12 Aug 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, a leader like Jesus Christ, all things work together for good, appreciate, beautify the meek with salvation, called according to God's purpose, Christian, diligence, discipline, enjoy the wondrous works of God, eternal life, excellence, expectant faith, faithful, first born among many brethren, forge a replica, forgiveness, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God's promises, God's worthy to be praised, good times outweigh the bad, goodness, grace, halfway home, He is love, hungry hope, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, in the congregation of the saints, joy, justice, Let Israel rejoice, long term benefits, Lord God Jehovah, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, no weapon formed against you shall prosper, obedience, peace, Praise ye the Lord, prosperity, put us through the fire, rejoice, rise against every tongue that rises against you, roses, salvation, short term benefits, shout Hallelujah, sing unto the Lord a new song, song, test, thanks and gratitude, the breath of life, the children of Zion, the Lord takes pleasure in His people, this is the day the Lord has made, to those who love God, total surrender, true, Wailing Time, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday Wail, wine, ye shall condemn
Psalm 149:1. Praise ye (shout Hallelujah to) the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Oh Friends, another beautiful and glorious day of God’s making has been gifted to us! Wow! So let’s show some thanks and gratitude by saying it loud and proud nuh. ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL, we SHALL rejoice and be glad in it.’
Oh Glory to God my people! For He is so faithful and true to us, filling our lives with all sorts of good things like peace and joy, mercy, grace, forgiveness and prosperity! Oh aren’t you just ecstatic to be a Christian with a leader like Jesus Christ? You should be. I surely am!
The problem though is that until you give your life in complete and total surrender to Christ, you won’t be truly able to appreciate and enjoy the wondrous work He does in a believer’s life.
Oh my people, our Jesus is so awesome that although I know it and experience it on a regular basis, He still surprises me most days with some of the unexpected things He does to enlighten and enliven my days on this earth.
Please understand one very important thing though; working for Jesus is not all wine, roses and song, because He expects diligence, discipline, obedience and excellence from His followers, and also puts us through the fire to test us, and eventually forge us into a beautiful replica of Himself.
But believe me Friends, going through the fire is worth it; the good times certainly outweigh the bad. And the benefits of salvation and eternal life with Him in heaven until forever… oh what could be better than that eh? NOTHING my brethren, absolutely NOTHING!
And those are only the long-term benefits. There are lots more short term wonders to experience down here on earth, like mercy, grace and forgiveness, when we walk obedient to God’s calling. Glory Hallelujah!
And since today is Wednesday, it means that Wailing Time is here. (smile) So let’s wail nuh mih breddren, let’s wail with hungry hope and expectant faith. As one wailer now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday!
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if you are a true believer, that is exactly where your focus should be; on our glorious Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
And since this seems to be a morning of praise, let’s do it right nuh and declare our Bit in loud and faithful voice. ‘Praise ye (shout Hallelujah to) the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.’
Yes Friends, singing praises to our wonderful God is indeed something we ought to do on a regular basis! Many of us don’t, but we should take the psalmist’s wise advice, as he continues. ‘Let Israel rejoice in him that made him (their maker); let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek (humble) with salvation.’ (Ps.149:2-4)
Oh my fellow believers, what true and faithful and precious words! The Lord certainly takes pleasure in His people; there’s absolutely no doubt about that, as so many of us can testify to. And believe me, when the Lord is on our side… nothing can harm or trouble us, for we have these two great scriptures filled with God’s promises to hold on to.
The first one comes from Isaiah, as he talks about the Lord’s everlasting LOVE for Israel. ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is.54:17)
And Friends, if those promises didn’t touch your souls, then listen to this one from Bruh Paul to the Romans, one we all know and LOVE! ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren.’ (Rom. 8:28-29) Mama mia mih people!
Oh Friends, if we are called to God’s divine purpose, and we LOVE Him as we ought to, you can be guaranteed that He is working EVERYTHING out for your good! It might not seem so when the fiery trials and temptations hit us, but just remember that God is faithful and has not ever, nor will He ever renege on a promise! Glory to God!
What can be better than bringing us into His family fold and making us true brethren with His first-born Son Jesus eh? Again we have to say, NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, my brethren!
Now let’s go home with these wonderful words of praise from Psalm 33. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely (beautiful) for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise (a shout of joy). For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He LOVETH righteousness and judgement (justice): the earth is full of the goodness (LOVING-kindness) of the Lord.’ (Ps.33:1-5)
And all God’s people declared a loud and proud ‘Praise the Lord! Glory Hallelujah! Bless His Holy Name. Amen!’
Yes Friends, let’s go out today rejoicing in the LOVE, the goodness, the grace, mercy and forgiveness of our Lord God Jehovah, for He is indeed worthy of our praise and thanks! Much LOVE!
…praise him, praise Him…glory Hallelujah…He is LOVE…yes He is LOVE…
06 Aug 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a doubleminded man is unstable, appreciation, appreciation for life, blessings, Christian, enamoured of Jesus, esteem, eternal life, eternity, glory to God, God's grace, good news of Jesus, Grenville Kleiser, he that hath seen me hath seen the Father, I am inthe Father, I am the way the truth and the life, I will come again and receive you unto myself, if I go and prepare a place for you, Jesus Christ, Jesus' debt payment, John, Johnny Reid, lack of faith, LOVE, mercies, no halfway point, no man comes to the Father but by me, no sitting on the fence, noblest qualities, one day at a time, only believe, prayers of thanksgiving, pro-action, procrastination, procrastinators, salvation, spending eternity with Jesus, stepping up to the plate, take hold of Jesus, thanks and praise, the breath of life, the cross at Calvary, the Father is in me, the Light, today I'm going to change the world, volunteering, wavering, wisdom
John 14:6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Aye Friends, welcome to another somewhat cool, but otherwise beautiful summer’s day in God’s wonderful universe!
New mercies and blessings specially prepared for today, this terrific Thursday in August 2015, have already been flooding our space. The most important being the breath of life that’s still flowing through our bodies, which allows us to enjoy the salvation and eternal life offered by Jesus’ debt payment on the cross of Calvary.
Wow! Glory to God! Have you given Him thanks and praise for those two things as yet? As soon as we rise and greet each new day, we ought to float prayers of thanksgiving up to heaven on them. For without them, we either won’t be rising to greet a new day, (smile) or spending eternity with Jesus. And that last option is the most important for a Christian soul.
Now here’s an interesting and rather appropriate quote from Toronto born, North American writer Grenville Kleiser (1868-1935). He says that ‘Today is the day in which to express your noblest qualities of mind and heart, to do at least one worthy thing which you have long postponed…’
And my people that is indeed a worthwhile decision, for over the last decade or so, we have become such great procrastinators, even about things that we consider important.
