24 Oct 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: crush our spirits, deny himself, faith, gain the whole world but lose his soul, get thee behind me Satan, grow right where we are planted, Haman, he shall take nothing of his labour, hell fire and damnation, holy spirit, hurry, if you don't stand up for something you're standing for nothing, in god's eyes, Ithe beloved of god, Jesus Christ, LOVE, Mordecai, naked came I out of my mother's womg, naked shall I return thither, running our Christian race, share His love with my neighbours, steal our joy, stepping up to fulfill God's purpose in our lives, still at each other's throat, take up his cross and follow me, the bright light shining through our dark world, the greatest waste of life, the salty flavour of the earth, the wisdom of heaven, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Manrta, what is a man profited, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul, where your heart is there will your treasure be also, whether thou art come for a time as this, which he may carry away in his hand, who knows, whoseover will lose his life for my sake shall find it, whosever will save his life shall lose it, wisdom, worry
Esther 4:14b. and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
So what’s new on this Tuesday morning in late October eh friends? Not a whole lot nuh. All the disasters that are currently enveloping our world are still there; none of them have faded away during the night, which means that mankind is still at each other’s throat, behaving like wild animals instead of the civilized human beings we’re supposed to be.
Our only hope is to remember that the Lord is still on His throne, still controlling things, and in His time, when He is good and ready, that He will settle the problems in His own way. Until then, we need to be strong and steadfast in our faith, do our best to promote His Name and Word in our li’l area, like He expects of us, running our Christian race to the best of our ability with God’s grace and mercy leading and guiding us through the auspices of His Holy Spirit!
We can’t all be big powerbrokers of the world, but we can all be true believers doing our small part in the big picture. And truthfully, that’s all the Lord is asking of us yes. He doesn’t expect us all to get up and run the world, but just to do the li’l bit that He’s asked of each of us. Like the Jamaicans say; ‘one one cocoa full a basket.’ And it’s the truth; every li’l contribution grows the whole structure. So please, let’s just concentrate on doing our parts nuh, and don’t allow the untold disasters to steal our joy and crush our spirits, for if we are not the strong, salty flavour of the earth and the bright light shining through our dark world, what will become of it eh?
As these famous words of Mordecai to his guardian and cousin Esther, when the Jews were about to be slaughtered in Babylon by official proclamation through the cunning of Haman the Agagite so vividly remind us. ‘For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time (remain completely silent), then there shall enlargement (relief) and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ (Esth. 4:14)
Yes friends, who knows whether we were all born for this time, so that we can make a significant difference in the lives of those around us.? And what does it all mean eh? As one commentary puts it: ‘it speaks to stepping up to fulfill the purpose God has for each of us, even if it could cause our earthly death.’ The Lord has a plan for each of our lives and we haven’t been just placed in these trying times by accident. No! Our God does NOTHING by accident; He always has a plan for every move He makes. Consequently, we are expected to grow and mature right where we are planted.
And yes, like Esther we can fear for our lives, but if we claim to be true believers in Christ Jesus then we simply have to do whatever is necessary to promulgate His kingdom, though it costs us our earthly lives. Let’s remember these very important words of Jesus to the disciples, after telling them about His upcoming demise, and Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him, then Jesus in turn rebuked Peter, telling him, ‘Get thee behind me Satan.’
Jesus then continued: ‘If any man will (desires to) come after (follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ (Matt. 16:24-26)
And those are some very good questions raised by Jesus, my fellow believers! What shall we give in exchange for our souls eh? Unfortunately, a lot of us, too many, are selling our souls to Beelzebub for the perishable and foolish riches of this world, none of which we can carry with us when we leave this world.
As the patriarch Job says when he was struck down by terrible tragedy: ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ (Job 1:21) And as Cousin Sol so eloquently but plainly puts it in Ecclesiastes: ‘As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.’ (Eccl. 5:15)
Please my fellow saints, let’s take that verse of wise scripture to heart today nuh and stop running down the destructible wealth of this world, which moth and rust corrupt, and thieves steal, and furthermore, none of which we can carry with us when we depart to the other side. But instead, let’s sincerely seek the indestructible wealth of God’s kingdom, His awesome righteousness, and all that goes with it, where moth nor rust nor thieves can get into steal or corrupt it. That’s the wisdom of heaven my people! And as Jesus so rightly says: ‘For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.’ (Matt. 6:21)
So if our eyes are steadfastly fixed on the wealth of the world, how can we have any time for the things of heaven? It’s just impossible. And the sorry thing about selling your soul to Satan for worldly wealth, is that you can also get worldly wealth through heavenly sources and not lose your soul in the process. Remember all the things in the universe belong to God, and He is the One who enables us to get wealth. So why run to Beelzebub who can’t do a bloody thing for you, but bring you down to hell fire and eternal damnation, when you can get all the same things and more from Jehovah God eh?
Please friends, let’s sit and ponder those questions today and see how they line up with the current situations in our lives! It’s high time we take stock of ourselves! Now let’s go home declaring (steups!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
Now, we ‘re bound by our words to go out and share that awesome LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…if you don’t stand up for something…especially Jesus…you’re standing for NOTHING…and that’s the greatest waste of a human life…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
18 Feb 2023
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: being Christ's disciple is not easy, doing Christ's work, eternal life, gain the whole world and lose his soul, he that loveth father or mother more than me, if any man will come after me, in heavenly places, Inspire us for a better tomorrow, is not worthy of me, Jesus always gives the grace to do His bidding, layeth up treasure for himself, lazy-day Saturday, left hanging high and dry, let him deny himself, living for Christ, lose his life for my sake, not rich towards God, out on a limb, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, take up his cross and follow me, the Holy Spirit, undergo difficult times and tasks, wake up and smell the roses, what is a man profited, where your treasure is there is your heart, whosoever will save his life shall lose it, wisdom, wisdom is following God, yielding to Christ's lordship
Matthew 16:24. If any man will come after (follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Oh boy, this lazy day Saturday has opened with bright sunshine! It’s cold, but who cares, it’s winter, and that means it’s supposed to be cold. Once the sun’s shining, I’m contented. Sadly though, I’ve already used up my share of laziness for today, so now I have to concentrate on the reality of the situation, that’s doing Christ’s work.
Now, on Saturday’s, we usually look at the quotes that our friend Anselm sent us during the past week to see how they match up with Christ’s word, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow, but unfortunately, I did not receive any quotes from him this week, so I’m left hanging high and dry, out on a limb. (smile) I now have to find my own stuff to talk about today. Life sure is strange yes. Usually, I’m a tad anxious about how to use the quotes, figuring I’d have to bust my brain to present them properly, and sometimes wish I didn’t have them at all.
