25 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a day of rest, a faithful saying, a hammer, a jumble of thoughts, a lamp that guides, a mirror, a sword, abides, abominable iniquity, aches, affirm constantly, asaph, asthma, bends before it, Bibly Study, blessings, born again, bounden duty, breathed life, children of God, Christian, citicenship, contentious, cooperate with God, corrupt, cough, deceit, defeats Satan, disobedient, divers lusts, divine workman, donkey's years, empathy, enticed, envious, envy, ethics, evil, faith, fellowship, flu, foolish, friends, funeral, gentle, glory hallelujah, glory to God, god moves in mysterious ways, God's will, good works, gospel of Christ, grace, hating, holy spirit, human nature, illnesses, imbibed, Jesus Christ, joy, judges sin, kindness, living for Christ, LOVE, LOVE of God, loving kindness, Lucifer, make sense of, malice, material possessions, meekness, mercy, Mt. St. George, new life, newborn, Nicodemus, none that doeth good, pains, Paradise, pay the cost, potholes, powers, principalities, profitable, prosperity, regeneration, resist the wave, reveals sin, righteousness., salvation, sell our soul, stand strong and steadfast, stumbled, surrogate daughters, swept away, talk is cheap, temptation, tentacles, the BIBLE, the fool say in his heart, the likeness of Christ, the wicked, the work of god, there is no god, Titus, treachery, trust, truth, West Indian, winding road., wisdom
Psalm 53:1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
Oh friends, there is so much I want to say this beautiful Thursday morning, but I simply can’t say anything! Chuh!
Has that ever happened to you? My mind is a jumble of thoughts and whatever else that I can’t seem to make sense of, but I’m not worried because I know that our great and magnanimous God will eventually look down on me with empathy and guide me to what He wants me to say.
I guess that part of my problem is that I have a touch of the flu and cough that’s causing my asthma to act up a bit. And there’s nothing that drives me bonkers like coughing.
Anyway, I went to the funeral of an old schoolmate yesterday afternoon in Mt. St. George – and now I realize why it’s so named, for we had to drive up a steep, winding road littered with potholes to reach the church, then come another steep winding one to get back to the main road.
It’s a good thing the duchess wasn’t my co-pilot, because I don’t know if we would have made it back safely. (smile)
The funeral was well attended, and I saw people whom I hadn’t seen in donkey’s years (smile). The deceased lived in the U.S but was brought back home to her village for burial, exactly what I want to happen to me.
And to show how our God moves in mysterious ways, he took one home but also breathed life in to a newborn son of one of my surrogate daughters down here. Glory to God!
Now a buddy and I was supposed to go touring today, but it seems that he imbibed a tad too much last night, so he is also under the weather, which means that tour will have to be put off indefinitely.
Ah mih people, my time in sweet Tobago is swiftly drawing to a close, and as the duchess said recently, the problem is not how we’re going to face the cold up in the Northern climes, but how we’re going to leave this paradise? It will definitely be hard, although every day we complain how the sun is so hot.
So I guess today will just be a day of rest and later this evening I’ll go to the Bible Study class up the road. I heard they missed me last week when I was in Trinidad. I missed them too, because it was a spirited gathering, West Indian style. And call me biased, but nothing beats anything, West Indian style! (smile)
Now that’s the end of my news, but before we get to our Bit, I want to share these words of wisdom from one Leviticus, whom I assume was an olden Greek philosopher. And he is reputed to have said that: ‘He who attempts to resist the wave is swept away, but he who bends before it abides.’
And I rediscovered that in reality recently on the beach. I tried to fight off a big wave and it sent me crashing into the sand. But another one, instead of trying to fight it, I rode it successfully into the shore.
The same way it is with life my friends, especially when we are getting up in age and can’t fight all the unusual stuff that’s coming against us; all the aches and pains and illnesses. We have to learn to bend with the tide, if we hope to continue living a full and enjoyable life.
That also means we cannot emulate the people in our Bit. ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.’
Now, though we know better, the prosperity of the wicked can sometimes drive us to want what they have. Listen to the psalmist Asaph, as he discourses in Psalm 73 on the Mystery of Prosperous wickedness.
‘Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean (pure) heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone (I had almost stumbled); my steps had well-nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish (boastful), when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.’ (Ps.73:1-3)
Yes friends, although Asaph knew better, the sinful human nature still enticed him to be envious of the wicked in their earthly prosperity. And unfortunately it still does the same thing to us in these very trying and difficult times.
But we need to see the treachery and deceit of material possession and earthly prosperity for what it really is; ofttimes a temptation of the enemy, and don’t allow it to get us caught up in its wicked tentacles. Because once we sell our soul for those things, it’s not very easy to get out of Lucifer’s contract.
Now hear Bruh Paul to Titus on Christian citizenship and the basis of the Christian ethic. ‘Put them in mind to be subject to principalities (rulers) and powers (authorities), to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers (not contentious), but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.
For we ourselves also were sometime foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and LOVE of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed (poured out) on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. That being justified (declared righteous) by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.’ (Titus 3:1-7)
Yes my fellow believers in Christ, it’s only through God’s grace and mercy and LOVING-kindness, poured out on us through Christ that we are able to withstand the wiles and lies of the evil one. That means we have to stand strong and steadfast in faith if we want to resist the enemy.
Now here is some info from the scholars on the term ‘regeneration.’‘3:5. Regeneration refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in the salvation experience that produces new life in the believer. To express this concept, Jesus used the expression “born again” in His conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:3-7).
Regeneration is the work of God, through the Holy Spirit, of placing in one who has faith a new nature, capable of doing God’s will. The Holy Spirit is the agent or divine workman of this regeneration. His instrument is the Bible, which is likened to a hammer that judges sin (Jer.23:29), a mirror that reveals sin (James 1:23), a sword that defeats Satan (Heb.4:12), and a lamp that guides the believers (Ps.119:105).
Illustration: People are instantaneously “born again “the moment they trust Christ as Saviour. (1 Pet.1:23). Application: Christians should be careful to cooperate with God in growing as children of God after they are regenerated, or given new life. (First Ref. John 3:3), Primary Ref. Titus 3:5. cf. Eph.1:15.).’
Oh friends, only by cooperating with God and growing in the likeness of Christ, can we ever hope to stave off the foolishness and deceit of the enemy! And it will benefit us all, if we looked up the references the scholars provided. (smile)
Now let’s end with some more words of Bruh Paul to Titus. ‘This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.’ (Titus 3:8)
There’s nothing left to say my brethren, except that we should all go out, each and every day, being careful to do works that enhance the gospel of Christ, so that the heathen can see the true beauty in living for Christ and want to come to Him. It’s our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…talk is cheap…but good works cost something…Christians should be prepared to pay that cost…
P.S. I know it’s long, but God’s word is worth it. (smile) Much LOVE!
