16 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Achan, Ananias, aplomb, apostles, aura of love, Barnabas, blessings, body of Christ, christianity, communal way of life, complaining, confidence, disobedience, fear, gave up the ghost, gospel truth, hate, hate to love, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jericho, Jesus Christ, Jesus featuring in our hearts, keeping lives and families together, lead and guide, learn from the mistakes of others, lied unto men but unto God, living for Jesus, lord god almighty, LOVE, LOVE to hate, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, peace, Pentecost, perfect example, Peter, poignant, positive mindset, power of the holy spirit, punished, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, sacrifice, Sapphira, Satan, Satan filled thine heart, sin, Spirit of God, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, surrender, the Good Book, useful purpose, weary souls, wisdom
Acts 5:3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Monday, oh Monday! The day the working people LOVE to hate, and hate to LOVE! They find it to be a rather great inconvenience in their lives. (smile) But as believers, with Jesus featuring in our hearts, we ought to handle it with much ease, aplomb and peace.
Awright, so realistically we have a hard time getting ourselves together on Mondays, but that’s mostly because we don’t prepare for it properly on Sundays. And furthermore, as I keep reminding us, if we can’t do anything about it, we might as well stop complaining, since complaining doesn’t help, but just makes matters worse. We need to develop a positive mindset, so when we realize that it’s Monday, we just glow with pleasure, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Okay, okay, please don’t shoot the messenger! (smile) Anyway, to help us get over the hump that’s Monday, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto. As one harmonious and whole body of Christ now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh Friends, that was indeed a most rousing rendition! Jesus was greatly pleased, as He demonstrated by singing and clapping along with us. He could feel the Holy Spirit diligently moving in our hearts and souls. And today we’ll continue looking at the movement and power of the Holy Spirit back in the early days of Christianity.
Now, before we interrupted our message on the Holy Spirit for Father’s day, we had just seen where a whole lot of believers were selling their possessions and joining in a communal way of life. At the end of chapter 4 we were told about Joses, surnamed Barnabas, who sold his possessions and brought the proceeds to the apostles. And chapter 5 opens with the story of two other people who did the same thing, but with a slightly different twist.
Listen to the Good Book relate it. ‘But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to (aware of) it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles feet.’ (Acts 5:1-2)
And my people, here the Spirit of God truly begins to work, as Peter declares to Ananias starting with our Bit. ‘But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power (control)? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost (breathed his last): and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound (wrapped) him up, and carried him out, and buried him.’ (Acts 5:3-6)
Lordy, Lordy, my brethren, what a poignant and perfect example the Holy Spirit set!
Now here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘5:3-4. The deity of the Holy Spirit is evident within this passage. In verse 3 Peter states that Ananias has lied to the Holy Spirit. Then in verse 4 Ananias is told he has lied to God.
5:4. Communal sharing is still being practiced some weeks or months after Pentecost, but it was totally voluntary. Ananias’s sin was not that of keeping back part of what he sold, but his hypocrisy about it.
5:5. Though God does not judge every believer’s sin with death, in some situations God does. (1 Cor.11:30; 1 John 5:16).As with Achan, this first act in a new era serves as an example (Josh.7:10-26).’
That last reference is to the story of Achan, who disobeyed God’s ban on taking plunder from the fall of Jericho. That led the Lord to take away His favour from Israel in time of war. Eventually Achan confessed, then he and his family were stoned to death, and burned with fire. What a horrible way to die! But the Lord apparently desired that sacrifice to appease His anger and disappointment, and also set an example, letting the people know that disobedience would be severely punished.
Oh Friends, I think we’ll stop there for today, because what I’d like to say would definitely make the Bit too long, and I never want to tax our powers of concentration too much, especially on a Monday morning. (smile)
So let’s ponder the lessons found in today’s message and learn from them nuh, so that the same, or similar repercussions won’t befall us. It’s always better to learn from the mistakes of others. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
…totally living for Jesus… is such a beautiful and inspiring thing…there’s nothing else on earth that compares to it…nothing else even comes close…
14 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according as he had need, at what cost, Barnabas, be in the world, believers unite in praise and prayer, boldness, caring, Christian lives, communal living, considerate, controlling influence, Cyprus, downfall, dwell together in unity, emboldened, evil, excess, filled with the Holy Ghost, filling of the Spirit, foolish pride, Friday the 13th, Gentile, glorifying God, grace, had all things in common, Herod, holy spirit, Holy spirit of Christ, I am in the midst of them, ignorance, integral part, Jesus Christ, Jew, Jewish rulers, John, lifted up their voice to God, Lord jesus, LOVE, Love of Jesus, mover and shaker, not of the world, Pentecost, Peter, Pontius Pilate, power of the holy spirit, presence of the Spirit, selling our faith short, signs and wonders, son of consolation, spake the word of god with boldness, speak thy word, stretch forth thine hand to heal, the Good Book, the heathen rage, the people plot vain things, the place was shaken, things of God, things of the world, threatening, thy holy servant Christ, thy servant David, ungodly ways, ungodly world, unity, where two or three are gathered together, will not share, wisdom, with one accord, witness of the resurrection
Acts 4:31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Oh Friends, it’s Saturday! Yeh, and you’ll notice that no evil spirits took hold of you yesterday, Friday the 13th. (smile)
That’s because you believe in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of Christ is immensely stronger than any evil spirit that exists. Our downfall though is when through ignorance and/or foolish pride, we don’t acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and then follow His lead and guidance.
And yes, we’re going to continue looking at the works of the Holy Spirit after its widespread dispersal on that fateful day of Pentecost. And that’s because my people the Holy Spirit is such an integral part of our Christian lives, and if we don’t understand its use and its immense power we’ll be selling our faith and ourselves short. So please bear with the ole fella as he tries to raise our understanding of the most important element in our lives. (smile)
Yesterday we saw, where in the face of the multitudes glorifying God, and the lame man healed in their presence through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Jewish rulers had no just cause to punish Peter and John, so they simply threatened them before setting them free.