Today though, I find myself missing them, and having to bust my brain to find something of my own to talk about. That ought to teach us to appreciate whatever we have, although it might sometimes cause us some anxious moments. (smile) Yes, wishing the difficult things away, is never usually the answer, because then we realize how much we’ve become accustomed to them, and miss them when they are taken away. It’s like living for Christ. We need to undergo difficult times and tasks in His employ, and we don’t like them, but if we remove them, then we don’t grow and we don’t get to enjoy the supernatural occasions that Christ brings into our lives, when we walk faithfully with Him.
Oh friends, yuh like that smooth segue, from not knowing what to write then flowing smoothly into living for Christ. (smile) That’s how the Holy Spirit works sometimes. You can’t beat it! Moving on though, let’s remember that being a disciple of Christ is not easy, although it’s very worthwhile. Jesus stated it very clearly. ‘If any man will come after (follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’ (Matt. 16:24) Now therein lies the challenge, which basically means sacrificing or giving up our will for Jesus’. And it’s not always easy to do.
Meanwhile, the scholars explain it thus: ‘Deny himself , that is, refuse his own claims upon himself. Take up: The meaning is “lift up.” It is a stronger word than that used in 10:38, and implies a lifting of the cross on high, so that all may see it. This is the strongest statement in the New Testament about the disciple’s need to crucify himself, by yielding to the claims of Christ’s lordship over him.’
Wow! Being a true disciple of Jesus does carry a lot of expectations, as He explains in Chapter 10. ‘He that LOVETH father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that LOVETH son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.’ (Matt. 10: 37-38)
Yes, that’s certainly asking a lot, but that’s what Jesus does; He asks plenty of us, to be the salt and light of the earth, to spread the good news of His gospel all over the world and to walk faithfully in His footsteps. But the beautiful thing about our Lord and Saviour is that He never asks us to do something without giving us the wherewithal, the tools, the grace to do it. And that’s where He rises way above all the other supposed gods, who just ask you to do difficult and dangerous stuff without giving you the necessary help.
Now let’s check out Jesus’ statements after laying down the ground rules for discipleship. He reasons: ‘For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ (Matt. 16:25-26) And those are very pertinent and timely questions my people. Questions that we should all take time to sit down and ponder on, because they are very important to our eventual destination, be it heaven or hell.
However, some of us still believe in running down the material wealth of the world which enables you to live high on the hog, but doesn’t do much else. It doesn’t make you live longer, or necessarily happier and ofttimes you die from simple stuff despite your great wealth. In fact, while you are busy making money, you don’t usually have the time to enjoy it. And if you do live long enough to retire, then you don’t have the youth nor energy to truly enjoy the wealth you have amassed.
Please note Jesus’ parable on the rich fool, where He spoke not against riches in itself, but basically against greed, which is an inherent danger when we are hell bent to accumulate material wealth. The rich man saw all his goods and crowed to himself about storing up his possessions so he could live in ease; eat, drink and be merry. ‘But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that is layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.’ (Luke 12:20-21)
Ah mih bredrin, the scriptures make it so clear that fighting to amass material wealth is foolish, but even as true and faithful believers, we continue to do it. Remember when Jesus talked about how material wealth is destroyed by moth and rust, and thieves break in and steal, so the best place to lay up your treasure is in heaven, where there is no moth nor rust nor thieves. ‘For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt. 6:19-21) And after talking about how nature works perfectly through God’s grace and mercy, He warned: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)
Yes friends, if we seek God rather than material wealth first, God will give us all the material things we need, like He does for all the other aspects of His creation. Remember, all things belong to God, and it’s God who gives us the power to get wealth. (Deut. 8:18) So there’s no need to run it down. That’s why Bruh Paul also warned in his first letter to Timothy. ‘For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds of) evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith (for which some in their greediness have strayed from the faith), and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (brought ruin upon themselves). (1 Tim. 6:10)
Therefore my fellow saints, please, please, let’s wake up and smell the roses nuh, before it gets too late, and stop striving after money and material wealth because it doesn’t get us anywhere. Instead, let’s begin seriously striving after, seeking after the wonderful things of God which gets us somewhere, somewhere beautiful: eternal life with Him in heavenly places! Much LOVE!
…wisdom dictates that you follow the One who gives you wisdom…and that One is Jehovah God…so following Him is wisdom indeed…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ
26 Nov 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a future and a hope, a tough row to hoe, about our Father's business, achieved through God's intercession, an expected end, aspire to inspire us, extraordinary things, for a better tomorrow, forte, hiding in places we never think to look, how great is the sum of them, how precious thy thoughts unto me, I am the vine ye are the branches, if any man will come after me, Jesus is the one, lazy Saturday, let him deny himself, lose his life for my sake, LOVE, more in number than the sand, ponder Christ's sayings, scare me out of my full potential, strong suit, take up his cross and follow me, the same shall save it, the unbeaten path, thoughts of peace and not of evil, when I awake I am still with thee, whosoever will save his life shall lose it, without me ye can do nothing
Psalm 139:17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
And if I ever truly desired a lazy Saturday, today is it! The ole bones are aching, though the weather is sunny and reasonably warm. And although, by my standards, I went to bed early, my sleep wasn’t of the best quality, unable to find a comfortable position, with all kinds of annoying dreams. But I guess that’s par for the rite of passage called old age. (smile) Anyway, it’s time for us to be about our heavenly Father’s business, we’ve lazed around enough for the morning.
Now, since it’s Saturday, we need to check out the quotes our friend Anselm sent us this past week as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. There were only three this week, so that should make the Bit shorter…I wouldn’t count on it though. (smile) And the first one says: ‘Extraordinary things are always hiding in places people never think to look.’ And that holds a certain amount of truth, for only the bold and courageous will dare to look in unthinkable hiding places for good stuff.
I only wish I knew the unthinkable hiding places of a couple of things I’ve been looking for over the last few weeks and simply can’t find them anywhere in the house. They’re not extraordinary, but they are important enough that I would like to find them. Seriously though, some of the most exciting finds and adventures are to be found in places where most people would not look. The unbeaten path, though often difficult, and sometimes dangerous, always provides new and exciting finds. That’s because all the good finds on the beaten path have already been found. (smile)
And if you are truly looking for extraordinary things in unlikely places then Jesus is the One you must turn to, because that’s His specialty, His forte, His strong suit. Now, being in league with Jesus can be very difficult, unless you seriously put your mind to it, for He expects you to surrender your heart, body and soul to Him. Hear how He explained it to the disciples: ‘If any man will come after (follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall save it.’ (Matt. 17:24-25)
Yes friends, that’s a tough row to hoe, but Jesus expects His followers to sacrifice themselves on His behalf, like He did for ours. But the beauty of it all is that when we do surrender our own desires and accept His, He leads us on adventures to extraordinary, exciting places and things like we’ve never imagined! However, they usually require strong faith and some belly and backbone.
