19 Sep 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all is not lost, all power, almighty god, amassing their own fortune, baptizing them, blowing the horn of repentance, calamity, cancer, Caribbean islands, devastating circumstances, Dominica, drink at the trough, east coast of North America, evil, faith, fame, friend of Jesus, go ye therefore, God's chosen people, God's Word, God's wrath, godless way, greedy desires, greetings, happenstance, height of evolution, hurricane Maria, idol worshippers, in the name of the Father, infinite power of God, Jesus riding shotgun, Jose, lobbyists, loving fold, make disciples, medical knowledge, meditation, most intelligent generation, natural disasters, obedience to God's word, of all nations, out of our socierty, pagans, pick up the slack, power, power brokers, prayer, prolong our lives, re-elected, religious leaders, repentance, repented, righteous believers, salutations, share His love, sinful, smartened up, spread the good news of Jesus, sufferation, summer's day, surging seas, teach, the beloved of God, the bounden duty, the Holy Ghost, The Israelites, the puny power of man, the righteous, the SON, tooting their own horns, Tuesday Mantra, ungodly doings, untested chemicals, wealth, wicked land, worship our Creator, writing on the wall
Matthew 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of ) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Greetings and salutations my faithful brethren, on what appears to be another beautiful summer’s day in my area!
I feel bad to say it when hurricane Maria has just mashed up the lovely island of Dominica, and is preparing to cut a devastating swath through a number of the smaller beautiful Caribbean islands.
And I guess we can be thankful that Jose seems to be staying off the land as it cruises up the east coast of North America, bringing rain and surging seas to the coastal areas.
I don’t know how else to put it nuh friends, but it surely seems that God is warning us, what with all the natural disasters we’re suffering concurrently, as well as consecutively. It couldn’t all be just happenstance; it’s just too devastating and on too large a scale.
But yuh think anybody is noticing that, meaning the powerful people in our society, like our leaders and the rich and famous amongst us? Yuh think they are calling out for times of prayer and meditation on God’s word and the sincere and diligent doing of it.
Obviously not, because their power and fame and wealth is all tied up in evil and ungodly doings. They are all part of the movement to drive Almighty God completely out of our society and thus out of our lives.
They still foolishly believe in putting their faith in the puny power of man. But when has man ever triumphed over the infinite power of God eh? NEVER!
On the other hand friends, this is the time for the righteous, especially the religious leaders, to start loudly blowing the horn of repentance throughout this sinful and wicked land.
But unfortunately too many of our so-called religious leaders are too busy tooting their own horns and amassing their own fortune to see, or be bothered about the current devastating circumstances.
I can’t help recalling the numerous times that God’s Chosen People, the Israelites turned away from Him and became pagans and idol worshippers, but when the full force of His wrath hit them, they smartened up, repented and returned to His LOVING fold.
What’s wrong with us, eh? Why can’t we see the clear writing on the wall? God is simply tired with the evil and godless way in which we’re living. We’re supposed to be the most intelligent generation of humans ever, but we’re certainly not showing it when and where it counts; in these dismal times of widespread calamity and enormous ‘sufferation.’
We’re trying to prolong our lives through our own efforts, reach other worlds, and do all sorts of nonsensical stuff, but refuse to do the basic thing needed; worship our Creator and live the way He wants us to.
Just look at this simple example; our society is at the height of its evolution, we have so much medical knowledge and otherwise, yet more and more people are dying of cancer today than ever before.
And we’re putting more and more money into its research, which is a farce, because the solution lies in removing the many untested chemicals and other compounds from the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink.
Every day thousands of new untested chemicals are coming on board and making the situation worse, but creating more wealth and power for their creators. Our governments no longer run the country, but the power brokers behind the scenes, fronted by the ever-growing number of crooks, nicely termed lobbyists.
And the supposed leaders have to bow to their evil and greedy desires if they want to get re-elected and keep drinking at the trough of wealth and power. What a crazy and evil-filled world we live in my brethren!
But yuh know what friends,, all is not lost. All is NEVER lost when we have Jesus riding shotgun by our sides. And it is the bounden duty of the minority of the righteous believers to pick up the slack and sincerely and diligently spread the good news of Jesus far and wide as He instructed the disciples in our Bit.
But let’s hear the whole context. ‘And Jesus came and spake unto them (the 11 disciples), saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
Oh friends, that is exactly what we need to do, especially in our own society, in these troubled and unfortunate times. Now let’s go home, declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are.
In all sincerity and truth now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
And if that’s the true state of our hearts and our lives, then let’s go out and joyfully share it with the rest of the world nuh, as Jesus so earnestly desires of us. Much LOVE!
…a society truly prospers…in direct proportion …to its obedience to God’s word…
P.S. Please excuse the lateness of the Bit. I just slept in. (smile) Much LOVE!
22 May 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a rainy Sunday, aura of love, bounden duty, Canadians, clothed with majesty, clothed with strength, confidence, conquerors, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, end times, energy, enthusiasm, friends, girded himself, glorious kingdom, God is alive, guilty, hardy breed, harmonious choir, holy spirit, homage, humble servants, hungry hope, I am with you always, impeding God's work, in the name of the Father, inventive, invincible, Jesus Christ, joy, lies, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, make disciples of, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, moral support, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, righteousness., shout it to high heaven, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, taunts, teach, the Gentiles, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Great Commission, the heathen, the Holy Ghost, the Lord reigns, the nature of the beast, the SON, the world is established, trust, truth, turning away from God, ungodly world, vacation time, Victoria Day, wiles, wisdom, wood ants, words of truth
Psalm 93:1. The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved (shaken).
