The Overwhelming Importance of Accepting Jesus’ Call Immediately, because Time and Life are in Short Supply!

04 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   4 October 2026   Matthew 11:28.

Matthew 11:28.         Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Here we go again my fellow believers, time to gather in the Lord’s sanctuary on His day, Sunday, and sing out our hearts to Him, offering up oodles of praise and thanksgiving for all that’s He’s done for us down through the ages, while receiving in return, His grace and divine strength that keeps us keeping on in this evil and ungodly world.  

And today’s song of worship is a beautiful, uplifting and most appropriate Christian hymn for these dangerous and turbulent times. It was written in 1880 by American born Will Lamartine Thompson (1847-1909), who after having problems with selling his songs to a commercial publisher began publishing them himself. The song is titled ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling,’ and according to the Wikipedia website, it’s his most famous and well-loved composition. 

‘It has circulated far beyond its origins in the American Restoration Movement. It’s also among the most prolifically translated gospel songs and has spread appealingly into the repertoire of various fellowships of Christendom.’ And we all know why…because it’s a wonderful, spirit and heart-moving song. So, let’s now offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, heartfelt, mid-tempo version, so that all who hear it will feel it deep down in their souls.

Singing: ‘Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. (Refrain: Come home, come home; you who are weary come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!) Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me? (Refrain)

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, passing from you and from me; shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, coming for you and for me. (Refrain) O for the wonderful LOVE he has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me. (Refrain: Come home, come home; you who are weary come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home! (Repeat)’

Yes my brethren, Jesus is out there looking for us, sincerely calling us to come home to Him. He’s at the door, anxiously waiting for us to accept His invitation. And I like how this commentary from the Hymnary.org website explains the song. ‘This hymn invites us to come and accept God’s mercy together. The first stanza and refrain give the picture that Jesus is gently calling, like a mother after her small children. The second stanza reminds us that there is nothing to be gained by delay, especially when the third warns that death is coming sooner or later. The final stanza entices us with a promise of love, pardon, and mercy that is wonderfully available for those who wish to accept it.’

And it’s all the gospel truth my people! And furthermore, it says that ‘Thompson was inspired to devote himself to writing while attending a meeting by popular evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899). When Moody was dying in the hospital he told Thompson, “Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.” Now, if a famous evangelist like Moody could say something like that, it just shows how remarkable the song truly is.

And it certainly recalls, Jesus’ Great Invitation. ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly (gentle and humble) in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt. 11:28-30) Oh friends, there could never be a better invitation than that issued by Jesus, for He has the situation fully covered. And it’s just our stubbornness and disobedience, through LOVE of the world and it’s sinful and material pleasures that keep us from accepting His wonderful invitation to come home to Him.

As the song says: ‘Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.’ He does indeed, for the Bible tells us: ‘For all have sinned, and come (fallen) short of the glory of God;’ (Rom. 3:23) However, the Bible also tells us: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus.’ (Rom. 6:23) Yuh see that mih people, the Lord has made provision for all of our sins, through Jesus. That means you have to come home to Jesus if you want your sins forgiven, so that you can be blessed with eternal life.

And I believe Psalm 103 puts it all in the right perspective. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-KINDNESS and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s…. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS).

He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-KINDESS) toward them that fear (reverence) him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear (reverence) him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:2-5; 8-14)

Oh my people, the long and short of the story is, if you want to experience all those wonderful things that the psalmist acclaims, then you must come home to Jesus, because it’s only through Him, that all of that wonderful stuff is available. So, let’s hope that today with all the good stuff we’ve talked about, and all the amazing things that are awaiting all those who come to Jesus, we’ve awakened the dormant believer in you. (smile) Remember, it’s all up to you. You need to make the wise decision to seek Jesus, although He’s always waiting for your call. Believe me, turning to Him, is the best decision you can ever make! Much LOVE!

…the most wonderful thing in the world…is coming home to Jesus… 

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Truly Reverencing God and Offering Him Much Heartfelt Praise!

08 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 103:1.          ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.’ 

Oh my fellow believers, it’s another cold Sunday in the northern climes, but what else is new eh?  (smile) And all we are expected to do is to gather in a sanctuary on this the Lord’s Day and fellowship with other believers, giving praise and thanks to our wonderful God, while receiving His awesome strength and grace to go out and face another week of work in this evil and ungodly world. 

