The Importance of Self-Discipline and Self- Sacrifice in Living the Christian Life!

21 Apr 2025 Leave a comment

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

1 Corinthians 9:24b.        So run, that ye may obtain.

And the Easter celebrations continue unabated on this somewhat cloudy Easter Monday! And why not eh, when we were given the greatest presents ever; salvation and eternal life through Jesus’ sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection! And the other good thing about today is that many of us don’t have to face the traffic jams and all the other frustrations involved in going out to work. And all God’s children said, a loud and grateful, ‘Thank You Jesus!’ 

However, there’s always a warning needed in these Christian celebrations, a warning to not let the material selfishness and greed of the world to make us lose sight of what the celebration is truly about; the LOVE and selfless sacrifice of Jesus! For if we allow them, the material world, staunchly encouraged by the enemy, would just make it all about business, gifts, food, and parties, while denying the spirituality of the situation. So, as we celebrate, let’s keep Jesus uppermost in our minds today and every day, for He is the giver of life, health, wealth, LOVE, mercy, grace…in fact of everything that we enjoy! 

Now, to always keep Jesus first place is no easy task, especially when the enemy’s main goal is to steal our joy in Christ, since, as the Bible says: ‘for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Neh. 8:10) That means if we lose our joy in Christ then we’ll lose our spiritual strength and won’t be able to make the wise decisions we ought to, or have the peace and calm we desire. 

And how do we do that? We have to work sincerely and diligently at it. But obviously not by ourselves, for as Bruh Paul writes: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.’ (2 Cor. 3:5) And Jesus corroborates that when he declares (yesss!!!) that well known statement: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) 

But unlike what some might think, that does not stop us from working towards the goal of spiritual maturity, for we share a partnership with Christ, meaning we both have a part to play. If we do our part, He will do His. But if we don’t do our part, neither will He do His, and we’d be left in the lurch. And what’s our part in all this eh? Here’s one practical bit of advice from Bruh Paul. He writes thus in his first missive to the Corinthians: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ (1 Cor. 9:24) 

Yes friends, Bruh Paul is likening our earthly spiritual journey to a race, and in his last communication with Timothy, he uses that same imagery. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith.’ (2 Tim. 4:7) Likewise, the author of Hebrews views our earthly journey as a race, when he writes: ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Heb. 12:1-2) 

So Jesus is our example for living this earthly life. But yuh know what, if we want to obtain anything positive and/or substantial from this race of life, we have to put out something. Therefore, Bruh Paul continues to the Corinthians. ‘And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown, but we an incorruptible (imperishable). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air (flails helplessly): but I keep under my body (discipline my body), and bring it under subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (disqualified).’ (1 Cor. 9:25-27) 

Ah mih people, like a runner training for a marathon, we too have to discipline our bodies and exert ourselves so that we will do well in the race of life. If not, we’ll fall by the wayside and lose the promised imperishable crown that Christ has laid aside for us. As the scholars explain: ‘The point is that the believer must discipline himself to avert being disqualified from Christian ministry, and forfeiting the rewards for such service.’ So we see that running this earthly race is not easy, but with the help of our wonderful God, we can do it, if we put out the necessary effort. And to help us do so, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, pleading for divine assistance. 

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. 

So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And from our prayer, we see that there are some necessary steps we must take before divine aid is granted; humble ourselves, pray, sincerely seek God’s face with sincere repentance. So please, let’s get to them right now nuh, so that we’ll get heavenly help asap! Much LOVE!

…as a true disciple of Christ…personal sacrifice is absolutely necessary…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of Prayer, Thanks and Gratitude in a Believer’s Life!

