12 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Christ-like manner, a trip to Toronto, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, according to the riches of his glory, be able to comprehend with all the saints, be filled with all the fullness of God, being rooted and grounded in Love, bring about glory on their part, by Christ Jesus, Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, christianity, developed more courage to fearlessly speak the word, divinely enabled to live the Christian life, don't lose heart, edification, endure to the end, eyes fixed staight ahead, faint not at my tribulations for you, faith, faithfulness, for this cause I bow my knees, gentleness, glad to be alive, God is omnipotent omniscient and omni-present, God would grant you, goodness, halfway home, hands on the plough, high stress levels, holy spirit, in the inner man, Jesus Christ, joy, kindness, LOVE, many of the brethren in the Lord, mercy, much bolder to speak the word, not looking back at the past, not turning back, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, our second wind day, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, patience, Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, Paul's tribulations will spiritually benefit his recipients, peace, praise and honour God, reap the full benefits of the partnership, road rage, salvation, seeing Paul standing strong despite his imprisonment, slef-control, somewhat overcast day, thank God, the BIBLE, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Christian family derives their spiritual life from God, the enormous love of Christ, the fruit of the spirit, the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, throughout all ages, to a glorious future with Jesus, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit, to do exceeding abundantly, to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, truth, unto Him be glory in the church, unto him that is able, unto the Father of our Lord Jesus christ, Wednesday Wail, which is your glory, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 August 2026 Ephesians 3:20.
Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
And then it was Wednesday; our second wind day. And brother, do I ever need to catch my second wind, having just returned at mid-day from taking the Duchess to an early morning doctor’s appointment in Toronto. And it’s not something I can do very often. No sir! The traffic’s disgusting, the roads are full of potholes and cracks, with lanes blocked off everywhere for construction or some such thing. I don’t know how some people traverse those rough, traffic filled roads, twice a day, five days a week. No wonder stress levels are so high, and road rage is prevalent.
But as a certain friend would tell me; ‘that’s progress.’ Well you can keep that kind of progress yes. I certainly don’t want to live, or even visit a city that looks uglier and dirtier than it did fifty years ago. But that’s only my opinion…and who cares about that? Nobody! So let’s see what kind of scriptural message the Lord wants to bless us with this warm, sunshiny August day that’s slightly overcast. And today, it seems He wants us to look at Bruh Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.
After explaining how he came to be an apostle, (Eph. 3:1-12) he says: ‘Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.’ (Eph. 3:13) And the scholars explain that verse by saying: ‘God will use Paul’s tribulations and sufferings in the ministry to spiritually benefit his recipients. Such edification will then bring about glory on their part in that they praise and honour God.’ It corresponds to what he says in Philippians: ‘And many (most) of the brethren in the Lord, waxing (becoming) confident by my bonds (chains) are much bolder to speak the word.’ (Phil. 1:14) Meaning that the majority of the Roman believers, seeing Burh Paul standing strong despite his imprisonment, depending on God, developed much more courage to speak the Word fearlessly
Then Bruh Paul continues: ‘For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’ (Eph. 3:14-15) That means the whole Christian family, those saints now departed and in heaven, and those saints still living derive their spiritual life from God. And furthermore; ‘That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints, what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph. 3:16-19)
And per the scholars in verses 16-19, Paul makes three prayer requests for the Ephesians.: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his Spirit (vs. 16), that is, they be divinely enabled to successfully live the Christian life. (2) That the readers be able to comprehend … the LOVE of Christ, that is, to better understand the enormous LOVE Christ has for them. And (3) that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, that is, that the life, character and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in them.’
Ah friends, it’s the same sort of prayer that I pray for us in these critical times. For do we ever need our inner man to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, so that we can successfully handle, in a Christ-like manner, all the ungodly and evil stuff that’s happening around us every day, as well as the personal temptations that Satan are constantly bombarding us with, to make us turn away from God. And one of the aids to doing that is our understanding the great LOVE that Christ has for us, so that our faith can be rooted and grounded in that LOVE, for if out faith isn’t solidly rooted and grounded, then we can be very easily led astray by all the seemingly wonderful temptations of the evil one.