And today, as always, (smile) we have a wonderful song of worship to offer up to our most worthy heavenly Father. It’s a fairly new one, written by Matt Redman and Steve Angrisano in 2013, most appropriately titled ‘Ten Thousand Reasons – Bless the Lord Oh My Soul.’ And do we ever have more than ten thousand reasons to bless the Lord! That’s for certain sure! So, without further ado, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a mid-tempo, soulful, scintillating version of the song, letting the whole world know that it’s coming sincerely from our hearts. 

Opening with the chorus, we sing: ‘(Chorus) Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy Name Sing like never before Oh my soul, I’ll worship Your Holy Name). The sun comes up It’s a new day dawning It’s time to sing Your song again Whatever may pass And whatever lies before me Let me be singing When the evening comes (Chorus) Bless the Lord oh my soul……I’ll worship your holy name) You’re rich in love And You’re slow to anger Your name is great And Your heart is kind For all Your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons For my heart to find. 

(Chorus: Bless the Lord oh my soul…I’ll worship your holy name) And on that day When my strength is failing The end draws near And my time has come Still my soul will sing your praise unending Ten thousand years and then forevermore… forevermore. (Chorus: Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy Name Sing like never before Oh my soul, I’ll worship Your Holy name. Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy Name Sing like never before Oh my soul, Jesus, I’ll worship Your Holy name, worship your holy name…yes, like never before…I’ll worship Your Holy name…’ 

Ah mih bredrin, that was indeed a beautiful rendition, and all who heard it know that we sincerely meant it, because there are innumerable reasons for which to thank Almighty God! And the greatest of which is obviously the sending of Jesus to redeem our sinful souls. And where in the Bible do we find those words? As for so many other things, we find them in the psalms, specifically Psalms 103 and 104.  

And what do the words ‘Bless the Lord Oh my soul mean?’ It’s basically means to give not just the words of our mouth, but our very lives – our very souls – back to Him in praise, adoration, and worship. And Bruh David uses it very powerfully in Psalm 103, titled ‘Bless the Lord’s Holy Character,’ when he unequivocably declares: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.’ (Ps. 103:1) 

Yes friends, God alone is worthy of such praise. And according to this commentary from Dawn Hill, “For David to say, “Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name,” is to praise God completely and with the whole heart. This is not only an emotive expression outwardly nor is this merely an emotionally charged experience, but this includes praising God inwardly.” Now that makes complete sense, for we know that the Lord doesn’t merely accept the words of our mouths, or our outward actions, but searches the motives of our hearts before accepting our praise and thanks. 

As we recently saw Him tell Samuel when he went to anoint the second king of Israel amongst Jesse’s sons, and Samuel fell for the good looks and physical appeal of the first son Eliab. ‘But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused (rejected) him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ (1 Sam. 16:7) 

And that ought to be a timely reminder for all of us, as we offer up praise and thanks to Almighty God. (smile) Meanwhile, Psalm 104, titled ‘God’s Marvellous Creation,’ gives God praise from a different perspective. It opens thus: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.’ (Ps. 104:1) And the psalmist goes on to list God’s wonderful creations, which are important, but in Psalm 103 however, Bruh David was more down to earth, instead remembering what God does for mankind. 

He continues: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-KINDNESS and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s… The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS). He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger for ever. 

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS) toward them that fear (reverence) him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear (reverence) him. For he knoweth our frame (understands our constitution); he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103: 2-5; 8-14) 

And friends, if reading all of that, you cannot find many reasons to thank and praise, to bless the Lord, then I don’t know what to say, but get back to the drawing board and learn the numerous blessings that we have to be thankful for from our Creator, Jehovah God! Much LOVE!

…only a fool or madman…refuses to acknowledge and accept…the many blessings of God… 

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians COMPLETELY Surrendering Their Will to God’s Divine Will!

18 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

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

Luke 22:42.        Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

One more Sunday morning amongst the many in our lives, my fellow believers, (smile) meaning that we should make the pilgrimage to the Lord’s sanctuary to worship, give praise and thanks and receive divine blessings to enable us to handle another week in this evil and ungodly world! Now, though  it’s a rather chilly Sunday, that should be offset by the bright rays of sunshine filtering through the cloud cover. 

