12 Aug 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a stiffnecked people, a zeal for God, be renewed and revitalized, children of the Most High God Jehovah, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, christianity, come to know and love christ like we do, establish their own righteousness, faith, generous grace and mercy, god moves in mysterious ways, God's greatest creation, God's initiative in grace, God's omnipotent power, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God, hearken unto the word of the Lord, heat advisory, holy spirit, hurry, if God spares life, ignorant of God's righteousness, in god's eyes, in thy mouth and in thy heart, Israel mistook the purpose of the law, Israel's foolish rejection of Christ, Jesus Christ, lift our heads and hearts to heaven, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, man's humble obedience to God's grace, mercy, mistook the scope of the law, not according to knowledge, others can come to know and love Christ like we do, pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement, promises of rain, righteousness is universally available, righteousness only attainable by belief in Christ, salvation, say not in thine heart, seeking redemption in God's mercy, share His love with my neighbours, substituted works for faith, Thank You Lord, thanks to God's goodness and mercy, the awesome truth, the beloved of God, the BIBLE, the law points to, the purpose of the law, the word is nigh thee, the word of faith, to all who respond to God's revelation of Himself, to every one that believes, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Mantra, turn from their rebellious ways, we can do anything within God's will, we praise and glorify your holy name, who shall ascend into heaven, who shall descend into the deep, wisdom, worry, your undying love
Romans 10:8. The word is nigh (near) thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach;
And then it was Tuesday, with Monday being consigned to the confines of history. But unfortunately only the name has changed, for it’s still a very hot and humid summer’s day, with an ongoing heat advisory, although there are some vague promises of rain in the offing…but I wouldn’t count on that, because I’ve heard that story before. (smile) Anyway, however it turns out, let’s remember that we are children of the Most High God Jehovah, and can do anything we need to, within His will, and with His omnipotent power.
And all God’s children cried out in thanksgiving: ‘Thank You Lord for your undying LOVE, and generous grace and mercy, without which we would certainly be in an even bigger muddle than we currently are in! We praise and glorify Your Holy Name! Amen!’ And isn’t that the awesome truth! For without our hope, faith and trust in Almighty God, we’d be in really bad shape. But thanks to His goodness and mercy, we can lift up our heads and hearts, hands and eyes to heaven and be renewed and revitalized.
Now, I’m chuckling here, because our God is indeed a great God, and does move in mysterious ways, for a few minutes ago, I opened the Good Library in front of me, but never paid attention to where it opened. But just now I looked at it and saw it opened unto the epistle of Bruh Paul to the Romans, and right there was the stuff that we were just talking about. Bruh Paul, in writing to Israel about their foolish rejection of Christ, tells them:
‘Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record (witness) that they have a zeal of (for) God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth (writes about) the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.’ (Rom. 10:1-5)
And what does all of that mean? The scholars explain it thus: ‘Christ is the end of the law: Israel mistook the purpose of the law. The law pointed to the righteousness that is attainable only by belief in Christ. Israel also mistook the scope of the law. The righteousness to which it pointed was universally available to all who responded to God’s revelation of Himself through the law. But by Paul’s time many had substituted works for faith. Rather than seeking redemption in God’s mercy, they pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement.’
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, who shall descend into the deep (abyss)? (that is, to bring Christ up again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh (near) thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach;’ (Rom. 10:5-8)
Now that certainly sounds like a mouthful, but as the scholars explain: ‘Paul skillfully weaves together quotations from Deuteronomy 9:4, and 30:10-14, which speak of God’s initiative in grace and man’s humble obedience to it. He then applies this truth to the gospel of Christ.’ And briefly, in the passage from Deuteronomy 9, Moses is castigating the people, letting them know that the Lord is not offering them the Promised Land because of their righteousness or uprightness of their heart, but because of the wickedness of the nations who then inhabited it. For Israel were a stiffnecked, or rebellious and stubborn people.
Meanwhile in Deuteronomy 30, Moses is telling Israel they can get away from their cursed life, if they turn from their rebellious ways and hearken unto the word of the Lord, and keep His commandments with all their hearts and souls. ‘For this commandment which I command thee this day, is not hidden from thee (is not too mysterious for thee), neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh (near) unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.’ (Deut. 30:11-14)
Ah friends, Bruh Paul had to know his scriptures to so skillfully weave those points from Moses into his own teaching. In other words, God’s commandments and Word is not far from us, that we have to depend on someone to get them for us. No! They have already been offered to us, and consequently are right with us; in our hearts, mouths, souls and bodies. Therefore it’s up to us to follow them. And I think we’ll stop there for today, because the Bit will get too long and heavy, if we continue with the rest of the stuff we want to talk about. So tomorrow, if God spares life, we’ll continue talking about Bruh Paul’s take, on the word of faith.
Now, for those of us who are doing our best to live the way we ought to, 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, it now behooves us 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!
