04 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious summer's day, a sacificial way, a sacrificial life, according to your compassion, according to your unfailing love, all of it, an attitude of prayer, an end to all good things must be, balance work with play, be discouraged, be out and about, blot out his/her transgressions, Caribana celebrations, carrying your loved ones as you go, christianity, cleanse him/her form all unrighteousness, come to know and love christ like we do, consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners, daily grind and common task, despising the shame, direct it like a river, doing right by everyone, endured such hostility of sinners, endured the cross, even on the long boring days, every day, every hour, faith, faithfully holding them in prayer, Father, follow Christ's example, for the joy that was set before him, godly purposes, godly ways of doing certain things, have mercy O Lord on my loved one, help usually involves sacrifice, helping others, holy spirit, honouring this life, how you move beyond what's comfortable, how you move forward in faith, how you show up, hurry, If any man will follow me, in god's eyes, In Touch Devotional, In Touch Devotional how you move forward, is set down at the right hand of the throne of God, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the best example, knowing God is carrying you through, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds, let him deny himself, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, living the uncomfortable life, lock stock and barrel, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, loving sacrificially, mercy, my loved one's heart is in your hands, my neck of the woods, not perfectly, not what people say about me, outdoors, pray without ceasing, prayer should be a constant in our lives, present with the people around you, refreshed our minds and souls, remaining steady, remembering where God has taken you so far, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, staying open to where God will take you, take up his cross daily and follow me, the author and finisher of our faith, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the Christian way is a sacrificial way, the Christian way is not being comfortable, the life you'e been entrusted with, the whole wide world, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, upend our comfort, wash away his/her iniquity, we all love our comfort, we're here for that journey, wherever you please, wisdom, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 August 2026 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
1 Thessalonians 5:17. ‘Pray without ceasing.’
Oh friends, it’s another glorious summer’s day in my neck of the woods! Bright sunshine and cool breezes make it an excellent day to be out and about outdoors, but sadly I’m stuck in here writing the Bit. (smile) But that’s okay, it’s my own fault for not starting earlier so that I could finish earlier. Anyway, as they say, all good things to an end must come, and thus the Caribana celebrations and all the other festivities of the past weekend are now over and done with, and we’re back to the daily grind and common task of work, work, and more work. But work is a good thing, there are many benefits to it, we just have to learn to balance it with our play time.
And since the Lord has granted us more breath of life to see today, let’s keep our promise from yesterday of continuing to look at the interesting article in poem form from the July In Touch Devotional. It reads: ‘This is how you move forward in faith: by remembering where God has taken you so far and staying open to where He’ll take you tomorrow. This is how you show up: by carrying your LOVED ones as you go, every hour, every day – not perfectly but faithfully holding them in prayer.
This is how you move beyond what’s comfortable: by LOVING sacrificially, doing right by everyone, honouring this life you’ve been entrusted with. Even on the long days, the boring days, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days. Remaining steady, present with the people around you. Knowing God is carrying you through. We’re here for that journey. All of it.’
Yes friends, it’s all true’ there are certain things we need to do in this life and certain Christian or godly ways of doing them. Now, yesterday we dealt with the first aspect of the poem,; moving forward in faith, using the example of Bruh David’s life. Let’s look now at the second aspect; how you show up. And they say you do that by constantly carrying your LOVED ones; faithfully keeping them in your prayers as you go through this life. In general, it’s like Bruh Paul says in 1 Thessalonians: ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess. 5:17) Meaning prayer should be a constant in our lives, or have an attitude of prayer.
And also like he says in Ephesians: ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for the all saints.’ (Eph .6:18) That’s about praying for all believers, but there are prayers we could use for our LOVED ones in particular, like this one drawn from Deuteronomy 30:6: ‘Lord, circumcise my LOVED one’s heart so that he/she may LOVE you with all his/her heart and with all his/her soul, and live.’
And this one drawn from Psalm 51 – Bruh David’s plea for forgiveness. ‘Have mercy O Lord on my LOVED one, according to your unfailing LOVE, according to your compassion blot out his/her transgressions. Wash away his/her iniquity and cleanse him/her from all unrighteousness.’ (Ps. 51:1) And like this one drawn from Proverbs: ‘Father, my LOVED one’s heart is in your hands, direct it like a river wherever you please.’ (Prov. 21:1) And there are many other scriptures from which we can extrapolate or convert to prayers for our LOVED ones, but keeping them prayed up is a must.
And the last aspect of the poem is: ‘This is how you move beyond what’s comfortable:’ Now that won’t sit right with many of us, because we all LOVE our comfort, especially in these times when almost everything is being done to make us as comfortable as possible. But that’s not the Christian way; it’s not the example that Christ showed when He was down here on earth. No! Christ’s way is a sacrificial way. It doesn’t dwell solely on comfort, but on ways to help others. And wherever help is involved, sacrifice will most likely be there also.
And there’s nothing to upend our comfort like reminding us of Christ’s desire for His followers. (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) Yes mih bredrin, an uncomfortable sacrificial life is the possible lot of a believer in Christ Jesus. It won’t always be such, but if it does turn out to be like that, then we’re supposed to embrace it like Christ embraced His sacrificial life down here.
That’s why the author of Hebrews could write: ‘Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (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. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (be discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb. 12:2-3)
Undoubtedly my fellow believers, Jesus is the best example of living the uncomfortable sacrificial life, for He did as the poem says: by LOVING sacrificially, doing right by everyone, honouring the life He was entrusted with. Even on the long, bad and boring days. Remaining steady, present with the people around Him, because He knew that God would carry Him through the job He was sent down here to do. Likewise, so should we, since we too ‘Are here for that journey. All of it.’
And having refreshed our minds and souls with some of our godly purposes and requirements, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That means we now have to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE him like we do! Much LOVE!
