The Remarkable Benefits Believers have Received from the Death and Resurrection of Jesus! Part 1

25 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 103:2.        Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

And then it was Wednesday, our second wind day of the work week! And I hope that we catch that second wind yes, because the last two days have been the proverbial hell on earth, with bright sunshine and temps in the mid-thirties ably accompanied by a hot wind. Thankfully though, today is not as hot, we’re in the mid-twenties, with cloudy skies overhead, a promise of rain, but also rising temps As the old people would say; ‘what a bam bam!’ Right now, we don’t know whether we’re coming or going, but with the marvellous help of Jesus, we can be assured that help is on the way! And all God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Thank You Jesus!’

 And we should be grateful for all the things He’s done for us, as Psalm 103 reminds us: ‘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.’ (Ps. 103: 2-5)

Yes friends, those are some of the reasons why Christ gave up His heavenly position and came to earth like a man, then selflessly gave His life for us on the cross of Calvary, bearing our sins, so that we can be reconciled with God the Father, from whom our abominable sins had wrenched us apart.

Bruh Paul writes it thus to the Philippians: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of his privileges): And being found in fashion (appearance) of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:5-11)

Oh my people, that just goes to show what a great job Jesus did! So great that the Father exalted Him to the name that’s above every other, and that every tongue should consider Him Lord. But let’s look a little deeper into what His selfless work did for us. And in a nutshell, this commentary tells us what we derived from Christ’s death and resurrection. ‘Christ’s death and resurrection offer believers forgiveness of sins, new life, and the hope of eternal life, among other benefits. His sacrifice on the cross atones for our sins, while his resurrection conquers death, granting believers new life and the promise of eternal life.’

And as per forgiveness of sins, the Bible states: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23) So through Christ’s death we achieved forgiveness of sin and basic reconciliation with the Father. Then as per a new life and the new identity we are given when we accept Him as Lord and Saviour (becoming a new creation in Christ; (2 Cor. 5:17) this new life frees us from the power of sin.

As Bruh Paul writes to the Romans: ‘Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like (just) as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For if we be planted together (united) in the likeness of his death, (certainly) we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:’ (Rom. 6:3-5)

Yes my brethren, if we die with Christ, then we will automatically be raised with Him. And that resurrection is oh so beautiful, because it enables us to have eternal life; to spend eternity with Jesus and the Father! Jesus said it quite plainly to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader who came to him under cover of night seeking answers. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17)

And as we mentioned before that Jesus resurrection gives us freedom from sin, these words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians, shine bright light on that new situation. ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave (hades), where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:54b- 57) 

However, since time and space are running out on us, if God spares life tomorrow, then we’ll continue looking at some more of the great benefits Christ’s death and crucifixion accomplished on our behalf. But let’s leave with this exhortation from Bruh Paul. ‘Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain (futile) in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 15:58) And that’s exactly how we ought to behave as true saints of God!  

Now, it’s time to declare our Wednesday Wail, letting all the world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And let’s remember that for those who endure with Jesus right to the very end, there’s a promise of an even more glorious future than our finite minds can imagine. So wisdom behooves us to be there at the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…without the selfless sacrifice of Jesus…mankind would have eventually been nothing but toast…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 March 2023 Matthew 10:31.

12 Mar 2023 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.

Well friends, we’ve gone and done the dastardly deed again! (smile) What’s that you ask? We’ve set the clock one hour ahead in the Daylight Saving Time Routine. Why we keep on doing it, I just don’t know, because very few people seem to like it, and its negative repercussions outweigh whatever unknown advantages it might have. And a lot of places, even right here in Canada, don’t do it, and they get along just fine! So why we have to go through the drudgery, lack of sleep, anxiety and lateness caused by this unnecessary procedure is a bafflement to me. 

But what do I know about these weighty affairs of state, and how much pull do I have eh? Not much, so I’ve just got to accept it and say, the Lord be praised, and get in line. (smile) But I do know someone that knows a whole lot about everything and won’t ever let me down or lead me astray; that’s Jesus. So, because of His wisdom and faithfulness, I can put my sincere trust and faith in Him. And the song we’re going to sing this morning as we gather in His sanctuary to give Him praise and worship, with thanksgiving, exemplifies His wisdom, faithfulness and LOVE to the nth degree. It’s appropriately titled ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow.’ 

One commentary says this of the song: ‘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. And when you hear how this popular hymn came to be written, your heart will be touched. Do not be troubled because we have the King of kings on our side!’ And is that ever the indisputable truth! 

But before we sing it, let’s hear how it came to be. The marvellous lyrics were born out of a springtime visit in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and her husband to a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, whom they had befriended in Elmira, New York. Apparently the couple were ‘true saints of God,’ for Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nearly twenty years, while her husband was an incurable cripple, who got around in his business matters by means of a wheelchair. Now, despite their serious afflictions, they appeared to live happy lives, giving inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. 

On this particular day while the Martins were visiting, Mr. Martin commented on their bright hopefulness and asked their secret. Mrs. Doolittle simply replied, ‘His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ The hymn was born out of that simple but oh so moving experience, with the music later added by composer Charles H. Gabriel. So now, having learned how the song came to be, let’s raise our voices in sweet sacrificial praise, in a soulful, heartfelt, mid-tempo version. And we’ll begin with the chorus, because that seems to stir us up more than when we begin with the first verse. (smile) 

Singing: ‘(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) 

“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: 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, His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.’ 

Wow! Isn’t that magnificent my people! As well as encouraging, reassuring and comforting! It’s ever so good to know that our heavenly Father watches over us like a hawk, or like an eagle does her young ones. And it’s not me who says that nuh, but Jesus, who should know what He’s talking about. Listen to how He wove it into His passage on worry in the Sermon on the Mount. He said to the crowd: ‘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. 10:26) We would certainly think so. 

Then later on, when Jesus warned the disciples about not fearing those who could kill the body, but not the soul, but to fear God who could kill both. (Matt. 10:28) He specified: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (a copper coin)? and one of them shall not fall on 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. 10:29-31) Now friends, if that doesn’t encourage us greatly, I don’t know what will. (smile) 

But let’s try this other scripture from before Jesus’ time here on earth. This from Psalm 32, Bruh David’s words on the blessedness of confession and forgiveness, which lead to divine instruction. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.’ (Ps. 32:8-9) 

Yes friends, that’s just another of the many instances in the Word of God where we find His great faithfulness towards us, His adopted children, the only creation made in His image, whom He predestinated to become as righteous and perfect as His first-born Son, Jesus Christ!! That ought to give us great reassurance and confidence as we journey out into the evil world this week to do His earthly work. Much LOVE!

…why worry…when the Creator of the universe is looking out for us… 

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