20 Jan 2025 Leave a comment

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

1 Thessalonians 5:18.       In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Come on down Monday, we’re ready and waiting for you! Hit us with your best shot! But it won’t work, for we have all the tools and promises of Jesus, at the ready, waiting to shoot you down. Therefore, we have taken this scripture from the pen of Bruh Paul to heart. ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:18) 

Ah friends, that’s a tough scripture, but one we definitely need to know and totally embrace. And what does it mean? The scholars say that ‘In every event or circumstance (thing) the Christian is to give thanks to God for the good He can bring out of the event, even should the event be unpleasant. The constant attitude of prayer, mentioned in verse 17 –  ‘Pray without ceasing,’ will help the believer to maintain gratitude in the face of adversity.’ 

And if that scripture doesn’t catch your fancy, (smile) then try this one from Bruh Paul’s missive to the Philippians. ‘Let your moderation (gentleness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:5-7) 

And I must admit that one seems a tad easier than the first one, although they both basically mean the same thing. Instead of worrying about anything, we are to take every situation, be it pleasant or unpleasant and present it to God through prayer, supplication and thanksgiving. 

The scholars advise: ‘The Lord’s nearness (vs. 5b) leads Paul to forbid his readers from worrying. This is no summons to irresponsibility or an invitation to dismiss legitimate concern. The solution to undue anxiety is prayer in every thing, “in any matter of life.” The way to be free of anxiety is to be prayerful about everything. While God is eager to hear our requests, they are to be accompanied by thanksgiving.’ 

Now, that seems easier said than done, but like all things we need to get good at, it requires continuous practice until it becomes a habit. And what’s the benefit of that exercise, you ask? ‘The peace of God which passes all understanding.’ Wow! Isn’t that important enough to make the effort worthwhile? It surely is! 

Because as the scholars tell us, ‘The peace of God is that tranquility of mind freeing the believer from fear and worry. “Peace” which passeth all understanding means (1) peace divinely bestowed in times of anxiety, so wonderful that it exceeds one’s ability to understand it; (2) God’s peace far surpasses one’s own understanding of the problem, and his ability to cope with and solve it.’ 

That brings to mind this most important scripture from the prophet Isaiah, where he speaks on God’s behalf. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8-9) That says it all my people. And so it should be, if He is God! 

Therefore, when we take our problems to Him in prayer, with thanksgiving, He gives us His unsurpassable peace that guards our hearts and minds from the enemies attempts to cause us worry and anxiety. And that dovetails very nicely with Jesus words on the subject to the disciples, and consequently to us. ‘Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27) 

Oh my people, what a marvellous gift is the peace of Jesus! It’s unlike any other that the world knows, and surpasses any other kind. It’s the amazing kind of peace that causes us not to worry or be afraid. Where else can you find that kind of peace eh? Only in and from Jesus! Then later on, He tells us again about the kind of peace we can have if we accept Him as Lord and Saviour. ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) 

Wow! What can we say to that most expressive statement eh? Not much really, but accept it for what it is: Jesus’ faithful promise! There’s no doubt whatsoever that in the world we will have trials and tribulations, but since Jesus has already overcome the world, that’s hell, death and the grave, if we stay entwined with Jesus, then we will have His awesome protection against the world and it’s ungodly masses. You can’t ask for anything more than that friends. 

However, Jesus has already done His work, it’s now our turn to live up to our promise when we accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. That’s take up our cross daily and follow Him, even if it calls for personal sacrifice. And sometimes that’s difficult to do, but through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we can do it. So let’s go to the throne of grace right now, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us in this our great time of need. 

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

In closing though, please remember that divine aid is not doled out willy-nilly, but for obedience, repentance, sincerely seeking God’s face and a change in our evil ways. Much LOVE!

…He who has ears to hear…let Him hear…otherwise…He will feel…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 January 2024 Joshua 21:45.

12 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

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

Joshua 21:45.       There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

The week’s finished mih people! That means we can cry out: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday…and the weekend’s here at long last!’ Yes, I know some of us had it hard slogging through a whole five day work week, having not done one for a while. But I’m sure, with the awesome help of Jesus, we all came through it with flying colours. And that’s the beauty of having Jesus as Lord and Saviour; we can always depend on Him, trust Him to help us in our time of need. That reminds us of the song that calls Him, the Way Maker, Promise Keeper and Light in the Darkness. 