24 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: abominable iniquity, big bang, ceased being wise, Christ is Lord indeed, Christian principles, corrupt, covetousness, deceitful, defeat the enemy, despises not evil, earthly sojourn, every foe is vanquished, evil, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, friends, give thanks, glory hallelujah, greed, he flatters himself, holy spirit, I am halfway home, I'm so glad to be alive, indisputable truth, infiltrated, Jesus Christ, Jesus returns, Jesus' desires, keep up the fight, lies, logistics, LOVE, Lucifer, lusts, lusts of the flesh, mano a mano, material possessions, mercies, mercy, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, new every morning, none that doeth good, paramount, power, Praise the Lord, pride, promises, seek after God, soldiers of Christ, stand strong, stand up for Jesus, steadfast love of God, the beauty of nature, the breath of life, the fool has said in his heart, the foolish, the four seasons, the heathen, the obits, there is no god, to a glorious future with Jesus, trust, ungrateful children, way of the world, wicked, wisdom, words of his mouth
Psalm 53:1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
So what’s up this glorious Wednesday morning my people? I do hope that the LOVE of God is flowing through all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, as it ought to, because without it, we’re nothing.
And along with that wonderful blessing I do hope that we have given Him thanks for bringing us safely through another dark and fearful night, into the brilliant light of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
And all God’s people said a loud and grateful; ‘Praise the Lord! Amen.’
Yes friends, above all else we do need to be thankful for God’s mercies that are new every day, for that’s what keeps us going successfully on this our earthly sojourn. Thanks and praise are an essential part of the believer’s life.
So since today is Wednesday, let’s declare our Wednesday Wail with much gusto and sincerity nuh. Remember though that the Lord isn’t just listening to our words, but monitoring our hearts, so though our words might sound sincere, if our hearts aren’t right, He won’t pay any attention to our prayer.
Anyway, wailing now as one: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday!
I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And that’s how it ought to be my brethren! We are supposed to be thankful for the breath of life we possess; our names are not in the obits this morning. (smile)
We are also to be holding tightly to that plough, looking straight ahead, so that we can plough straight furrows, and glory in the majestic future that Jesus has planned for us. Oh glory to God, for the way He looks after us, His ungrateful children!
And since I don’t have any adventures to share, the past couple of days have been rather mundane and uneventful, let’s get right into our Bit. ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.’
Ah mih people, it is ever so sad that our world is populated and run by the corrupt and sinful! But friends, just from a logistics point of view, how could there be no God eh?
So who set up the universe and all the things that run by themselves in it; the four seasons, day and night, man’s birth, life and death, the fishes in the sea, the birds in the air, the beauty of nature, all those who don’t have no sense but are well taken care of?
One big bang could not have caused all that stuff to be so precise and continuous. Oh, and I heard one preacher say recently, that if the world was formed by the big bang, then it was God who pushed the button to cause it. Now that does make more sense. (smile)
Ah my precious people, regardless of what you call Him, there IS a greater power than mankind out there, too many unexplainable things happen in our lives and on the earth to preclude that. But the heathen and the foolish think it not so.
Hear how Bruh David puts it in Psalm 10 – A prayer for the overthrow of the wicked. ‘The wicked in his pride doth persecute (hotly pursues) the poor: let them be taken in the devices (plots) that they have imagined (devised).
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous (greedy), whom the Lord abhorreth (renounces the Lord) The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts (all his thoughts are, There is no God).’(Ps.10:2-4)
And unfortunately that is exactly how a majority of our world now thinks, and consequently behaves! Covetousness, greed, lust for power and material possessions, plus other lusts of the flesh are paramount in our societies these days. Those obviously leave no room for God and His things.
And though Bruh Paul tells the Roman church: ‘For all have sinned and come (fallen) short of the glory of God;’ (Rom.3:28) And that’s indisputable truth!
However, through God’s wonderful LOVE, grace and mercy, we have been justified, sanctified, set apart and cleansed from sin through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross at Calvary, where His death atoned for ALL sin.
And all God’s children shouted loudly and gratefully: ‘Thank You Jesus!’
And what truly amazes me, is that most of Western Society and Civilization were founded on Christian principles, and prospered under those principles, so how can we foolishly move away from them eh, and expect to continue prospering?
Lucifer has clearly infiltrated our souls, hearts, bodies and minds with his deceitful promises and ungrounded lies.
Listen to Bruh David in Psalm 36 – The steadfast LOVE of God, where he again describes the ways of the wicked. ‘The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
The words of his mouth are iniquity (wickedness) and deceit: he had left off to be wise (ceased being wise), and to do good. He deviseth mischief (plots wickedness) upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth (despises) not evil.’ (Ps.36:1-4)
Yes friends, that’s the way of today’s world! Wicked men and their evil thoughts and deeds have invaded the halls of power and are controlling our lives under the auspices of Beelzebub instead of those of God.
But friends, please remember that the battle is not over, will not be over until Jesus returns, and we can still defeat the enemy and his evil intentions and deeds by truly hunkering down with Jesus and fighting them mano a mano like true soldiers of Christ!
Now let’s encourage each other to stand strong and keep up the fight for that is what Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!
…stand up, stand up for Jesus…ye soldiers of the cross…till every foe is vanquished…and Christ is Lord indeed…
23 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, abominable iniquity, as far as the east is from the west, Christian walk, clean hands, controlling principle, corrupt, country bookies, customer service, despise wisdom, evil, explanations, faithful believers, ferry, fools, forgiveness, friends, glory hallelujah, grow in likeness to Christ, guidance, healthy fear, herd mentality, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, instruction, Jesus Christ, LOVE, none that does good, on a clean page, opportunities, Port of Spain, problems, public relations, pure hearts, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, revealation, rumours, share His love with the world, sins, submission, the fear of the Lord, the fool says in his heart, there is no god, Tobago, travesty, Trinidad, trust, truths, Tuesday Mantra, under the weather, updates, wisdom
Psalm 53:1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
And then it was Tuesday… Yes my people, another brand new day on God’s great earth with all His numerous blessings and mercies brand new, just as the day! Glory Hallelujah!
Isn’t it wonderful to begin each new day from scratch? It surely is! All yesterday’s sins and problems will be washed away and forgiven… as far as the east is from the west, they have been thrown away. So let’s begin on a clean page today nuh; no anxieties, fears, concerns or whatever from yesterday.
Let’s get up and greet our God with pure hearts and clean hands; confessing all our known sins and weaknesses and prayerfully asking for forgiveness and wise guidance to handle the day’s problems and opportunities.
And to help us do that, let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra with sincerity and strong belief. All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen.’
Oh friends, I just LOVE that Mantra! Why? Because it reminds me of who I truly am; a child of God and a friend of Jesus! Glory to God! It doesn’t get any better than that my people.
So please, if we remember nothing else, let’s remember those two fundamental and foundational truths; as faithful believers, we are all children of God, redeemed by Jesus’ blood shed on the cross, and thus His friend and brother. You can’t beat that my brethren!