But what better way to show our appreciation for life and God’s grace and mercies than by stepping up to the plate today and doing something that we’ve been putting off, whether it’s volunteering or simply cleaning up stuff that needs to be cleaned up.
That reminds me of the Johnny Reid song that we shared with you sometime aback which declared: ‘Today I’m going to change the world…One day at a time…’
Yeh Friends, we desperately need to change our world, but the reality is that we can only do it one day at a time. And there’s no better time to start than the present. So let’s make today that day nuh. Let’s override procrastination with pro-action, and with Jesus’ help we can certainly do it.
For as our Bit wisely informs us: ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ And I like to add to that, He’s also the Light of this darkened world.
So if Jesus Christ is indeed all those things, why aren’t we more enamoured of and interested in Him and His doings eh Friends? Our general behaviour and actions certainly don’t seem to indicate the esteem and appreciation that He truly deserves from us.
It’s also definitely instructional to see how that statement of Jesus came to be made. He was telling His disciples about His going away and preparing mansions for them. ‘And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?’ (John 14:3-5)
Ah mih people, even those who were closest to Jesus in His earthly sojourn didn’t appear to pay serious attention to His words. Jesus then declared our Bit to Thomas, before continuing with this admonishment. ‘If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto him, Lord show us the Father, and it sufficeth (will satisfy) us. Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self (of my own authority): but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.’ (John 14:7-10)
Oh my brethren, so sadly, a couple thousand years later, the Lord Jesus Christ is still asking those questions of too many supposed believers! Granted that if Thomas and Philip who actually walked with Jesus had doubts and didn’t fully understand, who are we to be so well informed and enlightened?
But that argument doesn’t hold any water, for we have had two thousand years of much better information and time to understand and ingest the Good News of Jesus. So just like Jesus reproached the disciples back then, He is today also reproaching us for our unbelief, our lack of faith and understanding when it’s all clearly spelled out in His Word and the times of His earthly life.
Friends, it’s either we believe or we don’t believe! There is no halfway point, no way to waffle, no sitting on the fence, being double minded and/or constantly wavering from one position to the other. For as James tells us: ‘A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:8)
So please my people, today, let’s get off the fence nuh, let’s stop procrastinating and wavering. Instead, let’s truly take hold of Jesus and all that He so wonderfully stands for and represents and believe with all our hearts, souls and minds that He is indeed the Way, the Truth, the Life and the Light! Now that is true wisdom! Much LOVE!
…only believe…that He is who He says He is…that’s all Jesus asks of us…
05 Aug 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a high priest, a mystery, a successful journey with Christ, all praise and thanks, an evil conscience, arthritis, as ye see the day approaching, aseembling together, atonement for sins, awesome truth, blazed the trail, boldness, by the blood of Jesus, Calvary's cross, confdence, conspiracy, encouraging, enter into the holiest, eternal life, evil hooks, exhorting one another, faith, fellowship, finished the course, friends, full assurance of faith, glory hallelujah, godless deeds, good works, gospel truth, hatred, hobbling around, hold fast the profession of our faith, holy spirit, hopes and dreams, I am halfway home, I am the way the truth and the life, I'm not turning back, Im not looking back at the past, Jesus Christ, Jesus is advocating for us, Jesus is the greatest, keep our focus on Jesus, LOVE, Lucifer, minion, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, no man comes to the Father but by me, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, pain, positive connotaion, precious blood, reciprocal encouragement, salvation, saviour jesus, spiritual food, stir up LOVE, stir up strife, strengthening, tentacles, the author and finisher of our faith, the breath of life, the evil one, the Holy Place of God, the Holy Spirit, the house of God, the Lamb that was slain, the light of the world, the one and only superstar, the straight and narrow path, the veil, to a glorious future with Jesus, to humble me, true heart, uplifting words, Wednesday Wail, wisdom, without wavering, worship, write indelibly in our hearts
John 14:6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Oh Friends, I don’t understand it nuh; it’s a mystery that I can go to bed feeling fairly okay and wake up a few hours later experiencing serious pain in places that weren’t paining before I went to bed. Hn! I thought rest and sleep were supposed to calm those things, not heighten them.
Chuh! I woke up a little while ago with my right knee giving me beans, and that hasn’t been hurting me, it’s the left one that’s recently been problematic. So there I was subsequently, hobbling around like the old man I refuse to be, trying to put out the garbage and chuckling somewhat unhappily to my self.
But yuh know what, it’s a conspiracy! Yes Arthur (arthritis), the minion of the evil one, is desperately trying to humble me before his wicked master. But please tell Arthur for me that that will NEVER happen!
Not as long as our great God sits on His throne in heaven on high, which He will do forever, neither as long as our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus stands by His side advocating on my behalf, or as long as the Holy Spirit dwells within me!
No Friends Lucifer will never get his evil hooks into me, or wrap his mushy tentacles around me, once the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are in control of things. And to bring that even more forcibly home to Mr. Arthur and his evil boss, let’s wail our Wednesday Wail, which is most appropriate in this situation.
Please wail with me people: ‘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!’
Oh yes my people, if we want to make it successfully through this wicked and ungodly world we have to constantly keep our focus on Jesus! There is no other way! Remember His promise of salvation in our Bit ‘I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh to the Father but by me.’ And He is also the LIGHT of this evil and darkened world.
And I like how the scholars put it, re our Bit. ‘14:6. Jesus does not tell them about the way, nor does He show them the way. He does not even guide them along the way. He says He is the way!’
And that’s an awesome truth that ALL believers need to acknowledge, to write indelibly in their hearts, souls and minds if they want to have a successful journey with Him. Glory Hallelujah! All praise and thanks be to the Lamb that was slain for us, whose precious blood was spilled at Calvary’s cross so that we could gain atonement from our abominable sins!
Yes my brethren, Jesus is indeed THE GREATEST! The ONE and ONLY Superstar! All our hopes and dreams begin and end with Him. As the author of Hebrews so wisely reminds us; He is the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb.12:2)
Or as the scholars put it. ‘He has already blazed the trail and finished the course.’ So we don’t have to do any more trail-blazing, just follow the straight and narrow path that He has laid out for us, all the way to salvation and eternal life with Him and the Father. There’s absolutely nothing better than that in this confused and troubled world!
Now listen to these encouraging and uplifting words from the author of Hebrews, where he issues a plea to the early believers to hold on to their new faith. ‘Having therefore, brethren, boldness (confidence) to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say the flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching’ (Heb.10:19-25)
Oh Friends, that same plea is crying out to us today, in these dark and dismal times! Jesus is the ONLY WAY to overcome them!