And for today’s song of worship, we’ll sing an old favourite written around 1896 by the American Hymnwriter Judson W. Van De Venter (1855-1939), most aptly titled ‘All to Jesus I Surrender.’ And how did the song come about? According to Reynolds (Companion to the Baptist Hymnal), the author apparently stated it was written “in memory of the time when, after a long struggle, I had surrendered and dedicated my life to active Christian service.” And that’s what ALL believers are called to do! 

But more on that later. Right now, let’s raise our voices in sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, heartwarming, heartfelt, mid-tempo version of the song. Singing: ‘All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give; I will ever LOVE and trust Him, In His presence daily live. (Refrain: I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all.) All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken. Take me, Jesus, take me now. (Refrain: I surrender all..) All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine; Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine. 

(Refrain: I surrender all…) All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy LOVE and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me. (Refrain: I surrender all…) All to Jesus I surrender, Now I feel the sacred flame; Oh, the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory, to His name! (Refrain: I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all…I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all… All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all…’ 

That was a great rendition friends! And isn’t surrendering our all to Jesus the most momentous moment of our lives? It most certainly is!  And I like what this commentary says about the hymn. ‘The song “I Surrender” is a beautiful reminder of the power of surrendering to God and trusting in Him. When we surrender to God, He will provide us with strength, courage, mercy, and grace. We can trust Him to take care of us and provide for us. May we all remember to surrender to God and trust in Him.’ And that’s exactly what the Christian faith and life are all about; surrendering ourselves to Jesus! 

Now, before we get into the heart of the matter, (smile) it might be best to define what it means to surrender in biblical terms. This commentary explains it thus: ‘Biblically, surrender means fully yielding your own will, plans, and desires to God’s will, submitting to His authority, and trusting His sovereignty, which is seen not as weakness but as a path to spiritual freedom, true purpose, and intimacy with Him, often involving obedience, humility, and letting go of self-centered control. It’s about putting a “white flag” up to God, trusting He can handle your anxieties and lead you better than you can yourself, aligning your life with His divine viewpoint.’ 

And that’s indeed a tough row to hoe in this turbulent and ungodly society, but it’s what our discipleship calls for. As Jesus so succinctly puts it: (smile) ‘If any man will (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) Now that’s what we are called to do daily, not when we feel like it. And it’s not the easiest thing to do, especially when Jesus breaks it down thus: ‘If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren (brothers), and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.’ (Luke 14:26-27) 

Oh, we know that Jesus doesn’t truly mean we should hate our families, but as the scholars point out: ‘In comparison to one’s devotion to Christ, one’s family ties must be secondary. This does not set aside Jesus’ other teachings to LOVE one’s enemies, to honour father and mother, and the like. It does highlight though that absolute loyalty to Christ is paramount, not the either-or that the verse sets up and so many societies adhere to.’ 

And the easiest way to begin living for Christ is by doing like Bruh Paul advocates to the Roman church: ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom. 12:2) The first thing we must do is change our way of thinking from that of the world to that of Jesus. And we know that’s not easy either, but with Jesus’ help we can certainly do it. 

And it won’t be right to close without a couple examples of biblical surrender. The first is when Jesus called the brothers Peter and Andrew, two fishermen in the process of casting their nets. He simply said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him’ (Matt. 4:18-20) Imagine that nuh! They left their livelihood just like that to follow an itinerant preacher. And it’s the same thing James and John did when He called them soon after. They were mending their nets with their father on their ship. The Bible tells us: ‘They immediately left the ship and their father and followed him’ (Matt. 4:21-22) 

Wow! Not many of us would do that on such short notice. But that’s exactly what discipleship calls for! And possibly the greatest surrender in human form might be Bruh Paul himself; an abuser and killer of the brethren when known as Saul, but after Jesus knocked him off his horse and blinded him on the way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, he became as docile as a lamb, and went quietly into Jesus’ service, with his name changed to Paul, to become one of the most hardworking and zealous apostles of them all. And you can find Bruh Paul’s story in Acts 9. 

And the best example of surrendering is obviously Jesus’ surrender to His Father’s will, to come to earth and die to save a bunch of ungrateful sinners. As He says in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, when His soul was in much torment at the dreadful situation he faced: ‘Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.’ (Luke 22:42) 

Now that’s how we all ought to be when the Lord calls on us. So please, let’s ponder our individual responses to Jesus today, and see where we can make improvements in our attitude of surrender. Much LOVE!

…there’s such amazing rest and peace…with no fear or anxiety…when we surrender our all to God… 

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