17 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a crown of glory, a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, air quality warnings, all this I have proved by wisdom, anxiety, be it good or evil, be responsible, christianity, confusion, current witness for Christ is unacceptable, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, diabolical schemes, even of foolishness and madness, exalt her, faith, fallen short of the glory of God, fear God and keep his commandments, foolishness, for all have sinned, forest fires, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, get wisdom, give to thine head an ornament of grace, God made man upright, God shall bring every work into judgement, God's omnipotent help, gospel truth, holy spirit, I applied my heart to know, I said I will be wise, it was far from me, Jesus Christ, LOVE, madness, man cannot attain God's righteousness without His help, man has sought out many inventions, mercy, not a wise woman among them, one wise man among a thousand, our fallen nature, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, proble, problems are escalating, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, salvation, saw his face as the face of an angel, she shall promote thee, Solomon's wisdom was insufficient to understand life fully, stand strong and steadfast, supposed righteousness, take no heed to all the words that are spoken, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that doeth good and sinneth not, that which is far off and exceeding deep, the BIBLE, the boldness of his face shall be changed, the face of wisdom, the reason of things, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, there is not a just man upon earth, thou hear thy servanr curse thee, to know the wickedness of folly, to search, to seek out wisdom, trusting faith, truth, two short days off, unexpected storms, ungodly times, who can find it out, who is as the wise man, who knoweth the interpretation of a thing, wisdom, wisdom is the principal thing, wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men, wise guidance, with all thy getting get understanding, with every secret thing, with your generous help, your own heart knows you have cursed others
Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 July 2026 Ecclesiastes 8:1b.
Ecclesiastes 8:1b. a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness (strength) of his face shall be changed.
It’s Friday, so most working people are happy, and very early in the morning, have joyfully sent their Friday Mantra up to high heaven: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last!’ But let’s remember, we still have to work and live through Friday before we can truly relax and let out hair down, because Friday also has challenges for us to navigate with the help of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who strengthens us so that we can do His awesome will.
And for the third day in a row we have air quality warnings, and today’s warning claims it’s severe. What a way July has begun, not only with several heat warnings but also now with air quality warnings because of the many forest fires burning in the northern part of the province. And one would think that as the days progress the quality would improve, but apparently not. The first day, Wednesday the sky was very dark, which led me to forecast rain, until the duchess informed me otherwise.
Yesterday it wasn’t dark, jut a bit cloudy and the sun was shining fairly bright so I decided to go out and run some errands. But as soon as I left home, I had to close my windows and put on the AC, because the smoke smell was fairly strong. I did the few errands that were in a small area, but left those that required me going further afield undone, for the smoke was getting to me. So now, although the sun is shining brightly with not much cloud cover, and with the air quality possibly worse, I’m wondering if I’m going out again this afternoon to find my errands. Who knows? But we’ll consider that when the time comes.
Right now though, let’s consider some wise and interesting words from Cousin Sol talking about the Face of Wisdom, as the Preacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes. He declares: ‘Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness (strength) of his face shall be changed.’ (Eccl. 8:1)
And that’s no lie, for as Cousin Sol asserts in Proverbs: ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head (place on thine head) an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.’ (Prov. 4:7-9) Yes friends, when we seek wisdom and understanding they brighten both our physical and emotional selves.
And Luke corroborates that in the Book of Acts when he describes Stephen’s features as he stood before the Jewish council on charges of blasphemy. ‘And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.’ (Acts. 6:15) And earlier on in Ecclesiastes, Cousin Sol argues: ‘Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men (rulers) which are in the city. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.’ (Eccl. 7:19-20)
Now there can be no argument with the last statement, for as Bruh Paul says in Romans: ‘For all have sinned and come short (fallen short) of the glory of God.’ (Rom. 3:23) Yes, for as the scholars tell us: ‘Man can exceed his own standards but never, left to himself, can he attain to God’s righteousness.’ That’s why we need God in our lives.
And Cousin Sol continues: ‘Also take no heed unto (don’t take to heart) all the words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.’ (Eccl. 7:21-22) And isn’t that the gospel truth! We can’t listen to everything or we’ll find much that discourages and disappoints us. And for sure, many of us have likewise spoken badly against others.
Then Cousin Sol makes these very interesting statements. ‘All this I have proved (tested) by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
…Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one (adding one thing to another), to find out the account (reason): which yet my soul seeketh, but find not: one (wise) man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions (schemes).’ (Eccl. 7:23-25; 27-29) And that’s oh so true. God made man upright, but in our fallen nature we have searched out the most wicked and diabolical schemes, especially in these times of great learning and knowledge.
And the scholars explain those verses thus: ‘Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived, but even his wisdom was insufficient to understand life fully (7:23). In his search for wisdom Solomon found many sinful people (7;26), but few righteous (7:28; cf. Prov. 31:10). In spite of the failures of wisdom, it is still the most attractive virtue since it helps bring inner happiness (8:1).’ Now can you imagine if the wisest man’s wisdom was not enough to fully understand life, what does that say about us, less wise beings eh?
But that’s exactly why Cousin Sol ends Ecclesiastes thus. ‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ (Eccl. 12:13-14) Yes my people, it’s so simple. All that’s really required of us is to reverence the Lord and keep His commandments. Nothing else. But we make life even more difficult than it already is by adding all sorts of foolishness and evil to it.
Anyway, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid to help us stick to the true programme. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And let’s not get carried away by our supposed righteousness, for the truth is that our current witness for Christ is totally unacceptable, which means we also need to wake up and smell the coffee sweet and strong. Much LOVE!
…if more of us…sought true wisdom and understanding…our world would not be in the terrible mess it’s currently in…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a hiding place, a place of comfort, be of good courage, be renewed and refreshed, be responsible, blessed is the man maketh the Lord his trust, by the good example we your faithful believers set, christianity, deal treacherously, defeat and destroy the enemy, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, divine aid, established my goings, faith, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship and relaxation, God always gives the best, God is a refuge for us, God shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities, God's omnipotent help, God's timing is perfect, he brought me up also out of an horrible pit, he hath put a new song in my mouth, he inclined unto me, he is my defence, He only is my rock and my salvation, he shall exalt thee to inherit the land, he shall strengthen thine heart, holy spirit, I shall not be moved, I wait for the Lord, I waited patiently for the lord, In God is my salvation and my glory, in his word do I hope, in soul body and mind, Jesus Christ, let me not be ashamed, let none that wait in faith on thee be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me, let them be ashamed which transgress without cause, LOVE, many shall see it and fear, mercy, more haste less speed, more than they that watch for the morning, my expectation is from him, my hope is from God, my refuge is in God, my soul, my soul doth wait, my soul silently wait thou upon God, my soul waiteth for the Lord, O my God I trust in thee, our best interest, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, our society's desire for speed, out of the miry clay, pour out your heart before God, praise unto our God, relax in God's uprightness, respecteth not the proud, rushing about but going nowhere, salvation, Selah, serious problems are escalating, set my feet on a rock, speed kills, stand strong and steadfast, such as turn aside to lies, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the Lord heard my cry, the rock of my strength, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, time for Christians to rise up, trust in him at all times, trusting faith, trusting in God's will, truth, two short days off, unexpected storms, wait in faith I say on the Lord, wait in faith on the Lord, wait on the Lord and keep his way, wisdom, wise guidance, with him is plenteous redemption, with the Lord there is mercy, with your generous help, you shall see when the wicked are cut off
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 July 2026 Psalm 27:14.