And it was a rainy Sunday… Yes friends, the rain spoiled the outside celebrations yesterday for our Victoria Day long weekend. Chuh! But we Canadians are a hardy and inventive breed; no wonder our party season is in the winter and vacation time is the summer. And despite the rain, I’m sure that the celebrations, which had to be moved inside, were just as rocking and rollicking as if they had been outside. (smile)
And we still have one day to go, which should be sunny, so please, please, listen to Granny, and drunk or sober, please mind yuh business. Don’t give Lucifer even a small chance to become involved in it, because like wood ants, once he gets in, you won’t notice or see him, until the whole house is falling down around your head. (smile)
And fortunately for us in this great country called Canada, most of us don’t have to go out and labour today…Thank you Queen Vic! But others around the world do, so let’s sing along with them, give them some moral support, as they face the rough Monday morning going. As one big harmonious choir now, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, with plenty energy and hungry hope.
‘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 friends, it had plenty energy, but it certainly wasn’t harmonious; more hoarse and croaky than anything. And as always, the loudest and croakiest voices belonged to those who did not have to go to work today. That’s just the nature of the beast. And our choirmaster, Jesus, just smiled like an indulgent father, appreciating our energetic though totally off-key output.
And that brings us to our Bit. ‘The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved (shaken).’
Glorious words of truth my people! As we said at the beginning of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, He is ‘the Creator of the universe and all therein!’ Therefore we ought to pay Him great homage, exalt His holy name throughout all the universe, as Jesus instructed His disciples: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
And that’s the Great Commission that has been handed down to us my brethren! But I don’t think we’re doing such a great job of it nuh. Let’s see, are we doing what the psalmist advocates?
‘Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; show forth (proclaim the good news of) his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen (gentiles), his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Give (ascribe) unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give (ascribe) unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear (tremble) before him all the earth. Say among the heathen (gentiles) that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be (is firmly) established that it shall not be moved (shaken): he shall judge the people righteously.’ (Ps.96:2-10)
Oh my people are we doing those things in these end times? Obviously not to the best of our ability, otherwise so many people would not be turning away from God and gladly embracing the wicked and evil ways of the world.
Ah friends, it’s up to us to teach our children about the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so that His mighty wonders and LOVING-kindness can be passed down from generation to generation. Please, let’s not be guilty of impeding God’s work, of not passing on the vital formation that we’ve been commissioned to do, because we’ll have to answer for it one day. Much LOVE!
…if we sincerely believe that God is alive and great…then it’s our bounden duty to shout it to high heaven…
18 Apr 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a rejuvenated mind set, alive, ambassadors, baptizing, bring glad tidings of good things, bubbling, buoyed our spirits, calling upon the Lord, captivity, celebrations, Christ's Resurrection, cleansing, communication tools, crucial times, Easter, eternal life, expectant faith, feasts, followers of Jesus, forgiveness, friend jesus, from glory to glory, God reigns, God's majesty, good news, gospel truth, harvest, healing, hear without a preacher, how beautiful are the feet, hungry hope, in the name of the Father, Isaiah, labouring, make disciples of all nations, maturity, mercy, Nahum, observe all things, Old Testament, on the cross, peace, put our best foot forward, reapers, reconciliation, reignited the flame of love, salvation, saving grace, selflessly sacrificed, service, share His love, share it, sinless life, spiritual witness, spiritual work, teach, the beloved of God, the Easter season, the end times, the glory ladder, the gospel of peace, the Holy Ghost, the SON, the stairway of maturity, them who preach, Tuesday Mantra, unbelievers, vows, worker bees, worldly occupations, Zion
Romans 10:15b. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
And then it was Tuesday; Easter Tuesday, a day of work for most! Yeh friends, the over the top celebrations finish now, and it’s time to get back to some serious labouring, both in our worldly occupations and also our spiritual work for Jesus.
Hopefully the Easter festivities, especially Christ’s resurrection, has buoyed our spirits, reignited the flame of LOVE and service in our hearts, thus giving us a rejuvenated mind set, moving us up a notch on the stairway of maturity.
Oh my people, my people, it’s at crucial times like these where we need to improve our spiritual witness, and move up the glory ladder; from glory to glory, where we’re once more alive and bubbling with hungry hope and expectant faith in Jesus!
The end times are drawing ever closer my brethren, but the harvest is still plentiful, there’s yet much to be reaped, and since we are the reapers, we need to be strong and enthusiastic so that we can put our best foot forward for Christ.
Remember we are Christ’s ambassadors, His worker bees here on earth, and He’s expecting us to bring as many people as possible – in fact ALL people to His saving grace.
That’s what the Easter season is about; why He selflessly sacrificed His sinless life on the cross; so that whosoever will may come and receive His cleansing and healing and new way of life, which includes salvation, reconciliation and eternal life with the Father and Himself.
Now how precious is that eh? But friends, how can the unbelievers get this wonderful news unless someone shares it with them eh?
And we are that someone! It’s our responsibility to share the wonderful and free saving grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ to all and sundry. ‘So that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rom.10:13)
Yes my fellow believers, as Bruh Paul reminds the Romans, using the words found in Joel 2:32, salvation comes from calling upon the Lord for His saving grace.
But then, as he further queries the Romans: ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?’ (Rom.10:14-15a)
And that’s all very pertinent stuff my people. How can unbelievers be saved if they don’t hear the gospel? And they can only hear it if someone shares it with them.
That brings us to our Bit. ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!’
Oh friends that’s such a touching bit of scripture! And it’s also indisputable, gospel truth!
For there is nothing as wonderful as believers obeying Jesus’ last command to His disciples: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
Now that’s our basic job as followers of Jesus. And you’ll notice at the end that Jesus even assured us that He’d be always with us wherever and whenever we’re spreading His word.