Now let’s get some explanations from the scholars re those verses: ’10:20. Jesus Christ is the new and living way by which believers have direct access into the very Holy Place of God (cf. 4:14; 6:20; 7:25; John 14:6).’ Please check out those references my people, as they will certainly help to enlighten us in the scriptures.
’10:24. The word translated provoke (Gr. paroxysmos) usually has a negative sense, as is witnessed by its only other New Testament usage (Acts 15:39). The positive connotation which the word has in the present text means to stir up. It is easy to stir up hatred and godless deeds; it take much more to stir up another to LOVE and to good works.’
And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends, it’s much easier to stir up strife than LOVE, especially in these godless times!
‘10:25. Not forsaking the assembling: This admonition involves far more than erratic attendance. It involves the entire worship of Christ and is the outward indication of an inner condition. The assembling of God’s people provides opportunity for reciprocal encouragement, strengthening, and the stirring up that can be gained from one another (cf. Col.3:12-16). It consists of participation in worship and fellowship. The church is a body interacting (1 Cor.12:14-27); it is not merely a dispensary of spiritual food and medicine.’
And I say a loud and proud ‘Amen’ to that! There we have it Friends, the reason for going to church, for Christians assembling together in the name of Jesus Christ!
Now let’s go out today, and every day, and work diligently, sincerely and faithfully on behalf of our Lord and Saviour nuh, for that is the ultimate wisdom of this life. Much LOVE!
…following the path that Jesus blazed…and doing His will…brings the greatest joy and eventual richest reward…spending eternity with Him…
P.S. Oh Friends, I know it’s long and late, but that’s all made up for in its wonderful information and its intrinsic beauty! (smile) Much LOVE!
29 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: beautiful fall colours, Christian's response, comparative attributes of God, cry out to God, depressive mood, destiny, dour and sour, dreams are born, Each day is a gift from God, fearfully and wonderfully made, fish are jumpin, glory to God, God's eyes saw my substance, God's omnipotence, halfway home, heaven, hell, how precious thy thoughts unto me, hush little baby, I was made in secret, I'm not turning back, if there be any wicked way in me, Jesus came that we might have life, Jesus id the ultimate winner, Jesus is the way the truth and the life, know my anxious thoughts, know my heart, lead me in the way everlasting, let it all hang out, light of our salvation, morose, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, not looking back at the past, O Lord thou hast searched me and known me, omni-presence, omniscience, our responses to the seasons, psalm 139, put all our hopes and dreams on Jesus, rebirth of enthusiasm, sad, search me, summertime, surrender to God, the breath of life, the cotton is high, the days are hot and sticky, the living is easy, thought-provoking, to a glorious future with Jesus, try me, Wednesday Wail, wisdom, wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, your daddy's rich, your mama's good looking
Psalm 139:12. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Oh Friends, it’s ‘Summertime, And the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumpin’, And the cotton is high. Oh your daddy’s rich, and your mama’s good looking, So hush little baby, Don’t you cry.’
Yes Friends, let’s live the words of the Gershwin Brothers lyrics and not cry and complain because it’s the time of year we so avidly look forward to; summer. The days are hot and sticky, but we’re thankful it’s not freezing and we have to dress up in several layers of clothes and spend so much time inside.
And it’s certainly amusing and thought-provoking the way the weather plays on our emotions and our responses to each season. In winter we’re somewhat dour and sour (smile).
Then when spring comes along we lighten up some, a rebirth of enthusiasm seems to take place. As the cooler winds blow and the trees come out in their spring green colours, we begin to get lively with all sorts of dreams being born.
And when the big one hits, when summer finally rolls around, oh we just get crazy and let it all hang out. But not for very long though, because as fall, as autumn rolls in, the trees soon start losing their leaves, although they first provide us with some beautiful fall colours, but a depressive mood creeps in.
Then when the first snowfall hits… Chuh! We get sad and morose again thinking about the long, cold, dreary days and nights of winter and long to get away to somewhere warm and sunny. Hn, hn!
What a life mih people! But it’s ours and we’ll be foolish not to enjoy it as much as we can, for remember Jesus said that He came to give us life, and that more abundantly. (John 10:10)
So regardless of the temperature or the kind of weather we’re currently enjoying, please, let’s go out everyday and enjoy it to the best of our ability, knowing and believing that it’s another beautiful gift from God, and that He has something important planned for our day, that’s why we’re still alive. End of sermon! (smile)
And since today is Wednesday, let’s wail on nuh. Please wail with me. ‘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 that’s exactly how it ought to be my brethren! Our focus should always be on Jesus, for He is indeed the Way, the Truth, the Life and the Light of our salvation. Glory to God!
And we’ll continue today with our Bit from that beautiful Psalm 139 –The everlasting presence and power of God. ‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.’ Yes Friends, our God knows all about us, as intimately as we can be known, because He created us, formed us in our mother’s womb, and we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made.’
And Bruh David reminds us of that, as we continue from where we left off yesterday. ‘My substance (frame) was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously (skillfully) wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect (unformed); and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned (the days fashioned for me) when as yet there were none.
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.139:15-18)
Yes Friends, our God planned, designed and formed us, writing the details of our members in His book before they even existed, even before they began forming. Then He sat and LOVINGLY watched us grow in our mother’s wombs. Isn’t He just a marvellous Deity? He surely is!
Now the scholars grace us with some info on the Comparative Attributes of God as it pertains to Psalm 139, and I would be greatly amiss if I didn’t share it with you.
‘Psalm 139. The comparative attributes of God contrast human abilities with the divine nature. Everyone has some knowledge, but only God has all knowledge (omniscience). Everyone has presence, but only God has presence at all times everywhere (omnipresence). Every person has some degree of power, but only God has unlimited power (omnipotence).
Illustration: Psalm 139 lays a foundation for understanding the comparative attributes. The omniscience of God is seen in verses 1-6. The omnipresence of God is seen in verses 7-11. The omnipotence of God is seen in verses 12-16.
Application: A Christian’s response to the comparative attributes of God should be to surrender to His leadership because He is wise, He is able to protect us, and He knows the true way to life with Himself. (First Ref. Gen.3:8; Primary Ref. Ps.139:1; cf. Eph.1:8).’
So Friends, it is only sane and sensible that we hand over leadership of our lives to the One who created us and controls our days and destiny down here on this earth, and through salvation in heaven, or death and destruction in hell, till eternity. Nothing else makes sense, since we can’t control much of what happens to us.