Psalm 27:14. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith), I say, on the Lord.
And on this hot and sunshiny summer Friday morning, the shouts of our Friday Mantra obviously rang out loud and clear to high heaven! ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at long last!’ To tell the truth, the weekend doesn’t seem as though it took long to come, but came rather quickly, just like July began only last week and we’re already into double digit days. There doesn’t seem to be anything like slow moving time again, it all seems to have speeded up just like our society’s desire for speed in everything.
But please, let’s remember that very true adage; speed kills, not only on the roads but in many other areas of life too. Not taking time to make wise decisions has become a norm in our society; too many things are being rushed into without proper consideration, and like so many of us we’re simply rushing about, but going nowhere. It’s like that other old adage; more haste, less speed. And most of us have experienced that in several areas of our lives, where we hurry to do things or go places, but we simply end up taking more time that we expected.
That’s why there’s such wisdom in these words of Bruh David from 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) And friends there’s nothing better than waiting in faith on God, for His timing is perfect and He always gives us the best of whatever He has to offer. If, and when we learn to wait in faith patiently on Him, then we’ll see and experience a great calm and trust in our spirits, we’ll not be as anxious and fearful as before, because we’ve accepted the Lord’s timetable and are no longer desirous of pursuing our own will, but trusting in His.
And that statement of waiting on the Lord in faith seemed to be rather important to Bruh David, because he mentions it in several psalms. In Psalm 25, My heart Shall Not Fear, he declares: ‘O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait (in faith) on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause (deal treacherously).’ (Ps. 25:2-3) Then in Psalm 37, Trust in the Lord, Bruh David advises: ‘Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off thou shalt see it.’ (Ps. 37:34)
Ah friends, it’s all about trusting God, being sure of His supremacy and of His wonderful and generous LOVE and compassion for us; therefore we can rest in His timing and relax in His uprightness and righteousness. Meanwhile in Psalm 40, Praise for God’s Deliverance, Bruh David sincerely informs us: ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my goings (steps). And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ (Ps. 40:1-4)
Oh my people, those are the kinds of things that happen when we trust in the Lord and wait on Him, for He is ever generous to those who truly trust, rely and wait on His timing and promise! Then in Psalm 62, My Rock and My Salvation, Bruh David declares: ‘My soul, (silently) wait thou only upon God; for my expectation (hope) is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved (shaken). In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’ (Ps. 62:5-8)
And that’s the glorious truth my brethren! God is a refuge, a hiding place, a place of comfort, calm and peace for those who trust, believe in and wait patiently on Him! And it’s not Bruh David alone that writes about the importance of trusting and waiting on God. Listen to this passage from Psalm 130, Hoping and Waiting for the Lord.
The psalmist acknowledges: ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING KINDNESS), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption. And he shall redeem Isreal from all his iniquities.’ (Ps. 130:5-8) And that’s exactly what happens when we wait patiently for the Lord, put our trust in Him and aspire to live the way He desires!
Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid to do all the things we need to do to live sincerely for God. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land.
So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let’s be reminded that we believers also need to wake up and smell the coffee, because our current Christian witness for Christ is totally unacceptable. It has to be, if the enemy is dominating our world to such a great extent. It’s time for us to rise up, resist, defeat and destroy the enemy! Much LOVE!
…waiting in faith…patiently on God…is in our best interest…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
03 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bright light suddenly shined down from heaven, a glorious truth, a heat warning in effect, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, arise and go into the city, be not afraid of their faces, be renewed and refreshed, be responsible, before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, before thou camest forth out ot the womb, Behold, Christian witness for Christ, christianity, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, divine aid, faith, far from perfect, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, go to all that I shall send thee, goads, God does not call us by chance but by choice, God gives you all the tools you need to do His work, God's omnipotent help, holy spirit, How high Lord, I am Jesus, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest, I am with thee to deliver thee, I cannot speak for I am a child, I have put my words in thy mouth, I have this day set thee over nations, I knew thee, I sactified thee, it is hard to kick against the pricks, it shall be told thee what to do, Jesus Christ, LOVE, made havock of the church, make excuses, making life difficult, mercy, not enough religious knowledge, ordained thee a prophet unto the nations, our sinful world can wake up, over the kingdoms, personal experience, problems escalating, reading and studying the word, refuse God's call because we feel unworthy, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, salvation, Saul harassing the church, Saul Saul why persecutest thou me, Saul was blind and did not eat or drink for three days, say not I am a child, set thee apart, sharpened sticks used to prod animals, stand strong and steadfast, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the Creator of the universe, the example we faithful believers set, the great persecutor of the church became its greatest zealot, the long process, the Lord always gets his man, the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth, the sufficiency for God's service comes only from God Himself, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, the word of the Lord came unto me, to build, to destroy, to plant, to pull down, to root out, trembling and astonished, trusting faith, truth, two short days off, unexpected storms, wake up and smell the coffee, what wilt thou have me to do, whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak, when God comes a calling, who art thou Lord, wisdom, wise guidance, young and inexperienced
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 July 2026 Acts 9:6a.
Acts 9:6a. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And finally, our long awaited day of Friday. Obviously the shouts of our Friday Mantra rise to the sky. ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at last!’ And many of us are just dying to get it over with so we can rest up after the Canada Day celebrations earlier on in the week. But please be careful, because it’s going to be another hot, sweltering day, with the heat warning still in effect. So stay inside, or make sure you’re well protected if you’re outside.
And today the Lord caused the Bible to open to the beginning of the Book of Jeremiah. Why? Because He wanted to point out an example to many of us who make excuses to do His bidding, like Jeremiah did. Jeremiah relates it thus: ‘Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ‘Before I formed thee in the belly (womb) I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee (set thee apart), and ordained (appointed) thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child (youth).
But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull (tear) down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant.’ (Jer. 1:5-10)
Yes friends, many of us make excuses when the Lord calls us to do something for Him, claiming we’re not capable for whatever reason. Jeremiah claimed that he was young and thus inexperienced. When He approached me to write the Bit, I laughed, because it did seem like a joke, and claimed that I did not have enough religious knowledge, which at the time was perfectly true. But the Creator of the universe and all therein knows what He’s doing and does not call us by chance, but rather by choice. Yuh see how He told Jeremiah that He knew him and set him apart as a prophet from before his birth, then touched his mouth and made him understand.
Unfortunately, with me, He did not touch my mouth and make we wise, No. After making life difficult for me until I accepted His call, I had to go through the long process of reading and studying His Word and trying to understand what He was saying to me through the Holy Spirit. And even after nineteen long years of writing the Bit, I’m still far from perfect. But I have improved from first writing only a few lines to now writing too much. (smile) And don’t think we’re alone in refusing God’s call because we feel unworthy, for many great men of God at first refused for just that reason.