…the big thing in Christ’s life was sacrifice…and so should it also be…in the lives of Christians…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
28 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a cry for help, a symbol of sorrow, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, an alien unto my mother's children, be ashamed for my sake, became a proverb to them, become a stranger unto my brethren, becoming more dependent on technology, blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, chastened my soul with fasting, come into deep waters, deliver me because of mine enemies, deliver me out of the mire, draw nigh unto my soul, eternal life, faith, faithfulness, falsely accused, find the faith to bear it, for thy sake I have borne reproach, full of heaviness, gave me gall for my meat, gave me vinegar to drink, God's ever faithful promise, great is your reward in heaven, hate me without a cause, he that endureth to the end shall be saved, hear me, hear me speedily, hide not thy face from thy servant, holy spirit, hurry, I am in trouble, I made sackcloth also to my garment, I restored that which I took not away, I sink deep in the mire, I wept, in an acceptable time, in god's eyes, in my thirst, in the multitude of thy mercy, in the truth of thy salvation, Jesus Christ, let me delivered from them that hate me, let me not sink, let not the pit shut her mouth upon me, let not the waterflood overflow me, let not them that wait in faith on thee, let not those that seek thee be confounded, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel, looked for comforters but found none, looked for some to take pity, LOVE, mercy, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God, more than the hairs of mine head, my prayer is unto thee O Lord, my sins are not hid from thee, my throat is dried, my wrongful enemies, negative situations, negatively treated, neither let the deep swallow me up, O God thou knowest my foolishness, out of the deep waters, redeem my soul, rejoice and be exceeding glad, reproach hath broken my heart, restored that which I did not steal, salvation, same khaki pants, save me O God, say all manner of evil against you falsely, shame hath covered my face, share His love with my neighbours, so persecuted they the prophets which were before you, steadfastness, technology, technology breaks down at the most inopportune times, the beloved of God, the floods overflow me, the reproaches of then that reproached thee are fallen on me, the song of the drunkards, the waters are come in unto my soul, the zeal for thine house hath eaten me up, there was none to take pity, they that sit in the gate speak against me, they that would destroy me, they too can come to know and love Christ like do, thy lovingkindness is good, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, turn unto me, undeserved suffering, weary of my crying, where there is no standing, wisdom, worry, ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake
Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 July 2026 Psalm 69:1.
Psalm 69:1. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck).
Oh Lord… technology, technology, technology! It’s useful, but it also seems to break down or fail at the most inopportune times. I was already late getting down here, then I spent over half an hour fighting with this so and so computer to begin writing the Bit! It opened quite well and I checked some messages. But when I tried opening Word to begin writing…Hn! No reaction whatsoever. It wouldn’t open anything at all. So, in frustration, I decided to change the batteries in the mouse…Same khaki pants. Then I changed the batteries in the keyboard…Nothing doing. I couldn’t even turn it off with the mouse.
So I eventually turned it off manually…at least tried doing so, but it wouldn’t close because the Google App was open, so I hit cancel to stop the turn off and voilà …the whole screen lit up and the computer began working normally again! And I still don’t know what was wrong. But sadly, every day we’re becoming more and more dependent on the deleted expletive technology, which can break down or fail so completely when you most need it. But as one of my friends likes to say; that’s progress! Ah Lord eh! Hopefully, that is my only frustration for today. (smile)
Anyway, let’s see what the Lord wants us to talk about today, after allowing that most frustrating episode right at the very beginning. And wouldn’t you know, in the Lord’s most intriguing and mysterious way, the Good Library opened just now at Psalm 69 – A Cry for Help, where Bruh David cries out: ‘Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul (neck). I sink deep in the mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away (which I did not steal). O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. Let not them that wait (in faith) on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake (because of me): let not those that seek thee be confounded (disgraced) for my sake, O God of Israel.
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of (for) thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to (became) my reproach. I made sackcloth also my garment (a symbol of sorrow); and I became a proverb (byword) to them. They that sit in the gate (sit as judges) speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.’ (Ps. 69:1-12)
Ah friends, I’m sure many of us are in the same boat that Bruh David was in back then; embroiled in a case of undeserved suffering, and mainly from his steadfastness in his commitment to the Lord. But unfortunately that is one of the negative things that can happen to us when we stand up strong for Christ. As He warned in the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ (Matt. 5:11-12)
Then later on, Jesus again declared to the disciples: ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt. 10:22) Oh my fellow believers, we all know that rejoicing when we’re being falsely accused and negatively treated is not easy to do, but we have to dig down deep and find the faith to bear it, with the Lord’s help obviously. We need to cry out to the Lord, petition Him like Bruh David did:
‘But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, O Lord; for thy LOVING-KINDNESS is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily (quickly). Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me gall for my meat (food); and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.’ (Ps. 69:13-21)
Yes my brethren, it can be a difficult life if we insist on standing up strong and steadfast for Christ, but we need to also remember the rewards that come from our faithfulness and steadfastness; salvation and eternal life with Christ, and understand that those rewards greatly outweigh the ‘sufferation’ we might undergo here on earth. And again, it’s not easy, but we need to also cry out to God and ask for help in our negative situations, and even if He doesn’t rescue us from the situation, for sure He’ll give us the peace and strength to withstand it, for that’s His ever faithful promise.
Now let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
So let’s do just that nuh; go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…Jesus desires a lot from us…but look at what He’s already given…a whole lot more…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a flame of fire, a heart fixed on God, a ruler's staff, a sceptre of righteousness, as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, being confident of this very thing, boundaries, bring us back to God, can never be rectified, can never be retrieved, children of God, Christ is indestructible, christianity, come to know and love christ like we do, confession, dare not live in a spirit of desair and defeat, despise not the chastening of the Lord, discipline, don't take God's discipline for a lack of love, duty bound, even as a father, everyday we're in the potter's hands, faith, forest fires, God anointed thee with the oil of gladness, God desires to reconcile us back to himself, God never ignores us, God never rejects or refuses His children, god will do whatever he needs to do, God's desire is always to restore us never to reject us, God's discipline has one objective, God's goal is always to use us, God's love is always working on our behalf, hated iniquity, he which hath begun a good work in you, holy spirit, hurry, in god's eyes, in the marvellous image of Jesus, irrefutably true, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and for ever, Jesus is better than the angels, laid the foundation of the earth, let all the angels of God worship him, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel, lost many opportunities, LOVE, loved righteousnes, made foolish choices, makes his angels spirit, makes his ministers a flame of fire, mercy, need to understand, One Year Book of Bible promises, possible because of Jesus who never changes, prevent us from going astray, rain to quench the parched earth, renewed surrender, Ruth Harms Calkin, safeguards, safely restored in his fold, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the difference between the angels and Jesus, the God Who Never Changes, the heavens are the work of thy hands, the light began to shine, the living truth, the sceptre of thy kingdom, the son in whom he delights, they shall be changed, they shall perish but thou shalt endure, thou art the same, thunderstorms, thy throne is for ever and ever, thy years fail not, to bring us to the end of ourselves, to make us whatever he needs us to be, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, ungodly times, wax old as a garment, whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 July 2026 Hebrews 13:8.
Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
So we’ve come to Tuesday, which opened with a very lively thunderstorm in the early morning hours. But that soon petered out and the light began to shine, until very recently when a big shower of rain descended upon my neighbourhood, leaving it wet and cloudy. And we certainly needed some good rain to quench the parched earth as well as wash away the smoke from the forest fires that are still burning in the northern areas of the province. That means we must keep on praying and doing whatever else we can to aid the cessation of those destructive fires.
Now, let’s look at a very interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, this one aptly titled, ‘The God Who Never Changes.’ Whether or not I’ve ever shared it before is unimportant, because it’s still very applicable to all our lives today in these ungodly and evil times. So please read with me. ‘It is irrefutably true: We have lost many opportunities that can never be retrieved. We have made foolish choices that can never be rectified. But we dare not live life in a spirit of despair and defeat.