‘And being let go, they went to their own company (companions), and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine (plot) vain things? The kings of the earth stood up (took their stand), and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.
For of a truth against thy holy child (servant) Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel (purpose) determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by (through) the name of thy holy child (servant) Jesus.’ (Acts 4:23-30)
Oh my brethren, how beautiful and heartwarming it is to our most gracious and wonderful God, when believers unite in praise and prayer! Remember, as Jesus so avidly and faithfully promised: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20)
And was He ever amongst that group of believers that day!
Hear the Good Book tell it, through the words of our Bit: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’
Oh Friends, what a mighty mover and shaker is the Holy Spirit of Christ! And the scholars remind us: ‘4:31. As with Peter in verse 8, so now the whole body of believers experiences a renewal of the controlling influence or filling of the Spirit. See the note on 2:4.’
That deals with the difference between being baptized with the Holy Spirit, or the first anointing as a new believer, as opposed to the being refilled and refreshed at different stages of our walk of faith. Back in verse 8, Peter was recharged with the Holy Spirit which enabled him to stand up and boldly speak to the Jewish rulers.
And not only were the believers emboldened that day by the Holy Spirit, but their communal living was also vastly enriched. ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught (any) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices (proceeds) of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, The son of consolation (encouragement), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.’ (Acts 4:32-37)
Oh my people, how good and how pleasant it is when believers dwell together in unity!
And though we know that kind of communal living won’t work properly in our society, there’s no need, no reason why we can’t be a more caring and considerate community of believers. The problem there is that we allow the world and its ungodly ways to come between us. For despite all the talk we talk, we’re still ruled by the things of the world and not by the things of God.
Yuh see how none of those early believers lacked for anything, and everyone was given as they had need? Hn! In our society though, so many lack and have need, while others have excess that they will not share. We’re always looking for a way to increase. And generally that’s not a bad thing…but at what cost? At what cost to others in our community, and at what cost to our relationships with our families and with our God?
That’s the question we need to ponder today my people; how much is our involvement in the ungodly world destroying our godly nature. Remember, we must be IN the world, but not OF it.
So let’s seriously consider our positions, then, with God’s ever-available and always generous help, try and come up better. For that’s eternal wisdom. Much LOVE!
…for though we be Jew or Gentile…of different creed and race…we all fall under the same all-encompassing LOVE of Jesus…
12 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: always forgiving God, apostles, awesome power, be saved, benevolent, burn the candle at both ends, Caiaphas, christianity, church history, confidence, courage, crucifixion, diligently heed, don't let me quit, drama, ever-merciful, face a mountain, faithful, fear, fellow believers, find a pass through, focus, glory hallelujah, gold mine, good deed, good success, Gramps Schuller, Hallelujah, heard the word, heavenly Father, helpless man, high priest, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, illegal sect, impotent, Israel, Jewish leaders, John, keep pushing forward, LOVE, lover of drama, machinations, mind-boggling, Mountian moving prayer, mysterious movements, no other name under heaven, omnipotent, one of those days, patience, Pentecost, perception, perilous circumstances, perseverance, Peter, Peter denies Jesus, phenomenal results, positive, Positive Thinker's, possibilities, power of the Holy Ghost, praise and glory to God, Praise the Lord, praise the name of god, Provincial Election, rabbis, redemption, refilled brain, resurrection, righteousness., robert h schuller, Sadducees, salvation, self-control, Solomon's porch, stop looking back, strength to keep on striving, surrender, teaching of the resurrection, the chief cornerstone, the Good Book, the Lamb that was slain, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the right path to truth, the stone rejected by the bulders, the workings of God's Spirit, transformation, tribulation, trust, truth, tunnel underneath, understanding, undivided attention, unmatchable, unstoppable, wake up call, wisdom, with God's help
Acts 4:8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…
Oh Friends, this Provincial Election day of 2014 is turning out to be just one of those days…
One of those days when I went to bed in the wee hours of the morning – around 2 a.m – and thus was unable to answer the Lord’s early morning wake up call. Hn! And believe me, I had to come up with plenty self-control not to just roll over and go back to sleep. (smile)
The ole fella’s apparently forgetting that he’s not such a young un anymore, and can’t afford to burn the proverbial candle at both ends simultaneously, as he did in bygone days. Hn, hn! I never opened my bleary eyes until six a.m.
And as you can well imagine, half an hour later, I’m still trying to catch myself. But there’s no doubt that our most understanding and benevolent heavenly Father will soon bring me together unto myself, and unto Him, so that I can write a fairly sensible Bit. (smile)
And what better way to begin our Bit, this behind the eight-ball day, than with a rededication of the Positive Thinker’s Mountain Moving prayer from the pen of Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller). So my Friends, let’s pray big and strong, faithful and positive.
‘Lord, when I face a mountain, do not let me quit! Give me the strength to keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, or tunnel underneath. And if my best efforts fail, give me the patience to stay and the perception to see the possibilities of turning my mountain into a gold mine with your help. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, that’s what we need to do each and every day of our earthly lives; stop looking back and instead keep on pushing forward, striving, with God’s help of course, to move the mountains in our lives, one way or the other. Why? Because it’s only through patience, perseverance and faithfulness that we’ll ever have good success.
And right now I can surely use a big dose of the Holy Spirit that was so widely noised about during Pentecost, the memorable time in our church history, which we’re currently studying.
Don’t worry though Friends, we’re getting there, slowly but surely. The tired and sleepy eyes are starting to focus, and the renewed and refilled brain is beginning to get its thoughts together. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
And we’ll continue from where we left off yesterday. That’s where Peter was preaching his second Pentecost sermon, this one from Solomon’s porch in the temple, after John and himself had healed a lame beggar through the power of the Holy Ghost.
And here’s how the Good Book recounts it: ‘And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved (greatly disappointed) that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold (custody) unto the next day: for now it was eventide (evening). Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.’ (Acts 4:1-4)
Oh mih breddren, what a mighty moving sermon that must have been for so many people to come to salvation at one time! All praise and glory to God working in us through the unmatchable and unstoppable power of His Holy Spirit! Mama mia!