Here are some examples that the scholars give. ‘Moses (Ex. 3:4), Barak (Judg. 4:8), Gideon (Judg. 6:15), Saul (1 Sam. 10:22), Bruh David (2 Sam. 7:19), and Cousin Sol (1 Kin. 3:7), and many others who understood clearly that sufficiency for God’s service comes only from God Himself.’ And that’s a glorious truth my people, for God does not call you to do something and leave you in the lurch. No! He takes time and teaches you what He expects from you, gives you all the tools you need to do His work efficiently and peacefully.
And my best advice is if and when the Lord calls you to do something, make a true excuse, if there’s one, but if He persists, then right away say, ‘Yes Lord, how high do you want me to jump?’ (smile) That’s because He will make your life miserable in so many different ways until He finally breaks you down and you agree to His offer. And I’m speaking there from personal experience. Please understand, that if the Lord truly wants you, He will get you.
And there’s a fine example in Bruh Paul. He was out there harassing the church. The Bible says: ‘As for Saul (Paul), he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling (dragging off) men and women committed them to prison.’ (Acts 8:3) And he was present when they killed Stephen. Then, one day while on his way to Damascus to do more harassing of the church, this bright light suddenly shined down from heaven blinded him and knocked him off his horse.
And he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (goads, sharpened sticks used to prod animals). And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what to do.’ (Acts 9:4-6) And Saul got up from the ground blind, and they led him to Damascus, where he stayed blind and didn’t eat nor drink for three days.
Oh friends, yuh see how easily the great persecutor of the church became it’s greatest zealot. Yes, because the Lord desired it. He had planned it that way from long before. And what amazes me is how Bruh Paul gave in so easily, with no fight or bluster at all. It just goes to show that when the Lord wants your services, He will get them one way or another. So when next He comes a calling, just agree from the very beginning, and save yourself some trouble. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid in these troubled times.
Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And unfortunately, it’s not the unbelievers alone who need to wake up and smell the coffee, but also believers, for our Christian witness for Christ is certainly not good enough! Much LOVE!
…don’t try to kick against the pricks (goads)…for the Lord ALWAYS gets His man…or woman…eventually…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
12 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brutish man knoweth not, a good night's sleep, a melodious sound, a sea of glass mingled with fire, a sigh of relief, all nations shall come and worship before thee, allowing us to see another day, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, be recompensed unto him again, be renewed and refreshed, by the good example we your faithful believers set, christianity, Christians, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, enabling us to get through the day, errands to run, faith, foolish to try and hide from God, for thou Lord, Friday chant, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, give thanks morning and evening, give thanks to the Lord, glorify thy name, God is the most powerful being in the universe, God's omnipotent help, God's intricate and intimate knowledge of man, gotten the victory over the beast, great and marvellous are thy works, help to endure, help us to be responsible, his ways past finding out, holy spirit, how great are thy works, how great is the sum of them, how precious are thy thoughts unto me, how unsearchable are his judgements, I will triumph in the works of thy hands, if I should count them, in soul body and mind, it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, Jesus Christ, just and true are thy ways, king of saints, lord god almighty, LOVE, many are thy wonderful works, mercy, more in number than the sand, more than can be numbered, neither doth a fool understand this, O Lord, O Lord how great are thy works, of him and through him and to him are all things, omni-present, omnipotent, omniscient, our sinful world can wake up, over his image. over his mark, over the number of his name, personal experiences, rise up and do the work of Christ, salvation, sing the song of Moses, smell it sweet and strong, stand on the sea of glass, stand strong and steadfast, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the depth of the riches, the Good Library, the greatness of God, the harps of God, the late bus has been my lot, the Millennial kingdom, the servant of God, the Seven Last Plagues, the song of the Lamb, the throne of grace, the ultimate in praise, the weekend is here at last, the wisdom and knowledge of god, they cannot be reckoned up, thou Lord hast made me glad through thy works, thou only art holy, thy faithfulness every night, thy judgements are made manifest, thy thoughts are very deep, thy thoughts which are to us-ward, to shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, to sing praises unto thy name O Most High, to whom be glory for ever, trusting faith, truth, two short days off, unexpected storms, upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the harp, upon the psaltery, wake up and smell the coffee, when I awake I am still with thee, when it's not one thing it's another, who hath been God's counsellor, who hath first given to hm, who hath known the mind of the Lord, who shall not fear thee, wisdom, wise guidance, with a solemn sound, with God's generous help I made it through, your thoughts are very deep
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 June 2026 Psalm 92:5.
Psalm 92:5. O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
Oh friends, all I can says is ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at long last!’ And most importantly, I don’t have any more errands to run, or other issues to stop me from getting to the Bit sooner than I’ve been able to for this week. Brother! Everyday it’s been something or other that needs my attention, and all I want to do is sit and write the Bit as early as possible. But sadly, the late bus has been my lot. (smile) And would you believe, I just came from out the street, the hot and windy street, breathing a sigh of relief, but what yuh think happens right after that.
I took out my glasses from the case, and bingo! One of the lenses fell out, the same one I had fixed a couple of weeks ago. I tried unsuccessfully to put it back in. But no way was I going back out there right now, so I went and found an old pair in my car and I’m using that for today. Later on, or tomorrow, I’ll go out and look after that matter. Ah Lord eh! When it’s not one thing it’s another! Between, life, the Lord and Satan, we’re constantly kept busy. But enough of my sad stories, let’s see what the Lord desires us to talk about today.
And the Good Library opened at that wonderful Psalm 92, titled ‘Give Thanks to the Lord.’ And it begins thus: ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:’ (Ps. 92:1) And why is that such a good thing to do eh? ‘To shew forth (declare) thy LOVING-KINDNESS in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery (lute or lyre); upon the harp with a solemn (harmonious or melodic) sound.’ (Ps. 92:2-3)
Yes my brethren, it is indeed a good thing to give thanks and praise to our God every morning for allowing us to see another day, and at night for enabling us to get through the day and refresh us with a good night’s sleep. Regardless of what we do during the day, morning and evening our thanks and praise ought to always rise up to heaven. Why? As the psalmist continues: ‘For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.’ (Ps. 92:4)
And how wonderful is that eh my brethren! That’s why our God is such a great and generous God. He only does good things for us. And the psalmist then explains why that’s possible: ‘O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish (senseless) man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.’ (Ps. 92:5-6) And that’s very true; neither a senseless man nor a fool can understand the greatness of our God and His great works. But we do, for scripture has ingrained it in our consciousness, and we also have had personal experiences of it.
Now listen to some scripture that talks of the Lord’s greatness and His great works. Bruh David says it thus in Psalm 40: ‘Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up (recounted) in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.’ (Ps. 40:5)
And in that magnificent Psalm 139, where Bruh David describes God’s intimate and intricate knowledge about us, His human creation, he also declares: ‘How precious also are thy thoughts unto me! O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are in more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.’ (Ps. 139:17-18) Oh my people, when you read that Psalm it ought to make you understand how great our God is, and how intimately He knows us, therefore it’s foolish to try to hide anything from Him!