And when we understand and have that overwhelming LOVE of Christ buried and rooted deep in our souls, then we will begin to see the virtues and characteristics of God blooming forth in us. In other words the fruit of the Spirit; LOVE, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness and self-control, will begin to flourish in our lives. Then Bruh Paul ends the prayer thus: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amne.’ (Eph. 3:20-21)
And according to the scholars, Bruh Paul ‘In making the three above petitions (vs. 16-19) (strengthened with might, understanding the LOVE of Christ, and filled with the fullness of God), he’s not asking too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that he can ask or think.’ Meaning that our God is so great that those things He’s asked for are not too difficult for Him to accomplish. And we all know that nothing is impossible for our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God! That’s why He’s the Creator and Sovereign Ruler of the Universe!
Above all though friends, let’s remember that all the good things that Bruh Paul prayed for are within God’s reach, but individually, we all have a part to play by living obediently to God’s Word and Will, else none of it will happen. And with those words of wisdom (smile) let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we’re serious, then for all of those who endure to the end with Jesus, a more than glorious future lies ahead. So let’s be wise and endure to the end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…God’s already done His part of our partnership…it’s now up to us to do ours…so we can reap the full benefits of the partnership…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
24 Jul 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a holding pattern, a source of hope and encouragement, above all that we ask or think, abundance, according to the power that worketh in us, ask and it shall be given you, by Christ Jesus, cleanse any infection, courage, creativity, curse, divine protection, divine refreshing, duty bound, every breath I wake, every one that asketh receiveth, faith, favour, fill me with the healing power of your Spirit, God's power can exceed all our human expectations, God's power is boundless, God's power working within believers, God's supernatural wisdom, got a zeppo, have faith that god can work, he spake a parable unto them, he that seeketh findeth, heat warning, heavenly Father, holy spirit, I call on you right now, I live under your power, if you created me from nothing, in a special way, in mind body and spirit, in ways that exceed our human expectations, it shall be opened, Jesus Christ, keep on keeping on, knock and it shall be opened unto you, laziness and procrastination, let the warmth of your healing love pass through my body, LOVE, men ought always to pray and not faint, mend what is broken, mercy, my body will function, n a special way, negative word, not give up, not lose heart, on a short leash, open any blocked arteries or veins, prayer is the beleiver's most potent weapon, promotion, prosper, rebuild any damaged areas, remove all inflammation, restore me to full health, root out any unproductive cells, salvation, seek and ye shall find, serve you for the rest of my life, succeed, success, talent, the Prayer of Physical Renewal, the way you created it to function, through the Holy Spirit, through your power I was created, throughout all the ages, to accomplish far more than is humanly possible, to do exceeding abundantly, to him that knocketh, to make new any unhealthy areas, to this end, touch me now with that same power, trust in God's power, truth, unto Him be glory in the church, unto him that is able, we worship a Supernatural God, wisdom, world without end, you can recreate me
Luke 18:1. And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).
Please, don’t even remind me that it’s Thursday, the second to last day of the work week, a sunny and very hot one with a heat warning, for I’ve done very few of the numerous things I promised myself to do this week! Chuh man! Is it just laziness and procrastination on my part, or does the Lord have me in a holding pattern, where, like a tied up animal straining to get loose, I can only go as far as my leash would allow me?
To my thinking it’s a bit of both, but the problem is to decipher which one has the strongest hold, which one’s keeping me back the most. I’ve been enquiring of the Lord, but so far I haven’t received a conclusive answer, so I guess my best bet is to get up and throw off the laziness and procrastination and see where it gets me. If it gets me nowhere, then I will know that it’s the Lord who has me on a short leash. (smile)
On the other hand, even before I began to write the Bit, I got a zeppo as to what to write. Hn! Consider that nuh! Now, there’s a prayer which a friend gave me a long time ago that I say every morning before writing the Bit. I’ve shared it before, but today while saying it, I was guided to share it again, because it’s a prayer that so many of us in our sick and broken lives desperately need in these chaotic and ungodly times. Now it doesn’t have an official name, but for our purposes we will call it the prayer of Physical Renewal. (smile)
So please pray with me: ‘Heavenly Father, I call on You right now in a special way. It is through Your power that I was created. Every breath I wake, I live under Your power. Father, I ask You now to touch me with that same power. For if You created me from nothing, You can recreate me. Fill me with the healing power of Your Spirit. Cast out anything that should not be in me. Mend what is broken.