And the scholars share some useful info on those verses: ‘4:1. Luke gives an extended account here of the arrest and trial of Peter and John, as he does later with Paul, to demonstrate that Christianity is not an illegal sect even though continually attacked.
4:2. The annoyance to the Jewish leaders was twofold: (1) the presumption of the apostles to teach people as if they were recognized rabbis (cf. v.13); and (2) the teaching of the resurrection which was denied by these Sadducees (cf. 23:6).
4:4. Their phenomenal results may also have had something to do with their arrest. Five thousand men, plus women and children, have now turned to Christ in Jerusalem.’
But the drama of the story builds to even higher heights on the following day. For as you ought to know by now, that there is no greater dramatist and LOVER of drama, than our God Himself! (smile)
Listen to the Good Book tell it. ‘And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred (family) of the high priest were gathered together at Jerusalem. (Scholar’s note: Annas was the patriarchal, ex-high priest. His son-in-law Caiaphas held the political office (cf. Luke 3:2).
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of (are judged for) the good deed done to the impotent (helpless) man, by what means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of (rejected by) you builders which is become the head of the corner (chief cornerstone). Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:5-12)
And all God’s people declared a loud and thundering: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All praise to the Lamb that was slain for our redemption!’
Yes my fellow believers, what awesome power, courage and confidence the Holy Ghost put in Peter and the other apostles for them to stand up and speak so boldly to the powerful Jewish rulers and tell them where to get off! Praise the name of our great God!
Remember that just a few weeks earlier, Peter had been denying his association with Jesus. And at His crucifixion, only John, of all the apostles had had enough manly parts, been brave enough to show his face there. All the others apparently went into hiding, for fear of tribulation befalling them through association.
And truly, we can’t really cast a whole lot of blame and aspersion on the poor, uneducated, left in the lurch men for their less than stellar behaviour, because most of us would have done exactly the same thing – we do it now for even much less perilous circumstances.
But Friends, that’s the awesome, amazing, mind-boggling transformation that the Holy Spirit can bring about in us, if we’d only let it, if we’d only surrender our entire being to the LOVING machinations and wonderful, mysterious movements of our omnipotent, ever-merciful and always forgiving God!
So today, please let’s try and pay serious attention, diligently heed the workings of God’s Spirit within us nuh. For it’s right there within us, whispering quietly, trying to get our undivided attention, so that it can lead us on the right path to truth and righteousness, which Jesus requires of, and wishes for all those who sincerely surrender their entire being, and put their whole trust in Him.
That’s the wisdom of, and for the ages! Much LOVE!
…remember…if you don’t vote…don’t pray…don’t move as the Spirit guides you…you have no right to complain when things go awry…
09 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life that's pleasing to god, a windy and fiery trail, adrenalin rush, all things in common, apostles, aura of love, baptism, breaking of bread, communal living, communism, confess their faith, doctrine, earthly pilgrimage, edification, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fear, fellowship, further God's glorious kingdom, gladness, god head, God's people, good works, heavenly Father, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, jobs, lead and guide, lies, like pulling teeth, live the gospel of Christ, LOVE, lustful world, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, new work week, outpouring of the Holy spirit, Pentecost, Peter, praise and thanksgiving, praising God, prayers, recharged your spiritual batteries, regeneration of the Holy spirit, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, return of Christ, rise and greet the new day, salvation, serve a useful purpose, sharing, singleness of heart, sold their possessions, spiritual armour, spiritual unity, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, taunts, the Good Book, the gospel, the Love Revolution, true faith, true followers of jesus Christ, ungodly world, unsaved souls, weary souls, wicked, wiles, wisdom, wonders and signs, worthwhile inroads
Acts 2:47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be (were being) saved.
Oh Friends, it’s a beautiful Monday morning, the day after Pentecost! That means the Holy Spirit has recharged your spiritual batteries only yesterday, so please rise and greet the new day with praise and thanksgiving, as befitting true followers of Jesus Christ.
And though many still muttered and groaned like a normal Monday morning, generally speaking, the response to that request wasn’t too bad at all. Wonder of Wonders! (smile) But I know we can’t do without our adrenalin rush on the first day of the new work week, so let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get our spirits activated.
All together in loud and hearty harmony now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that was a pretty good rendition Friends, no doubt aided by our recent filling, regeneration of the Holy Spirit; that incredible aura of God’s LOVE!
So yesterday we saw where the Holy Spirit blazed a windy and fiery trail down from heaven, and fell upon the apostles at Jerusalem, enabling them to speak of the gospel in the many different languages and dialects of the city dwellers. And after Peter preached a mighty sermon, some three thousand lost souls were saved that day. ‘And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:42)
Now listen to this explanation from the scholars. ‘2:41-42. The pattern set here for new believers is normative throughout this age. They publicly confess their faith through baptism and join in fellowship, edification, and service within the assembly of God’s people.’
Oh my brethren, how I wish it was that simple in these convoluted and compelling times! But getting supposed Christians to publicly confess and participate in their faith today is like pulling teeth without anaesthetic. Anyway, what I want us to see today is the effect that outpouring of the Holy Spirit had on those first time believers.
The Good Book describes it thus: ‘And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by (through) the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted (distributed) them to all men, as every man (anyone) had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord (mind) in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat (food) with gladness, and singleness of heart (simplicity), Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be (were being) saved.’ (Acts 2:43-47)
Yes Friends, it evolved into a kind of communal living; of sharing and praying and praising God together, and God increased their numbers daily. Yuh see what can happen when we live a life that’s pleasing to God!
However, here are some interesting comments from the scholars on that situation. ‘2:44-45. Communal sharing was practiced for a brief time by the early church but not throughout Acts. These believers were expecting the very soon return of Christ (as Peter demonstrates in his sermons of chs. 2 and 3), and they therefore sold their possessions. This did not last.
Such communal life is not taught by the apostles. Rather we are taught to be good stewards of that with which God has entrusted us and to share willingly and cheerfully (2 Cor.8, 9). Further, this does not correspond to Communism, because this resulted from a spiritual unity among the people and was a voluntary act (cf. 5:4).’