As children of God we need to understand that all God’s discipline has but one objective: To bring us to the end of ourselves and back to Him! His desire is always to restore us, never to reject us. His goal is always to use us, never to ignore us. With confession, renewed surrender, and a heart that is fixed on him, God will do in us whatever He needs to do to make us whatever He wants us to be. Every necessary change God chooses to make is wonderfully possible because of Jesus, who never changes.’
And all God’s people said a loud and grateful, ‘Thank the Lord for that!’ Yes my fellow believers, we have to be everlastingly grateful for the fact that Jesus never changes, as the Scripture for the poem says: ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.’ (Heb. 13:8) And that’s the living truth! Our Lord and Saviour never changes, therefore we are able to rely on, to put our total trust in Him and whatever He says.
And the author of Hebrews laid the foundation for that contention very early in his writings, when talking about the very meaningful difference between the angels and Jesus, that God’s Son is better than the angels. ‘And again, when he (God) bringeth in the firstbegotten (firstborn) into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirit, and his ministers a flame of fire.
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre (a ruler’s staff) of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast LOVED righteousness, and hated iniquity (lawlessness); therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (companions). And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they shall wax (grow) old as doth a garment; and as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.’ (Heb. 1:6-12)
Yes friends, the Father imbued the Son with power to create and destroy, but also that He himself shall be indestructible and never change! Glory to God! And that’s why the opening sentiments of the poem are ever so true. We’ve lost innumerable opportunities, which can never be retrieved, because that’s just the nature of a lost opportunity. We’ve also made numerous foolish choices that can never be rectified. However, with all of that, as supposed children of God, we ‘dare not live life in a spirit of despair and defeat.’ That would be the worst choice we could ever make.
And above all. we need to understand that all God does, falls into only one compartment; to reconcile us back to himself. Yes mih bredrin, that’s our God’s raison d’etre for everything He does in, with, to and for us! His only goal is to have us safely and LOVINGLY restored in His fold, in the marvellous image of His Son Jesus. Unlike us, God never rejects or refuses His children, but always does what ever is needed to restore them and bring them home to Himself.
Thus Bruh Paul reminds the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Meaning that once God commences to turn us into the image of Christ, He won’t stop until His job is complete. Consequently, every day we can find ourselves in His potter’s hands, like a lump of clay being molded on His potter’s wheel into the very image of His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ. However, that change can only be successful if we sincerely confess our wrongdoing, surrender our lives to Him once again, and have a heart that’s irrevocably fixed on Him.
And we ought to always remember these ever so wise words of warning from Cousin Sol on the Lord’s discipline. ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord LOVETH he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.’ (Prov. 3:11-12) And unfortunately that’s where a lot of us make our mistake; taking God’s discipline for a lack of LOVE, when it’s the very reason behind the correction. And it’s no different to when we correct our children because we LOVE them, not because we want to hurt them. So let’s not take umbrage when the Lord tries to correct us, but understand it’s His LOVE working on our behalf.
Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…like all children…we need boundaries, safeguards and discipline…so that we don’t go astray…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
14 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life of service and sacrifice, a piece of clay in the potter's hands, a real scorcher, a Sunday afternoon stroll, able to stand up to any kind of pressure, always complaining, an accumulation of life experiences, back of my neck, be able to comfort those in trouble, become more like Jesus, being confident of this very thing, both to abound and to suffer need, buzzing in our hearts and souls, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God, christianity, clones of Jesus, cold, come to know and love him like we do, comforts us in all our tribulation, duty bound, evangelism, everything will turn out right in the end, everywhere and in all things, faith, faithfulness, gentleness, getting dirty and gritty, getting to know Jesus, go home encouraged, go through tough times, God will never abandon us, God's purpose won't be denied, goodness, grow in spiritual maturity, have it more abundantly, he which hath begun a good work in you, heat, high winds, holy spirit, hot town, hurry, I am come that they might have life, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I have learned, I know how to abound, I know how to be abased, if any man will come after me, in god's eyes, in God's hands, in whatsoever state I am, it comes gradually, Jesus Christ, joy, kindness, learn from our experiences of life with jesus, let him deny himself, like a bee around a flower, like there's no way forward but God makes one, live humbly, live in prosperity, LOVE, mercy, never satisfied, on God's potter's wheel, over a period of time, patience, peace, persecution, poverty, regretting the end of summer, salvation, see God's awesome love and faithfulness, self-control, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, soon be experiencing the cold of winter, souls grieved unto death, suffer loss or disappointment, summer in the city, take up his cross daily and follow me, the beloved of God, the best life available, the BIBLE, the Christian's eternal security, the crux of the situation, the Father of mercies, the fruit of the spirit, the God of All Comfort, the good shepherd, therewith to be content, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, wealth, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, with the help of the Holy Spirit, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 July 2026 Philippians 4:13.
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Here it is friends, another hot summer Tuesday in mid-July; a real scorcher with the promise of high winds too! As the song says: ‘Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty.’ Yes mih people, it looks like we’re in for a truly hot summer…and let’s not complain, because, with the days moving so quickly, before we know it, we will soon be experiencing the cold of winter and ruing (regretting) the day this hot summer ended. (smile) Yes, that’s the way we are, never satisfied, always complaining about one thing or another.
But let’s remember that we are saints of Jesus, with the ability to handle whatever comes against us with a spiritual calm that overrides our natural fleshly behaviour. As Bruh Paul would say: ‘ …for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity): every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:11-13)
And that’s the crux of the situation: Christ enables us to do all that we need to do when we’re sincerely living for Him. Consequently, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to stand up to any kind of pressure that comes against us; whether it’s poverty or wealth, heat or cold, persecution or evangelism. But the important thing there is that we need to learn how to do all of that, it does not come automatically, easily, or overnight. No, it comes gradually, over a period of time, when we learn from our experiences of life with Jesus.
It’s an accumulation of life experiences. Like when we go through tough times and see His awesome LOVE and faithfulness pull us through. Like when there seems to be no way forward, but He finds one for us. Like when we suffer loss or disappointment and our souls are grieved unto death, and as Bruh Paul, contends: ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all out tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
Oh mih people, that’s the wonderful and miraculous way in which our great God works; comforts us so that we can comfort others! And each instance of Jesus showing up for us builds our faith and teaches us how to operate the way He desires. And let’s remember how that is. He says: ‘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) That means a life of service and sacrifice like He portrayed here on earth. And no, it won’t always be hard times and suffocating sacrifice, but when it’s necessary we must be able to do it and not complain too much.
Remember too, that Jesus said; ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Now that doesn’t mean a life of strictly or only sacrifice, but one also filled with LOVE, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. In other words, a life filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit! Jesus also called himself the good shepherd, (John 10:11 & 14) and the good shepherd makes life good not difficult for His sheep.