Root out any unproductive cells, open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild any damaged areas. Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection. Let the warmth of your healing LOVE pass through my body to make new any unhealthy areas so that my body will function the way You created it to function. And Father, restore me to full health in mind, body and spirit so that I may serve You for the rest of my life. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!’
Yes friends, that’s one of my backbone prayers. For at my stage in life, with all my maladies, aches and pains, I do need divine refreshing every day. And I don’t doubt that many of you are in the same position, therefore we all need to pray for our specific healing needs. Remember this Bible verse: ‘And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1)
That was the parable of the persevering woman and the unjust judge that we recently spoke of. She only got justice because she kept on bothering the judge until he gave in and did His job properly. Likewise, we’re not to give up on prayer, despite not receiving the answers we desire or any answers at all. It’s like Jesus said in the sermon on the Mount: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt. 7:7-8)
That means we have to keep on keeping on, and not give up, though things might look tough, even impossible, because our God is a supernatural God and therefore has the power to do things supernaturally, things that we cannot imagine or comprehend. As Bruh Paul wrote to the Ephesians: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all the ages, world without end. Amen.’ (Eph. 3:20-21)
And what does all of that mean? This commentary explains it thus: ‘It expresses the belief in God’s limitless power and capacity to exceed human expectations and desires. This verse is often interpreted as a source of hope and encouragement, emphasizing that God’s actions can surpass anything we can ask for or even imagine. It emphasizes that God’s power, working within believers through the Holy Spirit, enables Him to accomplish far more than what is humanly possible.’
In other words, God’s power is boundless, and can exceed all our human expectations, but we need to trust in His power and to have faith that He can work in ways that are beyond our understanding. That’s the only way we will ever see God’s power show up in our lives, my fellow believers; with sincere faith and trust in His boundless ability. And we already know that He’s very generous because He’s bestowed on us undeserved blessings we call our Thursday Blessings, so that we can do His earthly work. Therefore, let’s declare and activate them right now nuh!
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection!
I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And having made that declaration, we are now duty bound to go out and use those blessings in the lives of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us. Much LOVE!
…prayer is the believer’s most potent weapon…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
11 Mar 2021
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, above all we ask or think, accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, according to the power that worketh in us, according to the will of God, always there to help and comfort, Christ came as a servant, curse, divinely enabled to live the Christian life, emotinal relief, filled with all the fullness of God, for this cause I bow my knees, gospel truth, He that searcheth the hearts, in the inner man, Jesus Christ, know the love of christ, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, make the decision to come to christ, maketh intercession for us with groanings, negative word, pandemic, problems become surmountable, prosper, racial unrest, Sacrifical Lamb, share our blessings generously, strengthened with might, succeed, supernatural wisdom, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, the whole family is named, through His Holy Spirit, Thursday Blessings, to do exceedingly abundantly, trust, unto him that is able, your life is in Almighty God's hands
Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
And then, rather quickly, it was Thursday, the penultimate day of the work week, and our lives are still somewhat confused by the pandemic and racial unrest. However, despite how things may appear, regardless of all the worries and pain, if you believe that your life is in Almighty God’s hands, then those problems will become very surmountable! Yes friends, once you are in God’s hands, problems never seem as worrisome and problematic!
Oh, you will still have them, because that’s just a part of life on this planet, but once you’re walking with Him, once you are a follower of His wonderful Son, our Sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ, He’s always there to help and comfort you through His Holy Spirit that indwells all His followers!
Wow! What awesome comfort and assurance! No other Deity can provide such emotional relief and trust, because no other Deity is alive and well and powerful like the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But the important thing is that we have to embrace all the promises and benefits that the Lord has provided. They don’t come to us automatically. We have to make the decision to come to Christ and accept that He is Lord and Saviour.