Oh Friends, I guess that style of living would be rather difficult, nigh impossible to do in these modern, greedy and selfish times. But my fellow believers, that shouldn’t stop us from fellowshipping and generously sharing what’s been entrusted to us by God, with those in need. For remember all that’s in our possession truly belongs to God, and we are just His managers while on our earthly pilgrimage. That’s why we can’t take it with us.
Now let’s get out there this Monday morning, in this wicked and lustful world, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, spread His LOVE Revolution, ably guided and assisted by His Holy Spirit, so that unsaved souls can see our good works and true faith and greatly desire to come to Jesus for salvation and eternal life. For there’s no greater wisdom in all of heaven and earth than that! Much LOVE!
…what a powerful and intriguing God-head…the Father…the Son…and the Holy Ghost…
04 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good man, a light of the Gentiles, Antioch, apathy, Barnabas, be of good cheer, blaspheming, blessings, bold, Bruh Paul, Christians, cleave unto God, contradicting, encouraged, envy, eternal life, exhorted, exhorting them to continue in the faith, faith, fear, filled with joy, full of the HolyGhost, Gentiles, glorified the word of the Lord, glorious destination, God in favour, God of our fathers, heaven, Holy Ghost, i have overcome the world, jealousy, Jesus Christ, Jews, keep on keeping on, life is a bed of roses, mercy, Morning Neighbuh, not caring enough, opposition, persecution, perseverance, Praise the Lord, proselytes, proselytize the whole world, purpose of heart, rainy day, reject the Word of God, Sabbath, safe from harm, salvation, shook the dust off their feet, stand strong, Stephen, stoned to death, strengthening the souls of the disciples, surrender, synagogue, the Good Book, the good news of the gospel, the grace of God, the Great Commission, the greatest power on earth, the hand of the Lord, the nature of the human animal, the Word contains power, thorns, through tribulation we enter into the kingdom of God, Timothy, top of the ladder, trust, unworthy of everlasting life, weather forecaster, windy day, wisdom, with God's help
Acts 14:22. Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
‘Morning Neighbuh, morning! May the great and wonderful God of our fathers be with you this new day, showering you with His ever-flowing mercy and abundant blessings, while keeping you and yours safe from harm.’
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful ‘Praise the Lord! Amen.’
Oh Friends, I guess I’ll never be a good weather forecaster, because I said that yesterday was going to be a rainy day Tuesday. Hn! But which rain fell eh? None! For by the time the sun rose the rain abated, and it turned out to be a hot, windy day Tuesday instead. I even had to turn on the A/C. Note, just to see if it was working after the long, harsh winter it endured. (smile)
What a life eh! A couple weeks ago we badly wanted heat, but now that we’re getting some of the natural stuff, we’re already crying out for cooler weather. Chuh! I guess though that that’s the nature of the human animal – when we have one thing we want something else, and vice versa.
But my people, I’m here to tell us that this earthly life is not a bed of roses… or rather, it is a bed of roses! That’s because one of the most beautiful of all God’s creation, the rose, grows at the end of a long, thorn riddled stalk, and to get to one, you have to carefully navigate the thorns on its stem.
Life is just like that my brethren. To get to the top of the ladder, or to the most beautiful parts of life, you have to carefully navigate through thorny paths, covered with brambles and all sorts of other obstruction. There is no clear, unobstructed path to our glorious destination of heaven and eternal life with Jesus Christ.
As our Bit tells it, in the immortal words of Bruh Paul to his protégé Timothy: ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.’
And that’s no lie Friends, for all sorts of obstacles and stumbling blocks will crop up in a believer’s life, and it’s only with God’s help are we able to successfully navigate them. And we’re going to end this series of messages with a couple of scriptures pertaining to both the first and last parts of our Bit.
As to the first part; ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith,’ let’s look at Acts 11, regarding the church in Antioch, where believers were first referred to as Christians.
After Stephen was stoned to death in Jerusalem, the disciples were scattered all over, teaching the gospel, but to Jews only. However, some of them, when they came to Antioch, began preaching the Lord Jesus also to the Gentiles.
The Good Book tells us: ‘And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings (news) of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Who, when he came and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted (encouraged) them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto (continue with) the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.’ (Acts 11:21-24)
Yeh Friends, we all need help and encouragement to keep on keeping on in our walk of faith, because it is not an easy row to hoe. And that fact is borne out later on when Barnabas brings Bruh Paul back to Antioch, where envious Jews did not want the gospel taught to the Gentiles.
‘And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought (begged) that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism) followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.’ (Acts 13:42-42)
But the opposition never ceased. ‘And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against (opposed) those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed (grew) bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you (reject it), and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable (prominent) women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts (region). But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.’(Acts 13:44-52)
Glory be! Ah mih people, what a beautiful example of when opposition comes against us, that we nonetheless stand strong in preaching the Word, and we will be strengthened and filled with the joy of the Lord and His Holy Spirit! That’s because the Word contains power, the greatest power on earth!
But jealousy and envy can move us to do evil, if we’re not very careful. The Jews at first didn’t want to hear about Jesus, and then they didn’t want the Gentiles to hear about Him either, so they stirred up false info to the powers that be, and had them run Barnabas and Bruh Paul out of town.
And unfortunately many Christians are behaving the same way, though not through jealousy, but through apathy, fear and simply not caring enough to share the good news of the gospel with others. Remember though my people, that that’s our Great Commission; to spread the good news of Jesus all over the globe. (Matt.28:19-20)
But it wasn’t easy back in those first days, and it certainly isn’t easy either in these last days. But with perseverance, strong faith, trust and surrender to our helpful and ever-LOVING God, we CAN, and we WILL proselytize the ENTIRE WORLD, just as Jesus commanded.
Oh Friends, I got so caught up in the first part of our Bit, (smile) that I went on longer than I expected. So like we’ll just have to leave the other stuff till tomorrow, God in favour.