So coming to know and LOVE Jesus can be tough, but believe me, it’s in those tough times that we truly know and appreciate Him, as well as grow in spiritual maturity, and become more like Him, which is the Lord’s desirous outcome for us all. That’s why Bruh Paul tells us: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jeus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Meaning that once the Lord begins turning us into good clones of Jesus, He won’t ever stop until He takes us home, or Jesus returns.
That means, every day we’re alive, like a rough piece of clay in a potter’s hands, we’re liable to be in God’s hands, and on His potter’s wheel, being moulded and formed into the perfect image of Jesus. Now, that again is not always an easy process, but we have to accept His LOVE and faithful promises that He won’t intentionally hurt us, but that all He does will eventually turn out to be for our good. (Rom. 8:28) As the scholars advise us: ‘This speaks of the Christian’s eternal security. For God had a purpose in view when He began His saving work in the Philippians (and also in us), and that purpose will neither be abandoned nor unrealized.’
Yes my faithful brethren, God will never abandon us! Of that we can be very sure! So with all that reassurance in God’s power and goodness buzzing in our hearts and souls, like a bee around a beautiful, sweet smelling flower, (smile) let’s go home encouraged, and thus declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
Now, that means we are duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…getting to know Christ…is not a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park…but it’s certainly the best life available here on Mother Earth…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
07 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all the people said amen and praised the Lord, be careful for nothing, be mindful always of his covenant, bless the LOrd o my soul, blessed be the God of Israel for ever and ever, bound in affliction and iron, brake their bands in sunder, broke their chains in pieces, brought down their heart with labour, brought them out of darkness, call upon his name, children of Jacob, christianity, come to know and love christ like we do, contemned the counsel of the Most High, created to give thanks and praise, crowneth thee with loving-kindness, deliver us from the heathen, eternal life with Christ, even in adversity we're expected to rejoice pray and give thanks, faith, forget not all his benefits, gather us together, give thanks for another day of life, give thanks to thy holy name, give thanks unto the Lord, give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, glory in thy praise, glory ye in his holy name, God is both our Creator and Sustainer, God's great love for us, God's Redemptive Power, he filleth the hungry soul with goodness, he is the Lord our God, he satisfieth the longing soul, heading straight for hell fire and damnation, his chosen ones, his mercy endureth for ever, his servant, his wonderful works to the children of men, holy spirit, hurry, imprisoned in, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, in every thing give thanks, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord, let the redeemed of the Lord say so, let your requests be made known unto God, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make known his deeds among the people, O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, open prayer with thanksgiving, out faithful duty, paid for our sins, pray without ceasing, prisoners, redeemed from the hand of the enemy, rejoice ever more, remember His marvellous works, salvation, satisfieth thy mouth with good things, save us O God of our salvation, saved them out of their distresses, seek his face continually, seek ye the Lord and his strength, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, sing psalms unto him, sing unto him, such as sit in darkness, talk ye of all his wondrous works, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the burden of sin, the judgements of his mouth, the Lord's doing, the peace of God which passes all understanding, the shadow of death, the shed blood of Christ, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, there was none to help, they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, they rebelled against the words of God, this is the will of God in Christ concerning you, thy youth is renewed like the eagle's, to whom we belong, tone down the heat, triumph in your praise, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, washed us white as snow, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, wisdom, worry, ye seed of Israel, yoked under
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 July 2026 Psalm 107:1.
Psalm 107:1. ‘O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy (LOVING KINDNESS) endureth for ever.
And on this first Tuesday in July, a beautiful sunshiny summer’s day, with a cool breeze blowing to tone down the heat, I want us to do something we certainly don’t do as much as we ought to; that’s give thanks to our heavenly Father for another day of life on this wonderful planet earth, and also for all the good things He’s done for us down through the ages. So to comply with that desire, we’ll check out a few Bible verses out of the many that remind us of that faithful duty.
And the first scripture we’ll look at is this one from Psalm 107, titled ‘God’s Redemptive Power.’ It opens with this marvellous statement: ‘O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy (LOVING KINDNESS) endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.’ (Ps. 107:1-2) And that’s us my brethren; for the Lord has most definitely redeemed us from the burden of sin the enemy had us imprisoned in and yoked under, through the shed blood of Christ that paid for our sins and washed us white as snow.
For that we should be everlastingly thankful and grateful, otherwise we would still be heading straight for hell fire and damnation, instead of eternal life with Christ. And that was the Lord’s doing because of His great LOVE for us! Please, let’s remember that and continually give Him thanks, as Bruh Paul says to the Thessalonians: ‘Rejoice ever more. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ (1 Thess. 5:16-18) Yes, friends, even in adversity we’re expected to rejoice, pray, and give thanks, because that’s what the Lord expects of us.
Likewise Bruh Paul wrote thus to the Philippians: ‘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. 4:6-7) Oh my people, the best way to bypass fear and anxiety is through prayer, but our God desires thanksgiving in our prayer, and you’ll notice throughout the Bible, that whenever prayer is made, it usually opens with thanksgiving.
That takes us to 1 Chronicles 16, where it says: ‘Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek ye the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God; his judgements are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.’ (1 Chro. 16:7-15)
Now that’s only the beginning of Bruh David’s song of praise, which has been encapsulated into Psalm 105:1-15. But here’s how he ends the song in 1 Chronicles. ‘O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory (triumph) in thy praise. Blessed be the God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.’ (1 Chr. 16:34-36)
And that’s how it ought to be my people; us finding joy and praise and thanksgiving in the Lord our God, because He’s both our Creator and Sustainer, and we can’t do much of anything without His approval and/or help. And here, we go back to Psalm 107 as the psalmist declares: ‘Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING KINDNESS), and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron (prisoners);
Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned (despised) the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder (broke their chains in pieces). Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING KINDNESS), and for his wonderful works to the children of men.’ (Ps. 107:8-15)
Yes, my fellow believers, that’s what our God is all about. And if you still don’t believe that we ought to give thanks and praise to our God, then listen to these true words from Psalm 103, where Bruh David writes: ‘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)
And if those aren’t all most excellent reasons to give God thanks and praise, then I don’t know what is. But I do hope we’ll review those scriptures and let them raise the level of our praise and thankfulness to Almighty God. Now, let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…giving thanks and praise to God…is what we were created to do…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
30 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a gentle word, a glimpse of beauty, a jealous spirit, a song of praise, a storehouse of faith, a thirsting soul, a treasure trove of God's goodness, an act of kindness, as with marrow and abundance, assurance of God's presence, be a portion for foxes, be able to bear it, be ressured, because thou hast been my help, Christians, come to know and love christ like we do, common to man, David never doubted that the Lord was with him, do not give up our hope faith and trust in God, doubts and fears rise up, duty bound, early will I seek thee, even when I can't feel it, everyone that sweareth by him shall glory, examine the detail, faith, faith only grows stronger through personal experience with God, fall by the sword, feel alone, for with God nothing shall be impossible, freely given, give a glowing testimony of God, God can make a way where there seems to be no way, God is faithful, God will see us through our problems, God's presence, holy spirit, I will bless thee while I live, I will rejoice, in a dry and thirsty land where no water is, in God's eyes' hurry, in spite of all the negative happenings, in the night watches, in the shadow of thy wings, In Touch Devotional, Jesus Christ, keep believeing, killed the lion and the bear, lift up my hands in thy name, like a child gathering shells, lock stock and barrel, loneliness creeps in, LOVE, make a way to escape, meditate on thee, mercy, my flesh longeth for thee, my lips shall praise thee, my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, my pockets are heavy with proof, my soul followeth hard after thee, my soul shall be satisfied, my soul thirsteth for thee, no temptation has overtaken you, not his own doing, not prepared for the world's attacks, O God thou art my God, on the right track, on the right track with Jesus, our faith journey, our love walk with Christ, overwhelming circumstances, prey for jackals, pull out a memory, reassure ourselves of God's love, remember thee on my bed, salvation, seen God move in our lives, seen thee in the sanctuary, self-pity, share His love with my neighbours, share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, sored deep in our hearts, teach me, the Bble, the beloved of God, the king shall rejoice in God, the last day of June, the lower parts of the earth, the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped, the world throws it's best shot at us, thy lovingkindness is better than life, thy right hand upholdeth me, time to take stock, to collect evidence of your love, to disturb our souls, to see thy power and thy glory, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, uncertain times, wisdom, with fierce attention, with God all things are possible, with men this is impossible, with the temptation, worry, you tend every corner of my life
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 June 2026 Psalm 63:7.