And we’ll close with some more wise and telling words from Bruh David. ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my (anxious) thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ (Ps.139:23-24)
Ah mih people, let’s do that this morning nuh… Let’s cry out to God to search our hearts and minds and clean us up and lead us on the straight and narrow nuh. For that is indeed wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…the smartest bet we can ever make…is to put all our hopes and dreams on Jesus…to WIN…no show or place bets…because Jesus is indeed the irrevocable, irreversible and ultimate WINNER…Glory to God…
22 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blessed day, a fool's voice, a pleasant word, admonishment, amazing god, anger, backbiting, be not rash with thy mouth, be ye angry and sin not, blessings, bring to its knees, by thy words thou shalt be condemned, by thy words thou shalt be justified, Christ's body, Christians, comfort, Cousin Sol, depart from evil and do good, disjointed, distrustful, disunited, don't give up on God, Ecclesiastes, encouragement, envious, every idle word that men speak, friends, glory hallelujah, glory to God, gnawing at our souls, God is amazing, God is awesome, God will never leave nor forsake us, God's faithfulness, gossip, guidance, heavenly wisdom, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not looking back, I'm not turning back, it's so wonderful to be alive, jealous, Jesus, Jesus is advocating for us, keep thy tongue from evil, kindnesses, let every man be swift to hear, let not the sun go down upon your wrath, let thy words be few, LOVE, malady, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, negative seeds, negative stuff, neither give place to the devil, out of the woodwork, peaceful mode, positive seeds, potential to be a winner, Praise the Lord, putting away lying, ramifications, rensentment, responsibility to live good with each other, seek peace and pursue it, slow to speak, slow to wrath, smiles, speak every man truth, stepping into a breach, the breath of life, the day of judgement, The Father is on His throne, the goodness of God's heart, the Lord's loving-kindness, the multitude of words, the straight and narrow, the wisdom of a fool, they shall give account for, thy lips from speaking guile, to a glorious future with Jesus, warnings, Wednesday Wail, what a delight to live for Jesus, wherefore my beloved brethren
James 1:19. Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
Oh Friends, it’s a beautiful Wednesday morning, a little on the cool side, but nonetheless the sun’s shining brightly, Mother nature is about her business, and Jesus is advocating for us to the Father who sits on His throne. Wow! What a delight to live for and with Jesus!
And let me tell you my people, our God is really and truly an amazing God yes! Hn! A most awesome and amazing God is He! And although I’ve experienced it several times before, I still can’t believe how He springs some unexpected things out of the woodwork.
And I say that because yesterday was a blessed day in my life. And I’m not talking about big stuff, just small things like kindnesses, smiles, a little encouragement, a pleasant word, things that by themselves might not mean much, but when taken all together they do add up. My spirit yesterday was in a peaceful mode all day long. Praise the Lord!
But one thing was of sufficient importance for me to put my index finger to my brow and murmur a thoughtful and grateful ‘Hnnn!’ I got a surprising phone call, which I almost never answered, but which presented me with an opportunity I could not have imagined or come up with on my own.
But through the Lord’s LOVING-kindness an interesting door has opened. I don’t know how it will all pan out, but the potential is certainly there for it to be a winner. Glory to God!
Ah Friends, I keep on reminding us of God’s faithfulness. Once you try to be obedient and sincerely follow His will, He will bless you by stepping into a breach when you need help, as well as bless us in some unexpected way, simply out of the goodness of His heart.
So please don’t give up on Him, even when things get real bad. In fact that’s the time when you most need to turn to Him for comfort and guidance. Believe me, the Lord will never leave nor forsake you. I can testify to that.
And since today is Wednesday, let’s wail our Wednesday wail nuh, with plenty gusto and sincerity. As one wailer now: (smile) ‘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!’
Ah Friends, it’s so wonderful to be alive, despite any negative things that’s happening in our lives. There’s nothinng to beat the breath of God that’s giving us life here on planet earth!
But along with that blessing comes the responsibility for us to live good with each other, as outlined by our Bit. ‘Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.’
Now that’s certainly something we very badly need to work on because it’s not happening as it ought to among believers. We are too disunited, disjointed, distrustful, jealous and envious of each other, filled with too many petty resentments and anger that goes to bed with us and wakes up gnawing at our souls the next day.
Please remember Bruh Paul’s admonishment to the Ephesians. ‘Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.’ (Eph.4:25-27)
Yes my brethren, by the time we go to bed our anger must have subsided, for when we go to bed with it, we just give Lucifer the chance to plant negative seeds during our sleep, instead of God planting positive ones. That means we wake up still angry and negative, thus doing oftimes non-repairable damage to ourselves. That my Friends, is the wisdom of a fool.
Now listen to how Cousin Sol puts it in Ecclesiastes. ‘Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth: therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business (effort or activity); and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.’ (Eccl.5:2-3)
Oh my people, what wonderful and wise advice! Oh if we would only take it and put it into action! Life here on earth would so much better.
And we all know Bruh David’s warning from Psalm 34 – The Lord hears the righteous. ‘What man is he that desireth life, and LOVETH many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (deceit). Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.’ (Ps.34:12-15)
Ah Friends, how much more admonishment and warnings do we need to cut down the foolish and idle and destructive things like gossip, backbiting, resentment and anger eh? It is a malady that’s slowly eating away at Christ’s body, the church, and society in general, and is slowly bringing the world to its proverbial knees.
And believe me Friends, once we get there, it will be nigh impossible to get back up on our feet again. So please, I implore us, let’s get serious about our words nuh, both the quality and quantity, for remember our words are powerful and can have either negative or positive ramifications.
And we’ll close with one more warning, this from Jesus. ‘But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.’ (Matt.12:36-37)
Now Friends, if Jesus said that we’d be judged by our words, then it must be true, since he cannot lie. So it’s up to each of us now to clean up our act and get on the straight and narrow. Please don’t put it off, because the longer we wait to straighten out the problem, the more condemnation we’ll be likely to create. Please let heavenly wisdom reign. Much LOVE!
…Christians are known for much talk…it might be better if we were known for less…
19 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a lost art, Aaron's beard, Abraham, anger, Anselm, be careful what you ask for, be not forgetful to entertain strangers, biological, blessings, blood is thcker than water, blood ties, bonds of unity, breakdown of the family, Bruh David, Christian faith, church, deterioration of our society, disunity, encourage, evil minions, faith, families, food, for brethren to dwell together in unity, friends, give thanks for your life and strength, gospel, greed, herdsmen, hospitable, hospitality, how good and how pleasant it is, indomitable resolve, infighting, kind, let brotherly love continue, life for ever more, live in unity with each other, Lot, loving, Lucifer, man was made before machines, morning light, obedient to God's will, patience, perseverance, praise and worship Almighty God, precious oil, preciousness of family unity, raise the level of our faith, resentment, selfishness, some have entertained angels unawares, strengthen our backbones, strife, summer weather, teachings of Christ, the breath of life, the dew of Hermon, the joy of living, the mountains of Zion, the vagaries of modern machines, ungodly world, unity, we are brethren
Psalm 133:1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Ah Friends, our God is surely something else yes! Remember yesterday I talked about not having much real summer weather although we were in the middle of July. Well what do you think His response was to my statement? Yesterday showed up with a temperature of 28 C, and today and tomorrow are forecasted to have temps of 30 degrees on both days.