Then hear Bruh Paul sing the praises of our great God, to the church at Rome. ‘O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed (repaid) unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.’ (Rom. 11:33-36)
Wow! What wonderful praise! And for your information, Bruh Paul, as is his wont, has paraphrased or summarized several scriptures in that passage like ‘Is. 40:13; Jer. 23:18; 1 Cor. 2:16, Job 36:22) But it’s all true and very praiseworthy! But listen to the ultimate time of praise. It comes from Revelation 15, when John talks about the Seven Last Plagues.
He declares: ‘And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear (reverence) thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgements are made manifest.’ (Rev. 15:2-4)
Now that’s the kind of powerful worship we’ll offering up in time to come, as all nations will come together to worship God in the Millennial Kingdom. But for help to endure, to be a part of that future, let’s confidently, but humbly, approach the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant.
Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now my fellow believers, please, let’s also wake up and smell the coffee nuh, so that we can rise up and do the work of Christ, that badly needs to be done! Much LOVE!
…God is exceedingly great…because He’s the only omnipotent (all-powerful)…omniscient (all-knowing)…and omnipresent (all-pervading)…being in the universe…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
05 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: an incorruptible crown, anger, anxiety, be disqualified, be renewed and refreshed, blasphemy, bring it into subjection, but one receiveth the prize, by the good example we your faithful believers set, Christian faith, christianity, competes for the prize, confusion, covetousness, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, desire, discipline my body, divine aid, encompassed about with, every man that striveth for mastery, faith, filthy communication, fornication, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship and relaxation, God's omnipotent help, God's generous help, help us to be responsible, heroes of faith, holy spirit, I have preached to others, I keep under my body, I myself should be a castaway, idolatry, if God spares life, if you want to eat you must work, imperishable, is temperate in all things, Jesus Christ, lack of a strong work ethic, lackadaisical attitude, lay aside every weight, lay aside whatever impediment that weighs us down, lie not one to another, lighten our load, LOVE, malice, mercy, mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, not as one that beats the air, our faith keeps us rooted and grounded in God, out faith is being seriously challenged, passion, persihable, poor witness for Christ, problems are escalating, put off the old man with his deeds, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, run our faith race with endurance, run that ye may obtain, run with patience, salvation, self-control, stand strong and steadfast, successful in our race of faith, surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the children of disobedience, the end of the work week, the endurance of a long distance runner, the race set before us, the race that is set before us, the sin which doth so easily beset us, the sin which so easily beset us, the sinful world, the weekend is here at last, the wrath of God, they which run in a race run all, to obtain a corruptible crown, trusting faith, truth, undisciplined, unexpected storms, ungodly times, wake up and smell the coffee, wisdom, wise guidance, withstand the constant temptation, witnesses, wrath, you can't win if you're not prepared
Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 June 2026 Hebrews 12:1b.
Hebrews 12:1b. let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us.
And then it was that blessed day of Friday, another hot and sunny one, and all the shouts of the Friday Mantra gloriously rose up to heaven: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at last!’ Our society has become so obsessed with Friday that we don’t give much thanks for any other day. I guess it’s because Friday has become associated with the end of the work week, and our society does not have a great work ethic, so working is not something we like to do.
But as the saying goes; if you want to eat, and have a roof over your head, you have to work. Bruh Paul even went so far as to tell the Thessalonians, that the busybodies and gossipmongers among them, who refused to work, should not be given food. (2 Thess. 3:10-11) Now, that seems a fair reckoning, but doing it is an entirely different story. (smile)
And today we’re going to talk about one of the most precious things we have, but also one of the hardest to keep on the right trail. That’s our Christian faith, which in this evil and godly world of today is being seriously challenged at every turn, but needs to be strong enough to endure and withstand the constant temptation and bombardment that’s thrown at it. For it’s our faith that keeps us rooted and grounded in the goodness, mercy and LOVE of our ever-faithful God.
And this passage in Hebrews 12, gives us an interesting explanation and path to follow. ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are encompassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us.’ (Heb. 12 :1) Ah friends, that’s a tough requirement, but it needs to be done, if we are to be successful in our race of faith.
There are a lot of heroes of the faith, witnesses, who have gone before us and who are looking on at our progress. We also need to stand strong like they did, but there’s only one way to do that. As the author of Hebrews says; we need to lay aside every weight, or whatever impediment that keeps us weighed down, the scholars suggest stuff like clothing and body weight. But for the diligent runner or the faithful Christian, those things must be removed, so it can lighten our load.
We also need to put aside every sin which so easily ensnares us. And what sins ensnares us eh? The scholars seem to think that refers to the one sin that is uppermost in our lives; the one sin that defeats us above all others. And there are numerous sins that ensnare us. It’s like Bruh Paul wrote the Colossians: ‘Mortify therefore (put to death) your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection (passion), evil concupiscence (desire), and covetousness, which is idolatry:
For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds:’ (Col. 3:5-9) Now that gives us some idea of the kinds of sins we ought to put aside as we run our faith race.
Then the author of Hebrews states that we should run our faith race with patience, that’s perseverance, or better yet endurance. We need to have the endurance of a long distance runner because our faith race is indeed a long one, and those short of breath will never win it. And we have another good example of how we should run that race from Bruh Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. He writes: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate in all things (has self-control). Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown, but we an incorruptible (imperishable). I therefore so run , not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (be disqualified).’ (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
Yes mih bredrin, this race of faith that we’re running is one for our very life, therefore we need to be serious about it, have discipline and self-control, while working hard to keep our endurance going strong, for endurance and self-discipline are two important aspects of our race, that we badly need if we hope to win that imperishable crown promised to us by the Lord.
But sadly, endurance and self-discipline are two of the least recognized and practiced attributes in today’s society. Not many of us can stick with anything or project for a long time, or have the discipline to do the tough things needed to accomplish success. No wonder our society has become lackadaisical and undisciplined, wild and unruly. Unfortunately though, time and space have run out on us, so if God spares life tomorrow, we’ll continue looking at this race of faith that we are required to run.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid to help us run our race. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And we Christians also need to wake up and smell the coffee, because our work and witness for Christ is definitely not good or strong enough, otherwise our world would not be in the terrible state it’s currently in! Much LOVE!