And what do I have to share with you today eh? Not much nuh. I’m a tad under the weather and thus not functioning on all cylinders. (smile)
Oh yes, I now know what I have to share; my interesting and frustrating activities from last Saturday. We checked out of the hotel in Trinidad shortly after 2 p.m., took a taxi to the ferry docks – definitely no more walking in the hot sun with all that luggage. (smile)
On that point of interest, when we mentioned our walk down Wrightson Road with our luggage to our friend from south, she unceremoniously declared: ‘They must have thought that you all were two country bookies come to town – walking down the street with so much luggage!’
And some very well might have thought so, but that’s neither here nor there now, we’ll just chalk it up to ignorance and experience. (smile)
So we’re sitting in the waiting area about three o’clock waiting for the ferry’s four o’clock departure. At that time there was some excitement out on the docks, which turned out to be the arrival of the 7 a.m. ferry from Tobago.
Apparently it had broken down in the middle of the ocean and two tug boats had been sent to tow it into port. Now can you imagine the concern, the anxiety, frustration and anger of those people trapped on it from 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon.
Now for the next problem; that was the same ferry that was supposed to take us to Tobago at 4 o’clock. So we all sat there patiently waiting, just hearing rumours of what was going to happen. Four o’clock came and went… and we still heard nothing from the Port Authority people.
At about 4.45, and announcement was made that they were fixing the problem and hopefully it wouldn’t be too long before we left.
Time continued on its own sweet way, and we heard nothing else until at approximately six thirty a couple of workers came and said we’d be boarding shortly, Hn!
And though they said that we’d be boarding by sections, if yuh see how everybody just got up and rushed for the exit door. Ah Lord eh! The herd mentality was surely in evidence there. The policeman amongst the workers had to make a big speech and get everybody to sit back down, then move us section by section.
The whole problem with the situation was that the authorities provided us with no explanations or updates whatsoever. Some people left and went back home, others had paid for hotels in Tobago and their time was burning up for reasons they couldn’t understand. I was looking at having to pay for another night’s stay at the hotel.
It just was very terrible customer relations! But I understand that’s how they do it, and apparently the boats break down fairly often. Ah Lord eh, only in T&T you say.
One more interesting point. The talk had been circulating that if they couldn’t fix the ferry, they would send us back on the one that was due in from Tobago. Now shortly before we boarded, that one appeared on the horizon, but wonder of wonders, it had to stop out in midstream because there was only one dock for the ferries. Apparently both of them could not be in the same port at the same time.
Again, only in T&T you say! So we never left Port of Spain until around seven p.m., only to be told that the trip would take three and a half hours instead of the usual two and a half, because we were only motoring along on three engines. That meant we didn’t dock in Tobago until minutes to eleven, and I didn’t get home until minutes to twelve, tired and miserable.
What a travesty of public relations! So that’s how I spent my Saturday afternoon and evening.
Now finally, let’s see how much we can say about our Bit. ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.’
And as we noted yesterday, there are certainly many fools in our time too, too many really! That’s why our world is in such a terrible state.
As Cousin Sol warns in Proverbs: ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov.1:7) And isn’t that the awful truth!
Again, it’s why our societies are so corrupt and inefficient! Our leaders figure they know how to run the universe better than the One who created it. Steups!
Now hear the scholars’ explanation of that verse. ‘1:7. The fear of the Lord means submission to the Lord and His revelation. When one is afraid of something, he either runs from it or submits to it. The latter idea is in view here. It is a healthy fear, like the fear of electricity or the fear of one’s parents, which causes one to act in an appropriate manner.
The beginning does not mean that “the fear of the Lord” is left behind in the course of acquiring wisdom, but that it is the controlling principle of wisdom.’
And on that solid note of wisdom we’ll end today. And as usual, please let’s ponder all that we’ve said, and with God’s help try to improve our Christian walk. Much LOVE!
…each day…with God’s help…we ought to grow in our likeness to Christ…
19 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living
Tags: a better tomorrow, advice, anger, Anselm, broken, Clifton Hills Resort, corruption, decisions, don't give up, drink the sweet, dysfunctional, eat the fat, encouragement, Ezra, fellowship, focus, for the joy of the Lord is your strength, Friday chant, friends, fun, furthering God's kingdom, heal, hockey wilderness, hurt, Jesus Christ, joy, joyful, lack of joy, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, mirth, money, mourn not nor weep, Nehemiah, one of the least, pain, party time, Point Fortin, rejoicing, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, resentment, rest, San Fernando, send portions to the needy, temptation, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the Levites, the Pitch Lake, the weekend, the words of the law, this day is holy, trust, try your spirit, understand, Uriah Buzz Butler Highway, water taxi, week of work, wisdom, wounded, ye have done it unto me
Nehemiah 8:10c. For the joy of the Lord is your strength.
And then it was Friday…
And we all know what happens on Fridays – the people rejoice with shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! The weekend’s here at long last, and we can say to hell with work for two days! Party time mih breddren! Oh thank the Lord for Fridays yes!’
Ah mih people, I won’t even bother to say that that is not the best use for us to put the weekend to. (smile) I’ll just say let’s chant our Friday Chant so that we can get a better perspective on our two days off.
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that makes a whole lot more sense than just partying away the two little days off we have, then going back out to work next week tired and miserable and complaining. I do hope that eventually most of us learn the right way, for until we do, our lives will keep on being dysfunctional, filled with complaints, resentment, anger and a sad lack of true joy, and that’s definitely no way to live.
And to further help us in living functional and joyous lives, here is a quote from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow.
Listen up: ‘You’re going to be okay. This pain you feel is going to pass. Maybe not this moment or today or tomorrow, but sometime soon. The hurt will fade. Don’t give up before things get better. You may be wounded, but you aren’t broken. You can and will heal.’
Oh friends, I don’t know about you all nuh, but the ole fella needs that message, that encouragement badly! Now deep down I do know that things will improve health wise, as I’ve already had an inkling of it, but still, when the aches and pains strike out of the blue, with no apparent provocation on your part, it does try your spirit.
That’s why we need to keep our focus steadfastly on the Lord and His tender mercies and LOVING-kindness, so that we won’t give in to the always nagging temptation to give up! And that’s why our Bit is ever so important: ‘For the joy of the Lord is your strength.’
And did I ever have my joy renewed yesterday friends! We took the water taxi from Port of Spain to San Fernando, a cool hour’s ride along the coast of Trinidad. There, a couple of friends met us and drove us through Sando (San Fernando), then down to their home in Point Fortin.
Oh, is the southland ever busy! Brother, the cars are numerous, with all sorts of traffic jams, and then others just swooping by under less than safe circumstances. We saw the highway that was never completed, ostensibly due to lack of money, aided and abetted by serious corruption. Ah Lord eh!
We also saw the Pitch Lake; that mass of regenerating pitch, (asphalt) from which I understand we export, but don’t use ourselves. Anyway it was a very interesting tour, with all sorts of big and beautiful homes along the way, as well as older, not so big ones.
