The Importance of Praising God in Song, and Communicating to Others, His Wonderful Works to the Children of Men!

24 Sep 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 105:2.        Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of his wondrous works.

It’s no wonder that after the rain last night, that Wednesday has opened cloudy, damp and somewhat humid. And to tell the truth, the rain wasn’t so plentiful or powerful, but it’s accompaniment by the extravagant lightning and thunder show, with the heavenly rock drummer, Thor, putting on an especially rollicking performance made the show spectacular. Yes, I haven’t heard such cracking bouts of thunder in a long while. 

At one stage when the rain lightened, I went out on my porch to enjoy some peaceful moments out there, but within two minutes I was back inside after several lightning displays and a couple cracks of thunder chased me away. (smile) That brings us to today’s question: ‘Can You Sing in the Rain?’ It’s the title of an interesting story from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. 

So please read with me: ‘When I was a child I LOVED to take long walks with my tall, LOVING father. We trudged through the meadows, we climbed rolling hills, and often we walked through tree-lined parks. As we walked, Dad would tell me stories about his childhood, and I would ask countless questions about my grandparents. One day on a country road we walked under a gentle mist of rain. In the distance we saw a sparrow perched on a tree branch. The tiny bird was just singing away. 

My father asked a question: “Could you sing in the rain if nobody saw and nobody heard you but God?” Years have passed since that long-ago day. There have been wonderful days of joy. and there have been days of tears, too. Sometimes in the darkest night, during the most severe storm, God has enabled me to sing in the rain when nobody saw and nobody heard but God. Even through tears God has reminded me that the longest storm the world has ever known came to an end one sunny morning. And after the storm – a rainbow! God did it for Noah…and He does it for us!’ 

And that’s a wonderful fact that we should all be so very thankful for! Yes friends, even the longest and most powerful storm has to end sometime, and all the while it’s going on, our great God will hold and protect you in the shelter of His arms. It’s like Isaiah said of the Lord: ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 41:11) Now that’s what our great and wonderful God is about! Shepherding His people! Like Bruh David says so eloquently Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.’ (Ps. 23:1) 

And that’s what shepherds do; provide for their sheep, in both food and safety. And that’s what our God has promised to do and has indeed done. Remember the story of Noah, (Gen. chap. 6-9) when the Lord decided to destroy the earth by water, for the wickedness of man was so great in the earth, and his thoughts and intentions of his heart were continually evil. And God was sorry that He had ever made man on the earth. It sickened him, or grieved him at his heart. (Gen. 6:5-6) 

‘But Noah found grace in his sight.’ (Gen 6:8) And He was instructed to build a great ark and take in his family and two of every of God’s creations, for the Lord was going to destroy the world by water And as the author of Hebrews tells us in the Heroes of Faith chapter: ‘By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear (reverence), prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.’ (Heb. 11:7) Another great man of faith friends! 

But yuh know what? As Jesus reminds us: ‘But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be….before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered the ark.’ (Matt. 24:37-38) Yes sir! In those evil and dreadful times, it  was all about having a good time…just like it is now. That means the Lord will return when we least expect Him. Consequently, we need to be on constant alert, and have everything in readiness, as though He was coming back today. And we have to do our best to bring a lot of souls to Him before that awesome day. 

And to help us in doing so, Psalm 105 leads the way. From which our Bible Promise for the poem and Bit for today comes. It gently remind us: ‘O Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth; O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. He is the Lord our God: his judgements are in all the earth.’ (Ps. 105:1-7) 

Now, unfortunately, too many of us, don’t seem to remember or value the advice given in the psalm, but if we don’t wake up and get our act together very soon, like immediately, we’re likely to be caught unawares, and thus lose out on all the good things when Jesus returns unexpectedly. And that would certainly be a crying shame! So, let’s consider ourselves warned. 

Now, it’s time to 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 it’s been promised that whoever endures with Jesus to the every end, will experience an even more glorious future than they can imagine or comprehend. So, let’s be wise and endure to the end nuh, so we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…Jesus is our Good Shepherd…but too many of us are disobedient sheep…and eventually…will pay the consequences of disobedience…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   28 April 2024   1 Thessalonians 4:16c.

28 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 Thessalonians 4:16c.       and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Brother, do these Sundays ever come around quickly! But I guess that’s for our benefit, as it seemingly shortens the time between our Sunday visits to the Lord’s sanctuary, where we fellowship and worship and are renewed in spirit, body and soul for another active week in the devil’s den, our ungodly and evil world! But whether time is going fast or slow, the fact remains that we’re in church today and are going to sing one of the most popular Christian hymns of all time, ‘When the Roll is called up Yonder.’ 

The song was written in 1893 by James M. Black, the Youth Pastor at a church in Williamsport, PA, It’s central theme is being in Heaven when your time has come and not missing out on the eternal salvation of God. And it was apparently inspired by the idea of The Book of Life mentioned in the Bible, (Rev. 20) and by the absence of a child from a poor family in Black’s Sunday school class when the attendance was taken. The idea of someone not being in attendance in heaven haunted Black, and after visiting the child’s home and calling on a doctor to attend her for pneumonia, he went home and wrote the song after not finding one on a similar topic in his hymn collection. 