But ask anyone who’s been doing Jesus’ will for any length of time, and they will be able to regale you with extraordinary stories in unexpected places. I can tell you a few myself. And when I think of some of the unexpected places Christ has led me to and brought me out of, I just have to shake my head in awesome wonder and simply say, ‘Thank You Lord!’
And the next quote says: ‘I will not let anyone scare me out of my full potential.’ Now that should be a given. We should never allow anyone to scare us out of our God-given destiny, out of the desire to fulfill it completely. Ofttimes our friends and families try to talk us out of what we believe the Lord’s put in our hearts, but if we sincerely believe it, then we must follow the road set before us, despite negative criticism and naysayers. Remember the Lord has a definite plan and destiny for each life He creates.
As the prophet Jeremiah reminds us: ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) So you know that whatever desires God’s put in your heart, they are for good, and He will enable you to bring them to pass. But you have to step up to the plate and do your part.
And these verses from Bruh David’s magnificent Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God – ought to add to our belief that the Lord has a very significant and meaningful appreciation for His most magnificent creation. ‘Thou hast beset (enclosed or hedged) me behind and before, and laid thine hand on me…How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.’ (Ps. 139:5, 17-18)
Oh my people, please, let’s never allow the devil and his evil cohorts to make us believe that our Creator and God doesn’t care deeply for each and every one of us, because it’s a total lie! He only has good intentions towards us!
And the last quote tells us: ‘If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.’ To a certain extent yes. If it is within the strength of man to do it. But most things our mind conceive of are not doable in our own strength, because our mind is such a powerful and far-reaching instrument. It’s God’s greatest invention, and even after thousands of years of serious and continuous scrutiny, we still can’t fathom its true workings. That’s because the Lord has gifted us with the imagination of things that can only be achieved through His intercession, through us working with Him.
Now, remember how Jesus, after telling the disciples it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven, turned around and told them: ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26) And likewise, this verse from John says it all. It comes from Jesus’ discourse on the branch being unable to bear fruit unless it’s attached to the vine. ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)
Oh my fellow saints, I just LOVE how our Saviour doesn’t mince words, how He tells it just like it is! And I believe that on this lazy Saturday, it’s wise for us to take some time to ponder those true and down to earth sayings of His, and see how they sit, or reverberate in our own hearts, minds, souls and bodies! We can’t help but benefit from that exercise. Much LOVE!
…only in and through Jesus…can we do great exploits…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ
24 May 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a conservative and cautious attitude, a lack of mountain moving faith, according to his riches in glory, appraise opportunities intelligently, because of your unbelief, become hopeless and discouraged by trying circumstances, brick by brick, Christ expects us to build His church, Christ is the greatest example of toughness, Christ laid the foundation, disturb and discourage people from helping you, dr robert h schuller, failure to move forward with an expectant confidence, for the world to come to salvation, Hours of Power Devotional, I am the beloved of god, I am the way the truth and the life, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, if any man will come after me, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, in god's eyes, let him deny himself, lock stock and barrel, lost our belly and backbone, LOVE, My Daily Book of Motivation and Inspiration, my God will supply all your needs, no need to hurry, no need to worry, not what I do, not what I have, our work for Jesus will grow as our faith grows, promote those opportunities confidently, reflects and anxious look, remove hence and it shall remove, seize opportunities swiftly, share His love with the world, stone by stone, take up his cross and follow me, tough times times never last but tough people do, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra, went about the Father's business in dutiful obedience
Matthew 16:24. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
And then it was Tuesday, sunny but somewhat chilly, as it still isn’t truly summer, although we are behaving like it is, with the li’l warm weather we’ve recently been having. (smile) It’s also the first working day of this week and I wonder after the Victoria Day celebrations, how many of us didn’t make it to work today, or are so beat up that we are of no real use in the job? No doubt the number is higher than usual because it was the first long weekend up in cottage country after the long Covid lockdown and dreary winter days.
And sadly, too many of us have become hopeless and discouraged by the trying circumstances of the last two years, but if we have true faith in the One who created us, then we should never become discouraged or hopeless. And today I want to share some good info about discouragement from the marvellous work by Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller): ‘Hours of Power – My Daily Book of Motivation and Inspiration.’ And today’s inspiring and motivating message is aptly titled: ‘Don’t Get discouraged.’ I shared it sometime ago, but I believe, with all the unfortunate circumstances that are currently plaguing our world, it’s time to share it again.
So please read with me. ‘Do not be discouraged if you do not accomplish everything that you set out to accomplish. Surely if you do not expect to succeed you will hold back your full power, investment, and enthusiasm. Immediately the kind of people who help to move you on to victory begin to draw back. Your conservative and cautious attitude will reflect itself in an anxious look on your face that will disturb and discourage people from helping you.
There are two major reasons why people fail. Both stem from a lack of mountain moving faith. (1) People who fail are often people who are indecisive. They cannot make decisions swiftly and surely. The fast moving opportunity is past before they decide – too late – to take hold.
(2) Then some decisive people fail because, after making the decision, they fail to move forward with an expectant confidence. They grab the opportunity, only to lose nerve, get cold feet, and begin to wonder if they have done the right thing. They have gripped the plow but now they are looking back. Want to be a success? Develop the ability to appraise opportunities intelligently, seize opportunities swiftly, and promote those opportunities confidently.’
Yes friends, I do hope those words of wise advice will cause us to take a good look at ourselves and enable us to come up higher in these tough times. That recalls one of Dr. Schuller’s favourite sayings: ‘Tough times never last, but tough people do!’ And that’s the gospel truth, for if we are believers in Christ, then we ought to be tough, for we have the greatest example of toughness in our Lord and Saviour! You can say whatever you want about him, but you can NEVER say that He wasn’t tough, for He took all the ‘sufferation’ and rejection that was thrown against Him in stride, never bat an eyelid or complained about it, just went about the Father’s business in faithful and dutiful obedience.
Now, we obviously don’t have all the divine parts that Jesus had, but we can still do a better job than we are currently doing. We have life so easy nowadays that we complain about any little misfortune or setback. We’ve lost the belly and backbone we had when times were not as easy. And that’s not done us any good, for there will always be ups and downs in our lives, and if we don’t have that resistant, resilient belly and backbone we’ll never be able handle to the tough times, exactly what we’re seeing with the current unsettling situations.