And today, what we’re going to look at is the first act in that action. (smile) It’s called prayer, or talking to God in reverential awe; humbly, but with confidence, as Hebrews tells us: ‘Let us therefore come boldly (confidently) unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Heb. 4:16)
Now, prayer is not only asking God for stuff we want, or think we need, it goes much deeper than that. It is in essence a communing of our spirit with that of the Father, who originally breathed His Spirit in us to give us life. And when we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, His Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us to lead and guide us and to help us commune with the Almighty. Part of the Holy Spirit’s job is also to help us in prayer.
Bruh Paul puts it like this to the church at Rome. ‘Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities (weaknesses): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts (God) knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.’ (Rom. 8:26-27)
Yes precious people, the Holy Spirit interprets our innermost feelings that we cannot put into words and aligns them with God’s will. For remember, before the Lord grants our requests, He looks at the motives of our hearts, to see if they’re selfish, greedy and outside of His will.
But getting back to actual prayer. Let’s look at how Bruh Paul prayed for others. It’s strange, but he didn’t usually pray for people’s troubles to go away and that sort of thing, he mostly prayed that they would have inner growth, and thus be able to handle the problems from a point of greater maturity. Here’s how he prayed for the Ephesians, the church at Ephesus.
‘For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (derived). That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph. 3:14-19)
Oh, I know that it seems like a long and complicated prayer, but in essence it’s fairly simple. Here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘3:16-19. In these verses Paul makes three prayer requests for the addressees: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his spirit (vs.16), that is, they be divinely enabled to successfully live the Christian life. (2) That the readers be able to comprehend…the LOVE of Christ , that is, to better understand the enormous LOVE Christ has for them. And (3) that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, that is, that the life, character, and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in them.’
Oh my people, doesn’t that sound like a complete prayer? It surely does! When we are strengthened by the Spirit, then we can understand Christ’s LOVE, then live the way He desires us to live, through strong and mature faith, ‘rooted and grounded in LOVE.’ And there’s no other way to live the Christian life my friends.
But Bruh Paul wasn’t done with his prayer. He continues: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.’ (Eph. 3:20-21) And the scholars tell us: ‘3:20. In making the three above petitions (vs. 16-19) Paul has not asked for too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that he can ask or think.’
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Our God is omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present, that means He can do all things, knows all things and is everywhere at the same time! And that’s why He is GOD! So let’s try to adopt some of those prayer principles that Bruh Paul established nuh. Let’s not just pray for troubles to be over, or success to be gained, but for us to receive what we need to grow and mature in the faith, have our inner man strengthened. We will all end up better off and living a more complete Christian life.
And now, since it’s Thursday, let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!) our Thursday Blessings, which the Lord has magnanimously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. Altogether now, in strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
Oh friends, it’s time for us to now share those blessings with others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!
…Christ came as a servant…and He expects the same of His followers…
02 Nov 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a compassionate heart, a heart full of Jesus, a physical death, able, above all that we ask, according to the power, attitudes, awesome God, awesome power, backbone, be glory in the church, blessed day of life, blessings, christ jesus, Christians, Comforter, compulsion, Controller, Creator, crux of the matter, curse, do god's work, doxology, earthly work, eternal life, ever-faithful, ever-Loving, everlasting God, exceeding abundantly, excellent work, faith, generous nature, get paid, God's assignments, God's great earth, guides, gumption, happenstance, holy partnership, holy spirit, in Christ's name, Jesus Christ, keep promises, kept secret, leads, made known, made manifest, Maker, motives, negative word, not to question why, our Lord and Saviour, plans, pledge, ponder, prosper, provider, ready, relationship with god, revelation of the mystery, rewards, salvation, self-control, self-discipline, serve, share our blessings, sincerity, state of our hearts, succeed, the best of our ability, the church at Rome, the fire, the flood, the prophets, the Scriptures, think, throughout all ages, Thursday Blessings, truth, unto him that is able, willing, with pleasure, works in us, world without end, worship
Ephesians 3:20-21. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Another day friends, another day! Wow! We’ve been granted another blessed day of life on God’s great earth! Isn’t that just wonderful? It surely is! That means God has great plans in store for us; plans to do His earthly work through the help of His Holy Spirit! Otherwise, why keep us alive eh? (smile)
But are we ready, willing and able to do our part in that holy partnership? That’s the million dollar question. We might be ready, and even able, but the crux of the matter is, are we willing? Yeh mih people, do we really WANT to do God’s work?