…everyone who runs a race…runs to win…but you can’t win if you’re not prepared…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a prayer we can all testify to, accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, appreciating the good times, at the end it shall speak and not lie, be of good courage, by the good example we your faithful believers set, Chrisitans, christianity, confused, contentment is a learned behaviour, contentment is learned through the ups and downs of life, contentment is not learned in the classroom nor overnight, count myself not to have apprehended, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, ended up somewhere unexpected, escalating problems, forgetting those things which are behind, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, fully knowing God, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship and relaxation, God doesn't waste detours, God gently and slowly guided me along the way, God will change us when we come to Him, God will never lead us astray, God's omnipotent help, God's generous help, God's mysterious and intriguing aspects, God's teaching mesomething I might never have learned, he may run that readeth it, he shall strengthen thine heart, help me, help us to be responsible, I have learned, in this place, in this season of my life, IN Touch Devotional Prayer, in whatsoever state I am, it will surely come, Jesus Christ, keep looking back, lack of sufficient Biblical knowledge, learn to be contented, LOVE, make it plain upon tables, meeting me where I am, mercy, motivated to do God's will, move forward with the Lord, my life took a strange turn, need to navigate Friday's challenges, Not that I speak in respect of want, on another path, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, Praise the Lord, press toward the mark, reaching forth unto those things that are before, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, salvation, see the good things happening here, stand strong and steadfast, stop trying to get back to my plan, surrender our all to God, teach me to be content, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the goal, the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, the Lord infused the leaves with new life, the Lord tries to teach us on whatever path we're on, the Lord will always meet us where we are, The Lord's promises wll all eventually come to pass, the throne of grace, the vision is yet for an appointed time, the weekend is here at last, therewith to be content, this one thing I do, though it tarry wait for it, to trust you're at work, trusting faith, truth, undeserved blessings, unexpected closures of doors, unexpected storms, wait in faith I say on the Lord, wait in faith on the Lord, wisdom, wise guidance, wondering what happened, write the vision
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 May 2026 Ephesians 3:13b.
Ephesians 3:13b. but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth (forward) unto those things which are before (ahead),
Wow! It’s Friday! And many sing ‘Praise the Lord!’ Yes, we ought to give him much thanks and praise for allowing us to see another day, a bright and sunshiny fairly hot one. And you can be sure that our Friday Mantra went up with much gladness. ‘TGIF! Thank the Lord it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last.’ Yes, the weekend is come, but let’s not forget we still need to navigate the many challenges that Friday will undoubtedly throw at us.
And by the way, that tree in my neighbour’s backyard that had the light brown leaves that survived during the winter, I recently looked for them and could not find them, for all the leaves are now green. They must have either finally dropped off, or by some miracle the Lord infused them with new life and turned them green again. And I like to think the latter idea is what happened, because it shows the miraculous, mysterious and intriguing aspects of our great God.
And that mysterious, intriguing aspect of God also applies to the prayer we’re going to read today. Why, you ask? Because this is the third day that I’m bringing the May In Touch Devotional downstairs to write about the prayer, but surprisingly, the first two days the Lord guided me elsewhere. But today seems to be the day for the prayer.
So let’s pray: ‘Lord, my life took a strange turn, and I ended up somewhere unexpected. I keep looking back – confused and wondering what happened. But You don’t waste detours. You’re teaching me something I might never have learned on another path. Help me to stop trying to get back to what I had planned and instead to see the good things happening here – how You’re meeting me where I am. Teach me to be content, to trust You’re at work in this place and season of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
Oh friends, that’s certainly an interesting prayer, one that all of us can testify to at some time or other in our lives. I know I can. And writing this Bit is certainly one of those times. When the Lord came calling with the idea, I laughed and told Him my lack of sufficient Biblical knowledge made it impossible. But as is His custom, He persevered, and finally I agreed and began with small steps, as He gently and slowly guided me along the way. That’s what happens when you accept Christ as Lord and Saviour; you are motivated to do His will, sometimes by gentle leading, or by sudden, unexpected closure of doors in your face.
However, let’s remember that when the Lord closes one door He is planning to open another, but in His own good time. That means we have to be patient and trust Him completely. And in Psalm 27, Bruh David wisely advises us to; ‘Wait (in faith, patiently) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait (in faith, patiently), I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps. 27:14)
Then there’s this promise of God through the prophet Habakkuk, when He directs him to; ‘Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables (tablets), that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’ (Hab. 2:2-3) Yes my people, whatever the Lord promises, will come eventually, but we need to have enough faith to wait patiently for it.
And when the Lord’s leading is different to our plan, we always try to go back to our original plan, instead of looking forward to what God has in store. But I guess that’s human nature, which points to an important aspect of our faith; the fact that the Lord will always meet us exactly where we are. We don’t have to change before He comes to us . No. He will change us when we come to Him. And the Lord certainly doesn’t waste detours, for He teaches, or tries to teach us something on whatever path we’re on. That means we have to learn to be contented and move forward with the Lord on any path He chooses to lead us.
It’s as Bruh Paul says to the Ephesians: ‘Not that I speak in respect (in regard) of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ (Phil. 4:11) Now contentment is no easy ability to develop. Certainly not! For as the scholars tell us: ‘Contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom, nor overnight, but through many practical experiences in life.’ In other words, contentment is only learned through the many ups and down of life, through trusting the Lord’s goodness and mercy during our many difficulties, as well as appreciating the good times.
And Bruh Paul’s earlier words to the Philippians, is a most worthwhile example of how we ought to conduct our own lives. He writes: ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (fully knowing God): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth (forward) unto those things which are before (ahead), I press toward the mark (goal) of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:13-14) That’s the attitude we must adopt my people, especially in these dark, gloomy and chaotic times. Let’s forget what’s behind us, forget out past mistakes and /or accolades, while looking and moving forward to the future God has planned for us.
Now, none of that is easy to do, but our God is so wonderful that He never asks to do anything without giving us the tools to do it. And in times of trouble, He invites us to come to the throne of grace for divine help to do His will. So let’s do that right now through our Friday Chant.
Altogether: 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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And friends, it pays to remember that we supposed Christians also need to wake up from our slumber and smell the coffee, so that we can do a better job for Jesus! Much LOVE!
…God will never lead us astray…but we must surrender our all to Him…for it to work…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a strange sight, a surrendered heart, always say thank you to god, an angry and discourteous manner, an underhanded approach, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, appropriate for these times, be renewed and refreshed, be responsible, be the children of your Father in heaven, bless them that curse you, by the good example we your faithful believers set, called according to His purpose, Christian behaviour need improving, christianity, Christians, climate change, courtesy, curse God and die, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, divine aid, do good to them that hate you, don't waste the weekend in fun and frolic, dost thou still retain thine integrity, faith, for those who love God, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, get sufficient fun fellowship, God will work everything out for good, God's omnipotent help, he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, holy spirit, I made it through, in a courteous manner, in all this, in our opinion, in soul body and mind, innate trust in God, Jesus Christ, Job did not sin with his lips, living just like the rest of the world, LOVE, Love your enemies, many reject the Lord's offerings, mercy, more delighted with your trust, no matter how good you are there's going to be some rain in your life, no thank you Lord, omit the first word. delighted with your courtesy, One Year Book of Bible promises, our sinful world, our trusting faith, pray for them which spitefully use you, problems are escalating, regardless of your good Christian behaviour, rest and relaxation, right motives, Ruth Harms Calkin, salvation, seems difficult or unfair, sendeth rain on the just and the unjust, separates the sheep from the goats, shall we not receive calamity, shall we receive good at the hand of God, smiled and said, stand strong and steadfast, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, Thank You Lord, the BIBLE, the Lord never reneges on His promises, the remarkable promise of God, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, total surrender to God, tough to accept calamity, tried to be very courteous, truth, unexpected storms, use the weekend for rest and rejuvenation, wake up and smell the coffee, when you honour God you'll still be standing after the storms, wisdom, wise guidance, with your generous help
Job 2:10a. What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive (accept) calamity?