Hn, hn! It just goes to show that you must be very careful with your words, and also in what you ask for, because you are very liable to get more than you bargained for.
Oh by the way, please accept my apologies for that messy looking Bit yesterday. I had some problems with the computer not doing what it usually does. And even after I separated the paragraphs in the second Bit, it still jumbled them together.
Ah Lord the vagaries of modern machines eh! They oftimes do their own thing, regardless of our directions. (smile) But please remember that man was made before machines and we must not allow them to lead us, or direct our lives in ways we should not go.
Now here is an interesting quote from our Friend Anselm, who aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. He says to ‘Live your life so that the fear of death can never enter your heart. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light. Give thanks for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. And if perchance you see no reason for giving thanks, rest assured the fault is in yourself.’
And that’s gospel my brethren. If we can’t find anything to give thanks for, then it’s our fault, because there are so many things in this life to be thankful for, especially the breath of life that’s flowing through our body.
And don’t forget that today is Sunday, so we are expected to gather together with other believers and praise and worship Almighty God, giving thanks for all the wonderful blessings He’s bestowed on us. And in the process have Him raise the level of our faith, strengthen our backbones with patience, perseverance and the indomitable resolve to be obedient to His holy will in the upcoming week.
Yes Friends, we gather every week so that we can encourage and be encouraged in our Christian faith. And all of that just fits in nicely, segues smoothly in to our Bit; Bruh David’s famous words on the joy of brotherhood. ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!’
Yes my people, there’s no better way to live, both in our biological and our church families than in unity with each other. As Bruh David explains it. ‘It is like the precious ointment (oil) upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts (edge) of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for ever more.’ (Ps.133:2-3)
The psalm’s short, only three verses, but sweet Friends. And the scholars have this to say about it. ‘Psalm 133. This psalm is all about the preciousness of family unity. Its blessedness is exclaimed (v.1) and explained (vv.2-3). It sanctifies (v.2) and solidifies (v.3).’
Ah mih breddren, if only we could regain the unity we once had in families, both biological and church that we once had! What a blessed world this would be! But unfortunately we have allowed Lucifer, his evil minions and an ungodly world to remove that unity, only to be replaced by disunity, infighting, greed, selfishness, resentment and anger to those closest to us.
Biological families are no longer guided by their blood ties, nor the church by the true teachings of Christ, but by whomever or whatever is most convenient and beneficial at the time. The old people once claimed that blood was thicker than water, and back then it was certainly true. Families stuck up for each other and stuck together regardless of the circumstances.
But sadly that doesn’t seem to be the case any longer, for blood ties are no longer held as sacred bonds of unity, and in the church, the overwhelming presence of Christ, has been certainly lessened. All of this simply leads to a breakdown of the family, and eventually the church and our society. And that’s exactly what we are currently seeing; the deterioration of all that we once held sacred.
And the sacrosanct idea of unity is well borne out in Abraham’s words to Lot when their herdsmen were engaged in strife over the feeding grounds of their cattle. ‘And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.’ (Gen13:8)
Yes Friends, those last four words said it all: ‘for we be brethren.’ And brethren are not supposed to be fighting amongst themselves. But how many of us nowadays would even say that, or even think that way eh? Not too many. For it seems as though there’s more infighting between brethren these days than fighting with outsiders.
And we’ll end with a couple of well-known verses from Hebrews, re service well pleasing to God. ‘Let brotherly LOVE continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ (Heb.13:1-2)
Ah mih people, what wise words indeed! The author is there talking about the people who visited Abraham (Gen.1-3) and Lot (Gen.19:1-2) That means we’re to be LOVING, kind and hospitable to whoever shows up at our door, for we never know whom our visitors will truly be.
Unfortunately though, in these modern times hospitality is a lost art, but as Christians, we are advised to be hospitable, to all and sundry too, because that is what Jesus desires and expects of us. So my brethren, let’s sincerely and diligently try to regain that sense of family nuh, of unity, and of hospitality, for it will only serve us wonderfully in the long run. Much LOVE!
…how wonderful Christ must feel…when His people dwell in true unity…LOVE and hospitality…
15 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 20-20 vision, a helping hand, according to His abundant mercy, almighty god, Blessed be the God and Father, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christian's destiny, comfort, compass, compassionate, continually guarded by God, deliverance, Easter Sunday, encouraging words, faith, forgiving, frenzied state, friends, gentle, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God never relaxes His vigil, God's attributes, God's great earth, God's magnanimous works, grace, guaranteed by Jesus' resurrection, hath begotten us again, hindsight, histrionic fits, hope, I am halfway home, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, incorruptible, inheritance, into a lively hope, Jesus as the guide, kept by the power of God, kind, life eternal, Lord and Saviour, LOVE, loving, lurking in the background, makes life worth living, merciful, mercy, morally untainted, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, new stage of life, no element of uncertainty, not looking back at the past, of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Creator, our Provider, Peter, plan of salvation, ponder it all, powerful, promises, reserved in heaven, revealed in the last time, rose triumphantly from the dead, rudder, salvation, security, sincerity and truth, stepped into the breach, surrender my life to Jesus, thank God, that fades not away, the author of salvation, the breath of life, the Lord works, the presence of God, the presence of sin, the ravages of time, the resurrection of Christ, the sun and Son are shining, the trees dancing to a fast riddim, the work of salvation, through faith unto salvation, time from a Western perspective, to a glorious future with Jesus, truth, undefiled, vigil, Wednesday Wail, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, wisdom, wisest action, with God's help
1 Peter 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Ah Friends, it was just one of those days where the ole fella went to bed at a Shakespearean early hour. (smile) Three o’clock found me sitting on my porch, but I didn’t stay long because the wind was in a rather frenzied state and had the poor trees dancing to an incredibly fast riddim, and it was also a tad chilly in my shorts and T-shirt.
It’s surprising that nothing seems to have been blown down, for since early evening the wind had been having serious histrionic fits. I had to close a couple of my windows because it was making such a fuss. And it’s still not completely over it’s bad behaviour, but just not as challenging as during the night.