And why is he called the Way Maker? Because He can, and does make a way where there seems to be no way! For He is the way, the truth and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by Him.’ (John 14:6)  So, in the first place if we’re looking for a way, Jesus is the One to turn to. And secondly, ‘By serving as the atoning sacrifice for all of the world’s sins, Jesus made a way for EVERYONE to enter into Heaven.’ How wonderful is that eh my brethren! Jesus made a way for all of us to go to heaven! And thirdly, as He said to the disciples re the camel passing through the eye of a needle: ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26) 

That means that Jesus can do ANYTHING! Therefore, He is the person that we need to put our total trust in, to surrender our all to, because He is also a faithful Promise Keeper! Yes friends, our wonderful God and Saviour is still in control of the universe He created and His promises are true. He’s never reneged on one! And there are many scriptures which proclaim that truth. Let’s look at a couple of them nuh, beginning with the Book of Joshua, where it speaks of the division of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel. The Word says: ‘There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.’ (Josh. 21:45) 

That’s for sure my brethren! Not a single word that the Lord spoke to Israel failed! And later on, Joshua himself said to the people: ‘And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth (going to die): and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.’ (Josh. 23:14) And if the Israelites were truthful, they would have admitted that, since all the promises God made to them about bringing them out of bondage in Israel to the Promised Land were faithfully fulfilled. 

Cousin Sol said the same thing when he made His great prayer to God and speech to Israel after the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the newly built temple. He said: ‘Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest (peace) unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of his servant Moses.’ (1 Kin. 8:56) And what about the father of our faith eh, Abraham? At seventy years of age, he packed up family and his belongings and left his homeland to wander where he knew not, because a God he didn’t know told him to do so. And what of it, you ask? 

Listen to Bruh Paul as he writes to the Roman church on the subject of Abraham’s faithfulness. ‘Who against hope (contrary to the circumstances) believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he (Abraham) considered not his own body now dead, when he was an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: he staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded (convinced) that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.’ (Rom. 4:18-22) 

Yuh see friends, the Lord always keeps His promises, though they may take a long time to come to pass, like the twenty five years it took for Abraham and Sarah to have the child, Isaac, who would enable the promise of ‘the Father of nations’ to be kept. But though we sometimes have to wait a long time for the Lord’s promises to come true, like Abraham, we need to be strong in faith, never doubting that they will eventually happen. For as Peter writes: ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but he is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Pet. 3:9) 

Oh my people, our God takes His promises very seriously and doesn’t make them unless He intends to keep them. Let’s believe that with all our hearts souls, mind and bodies, for if we do, it will stand us in very good stead in this fickle and faithless world. And since we don’t want to make the Bit too long for our short mind spans, (smile) we’ll deal with the ‘Light in the Darkness’ aspect of Jesus’ attributes tomorrow, obviously if God spares life. Now let’s go to the throne of grace through our Friday Chant seeking divine help for our many earthly problems. 

Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough…   because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh 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. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. 

And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the 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!’ 

And the best way to invoke that divine help is by taking action and truly setting the example of faithful believers we talk about! Much LOVE!

…there’s no reason whatsoever…to doubt the power, promises and faithfulness of our God Jehovah… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   6 October 2023 Genesis 47:25.

06 Oct 2023 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 27:45.       Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace (favour) in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.

And the rains came… Yes friends, at long last some rain fell in my area last night. And the beauty of it all is that this Friday morning has opened, clean, fresh, bright and sunshiny! And the temperature isn’t too bad either, in the high teens. So, when we say, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ we have more to be thankful for than just the end of the workweek and the start of the weekend. Give our good God some praise and thanks nuh, for His excellent kindness to us, this first Friday in October 2023. And all God’s people said a loud and grateful, ‘Praise the Lord for His unfailing goodness, grace and mercy to the children of men!’ 