And then it was the day we all long for, Friday, which causes our Friday Mantra to rise to high heaven: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last!’ And that’s all well and good, but let’s hope we use the weekend to its best advantage, for rest and rejuvenation, and don’t simply waste it away in fun and frolic, as so many of us tend to do.
Oh, by the way, remember that tall tree in my neighbour’s backyard that I recently told you had leaves that made it through both the fall and winter? Well, yesterday I looked out my bedroom window and saw it budding with new leaves, but lo and behold, the old leaves were still there! I can’t wait to see what happens when all the new leaves come out, if the old ones will finally fall off, or remain for the rest of the summer. They will certainly be a strange sight, for the new leaves will be green while the old ones are a light brown. Anyhow, that’s between the Lord and climate change! (smile)
And, today, I have a rather interesting poem to share from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one’s simply titled ‘Courtesy.’ And I don’t believe I’ve ever shared this one because it even seems new to me, but as always, they are very appropriate and informative for the times we live in. So please read with me: ‘I tried to be Very courteous. I smiled and said “No thank You, Lord.” You smiled back and said “Omit the first word And I’ll be delighted With your courtesy – And more delighted with your trust.” “Thank You Lord.”
I got a chuckle from that when I first read it, because it does sound like how the Lord might behave, with that sort of underhanded approach. But the truth is that many of us do reject the Lord’s offerings, sometimes in a courteous manner, and sometimes in an angry, discourteous one, especially if He’s offering some thing we don’t like or in our opinion, seems rather difficult or unfair. However, at all times, we do need to remember that remarkable promise of scripture where the Lord assures us that He will work everything out for good in the end, for those who LOVE Him and are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28)
That means we need to accept both the good and bad which comes into our lives with that promise at the back of our minds. Or, as the Bible verse for the poem which comes from Job’s discourse with his wife, when complete disaster befell him, and he was sitting in the ashes after scraping away the many boils that Satan had inflicted on his body. She said to him: ‘Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God and die. But he said unto her, thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive (accept) calamity? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.’ (Job 2: 9-10)
Yes friends, it’s sometimes tough to accept calamity as though it comes from God, but that’s the best way to handle it, because then we will know that He will make it right in the end. It’s like Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, when teaching about LOVING one’s enemies. ‘But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.’ (Matt. 5:44-45)
In other words, the Lord causes the sun and rain to fall on everyone, however, as this commentary says; “Rain falls on the just and the unjust.” Means no matter how good of a person you are, no matter how much you honor God, there’s going to be some rain in your life. The difference is that when you honour God, the storms may come, but when it’s all said and done, you’ll still be standing.’
Glory to God my brethren! Again, we fall back on that marvellous promise from Romans, that in the end, all will be right with us, because our faithful God promised it, and He never reneges on any of His promises. That’s why saying ‘no thanks’ to God is not a good idea, and why He’s always more interested and delighted by our courtesy and more so by our trust. For that’s what separates the proverbial goats from the sheep, or sheep from the goats; (smile) that innate trust, the total surrender to His Word and ways.
And God knows it’s not always easy for us to do what’s right, but He does expect us to make the attempt, even if we fail in so doing. Because then he will see and know that our heart’s in the right place. And that’s all He really expects from us in our frail and finite selves; right motives in a surrendered heart! Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid to stand strong when the storms of life batter us.
Altogether! 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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And unfortunately, it’s not the sinful world alone that needs to wake up and smell the coffee, but also a large portion of we supposed believers, because we’re living just like the rest of the world, and our Christian behaviour needs improving in the worst way! Much LOVE!
…whatever comes against…we should always say…Thank You God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
17 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a directive to perform every task wholeheartedly, a mindset designed to replace stress and people pleasing, a sense of purpose and integrity, all things that are reproved, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, approach the throne of grace, arise from the dead, as if Christ himself were the direct employer, awake thou that sleepest, blasphemers, boasters, brutal, but rather reprove them, by the good example we your faithful believers set, Christ shall give thee light, Christ the light of the world, christianity, Christians, coasting through the work week, covetous vultures, currying favour, deeds are wrought in God, deeds made manifest, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, denying the power thereof, despisers of those that are good, disobedient to parents, divine aid, do a decent day's work, do as little as possible for as much as possible, do it heartily as unto the Lord, doesn't come to the light, doing just enough to get by, doing their best to muddy the waters, elevates daily tasks into acts of worship, encourages action motivated by love and service to christ, every one that does evil hates the light, exposed sin becomes light, faith, false accusers, fearing God, fellowship, fraud artists, Friday chant, from such stay away, further your glorious kingdom, God's omnipotent help, gossips, greedy saps, haughty, have no fellowship, having a form of godliness, he that doeth truth cometh to the light, he that doeth wrong, he that hath ears to hear let him hear, help us to be responsible, highminded, holy spirit, in accordance with Jesus' desire, in singleness of heart, in the last days perilous times shall come, irreconcilable, it is a shame, Jesus Christ, keep our world sinking into the mire of ungodliness and evil doing, lest his deeds be reproved, light is come into the world, LOVE, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, made manifest by the light, make their deeds manifest, men loved darkness rather than light, men shall be lovers of their own selves, mercy, money lovers, mundane or significant, no respect of persons, not with eyeservice as men pleasers, obey in all things your masters, offering your best in everything, problems are escalating, proud, receive for the wrong he has done, receive the reward of the inheritance, reckless, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, resist the pull of evil, rest and relaxation, ridiculed by co-workers, salvation, scandal mongers, shine our light on thier darkness, slanderers, spiritually enlightened, stand strong and steadfast, stoop to such low levels of decency, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the focus being on God's will, the lowest of the low, the sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, the way of today's world, the weekend is here at last, their deeds are evil, this is the condemnation, this perspective brings a spiritual reward, to speak of those things done in secret, traitors, true repentance, trusting faith, truth, turn from our sin, turning away from our sin, unexpected storms, unholy, whatsoever ye do do it heartily as unto the Lord, wisdom, wise guidance, with diligence and excellence, with the unfruitful works of darkness, work as though we're working for jesus
Ephesians 5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them.
So we’ve come to Friday; another rainy night and cloudy morning, but that doesn’t stop us from somewhat tiredly declaring our Friday Mantra: ‘Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at long last! Some rest and relaxation are long overdue!’ And some of us do deserve the rest and relaxation because we do a decent days work, in accordance with Jesus’ desire that we work for our bosses as though we’re working for Him, that is with diligence and excellence. However, far too many of us are just coasting through the work week, doing just enough to get by, which is definitely not what Jesus expects from His followers.
