With God Constantly Watching over Christians, Fear and Anxiety have NO Part in Their lives

16 Oct 2026 Leave a comment

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   16 October 2026   Matthew 10:31.

Matthew 10:31.       Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

And yes, it’s truly Friday, so although it’s a wet, cloudy, windy, chilly day, our Friday Mantra was still offered up with a loud, thankful voice: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at last!’ We’re all grateful for the two day break  from work, but some of us badly need it to recuperate from all the Thanksgiving celebrations at the beginning of the week, and then the horror of work right on top of it. (smile)

And today I want to offer a short tribute to one of the world’s greatest entertainers, Slinger Francisco (1935-1926); better known as the Mighty Sparrow, who recently died in New York, the place he’s called home for several years now. Sparrow was one of the men who put Calypso on the world stage, along with other performers like Kitchener, Melody, and Calypso Rose. What’s not as widely known though is that Sparrow was also a wonderful balladeer as his album of ballads proves. Sparrow was indeed an all-round performer, who kept the legacy of Calypso alive for some seven decades.

Born in Grenada, Sparrow grew up in Trinidad and did the country proud. He wasn’t an angel, and there are numerous stories about his bad side. But I believe the good outweighed the bad,  and that’s about all any of us can ask for in this complicated and oftentimes tough life. However, I remember the days of the rivalry between himself, Kitchener and Melody, always fighting to win the Road March, the most popular tune played on the road at the Carnival celebrations, while constantly provoking each other in song.

Those were the days when the calypsonians were the social conscience of the nation, because they sang about the problems of the nation, took politicians to task, and generally kept the nation alive to some of the things that were happening, be they good, bad or indifferent. Sadly, today that social consciousness has been lost, as the young performers don’t seem to care about what’s happening in their country, their songs are now about sex, alcohol and having a good time, while the nation flounders under poor governments. But I guess I’m just an ole fogey, as one friend would call that progress.

Anyhow, Sparrow, Dr. Slinger Francisco, the Birdie, the Calypso King of the World, the Supreme Serenader, amongst his many names, was given a major send off today in Trinidad, on the road obviously, as only Trinidadians can do, and his awesome legacy to Caribbean Culture will live on forever. Yes friends, one of the legends of West Indian culture has gone home to be with the Lord, for he was not only a singer of Calypso, but I believed he found religion in his later life and also has a compilation of religious songs in his wide and amazing repertoire. Rest in peace Sparrow.

Now let’s look at an interesting scripture where Jesus teaches about fear and worry, and just happens to talk about sparrows. (smile) He warns: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him (God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:28-31)

Oh my people isn’t that ever so reassuring to know that our God watches over us with tender, LOVING care. And though sparrows were sold for only a small price, making them insignificant in the market place, God still sees and knows when they fall, and we are valued much more than many sparrows. So much so that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. (smile) Therefore we don’t need to live in fear or anxiety because our marvelous God takes an interest in every single thing that happens in our lives; yes even the smallest and most insignificant details.

The problem though is that we need to keep God first place in our lives, if we expect Him to pay serious attention to all that happens to us and then help us solve whatever problems we encounter. Jesus addressed that situation right after making the above statements. He said; ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 10:32-33)

There we have it my brethren, accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour doesn’t mean just doing so and then keeping quiet about it. No! It means talking to others about Jesus, because we are in effect His ambassadors, His representatives, His disciples on the earth, the means He employs to spread His gospel around the world. As he said to the disciples before His ascension: ‘But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ (Acts. 1:8)

And it’s obvious that we’re not doing a very good job of being His witnesses all over the world, because the world is now in such an uproar of hate and strife, that would not be happening if we were better ambassadors. But all is not lost, we can still go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, to obtain divine help to do a better job.

Altogether: 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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.

And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’

Let’s remember though, that we believers also need to wake up and smell the coffee, so that we can do a better job of witnessing for Christ! Much LOVE!

