26 Feb 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a positive outlook on life, abominable sinfulness, abounding in mercy, abundance, acknowledge God's justice and righteousness, all that are oppressed, amazing love and compassion, apologize for wrong date on Bit, as a father pitieth his children, as far as the east is from the west, as the heaven is high above the earth, awakends the dormant tiger in us, benevolent attributes of God, come to know and love christ like we do, courage, crapaud smoke we pipe, creativity, curse, divien wrath, faith, favour, for mine own sake, God chooses not to bring up our sins, God's longsuffering toward us, God's supernatural wisdom, good friends, good health, great is his mercy toward them that fear him, harsh consequences, he knoweth our frame, he remembers that we are dust, he understands our constituion, he will not always chide, his acts to the children of Israel, holy spirit, I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions, in the affairs of men, intention to praise God for all his benefits, Jesus Christ, LOVE, loving-kindness, making changes in mid-stream, mankind will never full understand the greatness of God, merciful to their unrighteousness, mercy, negative word, neither will he keep his anger for ever, not dealt with us after our sins, not rewarded us according to our iniquities, physical benefits, plenteous in mercy, prosper and succeed, rebellious behaviour, receive clear direction for my life, renew our commitment to Almighty God, salvation, slow to anger, so far hath he removed our transgressions, spiritual blessings, talent, Thank You Lord, the greatenss of God's character, the Lord executes judgment and righteousness, the Lord is merciful and gracious, the Lord pitieth them that fear him, their sins and iniquities will I remember no more, truth, understand the greatness of our God, we praise and bless your holy name, wisdom
Psalm 103:8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS).
Awright friends, it’s Thursday, the second to last day of our work week, and it’s a nice, bright, dry, sunshiny but somewhat chilly day. But that’s what winter is all about, and how we prefer it; not wishing for more of the white heavenly precipitation that we’ve seen so much of already this season. And before I forget, let me apologize profusely for the error I made in yesterday’s Bit, right at the beginning, claiming that the Bit came from Psalm 103:2, when it was really from Job 5:17. That’s the price you pay for making changes in mid-stream and not correcting everything you ought to.
But what can I say eh? The ole fella is only human, and thus prone to the odd mistake. (smile) And I do appreciate your forgiveness. So let’s move on with good cheer. And today I believe we should continue looking at Psalm 103, where Bruh David so astutely describes and blesses the Lord’s Holy Character. We’ll begin at verse six, where we left off yesterday. ‘The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS).
He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS) toward them that fear (reverence) him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear (reverence) him. For he knoweth our frame (understands our constitution): he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:6-14)
Oh my people, are we seeing the goodness, greatness and mercy of our God’s character? I certainly hope so. We ought to acknowledge His justice and righteousness in the affairs of men, especially those who are oppressed. And He hasn’t hidden any of His ways from us because He wants us to know them and thus know Him. Then He’s merciful and gracious, abounding in LOVING-KINDNESS, and above all slow to anger. Oh my bredrin, do we realize how blessed we are that the Lord is slow to anger, otherwise His divine wrath would have already descended on us for our abominable sinful and rebellious behaviour.
As Peter says, He’s longsuffering, overly patient toward us, (2 Pet. 3:9) otherwise crapaud done smoke we pipe long time! And to make things even better, the Lord hasn’t dealt with our sins the harsh way they deserve, or treated us to the harsh consequences that ought to flow from them. Instead, He’s so faithfully and generously removed them from us, as far as the east is from the west. And that’s a great distance. And several places in the Bible it says that He remembers our sins no more.
Listen to a couple of them. This one from Isaiah is very revealing. ‘I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.’ (Is. 43:25) Yes friends, the Lord blots out our transgressions for His own sake, so that His wrath does not fall on us. Meanwhile Hebrews says: ‘For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities (lawless deeds) will I remember no more.’ (Heb . 8:12) There the author of Hebrews is quoting Jereimah 31:34. And it’s not that He loses it from His omniscient memory, but rather that He chooses not to bring it up. And all God’s people said a loud and grateful, ‘Thank You Lord! We praise and bless your holy name!’
And what about the understanding He shows to us because He knows that we’re merely dust eh, put together by His own wonderful hands? No wonder He treats us like a father treats His children with amazing LOVE and compassion. Oh my fellow believers, do we really understand the greatness of our God? I don’t thinks so nuh, otherwise we’d be much more into Him and the things He desires and not as rebellious and ungodly as we currently are.
So for our enlightenment, let’s look at how the scholars lay out his greatness as per the psalm. They say: ‘The first section (vs. 1-5) (which we read yesterday) finds the psalmist expressing his intention to praise God for all his benefits. (vs.2) Then with five verbs he enumerates specifically these benefits: who forgiveth … who healeth (vs. 3), who redeemeth …who crowneth (vs.4), who satisfieth (vs.5). All these actions speak of spiritual blessings, though physical benefits may be included.
The next section (vs, 6-19), which speaks of God’s character, contains a veritable catalogue of the benevolent attributes of God: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, plenteous in mercy (vs. 8). These are amply illustrated in an attempt to convey their vastness: the greatness of His mercy (as the heaven is high (vs.11), the greatness of his removal of our sins (as far as the east is from the west, (vs.12), and the greatness of His compassion (as a father pitieth his children, (vs.13).’
And that my people is a synopsis, a brief outline of our God’s greatness and goodness. Let’s hope it awakens the dormant or sleeping tiger in us, and causes us to refresh and renew our commitment to Almighty God! Now, let’s declare and thus activate our Thursday Blessings, which the Lord has so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work.
As one 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!’