Till then, please stand strong in the faith, and fearlessly and unashamedly spread the good news of Jesus to all and sundry, because that is indeed wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world… (John 16:33)
28 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Amen, ask to receive, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, Bruh Paul, carried to the fountain, dr robert h schuller, drink from the mountain spring, enjoy the heat of the sun, Ephesians, ever-changing weather patterns, Fill Me, filled with wisdom, filling our hearts with food and gladness, forgiveness, fruitful seasons, fullness of God, generous God, give us our daily bread, glory hallelujah, goodness, grounded in love, heavenly wisdom, Hour of Power Devotional, inner growth, Jesus, John the Baptist, just, kind, know the love of christ, lead us safely along life's treacherous paths, LOVE, Luke, mercies and blessings are new every morning, mercy, Moses, my soul will be filled with your love and truth, nature of the beast, peace, praise the Lord for His goodness, prophecy fulfilled, rain from heaven, Simeon, standing steadfast in faith, thank you, the Beatitudes, the child became strong in spirit, the empty pitcher, the glory of the Lord, the Good Book, the grace of God was upon Him, the growing flower, the knowledge of god, the Lord fills the hungry soul with goodness, the Lord satisfies the longing soul, the satisfying sun, the Spirit of God, the thirsty deer, they shall be filled, this time of prayer, till the day of his manifestation, understanding, walk in faith, wisdom, wise
Luke 2:40. And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Oh Friends, it’s such a joy to be able to sit on my front porch or back deck, in very little clothing, and just enjoy the heat of the sun pulsing through my arthritic body! Glory Hallelujah!
I’ve done that for the last two afternoons, and is it ever wonderful to actually feel the sun’s heat, not just see it shining brightly, while shivering from the cold that envelops us. It seems that at long last some truly summer weather might be upon us.
But please don’t get too excited and carried away Friends, for the weather people have forecasted lower temps until the weekend. I guess with the ever-changing weather patterns, that’s the new nature of the beast. Anyway, there’s not much we can do about the weather, but once we ‘re standing steadfast in faith, we will be able to deal with whatever comes our way.
Now here’s an interesting prayer from one of my favourite preachers, Gramps Schuller (Robert H. Schuller) from His Hour of Power Devotional. I think I might have shared it before, but that’s neither here nor there, because prayer is always fresh and timeless, regardless of age or how often we say and hear it.
And this prayer is titled ‘FILL ME!’ Wow! Even the title sounds good! (smile)
My people, let’s pray: ‘O Lord, like the thirsty deer which goes to drink from the mountain spring; like the growing flower which turns hungrily to the satisfying sun; like the empty pitcher which is carried to the fountain to be filled; so I come, O God, knowing that in this time of prayer my soul will be filled with your LOVE and your truth. Thank you! Amen.’
Yes my brethren, I surely hope that the Lord did fill you with His goodness, His mercy, forgiveness, peace, LOVE and whatever else you need to walk in faith with Him today. That’s why His mercies and blessings are new every morning; to give us our daily bread and lead us safely along life’s very treacherous paths.
And to show how our great and generous God fills us with what we need, let’s look at a couple scriptures, beginning with our Bit. ‘And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.‘
Oh Friends, that’s Jesus, the Good Book’s talking about, after He was presented to the Lord at the temple and Simeon had His prophecy fulfilled. (Luke 2:21-40)
And before that, almost the same thing was said about John the Baptist. ‘And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing (manifestation) unto Israel.’ (Luke 1:80)
The scholars note though: ‘2:40. Jesus’ progress may be compared with that of John (1:80). The former overshadows the latter from the very start.’
And that was how it should be! Our God doesn’t leave things to chance, but has a set plan for everything. We even have Jesus, in the Beatitudes talking about God filling us. ‘Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.’ (Matt.5:6)
And the psalmist proudly proclaims: ‘Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING-kindness), and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.’ (Ps.107:8-9)
Then we have Bruh Paul preaching at Lystra, before they stoned him and left him for dead. Hn, hn! What a man was our Bruh Paul my people!
‘(God) Who in times past (past generations) suffered (allowed) all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling out hearts with food and gladness.’ (Acts 14:16-17)
Then we have him praying for the inner growth of the Ephesians. ‘That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph.3:17-19)
Now that was Bruh Paul’s general style; praying that his people would be filled, infused with the knowledge of God. And my brethren, there’s no doubt that our God fills us with whatever we need to walk holy and faithfully before Him.
And we’ll close with a scripture from the earliest of times, when the Lord was instructing Moses about the building of His tabernacle. This refers to the craftsmen. ‘And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship… and in the hearts of all that are wisehearted (gifted artisans) I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.’ (Ex.31:1-3,6b)
See mih Friends, right from the beginning, God gave us the tools to do whatever He asked of us, and it hasn’t changed up to this day, and never will. That’s because He’s just that kind of God; kind, just and wise, empowering us to do His bidding, because He knows, without it we’ll fail miserably most of the time.
Therefore don’t be afraid to ask Him to fill you with whatever you need to do His will. You’ve got to ask, if you want to receive. Jesus said it. That’s means it’s heavenly wisdom. Much LOVE!
…for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord…as the waters cover the sea… (Hab.2:14)
P.S. Please excuse the lateness, but I went to bed late, got into a good novel (smile), then some fool or crook called on the phone around two a.m, and thinking that it must be something important at that hour of the morning, I answered it, only to get an annoying beep for my troubles. Chuh! That certainly didn’t help my sleep any. But not to worry, it’s all good! Much LOVE!