Unfortunately though my faithful brethren, we’re not doing it as well, as purposefully and diligently as we ought to. Why, I really can’t say. It might be through fear of repercussions from this evil world in which we dwell. Or it might just be simple laziness and sloth, or us being more concerned about living a comfortable earthly life than laying up rewards in heaven.
But friends, whatever the reason or reasons might be, if we aren’t helping to spread the good news of Jesus gospel in some form and fashion, then we’re not being good ambassadors of His.
It’s as plain and simple as that. And in these times of quick and far reaching communication tools, there is really no good excuse for any of us to not participate in the spreading of the gospel.
Now let’s look at the two Old Testament Scriptures from which Bruh Paul fashioned our Bit. The first comes from Isaiah, as he promises that the Lord will deliver His people Zion from captivity.
‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings (good news), that publisheth (proclaims) peace; that bringeth good tidings (good news) of good (good things), that publisheth (proclaims) salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!’ (Is.52:7)
And the second piece of scripture comes from the prophet Nahum, as he proclaims God’s majesty in mercy and judgement. ‘Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings (news), that publisheth (proclaims) peace!
Oh Judah, keep thy solemn (sacred, appointed) feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked (one of Belial, or worthless one) shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.’ (Nah.1:15)
And there you have it friends, the sources of our Bit. (smile) Now let’s go home sincerely declaring our Tuesday Mantra.
‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
So if we believe it, then let’s go out and do it as we ought to nuh! Much LOVE!
…only as we spread the gospel of Jesus…will the world be saved…
24 Feb 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a description of His being, an attribute of God, as your Father in heaven, Bacchanalian behaviour, be ye perfect, bless them that curse you, Calvary, Christ crucified, complete LOVE, crumble back to dust, day of spring, deceit, do good to them that hate you, eat and drink and party, everlasting life, evil, February, fellowship, Friday chant, generous help, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, God first loved us, God so loved the world, good, hate thine enemy, heavenly circumstances, His only begotten Son, hope for the future, Israel, Jesus Christ, Jesus died for our sins, lethal weapon, like there's no tomorrow, living forever, LOVE, love thy neighbour, Love your enemies, loved, massa, momentous, our Lord and Saviour, publicans, relaxation, repentance, rest, reward, Sermon on the Mount, sun to rise, taking it for granted, tax collectors, tempting, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the highest good, the Holy Ghost, the mire of hate, the weekend, the workingman, toast, unconditional, week of work, whosoever believes in him, will not perish, world changing
John 3:16. For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Oh friends, welcome to another day of spring in the midst of February! This past week has been something else yes; spring like temps in a time when it’s the white stuff that’s usually falling. Hn! But I’ll take the rain that’s coming down out there now, any day over the white stuff.
And it’s Friday to boot, so the workingman is happy, as he mouths his Friday song. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! That means the weekend is here too! Glory Hallelujah! No work for two whole big days! Take that massa! I can do whatever I want for the next two days and you can’t say a word! Bleh! (Longing out his tongue at the massa).
So we going to eat and drink and party, and carry on like there’s no tomorrow…for who knows if there’ll be a tomorrow anyway! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’
Ah mih people, I know that’s a very tempting way to spend our weekends, but it’s not a very wise one, for instead of helping to solve our problems, that kind of bacchanalian behaviour will only compound them.
Our Friday Chant is much more subdued but nonetheless still free and friendly enough to allow us to enjoy the comforts and blessings of life, while keeping our heads about us. So let’s chant it now in unison nuh, so that we can prep ourselves for the upcoming weekend.
‘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 friends, that way we both enjoy the benefits of the time off, as well as rejuvenate ourselves for the upcoming week, which are the only things that make sense under the circumstances.
Now let’s turn to our Bit, that awesome statement that changed the whole world, set it on its ear, some two thousand years ago. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’
Wow! What a momentous, world changing statement, out of the mouth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! The world has never been the same since then friends!
And you know the most important words in that scripture are simply, ‘God so LOVED…’ Yes my fellow believers, it all began with God’s LOVE! If He hadn’t LOVED, then we’ll all be toast at the end of our lives.
But because He LOVED, many of us will be living forever with Him in heavenly circumstances when our earthly bodies crumble back to the dust from which they were formed. So let’s have a look at this miraculous word called LOVE nuh.
The scholars have this to say about it. ‘3:16. LOVE is both an attribute of God and a description of His being. He alone is the epitome of divine LOVE and the source of all true LOVE. His LOVE is unconditional and consistently demonstrates the highest good of the one who is LOVED.
Illustration: God’s LOVE was clearly demonstrated at Calvary when Jesus died for all our sins (1 John 3:1). Application: Because God first LOVED us, we ought to LOVE others as well (1 John 4:11). (First Ref. Gen.2:16-17; Primary Ref. John 3:16; c.f. James 1:17).’
Ah mih people, LOVE is what gave us life in the first place, and what is also keeping us alive now, and giving us hope for the future. So how can we be so callous about it eh?
Listen to Peter and the other apostles when they were brought before the Jewish Council for continuing to preach Christ crucified, after being told to stop. ‘Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.’ (Acts 5:29-32)
Oh my people, please let’s take the LOVE of God seriously nuh, instead of just taking it for granted. As I said yesterday, LOVE is the most lethal weapon in existence. Listen to Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.
‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you, and persecute you.
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye LOVE them which LOVE you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans (tax collectors) the same?
And if ye salute (greet) your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ (Matt.5:43-48)
Please note friends, that perfect here doesn’t mean sinless, but as the scholars say, ‘complete, that is, possessing a complete LOVE that, like God’s (v.45), embraces those who LOVE you as well as those who do not.’