And with that declaration, it now behooves us to go out and use those undeserved blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…with our finite minds…regardless of how hard we try…we will never fully understand…the greatness of our infinite God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 Feb 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a big shout of thanks and praise to God, all that is within me, Behold, Bless His Holy Name, bless the LOrd o my soul, challenging, corporal punishment, crowns thee with loving-kindness, crowns thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, despise not the chastening of the Lord, despise not the discipline of the Lord, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, detest his correction, endure right to the end, enjoy a most spectacular future, even as a father, faith, faithfully promised to never leave not forsake me, forget not all his benefits, forgives all thine iniquitites, forotten the exhortaion, God is a just and righteous god, God is not a doting grandfather, God will not sweep our wrong doings under the carpet, God's intent will not change, halfway home, hands on the plough, happy is the man whom God correcteth, he maketh sore and bindeth up, he that spares the rod spoild the child, he that spareth the rod hateth his son, he woundeth and his hands make whole, heals all thy diseases, holy spirit, hospital tests, I praise and bless your holy name, I'm so glad to be alive, irresponsible and obnoxious young individuals, jehovah god, Jesus Christ, LOVE, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, neither be weary of his correction, nor be faint when thou art rebuked of him, not turning back, on the late bus, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, redeems thy life from destruction, renew our acquaintance with Psalm 103, salvation, satisfies thy mouth with good things, scourges every son whom he receives, second wind day, seeing me through the rough times, thank God, Thank You Lord, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the end of the sickly season, the fountain of worship, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Lord's Holy Character, the son in whom he delights, thy youth is restored as the eagle's, tiring, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, two complimentary aspects of trianing, Wednesday Wail, which speaks to you as unto children, whom he loves he chastens, whom the Lord Loves He corrects, wisdom, with grace mercy and encouragement, work all things out for my good, you've been so good to me
Job 5:17. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
And then it Wednesday, our second wind day, and the ole fella is certainly catching his second wind, but on the late, late bus, because I went to the hospital early this morning for some tests, and since I was sedated for them, by the time I got back home I was still a li’l groggy and needed to rest for a while! Now that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it! (smile)
But thankfully though, the tests were all negative! And for that I can only give a big shout of praise and thanks to Almighty God my Creator, Provider and Protector, who has faithfully promised never to leave nor forsake me, and to work all things out for my good eventually. Lets’ hope and pray that this then is the end of the sickly season I’ve been going through for the last few months, because it’s been really challenging and tiring. And again I say, ‘Thank You Lord! I praise and bless your Holy Name for You’ve been so good to me, seeing me through the rough times with grace, mercy and encouragement!’
And for all of God’s goodness friends, I believe we ought to renew our acquaintance with Psalm 103, one of the great praise psalms, where Bruh David blesses the Lord’s Holy Character. So please read these first few verses with me, verses that are ever appropriate to our faith journey. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-KINDNESS and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is restored like the eagle’s.’ (Ps. 103: 1-5)
Oh my people, right there we see the basic benefits of having Jehovah God as our fountain of worship and thus benefits! No other supposed God keeps all of His many promises and looks after His people like the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Now that doesn’t mean He’s a doting grandfather, because in His great LOVE for us, as His children, He will also chasten and chastise us when we do wrong, so He can bring us back to the fold.
Listen to what the scriptures says. First we hear from Job, who writes: ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.’ (Job 5:17-18) And we know that Cousin Sol, as the wisest man ever, has something to say on every subject. (smile) Listen to him from Proverbs: ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary (detest) his correction: for whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:11-12)
Then the author of Hebrews reiterates Cousin Sol’s claims, when he writes: ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children (sons), My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord LOVETH he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ (Heb. 12:5-6)
Oh, I know we only like the good stuff, the blessings and mercy, but living for God, we should not only expect constant sunshine and roses but also some tough times with tough discipline when we go astray, for the Lord treats us just like our earthly father is supposed to; with LOVE and with discipline. As the scholars explain: ‘God’s practice corresponds to the commands God gave to fathers: “He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him chasteneth him betimes (promptly).” (Prov. 13:24) LOVE and corporal punishment are not incongruous; they are two complimentary aspects of training.’
And yes, some of you don’t hold with that theory, and thus have grown up your children with a soft touch, which is now turning back to haunt you, for they are uncontrollable, and that’s why we have such, rude, unmannerly, selfish irresponsible and obnoxious young individuals, because too many parents spared the rod and thus spoiled the child. But that’s another story for another day, and can be argued till the cows come home, (smile) but it will not change God’s intent, and in the long run, what He thinks is what really matters.
And since we’re on a late, late bus, I think we’ll keep it short and sweet. And I heard all the thankful sighs. (smile) That means we can now go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been also promised that those who endure right to the very end with Jesus, they will indeed enjoy a most spectacular future, more than their human minds can comprehend. So let’s agree to meet there at the very end and enjoy that spectacular future together! Much LOVE!
…God is a just and righteous God…He will not sweep our wrongdoings under the carpet…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 Jan 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: A Prayer for later years, a sour old person, able to accept with graciousness, action it asap, arrogant, becoming sweeter as the years go by, by his knowledge, by understanding he established the heavens, don't want to be a saint, endure to the end, expressing an opinion on every subject, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, favours that others bestow on me, fear God and keep his commandments, fools despise widom and instruction, give me the grace, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut, give me wings, God shall bring every work into judgement, growing older, halfway home, hands on the plough, help me endure the boredom with patience, helpful but not pushy, holy spirit, independent, Jesus Christ, keep me from becoming too talkative, keep me reasonably sweet, keep my lips sealed, keep my mind free, LOVE, make my thoughtful but not moody, mercy, not looking back, occasionally I might be mistaken, personal desires, physical desires, release me from the cravings, saints are too hard to live with, salvation, second wind day, self-interests, selfish, strife, take it to heart, teach me the glorious lesson, Thank You Lord, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the clouds drop down dew, the depths are broken up, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, the glorious truth, the Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the musings of a small town Nana, the pleasure of discussing my aches and pains, the pride of life, the recital of endless details, the tiresome habit of, the work of the devil, this is the whole duty of man, those of a certain age, to a glorious future with Jesus, to get to the point, to listen to others describe their aches and pains, to straighten out everybody's affairs, truth, turbulent times, ungodly, Wednesday Wail, wisdom, wisdom can only be gained from God through faith
Ecclesiastes 12:13. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Well it’s a cloudy Wednesday my people, but the temperature is above freezing, so it’s not too bad. But we’re also on a late bus because I had to go back to the hospital for some tests this morning and you know how that is – you never get in on time or get out early, so we’re a tad behind on this second wind day. Let’s hope we all catch that second wind and keep on living successfully for Jesus. And thankfully they found nothing of any serious nature with the tests, so hopefully these stomach pains will soon go away completely with the medication I’m currently taking. Thank You Lord! And I’ll also do my best to keep it short and sweet. (smile)
So without further ado, let’s get into this prayer that was published in 2007 in a Word Press blog called Mary’s Musings, apparently about the times of a small town Nana. The prayer is called ‘A Prayer for Later Years’ and I’m pretty sure I shared it sometime aback, but last week I found it amongst one of the several piles of papers I have lying around the office, and after reading and chuckling at its appropriateness, especially for people like me in these turbulent times, I knew I just had to share it again.