Remember what it takes to be a true follower of Christ. Jesus said it quite clearly and plainly. ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’ (Matt. 16:24) That means we have to be tough and decisive if we want to follow Christ. And it’s not like we don’t know that He will always be there to help us. We claim it all the time. ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Phil. 4:13) And we also mouth this other reaffirming scripture: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil 4:19)
But unfortunately, when the going gets tough we seem to forget about those encouraging scriptures, we moan and groan and wonder what’s happened to God. Yes, it’s ever so easy to follow Christ in the good times, but it’s when the hammer hits the nail, that our faith needs to come up strong. Gramps Schuller calls it mountain moving faith. Jesus said it to the disciples when they couldn’t cast out a demon from a young boy. ‘Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.’ (Matt. 17:20)
That’s how much a li’l faith can accomplish, so can you imagine when we have great faith, the mighty things we can accomplish for Christ in His awesome name! And that’s exactly what He’s expecting of His followers right now in these calamitous times. He expects us to be the true salt of the earth and light of the world, showing the unbelievers who are living in darkness the true way to the truth and the light, to the Father and Creator, and that’s through Him. We desperately need to let the world know what Jesus said on that matter. ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6)
And that’s the indisputable truth! There’s no getting to heaven, no receiving salvation and eternal life without receiving Christ as Lord and Saviour. Christ laid the foundation and now expects us to build His body, His church, stone by stone, brick by brick with our earthly efforts. Yes, it’s only through us, His earthly hands, feet and body that the world will get that message. He’s depending on us my brethren to do the work that must be done for the world to come to salvation.
And for those of us who are rising faithfully to the challenge, let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and confident voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
Now let’s go out and do just that nuh; share Christ’s amazing LOVE and friendship with those who don’t know him, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…as our faith grows…so will our work for Jesus grow…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
14 May 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heart is made for patience and long-suffering, aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow, be not conformed to this world, be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, become a more mature believer, celebrity-based society, Christ died for us to have the abundant life, comfort zone, following Jesus is not easy, for God so loved the world, God sent not His Son to condemn the world, he gave his only begotten son, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, LOVE, man's mind is the greatest thing ever made, mankind is never satisfied, minds prevented from changing their opinions cease to be minds, nobody has ever measured how much a heart can hold, not as I will but as thou wilt, organisms that feed off a living body, our friend Anselm, parasites, should not perish but have everlasting life, step out of our comfort zone, sunny summer Saturday, take up his cross and follow me, taking sensible risks, that good acceptable and perfect will of God, the celebrity game, the snake which cannot cast its skin has to die, the world through him might be saved, whosoever believeth in him
Matthew 16:24. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
And then it was a sunny summer Saturday! Glory be my people! Good days are ahead in the northern climes, and it’s showing already with folks walking about half-naked, and driving around in their convertibles. The sun was actually hot yesterday…and hopefully from now on, it will dispel heat as well as brilliance. Although, when the heat really comes, we’ll start complaining about how it’s too hot.
Yes, mankind is never satisfied. Even when we get what we call for, we’re not happy. When it’s cold we complain, but when it gets hot, we also complain. Before there was Christ, we complained about Satan and his sinful ways, but now that we have Christ and His awesome story of salvation and eternal life, we’re still complaining. Guess man’s dissatisfaction with life will never end until Jesus comes back and sets up His magnificent kingdom of peace, LOVE and contentment.
In the meantime, let’s concentrate on our Saturday task, that of checking out the quotes our friend Anselm sent us this past week, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. And this week we only must deal with three quotes because he inadvertently sent us one from last week, namely: ‘Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold.’ We dealt with that when we talked about Mary, Jesus’ mother, and the many things she held in her heart re the birth, life, death and resurrection of her marvellous boy child, the Son of God.
But believe me, a heart can hold a lot, since it is made for patience and long suffering, but how much, I don’t even think we can measure it, because it’s such a wonderfully made organ, second only to the mind, that it just keeps expanding with whatever is placed in it, be it PAIN or LOVE. Imagine the hearts of Mary and the Father when they watched their Son’s badly beaten and abused body, hanging limply on the old rugged cross nuh! That certainly gives us an idea of the heart’s amazing capacity.
Then we come to this rather interesting quote. ‘Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.’ And that’s the gospel truth friends! We see it happening every day in our celebrity-based society, where you’ll find people fighting to hang around with a celebrity, and usually the latest and/or biggest one in town. And the celebrities themselves are so chocked full of themselves that they encourage these entourages and even seek to compete as to who has the biggest entourage.
But you know what, regardless of how big we get, our flame dies or burns low at some time or the other, meaning we can no longer afford to have all those hangers-on hanging around us. And they usually just drift away to greener pastures, ofttimes without even a backward glance, and angry too that their good thing has ended, because they are only parasites; organisms that feed off a living body until they kill it, it dies from being fed on too much. (smile)
None stay to help you get through the rough times, as you are forced to ride the bus instead of the limo. But that’s the celebrity game! And if you foolishly decide to play it, then you have no one to blame but yourself, if you end up paying the price for your big ego and foolish pride.
Now hear this next quote, which makes a bold statement: ‘You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.’ That’s oh so true my brethren! Once you stay in the safe confines of your comfort zone, or the place(s) where you are comfortable and refuse to take some risks, then your life will never change. You’ll just drone on in the same comfortable but unexciting and unenthusiastic manner.
Remember life was meant to be lived. Christ died for us to have life abundantly, and that means getting up and doing new and different things, taking risks, not foolish risks, but sensible ones through which you can grow and become a better person and a more mature believer. If you desire change, then you must stretch yourself, because that’s the only way change comes about. You certainly can’t stay in your comfort zone and expect to or acquire change.
And Jesus is the perfect example of that. He could have stayed in His comfortable position in heaven, but He desired to see some changes down here on earth amongst the people, so He left his comfortable heavenly situation and came to earth to do something about it. Remember His famous words: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17)
Yes friends, the Father LOVED us so much that He didn’t want to see us go down the wide and destructive path that leads to death and damnation, and because of His justice and righteousness He couldn’t just wave our sins away, so He had to step out of His comfort zone and do something drastic, like send His sinless Son to die and pay our sin debt. Jesus Himself could have refused the Father’s entreaties, but He also decided to step out of His comfort zone, and do something big, something drastic and wonderful, but oh so painful, for mankind, telling the Father – ‘not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matt. 26:39d)
And it’s the same way He desires us to step out of our comfort zones to do His bidding. He said it in no uncertain terms to the disciples: ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.’ (Matt. 16:24) And to do that, we must certainly step out of our comfort zone, unlike the rich ruler who refused to sell his vast possessions, give the proceeds to the poor and then follow Jesus. (Matt. 19:16-26)
That brings us to this last quote, another interesting one. ‘The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be minds.’ True words friends. If an animal, who is supposed to moult, that’s cast of their skins or feathers or change their outer appearance, like a snake, or certain birds, or a caterpillar, then those animals die. The same thing goes for those of us who are prevented from changing their opinions, like in certain dogmatic or dictatorial societies or organizations.