Psalm 63:7. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
Then it was Tuesday, a very hot and mostly sunny day. It’s also the last day of June, meaning half of the year has already gone by, and it’s time to take stock of what progress we’ve made so far in it, especially in terms of our New Year’s Resolution, of growing closer to Jesus. Yes friends, it’s time to stop and consider how we’ve fared so far in our LOVE and faith walk with Jesus. See where we’ve improved, or where we’ve fallen behind, and need to make the extra effort to improve, so that our overall faith journey can get back on the right track, for it’s only when we’re on the right track with Jesus that our lives become truly meaningful! End of Sermon! (smile)
And on this last day of June, we’ll look at the prayer in the June edition of the In Touch Devotional. So please pray with me: ‘Father, when I feel alone, teach me to collect evidence of Your LOVE like a child gathering shells – an act of kindness here, a glimpse of beauty there, a gentle word freely given – until my pockets are heavy with proof. When loneliness creeps in, I can pull out a memory, examine the detail again, and be reassured You tend every corner of my life with fierce attention, even when I can’t feel it. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
And sadly, in these troubled and uncertain times many of us need a prayer like that, when things are not going right, despite our best efforts and we need to reassure ourselves of God’s LOVE, compassion and presence throughout each and every moment of our lives. For sometimes when the world throws it’s best shot at us, we aren’t truly prepared for it, and all kinds of doubts and fears rise up to disturb our souls. That’s why we need to have a treasure trove of God’s goodness stored deep in our hearts to always remind us of how wonderful He is to us, in spite of all the negative things happening.
We also need to remember that although He might not take away our problems, He will see us through them, so there’s no need to worry about His eternal presence. It’s like Bruh Paul assured the Corinthians and consequently us: ‘There hath no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13)
Now that should surely be one of the treasures in our treasure trove of God’s goodness and mercy. And Bruh David is certainly one of the best examples of that in the Bible, for throughout all his problems, especially when running from king Saul who desired to kill him because of a jealous spirit, he never doubted that the Lord was with him, probably remembering the times when as a lowly shepherd boy, protecting the sheep, he killed the lion and the bear, and also when he killed the Philistine giant Goliath with a small stone from a sling shot. He had to know and understand that all of that was the Lord’s hand working on his behalf, and not his own doing.
It’s like he says in Psalm 63 – A Thirsting Soul, when he was in the wilderness of Judah running from Saul. ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee (looked for thee) in the sanctuary. Because thy LOVING-KINDNESS is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow (the best) and fatness (abundance); and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion (prey) for foxes (jackals). But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.’ (Ps. 63:1-11)
Oh my people, what assuredness Bruh David had in his God! For how many of us while running for our lives in the wilderness, from an enemy determined to kill us, would, or could write such a glowing testimony about our God? Not too many, for we’d probably be more concerned with the serious state of our problems and too busy with self-pity and wonder where God was, to ever envision a song of praise under those overwhelming circumstances. And truthfully, that can only happen when we’ve had some experience with Lord, where we’ve seen Him move in our lives, and have thus built up a storehouse of faith, to help us keep believing when there appears to be no way out of our problems.
To remember that our wonderful, omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God can always make a way, where there seems to be no way. Remember what the angel Gabriel said to Mary, Jesus’ mother, when she wondered how she could become pregnant without knowing a man. ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:37) And Jesus, having told the disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, reiterated Gabriel’s words. ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26)
And that is something we desperately need to always keep at the forefront of our minds: the Lord might not do what we desire, but it’s possible for Him to do anything He desires, so we must not give up our hope, faith and trust in Him. Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…faith can only grow stronger…through more personal experiences with God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
23 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bunch of ungrateful sinners, a living hope, a spoiled child, abundant life, according to His abundant mercy, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, ask anything that's in God's will, be able to comfort them which are in trouble, be my Helper, Bless His Holy Name, bless the Lord oh my soul, blessed be God, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God, camp beneth the Lord's umbrella, carry them in his bosom, challenging, compassionate, crowneth thee with loving-kindness, delights in giving His Children good things, faith, feed his flock like a shepherd, foolish tears, forget not all his benefits, forgive my vain grasping, forgiveth all thine iniquities, friendly God, full of adventure, gather the lambs with his arm, genreous, gently lead those that are with young, gets whatever he asks for, guide me all my life, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, healeth all thy diseases, hold me, holy spirit, hurry, I resisted, I struggled, in god's eyes, Jehovah God is the greatest, Jesus Christ, kept by the power of God, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, light in the darkness, lock stock and barrel, Lord You LOVE to Say Yes, LOVE, mercy, mount up with wings as eagles, my Friend, no better way to live, obedient to God's demands, ready to be revealed in the last time, redeemeth thy life from destruction, reserved in heaven for you, run and not be weary, salvation, satisfieth thy mouth with good things, seize me, share His love with my neighbours, shattered, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's, steady me when I staggered, take us home when we lose our way, tender mercies, that fadeth not away, the awesome truth, the beloved of God, the easy yoke of christ, the Father of mercies, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of All Comfort, the One and Only True God, the resurrection of the dead, they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, thread my tears into a song, through faith unto salvation, thy youth is renewed like the eagle's, torn with grief, transitory change, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Manrta, undisturbable joy, value God's guidance, walk and not faint, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, willful pride, windstorm, wisdom, with your wisdom, worry, you said yes, your captivating love, your counsel
Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 June 2026 Psalm 103:5.