So please pray with me: ‘Lord thou knowest that I am growing older. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and particularly keep from falling into the tiresome habit of expressing an opinion on every subject. Release me from the cravings to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details. Give me wings too to get to the point. Give me the grace dear Lord, to listen to others describe their aches and pains. Help me to endure the boredom with patience and keep my lips sealed, for my own aches and pains are increasing in number and intensity, and the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that, occasionally, I might be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not wish to be a saint (saints are so hard to live with), but a sour old person is the work of the devil. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not pushy; independent; yet able to accept with graciousness favours that others wish to bestow on me.
Free me of the notion that simply because I have lived a long time, I am wiser than those who have not lived so long. If I do not approve of some of the changes that have taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut. Lord knows that when the end comes, I would like to have a friend or two left. The author is unknown but I wish I had written it. I think it is appropriate for those of us who are of a “certain age.”
And is that ever the glorious truth my fellow believers! All of us can use some part of that prayer, whether we’re old or young, because it advocates a wisdom that is necessary from birth to the grave, if we’re to live a godly and compassionate life. If many more of us, both young and old could only get halfway to adopting those suggestions, our world would be a much more wonderful place than it currently is, and there would not be as much strife and disagreement as we now have.
But then again as we saw yesterday in John’s first epistle it’s ‘the lust of the flesh (physical desires), and the lust of the eyes (personal desires), and the pride of life (self-interests),’ things that the world value, that have us behaving so ungodly, selfish and arrogant. (1 John 2:16) And it all comes right back to our lack of true reverence for God. How did Cousin Sol put in the opening chapter of Proverbs? ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the beginning (principal beginning) of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov. 1:7)
And that’s an inescapable fact! To get wisdom, one must go to the fountain from which it flows, and that’s from Almighty God. As Cousin Sol says later on in Proverbs. ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up, and the clouds drop down dew.’ (Prov. 3:19-20) Yes friends, wisdom is so important that God Himself used it to create the world. So if He, our Creator and Controller needs it, why shouldn’t we His lowly creation also need it eh?
And it’s a theme that echoes right through the Bible, specially in Cousin’s Sol’s writings. Remember He was the wisest man ever, God gave him the wisdom he asked for, along with wealth and long life that he did not ask for, because He was so pleased with his humble request. (1 Kin. 3:6-5) And since I’ve promised to keep it short and sweet, we’ll end with this final word from Cousin Sol, who as the wisest and wealthiest man ever, experimented with all that life had to offer, and found that it was all vanity, fruitless.
However, in his final recommendation as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, he says: ‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: ‘Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ (Eccl. 12:13-14) And there is no greater truth than that my faithful brethren! So please, let’s take it all to heart and action it, asap.
Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And for those who endure to the very end with Jesus, there’s a promise of a future so glorious that we cannot even imagine it. But as the wisdom of God dictates, let’s all endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…true wisdom can only be gained from God…through faith…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 Sep 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abundance, according to his labour, alive and kicking, all should come to repentance, another beautiful summer's day, another blessed day on Planet Earth, as your word goes forth, because of your love, blessed with a strong will, blessed with God's supernatural widom, both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together, bringing lost souls to christ, but God gave the increase, but the labourers are few, clear direction for my life, courage, creativit, curse, dissensions, divisions, duty bound, enmity within the church, envying, evangelists, everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed, faith, gathereth fruit unto eternal life, go before them, God's building, God's husbandy, he that planteth and he that watereth are one, he that reaps receives wages, headed straight for hellfire and damnation, holy spirit, I am of Apollos, I am of Paul, I have meat to eat that ye know not of, I have planted and Apollos watered, I pray amny will put their trust in Christ, in the name of Jesus, infighting, Jesus Christ, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, labourers together with God, lift up your eyes, look unto the field, LOVE, make their work fruitful, mercy, missionaries, my meat is to do the will of him who sent me, negative word, not willing that any should perish, one soweth and another reapeth, others can come to know and love Christ like we do, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, Prayer Cards from IN Touch Ministries, preachers, protect them from danger wherever they serve, receive eternal life, receive his own reward, revelling in carnality, salvation, Satan has a stranglehold on our world, self-control, self-discipline, send forth labourers into his harvest, so many need to hear the gospel, sow the seed of the gospel, speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal, strife, talent, thank you for your great mercy that saves us, Thank You Lord, the Christian's basic job, the harvest of unsaved souls, the harvest truly is great, the Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, the penultimate day of the work week, the saving word of God, there's still time to reach them, to go out and share those blessings, touch hearts to answer your call, truth, walk as men, white already to harvest, wisdom
Luke 10:2. The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Then it was Thursday, our penultimate day of the work week. And brother has this week gone by quickly! I guess when you’re having fun and/or busy, the days pass by without you truly noticing them. Anyway, it’s another beautiful summer’s day in my neck of the woods, and you will not hear me complain, because I’m alive and kicking to enjoy it! Thank You Lord for another blessed day on Planet Earth!
And today we’re going to check out one of the Prayer Cards recently issued by the In Touch Ministry, this one deals with ‘Missionaries.’ So please pray with me: ‘Father, so many need to hear the gospel. Thank You that because of Your LOVE, there’s still time to reach them. Please send more workers into the field. Touch hearts to answer Your call as missionaries, preachers, and evangelists. Go before them and make their work fruitful. Protect them from danger wherever they serve. As Your Word goes forth, I pray many will put their faith in the Lord Jesus and receive eternal life. Thank You for Your great mercy that saves us. Amen!’
Yes friends, the world indeed needs many more people to go forth and spread the saving Word of God, otherwise too many will be headed straight for hellfire and damnation with Satan. And remember what Peter says: ‘the Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Pet. 3:9b). And that’s possibly one of the reasons Jesus has not yet returned to take His people home: the Lord’s giving us time to get out there and bring more people to repentance.
But we need many more people; missionaries, preachers, evangelists, whosoever, to get out into the field and spread the Word of God, the good news of the gospel of Christ. For as Jesus said when he sent forth seventy disciples into the field to preach the Word: ‘The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.’ (Luke 10:2) Now that’s the scripture that our prayer above was based on, and it’s a real problem in these evil and ungodly times, because, for whatever reason, many Christians are not interested in going into the world and preaching the Word of God.