The people are crying that the times they are hard, and no doubt they are for some, but looking at some of what is going up, one would deduce that there is money, and plenty too, in certain echelons of the society.
Nonetheless, we had dinner at a wonderful new establishment called Clifton Hills Resort, situated next to the beach. A small hotel, not yet functional is also situated on the property. It’s well landscaped, the food was delicious and the service excellent.
Then our friends drove us all the way back to Port of Spain, at least an hour and a half drive. The new Uriah Buzz Butler Highway made it a little easier. And wonder of wonders, as I was going up to my room I saw a hockey game on in one of the little booths in the lobby, and I obviously shouted for joy, because I’ve been in a hockey wilderness for three weeks now.
I was just in time to see the third period. And although my team, the Detroit Red Wings lost against the Pittsburgh Penguins, I felt like a thirsty man does when given a drink of water. (smile)
Now let’s end with the rest of the story re our Bit. ‘And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha (Governor), and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Then said he unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace (be still), for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth (rejoicing), because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.’ (Neh.8:9-12)
Oh friends, how I wish that we could be so joyful when we hear the word read to us because we understood it. So many of us don’t even pay attention, much less understand.
Then again, we can get all sorts of advice, but we all have to make our own decisions, let’s hope we make the right ones today, especially that of closely following our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for that is indeed the wisdom of all time. Much LOVE!
…in our times of merriment and joy…let’s not forget to share with the needy…for as Jesus said…in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren…ye have done it unto me… (Matt.25:40b)
16 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: alive, another level, as I have loved you, assurance, atonement, attribute, bountiful, Cain, change, characteristics, children of God, earn another's love, endurance, events, faith, fellowship, friends, Glory be, glory hallelujah, God is good, God's great world, gospel truth, hope, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, indisputable truth, Jacques Maritain, Jesus Christ, joy, LOVE, LOVE one another, LOVE Revolution, perfection, persecution, Prayer of the Beloved, problems, propitiation, room for love, share His love with the world, steal our joy, strengthens, the essence of the situation, this is my commandment, this is the day the Lord has made, trust, Tuesday Mantra, unqualified love, values to our lives, walking with Jesus, we don't love qualities, we love persons, we will rejoice and be glad in it, wisdom
John 15:12. This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you.
Well mih people, it’s another bright and bountiful day in God’s great world! Glory Hallelujah!
Oh I know that many of us are facing all kinds of persecution and problems and it might not seem like a bright or bountiful day, but the essence of the situation is that we’re alive, and thus have the HOPE and assurance that things can and will change, once we keep on walking steadfastly with Jesus!
Therefore, let’s all loudly and proudly declare, like the psalmist did: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps.118:24)
Yes friends, regardless of what the day holds, let us endeavor to rejoice and be glad in it. Let us not allow the enemy to steal our joy by filling our heads with nonsense. Life might be rough, but remember that our God is good! Glory be!
And since today is Tuesday, let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra or Prayer of the Beloved, right off the top to get us set on firm footing. All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen.’
Yes my people, we are not defined by any of the world’s standards; our true definition is simply, children of God, and thus LOVED by Him. Nothing else really matters.
All we need to do is trust Jesus, our Friend, Saviour, Lord, Brother, Master, etc. etc. and share His overwhelming LOVE with the world, as He so simply but eloquently declares in our Bit. ‘This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you.’
Ah friends, it’s such a simple but profound statement! One which we are not following as strongly and steadfastly as we should, thus we are not getting the results that we ought to get, so that we can further the LOVE Revolution of Jesus.
Jesus is all about LOVE yuh know! It’s His greatest attribute; an attribute that encompasses everything else, and if we truly have it, we will be in the best place that we can be.
And today I want to share a passage from my One More Day Devotional for People with Chronic Illness. The quote is from one Jacques Maritain (1882-1973), a French Catholic philosopher of much renown, who was apparently raised a Protestant, then became an agnostic before converting to Catholicism.
He reputedly said: ‘We don’t LOVE qualities, we LOVE persons…’
And that’s how it ought to be. But instead we tend to qualify our LOVE for others by their behaviour, events or other actions and things. That’s not right my brethren. Our God LOVES us just for who we are, not because of anything we do or say.
And the devotional goes on to say: ‘No matter what happens to us in our lifetime, regardless of whether we are rich or poor, strong or weak, ill or well, we ALWAYS HAVE ROOM FOR LOVE. Unqualified LOVE and caring cost nothing. Despite out financial position, allowing ourselves to LOVE, allowing ourselves to be LOVED strengthens and lends greater value to our lives.’
And that my fellow believers in Christ is indisputable truth! When LOVE becomes the most important factor in our lives, we are raised up to another level, a level to which only LOVE can bring us.
Now listen closely to this next part of the devotional, which corroborates what I’ve said above. ‘In LOVING others and being LOVED, we are reminded that people, not events or even characteristics, are the important elements of our lives.
We don’t look for perfection in our LOVED ones, and we’re freed of the notion that we must earn another’s LOVE. LOVE balances our lives; it helps us to keep sight of our values and priorities.’
And that’s all gospel truth my brethren! The Lord would certainly not LOVE us if He was looking for perfection, because we are not perfect. So why do we try to put others in certain situations or force certain characteristics and traits in them before we LOVE them eh?
Please, let’s stop doing that and just LOVE others for who or whom they are nuh; creations of God. That’s the only way to truly LOVE!
And as John so wisely reminds us in his first epistle: ‘For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that ye should LOVE one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew (murdered) his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.’ (1 John 3:11-12)
Oh friends, ofttimes that’s why we don’t LOVE people; because our deeds or intentions are evil and theirs are not. But hear these poignant and ever so true words from the end of the Valentine’s Day writing in our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin.
‘LOVE knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.’
Glory Hallelujah my people! Yes, LOVE will always be left standing when everything else fails! Let’s truly believe that and work it into all aspects of our lives nuh.
And we’ll end this series of messages on LOVE with the timely words of John. ‘Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins. Beloved, if God so LOVED us, we ought also to LOVE one another.’ (1 John 4:10-11)
That’s the wisdom for the ages! Much LOVE!
…I will remember today…that I LOVE people for themselves…not for their potential…the LOVE I receive…is given just as freely… (From the One More Day Devotional).
13 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fleeting moment, a name above every other name, alive, apologize, appearance, at the name of Jesus, awakened, cast not away your confidence, change, chronic illness, circumstances, compassion, disconsolate, endurance, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, everything can change, exalted, faith, feelings, frame of reference, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God's gifts, God's plan for us, he is a rewarder, he that comes to God, holy spirit, hope, humble, humility, in a split second, Jesus as our guide, Jesus Christ, Jesus christ is Lord, joy, joy waits for no man, joyfulness, labour of LOVE, let this mind be in you, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, memories, mercy, ministered, more to be desired than gold, obedience, obedient, on a high note, One More Day Devotional, Paradise, patience, Praise the Lord, receive the promise, recompense, rewards, sacrifice, selfless, sinners, sweeter than honey, Tanhuma, the death of the cross, the Good Book, the Lamb that was slain, the will if God, them that diligently seek him, to the glory of God the Father, Tobago, trust, walking with Jesus, which also was in Christ Jesus, wisdom
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.