Now, let’s see what’s happening with Bruh Joseph and his family in the land of Egypt. In our last episode we saw where Jacob and his family came to Egypt during the famine, met Pharoah and got his permission to settle in the fertile land of Goshen, where Bruh Joseph provided generously for them. Meanwhile, the Bible informs us: ‘And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore (severe), so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted (languished) by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn (grain) which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.’ (Gen. 47:13-14) 

Bruh Joseph was certainly a shrewd operator, a true son of Jacob’s loins. (smile) But that was not the half of it. For the Bible continues: ‘And when the money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? For the money faileth. And Joseph said, Give your cattle (livestock); and I will give you (bread) for your cattle, if money fail. And they brought their cattle (livestock) unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses (donkeys): and he fed (supplied) them with bread (in exchange) for all their cattle for that year.’ (Gen. 47:15-17) 

Now, you’d think that would have solved the situation, but no, it only intensified the drama, because as the Good Library tells us: ‘When that year was ended, they came unto him (Joseph) the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord hath also our herds of cattle (livestock); there is not ought (nothing) left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies and our lands. Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our lands? buy us and our lands for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate. 

And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharoah; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed (was severe) over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s. And as for the people, he (Joseph) removed (moved) them to the cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.’ (Gen. 47: 18-21) 

Bubba! Bruh Joseph was practicing a form of labour migration, moving people around for employment purposes, long before it before it became popular (smile). However, there was one exception to Bruh Joseph’s total ‘Pharaohanization’ of the land. ‘Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned (rations allotted) them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion (rations) which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.’ (Gen. 47:23) So, in all of Egypt, only the lands of the priests did not officially belong to Pharaoh. 

Now, I wonder what Pharoah was saying to all the accumulation of wealth and property and power that Bruh Joseph was piling up in his name? And I guess, since he was a human being with a selfish and greedy sin nature, that must have thrilled him. But neither Pharoah nor us, had heard or seen the last of Bruh Joseph’s accumulative and power building moves. 

Listen, as the Bible relates it: ‘Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace (favour) in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants. And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh’s.’ (Gen. 47:23-26) 

Mama oh Mama! Bruh Joseph might just have begun the feudal system in Egypt, a system whereby, in a simplified form, the lower classes worked the land and other industry for the upper classes in return for food and protection. One commentary says: ‘It can be broadly defined as a system for structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land, known as a fiefdom or fief, in exchange for service or labour.’ And it’s a system that found great purchase during the medieval and middle ages in Europe. 

Ah friends, did Bruh Joseph turn out to be a saviour or a monster? Was that the plan he had in mind all along, or did it just happen as the circumstances were played out. Who knows? But it’s for sure that the teenaged Hebrew lad sold into slavery by his jealous and evil brothers, with the help of our great God, did have a major impact on the land of Egypt and the lives of the Egyptians, as well as laying the foundations for the birth of the Jewish nation, the seed of Abraham, promised to him so long before by his faithful and awesome God. 

And just like the Lord helped Abraham and his descendants back then, He still helps us when we go to Him in sincere and humble obeisance. So, let’s do that right now nuh, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking heavenly help for our earthly problems. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough…   because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. 

Oh 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. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. 

Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the 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!’ 

And if we hope to see divine changes, then we need to do as we said…wake up and smell the coffee! Much LOVE!

…the ONLY way to get divine help…is by being obedient to God and His Word… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit    29 September 2023 Genesis 45:5b.

29 Sep 2023 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 45: 5b.       for God did send me before you to preserve life.

And today when we say, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ we truly mean it, because it’s just another beautiful day in the life! Sunshine, lollipops and roses! Oh friends, it’s too good to be true, but we had better enjoy these wonderful days while we have them, for the weather is so contrary these days, that it can turn into a nightmarish scene at the drop of a hat. 