And Jesus again made reference to the importance of believers spreading the gospel, when at one juncture, the disciples encouraged Him to eat something. ‘But he said unto them, I have meat (food) to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, hath any man brought him ought (anything) to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat (food) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest?
behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look unto the field; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured and ye are entered into their labours.’ (John 4:32-38)
Oh my fellow believers the harvest of unsaved souls is very large out there and it takes both those who sow the seed of the gospel and those who reap the harvest by continually preaching the word in encouragement. It’s like Bruh Paul admonished the Corinthians when they were arguing about whom they believed in, Paul or Apollos.
‘And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat (solid food): for hitherto (until now) ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions (dissensions), are ye not carnal (fleshly), and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?’ (1 Cor. 3:1-4)
And unfortunately friends, Christ’s church is still like that; divided and revelling in carnality much more than true spirituality. So how can we ever truly get going to spread Christ’s gospel when there’s so much infighting and enmity within the so-called church eh? It’s impossible! That’s why Satan has such a strangle hold on the world and our society!
Then Bruh Paul continues his admonition thus: ‘Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but minsters by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together (fellow workers) with God: ye are God’s husbandry (field), ye are God’s building.’ (1 Cor. 3:5-9)
And the long and short of the story my fellow believers is that we are all God’s fellow workers. We work together under the auspices of the Lord God Almighty, and none of us is greater than the other. We do different jobs, but it’s the Lord himself who provides the increase! Please let’s remember that and try to minimize the envy and jealousy and divisiveness that still engulfs the church. Otherwise we will not be able to do a good job of bringing lost souls to Christ, which is one of our most important roles here on earth..
And the Lord’s so wonderful that He’s generously bestowed on us undeserved blessings to enable us to do that earthly work. We call them our Thursday blessings. So let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh. As one 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!’
And having made that declaration (awright!!!) we’re now duty bound to go out and use those blessings on behalf of others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…spreading the gospel of Christ…in both word and deed…is the Christian’s basic job…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a stiffnecked people, a zeal for God, be renewed and revitalized, children of the Most High God Jehovah, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, christianity, come to know and love christ like we do, establish their own righteousness, faith, generous grace and mercy, god moves in mysterious ways, God's greatest creation, God's initiative in grace, God's omnipotent power, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God, hearken unto the word of the Lord, heat advisory, holy spirit, hurry, if God spares life, ignorant of God's righteousness, in god's eyes, in thy mouth and in thy heart, Israel mistook the purpose of the law, Israel's foolish rejection of Christ, Jesus Christ, lift our heads and hearts to heaven, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, man's humble obedience to God's grace, mercy, mistook the scope of the law, not according to knowledge, others can come to know and love Christ like we do, pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement, promises of rain, righteousness is universally available, righteousness only attainable by belief in Christ, salvation, say not in thine heart, seeking redemption in God's mercy, share His love with my neighbours, substituted works for faith, Thank You Lord, thanks to God's goodness and mercy, the awesome truth, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the law points to, the purpose of the law, the word is nigh thee, the word of faith, to all who respond to God's revelation of Himself, to every one that believes, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Mantra, turn from their rebellious ways, we can do anything within God's will, we praise and glorify your holy name, who shall ascend into heaven, who shall descend into the deep, wisdom, worry, your undying love
Romans 10:8. The word is nigh (near) thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach;
And then it was Tuesday, with Monday being consigned to the confines of history. But unfortunately only the name has changed, for it’s still a very hot and humid summer’s day, with an ongoing heat advisory, although there are some vague promises of rain in the offing…but I wouldn’t count on that, because I’ve heard that story before. (smile) Anyway, however it turns out, let’s remember that we are children of the Most High God Jehovah, and can do anything we need to, within His will, and with His omnipotent power.
And all God’s children cried out in thanksgiving: ‘Thank You Lord for your undying LOVE, and generous grace and mercy, without which we would certainly be in an even bigger muddle than we currently are in! We praise and glorify Your Holy Name! Amen!’ And isn’t that the awesome truth! For without our hope, faith and trust in Almighty God, we’d be in really bad shape. But thanks to His goodness and mercy, we can lift up our heads and hearts, hands and eyes to heaven and be renewed and revitalized.
Now, I’m chuckling here, because our God is indeed a great God, and does move in mysterious ways, for a few minutes ago, I opened the Good Library in front of me, but never paid attention to where it opened. But just now I looked at it and saw it opened unto the epistle of Bruh Paul to the Romans, and right there was the stuff that we were just talking about. Bruh Paul, in writing to Israel about their foolish rejection of Christ, tells them:
‘Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record (witness) that they have a zeal of (for) God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth (writes about) the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.’ (Rom. 10:1-5)
And what does all of that mean? The scholars explain it thus: ‘Christ is the end of the law: Israel mistook the purpose of the law. The law pointed to the righteousness that is attainable only by belief in Christ. Israel also mistook the scope of the law. The righteousness to which it pointed was universally available to all who responded to God’s revelation of Himself through the law. But by Paul’s time many had substituted works for faith. Rather than seeking redemption in God’s mercy, they pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement.’
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, who shall descend into the deep (abyss)? (that is, to bring Christ up again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh (near) thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach;’ (Rom. 10:5-8)
Now that certainly sounds like a mouthful, but as the scholars explain: ‘Paul skillfully weaves together quotations from Deuteronomy 9:4, and 30:10-14, which speak of God’s initiative in grace and man’s humble obedience to it. He then applies this truth to the gospel of Christ.’ And briefly, in the passage from Deuteronomy 9, Moses is castigating the people, letting them know that the Lord is not offering them the Promised Land because of their righteousness or uprightness of their heart, but because of the wickedness of the nations who then inhabited it. For Israel were a stiffnecked, or rebellious and stubborn people.
Meanwhile in Deuteronomy 30, Moses is telling Israel they can get away from their cursed life, if they turn from their rebellious ways and hearken unto the word of the Lord, and keep His commandments with all their hearts and souls. ‘For this commandment which I command thee this day, is not hidden from thee (is not too mysterious for thee), neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh (near) unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.’ (Deut. 30:11-14)
Ah friends, Bruh Paul had to know his scriptures to so skillfully weave those points from Moses into his own teaching. In other words, God’s commandments and Word is not far from us, that we have to depend on someone to get them for us. No! They have already been offered to us, and consequently are right with us; in our hearts, mouths, souls and bodies. Therefore it’s up to us to follow them. And I think we’ll stop there for today, because the Bit will get too long and heavy, if we continue with the rest of the stuff we want to talk about. So tomorrow, if God spares life, we’ll continue talking about Bruh Paul’s take, on the word of faith.