…we don’t deserve anything from God…but because of His great LOVE and compassion for us…His greatest creation…He generously offers us all that He is and has…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 May 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: asking for intervention, at the top of our game, await your blessings, be of good courage, becoming Christ-like, besieged by doubts, beyond repair, chaos in our world, come to know and love him like we do, count your blessings, craving speed, duty bound, faith, false wisdom, give thanks always, God always answers, God is our main source of hope, God wipes away all tears from our eyes, greed, he shall direct your paths, he shall strengthen your heart, he will save us, holy spirit, hurry, I put my hope in you, impatience, impatient society, in all thy ways acknowledge him, in god's eyes, in Jesus' name, in need of a miracle, in need of restoration, In Touch Devotional Magazine, Jesus Christ, lacking in common sense, lean not unto thine own understanding, leaning on you is all I know to do, LOVE, mercy, negative things, no more crying, no more death, no more pain, no more sorrow, our guiding light, power-hunger, risky to ask for your help, salvation, Satan's playbook, self-aggrandizement, selfishness, share His love with my neighbours, share the Love and friendship of Christ, speed kills, spiritual growth, the beloved of God, the former things are passed away, the Master Planner, the Millennial kingdom, things in my life, this is our God we have waited for him, times of uncertainty, trials and tribulations, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Mantra, turn to Christ in times of uncertainty, wait I say on the Lord, wait in faith on the Lord, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation, what if you don't answer, whatever the outcome, wisdom, worry, you'll be with me
Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Oh, it’s a good looking Tuesday, sunshiny and bright! And they say the temps will be in the high teens, if not higher, so let’s give thanks for the good weather, life and LOVE and all the other wonderful things we enjoy in this blessed land! Yes, though life might be somewhat on the rough side, it’s always to our benefit to give thanks, as we said on Sunday when we sang the hymn, Count Your Blessings, because, if we do that, we’ll find that our blessings outweigh our troubles…every time. And to help us do that, here’s this interesting prayer from the In Touch Devotional Magazine for May.
Please pray with me. ‘Lord, things in my life feel beyond repair, in need of a miracle. Yet it feels risky to ask for Your help. What if You don’t answer? But leaning on You is all I know to do. So here I am, God, in need of restoration. Here I am, asking for intervention, knowing, whatever the outcome, You’ll be with me. I put my hope in You and await your blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen!’
Ah friends, that prayer says a whole lot, gets right down to the nitty gritty of the problem. We need help, but we’re not sure what to do. God is supposed to be our main source of hope, but we’re afraid that He might not answer our cries for help. However, our hope and trust in Him does win out in the long run. And that’s just the way it ought to be my faithful brethren. We all have troubles, and are ofttimes besieged by doubts, but if we claim that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, then He’s the One we should always turn to in times of uncertainty.
And as per that comment that we’re afraid God might not answer our petitions, that’s never true. For God always answers; sometimes He may say yes, sometimes wait, and sometimes no. But there’s always an answer. We might not like it, but it’s usually in our best interest. And I like the line that says; ‘But leaning on You is all I know how to do.’ And so it should be, if we follow Cousin Sol’s directive in Proverbs. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make straight or smooth) thy paths.’ (Prov. 3:5-6)
Yes my people, when we make that our guiding light, then there’s nothing else we’ll know how to do, except turn to God! And that’s exactly what our wonderful God desires of us; turning to Him, in every situation and circumstance. And I know sometimes that’s hard to do, because we believe we have all the answers to the situation, but it’s never wrong or foolish to run them by our Creator before we try to put them into action, for He’s the One that knows all, sees all and has all power. So who better to turn to than Him eh?
But with our impatience and false wisdom we feel we know it all, so we move on with our plans without running them by the Master Planner, perhaps afraid that He might give us a negative decision, when we’re so sure that what we want to do is right. Or He might just hold us up for too long … until the opportunity disappears. But that might be His way of telling us it’s not a good decision, or it’s not the right time. And I can tell you from hard experience, that it’s always best to consult with the Lord before you make any important moves or decisions, for He will never lead you astray, and yes, sometimes He might tell you to wait, but He knows best.
For as Bruh David, from personal experience so wisely advises in Psalm 27: ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith), I say on the Lord.’ (Ps. 27:14) Oh my brethren, that is such wonderful advice, although we so often ignore it, much to our detriment. Yuh think Bruh David would ever have become king of Israel, although he had been anointed for it, had he not patiently gone through the trials and tribulations that befell him after the anointing. No way! That was a learning and testing and waiting period. And in our spiritual growth, in becoming Christ,-like, we will all encounter such periods.
And the prophet Isaiah makes a glorious statement on the subject when speaking about death being swallowed up in victory. ‘And it shall be said in that day (the beginning of the millennial kingdom), Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is. 25:9) Now that’s true waiting! So, if we can’t wait for a little time for Him to deal with our small earthly problems, how will we ever be able to wait for the big day eh? That day when God wipes away all tears from our eyes, with no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for all the former things are passed away. (Rev. 21:4)
Ah mih people, we have to learn to wait. Unfortunately though, our current society is filled with impatience, and requires speed in everything, but the truth is that speed can be very inefficient, and speed also kills, as we can testify by the numerous speeding deaths we have on our roadways. But sadly that doesn’t stop us from craving speed, from crying out for it, and also dying from it. How foolish and lacking in common sense we’ve recently become, although we claim to have so much wisdom, to be at the top of our game.
But just look around at the chaos and disaster that typifies our world, and then tell me if that’s the product of wisdom. That isn’t even man’s wisdom, much less God’s! That’s only selfishness, greed, power-hunger, self-aggrandizement and all the negative things that come from Satan’s playbook. And, very unwisely, too many of us believers are following those bad plays, that’s why our world is getting worse and worse every day. But we desperately need to stop it from sliding right down into the quagmire of Satan’s desire.