…with God closely watching over us…constant fear and anxiety…have no place in a Christian’s life…

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

Mankind’s Invaluable Worth to His Creator, Almighty God!

29 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 10:31.       Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Sunday friends, it’s Sunday! And a fine looking one too! That means a gathering in the Lord’s house to worship and celebrate His holy name, on His day! And there’s nothing better than when we pray, praise, sing and glorify our wonderful God and Creator, and feel the glorious workings of His Holy Spirit right down in the very depths of our souls, which refreshes, cleanses and uplifts us so that we can go out and do His work for another week in this topsy-turvy world. 

And our opening words of praise is a magnificent hymn written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D Martin and composer Charles H Gabriel. The story of the song is very inspirational. It seems that in the spring of 1905, Mrs. Martin and her husband were holidaying in the town of Elmira in New York Sate. While there, they developed a strong friendship with a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle. She refers to them as true saints of God. 

Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for close to twenty years, while Mr. Doolittle was an incurable cripple who got around to his business and elsewhere by means of a wheelchair. However, despite their severe afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day, as the Martins were visiting the Doolittles, Mr. Martin enquired as to the secret of their bright hopefulness. Mrs. Doolittle’s simply replied: ‘His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches over me.’ 

Oh friends, what boundless faith to be called forth from a sick and suffering physical body! How our desperate world could use many of the Doolittles at this critical juncture in our journey. And now that we know our song for today is ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow,’ let’s raise our voices in sweet sacrifice to high heaven and offer up a mid-tempo, soulful and sincere version of this awesome song. 

Singing: ‘Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. (Chorus: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.) 

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. (Chorus) Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, From care He sets me free; 

His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me, His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. (Chorus: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. Yes, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ 

And to truly believe that my people takes a very mature and sure faith in Christ Jesus. Now, the scriptural basis for the song seems to be from three basic passages. The first one comes from Psalm 32, where Bruh David is writing of Confession and Forgiveness. In the 8the verse he writes thus of divine instruction: ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.’ (Ps. 32:8) That means the Lord’s eyes are always upon us, but we also have to be cognizant of His presence and pay attention. 

Then there’s this reasoning from Jesus on the subject of worry, from His famous Sermon on the Mount, where He states: ‘Behold (look at) the fowls of the air (birds): for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?’ (Matt. 6:26) 

Now that’s an interesting question my people. If mankind is the Lord’s greatest creation, and He looks after the lesser creations like the birds, why wouldn’t He look after us eh? No reason whatsoever! But we have to believe and live it, like the afflicted Doolittles were doing back then in 1905 in the town of Elmira in the State of New York. 

We can’t say we believe and then don’t show the fruit of that belief, the fruit of the Spirit in our lives – LOVE, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Gentleness, Kindness, Faithfulness and Self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) If those virtues are not playing a major part in our lives, then we’re not sincerely living the Christian life. 

But getting back to the scriptural basis for the song. The last verses come from when Jesus is teaching on the subject of fear; fearing God or mankind. He asks: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (the lowest coin denomination)? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father (without His permission). But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:29-31) 

Ah my fellow saints, that’s Jesus for you; always encouraging and enlightening us as to our value to our heavenly Father. As the scholars say, He reminds the disciples, and consequently us of ‘God’s LOVING care even for sparrows, and His gracious providential care over His saints.’ And most of us have seen physical evidence of God’s providential care for us, so why do we refuse to sincerely believe and do the work we’re called upon to do eh? Who knows? 

Nonetheless, we’ll end with these marvellous words of encouragement from this commentary. ‘Throughout life, we may feel discouraged and down. But always remember that He is by our side and watches over us through it all. Just like the lyrics of ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ remember that He is with us in all that we do. Do not be troubled because we have the King of kings on our side!’ 

And that’s the indisputable truth friends! Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is on our side, thus no one can harm to us. Let’s remember that as we go about our daily business in God’s name! Much LOVE!