26 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: arrogance, aura of love, bless, cavalier, complaining, corruption, dreams, evil, evildoers, expectant faith, exuberance, foolish ways, further God's glorious kingdom, God's mercy, going to hell in a hand-basket, greed, greet Monday with joy, hate, have good success, holy spirit, humble servants, hungry hope, immorality, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, keeping families together, let the nations be glad, let the people priase thee, Libya, lies, lord god almighty, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, make thy way prosperous, meditate on God's Word, Memorial Day, merciful, mercy, Monday Monday, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, Mother Africa, negative attitude, peace, pigheaded, pride, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, removing God from our lives, repenting, righteously, serve a useful purpose, sing for joy, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strife, struggle for freedom, stubborn, stupidity, sure conquerors, Syria, taunts, the earth shall yield her increase, the Good Book, the Lord shall judge righteously, the Ukraine, theatres of strife, total destruction, true believers, turning back to God, ungodliness, ungodly world, war, we surrender our all to you, wisdom, worthwhile inroads
Psalm 67:4. Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon the earth. Selah.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday…! And much to my surprise, my people began sweetly singing: ‘Monday, Monday! Oh how I LOVE that day! Monday, Monday, don’t ever go away! For whenever Monday comes, it finds me bright and eager, full of joy, peace and LOVE!’
Okay Friends, so I’m dreaming. But isn’t that why God made dreams; so that we can have those big, bright, beautiful visions? For sure! And I’m still living with hungry hope and expectant faith, that I’ll yet see the day when the majority of God’s people will greet Monday with the joy that they are supposed to, instead of the petty complaining and the disgusting negative attitude that prevails today.
If we only knew the staggering amount of the world’s six billion people who would give their eye teeth – long time I haven’t heard that – just for a taste of the jobs and standard of living that we so unappreciatively enjoy, we wouldn’t treat our jobs so don’t care and cavalier.
However, it’s time to put aside the dream. Please note I didn’t say kill it, but merely leave it simmering in our unconscious selves, and return to real reality. And to help us do that, to jump start our motors, to get us going in the fashion that Jesus desires of His followers, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with the exuberance worthy of true believers.
And to those of you in the U.S. who don’t have to work today, who are celebrating Memorial Day, in honour of the many who have fallen in the long and arduous struggle for freedom, please raise your voices loud and clear to help your less fortunate comrades who have to go out and face the ungodly world.
All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Not bad mih people, not bad at all! But it’s obvious that some of you are already in your cups, while others haven’t recovered from theirs as yet. (smile)
Ah my people, all we’re trying to do here is what our Bit advises: ‘O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon the earth. Selah.’
Yes Friends, contemplate that for a moment nuh. There’s a whole lot of truth to that statement – and not only truth, but also wisdom of the highest order. We all know that our God is a God of justice and righteousness, and He can do nothing else but judge justly and rule righteously. So once we live according to His rules, we have nothing whatsoever to fear.
No wonder the psalmist begins by invoking God’s mercy: ‘God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health (salvation) among all nations.’ (Ps.67:102)
Yes my people, we need to know God’s ways and vigorously apply them to our everyday lives. And the only way to do that is by reading and studying His Word; the Bible and getting proper guidance from those who are more enlightened than us. That’s why it is ever so important for us as individuals to constantly delve into the Good Book and try to fashion our lives around it.
As the Lord so emphatically told Joshua when He appointed him leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh.1:8)
Oh Friends, that is so straightforward and simple that there’s nothing to question in it. If you want to have success and be prosperous, then read and constantly meditate on the Word. But we the creation, the created, have gotten so big and bumptious with ourselves, that we now think we know more than our Creator. What arrogance, pride and stupidity my brethren! That’s why our world is snowballing downhill faster and faster every day.
And the psalmist is also trying to show us the right way, when he declares after our Bit: ‘Let the people praise thee O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase (give her produce); and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.’ (Ps.67:5-7)
Ah Friends, I don’t know what to say nuh, what will make us change our evil and foolish ways. We’re so stubborn and pigheaded, that though our world is going to hell in a hand basket, especially since we’ve begun removing God from being an integral part of our lives, we simply refuse to turn back to Him.
Man’s leadership is only bringing negative things like war, hate, greed, corruption, immorality, and ungodliness to our nations. Every day a new battleground of strife and enmity arises, while none of the ongoing ones are quelled.
The Ukraine has just started up, while Syria has been ongoing for about three years, and we have now forgotten that Libya is still a lawless, ungovernable country. And we won’t even talk about the many theatres of strife in Mother Africa.
So unless we want our children’s children to pay the terrible price for our ungodliness, then we’d better make a positive move RIGHT NOW my people! The evildoers are quite happy with the status quo, since they are profiting quite handily from it, so it’s up to us, true believers, to turn this world around.
And we can only do that by repenting and turning back to the omnipotent, but merciful, forgiving, just, righteous and merciful God of our Fathers. Consider ourselves warned, my brethren! Much LOVE!
…only the rapid spread of Jesus’ LOVE Revolution…can save our world…from total destruction…and that’s no lie…
23 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: advice, blessings, bolstering our spirits, caveat, chastised, Christians, common sense, Cousin Sol, cracked the whip, crux of the problem, destruction, fellowship, forgiveness, forsook the counsel, Friday chant, friends, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Glory Hallelujah! the weekend, good judgement, gospel truth, Guide, heavy yoke, in the multitude of counsellors there is safety, indisputable truth, Jesus Christ, long and short of the story, LOVE, man's inhumanity to man, mercies, mercy, moaning, mourning, multitude, new-found power, oppressed, patience, peers, plans go awry, poor judgement, Praise the Lord, pray in Jesus' Name, Proverbs, rebelled, Rehoboam, relaxation, rest, scorpions, servant, slaving for massa, speak good words, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Good Book, the way of a fool, undeniable wisdom, valuable lesson, wealth, where no cousnsel is the people fall, wisdom, wonderful god, work shall cease
Proverbs 11:14. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
And finally it was Friday… Glory Hallelujah! At long last the big day – the harbinger of the weekend is here! And all work shall cease, and the people shall rest their weary souls and bodies from slaving for massa!
And a loud cheer went up from the workers: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
Yes Friends, let’s thank our great and wonderful God that it’s not only Friday, but a new day! A new day of life has been granted to us here on planet earth, where His blessings, mercies and forgiveness will pour down on us, as He so generously does, each and every day!
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Now to continue bolstering our spirits this Friday morning, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much sincerity. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my people, please let that be our guide for handling the weekend, for those two simple days off are very important in the general scope of our lives. How we handle them will dictate and determine what our new workweek will generally be like. So if you want to have a good workweek, you have to begin with a good weekend. End of sermon! (smile)
Now let’s see what our Bit has to say. ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.’