Oh mih breddren, it’s Saturday; another beautiful day in Paradise! Glory Hallelujah!
On second thought though, I think I need to apologize for my effusive opening to those of you who have not awakened to such a paradisaical situation as I have. (smile)
But friends, the most important thing, regardless of our physical situations and limitations is that we have awakened. Glory to God! And once we’re alive and walking with Jesus Christ there is ALWAYS that wonderful thing called HOPE! Hope that through Jesus, our circumstances can change, can improve.
Now that’s one of the reasons I’m in Tobago; I have the hope that the sunshine and saltwater will alleviate my physical ailments. So far though, there are plusses and minuses on the scoreboard, but I still have hope, am still believing that by the time I’m ready to leave in the next few weeks I will be healed. Or at least be in much better shape than when I came.
That’s hope, that leads to faith. And a little reminder here that we cannot have faith without hope. So please don’t be disconsolate even though your surroundings, though your life might not be on a high note right now, because with Jesus as our guide, everything can change, sometimes in a split second.
So NEVER stop having HOPE! And another thing too, once we’re alive, it means that God has a plan for us to carry out, otherwise we wouldn’t be here to tell the story.
And all God’s people said a loud, proud and grateful ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
And I’m chuckling here friends, because this was not what I had planned to write, neither was what is about to come, but this is where I was guided, so who am I to complain eh?
And I want to share something from my One More Day Devotional for People with Chronic Illness, and you can count me amongst that lot.
Anyway, today’s quote is attributed to one Tanhuma, whom I believe is a Jewish sage from way back when. And he profoundly declares that ‘Joy waits for no man.’ And I know that all of us have found that our several times throughout our lives.
The text goes on to tell us: ‘Joyfulness is one of God’s greatest gifts. Joy transcends all time and place. Joy causes unmeasurable and often indescribable feelings which we might only have for a fleeting moment. Joy is like opening a special present. It is a state of mind, a frame of reference for future memories.’
Yes my people, joy is all of those things, but more importantly joy comes from a secure and comfortable walk with the Lord. As the Good Book says: ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength.’ (Neh. 8:10)
That’s why the ole scoundrel Lucifer tries to steal our joy; because he knows without it, we are helpless and very susceptible to his evil charms. So please let’s stand strong and steadfast in that joy that our God provides, so that we can do His will in faith, trust and obedience, like Jesus did.
That brings us to our Bit. ‘Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.’ And as we’ve been saying for the last few days, only by thinking like Jesus can we do the things He wants us to do.
And we see the utmost importance of all that when we consider the scripture which says: ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil.2:8)
Yes my people, Jesus became so humble and obedient to His Father’s will, that He went like a lamb to the cross for our benefit….
And all God’s people cried out a loud and grateful ‘Glory Hallelujah! Blessed is the lamb that was slain for us!’
And though we will never reach Jesus’ level of humility and obedience because of our built in sinful nature, the object of the whole living exercise is to try and get as close as possible to it. And you know what happens when we serve the Lord obediently and sincerely? He rewards us! Not always down here on earth, but He puts away some for us in heaven.
And we have the best example of that in the next few verses of Bruh Paul’s letter to the Philippians. ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:9-11)
Mama mia my people! What a wonderful God we serve and worship! Yuh see how He exalted Jesus for His selfless sacrifice on our behalf, by making Him ruler of all, where all must bow and confess that Jesus is Lord!
But please pay close attention to the end of that sentence; ‘to the glory of the God the Father.’ Yes my brethren, ALL that we do, is ALL for God’s glory! Even Jesus’ sacrifice was to show God’s mercy and LOVING-kindness to a bunch of ungrateful sinners!
So my fellow believers, though we are not working, not serving God because of the rewards we can get, we nonetheless have those rewards as something to look forward to. And we’ll close today by sharing a few scriptures that encourage us in that respect, beginning with Bruh David’s poignant words from Psalm 19 – The creation and covenants of God.
He declares that the keeping of God’s statutes and judgements are ‘More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (the drippings of the honeycomb). Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.’ (Ps.19:10-11)
Now hear the author of Hebrews, which I believe is Bruh Paul, because it sounds too much like him. ‘For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of LOVE, which ye have showed towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.’ (Heb.6:10)
And we’ll close with these most encouraging and uplifting words again from Hebrews. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36).
I couldn’t say it any better my people, so I implore us to go out today and do God’s will with mercy, compassion and LOVE in our hearts, being mindful of the rewards that are accruing in our accounts in heaven. Much LOVE!
…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is…and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him… (Heb.11:6b)
12 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: actions, basic foundation, Battlefield of the Mind, Bible Study, Christ-like, concentration spans, crucifixion, divine nature, eating solid food, Elementary my dear Watson, emptied himself, evil, faith, fellowship, Friday chant, friends, fun, furthering God's kingdom, generous help, glory hallelujah, God's Word, holy spirit, I made it through, in the form of God, individual basis, Jesus Christ, joy, Joyce Mayer, Lent, let our lights shine, let this mind be in you, LOVE, make time for God, mature in Christ, obedient, outward appearance, praise and worship, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, rest, salvation, servant's nature, Sherlock Holmes, sinners, strain, stress, testimonies, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Godhead, the heathen, the likeness of men, the salt of the earth, the Son of God, trust, two cents worth, West Indian flavour, which also was in Christ, wisdom
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.
And then it was Friday… yes friends, the first Friday in Lent! But that doesn’t make that much difference to the ordinary Joe Blow, who’s all week been enduring work, the workplace and the problems to get to and from there.
He’s still concerned with declaring: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and soon work shall be no more! The weekend is upon us and we can do whatever we want! Thank God for Fridays and some much needed respite from work!’
And who’s to say that worker nay eh? Our world and working lives are filled with so much stress and strain that we all look forward to some time off. However, the weekend is not necessarily for us to do as we please, but rather to get ourselves together for next week.
Now let’s chant our Friday Chant, which gives us a better perspective on using the weekend. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my fellow believers, that’s more the kind of attitude we need to adopt; rejuvenating ourselves, so that we can continue the process all over again, and hopefully in a more mature and Christ-like manner.
Anyway, yesterday was certainly an interesting day in the ole fella’s life. After writing the Bit; yuh know that comes first, the duchess and I went out to do some shopping. But was it ever hot! Brother!
It’s the first time that I’ve ever felt it so hot since I’m down here, although it’s possibly been just as hot all along, (smile) so by the time we got back home it was like moving from hell to heaven. Thank the Lord for some air conditioning yes!