It’s as Bruh Paul puts it to the Colossians: ‘Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart (with sincerity), fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.’ (Col. 3:22-25) Yes friends, even slaves are to obey their masters with all diligence and sincerity, just as though they are obeying God, and we free believers are expected to do even better than that.
And this overview explains it very nicely: “Do all things as though unto God” is a directive to perform every task—whether mundane or significant—wholeheartedly, as if working for God directly rather than people. It advises against working only for human approval or “eye-service,” encouraging action motivated by LOVE and service to Christ. We are to work heartily and enthusiastically, putting our full effort and soul into every task. With the focus being on doing God’s will, which elevates daily tasks into acts of worship. And while not seeking human praise, this perspective brings a spiritual reward, described as an inheritance from the Lord. It means offering your best in everything—even daily chores or work—as if Christ Himself were the direct employer. This mindset is designed to replace stress and people-pleasing with a sense of purpose and integrity.’
I could not put it any better than that my brethren. But unfortunately too many of us supposed believers don’t follow that directive, we go along with the sinful and fraudulent method of seeing how little we can do for the most we can get. Sadly, that’s the way of today’s world, and it’s so bad, that those who try to do a good job are even derided, ridiculed by their co-workers for …. Sorry, that’s a term I can’t use here, (smile) but let’s put it nicely and say for currying favour with the boss, for seeking promotion, or whatever extra perks, their diligence might bring.
Oh my people, when we did stoop to such low levels of decency eh? Many of us have never been diligent workers, but to ridicule a co-worker who wants to do a good job, is the lowest of the low. The problem there is that we are afraid the diligent co-worker will show us up, show us up for the lazy, greedy saps we truly are. But doesn’t it make sense that if we all work diligently together, the organization will be better for it. In theory it will be. But unfortunately our world has become so littered with scandal mongers, gossips, fraud artists, heifer dust disturbers (smile) and various other types of evildoers that doing good work to day is often frowned upon.
It reminds us of Bruh Paul’s warning to Timothy. ‘This know also, that in the last day perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors,, heady (reckless), highminded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more than (rather than) lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such stay away.’ (2 Tim. 3:1-6)
And that’s some of the best advice we can get these days my fellow believers, because whether or not these are the last days, all those types of people that Bruh Paul mentioned back then are not only on the scene right now, but are very prevalent and doing their best to muddy the waters as much as possible, so that our world will keep sinking into the mire of ungodliness and evil doing. And Christ is depending on us, His faithful followers to resist their evil pull, and instead shine our light on their darkness and so make their deeds manifest.
It’s like Jesus says: ‘And this is the condemnation, that light (the light) is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth (practices) evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reproved (exposed). But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.’ (John 3:19-21)
It’s also like Bruh Paul says when he warns the Ephesians and consequently us, to walk as children of light. ‘And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved (exposed) are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’ (Eph. 5:11-14)
Yes friends, whenever sin is exposed, it becomes light, and many are still caught up in their sin and unbelief, that’s why’ve been invited to turn from our sin, with the promise that we’ll be spiritually enlightened and helped through the auspices of Christ Jesus; the light of the world. And to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid.
Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Now, let’s remember that though we repent and pray for forgiveness, divine aid will not be forthcoming until there is true repentance, which means actually turning away from our sin! Much LOVE!
…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Apr 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, a new commandment I give unto you, anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, as I have loved you that ye also love one another, as it pleased God, as the body is one and hath many members, be disciples both in word and deed, be renewed and refreshed, been all made to drink into one Spirit, believers though diverse in gifts and roles are united in Christ, brought to desolation, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, by the good example we your faithful believers set, by this shall all men know that ye are my disiciples, championing goodness and godliness, Christ's Church, christianity, Christians, Christians are united in Christ, Christians divide themselves, clouding its spirit, correct the disunity in the church, daunting week of work, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, desire for comfort and earthly pleasure, different parts with different duties, different responsibilities, divine aid, divisions and dissensions within Christ's church, every city or house divided against itself shall not stand, every kingdom divided against itself, every one members one of another, evil and ungodliness is running rampant all over our world, faith, follow Christ's example, Friday chant, further your glorious kingdom, get much needed rest after the Easter celebrations, get our act together right now, get sufficient fun fellowship, God set the members everyone of them in the body, God's omnipotent help, have the same care one for another, help us to be responsible, holy spirit, if the whole body were an eye where were the hearing, improved Christian witness, Jesus Christ, LOVE, LOVE FOR EACH OTHER, loving each other the way Christ loves us, make a positive difference, many members yet one body, mercy, only unity moves an organization forward, our sinful world can wake up, problems are escalating, rest and relaxation, salvation, seeking excess in everything, smell the coffee strong and sweet, so we being many are one body in Christ, stand strong and steadfast, tenet of our faith, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, that ye love one another, the BIBLE, the body is not one member but many, the church is one body, the church is rife with strife jealousy and backbiting, the church requires cooperation, the crowning glory of discipleship, the road to certain destruction, the shed blood of Christ, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, there should be no schism in the body, to avoid dysfunction and ensure growth, trusting faith, truth, unexpected storms, vim and vigour, welcome the weekend, whether we be bond or free, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, wisdom, wise guidance
Matthew 12:25. ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’
And then it was Friday; a cloudy and rainy day, but that didn’t stop us from shouting out our Friday Mantra: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at last!’ And many of us are indeed overjoyed to welcome the weekend, be it rain, sleet or snow, so that we can get some much needed rest after the exhausting Easter celebrations and this daunting week of work. (smile)
But as usual, we don’t listen, we never introduced a modicum of circumspection in our celebrations, so when the work week hit us, shortened though it might have been, we still were not prepared to meet it with the necessary vim and vigour. Thus, we had to labour, drag ourselves through it, desperately hoping that we could make it until that day of release called Friday. Hopefully, one day we will learn though, not to behave like the world, seeking excess in everything, for that’s the road to certain destruction. End of Sermon. (smile)
Now, since I had nothing to say in particular, I opened the Good Library for some inspiration, and lo, and behold, it opened at a rather interesting scripture in the gospel of John. It’s where Jesus declares to the disciples: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:34-35)
Yes friends, the crowning glory of discipleship in Christ is our LOVE for each other. At least it ought to be. But unfortunately, too many Christians today don’t share that attribute with each other. Just look at the numerous divisions, disputations and dissensions in Christ’s church nuh, even within the same religion. How can true LOVE flow from a group of supposed similar faith, when there is so much strife, envy, jealousy and backbiting clouding it’s spirit eh?
Let’s remember that the church of Christ is supposed to be one body, as specified by Bruh Paul in Romans: ‘For as we have many members in one body, and all the 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. 12:4-5) And this commentary explains it thus: ‘The church as “one body” is a central biblical metaphor (1 Cor 12:12-27, Romans 12:4–5) indicating that believers, though diverse in gifts and roles, are united in Christ. Christ is the head, leading the organism, while individual members function as interdependent parts, requiring cooperation to avoid dysfunction and ensure growth.’
