God doesn’t use whom Man expects Him to use!

11 Aug 2024 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 32:28a.        Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel (Prince with God):

It’s Sunday again friends; gathering time in the Lord’s sanctuary to give Him thanks and praise, fellowship with other believers, and receive the renewal of our faith and the overwhelming confidence He instills in us, so that we can go out and successfully do His work in the upcoming week! So without further ado, let’s turn to our song of worship for today, a hymn we know very well, and one that’s rather appropriate for these disastrous times in which we currently live. It’s titled “Nearer, My God, to Thee.”  

A 19th-century Christian hymn written by Sarah Flowers Adams in 1845. This hymn was written to follow the pastor’s sermon on Genesis 28:11-22, known as the story of Jacob’s ladder, or Jacob’s dream. It’s a hymn about the joy and comfort found in being close to God. So let’s offer up sacrifices of praise in a soulful, mid-tempo version, sincerely exuding, radiating the joy and comfort that we find in being close to God. 

Singing: ‘Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee, (Chorus: Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!) Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee, (Chorus:) There let the way appear steps unto heav’n; All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv’n; Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee, (Chorus:) 

Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee, (Chorus:) Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee, (Chorus:) There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest, There in my Saviour’s LOVE, perfectly blest; Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!’ 

Wow! What a powerful song! And we did it full justice! (smile) There’s no doubting that the lives of believers are enhanced to a greater extent, the closer to God they find themselves. In fact it’s the greatest and most desirous place to be…as close as you can possibly get to God! 

And the Hymnary.Org website breaks down the hymn thus: ‘The first stanza introduces the theme of the hymn, with the repeated phrase “Nearer, my God, to thee.” The second through fourth stanzas are based on the story of Jacob and the ladder to heaven, found in Genesis 28:10-22. God’s close connection to Jacob in this story is seen as a way of relief from the darkness (st. 2) and “stony griefs” (st. 4) of his human journey. The last stanza looks forward to the time when we will come to stand before God in eternal song.’ 

And if the song is about Jacob’s dream, then it’s only fitting that we read it here today. It begins when Jacob leaves home to go and take a wife from the family of his mother’s brother, Laban. ‘And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon (came to) a certain place, and tarried (stayed there) all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 

And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed (descendants); and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and thy seed shall all the families of the world be blessed.  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.’ (Gen. 28:10-15) 

Can you imagine it people? The Lord promising to bless one of the biggest schemers and crooks of the day. Look at all the things he did, like unfairly getting Esau’s’ birthright, buying it for a bowl of lentil stew. (Gen. 25:29-34) Then in league with his mother Rebekah, deceiving his blind Father into giving Esau’s blessing as the oldest son. (Gen. 27) And it’s interesting to note Esau’s words to his father Isaac, when he begs for a blessing, and Isaac tells him that Jacob’s taken it away. 

‘And he (Esau) said, Is he not rightly named Jacob (supplanter)? For he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?’ (Gen. 27:36) Unfortunately Isaac could not change what he had already done, making Jacob lord or master over all his brethren. 

And we also see Jacob’s hijinks with his uncle Laban, although Laban outsmarted him in the first go round by having him marry his oldest and less beautiful daughter Leah, when he had agreed to give him the second one, Rachel, whom he LOVED. And you can read about the schemes between the family of Laban and Jacob in Genesis in Genesis 29 & 30. Now that’s the kind of man with little or no integrity that the Lord made the Father of His people, Israel, when He changed his name after he wrestled all night with and angel. 

And when the angel saw he couldn’t prevail against Jacob, he touched him in the socket of his thigh and Jacob became lame. But Jacob, with his predatory nature refused to let go of the angel unless he blessed him. Then the angel asked his name, and he said Jacob. Then the angel replied: ‘Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel (Prince with God): for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men (for you have struggled with God), and hast prevailed.’ (Gen. 32:25-28) 

Yes friends, that’s just how the Lord operates; using the most unlikely people to do His work. It’s like Bruh Paul writes to the church at Corinth. ‘For ye see (consider) your calling, brethren, how not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound (put to shame) the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound (put to shame) the things which are mighty; 

And base (insignificant) things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought (nothing) things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto (became for) us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 1:26-31) 

Ah my people, if the Lord could use broken people to do great work for Him, then that means all of us have a chance to serve the Lord with honour and gladness. So please, regardless of our circumstances, let’s remember that while there is life, there is always hope, and steadfastly concentrate on drawing closer to Almighty God! For that’s the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!