Then later in the evening I went to what I was told was a Bible Study, just a small group of about twenty adults with a handful of children in the lobby of an apartment building, though it evolved into a full fledged worship service.
But was it ever good! And the West Indian flavour made it even better! It started out with some praise and worship, accompanied by the Pastor on an electronic keyboard. Then some prayers; then some testimonies. Obviously the ole fella had to get up and offer his two cents worth.
But what surprised me most was when the leader introduced the pastor who was going to address us. She called a female name, and a young lady who had been sitting quietly by the door with a young child in her arms, gave the child to the male pastor and she got up and preached us a wonderful and powerful sermon on James 1, re the power of temptation and the joy that believers should find in it. Glory to God!
The pair of them reminded me of Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) and her husband Dave, where she is the one who preaches and he listens and does behind the scenes work. But I enjoyed her preaching, like Sister Joyce, she spells it out loud and clear, the way it ought to be.
As I keep saying, we need to put actions to our words, tell our practical testimonies, let our lights shine in the darkness of this corrupt and evil world, truly be the salt of the earth, like Jesus desires, for that’s the only way that the heathen and the unbelieving infidel will ever come to know and trust Him as their Lord and Saviour.
But before all of that can happen, we first need to lay the basic foundation of what Christ is about, and we can only do that when we follow the wise and wonderful advice of our Bit. ‘Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.’
Oh friends, we can only truly be like Christ when we truly begin to think like Him. ‘It’s elementary my dear Watson!’ as the famous sleuth Sherlock Holmes is reputed to have said to his associate. Although I recently read somewhere that Sherlock never really said that in the books, but it was something that came up out of the movies or some such scenario.
However, it is very appropriate to our talk today. We can’t be like somebody unless we know how they think because it all begins in the mind. And as Sister Joyce likes to call it, ‘The Battlefield of the mind.’
And that’s gospel truth friends, for the war begins and ends in our minds. That’s why Jesus had those twelve disciples hanging around Him; so they could learn His way of thinking and what ought to proceed from it.
Now I had some scholarly info to share on the great verses we read yesterday. (Phil.2:6-8) I don’t know if space and time will allow it, because it’s pretty long, but as true believers, we should always have time for understanding God’s word, (smile) so here goes.
‘2:6-8. These famous verses substantiate the assertion of verse 5b that Jesus did indeed have within Himself the same attitude of verses 2c-4, which the readers of Paul’s letters are also to maintain within themselves.
Verses 6-8 may be translated as follows: “For He, though eternally possessing the divine nature, did not regard His existing-in-a-manner-equal-with-God; (i.e. His heavenly existence or divine lifestyle) as something to be (selfishly) maintained, but He emptied Himself in that He assumed a servant’s nature and appeared in the likeness of men; and having been recognized in outward form as a man, He humbled Himself in becoming obedient unto death, even death by crucifixion.
Being in the form of God signifies that Christ has eternally possessed the very nature of God. To own the nature of God is to be God and to be equal with the other personalities of the Godhead (namely, the Father and the Spirit).
Thought it not robbery to be equal with God means that Christ decided not to continue enjoying His heavenly existence; He enjoyed the same divine life-style in heaven that God enjoyed. Though the Son could have lawfully maintained this heavenly existence, He did not. Rather He assumed a servant’s position and appeared in the likeness of men.
Consequently, being judged by His fashion (outward appearance) He was recognized by many people as a mere man. But He was much more than that – He was still the Son of God, who continued to possess the divine nature.
Why did Jesus willingly give up His divine existence with all its benefits and advantages? Because He had within Himself the attitude of verses 2c-4: He regarded sinners as more important than Himself (v.3), and was just as concerned with their needs as with His own affairs (v.4). So the Philippians were to cultivate within themselves this same attitude and express it to one another.’ And we are supposed to do likewise!
Oh my people, I know that it’s long and somewhat confusing, but as I keep saying, it’s time we learn to make time for God, expanding our concentration spans, and to start eating solid food, meat and potatoes, not baby milk and gruel, so that we can grow and mature in our faith. That’s what is expected of us as true believers.
So please, today, let’s get together with the Lord and work out our problems nuh, our salvation, with Him on an individual basis, because that’s where it all begins. Much LOVE!
…it’s time for Christ’s church…to truly learn how He thinks…to start thinking in the same manner…and thus start behaving like Him…
11 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: 2016, a mother, a wife, being in the form of God, betrayal, blessings, bone of contention, Christ's Church, Christians, Colonialism, drama, emptied himself, encouragement, fellowship, fighting tooth and nail, foolish pride, Fort James, friends, Genesis, glory hallelujah, glory of Christ, glory to God, gospel truth, haughtiness, holy spirit, house guests, human nature, humbled himself, humility, indulgences, inspiration, inspiring spirit, Jesus Christ, joy, Kenosis, Lent, let this mind be in you, LOVE, Mystery tombstone, neighbours, obedient unto death, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, Plymouth, prayer, reality, reputation, Revelation, Robert H Sculler, servant-hood, servants, sinless, sit on our laurels, soldiers, submitting, the eternal God, the likeness of men, the will of God, thought it not robbery, to be equal with God, Tobago, tourists, transfiguration, trust, truth, which also was in Christ Jesus, wisdom
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.
Well friends and neighbours, it’s Thursday, the second day of Lent in this watershed year of 2016. Yes my people, I do believe that 2016 will be a very important year in mankind’s history; it will either make or break us.
But even better than that my people, the world is unfurling exactly as it should; exactly as the script was penned by our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God, many many moons ago. Glory to God!
And so it should be, because the Almighty is the greatest dramatist ever! The Bible, right from the beginning in Genesis, to the very end in Revelation, is filled with all kinds of drama; good, bad and ugly, so we couldn’t want for a better script to show us how life runs, or is supposed to run.
And today I want to share a li’l bit of solid info from Gramps Schuller’s (Robert H. Schuller) Hours of Power Devotional. Listen up: ‘The Bible makes it very clear that Christians are soldiers – not tourists in life. We are also servants of God, not houseguests.’
Yes friends, for those of us who believe we’re just here to enjoy life without any work or effort on our part, please be warned that that is not so!
We have a big role to play in setting up Christ’s church, fighting tooth and nail to make the LOVE Revolution a wonderful and winning reality. And as such, we can’t afford to sit on our laurels and expect to be waited on hand and foot, instead, we have to do a lot of the waiting ourselves.
Now pray this prayer with me that Gramps Schuller finishes the devotion with. ‘Father, I turn these minutes over to you. Do something beautiful in my mind, in my heart, and in my life today. So I will look back and say: “I was caught up on an inspiring spirit of the eternal God in this moment of prayer.” In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.’
And if we sincerely prayed that prayer my people, then beautiful things will happen in our lives today as the Holy Spirit touches us with inspiration and encouragement! Oh glory to God from whom all mercies flow!
