog eat dog world, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus is come in the flesh, face the rat race our world has become, faith, false accuser, fierce, figs of thistles, fill us with steadfast faith, from such turn away, furthering your glorious kingdom, gather grapes of thorns, get our act together, greater is he that is in you, haughty, have it more abundantly, having a form of godliness, heady, hereby know ye the Spirit of God, highminded, holy spirit, humble servants, in the last days perilous times shall come, incontinent, invincible, inwardly they are ravening wolves, irreconcilable, Jesus came the we might have life, Jesus Christ, keeping lives and families together, know them by their fruits, live a godly and abundant life, look like innocent lambs, LOVE, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, many false prophets are in the world, meet the enemy in battle, men shall be lovers of their own selves, ministers of righteousness, money lovers, over the weekend, proud, rat race, ravenous wolves, reckless, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan transforms himself, serve a useful purpose, slanderers, such are false apostles, surrender our all to you, than he that is in the world, thankful for jobs, the angel of light, the BIBLE, the devil only comes to steal and destroy, the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit, the nature of the beast, the omnipotent omniscient omni-present God, the spirit of antichrist, the throne of grace, the ushering in of the church age, time to turn up the heat on the devil, to lead and guide all your servants, traitors, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, truce breakers, truth, try the spirits whether they be of God, turning away from the faith, unholy, unthankful, we have all the tools to handle it, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whose end shall be according to their works, wisdom, without natural affection, without self-control, wrought in our weary souls, ye are of God little children, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 July 2026 Matthew 7:15.
Matthew 7:15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves.
It’s Monday my brethren… and that means work! Yes, we’ve got to get out there and face the rat race that our world has become. But the good news is that we have all the parts and all the tools to handle it through the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ that indwells us. We just have to get our act together and make use of what we’ve been given to live a godly and abundant life. And I believe the rat race and dog eat dog situation that our world has become was well described by Bruh Paul in his second letter to Timothy, when he solemnly warned him: ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.’ (2 Tim. 3:1)
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘The last days began with the birth of Christ, (or the ushering in of the church age), and will culminate in Christ’s return to the earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy (turning away from the faith) will characterize the final days of the church age.’ And there are indeed a lot of people turning away from the faith in these evil and ungodly times. Our world today is exactly like Bruh Paul describes it to Timothy.
‘For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), highminded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more than (rather than) lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’ (2 Tim. 3:2-5)
Oh friends, if we go through all those categories, we’ll find that our world is indeed overwhelmingly full of each one, consequently why it’s in such a disastrous and chaotic state. For a world filled with so much ungodliness and evil cannot help but be disastrous and chaotic; it’s just the very nature of such a beast. So, we should not be surprised that some think that these are truly the last days, because our world is in such an unholy mess. And per the term, a form of godliness, the scholars explain that as having mere religion without power or spiritual life. That’s why Paul commands Timothy to stay away from those false teachers.
And Bruh Paul also warns about them in his letter to the Corinthians, where he writes; ‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed (transforms himself) as the angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.’ (2 Cor. 11:13-15)
And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Himself warned about these false people. ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil (bad) fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil (bad) fruit), neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.’ (Matt. 7:15-18)
Those false prophets and teachers distort the truth of the gospel, and although they look like innocent lambs, they are instead ravenous and destructive wolves hiding under the umbrella of Christ’s gospel to lead people astray. And most of them preach one thing but live another. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that we check the conformity of their teaching with that of the scriptures. That’s why John in his first epistle also asked his readers to test the doctrine of those who come pretending to be teachers of the gospel.
‘Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:1-4)
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Christ who dwells in us believers, is greater than Satan who dwells in the followers of the world. And our strength to overcome lies in the fact that we are born of the omnipotent, omniscient, and omni-present God! So, although the antichrist and his cronies might be somewhat powerful and very deceitful, they are no match for those who believe in Christ. However, as we said at the beginning, we must be careful and use all the tools we’ve been given, if we want to be successful in this chaotic world.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, with humble confidence, (smile) seeking divine aid in these troubled times. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time we turn up the heat on the devil and his evil cronies! That’s our bounden duty! So let’s get to it nuh! Much LOVE!