So please, let’s stand up like the strong, wise and courageous disciples of Jesus that we are nuh, and begin fighting back and turning things around in Jesus’ name. That’s our purpose and destiny! And for those of us who are already trying to do that, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world 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 made that declaration, we are 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!
…leaning on God…and waiting in faith on Him…are two of the wisest decisions we can ever make…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Apr 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a word picture, alleviate our problem, apt to make mistakes, asking questions, beat upon the house, beliefs, believers cry out to God in their confusion, built his house on a rock, choose time and again, christianity, Christians, consider and hear me.O Lord my God, Consider This, covered by prayer, don't fell guilty, doubt God's presence, doubts, enlighten me, faith, faith and doubt are vital to one another, felt ashamed, for ever, gently confronted honest skepticism, God wants to hear everything that's on your mind, good with bad, had doubts about God, having sorrow in my heart daily, he hath dealt bountifully with me, hesitating, holy spirit, how long must he struggle seemingly alone, how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me, how long wilt thou forget me, how long wilt thou hide thy face from me, human, hurry, I am the beloved of god, I have prevailed against him, I have trusted in thy mercy, I will sing unto the Lord, in god's eyes, in times of doubt, In Touch Devotional Magazine, indisputable truth, it behooves us, it fell not, it was founded upon a rock, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus did not shame him, lest mine eney say, let the world know to whom we belong, lighten mine eyes, liken him unto a wise man, live by Christ's teaching, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, loving-kindness, mercy, misgivings, more fully understand faith because of doubt, not uncommon emotions, only one person to turn to, our faith is founded on the solid bedrock that's Jesus, prayer is our number one recourse, rejoice when I am moved, salvation, seemingly alone, share His love with my neighbours, simply talk to God, sleep the sleep of death, sorrow and doubt, spiritual strength, take counsel in my soul, the author and finisher of our faith, the BIBLE, the floods came, the Lord has forgotten him, the necessary proof, the rain descended, the winds blew, their constructed life, Thomas doubted Jesus' resurrection, those that trouble me, times of uncertainty, to affirm our beliefs, to go out and share the love and friendship of Christ, to whom we belong, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Manrta, turned his face away, uncertainty, whosoever hears these sayings of mine, wisdom, wondering, worry, ye must coexist with no
Psalm 13:5. But I have trusted in thy mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS); my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
Oh friends on this cloudy and somewhat warm, but rainy and windy Tuesday morning, let me apologize for a mistake I made in yesterday’s Bit, claiming that only Lot and his family were saved during the Great Flood, when it should have been only Noah and his family. Hopefully, most of you knew better and recognized it as the mistake it was. I don’t know where my head was when I wrote that and then reread it a couple of times too. But it just shows that I am human, and thus apt to make mistakes. (smile) And since you are beautiful Christians, you will also graciously forgive me. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your forgiveness, and I know that Jesus is proud of you for your forgiving spirit. (smile)
Anyway, today we’ll look at an interesting article in the April In Touch Devotional Magazine, under the heading of ‘Consider This.’ So please read with me. ‘No matter how long you’ve been a believer, you’ve probably had doubts about God and felt ashamed of them. However – just as yes must coexist with no and good with bad – faith and doubt are vital to one another. We more fully understand what faith is because we doubt.
By asking questions, wondering, and hesitating, we choose time and again to affirm what we believe. Remember that Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection, but Jesus did not shame him. Instead, He gently confronted honest skepticism with the necessary proof. Whenever you wonder about your faith or a trial makes you doubt God’s presence in your life, don’t feel guilty. Simply talk to God. He wants to hear everything that’s on your mind – even your uncertainty.’
And that’s the indisputable truth my brethren! Our God wants to hear everything that’s happening with us, because He LOVES us so deeply and desires to be involved in whatever we’re doing or thinking, even our doubts and misgivings. Once it’s a genuine doubt or question, the Lord will ensure that we receive whatever we need to ease or alleviate our problem. And please, let’s not feel guilty or unchristian if we ever have doubts or questions regarding our faith, because even the most righteous of believers sometimes have problems that cause them to doubt or question what’s happening.
And a great example of that is Bruh David, the supposed man after God’s own heart. Look at the problems he endured in the many years that he was anointed king of Israel before that event actually took place. His constant running from King Saul, in all innocence, must have caused him to question the truth and sincerity of God’s promise. And he certainly voices his concerns in Psalm 13 – A prayer for God’s Grace, when he cries out: ‘How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?’ (Ps. 13:1-2)
Now, if such a righteous believer could put forth those questions of doubt and uncertainty during his many trials, so can we, when we’re uncertain about what’s happening in our lives. And Bruh David continues his cry to God thus: ‘Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes (enlighten me), lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.’ (Ps. 13:3-4)
And this commentary explains Bruh David’s predicament thus. ‘Psalm 13:1–4 exposed David’s sorrow and doubt. These are not uncommon emotions, and Scripture includes moments when believers cry out to God in their confusion. In this situation, David feels the Lord has forgotten him and turned His face away. He asks the Lord how long he must struggle, seemingly alone.’