Yes my fellow believers, we are indeed supposed to be one body under the marvellous umbrella of the shed blood of Christ and His amazing resurrection. That tenet of our faith is so important that Bruh Paul again explained it to the church at Corinth. ‘For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond (slaves) or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.’ (1 Cor. 12:12-14)
Oh my people, Christ’s church can never be victorious if it’s filled with as much dissension and disunity as it now contains, for the ONLY thing that moves any body or organization truly forward is unity. That’s why in any war, the enemy always tries to disunite its foe, so they can be more easily routed. But sadly, the devil, our arch enemy, doesn’t even have to do that with us, because we do it ourselves. Why do you think there’s so much evil and ungodliness running rampant all over our world eh?
Because the body, Christ’s church, that is supposed to be championing goodness and godliness has apparently lost the will to fight the enemy, through fear or the desire for comfort and enjoyment of earthly pleasures, but it doesn’t stop them from fighting amongst themselves. Just look at the state of our world and of Christ’s church, and tell me if any visitor to earth would be able to differentiate the godly from the ungodly by their LOVE for each other, as Christ desires? Certainly not! They would most likely think that we’re all one ungodly, unrighteous bunch, because that’s the way we behave.
That’s why Bruh Paul, after saying: ‘For the body is not one member, but many,’ broke it down finely for the church in Corinth. ‘If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body (where would the body be)? But now are they many members, yet one body.’ (1 Cor. 12:15-20)
Yes my brethren, just as the Lord made man with one body, but many different parts with various duties, so has Christ has set many members in His body, the church, each with different responsibilities. ‘That there should be no schism (division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.’ (1 Cor. 12:25) Sadly though, Christ’s body is terribly divided, and until that division is mended, the church will not be able to perform the way it ought to.
For as Jesus Himself said: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’ (Matt. 12:25)So let’s take serious heed of those words nuh, and do our best to correct the disunity in the church, so that we can follow Christ’s example and be His disciples both in word and deed, by LOVING each other, the way that He LOVES us. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking help to do just that!
Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And though the Lord might acknowledge our prayer, He’s definitely looking for improvement in our Christian witness, before dispensing divine aid. Much LOVE!
…Christians badly need to get their act together…if they truly desire to make a positive difference in our world…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 Mar 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a man who sowed good seed, a warning to labourers in the filed, an enemy hath done this, anxiety and confusion, be renewed and refreshed, bind them in bundles to burn them, brought forth fruit, by the good example we your faithful believers set, cast them into the furnace of fire, christianity, Christians, didst thou not sow good seed, divine aid, easier in the church age to have counterfeits, escalating problems, faith, faithful believers, false converts produce no lasting fruit, fellowship. rest, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, gather the wheat into my barn, gather together first the tares, get sufficient fun, good example, he that soweth the good seed is the Son of man, help us to be responsible, I made it through, ignorance of the law is no excuse, in the kingdom of their father, in the time of harvest, is likened unto a man, Jesus Christ, lest while ye gather up the tares, let them both grow together until the harvest, LOVE, mercy, omnipotent help, practice lawlessness, refeshed in body soul and mind, relaxation, salvation, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, shall we go and gather them up, tares bear no fruit, tares look almost identical to wheat, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, thanks for getting me safely though another week of work, the BIBLE, the enemy is Satan, the enemy sowed tares among the wheat, the field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom, the harvest is the end of the church age, the meaning of the parable's gone over our heads, the parable of the wheat and the tares, the reapers are the angels, the righteous shine forth as the sun, the sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, the Son of man shall send forth his angels, the tares are false converts, the throne of grace, the time for serious christianity is right now, them which do iniquity, then appeared the tares also, true converts produce fruitful lives, truth, unexpected storms, ungodly times, wailing and gnashing of teeth, when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, while men slept, who hath ears to hear let him hear, wisdom, wise guidance, with your generous help, ye root up also the wheat
Matthew 13:43b. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Oh mih people, Friday, that long awaited day, is here at last! Therefore, we can offer up our Friday Mantra: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is finally here!’ What would we do without the weekend eh? I don’t know. Our forefathers must have had it really hard when they were forced to work six and seven days a week, but thanks be to their fighting spirit, we’ve cut it down to five, and some are blessed enough to have only a four day work week. But let’s remember the hefty price our forefathers paid for reducing the work week, and truly appreciate it, and thus work diligently and efficiently as unto Jesus.
And today, we’ll look at an interesting parable of Jesus, that of the Wheat and the Tares (weeds), one we don’t hear a lot about. Jesus said to the multitude: ‘The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade (grain) was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.’ (Matt. 13:24-26)
Now, according to this commentary, ‘Tares are weed plants (specifically darnel,) that look almost identical to wheat in their early stages, acting as a poisonous, bitter choking weed in grain fields. In appearance, they are incredibly similar to wheat, making them difficult to identify until the wheat bows down with grain and the tares remain upright.’
And Jesus continues the parable. ‘So the servants of the house-holder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while we gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.’ (Matt. 13:27-30)
And it’s obvious that Jesus’ audience back then would hardly understand what He was talking about. Oh, they knew about wheat and tares because it was an agrarian, or agricultural society, but Jesus’ hidden meaning would have gone over their heads, much like it would go over ours. (smile) So what does He mean?
The scholars offer these explanations. ‘24-27. This parable serves as a warning to the labourers in the field (the world, vs. 38). Unlike the Jewish form of the kingdom in the Old Testament, where citizens could easily be recognized, during the church age, converts will be made from all over the world and received upon their profession of faith. Thus, it will be easier to slip in some counterfeits who profess the church, which is the subject of these parables.
The enemy is Satan and the tares (darnel) are false converts. The darnel, although it resembled the wheat did not come to fruition (didn’t bear fruit). Thus Jesus words: The good seed …sprung up, and brought forth fruit, again, emphasizing that true converts produce fruitful lives. By contrast, false converts produce no lasting fruit.’
Then, as per verses 28-30, the scholars note: ‘The servants asked what could be done with these tares. To uproot them would be to damage the entire crop. Root up…the wheat with them: The implication seems to be that too much scathing (caustic criticism) of people’s genuineness of faith may damage the saved before it exposes the lost. Let both grow together indicates that there will always be some false professors among true Christian believers until the time of harvest or judgement. Note that the tares are gathered, bound, and burned first, whereas the wheat is gathered into my barn (heaven).’
Now, that’s a tough parable to break down, and not surprisingly, even the disciples didn’t understand it, and later asked Jesus for an explanation. ‘He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (age); and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world (age).
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity (practice lawlessness); And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.’ (Matt. 13:37-43)
Oh friends, none of that needs further explanation. Jesus explained it fully, and if we don’t receive it, then that’s our problem. As He says, ‘Who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ So it’s all up to us now. We cannot say we didn’t know. Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant for divine aid in these crucial times. And you’ll notice that I’ve reworked it with an older version, and made it a little shorter. (smile)
Altogether: ‘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. Our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example that we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And to receive that divine aid, it now behooves us to go out and set the good example that we were talking about! Much LOVE!
…the time for serious Christianity…is RIGHT NOW…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
Previous Older Entries
SCRIP-BITS 