So please my fellow believers, let’s just do what Jesus desires of us nuh, for that’s the ONLY way we’ll ever be successful. Much LOVE!
…without true LOVE…the world will eventually sink into the mire of hate and deceit that currently has it in grip…
12 Jan 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adopted, At the cross, broken, cantankerous, Christ's body, Christ's death, clear direction, curse, death, dissension, disunity, divine protection, divisions, elders, Ephesus, eternal life, extend your love, family, feed, fellowship, foundation, free, friends, fulfillment, grasping the cross, homage, I bow my knee, injustice, it is done, Jesus, LOVE, LOVE Revolution, made a way, negative word, overcome the grave, overseers, peace, positive impact, promotion, purchased with his own blood, quarrellsome, reconciliation, resentment, sacrifice, salvation, shame, shepherd, sin, sinners, sons of God, success, supernatural strength, take heed, the church, the church of God, the cross of Christ, the focal point, the grave, the Holy Ghost, Thursday Blessings, to all the flock, tore the veil, wisdom
Acts 20:28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed (shepherd) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
And then it was Thursday… and I don’t know what to write about. Hn, hn! It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, it both amuses and concerns me.
Sometimes I have to wait a while for the Lord to show up and guide me, but today I didn’t have to wait at all. I just happened to look, or rather was guided to look at a sheet of paper in front of me with some quotes that I had written down, and there it was!
It’s titled ‘Grasping the Cross!’ And it says: ‘Lord Jesus, Your cross is the focal point of our lives. Hold us tightly as we cling to Your cross and extend Your LOVE to others.’
And you know friends, we couldn’t want for a more stable and solid foundation to cling to than the cross of Jesus, for that’s where it all came to fruition.
Yeh, it’s at the cross that it was all turned around; sin, death and the grave were defeated; salvation, reconciliation and eternal life were ushered in; our sins were paid for and we became adopted sons of God. Oh glory to the Most High!
And this excerpt from ‘At the Cross’ by the Hillsong Group amplifies it all. ‘At the cross I bow my knee Where Your blood was shed for me There’s no greater LOVE than this, no You have overcome the grave Glory fills the highest praise
What can separate me now You tore the veil, You made a way When You said that it is done You tore the veil, You made a way When You said that it is done.’
Jesus certainly did, my fellow believers! No other act in human history has had such a sensational, fruitful and positive impact as Christ’s death on the cross. And it was all for us my people…all for us worthless sinners.
Now do we truly appreciate that monumental sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? And do we pay the appropriate homage that is due to Him by the way we live our lives? I certainly hope so, otherwise we’d be doing Him a most serious injustice.
He died that we could be free…free from sin and shame…free to live forever under His glorious umbrella of eternal life. Have we accepted that fact, and do our lives reflect it? That’s how His body, the church, ought to be portraying His sacrifice.
That brings us to our Bit, the words of Bruh Paul to the elders of the church of Ephesus, whom he called to him at Miletus.
‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed (shepherd) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.’
Unfortunately though friends, in these modern times, I don’t think we are doing a worthwhile job of shepherding God’s body, the church. There are too many divisions, too much dissension and resentment within Christ’s body over miniscule matters. Too much, I an me, instead of we and thou.
I don’t have to specify anything, because we all know of some negative matter affecting the smooth and godly running of our church, something that should not be taking place at all. And sadly, this disunity within the ranks of the church is turning others away in droves, for who wants to be a part of a body that’s cantankerous and quarrelsome eh?
It’s obviously disrupting Jesus’ LOVE Revolution, since LOVE cannot exist under those circumstances. We desperately need to fix the situation my fellow believers, for until there is true peace and sincere fellowship in Christ’s church, we’ll keep going backward instead of forward, and that’s totally unacceptable.
So let’s get serious about Christ’s business nuh, and stop all the petty infighting. Let’s focus on His cross and be as one, the way He desires us to be. That’s the only way we’ll accomplish anything positive.
Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings. With such a great variety of blessings, we ought to be able to fund unity in the church. All together now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!
I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Please put them all into action now, by declaring them over others too. Much LOVE!
…at the cross…at the cross… where I first found Jesus…
24 Dec 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a righteous man, a unique sensation, Anselm, availeth much, barren, Blessed be the Lord God, bonding, celebrate, christmas day, christmas eve, circumcision, come a calling, comfort them, Confess your faults, dayspring, dramatist, dumb, Elisabeth, forerunner, friends, generosity, Glory to god in the highest, go before the face of the Lord, goodness is abour character, harbinger, his name is John, holy prophets, honesty, hope for the best, horn of salvation, how we treat others, in his mother's womb, integrity, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, jump for joy, kindness, knowledge of salvation, laid them up in their hearts, LOVE, Mary, mercy, Messiah, Mighty Deliverer, moral courage, mortality, mourning, noised abroad, one to another, praised God, pray, pray for one another, redeemed his people, safe and sound, salvation, Scrip-Bit family member, selflessly blessing us, shadow of death, the birth of our Lord and Saviour, the effectual fervent prayer, the face of the Lord, the greatest power on earth, the grim reaper, the Holy Ghost, the Lord God of Israel, the prophet of the Highest, thou child, time of grief, to prepare his ways, U.W.I, what the Lord has called you to do, Zechariah
Luke 1:76. And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.
Oh friends, it’s Christmas Eve, the day before the big one – Christmas Day, when we joyfully celebrate the birth of our most wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Glory to God in the highest for selflessly blessing us with Jesus Christ!
But yuh know what, is not everybody that celebrating this Christmas time nuh. I heard today that another of my U.W.I (University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica) classmates, Dwight Venner died yesterday. Ah Lord eh! He is at least the sixth one that I know about, who has died this year. Steups!