Now, for those of us who are doing our best to live the way we ought to, let’s go home declaring 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!’
And having said that, it now behooves us to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…we don’t deserve anything from God…but because of His great LOVE and compassion for us…His greatest creation…He generously offers us all that He is and has…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
19 Jun 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new and enduring way of life with Christ, a new creation, a part of God's great plan, accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, all things are become new, all things are of God, be fulfilled in us, be made the righteousness of God in Him, bear food for us to eat, born from above, born of water and the Spirit, change one's lifestyle to suit Christ, come to know and love God like we do, coming into union with the risen Lord, condemned sin in the flesh, courage, creativity, curse, divine protection, except a man be born again, faith, favour, flora for us to admire, free creations, God reconciled us to himself by Jesus, God's goodness and mercy, God's Guiding Light, good friends, good health, grow in spiritual maturity, have greater intimacy with God, he cannot enter the kingdom of God, he's a new creature, holy spirit, I will do a new thing, if any man be in Christ, in the likeness of sinful flesh, Jesus Christ, live according to His dictates, LOVE, made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, make a way in the wilderness, mercy, my chosen, negative word, Nicodemus, no condemnation to them which are in Christ, now it shall spring forth, old things are passed away, our new friend the wind, prosper, rivers in the desert, salvation, shall ye not know it, share our blessings with others, success, supernatural strength, talent, Thank You Lord, that whcih is born of flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, the beast of the field shall honour me, the ministry of reconciliation, the penultimate day of the work week, the righteousness of the law, the universal truth, to be in Christ, to givedrink to my people, to water the earth and seed it, truth, walk not after the flesh but after the spirit, walking in the Spirit, wisdom
Isaiah 43:19a. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?
And we’ve worked our way down to Thursday, the penultimate day of the workweek, without any major problems. Give thanks and praise to Almighty God for that, for we could not have done it without His Guiding Light and Presence! And all God’s children said a loud and grateful, ‘Thank You Lord for your goodness and mercy toward us, although we don’t deserve it! Amen!’
Anyway, I’m chuckling here, because yesterday, before I even finished writing about it being sunshiny and bright, with the promise of rain in the afternoon, the rain apparently came pouring down, but I did not notice it here in the basement. And once it came down, it kept drizzling for most the afternoon and evening. Meanwhile, today, we’ve already felt it’s presence, with more to come later, with our new friend, the wind, also acting up out there. But it’s all good, because it’s all a part of God’s great plan to water the earth and seed it, so that it can bear food for us to eat and flora for us to admire. (smile)
And as I just went seeking something to write on from The Good Library, it opened unto the Book of Isaiah, and this amazing scripture caught my eye: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons (jackals) and the owls (ostriches): because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth (declare) my praise.’ (Is. 43:19-21)
Oh my fellow believers, the Lord was there referring to making a way in the wilderness for His people Israel, after using Babylon to punish them for their gross disobedience and rebellion. It’s the same thing He’s doing for His chosen people today. That’s those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ, accept Him as Lord and Saviour, and live according to His dictates. The Lord’s always doing something new in us, trying to bring us closer to Him, so that we can grow in spiritual maturity, have greater intimacy and know Him better.
And these words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians attest to that fact. ‘Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.’ (2 Cor, 5:17) Yes friends, as the scholars tell us, ‘that’s the universal truth that has been applied to Christ personally. Anyone who comes into vital union with the risen and glorified Lord, he is a “new creation.” Yes, we begin perceiving Christ in a new way, with our old man, our old way of life being left behind, and assuming a new abiding and enduring way of life in Christ.
It’s as Jesus said to Nicodemus the Jewish leader that came to Him by night seeking the truth. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again (from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:3) And in response to Nicodemus’ question re ‘being born again,’ Jesus said. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirt. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.’ (John 3:5-7)
So my people, to come to Christ, we must be born again; that’s receive His Holy Spirit and begin living like that new person, we’re meant to be. And from thence we walk after the law of the Spirit, not the law of man. That’s why Bruh Paul could write thus to the Romans. ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin (on account of sin) condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness (righteous requirement) of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’ (Rom. 8:1-4)
Ah mih bredrin, the law of the flesh could not help us deal with our sin problems, so God in His inordinate wisdom, sent His Son to earth in the flesh to deal with it; be crucified on the cross of Calvary bearing all the sins of the world, and give us the option of being reunited with God. As Bruh Paul further says: ‘And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given us the ministry of reconciliation.’ (2 Cor. 5:18) And He did that by laying all the burden of sin on Jesus’ shoulders to free us from the law of sin. As the scriptures say: ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’ (2 Cor. 5:21)
And considering all the work that’s needed to keep us on the straight and narrow path, we must do our best to help the Lord in His difficult task. For, as Bruh Paul wrote to the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) And just like God won’t ever give up on us, neither should we ever give up on ourselves or on God! For remember we’re now new, free creations, walking in the Spirit and not the flesh. Consequently, let’s go home declaring and activating our Thursday Blessings, undeservedly bestowed on us, to do God’s earthly work.
As one 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!’