Our minds simply die, because they have been made devoid of life, through the refusal to think other thoughts, or have other opinions. Man’s mind is the greatest thing ever made, but it was made for thinking, for being used in worthwhile pursuits, not just sitting dormant or not being profitably used. So, like all living organisms that don’t keep moving and improving, they eventually die from lack of use.
Please friends, please don’t allow that to happen to our minds. Let’s keep them moving and grooving on the best thing that’s ever happened to us, that’s Jesus! Like Bruh Paul said to the church at Rome. ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’ (Rom. 12:2) In that way, my fellow saints, our minds won’t die an unnatural and unprofitable death. Much LOVE!
…following Jesus is not easy…but it’s adventurous and exciting…because it takes you out of your comfort zone…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
15 Apr 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crown of thorns, all of our sins are washed away, crucify him, Eli Eli lama sabachthani, eternal life, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, Good Friday, Hail King of the Jews, Hosanna Son of David, if any man will come after me, Lenten season, let him deny himself, LOVE, My God my God, naked like a jay bird, pay our sin debt in full, put on him a scarlet robe, salvation, Simon the Cyrene, sufferation, take up his cross and follow me, the cross is the symbol of our faith, the cross of Calvary, they spit upon him, ultimate shame, why hast thou forsaken me
Matthew 27:46. ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’
A BLEESED GOOD FRIDAY!
And then it was Friday…Good Friday to be exact; the end of our Lenten season, the day our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross of Calvary to pay for our abominable sins! And why that name on one of the most horrendous days in History? There are all sorts of reasons, but I like this one. It’s a Good Friday in the sense that on this particular day, ALL of our sins were washed away! That’s not only what‘s good about it, but what is exceedingly and abundantly wonderful!
Yes, we know that Christ suffered terribly on our behalf, but that’s considering the glass half empty. However, looking at what that sacrifice entailed and accomplished – atonement, forgiveness of sins – means looking at the glass half-full. And no one wanted, or wants anyone to undergo such ‘sufferation’ as Jesus did – and that’s the only word that can truly explain what He went through for us undeserving and ungrateful sinners – but without someone sinless paying for our sins we would ALL still be headed for damnation and hellfire with no options of salvation and eternal life.
And since Jesus was the only sinless soul available, it was obvious that the Father had to sacrifice Him if He wanted our sin debt to be paid. And oh, how it hurts my heart when I consider the unfairness and misery Jesus went through on our behalf. Sometimes I don’t even want to read about the shame hurled on Him during the mock trials He went through. And the flogging, oh brother, that wicked beating that cut His back to tatters brings tears to my eyes.
Then the ignominy, the embarrassment and humiliation of dragging that heavy wooden cross on which He would be crucified through the streets of Jerusalem, falling under its weight, just like he would later fall under the weight of our sins that the Father would ultimately lay on His shoulders. It’s like our modern-day trait of having someone dig their own grave. Just listen to this description of Christ’s early suffering as told by Matthew, and if it doesn’t break your heart and bring tears to your eyes…then…I don’t know what to say about you nuh.
After Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified, ‘Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall (the governor’s headquarters where everyone could see), and gathered unto him the whole band (cohort) of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had plaited (twisted) a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put on his own raiment (clothes), and led him away to crucify him.’ (Matt. 27:27-31)
Oh friends, can you imagine how Jesus must have been totally humiliated, especially after only a week earlier, the same crowd that had cheered His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, singing ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ was now shouting ‘Crucify Him!’ But yuh know what, our heavenly Father is always a kind and LOVING God, and even in the depths of Jesus’ despair, though He knew that He could not take away the cup that Jesus must drink, He could soften the blow somewhat. Thus, the following scriptures: ‘And as they led him (Jesus) away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.’ (Luke 23:26)
Oh my people, do you think that Simon just happened to appear there when Jesus was so exhausted and broken after all that He’d suffered in the last several hours. No, I don’t think so. I think the Father, knowing the terrible state that Jesus was in, placed him there for just that purpose. And isn’t it strange that the first three gospels all named Simon by name, a supposed casual passer-by? Mark even named his two sons, Alexander and Rufus. And every Good Friday since then, we too are also calling Simon the Cyrene’s name. As they say, people are not named in scripture without a purpose. So the story had to be true.
And I like what this one author, Chris Nye, says on importance of Luke’s words, ‘that he might bear it after him.’ That means Simon was walking behind Jesus with his cross. Nye writes: ‘Before his arrest and betrayal, Jesus said to his would-be followers, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). To be a Christian is to live a “cruciform life,” a kind of existence that is shaped by and through the cross.
We bear the cross Jesus provides for us. This is precisely what Simon did and precisely what we must do too. As St. Paul wrote, we do this so that we may know Jesus “and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Simon of Cyrene, following behind Jesus with the cross, is the picture of discipleship. Christ has gone first. He has gone and is going to where we cannot. Still, we follow in his steps, bearing the cross behind him.’
Ah mih fellow saints, the cross is indeed the symbol of our faith! Everything in Christianity points to it and leads away from it. Without the cross there’d be no solid foundation for us to build our lives upon. And we all know the rest of the story of that First Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified naked like a jay bird, the ultimate shame in His Jewish faith, between two thieves, with nails in his hands and feet, and left hanging on the cross for some five hours in the hot midday sun to die from dehydration and loss of blood. The ultimate cruelty ever devised by man!
But we also know that Jesus bore His ‘sufferation’ like the true Son of God that He was, mostly in silence too. His only complaint being at about the ninth hour, when He cried out to the Father: ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt. 27:46)
Yes, my faithful brethren, on that old rugged cross, bearing the sins of the whole world on His shoulders, that was the ONLY time that Father and Son had ever been separated, and apparently that was the only thing that troubled Jesus deeply. He was otherwise so in control that He promised the repentant thief crucified with Him: ‘Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:43)
Even in His misery, His dying moments, Jesus was cognitive enough to plead on our behalf. ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34) He is asking forgiveness for the people who are unjustly crucifying Him, the same ones for whose sins He was sent to atone for! Now doesn’t that say everything about our magnificent Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? It certainly does! What a fine example He is for us to follow! And that’s all He’s asking of us this Good Friday, this immortal day on the Christian calendar; to take up our cross, just like He did His two thousand years ago, and faithfully follow Him to salvation and eternal life! Much LOVE!