And all of them were around my age yes. That certainly brings your own mortality to mind. But you can’t do anything about it nuh, just keep on doing what the Lord has called you to do and hope for the best. The only thing we’re really sure of in this life is that someday the Grim Reaper will come a calling and we’ll go whether we want to or not.
So I’m asking us on this Christmas Eve day to pray for the Venner family in their time of grief. I believe he was from St. Lucia, and just ask the Lord to comfort them in their mourning when they should be celebrating the birth of Christ. It’s not easy to lose anybody at all, much less at a time like this.
Let’s also remember to pray for Keith, our Scrip-Bit family member, who is slowly recovering from his stroke, and comfort him too while he mourns the loss of his departed brother.
Remember, as James says: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’(James 5:16) Yeh friends, prayer is the greatest power we have down here on God’s great earth, so please let’s use it often and wisely nuh.
Now I have so much scripture to share that I only have space for one of our friend Anselm’s quotes today. And I had a hard time choosing one, because they were all interesting, they all can inspire us for a better tomorrow. And this is the one that finally won out: ‘Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.’
And that’s no lie my brethren, all those qualities are very important parts and qualities of our Christian life! Now since John the Baptist was Christ’s cousin as well as His forerunner and harbinger, I thought this Christmas Eve would be a good time to check out John’s early story, as we will do tomorrow for Christ.
This brings us to our Bit: ‘And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.’ Those were the prophetic words of John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, at his circumcision. Now our God is such a dramatist that sometimes I have to shake my head in wonder at His doings.
Remember how he made Zechariah dumb because he didn’t believe that his barren wife Elisabeth would eventually bear him a child. (Luke 1:5-25) And also how He brought Mary and Elisabeth together and caused John to jump for joy in his mother’s womb when he heard Mary’s voice, and the three months the women spent bonding together.
Let the Good Book tell us the story: ‘Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins (relatives) heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her, and they rejoiced with her. (Her barrenness was no longer a cause for reproach).
And it came to pass, that on the eight day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zechariah, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings (things) were noised abroad (discussed) throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid (kept) them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.’ (Luke 1:57-66)
Oh my people, there’s no better dramatist than our God! And to add to that drama, the scholars tell us: ‘1:65. Fear came: The working of God produced a unique sensation among a people where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries.’
And after that, Zechariah just went mad prophesying, making up for all those months that he’d been dumb. Filled with the Holy Ghost, he prophetically declared. ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation (A Mighty Deliverer) for us in the house of his servant David. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all them that hate us;’ (Luke 1:68-71)
I have to leave out four verses here because of lack of space. But then Zechariah continued with our Bit. ‘And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission (forgiveness) of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring (dawn, Messiah) from on high hath visited us.
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 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 1:76-80)
Ah friends, yuh see the amazing power and dramatic expertise of our wonderful God! And that was child’s play to how He brought Jesus on the scene. (smile) We’ll talk about that tomorrow, the Lord willing. Till then, may he bless and keep us all safe and sound and cause us to enjoy the celebrations of the birth of His only Son, Jesus! Much LOVE!
…who is greater than our God eh…NOBODY…!
23 Dec 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: back on his feet, birth of Jesus Christ, blessed, boggles my imagination, Boxing Day, call me blessed, catch us offside, Christian perspective, Christmas, drinking, drinks flowing like water, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, eating, Elisabeth, exalt, exalted the lowly, faith, fellowship, fervent, filled the hungry, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gift giving, Granny's advice, handmaiden, heartrending prayer, hunting spree, imagery, in God my Saviour, it's Christ's birthday, looking over we shoulder, LOVE, magnitude of Mary's faith, Mary, massa, memorable day, mercy, my soul doth magnify the Lord, my spirit hath rejoiced, Old Statesman, party everlasting, partying, praising the Lord, put donw the mighty, reason for the season, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, scattered the proud, secular time, shopping, song of praise, spiritual time, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the evil one, the food, the Holy Ghost, the imagination of their hearts, the light shining in the dark, the low estate, the Magnificat, the prominent figure, the rich sent away empty, the sun rises, the wisdom of God, them that fear him, weekend, wrapping gifts
Luke 1:46. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify (exalt) the Lord.
Well friends, all the excitement of the Christmas season is finally coming to a head. Soon the shopping and the wrapping of gifts will end and the partying will start in earnest. Hn! That is if it hasn’t begun already.
And you know Sunday is the worst day that Christmas can fall on in terms partying, because a lot of people will be off from Friday to Wednesday, so that they can have the Christmas and Boxing Day Holidays to which they are entitled.
However, let’s hope that the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ shines through it all, and we don’t simply make this most memorable day merely a secular time of eating, drinking and gift giving. Now those things are an important part of it, but not the MOST important. We have to get in some spiritual time in there too.
But no doubt by the time the sun rises in the east this morning, we’re going to hear the myriad voices declaring ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! And Christmas Friday to boot! We have almost a whole week to do what we want! No massa looking over we shoulder and giving us a setta chupid orders!
The drinks will be flowing like water, and the Christmas food… Oh Lord! Look how it spread out and looking pretty nuh! Oh thank you Lord for this Friday that falls in the Christmas weekend! Is party everlasting!’
Ah mih people, let’s hope that’s not how most of us see it. Jesus has to be light shining in the dark, the prominent figure, because it’s His birthday.
Now let’s chant our Friday Chant which is not devoid of good times, but has a more moderate and Christian perspective. In unison now: ‘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.’
Ah mih breddren, this weekend we have more than two short days off yes, so please let’s use them wisely and remember Granny’s saying: ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’
Because for certain sure the evil one will be out on a serious hunting spree this long weekend, especially since we celebrating Christ’s birth. He won’t desire anything better than to catch a few of us offside. So please be careful.