And now, having activated those blessings, it behooves us to go out and share them with others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…to be in Christ…one must change one’s lifestyle to suit Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Dec 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a correct picture, a faithful saying, a paatern, an abomination to the human soul, anger, be not dismayed, bear thee up in their hands, Bible, bitterness, christianity, Christmas, concentrate my thoughts on you, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, disastrous times, don't understand your ways, dwell in the land of the shadow of death, early in the morning I cry to you, enable me to live now, faith, fear not, feeble in heart, give his angels charge over thee, hatred, have the light of life, he is my refuge and my fortress, he that follows me, he;lp me to pray, help in you, holy spirit, hurry, I am lonely, I am the light of the world, I am thy God, I cannot do this alone, I will say of the Lord, I will strengthen you, in god's eyes, in him will I trust, In me there's darkness, Jesus Christ, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, last minute preparations, let not your heart be troubled, life everlasting, light emanates from God, lock stock and barrel, longsuffering, LOVE, mercy, my god, my peace I give unto you, my thoughts are not your thoughts, my thoughts higher than your thoughts, my ways are not your ways, my ways higher than your ways, negative emotions, neither let it be afraid, never enough time, no evil shall befall thee, no need of the sun or moon, no plague shall come nigh thy dwelling, not as the world gives, pateince, patience, peace, persih, restless, salvation, seen a great light, shall not walk in darkness, share His love with my neighbours, strife-filled world, strive with thee, suprasses all understanding, Thank You Lord, the beloved of God, the glory of God illuminated it, the gospel truth, the grace of God, the heavens are higher than the earth, the Lamb, the light thereof, the peace of God, the people that walked in darkness, to keep thee in all thy ways, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, upon them hath the light shined, wisdom, with you there's light, without me ye can do nothing, worry, worthy of all acceptance, you never leave me
John 8:12. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Well a Happy Christmas Eve to all you my Scrip-Bits friends and families. I sincerely hope that today meets you in good health and that you are busy making your last minute preparations for the big day tomorrow! (smile) Oh, it amuses me when I see people running around like chickens with their heads cut off to get all their Christmas activities together. I just smile and say, ‘Thank You Lord!’ Why? Because I’ve learned over the last few years to do whatever little I intend to do, as early as possible so as not to get involved in all the last minute rushing and pushing.
It just seems that at Christmas time, there’s always so much we want to do, but there’s never enough time to do it, either because we’ve left too much for too late, or we’re simply trying to do much. But who am I to question the overflowing attitudes of others eh? (smile) And to help us get through all the ‘confufflations’ of the day, let’s sincerely offer up this prayer from the Prayers Through The Ages Pamphlet – Prayers for Spiritual Renewal – recently put out by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. This prayer is attributed to Dietrich Bonhoffer, a martyred German theologian, (1904-1945).
Please pray with me. ‘Oh God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray and to concentrate my thoughts on you: I cannot do this alone, In me there is darkness, but with you there is light, I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but in you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me… Restore me to liberty, and enable me to live now That I may answer before you and before me. Lord, whatever this day may bring, your name be praised.’
And is that ever a correct picture of the human soul in these disastrous times! And do we ever need the Lord’s help, because we cannot do anything on our own. For as Jesus so rightly said; ‘for without me, ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) And I like the contrasts that the prayer makes: There is darkness in the human soul, but only light emanates from the Godhead. How did Jesus put it? ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)
Now that’s the gospel truth, it also fulfills the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah: ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.’ (Is. 9:2) And that’s how it is for all those who walk with Jesus; we walk in the light, because He is the light of the world. It will be also as John says in Revelation: ‘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.’ (Rev. 21:23)
That brings us to where the prayer says we’re lonely, which is oh so true in these days of deceit and strife, and though we may be amongst a crowd of people, our hearts can still be lonely. But the good news is that our God is always with us, He never leaves us. Though He may seem to be far away, the truth is that He is always around us, present and ready for action on our behalf, through His Holy Spirit that indwells us. And Psalm 91 – The Secret Place of the Most High – gives us that assurance:
‘I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust… Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation (dwelling place); There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear (lift) thee up in their hands, lest thou dash (strike) thy foot against a stone.’ (Ps. 91:2,9-12)
Oh friends, we cannot ask for any more assurance of our safety and closeness to Almighty God! And though we are also feeble in heart, when we place our trust in the Most High God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, there’s much help to be had. As the prophet Isaiah promised in His name: ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded (disgraced): they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.’ (Is. 41:10-11)
Oh my people, there’s no greater assurance than the faithful help of our Creator and Provider! None whatsoever! And though there’s a restless spirit within us, when we turn to Him, we find peace, the peace that’s not like what the world offers. As Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27) Yes friends the peace of Christ far surpasses any other peace we might know. It’s that ‘peace of God which passeth all understanding, and which shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:7)
And sadly with our strife-filled world, bitterness, anger, hatred and all the negative emotions are ever so prevalent, but thankfully in God, there’s patience. And did Bruh Paul ever know and experience God’s patience! Here’s what he told Timothy: ‘And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and LOVE which in in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering (patience), for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.’ (1 Tim. 1:14-16)
Yes friends, our God showed much patience with Bruh Paul while he was persecuting the early Christian church, until He was ready to reform him and turn him into the most zealous of the apostles. So there is no need to fear, for He will do the same with us, when He’s ready. And because we are only a creation of God, with only finite understanding, we cannot understand how He operates.
But if we allow Him to lead us, these words of His ought to give us peace and not worry about the way we go. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8-9) That explains it all, my people.
Now, let’s go home declaring (steupsss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world 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!’
And now it behooves us to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…in Jesus Christ…the human being finds…all they need to live a good life…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 Oct 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: acknowledge God in all thy ways, balmy temps, be not wise in thine own eyes, better examples of Christian living, bind them about thy neck, compassions, depart from evil, despise not the chastening of the Lord, escalating problems, faith, fear the Lord, forget no my law, Friday chant, god, God's goodness and mercies, good understanding, he shall direct thy paths, health to thy navel, high esteem, holy spirit, if thou wilt walk in my ways, in the sight of God and man, Jesus Christ, keep my statutes and commandments, lean not unto your own understanding, length of days, lengthen thy days, let not mercy and truth forsake thee, let thine heart keep my commandments, live up to our words, long life, LOVE, marrow to thy bones, mercy, my son forget not my law, neither be thou weary of his correction, new every mrning, omnipotent help, peace, praise Your Holy Name, put God first place, seek ye first the kingdom of God, simmering unrest, sinful world, so shalt thou find favour, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, Thank You Lord, the first fruits of all thine increase, thy barns be filled with plenty, thy presses burst out with new wine, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, truth, undeserving children of men, unexpected storms, ungodly earth, wake up and smell the coffee, whom the Loves he corrects, wisdom, wise guidance, write them upon the table of thine heart
Proverbs 3:1. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Well, it looks like another day filled with mostly sunshine, but not balmy temps; just seasonal ones! (smile) But we’ll take the sunshine anytime over the gloom, and thus we can joyfully shout: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last!