…if you’re not faithfully bearing your cross…then you’re not following Jesus…
P.S. Sorry for the lateness of the Bit, but I had to go to church, because the 10 o’clock service was the only one we have today. But as always…better late than never. (smile) Much LOVE!
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
23 Feb 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: be of good cheer, can't call the name of Jesus aloud, carrying the torch of Jesus, continue the good fight, endure to the very end, fanning the flames of His gospel, for what shall it profit a man, gain the whole world and lose his soul, give lip service to His words, Glory Hallelujah!, He giveth power to the faint, hide and meet secretly, i have overcome the world, keep moseying along in comfort, let him deny himself, living for Christ, living the life of the rich and idle, LOVE, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, not turning back, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, religious freedom, sacirifce, separate the sheep from the goats, shall mount up with wings like eagles, so glad to be alive, take up his cross and follow me, thank God, the breath of life, the bright and exciting light, the difference maker, the evil and depraved world, the same shall save it, the youths shall faint, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, they that wait upon the Lord, this adulterous and sinful generation, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be the flavoursome salt, Wednesday Wail, who shall be ashamed of me and my words, whosever shall lose his life for my sake, wisdom of the highest order
Mark 8:36. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Well friends, it’s Wednesday, the middle of the week, and I do hope that we’ve made some headway into being the difference maker that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ expects us to be. Yes, that’s why He’s placed us on the earth at this particular time, to make a difference in His name, to be the flavoursome salt and the bright, exciting light to the evil and depraved world that currently reigns.
And though it’s a very rewarding and interesting task, it’s not always an easy one, because it sometimes calls for a lot of sacrifice on our part, giving up our will to ensure that His is forthcoming. And that issue of sacrifice is not something that Christ hid, but He said it very clearly and plainly.
The Good Book tells us: ‘And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ (Mark 8:34-38)
And is this generation ever sinful and adulterous! So that means a lot is expected of us my fellow saints in Christ. But the basic thing is to live for and like Him, spread His gospel and not be ashamed of Him, because when he returns in all His glory, He will be ashamed of us and not recognize us as being amongst His followers.
Unfortunately though, many of us supposed believers are indeed ashamed of Christ, and afraid of the very sinful and adulterous world in which we now live, so we only give lip service to His words and way of life. But as the scholars note per verse 38 above: ‘Jesus makes a very close connection between Himself and His Words.’ So we cannot separate one from the other as we like to do.
The problem is that life is so good with us out here in the western world, with all the privileges and amenities we enjoy, that we don’t want anything at all to disturb it. We just want to keep moseying along in comfort, living the life of the rich and idle. But friends, life does not, never has, and never will run smoothly! It’s a series of ups and downs, and until we learn to take the good with the bad, and live accordingly, we will be forever destined to live unhappy and ungodly lives.
Even Christ confirmed that life is full of trouble when He said: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) Now that’s a scripture that all of us know, but don’t truly take to heart, otherwise we wouldn’t be living the scared and anxious lives we’re living. Jesus has indeed conquered and overcome the world by His sacrificial death and resurrection, and only in and through Him can we ever have peace in this crazy, warlike world.
That’s what He gives to us, when we truly accept Him as Lord and Saviour and try to live the way He desires of us. Oh, He knows that we will have hard times, for nobody had harder times than He did, and sometimes we will fail to do His will, but He is also very forgiving and expects us to get back up and continue the good fight in His name. He gives us the grace and power to do that, but we have to truly believe and surrender ourselves to His holy will.
As the prophet Isaiah said so long ago: ‘He giveth power to the faint (weak), and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is. 40:29-31)
Oh my people, what more can we ask eh? Especially those of us living in the religious freedom of the West, while many of our fellow believers are still living very persecuted lives in so many other countries of the world. Please take a moment to ponder the situation where you could not get up on a Sunday morning, put on your finery and traipse to church to gather and celebrate with other believers, because that would get you incarcerated and even killed. But you had to hide and meet secretly, and couldn’t even call the name of Jesus out loud, otherwise crapaud smoke yuh pipe!
A lot of our fellow believers are living under those strenuous and unfair conditions, but they are still carrying the torch of Jesus alight, still fanning the flames of His gospel and way of life. Meanwhile, we ole hypocrites out here, who have the freedom to do so much for Jesus, live scared but comfortable, talk a good talk, but have no action to back it up.
Oh friends, if we don’t smarten up and begin living right, when Jesus returns, He will have a whole lot of separating to do, between the sheep and the goats. And sadly, many of us will find ourselves on the left hand, with the goats, and not on the right hand, with the sheep. And if you don’t know that scripture, then it’s high time you became very familiar with it, found in Matthew 25:31-46.
Anyway, for those of us who are doing our best to live for Christ, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. So, in a strong, joyful and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And lest we forget; if we endure to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! So let’s endeavor to endure nuh! It’s wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…living for Christ is not easy…but if we are serious…He generously gives us the grace and power to do it…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
30 Dec 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a constant state of readiness, a Sunday evening walk in the park, according to his riches in glory, and lo I am with you always, as for me and my house, be ye also ready, courage, creativity, curse, even unto the end of the world, feel it in every fibre of our being, for in such an hour as ye think not, gain the whole world and lose his soul, good friends, good health, He shall give you another Comforter, I will come to you, I will not leave you comfortless, if any man will come after me, if god be for us who can be against us, let him deny himself, LOVE, my God will supply all your needs, negative word, Omicron variant, one days is with the Lord as a thousand years, prosper, Seasonal Affective disorder, self-control, succeed, take up his cross and follow me, the Only Begotten Son, the Son of man will come, this is the day the Lord has made, through Christ Jesus, Thursday Blessings, to them who are called according to his purpose, to those who love God, watch therefore, we know that all things work together for good, we will rejoice and be glad in it, we will serve the Lord, what is a man profited, whosoever shall lose his life for my sake
John 14:18. I will not leave you comfortless (as orphans): I will come to you.
And it’s another one of those SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) inducing days, with a ballooning Omicron virus adding the finishing touches, as if we need any more problems in this already problem filled world! That’s why we need Jesus so badly in these turbulent times! Yes friends, the Only Begotten Son is the ONLY One who can promise us sustenance and succour in these ungodly times, and faithfully keep that promise.
And we need to use His Word, His promises to boost our self-confidence and help us retain our sanity. Words like: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! My God will supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus! If God be for us who can be against us eh? NOBODY! Yes mih bredrin, if the One and Only True Living God is for us, not a single soul can be against us! Consequently, we can then declare: ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!’
But we need to believe it all, to feel it in every fibre of our being! Especially this all-encompassing verse: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28) Oh, it does sound like a tough verse to believe, but it’s the basis of everything in our faith, knowing that despite the trials and tribulation we will endure in this evil world, that eventually the Lord will work it all out for our good!