That is what God is interested in; the state of our hearts, our motives, our true attitudes. That’s because, like we all know, when you want to do something, you usually do it better than if you are merely doing it through compulsion or happenstance.
We see that everyday in the way people do their jobs; some do it with pleasure, some because they just want to get paid, and some don’t do it at all. So what’s out attitude towards God’s will and work eh? Let’s take a brief moment to ponder that question nuh…. Selah.
Oh I know that some of us will complain that God’s work is not easy or attractive, or whatever excuse you have. But friends, let’s remember that ours is not to question why, but simply, as a child of God, a follower of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to accept God’s assignments and hopefully not to die, while carrying them out to the best of our ability.
And even if perchance we do die a physical death while doing His will, remember the great rewards He has promised, both here on earth and in heaven, for those who serve Him faithfully. There is nothing more rewarding than salvation and eternal life with the Holy Trinity!
And our God is faithful; one of His many names is EVER-FAITHFUL! So there is no need to worry if He will keep His promises like never to leave or forsake us, or to help us bear our burdens, or to walk with us through the flood and the fire. And even more importantly, unlike other supposed gods, He IS ABLE, has the power and might to keep those promises!
Just listen to Bruh Paul expatiate on His awesome power in our Bit. ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.’
Yeh friends, the Lord God Almighty is our Maker, our Creator, our Controller and Provider! Consequently He can direct our lives in any which way that suits His plans, but in His ever-LOVING and generous nature, He desires us to WANT to work with Him, and not just be like a fearful and/or obedient slave.
It’s no different than how we desire others to work for us. And in these tremulous and troublesome times, it becomes even more important that we Christians acquire more gumption, more desire, more backbone, more faith and strength to fight the battles that our world requires us to fight.
And we can only acquire those things by working faithfully and sincerely with the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, that leads and guides us, that shows us the true path to glory in Jesus Christ.
So let’s sincerely pledge today to improve our relationship with our great God nuh, through listening to and following the dictates of our Comforter and Guide, His Holy Spirit. That’s the only way life will ever improve here on earth.
Now listen to Bruh Paul as he concludes with this doxology (praise to God), to the church at Rome, very reminiscent of our Bit. ‘Now to him that is of power (able) to stablish (establish) you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.’ (Rom.16:25-27)
Oh friends, what powerful scripture. Please lets take it all to heart, and let it enable us to do excellent work in Christ’s name. And as we do every Thursday, let’s go home declaring our wonderful blessings from our most wonderful God.
All together now, in sincerity and truth: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!
I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!
I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Mama Mia! What an awesome God we serve and worship! The next step is to now go out and generously share those blessings with the less fortunate, as Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!
…the best way to serve Jesus…is to have a heart truly full of Jesus…
30 Aug 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a path of righteousness, above all we ask or think, acknowledge God, beloved of God, bow my knees, edification, el numero uno, Ephesians, exceeding abundantly, faint not, family in heaven, focus on Jesus Christ, friends in Jesus, glory, Glory be, glory to God, God's Word, guidance, He wanted us first, honour, inner growth, Jesus living in us, joy, Knowing God Intimately, leading and guiding, lose heart, LOVE, mover and shaker, number one, One Year Book of Bible promises, perfection, planted in us, pleasure, pride, protection, rooted and grounded, Ruth Harms Calkin, saturate our hearts, selfishness club, spiritual desire, spiritually benefit, the Holy Spirit, the instigator, the Me first club, the power that works in us, tribulations, Tuesday Mantra, umbrella of love, unto him that is able
Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Well my faithful brethren, it’s another wonderful sunny morning in my neighbourhood! Glory be!
However, we could certainly use some rain. The ground is hard and dry and plants are suffering some. But we know that our God is still in control of His universe and His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours, so we just have to use our faith to bear up under whatever He decides is best for us at this time.
Now here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that caught my interest and made me want to share it. It’s titled ‘Knowing God Intimately.’