Thankfully though, both the sun and Son are shining quite brightly this Wednesday morning. And since it’s Wednesday, then I guess it’s time for our Wednesday Wail. Please wail with me.
‘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!’
Oh my people, what a Friend, Lord and Saviour we have in Jesus Christ! Glory to God! I don’t know what we’d do without Him nuh, for He is so LOVING, gentle, kind, compassionate, merciful and forgiving… And that’s just the tip of His attributes. It would take me half the day to name them all.
Yes Friends, having Jesus as the guide, the rudder and compass of our lives is the wisest action we can ever take down here on God’s great earth! I don’t know how I lived, how I existed before I truly let Him into my heart. Oh, He was always there, but lurking in the background, waiting for me to smarten up and surrender my life to Him.
As they say, hindsight is certainly 20-20 vision yes! For in hindsight, I can now see the many occasions on which He lent me a helping hand. Many times when others couldn’t or refused to help, He was the One who stepped into the breach and shored it up.
That’s why, now that I’ve truly bought into His plan, I can say with all sincerity and truth; what a wonderful God we serve and worship! And am I ever so grateful for His LOVE, mercy, comfort and grace which certainly makes this life worth living.
And I know that I’m not alone in that regard because the Lord works His magnanimous works in the lives of ALL who sincerely believe in and honour Him.
That’s why we can agree with Peter when he so wisely declares in our Bit: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’
Yes my brethren, this new life of ours all stems from the resurrection of Christ. Without His resurrection, there would be no new creation of man!
And as Peter continues:’(We have been raised) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet.1:4-5)
Oh Friends, what powerful and encouraging words and promises! But all of it indisputable, gospel truth!
Now let’s delve into what it all means with the help of the scholars. ‘1:3 –2:10. The Christian’s destiny: salvation. Salvation means “deliverance.” Peter’s view of salvation is ultimate salvation, that is, when the believer will be rescued from this world into the presence of God.’
‘1:3-12. The plan of salvation: Peter does not look at time from a Western perspective. The Hebrews regarded the present as so fleeting that in their language they have essentially only two tenses: past and future.’
‘1:3-5. The portrayal of salvation looks to the future. The author of salvation is portrayed as the blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The work of salvation (vv.3-5) is described as to its effect. Hath begotten us again refers to a new stage of life that begins at salvation.
This lively hope has no element of uncertainty, for it is guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The believer’s inheritance is described as incorruptible (Gr. aphtharton), imperishable or indestructible, and undefiled (i.e. morally untainted). That fadeth not away (Gr. amaranton) means it is not subject to the ravages of time.
Further it is reserved (Gr. teteremenen, perfect tense), that is, it has been preserved in the past and still is in heaven. Kept is a present passive participle – we are secure because we are continually guarded by God, who never relaxes His vigil. Salvation here refers to final salvation, that is, deliverance from the presence of sin and into the presence of God.’
Ah Friends, I do hope that the general descriptions, as well as the more specific ones help us to better understand what salvation is, and all that’s laid up for us in heaven, and also helps to increase our faith by knowing, by being assured that Almighty God, our Creator and Provider is constantly watching over us, and we can have no better security than that.
Now let’s ponder it all, then put it into action as our lives unfold, obviously with God’s help, for it is indeed the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!
…oh what an auspicious, blessed and reassuring day…was that Easter Sunday morn…when Christ triumphantly rose from the grave…and gave us all the hope of future life eternal…with Him in heaven…
08 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abraham, All State, Amen, bet your last dime, better hands than All State, circumstances, confession, faith, for he is faithful that promised, glory hallelujah, God is faithful, God's faithfulness, happiness, heavenly blessings, hope, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, Isaac, joy, joy is God's creation, judged him faithful who had promised, let us hold fast the profession of our faith, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, make a way to escape, money in the bank, more than you are able to bear, motives, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, no ifs ands and buts, obedience, obedient to God's Word, One Year Book of Bible promises, pitiful, Praise the Lord, redeem us of our sins, Ruth Harms Calkin, sacrifice, Sarah, saviour jesus christ, seek joy, sorry for ourselves, spiritual blessing, strength to conceive seed, suffer you to be tempted, surrender, temptation, Thank You Lord, the breath of life, the church at Corinth, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the joy of the Lord is your strength, the Light, the Lord determines my joy, the Lord of hosts, the perfect image of jesus, the Son is shining, through faith, to a glorious future with Jesus, trust, truth, vulnerable, Wednesday Wail, without wavering, you can't fake joy, you can't hide joy
Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Oh Friends, it’s a wailing kind of Wednesday – the Lord of Hosts is on His throne, the earth has been washed clean by a torrent of heavenly blessings yesterday, and now both the sun and the Son are shining ever so brightly all around the universe – so let’s wail nuh. (smile)
‘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 that’s exactly where our focus should be fixed my people; on the bright and shining Light that’s Jesus! For there is no where else that one can go to obtain the glorious wonders and blessings and promises that He has set aside for those who LOVE Him and are obedient to His commands.
Now here is something from the One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin which corroborates what we’ve just said.
It’s titled ‘JOY,’ and goes like this. ‘Joy! My favourite word. Circumstances may determine my happiness But, Lord, You determine my joy. Joy is sweetly honest. No wonder the minister said: “You can’t hide joy if you have it – You can’t fake it if you don’t.” Who can manufacture it Lord? Joy is Your creation. Who may have it? Anyone who asks. Thank You Lord for joy!’
And all God’s children said a loud and proud and grateful, ‘Amen! Praise the Lord for the joy He has given us!’
Oh Friends, what absolute and beautiful truth is ensconced in that poem! Joy is indeed the Lord’s creation, and anyone who wants it just has to ask for it. Come to Him in true surrender and obedience, and with faith ask for joy, and in His LOVING-kindness the Lord will grant your request.
So all of us who seek joy, not happiness which is controlled by circumstances, need only go to our heavenly Father with pure and true motives and ask for that most wonderful blessing of joy and it will be granted to us.
That means we need to stop searching for that fleeting thing called happiness that the world touts, and instead seek the everlasting and complete spiritual blessing of joy that only comes from God Almighty.
And for your info, the promise for that poem is the one we all know and LOVE so much. “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Neh.8:10 NLT)
Yes Friends, more absolute and wonderful truth! That’s why the ole crook Lucifer always tries to steal our joy, to get us feeling pitiful and miserable and sorry for ourselves, because he knows that’s when we’re most vulnerable. So we need to guard our joy with great care and concern, for once it’s lost, Beelzebub is in control.
Now let’s turn to our Bit, another foundational truth of our faith. ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)’
And that my brethren is even better and truer than money in the bank! Your life’s in much better hands than All State when you give it to the Lord and Creator of this world through His Son and Saviour Jesus Christ! No ifs, ands and buts about it!