Wow! What other deity can make that faithful promise eh? NONE! None whatsoever! Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! I know that some of us unwittingly come to Christianity as an easy go, as a Sunday evening walk in the park, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth my people. Did Jesus have an easy walk in the park when He came to earth to save us from our sins and reconcile us to the Father?
Absolutely not! They gave Him a terrible time, ranging from disbelief, to slander, to physical punishment, and finally crucifixion, and anyone, who decides to take up their cross and follow Him will inevitably find struggles and possibly persecution, just like He did. Please remember these fateful words of Jesus, for they are the foundational authority to discipleship.
‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.’ (Matt. 16:24-27)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s what we have to look forward to if we sincerely follow Jesus. And it’s a promise that seems will be soon fulfilled the way our world is showing many of the signs Jesus gave for His second coming. But soon with us and soon with God, are too entirely different things. Peter tells us that ‘one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.’ (2 Pet. 3:8) Now the early church thought that Jesus would soon return, but in our view, two thousand years have passed and He’s still not come back. However, that could simply be because to the Lord that’s only two days. (smile)
But please don’t be fooled, Christ’s return could happen at any time, that’s why He warned: ‘But of that day an hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, But my Father only… Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24:36, 42, 44)
Oh my brethren, regardless of what signs we see or think we see, only the Father knows when the Son is going to return, that means we must be prepared, be ready for His Second Coming at any moment. That’s what those verses above are saying: ‘Be prepared!’ Are we prepared? Now that’s the big question. How many of us have set our house in order and are ready for if Jesus comes back today?
Remember they also say He can come as a thief in the night, (1 Thess. 5:2) that’s unexpectedly, at any time, day or night, today tomorrow or even another two thousand years from now. But the important thing is for believers to be in a constant state of readiness for whenever that marvellous occasion happens, because we know, are very sure, that it will happen eventually, just not exactly when.
And the wonderful thing about Jesus is that just like He promised before He went back to heaven, He has faithfully done: ‘And I shall pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever… I will not leave you comfortless (as orphans): I will come to you.’ (John 14:16,18) And at that first Pentecost after His ascension, (Acts 2:1-4) He did indeed send the Holy Ghost to indwell all believers, to keep us safe, to lead and guide us in the direction He desires, that is, provided we are willing to listen and abide by the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Thus my fellow saints, the ball is now in our court! And our Jesus is ever so wonderful that He’s bestowed all kinds of blessing on those who believe that they can do His earthly work. And what a potent and plentiful set of blessings they are! We call them our Thursday Blessings, and since a blessing is not a blessing until it is declared out loud, let’s declare them right now nuh.
Altogether, in strong and sincere voice. ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection!
I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
MamaYo! What a magnificent set of blessings my faithful brethren! It now behooves us to put them to work in our lives and share them with others just as generously as Jesus shared them with us! Much LOVE!
…and, lo…I am with you always…even unto the end of the world… (Matt. 28:20b)
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
16 Dec 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: bounden duty, choose life, Christ died for us, clam up, curse, discipleship demands sacrifice, divine protection, fear of rejection, five times received I forty stripes save one, free from the bondage of sin, God commendeth his own love toward us, God so loved the world, have everlasting life, he gave his only begotten son, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, if he shall gain the whole world, in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, jump and shout for joy, kicked out of town, let him deny himself, living for Christ, lose his own soul, LOVE, love of the Father, negative word, our hearts were in chains to sin, praise the name of Jesus to the high heavens, self-control, self-discipline, shaming, spring like temps, stricken dumb, take up his cross and follow me, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, the amazing love story of Christ, the joy of Christ's birth, the power of God unto salvation, the ultimate sacrifice of life, Thursday Blessings, what is a man profited, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul, while we were yet sinners
Romans 1:16a. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
It’s a cloudy and somewhat windy Thursday morning in my neighbourhood, but we have spring like temps, something like 13 degrees Celsius, and it’s expected to go higher, although there’s a weather advisory also in effect. But however you cut it, we can’t really complain about that kind of temperature in the middle of December in the northern climes. And with the Christmas season in full swing, the joy of Christ’s birth has thankfully lifted the spirits of many who were hitherto somewhat under the weather.
And the amazing LOVE story of Christ will do that every time my people! Because that’s what He came to earth to share, the indisputable, unconditional, irreplaceable LOVE of the Father. A LOVE so strong and wonderful that the Good Book describes it thus: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 8:5)
Imagine that nuh mih bredrin…our heavenly Father sacrificed His one and only Son for us while we were still in bondage to the tyranny of sin! What sort of Father does that eh? Only one that’s very concerned about the people He created. As Jesus Himself summarily declared: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16) What an amazing situation for our finite, puny minds to contemplate eh?
Yes friends, while our hearts were still in chains to sin, the Father offered up His sinless Son for us. Now shouldn’t that make us so grateful that we just want to jump and shout for joy, to tell everybody, and praise the name of Jesus to the high heavens? It ought to, if we are truly grateful and free from the bondage of sin. That’s why Bruh Paul positively proclaimed to the church at Rome: ‘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.’ (Rom. 1:16)
Unfortunately though, many of Christ’s supposed followers are ashamed of sharing His gospel with those around them because it will put them in a bad light with those whose opinions they tend to value more than Christ’s. And sharing Christ’s gospel can get you ostracized as Bruh Paul found out by often being beaten, jailed and kicked out of town, as he explains in these excerpts from 2 Cor. 11:23-27.
‘…in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save (minus) one… In weariness and painfulness (toil), in watchings (sleeplessness) often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.’ (2 Cor. 11:23-27) And yuh better believe that it is still possible for the sharing of the gospel in some societies today to cause serious problems, problems like Bruh Paul’s, thankfully though, not in our society.
But as one commentator, John Piper, puts it in his article on the subject on the desiringgod.org website: ‘The gospel does two things: It brings out shaming behavior in those who will not believe it. And it gives freedom from shame to those who do believe it.’ Yes my people, when we fully believe Christ’s gospel it gives us the power and strength to resist all shame and possible consequences. And that’s partly why our world is going through the current throes of calamity; we supposed believers were, and still are not truly convinced of the power of the gospel and we fear displeasing men more than we fear displeasing God, our Creator and Controller.
Now that doesn’t speak well of us, especially when Jesus said it quite plainly. ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’ (Matt. 10:28) That’s Almighty God my brethren! But sadly, too many of us supposed Christians only talk a good talk about Christ with our Christian friends and family, but out there amongst the heathen, too often we clam up as though we are stricken dumb for fear of rejection and shaming.