Ah friends, how often have we been faced with serious situations that we were unable to handle eh…and hopefully, we cried out to Almighty God for help. I know I have done it numerous times over my many years of life. But the difference between Bruh David’s cry and ours can possibly be summed up in the last two verses of the psalm, where, despite his problems, Bruh David acknowledges his absolute faith in God. ‘But I have trusted in thy mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS); my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.’ (Ps. 13:5-6)
And the scholars offer this explanation of the psalm. ‘The distance between four occurrences of How long, punctuated with question marks (vs, 1-2) and the confident and joyful song at the end (vs. 6) is covered only with prayer (vs. 3-4) and trust (vs. 5).’ Yes my faithful brethren, sincere prayer must always be our number ONE recourse in times of doubt or trouble, for our faith, though it can be sometimes shaken, it can never broken, because it’s founded on the solid bedrock that’ s Jesus.
It’s like Jesus Himself described it. ‘Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a (the) rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a (the) rock.’ (Matt. 7:24-25)
And what does all of that mean? This commentary explains: ‘Jesus is using the word picture of building a house. This “house” is a person’s spiritual strength, their beliefs, and the life they construct as a result. Those who live by His teaching will be like a man who has built a house on a foundation of rock.’ And that rock is Jesus! Let’s never forget that my fellow believers!
Now let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) 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, it behooves us 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!
…in times of uncertainty…there’s ONLY ONE place or person to turn to…that’s Jesus…the author and finisher of our faith…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 Mar 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sinful nature, against thee only have I sinned, an unbreakable seal, anything praiseworthy, ask your forgiveness, assurance of salvation, at work in me, belonging to God, Bible, blot out all mine iniquities, chaotic times, christianity, cleanse me from my sin, create in me a clean heart, done this evil in thy sight, duty bound, enveloped by the light of Jesus, evil thoughts hidden in our hearts, faith, find my hidden faults, God looks at our hearts not our outward appearances, God's ownership, help me fill my heart with good things, hide my face from my sins, holy spirit, I shall be clean, I want to have a clean heart before you, if there be any virtue, in god's eyes, In Touch Prayer Cards, Jesus Christ, kept forever by the power of God, left behind, lock stock and barrel, LOVE, make me to hear joy and gladness, make me whole, meditate, mercy, not on board, nothing as wonderful as walking in the light with you, of a good report, on board with Jesus, purge me with hyssop, Purity of Heart, raise them out of the shadows, remove all impurities, renew a right spirit within me, salvation, sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, shapen in iniquity, share His love with my neighbours, sin with Bathsheba, sincerity and truth, Thank You God, the absolute truth, the beloved of God, the down payment of our inheritance, the God of peace shall be with you, the mark of identification, the moral of the story, the redemption of the purchased possession, thnik on these thingsw, to be righteous and holy, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, truth in the inward parts, Tuesday Mantra, ungodly times, untouchable, upstaged by God's help, waiting for no one, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are true, whatsover things are honest, wisdom, worry, your amazing grace
Psalm 51:10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right (steadfast) spirit within me.
So now it’s Tuesday. We’ve gladly left Monday behind, but remember, we’ll soon leave Tuesday behind too, for these days are just driving forward like the crazy March winds that have recently engulfed us. They’re waiting for no one or nothing. Similarly, the month of March, that too is almost over, and it’s only just begun. And the moral of the story is if you’re not solidly on board, then you’ll simply get left behind. On board where or on what, you ask? On board with Jesus, obviously! For He is the ONLY ONE who can see you successfully through these chaotic and ungodly times.
And to help us do that, today we’re going to turn to a prayer from one of the Prayer Cards recently issued by the In Touch Organization. This one’s titled, ‘Purity of Heart.’ So please pray with me. ‘God, thank You for Your amazing grace at work in me. I want to have a clean heart before You. Please remove all impurities and make me whole. Find my hidden faults and raise them out of the shadows. As You bring each one to my attention, I will ask Your forgiveness and let it go. Help me fill my heart instead with everything good, lovely, and holy. God, I give You praise and thanks. There’s nothing as wonderful as walking in the light with you. Amen!’
And we all know that that’s the absolute truth! There’s nothing in this world better than walking in the bright shining light of Jesus! For when you’re enveloped by that Light, you’re untouchable! Nothing can lead you astray or take you away from Him, for He’s sealed you with the seal of His Holy Spirit, as said in Bruh Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. ‘In whom also after that ye believed (the Gentiles), ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest (downpayment, deposit) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.’ (Eph. 1:13b-14)
And what does all of that mean? These two commentaries explain. The first says: ‘In a religious context, “sealed with the Holy Spirit” signifies God’s ownership and assurance of salvation, indicating that believers are marked as belonging to God and are guaranteed eternal inheritance and protection.’ And the second enlightens: ‘It is the mark of identification that the believer is truly God’s own and is kept forever by the power of God. It is an unbreakable seal of divine ownership and salvation.’
So there we have it, once we’re sealed by the Holy Spirit of Christ, we’re His, and can never be taken away from Him. And having clarified that, let’s get back to our original prayer sentiment, that of having a pure heart before God. And that’s ever so important my people, since God doesn’t like nor readily accepts evil and improper impurities or faults from His children. He expects us to be righteous and holy as He is. Now, He knows that’s impossible, but with His help, He expects us to be better than we are.
And believe me, some of us have a whole lot of vile and evil thoughts hidden in our hearts. Man can’t see them, because we carefully hide them, but God can, because it’s our hearts He looks at when we talk to Him. And it’s quite easy to offer up a prayer for help, but it’s another matter to actually try and cleanse our hearts of hidden sin. And the earlier prayer was based on Psalm 51: Bruh David’s famous cry for forgiveness after the prophet Nathan, with God’s directive, brought his awful sin with Bathsheba to his attention.