And I do hope that all of us gave much thanks to the Lord for allowing us to wake up and see another day on this amazing, though too sinful and ungodly earth, because it’s only through His goodness and mercies, His amazing compassions, which are new every morning, that we are not destroyed! (Lam. 3:22-23) And all God’s children gave a grateful shout of, ‘Thank You Lord for Your goodness and mercy to us undeserving children of men! We LOVE You and praise Your Holy Name! Amen.’
Now, if those words truly came from our hearts, if we were sincere in our prayer, then, let’s try and live up to it nuh, as we go about our lives today. And how do we do that? Basically by keeping God first place in our lives, and there are lots of scriptures that remind us of that, especially this one from Jesus, that we sometimes get tired of hearing, (smile) but which is oh so necessary for us to remember each and every day. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33)
Yes, it can be somewhat tiring to hear it, but we need to constantly remember it, so that we can practice it daily. God cannot get to be and stay first place in our lives unless and until we put Him there, and keep Him there! And that can only be done by having the Holy Spirit constantly reminding us of it.
And we have that marvellous example of doing just that in Cousin Sol’s early days, when he asked the Lord for wisdom and understanding to rule His people Israel, and the Lord was so pleased, that he didn’t ask for wealth and long life and the lives of his enemies, that He gave him those very things; wealth and honour, power and wisdom like no other man before or after him. (1 Kin. 3:6-13) But there was also this most important proviso. ‘And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen (prolong) thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:14)
Yes friends, Cousin Sol needed to walk in God’s will for all those blessings to continue and come to pass. But sadly, in his old age, he forgot about God and turned to the many gods of his concubines. And that’s why the Lord LOVED Bruh David and elevated him and his name so much; despite all of his wrong doings, he never turned away from the God of his forefathers, always had a place in his heart for Him, always turned to Him for guidance and wisdom.
And it’s rather sad and unfortunate that Cousin Sol lost his way with God, especially after writing all the wonderful things in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Now, let’s check out this one passage from Proverbs that covers it all; that marvellous scripture in chapter 3, so aptly titled – Keep My Commandments.
Please read and inwardly digest with me (smile). ‘My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee.’ (Prov. 3:1-2) It’s the very same things the Lord had told Cousin Sol in the passage above from Kings. Then he continues: ‘Let not mercy (LOVING-kindness) and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding (high esteem) in the sight of God and man.’ (Prov. 3:3-4)
More absolute truth my fellow believers. But here are the most practical guidelines ever, in keeping God first place in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, all from the pen of Cousin Sol. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength, refreshment) to thy bones.
Honour the Lord with thy substance (possessions), and with the first fruits of thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses (vats) shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be thou weary of his correction: For whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:5-12)
And that’s basically how we keep God first place in our lives! It’s not always easy, but that’s why we were given the Holy Spirit to help and guide us in doing so. Now, with all of that wonderful scripture under our belts, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant to get divine aid to help with our earthly problems.
Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help.
Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times.
We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
But you know what friends, in the long run it all boils down to us being improved and better examples of Christian living. Unless that happens, we will not see any divine aid. Please, let’s remember that and act accordingly, Much LOVE!
…with God first place in us…there’s no need to worry…about anything…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
19 Sep 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a declaration of hope, an accurate perception, be filled with, be filled with the knowledge of his will, be glad and rejoice, Bible, blessings, christianity, collect your beauty in my spirit, courage, creativity, curse, delivered us from the power of darkness, do not cease to pray for you, duty bound, eternal life, evil schemes of Satan, experience the sunshine, faith, favour, fruitful in every good work, giving thanks unto the Father, god, holy spirit, increasing in the knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, joint heir with Christ, joyfulness, longsuffering, LOVE, may my lightness be, negaive word, new mercies and compassions, partakers of the inheritance of the saints, pateince, practical circumstances, redemption, salvation, sit in heavenly places, smell the roses, spiritual understanding, strengthened with all might, success, supernatural strength, talent, teach me, Thank You Lord, the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, the penultimate day of our work week, the skilful application of wisdom, the true nature of things, the warmth of sunshine on my back, to appreciate the many colours, to celebrate your abundance, to look for beauty on heavy days, to revel in, trials, tribulations, truth, unto all pleasing, walk worhty of the Lord, wisdom
Colossians 1:10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
And then it was Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week. And thank the Lord we’re only one day away from our starlight day of Friday! (smile) Oh, the expectations we weigh Friday down with; hopefully it lives up to it’s name and doesn’t disappoint us. But, regardless of whatever day it is, once we’re alive to experience the sunshine and smell the roses, let’s be glad and rejoice in it, because that’s God’s desire. It’s why He’s given us a brand new day with new mercies and compassions. And all God’s children said a loud and grateful, ‘Thank You Lord for allowing me to see another day on this troubled, but still beautiful earth! Amen.’
Now, here’s this month’s prayer from the InTouch Devotional that helps us to do just that. Please pray with me: ‘God, teach me to look for beauty on heavy days, to celebrate Your abundance and brilliance. I want to revel in the warmth of sunshine on my back, to appreciate the many colours You’ve created. I want to pause when the wind moves the trees just so, to admire the quirk in a friend’s personality. Though disappointments, losses, and struggles continue, I pray to laugh easily, to be frivolous with joy. May I collect Your beauty in my spirit and draw from it. May my lightness be a declaration of hope in Your goodness, today and always. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
Yes friends, that’s the way we need to live this life; in full hope and trust in Almighty God, enjoying His goodness and mercy and all the wonderful things He’s made, even in the midst of all the troubles and tribulations we might face. And I believe these encouraging words from Bruh Paul to the Colossians give us some insight how to practically do all of what we’ve spoken of above.
Bruh Paul writes: ‘For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified us) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in (the) light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son (the Son of His LOVE): In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:’ (Col. 1:9-14)
Oh my people, that’s generally what’s expected of us: To know the Lord’s will for our lives, through studying and meditating on His Word and communing with Him through the Holy Spirit, with all wisdom or ‘accurate perception into the true nature of things,’ as well as understanding, ‘the skillful application of this wisdom in practical circumstances.’ And all of that is necessary so that we can walk (live) properly and please God.
And what does that mean in a practical sense? The scholars explain. ‘A worthy walk entails: the believer is (1) fruitful in every good work, productive in Christian service; (2) constantly increasing in the knowledge of God, ever coming to know the Lord better; (3) always “strengthened with all might,” becoming spiritually stronger and stronger; and (4) in the habit of giving thanks, sincerely expressing gratitude to God in both the pleasant and unpleasant circumstances of life.’