Now we come to a piece of news that’s not so great. I’m hearing this kind of thing too often these days yes. I just heard today that another of our Scrip-Bit family, Keith Noel, had a massive stroke in Jamaica some three weeks ago.
Apparently his brother had died a few days earlier and he took it so hard that it brought on the stroke. So he couldn’t go to his brother’s funeral. Ah Lord eh! But the good news is that he was allowed out for two hours to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary. Glory be!
Oh friends, please let’s send up some fervent heartrending prayers for our family member Keith, hoping that he will soon be back on his feet, praising the Lord for His goodness. It’s the least we can do.
Finally, let’s turn to our Bit for today, the faithful and amazing words of the teenaged girl Mary, so rightly chosen it seems to be Christ’s mother. I guess the Lord would not have made a mistake there at all. (smile)
‘And Mary said, My soul doth magnify (exalt) the Lord.’
Yuh know people, every time I consider the magnitude of Mary’s faith at so tender an age, in those dark and difficult times, it just boggles my imagination. But listen to her song of praise after she joyfully accepts her upcoming role with all the enormous problems it entailed.
She begins with our Bit, then gladly declares: ‘And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate (lowly state) of his handmaiden (maid servant): for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats (thrones), and exalted them of low degree (the lowly). He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen (helped) his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.’ (Luke 1:47-55)
Oh friends, can you imagine a young girl speaking such enlightened words. The Holy Ghost must surely have been upon her to bring out that kind of reaction. And what we just read is known as ‘the Magnificat.’
The scholars tell us that it’s ‘based on the first word of the Latin translation (the Vulgate). It is rich in Old Testament imagery: Jesus’ coming was the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.’ And indeed it was my fellow believers!
After Mary’s declaration, the Good Book tells us: ‘And Mary abode with her (Elisabeth) about three months, and returned to her own house.’ (Luke 1:56)
Yuh see the wisdom of our God at work! He left Mary to bond with Elisabeth, to give her the required strength and whatever else she may have needed to perform the task He had set before her. And He does the same thing up to this day my people. He never gives us a task to do without giving us the wherewithal to do it.
So please, let’s learn from Mary, and instead of complaining and carrying on about our God-given tasks, let’s rejoice and give Him praise instead nuh, especially in this wonderful Christmas Season. Much LOVE!
…there is no other God besides ours…great, faithful, LOVING and true…
22 Dec 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a performance, a trumpet player, abundance, action, adore, bits of news, blessed, blessed arth thou among women, blessed is she that believed, blessed is the fruit of thy womb, blessings, blocked toilet, born to proclaim, brethren, broken, Christ's mother, Christian fashion, christianity, clear direction, compassionate heart, confidence, courage, creativity, curse, discredit, divine protection, down to earth, Elisabeth, exuding Christian feeling, faith, favour, filled with the Holy Ghost, for brethren to dwell in unity, friendly manner, fulfillment, genuine, glory to God, good friends, great family, greeting, happy to serve, Healer, health, hill country, how good and pleasant, in the name of Jesus, in true action, influential people, John the Baptist, jumps for joy, leaped in her womb, light, LOVE, LOVE in action, Mary, negative word, pleasant, positive, positive outlook, praise, promotion, prosper, reluctant to discredit, renewed my confidence, running sinks, salt, salutation, she spake out with a loud voice, shoddy job, strength, succeed, success, talent, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Holy Ghost, the house of Zechariah, the mother of my Lord, Thursday's Blessings, told her of the Lord, travail, upbeat note, walk this earth, wisdom, with haste, worked wonders, workmanship, Zechariah
Luke 1:42. And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Oh friends, oh friends, the ole fella has two good… no not two good, but two of the most wonderful and exciting bits of news to share!
First of all I was told that our bubba Scotty was back at church last Sunday…Glory to God! And he was looking good too…Give the Lord even more glory!
He still is not a hundred percent, but He is much better than he was. So let’s keep on praying that the wonderful healer, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, will soon restore him to full health. Isn’t our God great? He surely is!
And the second excellent piece of news is that I finally saw Christianity in true action. Wow!
The story goes like this: A few days ago, a plumber, a tall white guy, possibly in his forties, came to check out a couple of slow running sinks and a blocked toilet in my house. He fixed the sinks without a problem, but could not unblock the toilet. Finally he called a different department and got them to send someone else the following day.
This guy had to take down the toilet, and after much travail, (smile) finally removed the object that was blocking it. However, to the duchess and I, he did a somewhat shoddy job of putting the toilet back together. So she called and they sent the first plumber back yesterday.
On viewing what we thought was shoddy workmanship, he declared that the fella had actually done his job, but not as well as he could have. And you could see that in good Christian fashion, he was reluctant to discredit the other plumber.
Now, from his first visit, we had established that he was a Christian, also a trumpet player, and we had spoken some about our faith, but not to a great extent. And much to our surprise, he then began to work on improving the job.
Now he didn’t have to do it, and even though he was still on call and getting paid, a lot of others would have just left it and walked away. His manner was also pleasant and friendly and you could feel the Christian feeling exuding from him.
It was actually LOVE in action, not just talk. And I was really moved by his attitude. I saw the proverbial salt and light in his genuine, happy to serve, down to earth behaviour. And it sort of renewed my confidence in our faith.
Ah mih people, I don’t know if I described it properly, but a genuine caring for his job, and the way he did it enthusiastically, worked wonders on the duchess and I. Oh how good it would be to see more of that kind of attitude amongst our Christian brethren!
Anyway, here’s our Bit for today, don’t know if we have space for all I want to say now. (smile) ‘And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.’