He sincerely pleads: ‘Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified (found just) when thou speakest, and be clear (blameless) when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen (brought forth) in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.’ (Ps. 51:2-6)
Yes friends, the Lord knows that we were born with a sin nature, but when we turn our eyes to Him, He expects us to make good changes, and He is willing to help us if we come to Him with all sincerity. And Bruh David did open up his soul to the Lord in that psalm because He knew the great blemish it had placed on himself and his family, as well as on the Lord’s Word.
And he continues: ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide my face from my sins, blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right (steadfast) spirit within me.’ (Ps. 51:7-10) Now my brethren, that’s exactly what we need to be seeking from the Lord; a clean heart and a steadfast spirit, so that we can worship Him in all sincerity and truth.
And it’s interesting that Bruh Paul in his ever-practical spirit, wrote these words of wisdom and encouragement to the Philippians about the thoughts we ought to dwell on. ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest (noble), whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (anything praiseworthy), think (meditate) on these things). Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.’ (Phil. 4:8-9)
There we have it my fellow believers, some good things to think and meditate on, after we have been cleansed in heart and renewed in spirit by the grace and mercy of Jehovah God. There are no more excuses for ‘stinking thinking.’ (smile) Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world 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 made that declaration (yesss!) we are now duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…although we have a sinful nature…it can always be upstaged by God’s holy and righteous help…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
04 Feb 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a light unto my path, a rough row to hoe, according to his glorious power, an accurate perception, at all times in life, atonement, be filled with the knowledge of his will, Bible, blood, christianity, Christians, darkness, delve deeper into God's Word, duty bound, ever coming to know the Lord better, faith, forbearing the faults of others, forgiveness of sins, forsake her not, fruitful in every good work, get understanding, get wisdom, giving thanks unto the Father, growing spiritually stronger in Christ, happiness, holy spirit, hurry, in all wisdom, in god's eyes, in the habit of giving thanks, increasing in the knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, light, longsuffering, LOVE, love her and she shall keep thee, mercy, morality, of the inheritance of the saints, of the true nature of things, patience, persevering through trials, practical situations, prayer for the Colossians, productive in Christian service, qualified us, redemption, redemption through Christ's blood, sacrifice, salvation, share His love with my neighbours, she shall preserve thee, sincerely expressing gratitude to god, spiritual maturity, spiritual understanding, strengthened with all might, take the bull by the horns, the atonement by Jesus' death, the beloved of God, the Christian life, the ehtical condition in which God's children live, the fruit of the spirit, the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of life, the religious stae of unbelievers, the skillful application of wisdom, thy word is a lamp unto my feet, to be partakers, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Mantra, ungodly times, unto all patience and longsuffering, walk worthy of the Lord, wisdom, wisdom is the principal thing, with all thy getting, with joyfulness, worry
Proverbs 4:7. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding.
And then it was a nice, sunshiny but windy Tuesday, ideal to give us hope for a better day than Monday, which was cold, snowy, and dreary. However it turns out though, we just have to keep moving forward, becoming wiser, as we delve deeper into the study of God’s Word, and thus getting better in the performance of the tasks He desires of us. That certainly brings to mind the effusive and all-embracing prayer that Bruh Paul prayed for the Colossians.
‘For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified us) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in (the) light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son (the Son of His LOVE): In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:’ (Col. 1:9-14)
Oh friends, that’s a mighty big prayer to wish on anyone, so can you imagine how the Colossians must have felt when they received Bruh Paul’s missive, not knowing him, since they were evangelized by Epaphras, Bruh Paul’s fellow servant in Christ. But Epaphras had spoken highly of them, and Bruh Paul, as always, wanted to invigorate and motivate them to greater works and heights. Thus, it’s a prayer that we believers today also are expected to take seriously, because it also pertains to our spiritual state which leaves a lot to be desired in these evil and ungodly times.
And though the prayer seems tough and long-winded, it’s fairly simple when you break it down. What’s Bruh Paul actually praying for eh? That the Colossians, and consequently us, will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will for their lives in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. And the scholars explain wisdom as an ‘accurate perception into the true nature of things. And understanding is the skillful application of this wisdom in practical situations.’
Therefore, with those two things we’re set on the right path of the Lord, or as the psalmist says: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ (Ps. 119:105) And being on the right path, we ought to be able to walk worthy of the Lord, allowing the fruit of His Spirit to flourish in our lives, so that others can see it and desire to know Him. But then too, Bruh Paul expects that all believers ought to keep growing in the knowledge of God’s Word; in other words, moving along the path of spiritual maturity to a higher calling in Christ Jesus.
Or, as the scholars explain; ‘Verse 10 expresses the reason that in verse 9, Paul wants the Colossians to obtain a knowledge of God’s will. That they walk (live) properly and fully please God. And in Greek the four explanatory participles of verses 10b-12 spell out and precisely define what a worthy walk entails: the believer is (1) fruitful in every good work, productive in Christian service; (2) constantly increasing in the knowledge of God, ever coming to know the Lord better; (3) always “strengthened with all might,” becoming spiritually stronger and stronger; and (4) in the habit of giving thanks, sincerely expressing gratitude to God in both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences in his life.’