Christ wasn’t ashamed to be crucified naked on the cross of Calvary for us, but we want His salvation without suffering any sacrificial moments. It doesn’t work like that friends. Please remember these words of Jesus to the disciples: ‘If any man will come after (follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? ’ (Matt. 16:24-26)
Now that’s a very good question my fellow saints? What are we prepared to give up to save our souls eh? Jesus said if we want to be His followers, we must die to ourselves, to our will, and let His will take priority in our lives, even to the giving up of our mortal lives. And no, it’s not easy to do, or even to contemplate, because ‘discipleship demands sacrifice.’ However, the rewards of doing it His way are more plentiful and beneficial than embracing the only other option available, that of getting in league with the evil enemy, who only has the rewards of death, damnation and eternal separation from Almighty God to offer.
And, in keeping with His generosity, the Lord has given us freedom of choice to make our own decision. So please, please, let’s take His advice as set out by Moses to the children of Israel so long ago. ‘I call heaven and earth to record (announce) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.’ (Deut. 30:19) Yes friends, that’s the best advice in this whole wide world – to choose Jesus, who offers blessings and abundant life!
And for those of us who have chosen Him and are sincerely trying to do His will, He’s given us numerous blessings that enable us to perform His earthly desires. We call them our Thursday Blessings and we delight in declaring (chuh!!!) them every Thursday. So, in loud and confident voice, let’s do just that nuh: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
Now, it’s our bounden duty to go out and use those blessings to help others, just as generously as Christ shared them with us. Much LOVE!
…living for Christ…the ultimate sacrifice of life…
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13 Dec 2020
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a joyful heart, a spiritual nature, Adeste Fidelis, be faithful and joyful, be of good cheer, believers in Jesus, born the king of angels, born this happy morning, children of God, Christ is worthy of adoration, Christ the Lord, citizens of heaven above, come and behold him, full of faith, give thanks to Almighty God, hearten our spirits, honour Christ's call, i have overcome the world, if any man will come after me, if ye love me, in a symbolic sense, integrity, joyful and triumphant, keep my commandments, let him deny himself, loyal, O come all ye faithful, O come let us adore Him, o come ye to Bethlehem, our Creator and Provider, praise and worship, Praise be to god, raise our spirits, season of Advent, steadfast in affection, take up his cross and follow me, the joy of the Lord is your strength, this Christmas season, unfailingly loyal to Christ, whosever shall lose his life for my sake, with strong assurance
John 14:15. If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.
Sunday morning’s come down friends! And we’ll do what we do every Sunday morning, be it sunshine, rain or snow; get together and praise, worship and give thanks to Almighty God, our Creator and Provider! Only thing is that these days many of us are worshiping and giving thanks through virtual technology because of the pandemic lockdown. Yes mih people, they may stop us from gathering together physically, but they can’t stop us from giving thanks and praise! And all of God’s people said a loud and proud: ‘Praise be to God!’
And with the Christmas season upon us, when we celebrate the earthly birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I thought it would only be right to open with a timely song, a Christmas carol we all know and LOVE; ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’an adaptation of a Latin hymn Adeste Fidelis. It’s rather appropriate for this time as it ‘harkens to the biblical story of the birth of Christ. It is considered a reference to the shepherds, after hearing the angels singing, coming to Bethlehem to adore their new-born savior. Today this hymn signifies and celebrates our coming together in worship to adore the LOVING blessing of Jesus, as he sacrificed himself for our salvation.’
So let’s worship nuh, in strong soulful, harmonious voice. ‘ O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels! (Chorus: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.) God of God, light of light, Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb; True God, begotten, not created: (Chorus)
O Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above. Give to our Father, Glory in the highest! (Chorus) Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be the glory giv’n; Word of the Father, Now in the flesh appearing, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.’
And is Christ ever worthy of our adoration my people! For no one has ever done what He did; give up His heavenly position and come to earth in manly form, for the main purpose of sacrificing His sinless life so that we could become children of God, with all the wonderful benefits that entails. Mama Mia! What a Lord and Saviour!
But what does it really mean when we sing about ‘faithful’ eh? First let’s look at some definitions from the Merriam Webster dictionary. ‘1: steadfast in affection or allegiance : LOYAL – a faithful friend. 2: firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : CONSCIENTIOUS – a faithful employee. 3: given with strong assurance : BINDING – a faithful promise. 4: true to the facts, to a standard, or to an original – a faithful copy. 5: obsolete: full of faith.’ And you’ll notice what they say about the last one; that it’s obsolete, but a lot of people still believe that’s what it means, and who’s to say them nay eh? (smile)
So you see all the different meanings ‘faithful’ can have. They left out one word though; integrity, for you can’t be all or any of those things without integrity. And I like how Wikipedia explains it: ‘Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. It may be exhibited by a husband or wife who, in a sexually exclusive marriage, does not engage in sexual relationships outside of the marriage.’
Therefore, in our case we can say ‘faithful’ means that we remain unfailingly loyal to Christ, regardless of the prevailing circumstances. And that’s not an easy thing to do, especially in these rather turbulent and topsy-turvy times. But if we seriously want to be a faithful follower of Christ, then we must buckle down and do the things He commands us. Listen to His all-encompassing statement to the disciples, and consequently to us: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15)
Typical Jesus, plain and straightforward. No beating around the bush. And that’s what it means to be faithful; do the things that the person or organization to which you are faithful requires of you. And don’t forget this other requirement of being faithful to Jesus. ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his soul shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.’ (Matt. 16:24-25)
That means friends, all that wonderful singing we did above does carry serious consequences if we truly want to observe and honour Christ’s call and be faithful. That’s not to say we should not enjoy the merriment and festivity of the season, but we should also consider the job we have to do, after all the merriment is over. Note, after the shepherds went and saw Jesus, they went back to guarding their sheep, though with a more joyful heart. Likewise, our hearts should also be joyful, as we go through this season of Advent, contemplating the importance of Christ’s birth and what it means to us in these modern times.
And we’ll end with these appropriate words, but please don’t ask me where I got them from, because I don’t remember. (smile) ‘The encouragement to “come, all ye faithful, . . . to Bethlehem” situates the singer both among the shepherds who rushed to see Christ and in the great continuation of the “faithful” that have traveled to Bethlehem in a spiritual nature for over 2,000 years. Although today, we cannot actually witness Jesus in the manger, we can come to Bethlehem in a symbolic sense. We can be there in our imaginations as we allow the Christmas story to hearten our spirits.’
Yes precious people, let’s raise our spirits, be faithful and joyful in this Christmas season, despite the many troubles in our world. For that’s what Christians – faithful, steadfast and loyal believers in Jesus do, especially when one of His commands is to be of good cheer, because he has overcome the world! Much LOVE!
…the joy of the Lord is our strength… (Neh. 8:10)
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