Psalm 103:5. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
So we’ve conquered Monday and come to Tuesday; a sunny and mild though somewhat windy day, but definitely nothing like it was for the couple of days last week. That was a windstorm, this is just a decent wind. (smile) And today we’ll look at a wonderful poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin titled ‘Lord, You LOVE to Say Yes.’ I believe I’ve shared it before, but I also think it’s time to share it again, because it’s so beautiful and truthful. (smile)
So, please read with me: ‘Lord, I asked You for abundant life Rich, challenging, full of adventure And You said yes. I asked You for an undisturbable joy Independent of transitory change And You said Yes. I asked you to thread my tears into a song when I was shattered and torn with grief and You said Yes. I asked you to steady me when I staggered – To hold me when I struggled To seize me when I resisted And You said Yes.
I asked You to forgive my vain grasping My foolish fears, my willful pride And You said yes. I asked You to be my Helper, my Friend My light in the darkness And You said Yes. I asked You to guide me all my life With Your wisdom, Your counsel Your captivating LOVE And You said Yes. Sometimes, Lord I feel like a spoiled child Who gets whatever he asks for. You overwhelm me with joy For You LOVE to say Yes!’
And isn’t that the awesome truth when we ask for anything that’s in His will? It certainly is! Yes friends, we have a wonderful, generous, compassionate, LOVING and friendly God, who delights in giving His children good things. And if we are living in His will and are being obedient to His demands, then why wouldn’t He be generous, especially when we ask for things like His wisdom, His counsel and His captivating LOVE, which show that we truly value His guidance. As well as to be our friend, our helper and our light in the darkness, for those are all major aspects of the relationship the Lord desires to have with us.
It’s like Bruh David says in Psalm 103, from which the scripture promise for today’s poem comes. ‘He declares; ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 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. 103:1-5)
Oh my people, that is the good and great God that we serve, who always desires for us to the abundant life for which His Son, Jesus Christ, died for us to have. And by the way, that last verse is the Bible promise for today’s poem. And Isaiah also corroborates Bruh David’s sentiments, when he declares: ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is. 40:31) So, if we’re wise, we’d certainly camp beneath the Lord’s umbrella, so we can enjoy all the good things He has in store for us.
And we know how He just LOVES to comfort us in our troubles, meet us wherever we are, ‘thread our tears into a song,’ and take us home when we lose our way or are too prideful and get lost because we choose to go our own way. Listen to how Bruh Paul puts it to the Corinthians: ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.’ (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
Yuh see mih people, our God is so caring and compassionate that He comforts us so that we can comfort others who need it! It’s like Isaiah says: ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 40:11) That shows God’s tender and protective LOVE! Now, no other supposed God does anything like that. Our God gives and comforts, while the other supposed gods only take, with little or no desire to give to their people, or comfort them in times of sorrow. That’s why Jehovah God is the greatest!
And Peter acknowledges that when he declares: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet. 1:3-5)
Now which other supposed god gave up their only Son to die for a bunch of ungrateful sinners eh? None, but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! That’s why He is the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD! The undisputed Creator, Controller and compassionate Ruler of this universe! The One who LOVES to say yes to those who seriously and sincerely worship Him in faith and truth. No wonder the wise flock to Him, so that He can spoil them and overwhelm them with unspeakable joy. (smile)
And that’s why we can declare our Tuesday Mantra with joy, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That then means we are duty bound to go out and share the amazing friendship and LOVE of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…there’s no better way to live…than under the easy and unburdened yoke of Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
16 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a foundation stone scripture in our hearts, a man's heart deviseth his way, according to his riches in glory, all the days of your life, all we have comes from God, an early bus, as I was with Moses so will I be with thee, be strong and of a good courage, boast about God's goodness and mercy, challenges, Christians, come to know and love him like we do, discouragement, distress, divide the inheritance, duty bound, encouragement, encouraging scriptures, every other foe, faith, for Christ's sake, glory in my infirmities, God is the most powerful being in the universe, grin and bear it, holy spirit, hurry, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I will boast in God, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, I will not give up, if God spares life, in all these things we are more than conquerors, in Christ there is no giving up, in god's eyes, Jesus Christ, lock stock and barrel, look to God for strength each day, LOVE, man plans but God laughs, mercy, more than a conqueror, my god shall supply all your need, my grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness, necessities, no man shall stand before thee, no matter how fierce or relentless the battle, nothing to boast about, over doubt, Prayer Cards from In Touch, remove the thorn from his flesh, reproaches, salvation, Satan tempts us, share His love with my neighbours, stand firm in christ, stand firm in the Lord, take pleasure in infirmities, talking to the Holy spirit, taunts me with past failures, taunts us with past failures, thank you for your power within me, Thank You Lord, that's life, the beloved of God, the best encouragement comes from God, the BIBLE, the Creator of the universe, the enemy of my soul, the land I swear to give them, the Lord directs his steps, the power of Christ may rest upon me, the power of Jesus that dwells within us, the power of the Holy spirit, the strength I need, there is no one greater than you, threaten to knock me over, through him that loved us, throwing in the towel, to emerge victorious today, to share Christ's love and friendship, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, wasn't in the cards, when I am weak then I am strong, wisdom, worry, you are almighty
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 June 2026 Philippians 4:1b.
Philippians 4:1b. ‘…stand firm in the Lord…’
Oh friends, I tried hard to make an early bus today, but it seems like that wasn’t in the cards, wasn’t meant to be. As the old people would say, ‘Man plans, and God laughs.’ And as Cousin Sol so wisely tells us: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov. 16:9) And that’s no lie, for the Lord stepped in, and against my plan, I ended up going out the street with the Duchess this morning. (smile) But that’s life, and we just have to grin and bear these things when they happen.
And to help us do just that, today we’ll look at a prayer from the recent Prayer Cards issued by the In Touch Organization, this one titled ‘Encouragement.’ And do we ever need that in great amounts in these uncertain and difficult times, when it seems like our world is speeding down to hell in a hand basket. So please pray with me.
‘Lord Jesus, thank You for Your power within me. You are almighty. Challenges may threaten to knock me over, but in You I’m more than a conqueror. So, no matter how fierce or relentless the battle, I will not give up. When the enemy of my soul taunts me with past failures, I will boast in You. Be the strength I need to emerge victorious today – over doubt, discouragement, and every other foe. Thank You Lord. There is no one greater than You. Amen!’ And my fellow believers, once you truly know the Lord God Almighty, you’ll definitely know that there’s none greater than Him!