So, now knowing some the song’s background, let’s sing it, offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a mid-tempo sincere and heartfelt version, letting all and sundry, including heaven, know of where we’re going one fine day when it’s all over down here on earth. Singing: ‘When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. (Refrain:) When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there). 

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. (Refrain) Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous LOVE and care; Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. (Refrain:) When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there).’  

Now that roll call up yonder is the expectation of finding a home in heaven when the days on earth are done. And we’re truly sorry for those who won’t find themselves in that heavenly home on that fateful day, that’s those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour while alive here on earth. Unfortunately, they will experience the worst thing that can ever happen to a human being, eternal separation from God. But that’s the choice they made. And by the way, no one knows when that day will be, for as Jesus said: ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall the coming of the Son of man be… Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.’ (Matt. 24:36-37, 42) 

Yes friends, we don’t know when our Lord and Saviour is coming back, but we know for sure that He will return. And Bruh Paul and Peter both state that He will come as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10). That reinforces Christ’s statement to be on guard. And where do we find the surety of these words in the song? ‘When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks eternal bright and fair; when the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.’ 

Basically from these two scriptures from the pen of Bruh Paul. The first one to the church at Corinth: ‘Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump (trumpet): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.’ (1 Cor. 15:51-53) So on that day when the trump of God blows, our corruptible bodies will rise and become incorruptible and immortal. 

Then in 1 Thessalonians, Bruh Paul writes: ‘For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump (trumpet) of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever (always) be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’ (1 Thess. 4:16-18) Yes friends, that basically describes the Rapture of the church, where the Lord will come for us and take us away to yonder home forever. 

But them some of us ask, what’s this ‘yonder’ all about eh? And I found this commentary that puts it rather nicely. ‘It says: ‘Yonder is the place of meaning, purpose, and destiny that God has planned for your life. It’s the place of being in the center of the perfect will of God. It’s the place of doing what you were created to do. Everything you go through in life will bring you to Yonder . . . if you will let God’s grace guide you. Are you willing to make the journey?’ 

Now that’s a question that each of us must ask ourselves. The wise ones will not only say ‘Yes!’ but also put their backs to the tasks, the sacrifices and tough times involved in the journey, knowing that the reward up yonder, will certainly be worth the earthly price we pay. Much LOVE!

…to end up up yonder…Christ must rule our lives down here…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

Today’s Scrip-Bit   22 November 2022 Matthew 25:13.

22 Nov 2022 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 25:13.       Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

And the days roll along unconcernedly, just as they were programmed to do, while we wise ones get into winter mode. Yes friends, it’s true wisdom to get oneself ready for the winter season; mentally, physically, and emotionally, for if you don’t, winter will have you going stark raving crazy after a li’l while. (smile) That’s because it’s a very aggressive season; always in your face, with the cold, and either ice, wind or snow, and if you’re not prepared for it on all fronts, you will have a most miserable time. 

And you know what? Even when you think you’re fully prepared for it, it throws you a curved ball and blows your mind. And yuh see what happened in Buffalo this past weekend…and this is only the start of the season…so please prepare yourself. Just like we need to be prepared the next coming of Jesus, if we want to see heaven with Him till eternity. Please remember this serious warning of Jesus, when he speaks of His return to earth. ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.’ (Matt. 24:36-37) 

Now there are two important facts there; only the Father knows when the Son will return, and it will take place like it did in the times of Noah, at a time of much carousing and evil doing, when the judgement day is totally unexpected, like Noah’s associates were when the earth cleansing flood occurred, wiping out all mankind except Noah and his family. 

So, Jesus continues: ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman (master) of the house had known in what watch (hour) the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered (allowed) his house to be broken up (into). Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24: 42-44) Oh my people, Jesus couldn’t have been any plainer or more explicit unless He had added the exact time of His return. 

And the scholars explain. ‘24:35-38. Verses 35 and 36 warn against attempts to set an exact date for Christ’s return at the end of the church age. To speculate that “day” and “hour” do not eliminate “year” is a gross oversimplification. The Father only knows of the Christ’s return since it has been set by His authority (cf. Acts 1:7). However, we are given a comparison to the days of Noah (and the Flood), which illustrate and prefigure the condition of humanity at the time of Christ’s return. The last generation, like the one of Noah’s day, is pleasure oriented and self-gratifying by eating and drinking. The reference to marrying and giving in marriage (vs. 38) may refer to carrying on the normal course of life without heeding the impending judgement.’  

And yuh better believe that they are speaking there of a generation eerily similar to ours; pleasure-oriented and self-gratifying, for lawlessness and licentiousness are the norm of our current society, and very few have time for God. Like Bruh Paul so knowingly wrote of the coming apostasy (abandonment of faith in God) in his second letter to Timothy. 

‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), high-minded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more than LOVERS of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.’ (2 Tim. 3:1-5) 

Ah mih bredrin, you’d think that Bruh Paul was living today and describing our current lifestyle, for he’s hit the nail right on its proverbial head with his description of what’s happening in today’s world. As the scholars say of verses 1-4: ‘The last days began with the birth of Christ, and will culminate in Christ’s return to earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age.’ And if that is so, then we had better get ready for Christ’s imminent return, because we are currently experiencing ‘perilous times’ and our world couldn’t get any more godless than it is already.

 And per verse 5, the scholars explain: ‘A form of godliness is mere religion without power or spiritual life. Paul commands Timothy to turn away from those false teachers who prey upon women laden with sins, who are susceptible to false teachers.’  And are we ever seeing the prevalence of false teachers, those who talk a good talk, but like the Pharisees of old, don’t walk the spiritual walk, because they lack the true spiritual power of God. 

Ah my fellow saints, there is more I’d like to say on the subject, but it’ll make it way too long, and knowing our short attention spans, (smile) we’ll stop there for today, and continue it on the morrow, the Lord willing. In the meanwhile, for those of us attempting to stay prepared, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) 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!’ 

Now friends, let’s go out and do just that; 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!

…the Christian’s motto should be…watch and pray… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 September 2015 Matthew 24:35‏

29 Sep 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 24:35.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Aye Friends, welcome to a somewhat cloudy Tuesday morning in my area! Now the sun might not be shining, but we are very sure that the Son is exuding His wonderful light all over God’s great universe, and for that we ought to be eternally gratefully. 

And all God’s people said a loud and humble ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank You Father for giving us Your wonderful Son Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We promise to LOVE and obey Him through all our days, both down here on earth, and in heaven above! Amen.’ 

Now Friends, please remember that promise, and let’s do our utmost best to keep it, for as the Preacher has so wisely told us in Ecclesiastes. ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ (Eccl.5:4-5) 

What absolute words of wisdom my people! And by the way, that doesn’t only pertain to our vows to God, but also to out fellow man down here on Planet Earth, because we’re living in some very sad times when vows are not held in much respect, but are considered more like the saying ‘promises are made to be broken.’ 

And now it’s time for our Tuesday Mantra… 

Hn! I see a lot of thoughtful frowns and shaking of heads, and minds saying: ‘I didn’t know we had a Tuesday Mantra…’ 

Well I didn’t know it either Friends until about two o’clock this morning when I was about to go to bed. I was contemplating what I could talk about today when suddenly the idea to use the prayer I recently shared with you from the Hour of Power came into my mind as the Tuesday Mantra. 

I had to laugh and only halfheartedly considered it. But just now as I was about to write something else, the idea surfaced again. I guess the Good Lord desires it, and who am I to thwart His desires eh. At this rate, we soon might have a prayer for everyday. (smile) 

So my fellow believers, let’s recite our Tuesday Mantra with much enthusiasm and confidence. ‘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 hurry. I don’t have to worry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen.’ 

Ah mih breddren, it’s a collection of simple, but very true and very powerful statements, and we need to hold on them, constantly have them at the back of our minds, at our beck and call, so that they can guide us in our daily walk in this sinful and ungodly world. 

And at last, we come to our Bit; immortal words of Jesus. ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’ Note Friends, Jesus wasn’t just talking for talk sake, like so many of us do, but was making a profound and prophetic statement about what was eventually going to come to pass. 

And yuh know what’s also interesting, even Jesus didn’t know when that Armageddon would take place, as He continues: ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of man be.’ (Matt.24:36-39) 

Oh my people, that’s a powerful warning! Please, please, let’s heed it nuh! 

And the scholars have an interesting explanation. ’24:35-38. Verses 35 and 36 warn against attempts to set an exact date for Christ’s return at the end of the church age. To speculate that “day’ and “hour” do not eliminate “year” is a gross oversimplification. 

The Father only knows the time of Christ’s return since it has been set by His authority (cf. Acts 1:7). However, we are given a comparison to the days of Noah (and the Flood), which illustrate and prefigure the condition of humanity at the time of Christ’s return. 

The last generation, like the one of Noah’s day, is pleasure-oriented and self-gratifying by eating and drinking. The reference to marrying and giving in marriage may refer to carrying on the normal course of life without heeding the impending judgement.’  

Oh Friends, oh Friends, if ever there was a time of gross ungodliness and wickedness in the history of mankind like Noah’s day, then it is NOW! 

For the state of our world has fallen to such a degrading level, where total depravity and sinfulness rule with unbounded power! Where vices and every evil work, every abomination known to man blossom and prosper! And the sad part is that it doesn’t look as though our society will improve, will repent and return to godliness and righteousness any time soon, for Beelzebub seems to be on a roll right now. 

That should tell us something significant, shouldn’t it? That the time of Jesus’ Second Coming could be close at hand. But my people, whether that is so or not, the dictates of wisdom do declare that we should be prepared, be ready for whenever it comes; be it today, tomorrow or next year. And I am imploring us to do just that, for we never know what number is going to play when. Much LOVE!

…a wise person is one who takes Jesus’ warning to heart…and is ready for it…whenever it comes…