Please read with me. ‘How do we learn to know God so intimately that all of life takes on a new freshness? We acknowledge that God is the instigator. We would not be wanting Him if He did not first want us. Even a glimmer of spiritual desire is His desire planted in us.
We resign from our self-appointed office as president of the “Me First Club,” which gives God the privilege of saying, “Good! Now I’ll promote you.”
We focus on Jesus Christ, God’s Son. It is never a matter of how conspicuous we are. It only matters that He is conspicuous in us. We make no promise of perfection. All the perfection we’ll ever have is the perfection of Jesus living in us.
We let God’s Word saturate our hearts. Five or ten minutes each day is far more helpful than three hours once a week. We trust God to do within us what we cannot do, knowing that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.’
Oh faithful friends in Jesus, what a beautiful and most useful description of how to get to know our wonderful God intimately!
We first lay down our post of head of our selfishness club, so that God can use and promote us, because He cannot, or rather won’t do anything if we hold on to pride of first place in our own lives. Yes my people, above all else, we need to recognize God as El Numero Uno; Number ONE!
And isn’t it strange that we can’t want Him until He first plants a seed of wanting in us? And having given God first place in our lives, we then focus on Jesus Christ His wonderful Son who selflessly gave up His holy and sinless life to save us. Oh glory to God!
And yet again, what truly matters is how Jesus is perceived in us, not we in Him. And our perfection is found in Him, the ONLY perfect being, through His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, leading and guiding us on a path of righteousness.
And to help bring all of that to pass, we need to read and study and meditate on the Word of God, let it flourish in our lives, so that we can be fully rooted and grounded in all that He has promised, since He can do way way more than our finite minds can even imagine. Wow!
And the Bible Promise for that poem is also our Bit for today. ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.’
Ah mih people, what a joy and pleasure it is to know that there is someone more powerful than us, under whose umbrella of LOVE we can safely lay our lives, our burdens and all our earthly cares!
And how does all of that affect us? Well here Bruh Paul is praying for the inner growth of the Ephesians, and by extension us too.
He tells them: ‘Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’ (Eph.3:13-15) Oh friends, we are a part of that family! How wonderful!
Now here are some explanations of those verses from the scholars. ‘3:13. Which is your glory: God will use Paul’s tribulation and sufferings in the ministry to spiritually benefit his recipients. Such edification will then bring about glory on their part in that they praise and honour God.’
‘3:14. For this cause: This expression resumes the apostle’s prayer begun in verse 1 but delayed by the discussion of verses 2:13.’ Now why doesn’t that surprise me eh? Bruh Paul was so intense, had so much godly desire for those under his spiritual care, that at times his message could be complicated and long winded. I can certainly appreciate that. (smile)
’3:15. Is named means “is derived.” The whole Christian family, including those saints now departed and in heaven, and those saints still living on earth – all of them “derive” their spiritual life from God.’
So friends, our Maker becomes the undeniable Mover and Shaker in our lives when we wisely offer to live under His protection and guidance. More on all of this tomorrow, God in favour. Now let’s go home proudly and sincerely declaring our Tuesday Mantra …thought I’d forgotten nuh. (smile)
‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
And if we were sincere in that declaration, then we need now to go out and put it all into action, for that’s what Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!
…beloved children of God…and friends of Jesus…are expected to joyfully share His LOVE and His Word…
02 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, according to the revelation of the mystery, adrenalin, almighty god, as it is written, aura of love, Bruh Paul, children of the Most High God, confidence, conquerors, do love, entered into the heart of man, enthusiasm, eye hath not seen, faith, fire in Jesus' eyes, friends, generous help, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, glory to God, God's promises, God's Word, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, keeping lives and families together, lies, LOVE, Lucifer, minions, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, nor ear heard, our God-given task, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, rest, sincere heart, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Good Book, the obedience of faith, the saga of mankind, the Son's beaming His light, the sun's a rising, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him, the truth of the matter, the truth will set you free, to do exceedingly abundantly, to him that is able to establish you, trust, truth, ungodly world, unto him that is able, up to the challenge, walking obediently with Christ, wicked taunts, wiles, wisdom
Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Aye mateys, it’s time to roll outa your bunks and hit the decks…running! The sun’s a rising, and the Son’s a beaming His most brilliant Light all over His Father’s great universe! Glory to God!