Now that’s indeed a rough row to hoe, but hoe it we must if we intend to be true believers in Christ Jesus. And remember that the Lord does not call us to do anything in which He does not give us the wherewithal to perform it. That’s the beauty of our ever-LOVING God! And the scholars continue to explain some of the terms found in the above passages of scripture. They say ‘Patience is persevering through problems, trials, tribulations, and so forth. Longsuffering is forbearing the faults and offences of others.’
Meanwhile, verse 12 might also be translated “thanking the Father, for He made us fit to share in the salvation belonging to the saints who are in the light.” Light is the ethical condition in which God’s children live, namely, that of spiritual understanding with its accompanying morality and happiness. Then in verse 13, Darkness is the religious state in which unbelievers exist, namely, that of spiritual ignorance with its attending immorality and misery. And in verse 14 Blood reminds the Colossians, and us, of the enormous price and sacrifice paid to secure their redemption. Redemption, then is achieved by the atonement wrought by Jesus’ death.’
And that’s it in a nutshell friends. Let’s hope that what we’ve said and read today will help us raise our spirituality to new levels. But that will only happen if we take the bull by the horns and begin delving deeper in the Word and putting it into practical application in our lives. Remember Wisdom tells us the truth, and Understanding tells us best how to apply it.
That’s why Cousin Sol was so emphatic in Proverbs when he admonishes: ‘Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from (turn away) the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: LOVE her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding.’ (Prov. 4:5-7)
Now, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all the world 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 made that declaration (awright!!!) we are now duty bound to go out and share the awesome LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…the Christian life is ever about…spiritually growing stronger…in Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
17 Dec 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: aceptable and perfect will of god, Anna the prophetess, be not conformed to this world, be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, Bible, Christ's birth, christianity, Christmas, despite their circumstances, draw nigh to God, encouragemetn, enjoy the merriment, faith, faithfulness, filled with wisdom, for helping me grow every day, gave thanks unto the Lord, gentleness, goodness, goodwill to men, growth in Christ, he will draw nigh to you, he will flee from you, help, help me to stay focused on your word, holy spirit, hurry, I must be about my Father's business, I rely on your grace to transform me, in favour with God and man, in god's eyes, In Touch Ministry, intrigue, Jesus Christ, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, joy, kindness, lead me gently back, LOVE, Mary kept all these sayings in her heart, mercy, negativity, new life in christ, Passover feast, patience, peace, Praying with Purpose, prophecy, prove what is that good, pursue greater intimacy with God, pursue the desires of Christ, put our desires on hold, rampant in our world, resist the devil, riotous climax of Christmas, sacrificial, salvation, self-control, selfless, share His love with my neighbours, show me how to let go of old ways, spake of him, strife, submit yourselves to God, thank you, that looked for redemption in Jerusalem, the beloved of God, the child grew, the enemy has let down his guard, the enemy's fortifications, the fruit of the spirit, the grace of God was upon Him, the Messiah, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Mantra, ungodliness, waxed strong in spirit, when my heart begins to drift, wisdom, worry
Luke 2:38. And she (Anna) coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
And on this damp and cloudy Tuesday morning with only eight days left to the riotous climax of the Christmas season, we try to keep our spirits lifted high, as we spread the peace, LOVE and goodwill to all men that our Lord and Saviour came to spread when He came to us in human form. Yes my brethren, that’s what we ought to be about in these last days; making the fruit of the Spirit flourish in our world! That’s the LOVE, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control!
And with strife and negativity becoming more rampant in our world every day, if we can only get a toehold in the enemy’s fortifications with those things, then we’d be away and laughing. But friends, it all depends on us; on us being selfless and sacrificial enough to put our desires on hold and pursue those of Christ. And there’s no better time than this Christmas season when the enemy has let down his guard to enjoy the merriment engendered by Christ’s birth. So please, let’s get out there and use this festival season to remind others of Christ’s importance in the annals of man, and invite them to come to Him for help and encouragement, despite their circumstances.
And to help us do that, here’s an interesting prayer I found in a set of ‘Praying with Purpose’ inspirational cards recently put out by the In Touch Ministry. These prayer cards deal with topics ranging from boldness to the persecuted church, and will help us pursue greater intimacy with our great God. So here’s this prayer dealing with ‘Growth in Christ,’ based on this inspirational verse from Romans. ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom. 12:2)
Yes, my fellow believers, we desperately need to have our minds transformed and renewed so that we don’t follow the ungodliness being propagated and perpetrated by this sinful world. So please pray with me: ‘Father, I praise you for giving me new life in Christ. What a joy it is to become more like Your Son! Help me to stay focused on Your Word as I learn to follow him. When my heart begins to drift, lead me gently back. Show me how to let go of old ways, even as I rely on Your grace to transform me. Thank You for helping me grow every day.’
Oh friends, that’s a simple but right on the money prayer! And it’s oh so easy to be conformed to the ungodliness of this world, but we do have the power within us to resist it. We need to actively seek to be like Christ. But to do that, we first must do as James advises; ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh (near) to you.’ (James 4:7-8a)
Yes my fellow saints, it’s all about getting as close to God as possible, and then sticking to Him, sticking to Him like white on rice! That’s the only way we’ll ever resist the devil. Now, let’s wrap up the prophetic stories that were noised about at Jesus’ birth. Yesterday we saw where the devout man Simeon had been promised life until He saw the Messiah. And that promise was faithfully fulfilled when he met Jesus in the temple as His parents came to sacrifice on His behalf according to the law.