…the devil only comes to lie and steal and destroy…but Jesus came that we might have life…and have it more abundantly…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fine family, a job to go to, a new week of work, a powerful creative God exists, a roof over their heads, a short work wek, a state of chaos, alive and kicking, allow your incredible aura of love, be acceptable in thy sight, be in such a disastrous state, big celebration, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, by them is thy servant warned, Canada Day, Christ is alive and kicking, cleanse me from my secret faults, clothes on their backs, converting the soul, don't have the opportunity to work, enduring for ever, enlightening the eyes, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, food on the table, furthering your glorious kingdom, give their eye teeth, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God's Law, God's law is authentic, God's preachers in the sky, God's special revelation, have dominion over me, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I shall be upright, innocent from the great transgression, invincible, Jesus Christ, keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, keeping lives and families together, keeping the law brings great reward, kept from hidden sins, kept from willful sins, lack of knowledge, let the words of my mouth, look at it realistically, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, making wise the simple, man's thinking be pleasing to God, mercy, more to be desired than gold, my redeemer, my strenght, objective proof, one twenty-four hour spin of the clock, opens the eyes of those in darkness, over the weekend, proclaim 24 hours a day that God exists, rejoicing the heart, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve a useful purpose, speak a universal language, stop looking at any day with distaste, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, sweeter also than honey, take umbrage, the amenities we enjoy, the commandment of the Lord is pure, the drippings of the honeycomb, the fear of the Lord is clean, the heavenly bodies, The Heavens Declare God's Glory, the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous, the law of the Lord is perfect, the man of faith, the meditation of my heart, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the reverence of God, the statutes of the Lord are right, the testimony of the Lord is sure, to lead and guide all your servants, took the Lord's law seriously, truth, unfair jobs, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, who can understand his errors, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 June 2026 Psalm 19:7.
Psalm 19:7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
And one more twenty-four-hour spin of the clock brings us back to that wonderful day called Monday! Some people will take umbrage at calling Monday wonderful, but if we look at it realistically, we’ll discover that we’re alive and kicking, we have a job to go to, a fine family with a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food on the table, and we’re going back out to work on this Monday so we can keep all of that good stuff happening…and even possibly improving.
Now, we’d be surprised to know how many people don’t have that opportunity to work, or the amenities we have, but don’t truly appreciate, and they would give their eye teeth to have them. So please let’s stop looking at Monday, or any other day for that matter, with distaste, because it disturbs and disrupts our poor work ethic. (smile) And are we ever so blessed here in Canada, that this will only be a four-day work week since we are celebrating Canada Day on the first of July. Wow! The week’s not only short, but we get a big celebration right in the middle of it! What more can we ask for eh? Not much.
Today, we’ll look at a few verses from Psalm 19, titled, ‘The Heavens Declare God’s Glory.’ In the first six verses, Bruh David talks about how the heavens continually show us God’s power. It’s like the scholars explain: ‘The point of the first six verses is that the heavenly bodies are objective proof that a powerful, creative God exists. The heavens are God’s preachers in the sky who proclaim 24 hours a day the truth that God exists, and furthermore, they speak a universal language.’
Those six verses, you can read for yourself, but today we’re concerned with the next few, which tell us about God’s special revelation, His law, which Bruh David describes thus: ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (the drippings of the honeycomb). Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.’ (Ps. 19:7-11)
Oh my people, you see how wonderful and valuable the law of our God is for living this earthly life! And Bruh David uses five different synonyms to describe it: law, testimony, statutes, commandment and judgement. But however you term it, in its perfection; it has the awesome power to convert or restore our souls. It’s sure, no dispute whatsoever over it’s authenticity, plus it’s able to add wisdom to the simple and unenlightened. Then it’s so right that it causes our hearts to rejoice when we contemplate it. The Lord’s law is also pure, so pure that it can enlighten the eyes, that’s open the eyes of those consumed by darkness and lack of knowledge.
And don’t’ talk about the fear or reverence of our great God; that is clean and endures forever! Meanwhile His judgements, or justice are always true and righteous. Furthermore, God’s law also warns us when we’re doing wrong, better still, keeping God’s law, offers plenty rewards. Oh friends, the law of our God is so precious and desirable that it’s more desirable than gold, and it’s even sweeter than honey, or the drippings of the honeycomb! Wow! Can you imagine that? Most likely not, otherwise we would be obeying His law much more than we’re currently doing, and our world would not be in such a state of chaos and uncertainty.
That’s why Bruh David continues: ‘Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great (much) transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (rock), and my redeemer).’ (Ps. 19:12-14) That’s all a sinful man can ask.
And the scholars explain those last verses thus. ‘The man of faith can respond only with a prayer that he be kept from both hidden sins (vs. 12) and willful sins (vs.13); and that even what he thinks may be pleasing to the Lord.’ And that’s the truth; we can’t keep the law without God’s help, and in His awesome generosity, He’s invited us to approach the throne of grace in confidence and humility to seek His divine aid in troubled times. And we are in troubled times right now, so let’s take Him up on His offer through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And if our prayer was sincere, God will keep His promise and do what we asked. Then it’s up to us to keep our promise by going out and successfully engaging the enemy in battle! Much LOVE!
…if we only took the Lord’s law seriously…our lives and our world…would not be in such a disastrous state…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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