Ah Friends, I’m trying to be as diplomatic as I can, (smile) to let you know that it’s Monday morning and it’s time to get up and go to work. But you know it’s always better to face reality straight in the face than try to slant it, or tone it down. As the Good Book tells us, the truth will set us free.
And the truth of the matter is that we have to rise and shine, let our saltiness flavour our world and our light lead it in a godly manner, for that is our God-given task.
Oh, I know that many of us are still tired, lazy, depressed, whatever, and don’t really feel like getting up and getting a move on, but we have to if we want to make a living. And as usual, to help us do that, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with as much enthusiasm and energy as we can muster.
Now, as one harmonious choir, with Jesus as our choirmaster, let’s sing. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Not bad, not bad at all mih people! I guess we saw the stern look on Jesus’ face and the fire in His eyes, and realized that He was not in a fooling mood, He meant business this morning. (smile)
So now that the adrenalin is pumping, providing much needed fuel for our somewhat less than warmed up motors, let’s get out there on the firing line and just do LOVE nuh, do LOVE like Jesus did, and still does. Once we’re doing LOVE with a sincere heart, then we know that we are walking obediently in His footsteps, with absolutely nothing to worry about.
So what about it eh Friends? Are we up to the challenge this Monday morning? I’m sure we are. And why am I so sure of that? Because of our Bit, which is a promise from the Word of God, and all God’s promises are faithful and true.
So if Bruh Paul, God’s mouthpiece and messenger says this in his missive to the church at Ephesus: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,’ then it must be true. No ifs ands or buts about it!
Yes my brethren, we are children of the Most High God, we belong to the family of a mighty Deity, whose power can do infinitely more than our finite minds can even imagine! And please don’t ever forget that! Your heavenly Father is the most omnipotent force in the universe that He created and still controls!
Don’t bother with Lucifer and his li’l fool fool minions. They can’t do anything to stop or harm a child of the Most High God Jehovah! They only have plenty mouth – like some of us Christians – but the Father can destroy them with a simple word. Glory Hallelujah!
Now let’s check out a few scripture passages which corroborate our Bit. In 1 Corinthians, when talking about wisdom being God’s gift, Bruh Paul reminds his readers: ‘But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.’ (1Cor.2:9)
Yeh Friends, none of us really know the wonderful things that God has prepared for those of us who truly LOVE and reverence Him! They are too high and wonderful for our small minds to comprehend.
Then, in his letter to the Colossians, Bruh Paul in talking about his service for Christ, ends the chapter with these powerful words. ‘Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.’ (Col.1:29)
Oh my fellow believers, when we LOVE God and aspire to do His bidding, He will also work mightily in us! Oh glory to God!
Then in his concluding doxology to the church at Rome, Bruh Paul assures them: ‘Now to him that is of power (is able) to stablish (establish) you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.’ (Rom.16:25-27)
Yes Friends, the whole saga of mankind (the mystery) was prepared even before the world began, but only made known through the prophets and the coming of Jesus in God’s right timing!
So please, let’s go out today and do what we need to do nuh, without fear or worry, because the most powerful force in the universe, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is looking out for us. Much LOVE!
…there’s no one better to have your back…than Almighty God…
01 Nov 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according to the power that worketh in us, benefits, Christ may dwell in your hearts, compromise, confusion, Creator, Daylight Savings Time, depression, disappointment, do not lose heart, drawbacks, edification, Enormous Rewards, Ephesians, fear, filled with all the fullness of God, forgiveness, freedom, friendship, fulfillment, glory to God, God the Good, godless world, guilt, Halloween, holy spirit, I bow my knees, inner growth, joy, lead and guide us, live the Christian life, lose an hour's sleep, One Year Book of Bible promises, penance, provider, purpose, rewards, rooted and grounded in love, Ruth Harms Calkin, saints, satisfaction, sordidness, spiritual life, strengthened with might, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the inner man, the moneyed class, the riches of his glory, the serfs, the whole family is named, to do all that we ask or think, to know the Love of Christ, tribulations, unto him that is able, walking obediently with Christ, ye faint not
Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Well Friends, it’s Sunday the 1st of November! That means Halloween is over, October is done and Daylight Savings Time is also over. Now on that last one, the benefits or drawbacks are still being argued over.