So let’s try and dissect the prayer. And right from the very beginning, it offers us encouragement, telling us about the great power of Jesus that dwells with us. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit; our Guide, Leader, Comforter, etc. etc. That means we already have the power we need to fight our battles, but we need to use it; by talking to the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance and direction, and then actioning whatever He tells us.
And I like how it says that challenges may threaten, but because we have the most powerful being in the universe dwelling within us, we are able to conquer them. As Bruh Paul so rightly puts it in his letter to the Roman church: ‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.’ (Rom. 8:37) And that’s a scripture that we need to make one of the foundation stones in our hearts, so we can remember and act on it when times get rough.
But possibly the most important statement in the prayer is this one; ‘I will not give up.’ Praise the Lord my brethren! Yes, regardless of how tough and frightening times might get, there is no giving up, for as I keep reminding us, in Christ’s vocabulary there are no words like giving up, like throwing in the towel. And why should there be, when we’re dealing with the Creator of the universe, the One who died for our sins and reigns in heaven advocating on our behalf? And also when the scriptures tell us; ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13)
And furthermore, when Satan tries to tempt and taunt us with our past failures, we’ll just ignore him, and boast about our great God and His goodness and mercy. As Bruh Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, after asking three times for the Lord to remove a particular thorn from his flesh, and eventually got this answer. ‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses) that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.’ (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Ah friends, we really don’t have anything of ourselves to boast about, because all we have comes from Jehovah God. So, if the feeling takes us to boast, the right person to boast on and about is our heavenly Father, for He equips us with whatever we need. As Bruh Paul says in Philippians: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) So whatever we need, the Lord provides, and we are contented with whatever He provides, for it’s often better than what we could provide on our own.
And it’s to the Lord God Almighty to whom we must look for the strength to be victorious on each and every day of our earthly journey. And there are many scriptures on encouragement, like this one from the Lord to Joshua. ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto their father to give them.’ (Josh. 1:5-6)
Now that’s a wonderful bit of encouragement, straight from the Lord Himself, meaning it could not get any better than that. But being strong and courageous is not always easy to do, even when we know the Lord is with us, that’s why the scripture for today’s prayer encourages us to: ‘…stand firm in the Lord…’ (Phil. 4:1b) And there are several more encouraging scriptures to look at, but because time and space are against us, we’ll look at them tomorrow, obviously providing that God spares our lives. (smile)
Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And having said that, we’re now duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…consider the power of Christ Jesus within you…and stand firm in Him… (In Touch Devotional Prayer Card)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
09 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as a man chasteneth his son, being confident of this very thing, better unto me than thousands of gold and silver, build an house for my name, chasten him with the rod of men, Christians, come to know and love christ like we do, consider in thine heart, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty, duty bound, Eliphaz the Temanite, establish his kingdom, establish the throne of his kingdom forever, faith, falling prey to my prayers, family doctor, fear God, feeding them with manna, forty years in the wilderness, God chastened David for his affair with Bathsheba, God promised to chasten Solomon if he erred, God's disciplining of His people, happy is the man the Lord correcteth, he maketh sore and bindeth up, he shall be my son, he which hath begun a good work in you, he woundeth and his hands make whole, holy spirit, home remedies, humbling them, hurry, I will be his father, if he commit iniquity, It is good for me I have been afflicted, Jesus Christ, keep all the Lord's commandments, learn the hard way, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, live and multiply, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make us more Christ-like, man does not live by bread alone, mercy, Moses, Moses instructing the young Israelites, my mercy shall not depart away from him, obey God and leave all the consequences to him, on a late bus, proving their faithfulness, salvation, set up thy seed after thee, share His love with my neighbours, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee, sore throat, suffering them to hunger, that i might learn thy statutes, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the law of thy mouth, the Lord's works run the whole gamut of our experience, the potters wheel, the Promised Land, the prophet Nathan, the stripes of the children of men, thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever, to share the amazing love and friendship of Christ, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, walk in God's ways, will perform it until the day of Jesus, wisdom, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 June 2026 Deuteronomy 8:5.
Deuteronomy 8:5. Thou shalt also consider (know) in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.
Ah friends, today we’re on a real late bus, because I went to see my family doctor about a bad sore throat I’ve had for almost a week now and it wasn’t falling prey to my prayers or any of my home remedies, so I succumbed to the medic as a last resort. (smile) Anyway, without further ado, let’s get to our topic for today, making it as short and sweet as possible. (smile)
And it’s the same topic as it yesterday, God’s disciplining of His people, just with more scriptures. And if several people spoke about it down through the ages, that just goes to show how important it is. So we’ll go right back to the early years, where Moses is instructing the young Israelites who were going into the Promised Land, about the things the Lord had unsuccessfully tried to teach their forefathers.
He began by telling them that they had to keep all the commandments that he would tell them that day, so that they could live and multiply and go in and possess the Promised land. Then he related about the tough forty years spent in the wilderness, with the Lord trying to prove their faithfulness, humbling them, suffering them to hunger, then feeding them with manna, so that they could learn that man did not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the Lord’s mouth, and how their garments never grew old, nor their feet swollen in those forty years. (Deut. 8:1-4)
And he continues, ‘Thou shalt also consider (know) in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his way, and to fear (reverence) him.’ (Deut. 8:5-6) And all of that still stands to day my people! If we don’t keep the Lord’s commands as His children, He will discipline us.
Then we have the prophet Nathan speaking to Bruh David about God’s promises after his death. ‘I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes (strokes) of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.’ (2 Sam. 7:12-16)
Yes mih bredrin, that’s how much the Lord valued Bruh David, to make sure the kingdom was always ruled by his descendants, beginning with Cousin Sol, right down to Jesus. But please notice that He promised to chasten Cousin Sol if he erred. Just like He chastened Bruh David for his sinful and ungodly behaviour with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. So no one is exempt from the Lord’s discipline.
As Eliphaz, Job’s supposed friend reminds us: ‘Behold happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.’ (Job 5:17-18) Now that’s the awesome truth my people; the Lord’s work runs the whole gamut of our existence.
Then in Psalm 119, the psalmist declares: ‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.’ (Ps. 119:71-72) Unfortunately though, that’s a fact some of us can only learn the hard way. (smile) But don’t worry, the Lord will not give up on us, once we desire to rest under His umbrella, He will make sure that we learn what we need to.
And in closing, let’s remember this most appropriate verse from Bruh Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he reminds them and us: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) That’s just to remind us that every day we’re alive, the Lord will be putting us through our paces on His potter’s wheel, attempting to make us more Christ-like, on our earthly journey.