…in God’s kingdom…the biggest sinners…can become the biggest saints…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 March 2018 Psalm 89:1.

20 Mar 2018 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 89:1.   I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Happy First Day of Spring friends! Yes, today is the official first day of spring, and what a gorgeous day it is in my neighbourhood! So it’s somewhat chilly…so what? Once the sun and SON are shining brightly, it doesn’t matter what else is happening. And besides, from now on, the weather picture is all heads up, no tails! (smile) 

Spring has finally been sprung from its winter lair! Thank God for His awesome mercy! Soon there will be no more snow and heavy winter clothing to put on and cart around…Thank the Lord again! 

And on a point of interest, it seems as though one of these self-driving cars we’re touting so much and are so quickly trying to build, has killed a woman in Arizona trying to cross the road. Ah Lord eh! Why are we in such a hurry to replace ourselves and make us extinct eh? 

Everything we’re working on is autonomous; self-driving cars and trucks, self-flying planes, not to talk about robots taking over most of the functions that humans are supposed to do. Can’t we see that God’s greatest creation is foolishly trying to kill itself off either through horrible collisions, or just through laziness and having nothing to do? 

I don’t know about you all nuh, but I’m NOT going in any car that doesn’t have a driver at the wheel, or a plane that has no pilot at the controls! I’ll take my chances with people, not with artificial intelligence. End of sermon! (smile)  

Now here is a li’l something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin to change our mood and lift our spirits this glorious Tuesday. The title simply says ‘It’s Good.’  

Please pray with me. ‘God, it’s good to be LOVED by You! The breathtaking knowledge Of Your life-giving LOVE Rings chimes in my tremulous heart. It fashions eternal declarations Out of unsettled questions. It creates a majestic life symphony From a solitary note. GOD IT’S GOOD TO BE LOVED BY YOU!’ 

And is it ever? If you don’t know the LOVE of God, then you’re missing the best part of life. For without His awesome and amazing LOVE percolating in our souls, and bodies, we’re nothing but another wild animal without any sense of purpose or reason. And that’s why our world is in such a mess; the LOVE of God is absent from too many of our lives! 

That brings us to our Bit, the Bible verse associated with the poem above. It’s taken from Psalm 89 – A Maschil (contemplation) of Ethan the Ezrahite declaring ‘God’s sure promises to David. And it joyfully proclaims: ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. 

For I have said, Mercy (LOVING-kindness) shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations.   Selah.’ (Ps.89:1-4) 

And that is exactly what the Lord has done! He has established the kingdom of Jesus, Bruh David’s descendant, and by His great mercy and LOVE, we are a part of that awesome gathering. Glory to God my brethren! For without His faithfulness, we’d still be living under the sinful law of man, and not God’s unconditional LOVE. Bless His holy name for all of His goodness to us my people! 

No wonder, Ethan, the psalmist continues in such glowing terms: ‘And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? 

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab (Egypt) in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fullness thereof, thou hast founded them.’ (Ps.89:5-11) 

Yes friends, on this first day of spring, I believe it’s only wise that we begin spring-cleaning in our hearts and souls. Let’s throw out all the old, false winter stuff and renew our minds with the wonderful LOVE of God that He has shed abroad for our eternal benefit. That’s wisdom personified! 

Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know who and whose we are. In unison and harmony 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 the next move is for us to actually go out and share that amazing LOVE of our friend Jesus with those who don’t know about it, or Him! Let’s make known His faithfulness to all generations. Happy LOVE sharing! Much LOVE!

…blessed are those…who sincerely share Jesus’ gospel of peace and LOVE…