What undeniable wisdom Friends! For as the scholars tell us: ’11:14. The wise man gets advice from many people of good judgement before making a decision.’
However my brethren, there is one caveat, or rather two caveats to that statement, as well as our Bit. The first thing to beware of is advice from ‘many people.’
The problem there is that advice from too many people tends to be overwhelming, sluggish and all over the place. Sometimes it’s also incomprehensible, simply because of the number of voices giving advice.
So we need to winnow, to scale down the number of our advisers to a select few; a handful, or not much more, so we won’t have too many voices and opinions ringing in our ears.
And the second, but even more important thing to be very careful of, is that we recruit people of ‘good judgement’ to give us advice. That’s the crux of the problem right there Friends! Too often we end up with people of poor judgement, even though they may be Christians.
Remember, not because someone claims to be a Christian that they possess sound judgement. Now it’s always desirous, or preferable to get advice from Christians with good sense, but the good judgement aspect is more important than the Christian part.
And we see the perfect example of this in the Good Book, in 1 Kings 12. At that time Cousin Sol’s son, Rehoboam was made king of Israel and the people came to plead with him for mercy, because Cousin Sol had laid a heavy yoke on them, in order to support his vast enterprises.
Unfortunately though, Rehoboam listened to the group of his peers, the young men, rather than the group of older and wiser men.
The latter advised patience and mercy: ‘And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him. And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
And the young men that were grown up with him, spake unto him saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
And whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’ (1 Kin.12:7-11)
And the scholars give us this info: ’12:11. Scorpions means the multi-tailed whips to which barbed points or hooks were attached. Their sting was as severe as that of a scorpion.’
Ah Lord eh! Man’s inhumanity to man is surely a great instrument of moaning and mourning!
The long and short of the story though Friends, is that Rehoboam cracked the whip even harder than his father did, because of advice from people with poor judgement. And their advice was bad, not necessarily because they were young, because the young can be wise and the aged unwise.
But obviously they were revelling in their youth, their wealth and new-found power. And believe me Friends, those latter two things, wealth and power can work very negatively in the hands of the young, can cause them to bring destruction on themselves and those they rule or advise.
And what happens eventually? Like it always does when people are oppressed beyond measure. Israel rebelled, overthrew Rehoboam and replaced him with Jeroboam. Rehoboam lost it all because of a lack of common sense and mercy on his and his young advisers part.
So my brethren, I surely hope that this teaches us a valuable lesson. For as Cousin Sol declares later on in Proverbs: ‘Without counsel purposes are disappointed (plans go awry): but in the multitude of counselors they are established.’ (Prov.15:22)
It’s indisputable truth! But again my people, please beware of that word ‘multitude,’ and make sure that your advisers are people, preferably Christians, of sound judgement. That’s wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…the way of a fool is right in his own eyes…but he that hearkeneth to counsel…is wise… (Prov.12:15)
19 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: Abraham, advice, aura of love, blessings, body of Christ, British Commonwealth, Bruh David, cease from anger, christ jesus, Christian, Christian behaviour, comfort, confidence, Creator of the universe, do no evil, done the will of god, empathizing, encouragement, endurance, enthusiasm, evildoers shall be destroyed, faith, faithful God, favour, fiery darts, footsteps of Jesus, forsake wrath, fret not thyself, further God's glorious kingdom, glorify God, harmonious voice, hold on to our faith, holy spirit, hope, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, lies, mature Christians, maturity, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, Oh Lord God Almighty, patience, patiently endured, perseverance, praise Your Holy Name, prayer, Queen Victoria, receive the promise, recompense, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, Rest in the Lord, reward, serve a useful purpose, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, sterner stuff, sure conquerors, surrender our all, the God of patience and comfort, the Good Book, they shall inherit the earth, to the glory of God, unfortunate brethren, ungodly world, unity in Christ, walk of faith, wicked schemes, worthwhile inroads
Luke 21:19. In your patience, possess ye your souls.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday… And some of us unashamedly laugh and cackle because we don’t have to go to work today. Thanks to good ole Queen Vic (Victoria), it’s a holiday in Canada and some other parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations!
But my cackling Friends, that’s not very Christian behaviour. You ought to be empathizing with your unfortunate brethren, who have to go out and labour today in an unfriendly world. Anyway, please repent of your petty behaviour and then sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with those unfortunates in loud, harmonious voice.
As one prayerful and grateful body of Christ now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Ah mih people, that was a good rendition, no doubt bolstered by the enthusiastic voices of those who don’t have to go to work! But whatever, Jesus was pleased. Now let’s see if we can please Him when we go out to labour and the fiery darts of the enemy begin to flash at us.
Let’s see if we can stand up strong, display that tenacity, that backbone and belly for which Christians have been famous for from the early days, and fulfill the words of Jesus in our Bit: ‘In your patience possess ye your souls.’
Yes my brethren, in our faith, patience, perseverance and endurance are everything! If we don’t major in those qualities, then we’ll never become mature Christians. For it’s in our standing steadfast and strong during times of adversity that we improve, mature in our walk of faith. And today, all I want to do is to share some seminal scriptures on the subject of patience, perseverance and endurance.
Hear Bruh Paul talking to the Romans about unity in Christ. ‘For whatsoever things were written aforetime (beforehand) were written for our learning, that we through patience (perseverance) and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation (comfort) grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Rom.15:4-6)
Yeh Friends, to be like Jesus and the Father, we need to have patience, because they have that in abundance, and likewise all those who laboured for them, as written in the scriptures for our encouragement.
Now listen to the author of Hebrews, as he enjoins us with a plea to hold on to our faith. ‘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)
And we have a wonderful example of that in our father Abraham. ‘For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’ (Heb.6:13-15)
Yes Friends, our God is a faithful God, but by necessity He needs to try and test us to see if we’re made of sterner stuff, able to follow in the footsteps of His Son.