Today we’ll look at another amazing occurrence that took place on that same day. The Bible tells it thus: ‘And there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she (Anna) coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.’ (Luke 2:36-38)
Poor Joseph and Mary! All that prophetic and redemption stuff must have driven them crazy. But again, they knew that they had a special child and with God’s unfailing grace, took it all in their stride. No doubt all of that was just more stuff for Mary to store up in her mind and ponder on as Jesus’ earthly life was fulfilled. Then the Bible states: ‘And when they, (Mary and Joseph) had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.’ (Luke 2:39-40)
And that’s the last we hear of Jesus for at least a dozen years. Until His escapade at the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem at the age of twelve, when, unbeknown to His parents, He left the homebound caravan and could not be found for three days. Eventually they found Him back in Jerusalem, ‘in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors (teachers), both hearing them, and asking questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they (his parents) saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us (done this to us)? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing (anxiously).
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not (didn’t you know) that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.’ (Luke 2:46-52)
Jesus was blessed to have such understanding parents, because even now, when a twelve year old gives his parents that kind of lip, especially in public his teeth are in perilous danger of being knocked out. Thankfully though, after that, Jesus seems to have settled down, ‘was subject unto them.’ And that takes care of all the prophecy and intrigue that surrounded Christ at His birth. (smile)
Now, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one sincere and grateful 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, it now behooves us to go out and spread 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!
…if there wasn’t much fanfare around Christ’s birth…then all the Bible prophecies would have been for nought..
03 Dec 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a great high priest, a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again, all have sinned, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, Bible, challenges, christianity, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, cleanses us from all sin, come short of the glory of God, confess our sins, do not the truth, faith, fellowship with God, find grace to help in time of need, follow me, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, God is light, God of unlimited chances, God searches our hearts, he is faithful and just, holy spirit, hurry, I am the beloved of god, if any man will come after me, if we confess our sins, in god's eyes, Jesus can empathize with our suffering, Jesus Christ, Jesus is our only good option, let him deny himself, LOVE, magnanimous and magnificent God, mercy, no giving up in Jesus' economy, obedient to His word, rewards, sacrifices, salvation, selfish desires, share His love with my neighbours, sincere repentance, sinshine is a reflection of Christ, stumble into calamity, sympathize with our weaknesses, take up his cross daily and follow me, tempted like we are, tests, Thanks be to God, the blood of Jesus, The God of second chances, the propitiation for our sins, the throne of grace, the wicked shall fall into mischief, to forgive our sins, trials, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Mantra, walk in the light, was without sin, wisdom, worry
1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And then it was Tuesday, sunshiny but a tad on the chilly side. But as we always say, we’ll take the sunshine any time because it’s a reflection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world! And all God’s people said a loud and grateful: ‘All thanks be to God the Father who gave us His only Son Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins! Blessed be His holy name, forever and ever! Amen!’
Ah friends, what a privilege and pleasure it is to live for Jesus! There’s nothing else like it in this world; it can be tough and challenging, with sacrifices and all sorts of tests and trials, but behind it all, let’s remember that Jesus walked this earth as a man like us and experienced all that we experience, but yet was without sin, that means He understands what we’re going through down here on earth and can empathize with our earthly problems.
For as the Good Library informs us from the Book of Hebrews: ‘Seeing that we have a great high priest, that is passed into (through) the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched (sympathize) with the feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Heb. 4:14-16)
Wow mih bredrin! What wonderful news, that we can go directly to the throne of grace for help from our Lord and Saviour…and not only directly, but also boldly or confidently, knowing that we will not be, no, never be turned away. Our requests may not be granted, but we’ll always have the opportunity to present them without fear of being turned away. Which other God is so magnanimous and generous eh? None whatsoever!
That’s why it’s such a joy to live and work for Jesus! He’s not a terrible task master either, although He likes His work done when and how He says, and when you are obedient to His word, His rewards can be enormous, can be very significant in the life of a believer. By the same token though, disobedience, laziness and lack of effort bring the risk of punishment. And that’s only fair; since we can’t expect to get good rewards when we toe the line, as well as when we’re out of order.
But again, the wonderful thing about Jesus is that He’s always forgiving, if we repent of our mistakes and try to be better in the future. And John details it for us in his first epistle, when he writes: ‘This then is the message which we have heard of him (Jesus), and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him (God), and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not (practice) the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.’ (1 John 1:5-10)
Simple and straightforward my brethren. And it’s indeed a fact that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, (Rom. 3:23) so we cannot say that we have no sin, but the important thing is that if we confess to our sins, agree with God that we’ve wronged Him, then the Lord is most willing to forgive us…and more than once too. As this commentary so nicely puts it: ‘As a matter of fact, God is not only the God of second chances, but the God of third and fourth and unlimited chances for His children who confess their faults and weaknesses, and come to Him for help.’
Mama Mia! What can be better than that eh? Although it doesn’t give us license to sin and keep running back and forth through insincere repentance. Not at all! The forgiveness is for sincere repentance, although we might commit the same sin several times, in our hearts, where God looks for our true motives, we must be sincerely trying to escape it, and asking for God’s help to do so.