And if you don’t believe me, let’s look at some scripture that denotes the Lord’s faithfulness to His people. And we’ll begin with one from Hebrews: ‘Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of (bore) a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.’ (Heb.11:11)
Yeh mih people, if a Deity can promise that you’ll bear a child when you’re around ninety years old and deliver that promise in due course of time, then how can you ever doubt His faithfulness eh?
Just look at how Abraham himself went to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice when the Lord asked him. He must have been somewhat uncertain since the Lord had promised that Isaac would be his heir.
But after having walked with God for so long, having left his homeland simply because God told him to, and seeing God’s faithfulness all through his wandering, deep down inside he must have known that his God would do something to avoid that tragedy.
And the Lord did, providing a lamb for the sacrifice after seeing that Abraham was indeed willing to sacrifice Isaac. (Gen.22:1-19)
Now hear Bruh Paul, another man that placed everlasting faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This in his first missive to the church at Corinth.
‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.’ (1 Cor.10:13)
Oh Friends, what a faithful God we serve and worship!
Now hear this explanation from the scholars. ’10:13. Make a way to escape (lit, “an egress” or “way out”). In early Greek usage, this term had the sense of a landing place for a ship. The idea is thus not that He will enable us to escape temptation, but that He will enable us to land intact on the other side.’
Yeh mih breddren, we won’t always escape the temptation, but God’s faithfully promised to make a way for us to come through it with flying colours. And remember too, that all the problems we face in this life are in some way, shape and form, designed to bring us closer to the perfect image of Christ.
So please, let’s not be afraid and anxious when times and circumstances get rough, remember that we have a most faithful God, who has promised to look after us…and He certainly will. You can bet your last dime on it! Much LOVE!
…God’s faithfulness has been proven for all time…by the sending of His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross…to fulfill His promise to redeem us of our sins…how much more do we need to trust His faithfulness eh…
07 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all our sins and griefs to bear, almighty god, Amen, assurance, barrier breaker, bear good fruit, blessed assurance, blessings, break free from a limited mindset, can't have faith without hope, cast not away your confidence, comfort, confession, confidence, cumbered with a load of care, done the will of god, encouragement, endless worship, endurance, enlarge my vision, everything to God in prayer, expectant faith, faith, faith is the substance of things hoped for, faithful friends, faithfulness, favour, followers of Jesus christ, for he is faithful that promised, forgiveness, from everlasting to everlasting, glory to God, good and fertile soil, gospel truth, grace, great recompense of reward, heavenly wisdom, heavy laden, hope, hungry hope, Jesus Christ, Joel Osteen, joy, let it all hang out, let us hold fast the profession of our faith, LOVE, new mercies, oh what peace we often forfeit, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, patience, peace, physical sight, potential, praise, promises, rapture, refuge, seeds of greatness, So let it be, solace, sorrows, spiritual vision, stand strong and steadfast, surrender, sweet portion, talent, the breath of life, the Creator of the universe, the evidence of things not seen, this is the day the Lord has made, Today is my day, trials and temptations, trouble, trust, unconditional LOVE, uncontainable, walking with Jesus, we will rejoice and be glad in it, weak, what a friend we have in Jesus, what a privelege to carry, without wavering
Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Well a warm and wonderful welcome to all you loyal and faithful Friends and believers out there in Scrip-Bit Land!
Welcome, welcome, welcome! It is ever so good to be in the land of the living with the awesome breath of Almighty God flowing through out frail and fragile human bodies! Wow! There is nothing else in the world that compares to that, for it is indeed the breath of life, the single, solitary thread that keeps us all going.
And it is all the more important when, as students, believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are patiently and thankfully waiting for the new mercies, blessings, grace and forgiveness specially made for today, to be unleashed from heaven unto us saints down here on Mother Earth. Glory to God!
That’s why we should all raise our voices in praise and thanks and steadfastly proclaim; ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’
Yes Friends, this Tuesday morning in early July is a blessed day, so please let’s treat it as such. And luckily, in my neck of the woods it just might be the second day of what now passes for summer weather with highs in the mid-twenties, though somewhat cloudy with a chance of rain. But we will take it any day over the cold white stuff. (smile)
And today I have an affirmation from Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) from a little while back to share with us once again. It simply declares: ‘TODAY IS MY DAY!’ And that’s gospel truth my people, so please affirm with me.
‘God has destined me to be a barrier breaker! He created me to be uncontainable. I have talent and potential given to me by the Creator of the universe. There are seeds of greatness inside of me. Today, I choose to break free from a limited mindset and enlarge my vision.
Today, God is taking me places that I’ve never even dreamed of before. Today, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life. Today I will experience His favour like never before in every area of my life.’ Mama Mia!
And all God’s children declared a loud and proud: ‘Amen! So let it be!’
Yes my brethren, let’s allow it all to hang out today! Let’s break down those barriers of bondage that are holding us back from God’s best! Let’s release the seeds of greatness planted in our souls by our Creator and plant them in good and fertile soil, so that they can bear much good fruit, for that’s why they were planted in us in the first place.
Let’s enlarge our vision and our mindset because our God is a great and powerful Deity who doesn’t deal in small, petty and trifling stuff. And if we want to enjoy His best, then we have to improve and enlarge our minds and visions.
And today I was sent a heavenly zeppo to preach… sorry, to teach (smile) on the twin attitudes of hope and faith. Remember, without hope, there can be no faith, for hope is the place where it all begins.
And as the Good Book so wisely tells us; ‘Now faith is the substance (the realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (the conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb.11:1)
That means through hope, we are assured of the things that we can’t see with our physical sight, but surely can see them with our spiritual vision. In other words, we see them through the eyes of faith! It’s a blessed assurance that we have in the promises and faithfulness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
That brings us to our Bit: ‘let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)’
Yes indeed my brethren our great and wonderful and magnanimous God is indeed faithful to keep each and every one of His promises! He has not reneged on a single one down through all the ages, and He never will! Wow! What a great friend and Saviour we have in Jesus!
And there is no better way to express that than through the wonderful age-old hymn that so many of us grew up to. So please sing it with me, in hungry hope and expectant faith.
‘What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.’
Yes my believing brethren, what an awesome assurance we can have in Jesus Christ if we allow Him to come into our hearts, souls, bodies and minds and work His good works in us! There is nothing or no one else under the sun that can promise and then faithfully deliver on those promises!