Now re my activities of yesterday, the ole fella played tourist. Hn! I got up in the morning and just felt this urge to visit the town of Plymouth, the island’s capital before Scarborough. It’s not too far from where I am, all on the flat side of the island, so after lunch, the duchess and I headed out to do the tourista thing.
We drove through the villages of Buccoo, Black Rock and Grafton before we came to Plymouth. And in line with the tourist thinking, we visited Fort James, one of the several forts set up on the island by its early colonial rulers.
On a point of interest, I believe Tobago is called the ‘Bone of Contention,’ because of the many different colonial powers who ruled it at some time in the cantankerous era of early colonialism. Anyway, from its promontory one can get a beautiful view of that part of the island.
And not to be amiss, we also visited the ‘Mystery Tombstone,’ located just before the entrance to the fort. It has always been a talking point and tourist attraction since I was a youth. I have inserted two photos, one of the sign and one of the tomb itself. Hope they come out properly.
But just in case they don’t, the mystery part is the inscription on the tomb that says: ‘She was a mother without knowing it, and a wife without letting her husband know it except by her kind indulgences to him.’
Now you too can go out and ponder the words on the tombstone of Betty Stiven which have perplexed mankind for over two centuries. (smile)
However my brethren, it’s now time for our rather timely Bit. ‘Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.’
And friends, as we’ve been saying over the last few days, it is of the utmost importance and a vital necessity that followers of Christ, Christians, the church, Christ’s body or organization here on earth think like Him, if we expect to become like Him! That’s gospel truth!
And today we’ll continue with Bruh Paul’s treatise on the subject. After our Bit, he notes with assurance: ‘Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil.2:6-8)
Oh my people, that is exactly what we were talking about before, where Gramps Schuller informed us that we were not tourists but soldiers in Christ’s army, and not houseguests, but servants in his household. It’s what Jesus came to earth and did, despite His godly connections.
Now here are some scholarly explanations on verse 7, re ‘Kenosis.’ ‘2:7. The word Kenosis is the Greek word for “emptying” and is related to the verb translated here as “made himself of no reputation,” which literally means “He emptied Himself.” Christ emptied Himself by (1) veiling His glory and (2) taking on Himself a true but sinless human nature, and (3) voluntarily submitting to the will of the Father.
Illustration: At all times, Christ remained God, retaining the nature and attributes of God, but taking a human nature in order to have a ministry among men. On the few occasions when His glory was more fully revealed during His ministry, those who saw it were unable to bear it. (cf. Matt.17:6; the transfiguration; John 18:6; His betrayal by Judas and His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane).
Application: The apostle Paul urges that the attitude of humility (which led to the kenosis) ought to characterize every Christian (v.5). (First Ref. Phil.2:7; Primary Ref. Phil.2:7; cf. John 1:14).’
Oh friends, this morning I want to leave us with that same advice; let’s do some kenosis nuh; let’s empty ourselves of all the haughtiness and foolish pride that so often consumes us, and let’s take on the humility of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, as we ought to. For that is indeed the zenith of wisdom. Much LOVE
…humility and servant-hood…two of the signs of a true Christian…
10 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a sailor band, Ash Wednesday, ashes, bacchanal, buss-up shirt, Carnival, Christian, christianity, church, computers, copy and paste, disunity, esteem, fellowship, focus on Jesus, friends, frustrations, fulfill ye my joy, glory hallelujah, goals, happiness, I'm not looking back, I'm so glad to be alive, Jesus Christ, joy, lack of harmony, laziness, Lent, let this mind be in you, living in harmony, LOVE, mas, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, my own strength, needs of others, of one accord, our best days are still ahead of us, pan side, pride, problems of others, put our noses to the grindstone, Scarborough, selfishness, strife, the breath of life, the Lord carried me, to a glorious future with Jesus, Tobago, trust, truth, united in spirit, values, waste of time, Wednesday Wail, which also was in Christ Jesus, wisdom, without partiality
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.
Ah Friends, laziness is a hell of a thing yes! How many of you noticed yesterday that the top heading had one date and the bottom one another eh? Computers make it too easy for us sometimes. This copy and paste thing can do serious damage if we’re not careful. My sincere apologies to those of you who noticed. I aced it this morning though, got them both right! (smile)
So the bacchanal done now mih people; Carnival over and we now into the godly season of Lent. Let’s hope that we extinguished all our energy and frustrations during the Carnival period and are now ready to settle down to a serious time of consideration and ‘ponderation’ on God and all that He stands for, because this is the season for it.
Now, as per activities, yesterday, after finishing my buss-up shirt, I went down to Scarborough to see some local mas. Hn! We got down there about two o’clock, only to find the streets empty, not a mas in sight.
We walked up to where they were supposed to be judging the bands, but could not get a seat out of the sun because they had private tents, or tents with no seats, so we walked back to a closed up café or chicken joint, that had an awning over the front, the same place we were last year.
This time there were no chairs in front, apparently the owners got smart after last year, but there were a few benches by the side, we put one under the awning and limed there until we left around five thirty.
At two thirty, no mas had appeared, so I told the duchess if none appears by three o’clock we would leave. Luckily, about ten to three a sailor band with about a dozen people, of whom I knew about four, came down the road, passed the judging stand and eventually ended up liming right by us.
As the afternoon progressed about five bands eventually passed up in front of us, and I saw a few other people I knew, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time. As usual though I could not see a pan side on the road to jump with. Ah Lord eh, what has mas come to eh, when there’s no pan on the road? Steups!
One friend there kept telling me how the pans usually come out after six o’clock, but who knows if what he said was true, and I definitely wasn’t hanging around to find out. So the duchess and I walked back to the car, not too far really, but it was a bit difficult, and the Lord ended up carrying me.
I definitely couldn’t make it on my own strength, even with my cane. And who says our God isn’t a great and caring God eh! I certainly won’t because there are many days without His help, I wouldn’t make it through. Anyway, enough about me and mas.
Today is Ash Wednesday. Hope those of you so interested went to church and got your ashes. I was too tired to get up, and the service in my area was too early, six a.m. But I think there is one at six p.m. tonight. I might check that out. And since it’s Wednesday, then we need to declare our Wednesday Wail with much gusto and sincerity.
As one now, let’s wail: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Oh my people, it’s so good to be alive on this Ash Wednesday, and alive in sweet Tobago too, that I can die from the happiness! (smile) But then we need to put our noses to the grindstone and focus our every thought on Jesus, keep looking ahead to the wonderful future He has planned for us, not at the past as so many of us unfortunately do.
Ah my fellow believers, what is past has gone, and believe me, our best days are still ahead, out in front of us, if we keep hanging sincerely with Jesus. But as our Bit tells us, we can’t be like Jesus unless we first think like Him. ‘Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.’
And today I want to share some explanations from the scholars on the 2nd to 4th verses of the chapter. ‘Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same LOVE, being of one accord, of one mind.’ (Phil.2:2) Then he continues talking about the need for no strife and pride, selfishness and being our brother’s keeper.