Oh friends, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He expects us to work towards perfection, especially since He’s already given us all the tools necessary to do so, as well as the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s like Cousin Sol says in Proverbs: ‘For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief (stumble into calamity).’ (Prov. 24:16) And that’s exactly what’s expected of a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. No matter how often you fall, you are expected to get back up, after a brief respite, for there’s no giving up in Jesus’ economy.
So there you have it, a brief overview of what it is like to work and live for Jesus… Oh, I forgot one important scripture that’s the foundation of it all; meaning what it takes to be a true disciple of Jesus. Jesus said it thus: ‘If any man will come (desires to come) after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23)
Now that might seem like a real tough target, and ofttimes it is, but generally speaking it’s not too difficult, especially with Jesus leading and guiding you through it all with His Holy Spirit. The important thing though is that you need to be prepared to sacrifice all your selfish desires to Christ, if and whenever He calls. But there again, He’s the kind of master who believes in helping His people, all the way, every day!
So let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) 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, it now behooves us 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!
…living for Christ…is the ONLY good option…we have in this world…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 Aug 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a learned behaviour, affections and lusts, be desirous of vain glory, Bible, bounden duty, Christ in us, christianity, conceited, crucified the flesh, encying one another, faith, faithfulness, goodness, greed, holy spirit, how to abound, how to be abased, hurry, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I have learned, in god's eyes, in whatsoever state I am, jealousy, Jesus Christ, joy, kindness, live humbly, live in prosperity, LOVE, not that we are sufficient of ourselves, our sufficiency is of God, pateince, peace, Praise the Lord, prayer, provoking one another, ready for battle, self-control, selfishness, share His love with my neighbour, speak in respect of want, spiritual armour, suffer need, telling it like it is, the beloved of God, the fruit of the spirit, the mature Christian, the same bringeht forth much fruit, therewith to be content, trust my friend Jesuss, truth, Tuesday Mantra, wisdom, without me ye can do nothing, worry
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Ah friends, this Tuesday, the last one in August, is shaping up to be another glorious summer’s day! Praise the Lord! For, come September, who knows what’s going to happen. But the good thing about being a believer in Jesus Christ is that we know we can handle whatever comes against us, especially if we are wearing His spiritual armour and draped up in prayer! Then we’re ready for battle on all and any front!
Remember these fighting words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (in regard of need): 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)
Yes friends, through Christ’s strength flowing in us we can learn how to live both in want and in prosperity. But please note it’s a learned behaviour, it doesn’t just happen automatically or overnight, you have to work at it, and with the strength of Jesus buoying you up. Ah mih bredrin, it’s so wonderful to know that with Christ’s strength behind us we can do any and everything!
But we also need to notice the opposite end of the spectrum as Christ so wisely pointed out to the disciples: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) And that’s telling it like it is my people! With Christ we can do anything, but by the same token, without Him, we cannot do anything!
That means Christ is essential, a real necessity in our lives, we’re absolutely nothing without Him. As Bruh Paul adds in 2 Corinthians: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;’ (2 Cor. 3:5) And that you cannot deny!
That brings us to this interesting remark in that scripture from John where Christ talks about those who believe in Him bearing much fruit. There He’s talking about the fruit of the Spirit which flourishes, or is supposed to flourish in true believers in Christ. And Bruh Paul explains the Fruit of the Spirit thus to the Galatians: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE (the willing sacrificial giving of oneself to another without thought of return), joy (gladness of heart), peace (tranquility of mind), longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness (generosity), faith (faithfulness), Meekness (courtesy and consideration), temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.’ (Gal. 5:22-23)
Yes friends, there are nine things that are considered the Fruit (not fruits) of the Spirit. And as we’re on the subject, we might as well get some explanations from scholars. (smile) They say: ‘The word fruit is significant for three reasons. (1) It means the result, product, outcome, or effect produced by the Spirit in the believer’s life. (2) Unlike the “gifts of the Spirit” (plural), only some of which are given to a Christian, each believer is to have all nine virtues composing “the fruit of the Spirit” (singular) (3) As fruit on a tree takes time to grow and mature, so the Spirit does not cultivate these virtues in the believer overnight.’
Oh yes my fellow believers, unlike the gifts of the Spirit, like prophecy, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, the gifts of healing, the interpretations of tongues etc. (1 Cor. 12) of which we might get a few, if we’re truly blessed, (smile) with the fruit of the Spirit it’s expected that all of those nine virtues will eventually blossom in the mature Christian!
And believe me, that’s no easy task, especially when you’re continually hounded by the devil and his evil cohorts to do wrong. But as we said before, with Christ on our side, and our willingness to learn and sacrifice on His behalf, then we can certainly attain that goal of having all nine fruit of the Spirit flourish in us.
Then, Bruh Paul follows up the definition of the Fruit of the Spirit with these poignant and most pertinent words. ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (its passions) and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal. 5: 24-26)
Yes my fellow saints, once we’re born again believers in Christ, it is then expected that we’re to throw away all our old satanic vices and adopt the fruit of the Spirit. That means both living and walking in the Spirit, or as the scholars explain: ‘since the Spirit gave us new life at conversion, we then should stay in step with His leading and promptings throughout life.’ And paying sincere and close attention to the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the only way to have that fruit flourish in us, to stop us from being greedy, selfish, materialistic and all the other wrong things that the world considers right.
Now, having refreshed our minds and spirits on those important topics, 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 made that declaration, it then becomes our bounden duty 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!
…only when we’re in Christ…and Christ is in us…are we truly powerful…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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