Now that was Elisabeth, John the Baptist’s mother talking as Mary, her relative, Christ’s mother came to visit her.
The Good Book describes the scene thus: ‘And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zechariah, and saluted (greeted) Elisabeth.
And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation (greeting) of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.’ (Luke 1:39-41)
That’s when she declared our Bit. And isn’t it amusing, amazing, and mysterious, just like our God, to engineer such a meeting. Mary greets Elisabeth, and John the Baptist jumps for joy in his mother’s womb. He is having his first encounter with the mother of His Lord, whom he will be born to proclaim.
And Elisabeth continues after our Bit. ‘And whence (why) is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.’ (Luke 1:43-44)
Yeh mih people, the Holy Ghost obviously filled in Elisabeth with the enormous task that would befall Mary, and she ends with these powerful and most significant words. ‘And blessed is she that (who) believed: for there shall be a performance (fulfillment) of those things which were told her from the Lord.’ (Luke 1:45)
Elisabeth could only have known those things through the power of the Holy Ghost. What a way our wonderful God, the greatest scriptwriter of all time, tied together the cousins who would bear two of the most important and influential people ever to walk this earth!
How could we not adore, praise and give Him all the glory He deserves eh!
Now let’s go home on a further positive and upbeat note by declaring our Thursday Blessings. Remember, a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been proclaimed over someone.
All together now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection!
I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Yes mih people, blessings and more blessings! Now let’s go out and bless others and be salt and light in the world as Jesus expects us to be. Much LOVE!
…behold…how good and pleasant it is…for brethren to dwell together in unity… (Ps.133:1)
21 Dec 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a virgin, and bring forth a son, anxious, backwater town, betrothed, blessed art thou among women, bring forth a son, call his name Jesus, calm response, celebrations, Christ's mother, Christmas Season, conceive, consternation, courage, day of Christ's birth, Elisabeth, engagement, espousal, exalt, faith, fear not, found favour with God, full marks, Galilee, glory hallelujah, go overboard, good health, grateful, hail, highly favoured, his father David, House of David, I am a virgin, I am halfway home, I know no man, I'm not turning back, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, Joseph, joyful spirit, looking straight ahead, LOVE, manner of greeting, Mary, my hands are on the plough, Nazareth, old age, our Lord and Saviour, outlandish approach, Praise the Lord, purity, recognition, reign, rejoice, role players, saga, salutation, star of the show, strict Jewish community, that holy thing, the angel Gabriel, the breath of life, the glorious future with Jesus, the Holy Ghost, the house of jacob, the Lord is with thee, the power of the Highest., the Son of God, the Son of the Highest, the throne, thou shalt conceive, throw a tantrum, to know Jesus, troubled, under heavy manners, Wednesday Wail, womb, Zechariah
Luke 1:31. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Well, a good Wednesday morning, four days before Christmas, my fellow believers in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! (smile)
Let’s hope that this message reaches you all in good health and joyful spirit as we plan the celebrations for this Christmas season, where we remember and give thanks for the birth of Christ.
And all God’s people declared a loud, proud and grateful, ‘Praise the Lord!’
Yes friends, that day of Christ’s birth will soon be upon us, and we all know that Jesus is the star of the show, but today I want to talk about one of the lesser, but still very important role players in the story, Christ’s mother, Mary.
Now over the last few years, after getting more familiar with her part, I’ve come to believe that she doesn’t get the recognition she truly deserves. Remember it all begins with her.
‘And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused (betrothed, engaged) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.’ (Luke 1:26-27)
Yuh see friends, right there Mary’s importance in the proceedings is established. An angel of God, come to earth to talk to this young, engaged Jewish girl in a backwater town of Nazareth.
Before we go further though, let’s check out a couple of the scholars’ explanations. ‘1:26. This was the sixth month of Elisabeth’s pregnancy.’ Elisabeth was Mary’s cousin, at first barren, but then pregnant with John the Baptist.
‘1:27. Espousal (similar to our engagement period) was, under Jewish law, as binding as marriage. It lasted about a year, during which time the woman’s purity was maintained.’ So we see right there, Mary was already under heavy manners, because of her betrothal.
‘And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail (Rejoice), thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind (considered) what manner of salutation (greeting) this should be.’ (Luke 1:28-29)
Ah friends, can you imagine being a teenaged girl, engaged to be married in a strict Jewish community, sitting quietly in your parents house and this angel comes up to you and begins to exalt you. Obviously you’d be somewhat anxious and wonder what it was all about.
‘And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.’ (Luke 1:30-31)
Ah Lord eh! Can you imagine Mary’s consternation? She’s already been betrothed, and the rules are so strict, now this angel is coming to tell her that she will get pregnant and bring forth a son, who’s name shall be Jesus!
To make matters worse, she’s little more than a girl with no life experience in a tightly controlled Jewish society. Personally, I would not have wanted to be in her situation. But give Mary full marks for courage. She doesn’t go overboard, jump and holler, or any negative actions. She just listens quietly as the angel Gabriel continues:
‘He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest (Most High): and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’ (Luke 1:32-33)
Yes mih breddren, even in these enlightened times, such an outlandish approach would be a cause of consternation and anxiety in any experienced female. So can you imagine poor Mary’s thoughts?
She was engaged, and wasn’t supposed to have sex before marriage, but to have a child one must know a man first (at least in those days). So what was this angel trying to do to her life eh? But apparently she didn’t make a fuss, throw a tantrum over Gabriel words, but simply continued with her own question
‘Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know no man, (I am a virgin)? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest (Most High) shall over-shadow thee: therefore also that holy thing (one) which shall be born of thee shall be called the son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:34-37)
Mamacita! What a situation to put a young girl in! But you know what endears Mary to me? Her calm response in the face of all that the situation would entail for her.