And since we cannot evade the Lord’s discipline, hopefully the scriptures we’ve reviewed these past two days, will enable us to do what’s right more than ever, and thus not need to be disciplined by the Lord too often. (smile) Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
And that now makes duty bound to go our and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
… as Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley) liked to say…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
02 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a haven of peace and truth, after their own lusts, all church members are equally valued, all the members of that one body being many are one body, any day is capable of rumpling our feathers, as the body is one and hath many members, be a breeze from here on in, be alert, be bond or free, be Jews or Gentiles, be turned unto fables, been all made to drink into one Spirit, biblically speaking, both an individual and corporate matter, bring light and love to mankind, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, called to care for one another, causing grief, church members are interconnected, come to know and love christ like we do, comfort those who suffer, diverse gifts and functions, doing many things differently, duty bound, every part is essential to the whole, exhort with longsuffering and doctrine, faith, fall into bad habits, for all the saints, get down to the nitty gritty, give thanks to Jesus' commitment to the church, God's compassions are new every morning, granted life, great is thy faithfulness, grow in love discernment and good works, have the Holy Spirit present wherever you are lifted up, have the same care for one another, heap tp themselves teachers, holy spirit, hurry, I am the beloved of god, in god's eyes, instead of what they need to hear, It is of the Lord's mercies that we're not consumed, itching ears, Jesus Christ, Jesus is the legal head of the church, Jesus will not let the church fall, keep us safe as we hope in you, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, live in righteousness and thanksgiving, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make your church ready for your return, mercy, need to keep praying for the church, no one part can say it does not need the others, no schism in the body, not guaranteed to see tomorrow, not to the standard it ought to, on Christ's behalf, please protect and encourage your people, Prayer Cards from IN Touch Ministries, prayer is of the utmost importance, praying always with all prayer and supplication, preach the world, preachers telling people what they want to hear, preaching different doctrines, presenting challenges, provide for those in need, rumpled Monday's feathers, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, so also is Christ, spiritual combat, strengthen us against temptation, take one day at a time, thank you for the church, the analogy of the human body, the body of Christ, the church is a single unified body under Christ, the church is badly disunified, the church is strife-filled, the church is the worldwide body of Christian believers, the last days, the spiritual armour of God, the time will come, the truth is skewered, the whole body experiences it together, they will not endure sound doctrine, to go out and share the love and friendship of Christ, too many different denominations, trust my friend Jesus, truth, Tuesday Mantra, turn away their ears from the truth, unified by the Holy Spirit, vigilant against deception, watching thereunto, we cannot give up, welcoming to all, when one part suffered or is honoured, wisdom, with all perseverance and petition, with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, worry
Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 June 2026 Ephesians 6:18.
Ephesians 6:18. ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’
Oh boy, it’s Tuesday, sunshiny and warm! And since we’ve rumpled Monday’s feathers, it ought to be a breeze from here on in! I wouldn’t be so sure of that nuh, for Tuesday might just rumple our feathers. For any day is capable of rumpling our feathers, presenting challenges that we cannot handle and thus causing us grief. So let’s take one day at a time, don’t belittle any of them, but deal with each one seriously, as though it was our last one. And who knows, it just might be, since we’re not guaranteed to see tomorrow.
And as the prophet Jeremiah so rightly declares in his Lamentations: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:22-23) Yes friends, let’s remember that it’s only because of God’s goodness and mercy that we are granted life to see a new day, and therefore live the way we ought to, in righteousness and thanksgiving.
Now, today, we’re going to look at one of the Prayer Cards issued by the In Touch Organization a few years ago. This one deals with the church. So please pray with me. ‘Lord Jesus, thank You for the church. Please protect and encourage Your people. Comfort those who suffer, and provide for those in need. Strengthen us against temptation. Help us grow in LOVE, discernment, and good works. May your church be a haven of peace and truth, welcoming to all and vigilant against deception. Let Your Holy Spirit be fully present wherever You are lifted up. Make Your church ready for your return, Lord Jesus, and keep us safe as we hope in You. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s a wonderful description of all the things Christ’s church ought to be and do! But is it doing them? Definitely not to the standard it ought to. But before we get down to the nitty gritty, let’s see what the church really is. Many people understand it as the building where believers gather to worship, however in the real sense the church is not so much the building, but biblically it refers to the worldwide body of Christian believers with Jesus as it’s legal head.
It’s as Bruh Paul describes the church in 1 Corinthians. ‘For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we bond (slaves) or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.’ (1 Cor. 12:12-14) Bruh Paul uses the analogy of the human body to explain the church. Just as a body has many parts (hands, feet, eyes, and ears), the church has many members, but they form a single, unified body, under Christ, unified by the Holy Spirit.
And later on in that same passage, Bruh Paul further states that although the church is composed of many individual members with diverse gifts and functions, every part is essential to the whole. This means all members are interconnected, equally valued, and called to care for one another. And further still, he emphasizes that no one part can say it does not need the others, and when one part suffers or is honored, the whole body experiences it together. (1 Cor. 12:15-27) Yes mih bredrin, Christ’s church is just like the human body, with Christ at the head and the many other parts making it up into one whole, all unified by the Holy Spirit.
So let’s see now, how it’s living up to its purpose. Per the Prayer Card, the church should be a place where people are encouraged, comforted and provided for when in need; a haven of peace and truth, welcoming to all and vigilant against deception.’ How much of that is the church really doing eh? Not enough. And it cannot when it’s so badly broken up and disunified, when there are so many different denominations, cliques and different entities all claiming to be a part of Christ’s body and preaching different doctrines, as well as doing many things differently.
Therefore, it’s totally contrary to Bruh Paul’s words; ‘That there should be no schism (division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.’ (1 Cor. 12:25) And is the church really a haven of peace and truth? No way! For today’s church is strife-filled and what truth that’s being preached is usually skewered to the preacher or the people’s liking.
To a great extent it’s like Bruh Paul warned Timothy: ‘Preach the word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’ (2 Tim. 4:2-4)
And are we ever seeing that in these last days, where preachers are telling people what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. But regardless of how bad things might seem, we still cannot afford to give up. No way! For giving up does not exist in Christ’s vocabulary! And we desperately need to keep on praying for the church, for the body of Christ that’s supposed to bring light and LOVE to mankind on Christ’s behalf, for if we don’t, it will only continue to fall into bad habits and eventually crumble. And that we definitely don’t want to happen.
So, let’s do as the Prayer Card strongly suggests by using as it’s Bible verse: ‘Be alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.’ Now that’s a new-fangled version of Bruh Paul’s declaration after admonishing us to put on the spiritual armour of God in Ephesians. But here’s the real McCoy. (smile) ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph. 6:18)
Yes my people, prayer is of the utmost importance in the Christian life. For even the spiritual armour of God is inadequate without it. And we are to pray not only for ourselves, but for all of God’s saints, because, as the scholars tell us; ‘spiritual combat is both an individual and corporate matter.’
And now, with all that information re the church and its purpose refreshed and renewed in our minds, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, 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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
And as per the Prayer Card …Give thanks for Jesus’ commitment to His church…He will not let her fall…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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