What we do know is that some people lose an hour’s sleep while others gain an hour, and now some people will be going to work in the dark and also coming home in the dark.
No wonder there is so much depression and its cohorts come the winter time where people don’t see the sun enough. But that’s the decision of the ruling, the moneyed class, so we poor serfs just have to grin and bear it. (smile) But I’m here to tell us my fellow believers that all of that doesn’t truly matter once we are walking obediently with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
And having read this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises yesterday, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, it struck such a powerful chord in my thinking, that I just had to share it. It’s titled ‘Enormous Rewards.’
And it says: ‘O dear God Thank You for teaching me The enormous rewards Of walking obediently with You. There is joy without guilt Freedom without fear Satisfaction without sordidness Purpose without confusion Friendship without compromise Forgiveness without penance Fulfillment without disappointment.’
Yes my brethren, that is indeed the description of what a true believer enjoys when He walks in close relationship with Almighty God, his Creator and Provider! And consequently, he does not have to worry about all the nonsense that is happening in our wicked, godless world. Oh glory to God!
How wonderful it is to be able to ignore so much of the world’s foolishness because of a strong faith and eternal trust in Jesus! There is no need to worry, hurry or fear anything, because our Saviour has faithfully promised that He will be always with us through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, which will lead and guide us successfully through this hellish world.
And our Bit today comes from Bruh Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.’
But before we delve into it, I think it’s best that we know what comes before, so we can better understand the context of what he’s talking about. But that puts me in a bit of a quandary, because almost every verse has some useful information from the scholars, and I’m not sure whether I should do the explanation after each verse, or lump them all together. I’m not sure which method will bring easier and greater understanding. But let’s mosey along (smile) and see where the Holy Spirit leads us.
Now in this section of his letter, Bruh Paul is offering a prayer for the inner growth of the Ephesians. And he tells them: ‘Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’ (Eph.3:13-15)
And the scholars offer these explanations on those verses. ‘3:13. Which is your glory: God will use Paul’s tribulations and sufferings in the ministry to spiritually benefit his recipients. Such edification will then bring about glory on their part in that they praise and honour God.’
‘3:14. For this cause: This expression resumes the apostle’s prayer begun in verse 1 but delayed by the discussion of verses 2-13.’
‘3:15. Is named means “is derived.” The whole Christian family, including those saints now departed and in heaven, and those saints still living on earth – all of them “derive” their spiritual life from God.’
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all the saints what is the breadth (width), and length , and depth, and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph.3:16-9)
And yuh know what my people? That prayer is still completely viable to our situation today, for we are suffering the same doubt, frustration and lack of confidence that the Ephesians suffered back then, and we need desperately to grow in Christ if we intend to make a positive and meaningful difference in this strife filled world.
And the scholars’ offer these explanations. ‘3:16-19. In these verses Paul makes three prayer requests for the addressees: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his Spirit (v.16), that is, that they be divinely enabled to successfully live the Christian life.
(2) That the readers be able to comprehend …the LOVE of Christ, that is, to better understand the enormous LOVE Christ has for them. And (3) that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, that is, that the life, character, and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in them.’
And finally, we’ll turn to the scholars’ explanation of our Bit. ‘3:20. In making the three above petitions (vv.16-19), Paul has not asked for too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that he can ask or think.’
And that’s it in a nutshell my people! Our God is so great, so powerful, so omnipotent, that He can do way way more than our finite minds can even begin to think, imagine, ask for, or comprehend. That’s why He is GOD! And I do hope that the way I structured the verses and explanations enabled you to better understand the Word.
Now remember today is Sunday and we need to go to the sanctuary and fellowship with other believers; to sing, pray, give thanks and glorify our heavenly Father and receive His strength, confidence, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, so that we can truly live the Christian life. Much LOVE!
…there is only ONE Power…and ONE Presence here…God the Good…God the Omnipotent…
SCRIP-BITS 