So, let’s give our great God thanks and praise for all the many undeserved blessings He’s so generously bestowed on us. And all God’s children declared (yesss!!!): ‘We thank You Lord for Your goodness and mercy. Please help us to truly appreciate them and live the way You desire, in sincere obedience to You and Your word. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

And now it’s time to turn to the next episode in the thrilling saga of Bruh Joseph that set the stage for so much stuff, many, many moons ago. And some of us who don’t know Bruh Joseph’s story will be surprised to know the tremendous ramifications it had in the world back then, and still has to this day. Now, we saw yesterday where Judah implores Bruh Joseph to keep him as a slave instead of Benjamin, because if they returned without Benjamin, it would surely kill his father. 

And finally friends, we’ve reached the apex, the climax of the story. Bruh Joseph, set between a rock and a hard place by his brother’s heartfelt plea, finally breaks down. The Bible tells it thus: ‘Then Joseph could not refrain (restrain) himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren!’ (Gen. 45:1) 

Yes mih people, our ingenious machinations always catch up with us at some time or the other. And now the chickens are finally coming home to roost between Bruh Joseph and his brothers. And the Good Library continues: ‘And he (Joseph) wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him, for they were troubled (dismayed) at his presence.’ (Gen. 45:2-3) 

What an incredible moment that must have been in the brothers’ lives! Discovering that this powerful, well-dressed Egyptian-looking man was there long lost brother obviously came as a big surprise, you could have knocked them down with a feather! And furthermore, the revelation must have struck tremendous fear in their hearts, as they remembered the terrible deed they had done to him so long ago. Oh mih bredrin, our wrong doings, do come back to haunt us, so please, let’s refrain from them as much as possible nuh, so we won’t have them boomerang back on us at some future date. 

Anyway, the heightened drama of the saga continues: ‘And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved or angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.’ (Gen. 45:-5) Wow! Bruh Joseph had finally understood what God was doing in his life! Wish many more of us could do the same, for we would cause ourselves much less pain and heartache. 

And Bruh Joseph continues to reveal the situation to his brothers. ‘For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing (plowing) nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity (a remnant) in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharoah, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.’ (Gen. 45:6-8) 

Mama Mia! What must the brothers have thought? They must have trembled with fear. It’s surprising that none of them fainted. But according to the scholars: ‘In spite of many assurances, this uneasiness before their brother persisted for many years (cf. 50:15). They were literally “terrified, trembling.” Joseph gave a clear testimony to God’s working providentially in his own life when he said: God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity … and to save your lives … so now it was not you that sent me hither, but God. The phrase He hath made me a father unto Pharaoh is an expression applied to Egyptian viziers (Prime Ministers) as far back as the third millennium B.C.’ 

Yes, my fellow believers, we finally see and understand what God was doing in Bruh Joseph’s life! All the trials and tribulations he unfairly underwent were necessary for him to become the Leader and Saviour of his family as the Lord’s script required. That’s why I keep repeating that our God is the greatest dramatist ever! No one else can envision and produce the kind of ups and downs, the ins and outs and connect the dots like He can. And I’m sure that many of us today are being used in the same manner, for some uplifting purpose of which we’re completely unaware, and consequently undergoing troubles that we don’t understand. 

But the moral of the story is that we must leave it all in God’s hands, for He created us, as well as the plans for our lives, which He solemnly promised were for good and not calamity, to give us a future and a hope, just like He did for Bruh Joseph and his family way back when. So, let’s not get upset and angry with God when we undergo stuff that seems unfair, for He’s working it all out for our good, just in His way and time. And if we faithfully endure with Him, we’ll eventually see the masterpiece that He’s planned for our lives finally blossom forth, and then we’ll fully understand His amazing dramatic potential. (smile) 

Now, let’s go to Him, at the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, confidently, but humbly asking for divine grace and wisdom in these very serious times of need. As one voice:  ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough…   because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. 

Oh 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. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. 

We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the 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!’  

And if we truly want to see divine help, then we need to do what it requires; that’s turning from our evil ways, and being obedient to God’s dictates! Much LOVE!

…the Lord’s plans for our lives…are seldom clearly understood…but through sincere faith and total trust…we can see them through to fruition… 

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