And we’ll close with a word on the subject from Bruh David. ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm). For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps. 37:7-9)
Oh my fellow believers, we couldn’t ask for better advice than that, for Bruh David not only spoke it, but he also lived it. And we see in the God Book, how the Lord favoured him abundantly as he stood strong under his many trials. Now let us go out today and see if we can do the same nuh – all to the glory of our wonderful God! Much LOVE!
…but if we hope for that we see not…then do we with patience (perseverance)…(eagerly) wait for it… (Rom.8:25)
14 May 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a tree planted by the waters, achievement of excellence, advice, avoid the tempter's snare, blessed are the righteous, brings forth fruit in season, cancer survivor, chaff, complaining about the heat, congregation of the righteous, consent thou not, counsel of the ungdly, Cousin Sol, damned, danger of associating with evil people, Dave Dravecky, delights in the law of God, destruction, don't confuse life with God, don't follow evil men, don't walk the path of the wicked, doomed, eternal life, eternal separation from God, evil men, follow the straight and narrow path, from every evil way, God is good, good and bad times, How I love thy law, Jesus' desires, judgement, leaf doesn't wither, leave the evil way behind, life is not fair, LOVE, lusts, make haste to shed blood, materialism, meditates, pay a hefty price, ponders, prosper, Proverbs, Psalm 1, psalm 119, reject the invitation of criminals, restrained my feet, rise to the occasion, salvation, scornful, separated from Christ, shines brighter and brighter, sincerity, sinners, sinners entice thee, sits in the seat of the scornful, stands in the way of sinners, stumble, summer-like weather, Thank You Lord, that I might keep thy words, the bread of wickedness, the evil path of sinful man, the Good Book, the individual's responsibility, the law of God, the Lord's Word, the middle of the week, the path of the just, the things of God, the way of the righteous, the way of the ungodly shall perish, the way of the wicked is as darkness, the wine of violence, the world worships evil, their feet run to evil, truth, tuned in to our heavenly Father, undisciplined, ungodly, we praise and bless your holy name, wealth without work, Wednesday, wisdom, words to live by
Proverbs 4:14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Oh Friends, can you believe it’s already Wednesday, the middle of the week! Wow! The days surely are passing rather quickly, and we are having some wonderful summer-like weather!
We’ll soon forget about the lengthy, cold winter and start complaining about the heat. Hn! I guess that’s just man’s nature – not happy unless he’s complaining about something.
Anyway, I have an interesting quote to share today… Oh chuh! They are always interesting! (smile) This one comes from the ex-baseball star, Dave Dravecky, a cancer survivor. In his book, ‘Comeback,’ he writes these memorable words. ‘Life is not fair, but let’s not confuse life with God.’
And isn’t that the awesome truth my people! Our God is good! He doesn’t create our problems, though He might allow them. He fixes them! And if we sincerely adhere to His directives, during both the good and bad times, we will turn out to be wonderful witnesses that life is not fair, but God is Good, in fact, extremely wonderful!
And that’s why Cousin Sol, in today’s Bit, solemnly warns us: ‘Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.’
Oh Friends and fellow believers, we can be given no better advice than that! For if we follow the paths of evil men, we’ll surely be damned, doomed, and eventually separated from Christ, from His wonderful gifts of salvation and eternal life! And that’s not a very nice path to envision at all, at all.
And Cousin Sol was so assured of his reasoning, that he continues: ‘Avoid it, pass not by it (do not travel on it), turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except (unless) they have done mischief (evil); and their sleep is taken away (robbed), unless they cause some to fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining (bright) light, that shineth more and more (grows ever brighter) unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.’ (Prov.4:15-19)
Words to live by my brethren! Words that hearken back to our quote: all those evil happenings are life, or a part of it, but our great and wonderful God is on a completely different level. He shows up in verse 18, as the shining light that ever brightens our day!
And all of God’s people declared in a loud and grateful voice: ‘Thank You Lord! We praise and bless Your Holy Name!’
Yes Friends, we have so much to thank God for, that even if we live till eternity, we won’t have enough time to do it. (smile) Now let’s check out some other scriptures that also warn us about following the evil path of sinful man.
And we’ll begin with an interesting verse from the longest chapter in the Good Book, Psalm 119. The psalmist in the section MEM, How I LOVE thy law, proudly declares: ‘I have refrained (restrained) my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.’ (Ps.119:101)
What a beautiful sentiment my people! Are we doing that too – refraining, restraining from evil so that we might keep the Lord’s Word? I surely hope so, because that is one of the things which keeps us strongly tuned in to our heavenly Father.
Meanwhile, Cousin Sol, right in the opening chapter of Proverbs, warns his offspring: ‘My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not… My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain (keep) thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.’ (Prov.1:10,15-16)
Ah mih breddren, those are words which we should be constantly teaching our children. But unfortunately, too many of us are not doing so, and that’s why our children are so undisciplined, ungodly and tending more to the lusts and materialism of the world, than to the things of God, for which we’ll all eventually pay a hefty price if it continues.
Now here’s some info from the scholars: ‘1:10. Occasionally the expression my son occurs within a discourse. The wise son rejects the invitation of criminals who promise wealth without work (v.13). The verse stresses the individual’s responsibility to avoid the tempter’s snare. (cf. James 1:14-15).’
But you can’t know of the evil unless you’re first taught it, so it’s still our responsibility to teach our children the dreadful dangers of associating with evil and wicked people.
And we’ll close with words from that beautiful piece of writing, Psalm 1, titled, Blessed are the righteous. ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder) day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (channels) of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.’ (Ps.1:1-6)
Oh mih people, mih people, it couldn’t be put any simpler or clearer than that! So today, let’s rise to the occasion nuh; let’s come up higher, let’s attend to the achievement of excellence, of wisdom, as Jesus desires of His followers!
Let’s leave the evil way behind, and wisely follow the straight and narrow path that leads to salvation and eternal life. It’s the only path that it makes sense to follow in this evil and ungodly world. So let’s follow it nuh, with all sincerity and truth! Much LOVE!
…the world worships evil…which only earns destruction and eternal separation from God…not very good results by any standard whatsoever…
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