The scholars offer these explanations: ‘2:2-4. Fulfill ye my joy (or, “Make my joy complete”). Paul rejoiced over the Philippians (1:3), but his happiness was incomplete, owing to some disunity and lack of total harmony among them. The Greek equates what, to Paul, constitutes “complete joy” with the readers being likeminded. This means “living in harmony” with one another. That is, the Philippians can “fulfill” the writer’s “joy” by living in harmony among themselves.
But what does such harmonious living entail? Beginning in verse 2 and continuing through verse 4, six participles spell out and clearly define what it means to “live in harmony:” (1) having the same LOVE toward one believer as shown toward another, without partiality; (2) being of one accord; that is, they are to be united in spirit; (3) of one mind; that is, the whole church is to have the same values and goals;
(4) let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, for selfish ambition or conceit; (5) let each esteem other better than themselves, that is, each is to regard his fellow Christian as more important than himself; and (6) look…every man also on the things of others; that is, each is to be just as concerned for the needs and problems of his brother as he is for his own affairs.’
Oh friends, oh friends, that’s exactly what Christianity is all about, living in LOVE and harmony with and for each other! It’s what Jesus taught, and how He lived! But are we doing that today? Hn! Definitely not as much as we should, else our world and our Christian fellowship would not be in the bad shape they are in.
So today, on this Ash Wednesday of 2016, please, let’s sit down and consider, ponder the way we live, and try, with God’s help obviously, to bring it more in line with the Christian principles outlined above nuh. For that my brethren, is the indisputable wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…oh how good and precious it is…when brethren live together in true harmony…
09 Feb 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: #One, blessings, buss-up shirt, Carnival Tuesday, children of God, Christians, consolation, disharmony, encouragement, expand our frontiers, faith, fancy costumes, fellowship, focus, friends, front tears, glory hallelujah, harmony, holy spirit, I am the beloved of god, I can trust my friend Jesus, I don't have to hurry, I don't have to worry, I'm not what I do, I'm not what I have, I'm not what people say about me, Jesus Christ, joy, let this mind be in you, LOVE, many, mas, mercy, music in the streets, opposition, Philippians, Queen's Park Savannah, Scarborough, service of love to all, share His love with the world, the body of Christ, the church, the gospel, the rich and famous, trust, truth, Tuesday Mantra, ungodly world, unselfishness, virtues, which was also in Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.
Oh friends, the big day is here at last! Yes, it’s Carnival Tuesday, when all the pretty mas is supposed to come out in the streets, with the music blaring and the participants jumping and wining in their fancy costumes! It’s the height of the bacchanal!
Around the Savannah (Queen’s Park Savannah) the bands will be gathering to go across the stage for competition. And as far as I was concerned that was the best place to see the mas and hear the music, because everything was centered around that spot, and you could move from one band to the other as they lined up to go across the stage.
Fortunately, or otherwise, I can no longer endure that situation, (smile) so I might watch a little of the Trinidad mas on the tube, then go down to Scarborough and watch the mini mas down there. That will satisfy me.
And since Today is Tuesday, that means we need to declare our Tuesday Mantra. So with a strong sense of purpose and sincerity let’s proclaim: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen.’
Yes my people, the only thing that truly matters in this world is that we are children of God, greatly LOVED by Him, and also a true friend of Jesus. Glory Hallelujah! Nothing can be more important than those two things! But we need to sincerely believe them and work accordingly to them in our lives.
We can’t allow what others think and say about us to have more sway over us than what Christ says. And that is one of the problems in our current world; we consider what the people in power, or the rich and famous say and do, more than we consider God’s Word and works. That’s totally unacceptable my fellow believers in Jesus! God and His Word should be our big focus, not what mankind says or does.
And I read a piece in my One More Day Devotional for people with Chronic illness, that I’m going to change to suit our purpose today. It says: ‘Chronic illness means pushing back the “front tears” in our mind so that we can expand the frontiers of our days.’
Now friends, I believe that is also apropos to our situation, where we need to push back our tears, our problems and concentrate on our great and wonderful God, so that we can expand the frontiers of our days. Without truly focusing on God, our frontiers will never expand to their fullest.
And one way to do that is to follow the words of our Bit. ‘Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.’ Yeh mih people, we can’t act like Jesus until we think and believe like Him!
And yesterday we saw what Bruh Paul said to the Philippians: ‘If there be therefore any consolation (encouragement) in Christ, if any comfort (consolation) of LOVE, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same LOVE, being of one accord, of one mind.’ (Phil.2:1-2)
Yes friends, all Bruh Paul is talking about there is harmonious living between believers, as he continues through verses 3 and 4 to push unselfishness and brother looking out for brother. The same attitude applies to us today, though unfortunately we’re not living as harmoniously as we ought to.
My people there is too much disharmony amongst believers today…and that’s an indisputable fact. How can the body of Christ be successful if the parts don’t dwell together in unity eh? That’s impossible to accomplish under those circumstances, but it’s exactly what Jesus desires and expects us to achieve.
Anyhow, enough of my preaching, which too often falls on deaf ears. Let’s hear some of what the scholars have to say on those verses. ‘2:1. Therefore resumes the thought begun in 1:27-28, namely, that the Philippians are to be “worthy” and steadfast in unity, striving together for the gospel’s progress. The word if, occurring four times in this verse, denotes fact, not doubt; it might then be translated “since.”
Paul is thus affirming that in Christ there exists consolation (encouragement); comfort of LOVE (solace furnished by LOVE); fellowship of the Spirit (partaking of the Holy Spirit’s life and sharing in His gifts, ministry, help, values etc.); bowels (affection); and mercies (sympathy).
This verse forms the basis for Paul’s appeal in verse 2: “Fulfill ye my joy.” His thinking is this: Since these five benefits or virtues exist in Christ, and since you are Christians, then exercise these virtues toward one another as you contend for the gospel and face opposition.’
Oh my fellow believers in Christ, what more can I say eh? Not much really, because the same situation faces us today, and probably on an even larger scale. Jesus thought in terms of harmony and unselfishness, and so should we, if we want to be truly his followers.
Why do you think Bruh Paul talked about ‘The service of LOVE to all,’ in Romans 12 eh? Because that’s the only thing that would keep Christ’s church together!
Listen to him: ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office (function): So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one (individually) members one of another.’ (Rom.12:3-5)
Yes friends, the long and short of the story is that we are all Christians, believers in Christ, and we all have individual functions to perform, but we need to perform them in harmony, so that the body of Christ, His church, the great organization that He envisaged and founded will be able to go forth and prosper.
That’s enough for today. So my people, please remember that though we are many, we are still one! Much LOVE!
…no organization can grow and prosper…unless there is harmony within it…
P.S. Going to have breakfast now, finish some buss-up shirt and curry that I bought yesterday, (smile) then get ready to go down to the mas in Scarborough. Much LOVE!
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