…if God be for us…who can be against us… (Rom. 8:31)

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   20 February 2022 Matthew 10:31.

20 Feb 2022 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 10:31.      Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Oh my faithful saints of Christ, this Sunday morning, please, let’s do as the psalmist advised. Let’s ‘Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Therefore enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps 100:1-5)) 

Yes friends, we could not begin our day of worship with a better introduction, because the earth is the Lord’s and all therein and we desperately need to give Him sincere thanks and praise for all the good things He’s done, is doing, and will continue to do on our behalf. And today we have a marvellous gospel song to sing written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel. It’s the favourite hymn titled ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow.’ 

Now before we sing it, let’s hear the inspiration for this amazing song. The author Civilla Martin says that in the spring of 1905, they were visiting a couple, the Doolittle’s in Elmira, New York. The wife had been bedridden for nearly twenty years, and the husband was a paraplegic who got around in a wheelchair. But despite their afflictions they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. 

On that particular day while visiting, Mr. Martin commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for their secret to such blessed faith. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ Wow! Wish we could all have such simple but extraordinary faith! And according to Mrs. Martin: ‘The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith, gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow’ was the outcome of that experience.’ Glory Hallelujah my faithful brethren! 

So, having learned or refreshed our memories about the inspiration for the song, let’s sing it now in a soulful, mid-tempo riddim, with joy in our hearts and sacrificial praise in our voices, as we come before our wonderful God with sincere thanksgiving. ‘Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. 

(Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.) “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain] 

Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him, From care he sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. So I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. Yes, I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ 

Oh my people, that was marvellous! And why shouldn’t our faith be strong and confident, when our wonderful God watches over even the small and seemingly insignificant sparrow! Can you imagine then how He watches over us, His most precious and prized creation? We should have no reason whatsoever to doubt His awesome concern for us. But unfortunately too many of us do, that’s why our faith is weak, especially in these turbulent times, when it is supposed to be oh so strong. Please, let’s take a page out of that afflicted couple’s life and raise the level of our faith nuh. 

And it’s said that the words of the song are inspired by the words of Bruh David in the Psalms and Christ in the gospel of Matthew. So let’s take a look at those scriptures now. In Psalm 32 – The blessedness of forgiveness – Bruh David declares of the Lord. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.’ (Ps. 32:8-9) 

That reminds me of this command and promise that the Lord gave to Joshua when he became the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. ‘Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper (have success, act wisely) withersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:7) And that’s exactly what we need today friends, to stay under the commands of God and not turn from them to either side, because that’s the only way our lives and our world will improve. 

Now let’s look at the words of Christ which they say inspired the writing of today’s song. In the Sermon on the Mount, He is teaching about not worrying about clothes and food and asks: ‘Is not life more than meat (food), and the body more than raiment (clothes)? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?’ (Matt. 6:25-26) We certainly are! 

And then later on, while instructing the disciples, he tells them: ‘And fear them not which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him, (God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:28-31) 

Yes my people, we are indeed of much more value to our heavenly Father than the birds of the air, but the problem is that we must believe it and act positively on it, otherwise the scripture is wasted on us. And it’s in tough and troubled times like what we’re currently experiencing that followers of Jesus need to come up exceedingly strong and fight the good fight in His name. But sadly too many of us are wilting like grass in the noonday sun. 

That’s not acceptable my brethren, because it means we are letting down Jesus, not taking up our cross and truly following Him. And I don’t doubt that He’s sitting in heaven right now contemplating our actions, shaking His head and wondering like He so often did down here on earth: ‘O ye of little faith! Where is your faith?’ 

So please, today, let’s all promise to raise the level of our faith by truly believing in Him, by reading and meditating on His word and staying on the straight and narrow path, not turning to the right nor to the left. That’s the only hope for our world and ourselves! Much LOVE!