All we need is sincere hope and trust and faith and surrender to His unconditional LOVE and care which runs from everlasting to everlasting! He made us Friends, and has a plan for every one of our lives, but we have to bow to His sovereignty and righteousness if we are to be enlightened as to His wonderful plans for us. Not knowing, and thus not living out the beautiful plan earmarked for us is possibly the greatest disappointment we can ever know down here on earth.
And we’ll end with a massive scripture of assurance and encouragement from Hebrews, one which we all know, but don’t seriously accept and live by. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36)
Yes my people, we need some patience, sometimes plenty of it, but fear not, God’s promise will be fulfilled, just in His own time. So please stand strong and steadfast in faith, if you want to see the mercies and blessings of God in your life. That is indeed heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…walking with Jesus might lead us along some rough and unpaved roads…but the rewards of His promise…oh Friends…they are indeed most wonderful and incomparable…trust me…I’m talking from personal experience…
P.S. Oh Friends, I just LOVE writing these Bits that come straight from the heart, without any forward planning, like this one today. And I do hope that it triggers your hope, faith, patience and LOVE, and help them rise to a higher level, so that you can find true solace, comfort and joy in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as He desires you to have.
Oh mih breddren, I can’t even stop the words from flowing, that’s how much the adrenalin is running. (smile) Much LOVE!
01 Jul 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abounding in mercy, absolute truth, Birthday Canada, british north america act, Canada, Canada Day, celebrations, challenge, confession, covenant, Daniel, dark times, disobedience, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, epitome of wisdom, face to face, forgiveness, forgiving, glory hallelujah, God is in control, God loves a challenge, God's glorious attributes, God's promised never to leave nor forsake us, grace, Happy Birthday Canada, holy people, I'm not turning back, in the valley of the shadow of death, iniquity, interceding, kind, logic, long-suffering, LOVE, magnanimous god, mercies, merciful, mercy, Moses, Mt. Sinai, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, rebelled, rebellion, repay, repentance, responsibilities, rest in peace, signs and wonders, sinful times, slow to anger, summer, take advantage, the breath of life, the glory of the Lord, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Lord is merciful and gracious, the people of Israel, the Promised Land, the Ten Commandments, to a glorious future with Jesus, transgression, ungodly behaviour, Wednesday Wail, why to worry
Psalm 103:8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-kindness).
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Happy Birthday Canada! On this 1st of July 2015, we’re a bright and sparkling one hundred and forty eight years old today! Wow! And the celebrations will be enormous! I began mine last night as you can see from the lateness of the Bit. (smile)
And why not eh? Canada has been good to me. It’s where I’ve spent the last forty two years and counting of my life. It hasn’t been easy, but it has certainly been interesting and rewarding. Like most other countries we’re on somewhat of a downward slide now, but by golly, it is still the best big country in the world! Glory Hallelujah!
In 1867 the British North America Act conferred some self-governing powers on Canada and she became a Dominion of Britain. Since then she has not looked back and has gone on to take her place as one of the leaders of the free world. Let’s hope that continues as time goes by.
Ohhh! Lest I forget later on, let me remind us right now about Granny’s wise words. ‘Sonny boy… remember that drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’
Words of absolute wisdom my brethren! For we all know that when we get into celebrating, we tend to get a tad loose and that only gives the wily old fox Lucifer a chance to invade our souls. And we definitely don’t want to do that. So let’s just keep our wits about us in the celebrations today.
And since it’s Wednesday, let’s do some wailing nuh. On the count of three: one, two, three. ‘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!’
Yes my people, is it ever so good to be alive on this first day in July, although the temperature is only supposed to go up to something like 21, and it is a tad chilly and cloudy outside. The summer doesn’t look to be shaping up too good nuh. But why to worry eh? Our great God is in control and He knows our wants and needs.
Plus He has faithfully promised never to leave nor forsake us, so if the true summer weather is a bit tardy in coming, we just have to take it in stride and rely on His wonderful promise to bring us safely through our dark times in the valley of the shadow of death.
Therefore we can now unconditionally declare: ‘The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a mighty and magnanimous God! We will rest in peace, safety and joy in His holy and everlasting, LOVE, mercy and grace! Amen!’
And now let’s turn to our Bit which so wonderfully proclaims all that we’ve said so far. ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-kindness).’
Ah Friends, if our God didn’t possess all those glorious attributes, I don’t know, and fear to think what might have already become of us, with our truly disobedient and ungodly behaviour.
And as we’ve been doing for the last few days, let’s look at some scripture that shore up our Bit, beginning with Moses interceding with God for the people of Israel after they had foolishly rebelled against Him.
‘And now I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.’(Num.14:17-19)
Oh Friends, Moses wasn’t as stupid as he claimed to be nuh. The Lord was about to destroy the Israelites for their rebellion, but Moses used God’s own words back at Him, those He had used to Moses when He passed before Him on Mt. Sinai, while getting the second version of the Ten Commandments.
And I like the logic he used on God: If He destroyed the Israelites, then the other nations would say it was because He was unable to bring them safely through the wilderness. And we all know that our God LOVES a challenge! (smile) Tell Him He can’t do something, and you know He’ll prove that He can.
And though the Lord pardoned the Israelites, He promised, ‘But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.’ (Num.14:21) He rose to Moses’ challenge, and also declared that none of those who came out of Egypt and saw all His signs and wonders would step foot in the Promised Land. And so it was.
So my brethren, though our God is wonderful and merciful and kind, He won’t allow us to take advantage of His goodness and mercy, so please remember that there are consequences for continual disobedience.
Now hear Moses again, this time warning the Israelites that they were a holy people to the Lord and thus had great responsibilities. ‘Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that LOVE him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him (delay with those who hate Him), he will repay him to his face. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments and the statutes, and the judgements, which I command thee this day, to do them.’ (Deut.7:9-11)
Oh Friends, we have it right there in black and white! We have also seen it in action down through the ages. So why do we in these unfaithful, ungodly and rather sinful times believe, or simply ignore the fact that we will not suffer God’s punishment for our boldfaced disobedience eh?
I assure us that we will, in God’s own time. He is indeed long-suffering and will give us plenty of rope, in the hope that we will wake up and smell the roses, or on the other hand, to hang ourselves.
Now let’s end with these words of absolute truth, as spoken by the great prophet Daniel in his prayer for his people, Israel. ‘To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him.’ (Dan.9:9)
And that’s no lie Friends! But we can’t keep on rebelling and keep expecting mercy and forgiveness forever. It’s not realistic from a holy, righteous and just God, and it will not happen.
So please let’s take the necessary precautions and turn once more in confession and repentance to the One who created us, the universe and all therein. That is the zenith and epitome of wisdom. Much LOVE!
…disobedience and rebellion NEVER pays…regardless of who or what we think we are…
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