‘And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.’ (Luke 1:38)
And the scholars tell us to consider and contrast Mary’s response with that of Zechariah (v.18) who didn’t believe when he was told that his barren wife would bear a son, and was made dumb until the birth of John the Baptist.
Yeh friends, Mary’s faith seems to have been well developed at a pretty young age. And we all know what she eventually went through, so please don’t dismiss her as just another bit player in the saga of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Now let’s go home, suitably challenged, (smile) declaring our Wednesday Wail with sincere passion and truth. In unison now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday!
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back.
I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Oh friends, it’s so wonderful to be associated with Jesus Christ, that words can’t describe it! Much LOVE!
…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…
02 Dec 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a wild and wicked weekend, Aloha, an excuse to party, another week of work, balance, be exceeding glad, behaviour we display, beloved, blessed, blessedness, celebrate the birth of Christ, character, Christ's work, Christ-like, Christian, Christmas Season, Christmas time, close proximity to God, debauchery, dispossess the child of God, each step I take, eat and drink and party, eternal destiny, evil, excellent manner, experience, exult, faith, falsely, fellowship, fiery trial, for my sake, Friday chant, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, glory in tribulations, God is real, God's deliverance, godly manner, grace, grow in faith, hope, I made it through, in Jesus' name, joy, justified, licentiousness, LOVE, patience, peace with God, persecute you, persecuted the prophets, perseverance, poured out, put through the fire, reconciliation, rejoice, rejoice in hope, relaxation, rest, restoration of our souls, revile you, reward in heaven, safely, salvation, shed abroad, some strange thing happened to you., TGIF! Thank God is Friday, thanks, the Beatitudes, the glory of God, the Holy Ghost, the LOVE of God, the reason for the season, the salvation of Christ Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount, think it not strange, to test our mettle, to try you, trials, tribulation, truth, vitality, words we speak, working for Jesus, worth its salt
1 Peter 4:12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.
Aloha friends, and family, Aloha! Is Friday one more time… And as expected, the place is already hopping in expectation of a wild and wicked weekend, especially with Christmas time in the air.
Yeh, mih people, all around the place yuh hearing the usual ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Thank God for the weekend in this Christmas season, where we going to eat and drink and party fuh so…and even fall down drunk sometimes too! Thank God for Fridays and the weekend, come Christmas time!’
And believe me, this time when we celebrate the birth of Christ, is used to cover a lot of debauchery and licentiousness. But thankfully, we believers know better, we know the true reason for the season; the birth of Christ, and we celebrate it in a much more godly manner, don’t just use it as an excuse to party.
Anyway, since it’s Friday let’s chant our Friday Chant, which shows a better standard of behaviour in the use of the weekend. As one now: ‘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.’
Yeh friends, that’s a much better way to spend the weekend, getting some balance and restoration in our souls, without which we won’t be able to do Christ’s work in the excellent manner that He expects from His followers.
Now let’s get to our Bit, which a lot of believers still can’t fathom. (smile) ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.’
Ah mih people, working for Jesus does not come easy, for at times, much of them unexpected, we are put through the fire to test our mettle, to see how our faith matches up with the words we speak and the behaviour we display. And it’s never easy to welcome these unexpected trials with the joy that is required of us.
However, as we grow in faith, as we stay in close proximity to Almighty God, taking all our problems to Him, finding joy in tribulation becomes easier. We have to go through it several times before we can truly appreciate the truth and the vitality contained therein.
Now we’ve heard James’ and Peter’s take on the subject, but no word on trials and tribulations will be worth its salt if it doesn’t contain these fiery words of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome.
‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience (produces perseverance); And patience, experience (character); and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed (does not disappoint); because the LOVE of God is shed abroad (has been poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.’ (Rom.5:1-5)
So friends, since we have been justified through Christ, through God’s doing, not man’s, and thus have right standing with Him through reconciliation, we can therefore rejoice in whatever befalls us, because we are sure of God’s deliverance.
Hn! Hope that makes sense. (smile) That’s why Bruh Paul says we can glory, can boast in all the negative stuff that comes upon us, since they only grow us, make us stronger in our faith, bring us closer to God and more Christ-like, which is our end-goal.
Now here is the crowning glory of it all, found in the words of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ that He delivered in the Sermon on the Mount. This is the last of the Beatitudes, and I don’t know if Jesus had a special reason for putting it last, possibly because He knew that it would be the hardest one to live by.
Nonetheless, please listen closely my brethren. ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ (Matt.5:11-12)
And the scholars give us this interesting and uplifting explanation. ‘5:12. Rejoice is the command that grows out of the blessedness of the believer. The phrase Rejoice, and be exceeding glad means even more, exult!
Great is your reward in heaven focuses attention on the eternal destiny of all things. If God is as real as He claims, if the Bible is true, if heaven is to be gained, then no temporary earthly trouble or persecution can dispossess the child of God of joy in the prospect of the eternal glory that lies ahead.’
Oh friends, we know that our wonderful God is real, He is who He claims to be, plus the Bible is true, so no earthly trouble should take away our joy in the salvation of Christ Jesus!
So let’s go out today and just exult nuh; exult in the glory of God, knowing that our place in heaven is safe and secure! That’s what it means to be a true and mature Christian! Much LOVE!
…mourning may last for a night…but joy comes in the morning…because our faith is strong…and Christ’s salvation is real…
P.S. I visited our bubba Scotty yesterday afternoon. He is doing much better. He says he’s alive but can’t kick too hard just yet. (smile) So let’s keep on praying for him to make a full recovery very soon. Much LOVE!
Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
SCRIP-BITS 