…the wide and winding path leads to destruction…but the straight and narrow one leads to Christ…to life everlasting… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8       

Today’s Scrip-Bit   31 October 2021 Matthew 10:29.

31 Oct 2021 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 10:29.     Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (that’s cheaply)? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father (knowing). 

Sunday morning! Sunday morning has come down my people! That means it’s time for us to congregate in some form and fashion to sing and praise and give thanks to our wonderful God Jehovah on this His day! It’s one of His few commands to His followers: ‘Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ (Ex. 20:8) And if we are true and faithful believers and followers, then we will heed His command. (smile) 

So let’s begin the begin, as we always do, with a song of praise. And today’s song is a not so old favourite, only about a hundred and fifteen years old, and it’s titled ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow.’ The words were written in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin with music composed by Charles H. Gabriel. Civilla says the inspiration for the song came from a visit to their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle in Elmira, New York. The wife had been bedridden for almost twenty years, while the husband was an incurable cripple who propelled himself to and from his business in a wheelchair. 

According to Mrs. Martin, despite their serious afflictions, they lived joyful Christian lives, giving inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. This day, while they were visiting, Mr. Martin commented on their sunny dispositions and hopefulness and asked them the secret for it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ According to Mrs. Martin, ‘The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn ‘His Eye Is on the Sparrow’ was the outcome of that experience.’ 

Now that’s what you call bearing good fruit with our lives my fellow saints! If two afflicted people can be so inspirational, why can’t we who are hale and hearty eh? I guess because most of us don’t have any real problems to navigate to live a reasonably full life, since a lot of what we consider problems are simply minor and petty discomforts. It’s when we have to show what we’re really made of, like the afflicted Doolittle’s, that we can truly separate the men from the mice. 

Anyway, let’s sing the song that gospel stalwarts like Mahalia Jackson and Ethel Waters made famous. Ethel even titled her autobiography after it. Remember, it’s a song of joy, so we need to sing in a soulful, joyful frame of mind. And we will begin with the chorus, which isn’t controversial, because I saw one version where Ethel began with it. (smile) In loud, soulful harmony then, let’s raise our joyful voices in sacrificial praise to heaven. 

‘(Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.) Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. (Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.) 

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain] Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him, From care he sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me… I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.’ Amen! 

And does our Lord God ever watch over those who put their faith and trust in Him! Of that we can be very sure! It’s said that the theme of this song was inspired by the words of Bruh David and Jesus. So let’s check them out nuh. Bruh David’s words apparently come from Psalm 32 – The blessedness of forgiveness – where he writes of the Lord. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.’ (Ps. 32:8) And the Lord does that all the time, we just don’t pay attention. 

Turning to Jesus, ALL believers ought to know His words on the subject. (smile) In the Sermon on the Mount, where He talks about trusting one master, to make a point, He tells His listeners: ‘Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?’ (Matt. 6:26) And the answer to that is a resounding YES! If the Lord could look after the lowest of His creations so well, why wouldn’t He look after the best of His creations in much better manner eh? 

And later on in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus gets even more specific. He tells the disciples: ‘And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (that’s cheaply)? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father (knowing). But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:28-31) 

So friends, after hearing that, why should we be discouraged and fearful eh? If the Lord is that concerned about us to number the very hairs on our heads, then there’s no need for us to worry. He has everything under control. And just a note of warning here, when Jesus spoke of being fearful of the one who can kill both body and soul, He was talking about the Father. 

Oh my people, although our lives might not be the greatest, and we are going through many difficulties, if Jesus is our portion, our constant friend, and He always watches over us, then we need to be joyful and sing, because in Him, we live and have our being, we are free! Please take heart today and don’t let the troubles of this world discourage or defeat you, for Jesus is standing in the wings, carefully watching over you. Much LOVE!

…if the Lord of Creation is watching over you…then there’s no need to fear anything in creation…                                                                                                             

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8