Now I know it all sounds wonderful in theory, but it’s not always easy to do in real life, for patience, which is persevering through trials and tribulations is only gained through experiencing those same trials and tribulations. (smile) And so is longsuffering, or bearing the faults and offences of others with a compassionate heart and mind. In other words we can only learn patience and longsuffering by going through trials and tribulations. The more trials and tribulations we go through, the better, hopefully, we’ll get at cracking those two tough nuts.
But at the same time, we need to remember all that the Father has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ; bringing us out of darkness or bondage to sin, into the light of the truth of His Word, making us worthy to sit in heavenly places with Jesus, as joint heir with Him, redeeming us through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross of Calvary, offering salvation, forgiveness of sins, all with the marvelous end of eternal life. Now with all of that done by the Father on our behalf through the Son, how can we not LOVE both Father and Son and listen to the Holy Spirit which enlightens us to their desires?
Oh my fellow believers, living and working for Jesus is the most important and beneficial thing this world has to offer. So please, let’s wake up and realize it, and forget all the foolish lies, deceptions and evil schemes that Satan tries to distract us with nuh. For only by being close to Jesus can we ever obtain salvation and eternal life. Now let’s declare (chuh!!!) our undeserved Thursday Blessings, so generously bestowed on us to do the Lord’s earthly work.
Altogether: ‘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!’
And having made that declaration (steups!!!) we are now duty bound to go out and use those blessings for the benefit of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!
…true wisdom and understanding are only available…through sincerely living and working for Jesus…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 Jun 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a strong will, abundance, be not dismayed, Bible, blessed are ye, christianity, conditional promises, courage, creativity, curse, discipleship, even to the end of the world, faith, fear not, fear thou not for I am with thee, for my sake, god, great is your reward in heaven, heavenly blessings, holy spirit, I am thy God, I am with you always, I have called the by name, I have redeemed thee, I will be with thee, I will strengthen thee, Jesus, Jesus Christ, like the Son of God, LOVE, meditating on the scriptures, negative outlook on life, neither shall the flame kindle thee, our response to God's promises, persecute you, rejoice and be exceeding glad, say all manner of evil against you falsely, show our mettle, stand strong in Faith, stepping up to the plate, supernatural wisdom, talent, Thank You Lord, the form of the fourth, the help of God, they shall not overflow thee, they that strive with thee shall perish, thou art mine, thou shalt not be burned, through the rivers, unconditional promises, uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, when men shall revile you, when thou pass through the waters, when thou walkest through the fire, wisdom
Isaiah 43:1b. O Israel, Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine.
And then it was Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, a somewhat cool and cloudy summer’s day. It’s definitely not as hot as those of the last week, and neither is the wind as strong as it’s recently been. The beleaguered trees must certainly have sent up a ‘Thank You Lord Prayer’ for this break in the cruel wind dance they’ve been forced to perform for way too long. (smile)
But you know what friends, in this crazy and cruel world, oftentimes we are also called on to perform deeds we don’t want to perform, for long periods of time, and it’s only with the help of God, through His Holy Spirit are we able to hang on until a period of rest comes. And it’s of the utmost importance for believers to note and to remember that we have the assurance of our great God that He will enable us to hang in there, though our world seems to be falling apart at our very feet.
Listen to these comforting and reassuring words of God from the Book of Isaiah, as he let’s the children of Israel, and also we believers today, know that we have been chosen by Almighty God. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded (disgraced): they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.’ (Is. 41:10-11)
Yes my fellow believers, that’s a sure promise of our ever-faithful God for us to hold on to in these dark and very dangerous times. Now it won’t all happen automatically… No! We have to make our contribution to the situation by sincerely believing and having the faith that allows us to do what’s necessary while holding on the Lord’s promise. And those things are only attained by constantly meditating on the scriptures, putting them into action, praying and fellowshipping with other believers.
Remember, we are partners with God, and in almost every situation we have a partner’s part to play, for the Lord won’t do it all, every time. And, unfortunately, that’s why so many of us supposed believers don’t see the Lord’s hand at work in our lives; we don’t do our part, simply expecting the Lord to show up and make every thing right.
Oh, sometimes He will, but certainly not all the time, because He expects us to pull our weight. He’s given us the promises, some of which are unconditional, but many that are conditional, or depend on our coming up to scratch, stepping up to the plate. So, to avail ourselves of the Lord’s promises, it’s often necessary to show our faith, our mettle and stand up strong, do whatever it takes to make the promises come true in our lives.
Now here’s another interesting promise from the Lord through Isaiah, as He assures the children of Israel of their redemption. ‘But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon (scorch) thee.’ (Is, 43:1-2)
And my beleiving brethren, we’ve seen those promises literally come to pass, like when the Hebrew teenagers, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fire for not bowing down to the idol made by the Babylonian king, but they came out untouched, not even smelling of smoke. (Dan. 3) The king when looking into the furnace even said that he saw four people instead of three in there… ‘and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God (a son of the gods) (Dan. 3:25)
You see friends, Jesus Himself was in there with those faithful teenagers. And it’s the same way He’ll be with us when we suffer trials and tribulations for His sake. Remember His words from the Sermon on the Mount. ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ (Matt. 5::11-12)
And no, it’s not always easy to put up with false accusations and unjust persecutions while doing Jesus’ work, but unfortunately it’s all part of our discipleship. And while giving us the wherewithal to handle it, He will also stand beside us during the whole time of trial. For He’s also promised: ‘and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:20b)
Yes my fellow saints, life on this earth never was easy, and never will be, until Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom, but in the meanwhile He’s assured us of His awesome help by coming to earth and dying on the cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt in full, redeeming us like promised in Isaiah. Then rising from the dead and assuring us of that same resurrection if we believe in Him, then sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to lead, guide and comfort us in our times of trial, and finally to return and take us back with him, so that wherever He is, we might also be. We certainly cannot expect more from Him. No! The rest of it is up to us… providing we believe.
And God is so good to us that He’s also given us a bunch of undeserved heavenly blessings to do His earthly work. So let’s declare them so they can be activated in our lives. As one 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!’
And having made that declaration (yesss!!!) we are now duty bound to go out and use those blessings on behalf of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!
…God’s promised us a lot…but a lot depends on…our response to the promises…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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